Systems and methods for inspecting a delivery vehicle using a paired inspection drone

• US 10,482,418 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2017
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Burch, V, Reuben F., Doyle, David A., Popp, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaawat, Mussa A
• Application Number:
  US15/710,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20180086455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/222 for storing aircraft, e.g. in hangars
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/60 Tethered aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/17 for detecting, disrupting or countering communications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/26 for manufacturing, inspections or repairs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/00 UAVs characterised by their flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/37 Charging when not in flight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/82 Airborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 : Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 : Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 : Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 : specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 : for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

Paired drone-based systems and methods are described that inspect a delivery vehicle. For example, a system may include a docking station within the vehicle and a sensor-enabled inspection drone paired to the vehicle and that aerially inspects targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle. In response to an activation command, the inspection drone transitions to an active power state, uncouples from the docking station, identifies the targeted inspection points as corresponding to respective parts of the vehicle, moves to respective aerial positions proximate each of the targeted inspection points, automatically identifies an out of range inspection condition about a targeted inspection point based upon sensor-based inspection information detected from at least one of the aerials positions, and responsively transmits an inspection notification message to a vehicle receiver on the vehicle to indicate the targeted inspection point is outside an acceptable range for operation of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A drone-based system for inspecting a delivery vehicle, comprising:

an internal docking station fixed within a drone storage area within the delivery vehicle, the internal docking station further comprising

a physical docking interface,

an electronic charging connection interface, and

an electronic data connection interface; and

an inspection drone paired to the delivery vehicle and operative to aerially inspect a plurality of targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle, the paired inspection drone further comprising;

a main housing,

an onboard controller disposed within the main housing,

a memory storage coupled to the onboard controller and maintaining an inspection profile record corresponding to the delivery vehicle,

a plurality of lifting engines coupled with respective lifting rotors, each of the lifting engines being fixed to a different portion of the main housing and responsive to flight control input generated by the onboard controller as part of maintaining a desired flight profile,

a drone capture interface responsive to the onboard controller and disposed on the main housing, the drone capture interface being operative to selectively mate to the physical docking interface of the internal docking station in response to a docking command from the onboard controller, wherein the drone capture interface holds the paired inspection drone in a secure position when selectively mated to the physical docking interface of the internal docking station,

at least one sensor coupled to the onboard controller, the sensor being operative to (a) detect sensor-based inspection information while the paired inspection drone is airborne and has aerially moved from the secured position on the internal docking station to respective aerial positions proximate each of the targeted inspection points and (b) provide the detected sensor-based inspection information to the onboard controller,

a communication interface coupled to the onboard controller, the communication interface being operative to transmit an inspection notification message in response to a transmission command from the onboard controller, and

an onboard battery providing electrical power to each of the onboard controller, the lifting engines, the drone capture interface, the at least one sensor, and the communication interface, wherein the onboard battery connecting to the electronic charging connection interface when the paired inspection drone is in the secure position on the internal docking station; and

wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is operative, in response to receiving an activation command over the communication interface, to

transition from at least a low power state to an active power state as part of a targeted inspection operation of the delivery vehicle, the paired inspection drone being exclusively assigned to the delivery vehicle;

cause the drone capture interface to automatically uncouple the paired inspection drone from the physical docking interface of internal docking station once the internal monitor drone transitions to the active monitoring state;

access the memory storage to identify the targeted inspection points from the inspection profile record stored in the memory storage, the targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle;

change the desired flight profile to first cause the lifting engines to move the paired inspection drone from the secured position on the internal docking station to an initial airborne position within the drone storage area of the delivery vehicle and then move the paired inspection drone from the initial airborne position to the respective aerial positions proximate each of the targeted inspection points;

automatically identify an inspection condition about at least one of the targeted inspection points based upon the sensor-based inspection information detected from at least one of the aerials positions, the inspection condition being outside an acceptable range for operation of the delivery vehicle; and

cause the communication interface to responsively transmit an inspection notification message to a delivery vehicle receiver disposed on the delivery vehicle upon identifying the inspection condition for the at least one targeted inspection point is outside the acceptable range for operation of the delivery vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a base controller fixed to the delivery vehicle and operative to provide a flight command to the onboard controller on the paired inspection drone; and

a tether linking the base controller and the paired inspection drone, the tether providing an electronic conduit for at least one of data and power related to the paired inspection drone.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the tether provides the flight command from the base controller to the paired inspection drone.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the tether further providing a fiber optic conduit for movement of at least an image type of sensor-based inspection information from the paired inspection drone to the base controller.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to generate landing control input for the lifting engines if the tether breaks, the landing control input facilitating a return of the paired inspection drone to the internal docking station and securing of the drone capture interface to the physical docking interface of the internal docking station.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the paired inspection drone further comprises a control receiver coupled to the onboard controller, the control receiver having an input connected to the tether, the control receiver being operative to receive the flight command from the base controller on the input and pass the received flight command to the onboard controller;

and wherein the onboard controller is further operative to generate the flight control input for the lifting engines based upon the received flight command.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the paired inspection drone further comprises a restrictive tether connected to the paired inspection drone and to the delivery vehicle, the restrictive tether limiting movement of the paired inspection drone.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller is further operative to generate the flight control input autonomously to enable the paired inspection drone to self-control aerial movements of the paired inspection drone from the secured position on the internal docking station to respective aerial positions proximate each of the targeted inspection points.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the paired inspection drone comprises a linked part of the delivery vehicle that travels with the delivery vehicle during a delivery vehicle based shipment operation.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the delivery vehicle based shipment operation comprises an operation to ship one or more items from a first location to a second location while the one or more items are maintained within a cargo storage area of the delivery vehicle.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises an aircraft.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the drone storage area comprises an accessible storage compartment of the aircraft.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller is further operative to download the inspection profile record into the memory storage through the electronic data connection interface of the internal docking station.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas specific to inside of the delivery vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises an aircraft;

and wherein at least one of the designated inspection areas comprises an accessible cargo storage area within an aircraft.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the designated inspection areas comprises a cargo attachment point located within an accessible cargo storage area within an aircraft.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the designated inspection areas comprises a cargo handling point located within an accessible cargo storage area within an aircraft, wherein the cargo handling point facilitating movement of a cargo shipment within the accessible cargo storage area.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the cargo handling point comprises at least one from a group consisting of a roller, a caster, a portion of a roller deck, a roller ball mat, a castor mat, a turntable, and a conveyor.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the paired inspection drone is further operative to automatically identify the inspection condition by performing an enhanced level inspection related to a designated area of the delivery vehicle using the at least one sensor on the paired inspection drone to detect the sensor-based inspection information when the paired inspection drone is proximate one of the targeted inspection points in the designated area.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the designated area of the delivery vehicle comprises an area of the delivery vehicle having an onboard safety system for the delivery vehicle.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire extinguishing equipment.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire suppressant equipment.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the designated area of the delivery vehicle comprises a hazardous material storage area of the delivery vehicle.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the designated area of the delivery vehicle comprises a fire suppressant storage area of the delivery vehicle.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas externally exposed on the delivery vehicle.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the plurality of designated inspection areas comprises a first designated inspection area aerially accessible from above the delivery vehicle but that is not visible from a ground level perspective relative to the delivery vehicle.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the designated inspection areas comprise a plurality of aircraft components of an aircraft representing the delivery vehicle.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the plurality of aircraft components comprises at least two from the group consisting of a panel, a rivet, a seam, an engine, a flight control surface, a window seal, a closable entry to within the aircraft, aircraft lighting, an antenna, landing gear, and tires.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeted inspection points identified from the inspection profile record further comprise a prioritized subset of the targeted inspection points designated for an enhanced level of sensor-based inspection when the sensor detects the sensor-based inspection information for the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the prioritized subset of the targeted inspection points comprises parts of the delivery vehicle not serviced within a threshold period of time as designated in the inspection profile record for the delivery vehicle that is accessible by the onboard processor of the paired inspection drone.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the prioritized subset of the targeted inspection points comprises parts of the delivery vehicle exceeding an age threshold as designated in the inspection profile record for the delivery vehicle.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the enhanced level of sensor-based inspection comprises detecting, by a plurality of sensors on the paired inspection drone, the sensor-based inspection information for the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein the enhanced level of sensor-based inspection comprises detecting, by the sensor on the paired inspection drone, the sensor-based inspection information for each of the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points over an enhanced inspection period of time compared to the time taken by the paired inspection drone to detect the sensor-based inspection information for those not in the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor on the paired inspection drone comprises an image sensor that captures one or more images relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the detected sensor-based inspection information.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the image sensor comprises at least one of a visual imaging sensor, an infrared (IR) imaging sensor, and a thermal imaging sensor.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor on the paired inspection drone comprises a temperature sensor that measures a temperature relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the detected sensor-based inspection information.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor on the paired inspection drone comprises a depth sensor that conducts surface mapping measurements relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the detected sensor-based inspection information.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the depth sensor comprises at least one of a LIDAR sensor and an ultrasonic transducer.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard processor of the paired inspection drone is further operative to update the inspection profile record maintained in the memory storage based upon the sensor-based inspection information provided by the sensor to the onboard processor, the updated inspection profile record reflecting an electronic catalog of aerial inspections relative to each of the targeted inspection points on the delivery vehicle.

40. The system of claim 39 further comprising a maintenance receiver separate from the delivery vehicle for maintaining maintenance-related information about the delivery vehicle gathered with the paired inspection drone;

and wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to transmit the updated inspection profile record to the maintenance receiver.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to transmit the updated inspection profile record to the delivery vehicle receiver.

42. The system of claim 39 further comprising

a mobile interactive transceiver operated by vehicle crew personnel for the delivery vehicle;

and

wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to transmit the updated inspection profile record to the mobile interactive transceiver.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is operative to automatically identify the inspection condition by being further operative to identify the inspection condition by comparing the sensor-based inspection information for one of the targeted inspection points to prior sensor-based inspection information detected for the one of the targeted inspection points.

44. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is operative to automatically identify the inspection condition by being further operative to process the sensor-based inspection information for one of the targeted inspection points to determine that the one of the targeted inspection points is currently in an unacceptable condition as the inspection condition.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the unacceptable condition related to the one of the targeted inspection points comprises at least one of a missing condition, a loose condition, a damaged condition, a cracked condition, a worn condition, a leaking condition, and a thermal related condition.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to cause the communication interface to responsively transmit the inspection notification message by being further operative to cause the communication interface to transmit the inspection notification message to a mobile interactive transceiver operated by vehicle crew personnel for the delivery vehicle to notify the vehicle crew personnel that operate the delivery vehicle.

47. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to cause the communication interface to responsively transmit the inspection notification message to a maintenance receiver to notify maintenance personnel that service the delivery vehicle.

48. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to receive a flight command to redirect aerial movement of the paired inspection drone in response to transmitting the inspection notification message.

49. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone is further operative to

receive a flight command to redirect aerial movement of the paired inspection drone;

and

cause the paired inspection drone to re-inspect the at least one of the targeted inspection points related to the inspection notification message.

50. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard controller of the paired inspection drone comprises:

a flight controller operative responsible for generating the flight control input to at least change the desired flight profile; and

an onboard inspection processor responsible for at least receiving the sensor-based information from the at least one sensor, and automatically identifying the inspection condition about the at least one of the targeted inspection points based upon the sensor-based inspection information detected from the at least one of the aerials positions.

51. A drone-based system for inspecting a delivery vehicle, comprising:

an aerial inspection drone paired to the delivery vehicle as an exclusively assigned sensor-based monitor that travels with the delivery vehicle during a delivery vehicle based shipment operation, the paired aerial inspection drone comprising at least a plurality of sensors to detect sensor-based inspection information about a plurality of targeted inspection points on the delivery vehicle, the paired aerial inspection drone being operative to fly proximate each of the targeted inspection points as part of a targeted inspection flight and gather the sensor-based inspection information using one or more of the sensors at each of the targeted inspection points;

an internal docking station fixed within a drone storage area of the delivery vehicle, the internal docking station providing a secure storage for the paired aerial inspection drone when the paired aerial inspection drone is not flying;

a delivery vehicle transceiver fixed within an operating compartment of the delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle transceiver comprising a display, a control input interface, and a radio, the delivery vehicle transceiver being operative to communicate with the paired aerial inspection drone over the radio, receive user input via the control input interface, and generate vehicle related information for presenting on the display; and

a first mobile interactive transceiver in communication with at least the delivery vehicle transceiver and being operated by delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle;

wherein the paired aerial inspection drone is further operative to

automatically uncouple from the internal docking station at the beginning of the targeted inspection flight to inspect the targeted inspection points of the delivery vehicle;

automatically identify an inspection condition about at least one of the targeted inspection points based upon the sensor-based inspection information gathered related to the at least one of the targeted inspection points, the inspection condition being outside an acceptable range for operation of the delivery vehicle, and

transmit an inspection notification message to the delivery vehicle transceiver upon identifying the inspection condition;

wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is operative to forward information related to the inspection notification message to the first mobile interactive transceiver; and

wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is operative to receive the information related to the inspection notification message from the delivery vehicle transceiver, and display at least a portion of the forwarded information related to the inspection notification message to the delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle comprise a mechanic that provides maintenance service related to the delivery vehicle.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle comprise a vehicle operator responsible for controlling the delivery vehicle during the delivery vehicle based shipment operation.

54. The system of claim 51, wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is further operative to generate inspection notification information as the vehicle related information for presenting on the display of the delivery vehicle transceiver, the inspection notification information being related to the inspection condition of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is further operative to

receive inspection condition feedback input as the user input received via the control input interface of the delivery vehicle transceiver, the inspection condition feedback indicating an instruction to forward information related to the inspection notification message to the first mobile interactive transceiver, and

selectively transmit the information related to the inspection notification message to the first mobile interactive transceiver based upon the instruction in the inspection condition feedback input.

56. The system of claim 51, wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is operative to

display at least the portion of the forwarded information related to the inspection notification message as a prompt for an enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points;

and

wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is further operative to

receive input from the delivery vehicle personnel in response to the displayed prompt, and

transmit a confirmation message to the delivery vehicle transceiver, the confirmation message indicating the result of the enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the input received by the first mobile interactive transceiver comprises a verified result indication related to the enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

58. The system of claim 51 further comprising

a maintenance transceiver separate from the delivery vehicle and the delivery vehicle transceiver, the maintenance transceiver being operated by maintenance personnel associated with servicing the delivery vehicle;

and

wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is operative to forward information related to the inspection notification message to the maintenance transceiver.

59. The system of claim 51 further comprising

a maintenance transceiver separate from the delivery vehicle and the delivery vehicle transceiver, the maintenance transceiver being operated by maintenance personnel associated with servicing the delivery vehicle;

and

wherein the paired aerial inspection drone is further operative to directly transmit the inspection notification message to the maintenance transceiver.

60. The system of claim 51, wherein the delivery vehicle based shipment operation comprises an operation to ship one or more items from a first location to a second location while the one or more items are maintained within a cargo storage area of the delivery vehicle.

61. The system of claim 51, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas specific to inside of the delivery vehicle.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points is located in an accessible cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a cargo attachment point located within an accessible cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a cargo handling point located within an accessible cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle, the cargo handling point facilitating movement of a cargo shipment within the accessible cargo storage area.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the cargo handling point comprises at least one from a group consisting of a roller, a caster, a portion of a roller deck, a roller ball mat, a castor mat, a turntable, and a conveyor.

66. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises an area of the delivery vehicle having an onboard safety system for the delivery vehicle.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire extinguishing equipment.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire suppressant equipment.

69. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a hazardous material storage area of the delivery vehicle.

70. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a fire suppressant storage area of the delivery vehicle.

71. The system of claim 51, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas externally exposed on the delivery vehicle.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein at least one of the plurality of designated inspection areas comprises a first designated inspection area aerially accessible from above the delivery vehicle but that is not visible from a ground level perspective relative to the delivery vehicle.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein the designated inspection areas comprise a plurality of aircraft components of an aircraft representing the delivery vehicle.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the plurality of aircraft components comprises at least two from the group consisting of a panel, a rivet, a seam, an engine, a flight control surface, a window seal, a closable entry to within the aircraft, aircraft lighting, an antenna, landing gear, and tires.

75. The system of claim 51, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises an image sensor that captures one or more images relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the image sensor comprises at least one of a visual imaging sensor, an infrared (IR) imaging sensor, and a thermal imaging sensor.

77. The system of claim 51, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises a temperature sensor that measures a temperature relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

78. The system of claim 51, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises a depth sensor that conducts surface mapping measurements relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the depth sensor comprises at least one of a LIDAR sensor and an ultrasonic transducer.

80. The system of claim 51, wherein the paired inspection drone automatically identifies the inspection condition by comparing the sensor-based inspection information for one of the targeted inspection points to prior sensor-based inspection information detected for the one of the targeted inspection points.

81. The system of claim 51, wherein the paired inspection drone automatically identifies the inspection condition by being further operative to assess the sensor-based inspection information for the at least one of the targeted inspection points to identify that the at least one of the targeted inspection points is currently in an unacceptable operational condition for the at least one of the targeted inspection points, the identified unacceptable operational condition being the identified inspection condition.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the unacceptable operational condition comprises at least one of a missing condition, a loose condition, a damaged condition, a cracked condition, a worn condition, a leaking condition, and a thermal related condition.

83. A drone-based system for inspecting a delivery vehicle, comprising:

an aerial inspection drone paired to the delivery vehicle as an exclusively assigned sensor-based monitor that travels with the delivery vehicle during a delivery vehicle based shipment operation, the paired aerial inspection drone comprising at least a plurality of sensors to detect sensor-based inspection information about a plurality of targeted inspection points on the delivery vehicle;

wherein the paired aerial inspection drone being operative to

fly proximate each of the targeted inspection points as part of a targeted inspection flight,

gather the sensor-based inspection information from the one or more of the sensors relative to each of the targeted inspection points,

automatically identify an inspection condition about at least one of the targeted inspection points based upon the sensor-based inspection information gathered related to the at least one of the targeted inspection points, the inspection condition being outside an acceptable range for operation of the delivery vehicle, and

broadcast an inspection notification message over a wireless communication channel upon identifying the inspection condition; and

a first mobile interactive transceiver in communication with the paired aerial inspection drone and being operated by delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle, the first mobile interactive transceiver comprising

a graphical display that presents visual information to the delivery vehicle personnel,

a control input receiver that receives user input from the delivery vehicle personnel, and

a wireless radio operative to communicate with the paired aerial inspection drone over the wireless communication channel;

wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is further operative to

receive the inspection notification message directly from the paired aerial inspection drone through the wireless radio, and

generate a prompt message as the graphical display on the interactive display interface, the prompt message providing information related to the inspection notification message and the identified inspection condition related to the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle comprise a mechanic that provides maintenance service related to the delivery vehicle.

85. The system of claim 83, wherein the delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle comprise a vehicle operator responsible for controlling the delivery vehicle during the delivery vehicle based shipment operation.

86. The system of claim 83, wherein the graphical display and control input receiver of the first mobile interactive transceiver collectively comprise a touchscreen that graphically presents the visual information and receives the user input.

87. The system of claim 83, wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is operate to generate the prompt message related to an enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is further operative to

receive input on the control input receiver from the delivery vehicle personnel in response to the generated prompt message;

and

transmit a confirmation message to the paired aerial inspection drone, the confirmation message indicating the result of the enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

89. The system of claim 87, wherein the input received on the control input receiver of the first mobile interactive transceiver comprises a verified result indication related to the enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

90. The system of claim 83, wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver comprises a maintenance transceiver separate from the delivery vehicle, the maintenance transceiver being operated by maintenance personnel associated with servicing the delivery vehicle.

91. The system of claim 83, wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver comprises a logistics transceiver separate from the delivery vehicle, the logistics transceiver being operated by logistics personnel associated with loading or unloading the delivery vehicle.

92. The system of claim 90 further comprising a second mobile interactive transceiver separate from the delivery vehicle and being operated by logistics personnel associated with loading or unloading the delivery vehicle, wherein the second mobile interactive transceiver being operative to receive the inspection notification message directly from the paired aerial inspection drone through the wireless radio.

93. The system of claim 83, wherein the delivery vehicle based shipment operation comprises an operation to ship one or more items from a first location to a second location while the one or more items are maintained within a cargo storage area of the delivery vehicle.

94. The system of claim 83, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas specific to inside of the delivery vehicle.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points is located in an accessible cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle.

96. The system of claim 94, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a cargo attachment point located within an accessible cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle.

97. The system of claim 94, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a cargo handling point located within an accessible cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle, the cargo handling point facilitating movement of a cargo shipment within the accessible cargo storage area.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein the cargo handling point comprises at least one from a group consisting of a roller, a caster, a portion of a roller deck, a roller ball mat, a castor mat, a turntable, and a conveyor.

99. The system of claim 94, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises an area of the delivery vehicle having an onboard safety system for the delivery vehicle.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire extinguishing equipment.

101. The system of claim 99, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire suppressant equipment.

102. The system of claim 94, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a hazardous material storage area of the delivery vehicle.

103. The system of claim 94, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises a fire suppressant storage area of the delivery vehicle.

104. The system of claim 83, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas externally exposed on the delivery vehicle.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein at least one of the plurality of designated inspection areas comprises a first designated inspection area aerially accessible from above the delivery vehicle but that is not visible from a ground level perspective relative to the delivery vehicle.

106. The system of claim 104, wherein the designated inspection areas comprise a plurality of aircraft components of an aircraft representing the delivery vehicle.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein the plurality of aircraft components comprises at least two from the group consisting of a panel, a rivet, a seam, an engine, a flight control surface, a window seal, a closable entry to within the aircraft, aircraft lighting, an antenna, landing gear, and tires.

108. The system of claim 83, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises an image sensor that captures one or more images relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein the image sensor comprises at least one of a visual imaging sensor, an infrared (IR) imaging sensor, and a thermal imaging sensor.

110. The system of claim 83, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises a temperature sensor that measures a temperature relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

111. The system of claim 83, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises a depth sensor that conducts surface mapping measurements relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

112. The system of claim 111, wherein the depth sensor comprises at least one of a LIDAR sensor and an ultrasonic transducer.

113. The system of claim 83, wherein the paired inspection drone automatically identifies the inspection condition by comparing the sensor-based inspection information for one of the targeted inspection points to prior sensor-based inspection information detected for the one of the targeted inspection points.

114. The system of claim 83, wherein the paired inspection drone automatically identifies the inspection condition by being further operative to assess the sensor-based inspection information for the at least one of the targeted inspection points to identify that the at least one of the targeted inspection points is currently in an unacceptable operational condition for the at least one of the targeted inspection points, the identified unacceptable operational condition being the identified inspection condition.

115. The system of claim 114, wherein the unacceptable operational condition comprises at least one of a missing condition, a loose condition, a damaged condition, a cracked condition, a worn condition, a leaking condition, and a thermal related condition.

116. An enhanced delivery vehicle that uses a drone-based self-inspection system, comprising:

a delivery vehicle for transporting at least one or more items as part of a shipment operation, the delivery vehicle comprising at least

an operating compartment that contains a control for operating the delivery vehicle,

a cargo storage area that maintains the one or more items, and

a drone storage area;

an aerial inspection drone paired to the delivery vehicle as an exclusively assigned sensor-based monitor that travels with the delivery vehicle during the shipment operation, the paired aerial inspection drone comprising at least a plurality of sensors to detect sensor-based inspection information about a plurality of targeted inspection points on the delivery vehicle, the paired aerial inspection drone being operative to fly proximate each of the targeted inspection points as part of a targeted inspection flight and gather the sensor-based inspection information using one or more of the sensors at each of the targeted inspection points;

an internal docking station fixed within the drone storage area of the delivery vehicle, the internal docking station providing a secure storage for the paired aerial inspection drone when the paired aerial inspection drone is not flying;

a delivery vehicle transceiver fixed within the operating compartment of the delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle transceiver comprising a display, a control input interface, and a radio, the delivery vehicle transceiver being operative to communicate with the paired aerial inspection drone over the radio, receive user input via the control input interface, and generate vehicle related information for presenting on the display; and

a first mobile interactive transceiver in communication with at least the delivery vehicle transceiver and being operated by delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle;

wherein the paired aerial inspection drone is further operative to

automatically uncouple from the internal docking station at the beginning of the targeted inspection flight to inspect the targeted inspection points of the delivery vehicle,

automatically identify an inspection condition about at least one of the targeted inspection points based upon the sensor-based inspection information gathered related to the at least one of the targeted inspection points, the inspection condition being outside an acceptable range for operation of the delivery vehicle, and

transmit an inspection notification message to the delivery vehicle transceiver upon identifying the inspection condition;

wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is operative to forward information related to the inspection notification message to the first mobile interactive transceiver; and

wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is operative to

receive the information related to the inspection notification message from the delivery vehicle transceiver, and

display at least a portion of the forwarded information related to the inspection notification message to the delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein the delivery vehicle personnel associated with the delivery vehicle comprises at least one of a mechanic that provides maintenance service related to the delivery vehicle, a vehicle operator responsible for controlling the delivery vehicle during the delivery vehicle based shipment operation, and logistics personnel responsible for loading or unloading the delivery vehicle.

118. The system of claim 116, wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is further operative to generate inspection notification information as the vehicle related information for presenting on the display of the delivery vehicle transceiver, the inspection notification information being related to the inspection condition of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

119. The system of claim 118, wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is further operative to

receive inspection condition feedback input as the user input received via the control input interface of the delivery vehicle transceiver, the inspection condition feedback indicating an instruction to forward information related to the inspection notification message to the first mobile interactive transceiver;

and

selectively transmit the information related to the inspection notification message to the first mobile interactive transceiver based upon the instruction in the inspection condition feedback input.

120. The system of claim 116, wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is operative to display at least the portion of the forwarded information related to the inspection notification message as a prompt for an enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points;

and

wherein the first mobile interactive transceiver is further operative to receive input from the delivery vehicle personnel in response to the displayed prompt, and transmit a confirmation message to the delivery vehicle transceiver, the confirmation message indicating the result of the enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

121. The system of claim 120, wherein the input received by the first mobile interactive transceiver comprises a verified result indication related to the enhanced inspection of the at least one of the targeted inspection points.

122. The system of claim 116 further comprising a maintenance transceiver separate from the delivery vehicle and the delivery vehicle transceiver, the maintenance transceiver being operated by maintenance personnel associated with servicing the delivery vehicle;

and wherein the delivery vehicle transceiver is operative to forward information related to the inspection notification message to the maintenance transceiver.

123. The system of claim 116 further comprising a maintenance transceiver separate from the delivery vehicle and the delivery vehicle transceiver, the maintenance transceiver being operated by maintenance personnel associated with servicing the delivery vehicle;

and

wherein the paired aerial inspection drone is further operative to directly transmit the inspection notification message to the maintenance transceiver.

124. The system of claim 116, wherein the shipment operation comprises an operation to relocate the one or more items from a first location to a second location while the one or more items are maintained within the cargo storage area of the delivery vehicle.

125. The system of claim 116, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas specific to inside of the delivery vehicle.

126. The system of claim 125, wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points is located in the cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle.

127. The system of claim 125, wherein the delivery vehicle further comprises a cargo attachment point located within the cargo storage area within the delivery vehicle;

and

wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises the cargo attachment point.

128. The system of claim 125, wherein the delivery vehicle further comprises a cargo handling point that facilitates movement of at least one of the items being transported within the delivery vehicle;

and

wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises the cargo handling point.

129. The system of claim 128, wherein the cargo handling point comprises at least one from a group consisting of a roller, a caster, a portion of a roller deck, a roller ball mat, a castor mat, a turntable, and a conveyor.

130. The system of claim 125, wherein the delivery vehicle further comprises an onboard safety system, and wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises the onboard safety system.

131. The system of claim 130, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire extinguishing equipment.

132. The system of claim 130, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire suppressant equipment.

133. The system of claim 125, wherein the delivery vehicle further comprises a hazardous material storage area;

and wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises the hazardous material storage area.

134. The system of claim 125, wherein the delivery vehicle further comprises a fire suppressant storage area;

and

wherein at least one of the targeted inspection points comprises the fire suppressant storage area of the delivery vehicle.

135. The system of claim 116, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas externally exposed on the delivery vehicle.

136. The system of claim 135, wherein at least one of the plurality of designated inspection areas comprises a first designated inspection area aerially accessible from above the delivery vehicle but that is not visible from a ground level perspective relative to the delivery vehicle.

137. The system of claim 135, wherein the designated inspection areas comprise a plurality of aircraft components of an aircraft representing the delivery vehicle.

138. The system of claim 137, wherein the plurality of aircraft components comprises at least two from the group consisting of a panel, a rivet, a seam, an engine, a flight control surface, a window seal, a closable entry to within the aircraft, aircraft lighting, an antenna, landing gear, and tires.

139. The system of claim 116, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises an image sensor that captures one or more images relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

140. The system of claim 139, wherein the image sensor comprises at least one of a visual imaging sensor, an infrared (IR) imaging sensor, and a thermal imaging sensor.

141. The system of claim 116, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises a temperature sensor that measures a temperature relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

142. The system of claim 116, wherein at least one of the sensors on the paired aerial inspection drone comprises a depth sensor that conducts surface mapping measurements relative to each of the targeted inspection points as the gathered sensor-based inspection information.

143. The system of claim 142, wherein the depth sensor comprises at least one of a LIDAR sensor and an ultrasonic transducer.

144. The system of claim 116, wherein the paired inspection drone automatically identifies the inspection condition by comparing the sensor-based inspection information for one of the targeted inspection points to prior sensor-based inspection information detected for the one of the targeted inspection points.

145. The system of claim 116, wherein the paired inspection drone automatically identifies the inspection condition by being further operative to assess the sensor-based inspection information for the at least one of the targeted inspection points to identify that the at least one of the targeted inspection points is currently in an unacceptable operational condition for the at least one of the targeted inspection points, the identified unacceptable operational condition being the identified inspection condition.

146. The system of claim 145, wherein the unacceptable operational condition comprises at least one of a missing condition, a loose condition, a damaged condition, a cracked condition, a worn condition, a leaking condition, and a thermal related condition.

147. The system of claim 116, wherein the delivery vehicle consists of one from a group comprised of a delivery van, a truck coupled with a cargo hauling trailer, an aircraft, and a marine vessel.

148. A drone-based method for inspecting a delivery vehicle using an inspection drone that is exclusively assigned and paired to the delivery vehicle and travels with the delivery vehicle during a delivery vehicle based shipment operation, the method comprising the steps of:

transitioning, by the paired inspection drone, from at least a low power state to an active power state as part of a targeted inspection operation of the delivery vehicle;

automatically uncoupling the paired inspection drone from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle once the paired inspection drone transitions to the active power state;

identifying, by the paired inspection drone, a plurality of targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle;

detecting, by the paired inspection drone, sensor-based inspection information once the paired inspection drone has aerially moved from the secured position on the internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle to respective aerial positions proximate each of the targeted inspection points;

providing the sensor-based inspection information to an onboard processor on the paired inspection drone;

automatically identifying, using the onboard processor on the paired inspection drone, an inspection condition about at least one of the targeted inspection points based upon the sensor-based inspection information gathered from at least one of the aerials positions, the inspection condition being outside an acceptable range for operation of the delivery vehicle; and

responsively transmitting, by the paired inspection drone, an inspection notification message to a delivery vehicle receiver disposed on the delivery vehicle upon identifying the inspection condition for the at least one targeted inspection point is outside the acceptable range for operation of the delivery vehicle.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein the delivery vehicle based shipment operation comprises an operation to ship one or more items from a first location to a second location while the one or more items are maintained within a cargo storage area of the delivery vehicle.

150. The method of claim 148, wherein the internal docking station is fixed within an accessible storage compartment of the delivery vehicle.

151. The method of claim 150, wherein the accessible storage compartment of the delivery vehicle comprises an accessible cargo storage compartment of an aircraft.

152. The method of claim 150, wherein the automatically uncoupling step further comprises the steps of:

opening at least one access door to the accessible storage compartment; and

automatically uncoupling the paired inspection drone from the secured position on the internal docking station within the accessible storage compartment of the aircraft once the paired inspection drone transitions to the active power state.

153. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of identifying the plurality of targeted inspection points comprises downloading, by an onboard processor of the paired inspection drone, an inspection profile record for the delivery vehicle into a memory of the paired inspection drone, the inspection profile record identifying a plurality of designated inspection areas specific to the delivery vehicle as the targeted inspection points.

154. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of identifying the plurality of targeted inspection points comprises accessing, by an onboard processor of the paired inspection drone, an inspection profile record for the delivery vehicle existing in a memory of the paired inspection drone, the inspection profile record identifying a plurality of designated inspection areas specific to the delivery vehicle as the targeted inspection points.

155. The method of claim 148, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas specific to inside of the delivery vehicle.

156. The method of claim 155, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises an aircraft;

and wherein at least one of the designated inspection areas comprises an accessible cargo storage area within an aircraft.

157. The method of claim 155, wherein at least one of the designated inspection areas comprises a cargo attachment point located within an accessible cargo storage area within an aircraft.

158. The method of claim 155, wherein at least one of the designated inspection areas comprises a cargo handling point located within an accessible cargo storage area within an aircraft, wherein the cargo handling point facilitating movement of a cargo shipment within the accessible cargo storage area.

159. The method of claim 158, wherein the cargo handling point comprises at least one from a group consisting of a roller, a caster, a portion of a roller deck, a roller ball mat, a castor mat, a turntable, and a conveyor.

160. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of detecting further comprises performing an enhanced level inspection using the at least one sensor on the paired inspection drone to detect the sensor-based inspection information when the paired inspection drone is proximate at least one of the targeted inspection points related to a designated area of the delivery vehicle.

161. The method of claim 160, wherein the designated area of the delivery vehicle comprises an area of the delivery vehicle having an onboard safety system for the delivery vehicle.

162. The method of claim 161, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire extinguishing equipment.

163. The method of claim 161, wherein the onboard safety system comprises fire suppressant equipment.

164. The method of claim 160, wherein the designated area of the delivery vehicle comprises a hazardous material storage area of the delivery vehicle.

165. The method of claim 160, wherein the designated area of the delivery vehicle comprises a fire suppressant storage area of the delivery vehicle.

166. The method of claim 148, wherein the targeted inspection points comprise a plurality of designated inspection areas externally exposed on the delivery vehicle.

167. The method of claim 166, wherein at least one of the plurality of designated inspection areas comprises a first designated inspection area aerially accessible from above the delivery vehicle but that is not visible from a ground level perspective relative to the delivery vehicle.

168. The method of claim 166, wherein the designated inspection areas comprise a plurality of aircraft components of an aircraft representing the delivery vehicle.

169. The method of claim 168, wherein the plurality of aircraft components comprises at least two from the group consisting of a panel, a rivet, a seam, an engine, a flight control surface, a window seal, a closable entry to within the aircraft, aircraft lighting, an antenna, landing gear, and tires.

170. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of identifying the targeted inspection points further comprises

identifying, by the onboard processor of the paired inspection drone, a prioritized subset of the targeted inspection points;

and

wherein the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points is automatically designated for an enhanced level of sensor-based inspection as part of detecting the sensor-based inspection information for the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points.

171. The method of claim 170, wherein the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points comprises parts of the delivery vehicle not serviced within a threshold period of time as designated in an electronic inspection profile record for the delivery vehicle that is accessible by the onboard processor of the paired inspection drone.

172. The method of claim 170, wherein the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points comprises parts of the delivery vehicle exceeding an age threshold as designated in an electronic inspection profile record for the delivery vehicle that is accessible by the onboard processor of the paired inspection drone.

173. The method of claim 170, wherein the enhanced level of sensor-based inspection comprises detecting, by a plurality of sensors on the paired inspection drone, the sensor-based inspection information for the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points.

174. The method of claim 170, wherein the enhanced level of sensor-based inspection comprises detecting, by the paired inspection drone, the sensor-based inspection information for each of the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points over an enhanced inspection period of time compared to the time taken by the paired inspection drone to detect the sensor-based inspection information for those not in the prioritized group of the targeted inspection points.

175. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of detecting the sensor-based inspection information further comprises capturing one or more images relative to each of the targeted inspection points using an image sensor as the sensor on the paired inspection drone.

176. The method of claim 175, wherein the image sensor comprises at least one of a visual imaging sensor, an infrared (IR) imaging sensor, and a thermal imaging sensor.

177. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of detecting the sensor-based inspection information further comprises measuring a temperature relative to each of the targeted inspection points using a temperature sensor on the paired inspection drone.

178. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of conducting the modified inspection of the delivery vehicle with the sensor-based inspection information further comprises surface mapping relative to at least one of the targeted inspection points using a depth sensor on the paired inspection drone.

179. The method of claim 178, wherein the depth sensor comprises at least one of a LIDAR sensor and an ultrasonic transducer.

180. The method of claim 148 further comprising updating, by the onboard processor of the paired inspection drone, an inspection profile record stored in a memory of the paired inspection drone based upon the sensor-based inspection information provided by the sensor to the onboard processor, the updated inspection profile record reflecting an electronic catalog of aerial inspections relative to each of the targeted inspection points on the delivery vehicle.

181. The method of claim 180 further comprising transmitting, by the paired inspection drone, the updated inspection profile record to a maintenance receiver separate from the delivery vehicle.

182. The method of claim 180 further comprising transmitting, by the paired inspection drone, the updated inspection profile record to the delivery vehicle receiver.

183. The method of claim 180 further comprising transmitting, by the paired inspection drone, the updated inspection profile record to a mobile interactive transceiver operated by vehicle crew personnel for the delivery vehicle.

184. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of automatically identifying the inspection condition comprises identifying the inspection condition by comparing the sensor-based inspection information for one of the targeted inspection points to prior sensor-based inspection information detected for the one of the targeted inspection points.

185. The method of claim 148, wherein the step of automatically identifying the inspection condition comprises identifying the inspection condition by processing the sensor-based inspection information for one of the targeted inspection points to determine that the one of the targeted inspection points is currently in an unacceptable condition as the inspection condition.

186. The method of claim 185, wherein the unacceptable condition related to the one of the targeted inspection points comprises at least one of a missing condition, a loose condition, a damaged condition, a cracked condition, a worn condition, a leaking condition, and a thermal related condition.

187. The method of claim 148, wherein the responsively transmitting step further comprises responsively transmitting, by the paired inspection drone, the inspection notification message to a mobile interactive transceiver operated by vehicle crew personnel for the delivery vehicle to notify the vehicle crew personnel that operate the delivery vehicle.

188. The method of claim 148 further comprising responsively transmitting, by the paired inspection drone, the inspection notification message to a maintenance receiver to notify maintenance personnel that service the delivery vehicle.

189. The method of claim 148 further comprising the step of receiving, by the paired inspection drone, a flight command to redirect aerial movement of the paired inspection drone in response to transmitting the inspection notification message.

190. The method of claim 189, wherein receiving the flight command causes the paired inspection drone to re-inspect the at least one of the targeted inspection points related to the inspection notification message.