METHOD FOR ASSISTING IN COLLECTION OF GOODS BY A VEHICLE

• US 20160026967A1
• Filed: 07/20/2015
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: SHAH, Jitendra, WOLTER, Stefan, RESS, Christian
• Application Number:
  US14/804,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20160026967A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• 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: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00

Abstract

A method of enabling collection of goods supplied by a provider is initiated by a user placing an order with a provider, the order identifying goods and a vehicle scheduled to collect the goods. In response to the order, the provider generates a code that relates the order with information identifying the scheduled collection vehicle. The provider transmits the code to a communication device operated by a delivery person at a collection point. Upon arrival of the vehicle at the collection point, the delivery person reads the vehicle information from the vehicle and enters it into the device to thereby trigger transmission of the code from the device. Upon receipt by the vehicle of the code, a vehicle compartment is unlocked so that it may be opened for loading of the goods.

Claims

1. A method of enabling collection of goods supplied by a provider comprising:

receiving an order identifying goods and a vehicle scheduled to collect the goods;

in response to the order, generating a code relating the order with information identifying the vehicle;

transmitting the code to a communication device at a collection point;

upon arrival of the vehicle at the collection point, entering the vehicle information into the device to thereby trigger transmission of the code from the device; and

upon receipt by the vehicle of the code, unlocking a vehicle compartment to receive the goods.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is generated after payment has been made for the goods.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying correct loading of the goods into the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising informing a user remote from the collection point that loading is complete via a wireless communication link.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the verification comprises operating a camera mounted to the vehicle to image an interior of the compartment.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the camera is capable of providing an image of an area surrounding the vehicle.

8. A method comprising:

receiving an order for goods;

generating a code relating the order with information identifying a scheduled collection vehicle;

transmitting the code to a communication device at a collection point; and

upon arrival of the vehicle, entering the information into the device thereby causing the device to transmit the code to the vehicle, receipt of the code enabling opening of a vehicle compartment to receive the goods.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the code is generated after payment has been made for the goods.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising verifying correct loading of the goods into the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising informing a user remote from the collection point that loading is complete via a wireless communication link.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the verification comprises operating a camera mounted to the vehicle to image an interior of the compartment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the camera is capable of providing an image of an area surrounding the vehicle.

15. A method comprising:

communicating to a provider an order for goods including information identifying a vehicle scheduled to collect the goods;

dispatching the vehicle to a collection point; and

at the collection point, receiving at the vehicle a code transmitted from a wireless device and triggered by input of the information into the device, the code generated by the provider in response to the order and enabling opening of a vehicle compartment.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the code is generated after payment has been made for the goods.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising verifying correct loading of the goods into the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising informing a user remote from the collection point that loading is complete via a wireless communication link.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the verification comprises operating a camera mounted to the vehicle to image an interior of the compartment.