Window unit for UAV delivery

• US 10,543,936 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2019
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: High, Donald R., Cantrell, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Benedik, Justin M
• Application Number:
  US16/366,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20190300203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/368 Arrangements or installations for routing, distributing or loading baggage
• 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 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval

Abstract

A window unit for receiving a package from an aerial vehicle to a window of a building. The window unit includes a frame and a net. The frame is coupled to a building wall and a window ledge. The net is coupled within the frame. The net receives delivery of the package. The window unit includes sensors and communication devices to confirm alignment of the package and effectuate delivery of the package. The window unit includes a release device for releasing the frame or net if there is a snag with the package or aerial vehicle. A method of delivering a package to the window unit includes confirming the package is aligned with the net prior to release of the package from the aerial vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for aerial delivery of a package to a window of a building, the method comprising:

providing a window unit adjacent the window, the window unit including a frame and a net;

moving the window unit from a stored position to a deployed position;

sensing the package is aligned within a boundary of the window unit;

communicating the package is aligned within the boundary of the window unit with an aerial vehicle;

lowering a delivery mechanism of the aerial vehicle, the delivery mechanism coupled to the package;

sensing a temperature or motion below the window unit and pausing delivery of the package until the temperature or motion confirms no person or animal is located beneath the window unit;

releasing the package from the delivery mechanism;

moving the package toward the window; and

retrieving the package from the window unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing the package is aligned within a boundary of the window unit includes pressing feelers of the aerial vehicle on the frame of the window unit.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasing with a release device the net and the frame when a predetermined pressure is experienced by the net and frame.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasing the package from the delivery mechanism only when full alignment of the package with the window unit is achieved.

4. A method for aerial delivery of a package to a window of a building, the method comprising:

providing a window unit adjacent the window, the window unit including a frame and a net;

moving the window unit from a stored position to a deployed position;

sensing the package is aligned within a boundary of the window unit;

communicating the package is aligned within the boundary of the window unit with an aerial vehicle;

lowering a delivery mechanism of the aerial vehicle, the delivery mechanism coupled to the package;

sensing a microweather at the window unit, evaluating the microweather, and pausing a delivery of the package if a predetermined condition is sensed;

releasing the package from the delivery mechanism;

moving the package toward the window; and

retrieving the package from the window unit.