MOBILE PICKUP UNITS
First Claim
1. A system to transport ordered items for retrieval by users, the system comprising:
- a mobile pickup unit comprising;
a plurality of storage compartments, each storage compartment having a locking mechanism; and
a control station configured to control each of the locking mechanisms; and
a computing system, comprising;
one or more processors; and
a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least;
receive orders for items that are to be retrieved by a plurality of users from the mobile pickup unit;
receive travel-related data that indicates at least one of a maximum time or a maximum distance for each user to travel to the mobile pickup unit;
determine a user travel area for each user that is defined at least in part by the travel-related data;
determine a user pickup area where the user travel areas overlap; and
provide travel instructions for the mobile pickup unit to travel to the user pickup area and to park in the user pickup area.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile pickup unit is provided that includes storage compartments (e.g., for containing items) and is configured to travel to a user pickup area and park as close as possible to an optimal location that is determined based on the locations of users who are scheduled to utilize the mobile pickup unit. The mobile pickup unit may include or otherwise be transported by any type of mobile machine (e.g., automobile, etc.), and control of the mobile machine may be manual (e.g., a driver) or automated (e.g., directly or remotely controlled by an automated system, robotic, etc.) A parking location that is selected may be along a public street or any other available parking space, such that parking locations may be selected on a daily basis that are convenient for the users who will be utilizing the mobile pickup unit (e.g., for retrieving ordered items, dropping off returned items, etc.).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system to transport ordered items for retrieval by users, the system comprising:
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a mobile pickup unit comprising; a plurality of storage compartments, each storage compartment having a locking mechanism; and a control station configured to control each of the locking mechanisms; and a computing system, comprising; one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least; receive orders for items that are to be retrieved by a plurality of users from the mobile pickup unit; receive travel-related data that indicates at least one of a maximum time or a maximum distance for each user to travel to the mobile pickup unit; determine a user travel area for each user that is defined at least in part by the travel-related data; determine a user pickup area where the user travel areas overlap; and provide travel instructions for the mobile pickup unit to travel to the user pickup area and to park in the user pickup area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A mobile pickup unit comprising:
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first and second storage compartments; and a computing system comprising; one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least; receive instructions to park in a user pickup area where first and second user travel areas overlap, wherein the first and second user travel areas correspond to travel limits for first and second users for retrieving first and second ordered items, respectively, that are stored in the first and second storage compartments of the mobile pickup unit; send a notification that indicates that the mobile pickup unit has parked at a parking location within the user pickup area; receive an input that indicates the first user has arrived at the mobile pickup unit to retrieve the first item that is stored in the first storage compartment; and execute a pickup unit function to enable the first user to retrieve the first item. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-implemented method to determine an area where a mobile pickup unit is to be parked, the method comprising:
under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, receiving first travel-related data indicating a travel limit for a first user for travelling to a mobile pickup unit to perform a first pickup unit activity; receiving second travel-related data indicating a travel limit for a second user for travelling to the mobile pickup unit to perform a second pickup unit activity; and determining a user pickup area in which the mobile pickup unit is to be parked, wherein the mobile pickup unit is to be parked at a parking location within the user pickup area to enable the first and second users to travel to the mobile pickup unit without exceeding the travel limits indicated by the first and second travel-related data. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification