SECURE DELIVERY VIA UNMANNED VEHICLES

• US 20170124789A1
• Filed: 10/28/2016
• Published: 05/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Capital One Services LLC (Capital One Financial Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Capital One Services LLC (Capital One Financial Corporation)
• Inventors: REPHLO, JEREMY
• Granted Patent: US 9,934,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for on-demand delivery of a payload by an unmanned vehicle. An unmanned vehicle may comprise a chamber configured to house a payload and adjust a payload state. The payload state may be adjusted based on detection of a tampering event. An unmanned vehicle may also comprise an authentication system configured to allow access to the payload.

Claims

1. An unmanned vehicle for on-demand delivery, comprising:

a navigation system for guiding the vehicle to a delivery location;

a chamber configured to house a payload and adjust a payload state, the payload state being adjusted based on detection of a tampering event; and

an authentication system configured to conditionally allow access to the payload upon arrival of the vehicle at the delivery location.

2. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tampering event comprises:

an altitude measurement that departs from an expected altitude by a predetermined amount associated with a travel route.

3. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tampering event comprises:

a movement measurement that departs from an expected measurement by a predetermined amount associated with a travel route.

4. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tampering event comprises:

a communication loss between the unmanned vehicle and a control center.

5. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tampering event comprises:

a number of failed authentication events that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tampering event comprises:

a power loss of the unmanned vehicle.

7. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tampering event comprises:

damage to the unmanned vehicle.

8. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein adjusting the payload state comprises:

destroying the payload.

9. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein adjusting the payload state comprises:

marking the payload.

10. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein adjusting the payload state comprises:

voiding the payload.

11. A method for on-demand delivery, comprising:

housing a payload in a chamber of an unmanned vehicle configured to adjust a payload state;

providing access to the payload based on a positive determination by an authentication system; and

adjusting a payload state based on a negative determination by the authentication system.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising:

adjusting the payload state based on a determination that the unmanned vehicle experienced an unexpected loss of altitude.

13. The method claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the payload state based on a determination that the unmanned vehicle experienced a movement that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the payload state based on a determination that the unmanned vehicle experienced a communication loss between the unmanned vehicle and a control center.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the payload state based on a determination that the unmanned vehicle experienced a number of failed authentication events that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

16. The method claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the payload state based on a determination that the unmanned vehicle experienced a power loss.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the payload state based on a determination that the unmanned vehicle experienced a part failure or a system failure.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

destroying the payload based on the detection of a tampering event.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

marking on the payload based on the detection of a tampering event.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of an unmanned vehicle, cause the processor to perform a method for on-demand delivery, the method comprising:

receiving a command for performing a secure delivery;

determining a travel route of the unmanned vehicle based on the command;

when receiving a signal indicating a tampering even is detected, adjusting a payload state of the unmanned vehicle; and

upon receiving authentication data associated with a user, verifying an identity of the user based on the authentication data, and granting access to the payload when the identity is verified.