METHODS FOR SENDING AND RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS IN AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE DELIVERY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for providing a notification regarding delivery of a parcel by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
- after navigating a UAV to a serviceable point, establishing, via a UAV computing entity, a direct communication link between the UAV computing entity and a user computing entity, wherein (a) a UAV comprises the UAV computing entity, a UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier coupled to the UAV chassis, (b) the parcel carrier comprises an engagement housing selectively coupled to the UAV chassis, (c) a parcel carrying mechanism is engaged with and securing a parcel to the engagement housing, and (d) the user computing entity is associated with the serviceable point;
releasing the parcel from the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier; and
after releasing the parcel from the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier, providing, via the UAV computing entity, a notification to the user computing entity through the direct communications link, wherein the notification comprises information indicative of the release of the parcel at the serviceable point.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.
26 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for providing a notification regarding delivery of a parcel by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
-
after navigating a UAV to a serviceable point, establishing, via a UAV computing entity, a direct communication link between the UAV computing entity and a user computing entity, wherein (a) a UAV comprises the UAV computing entity, a UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier coupled to the UAV chassis, (b) the parcel carrier comprises an engagement housing selectively coupled to the UAV chassis, (c) a parcel carrying mechanism is engaged with and securing a parcel to the engagement housing, and (d) the user computing entity is associated with the serviceable point; releasing the parcel from the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier; and after releasing the parcel from the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier, providing, via the UAV computing entity, a notification to the user computing entity through the direct communications link, wherein the notification comprises information indicative of the release of the parcel at the serviceable point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) computing entity comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including program code, the at least one memory and the program code configured to, with the processor, cause the UAV computing entity to at least:
-
after navigating a UAV to a serviceable point, establish a direct communications link between the UAV computing entity and a user computing entity, wherein (a) a UAV comprises the UAV computing entity, a UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier coupled to the UAV chassis, (b) the parcel carrier comprises an engagement housing selectively coupled to the UAV chassis, (c) a parcel carrying mechanism is engaged with and securing a parcel to the engagement housing, and (d) the user computing entity is associated with the serviceable point; release the parcel from the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier; and after releasing the parcel from the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier, provide a notification to the user computing entity through the direct communications link, wherein the notification comprises information indicative of the release of the parcel at the serviceable point. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification