MOBILE VENDING USING AN AUTONOMOUS ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A system for providing goods to a customer, comprising:
- an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle comprising;
a first controller;
a camera in communication with the first controller for supplying image data to the controller;
a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller;
a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object from the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller; and
a communication system for wirelessly communicating with an off-board computer at a remote location; and
a mobile vending machine affixed to the autonomous vehicle, the mobile vending machine comprising;
a second controller;
a user interface for taking an order from the customer in communication with the second controller;
a delivery apparatus in communication with the second controller for delivering the order to the customer;
a restocking apparatus for replenishing goods in the mobile vending machine from the remote location, the restocking apparatus being in communication with the remote location and the mobile vending machine through the communication system; and
a restocking door, the restocking door opening to receive goods from the restocking apparatus to restock the mobile vending machine.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing goods to a customer includes an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle including a first controller, a camera in communication with the first controller for supplying image data to the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller, and a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object from the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller. The system also includes a mobile vending machine affixed to the autonomous vehicle, the mobile vending machine including a second controller, a user interface for taking an order from the customer in communication with the second controller, and a delivery apparatus in communication with the second controller for delivering the order to the customer.
11 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for providing goods to a customer, comprising:
-
an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle comprising; a first controller; a camera in communication with the first controller for supplying image data to the controller; a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller; a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object from the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller; and a communication system for wirelessly communicating with an off-board computer at a remote location; and a mobile vending machine affixed to the autonomous vehicle, the mobile vending machine comprising; a second controller; a user interface for taking an order from the customer in communication with the second controller; a delivery apparatus in communication with the second controller for delivering the order to the customer; a restocking apparatus for replenishing goods in the mobile vending machine from the remote location, the restocking apparatus being in communication with the remote location and the mobile vending machine through the communication system; and a restocking door, the restocking door opening to receive goods from the restocking apparatus to restock the mobile vending machine. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
2. (canceled)
-
7. (canceled)
-
15. A method of providing goods to a consumer using an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle comprising a controller, a camera in communication with the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus in communication with the controller, a ranging unit in communication with the controller, and a mobile vending machine affixed to the autonomous vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
-
determining the position of the autonomous vehicle using the global positioning satellite apparatus; identifying a group of customers from image data provided by the camera to the controller; identifying a distance to the group of customers using the ranging unit; plotting a course for the autonomous vehicle to the group of customers using data from the global positioning satellite apparatus, camera, and ranging unit; directing the autonomous vehicle along the course to the group of customers; and stopping the autonomous vehicle if one of the group of customers is detected by the ranging unit within a specified distance of the autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of providing goods to a consumer using an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle comprising a controller, a camera in communication with the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus in communication with the controller, a ranging unit in communication with the controller, an infrared sensor in communication with the first controller, and a mobile vending machine affixed to the autonomous vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
-
determining the position of the autonomous vehicle using the global positioning satellite apparatus; identifying a group of customers from data provided by the infrared sensor to the controller; identifying a distance to the group of customers using the ranging unit; plotting a course for the autonomous vehicle to the group of customers using data from the global positioning satellite apparatus, infrared sensor, and ranging unit; directing the autonomous vehicle along the course to the group of customers; and stopping the autonomous vehicle if one of the group of customers is detected by the ranging unit within a specified distance of the autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification