Relay locations for mobile automated vehicles

• US 9,260,028 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2014
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Worley, William Spencer III, Clayton, Eric Mathew
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc, McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US14/460,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20150165922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 315/297, 315/308, 180/170, 180/274
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/26 Details; Accessories drive mechanisms A63H29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 1/00 Stage arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 by controlling means in a control room
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/104 involving a plurality of aircrafts, e.g. formation flying traffic control systems for aircraft G08G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

An automated mobile vehicle configured to autonomously provide coverage for inoperable infrastructure components at various locations. A plurality of automated mobile vehicles may be deployed to provide emergency lighting, a wireless network, audio, video, etc., at an event area. The event area may be indoors and/or outdoors.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a docking component for engaging an automated mobile vehicle with the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is located within a materials handling facility and secured to a surface of the materials handling facility; and

a power component configured to provide power to the automated mobile vehicle while the automated mobile vehicle is engaged with the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the docking component is a hook secured to the surface of the materials handling facility.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hook provides an electrical connection between the power component and the automated mobile vehicle when the automated mobile vehicle is engaged with the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide inductive charging to the automated mobile vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the docking component includes one or more mating members that engage one or more landing arms of the automated mobile vehicle when the automated mobile vehicle is positioned on the apparatus.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a shelf having a surface of a size sufficient to receive an automated mobile vehicle, wherein the shelf is attached to one or more of a vertical wall or a support within a materials handling facility; and

a first mating member configured to receive a first landing arm of the automated mobile vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first mating member is incorporated into a top surface of the shelf.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first mating member includes a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is angled inward to assist in a positioning of the automated mobile vehicle at the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a second mating member configured to receive a second landing arm of the automated mobile vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one mating member is configured to provide an electrical charge to the automated mobile vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrical charge to the automated mobile vehicle is provided to the first landing arm of the automated mobile vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one mating member is configured to provide network connectivity to the automated mobile vehicle.

13. A method for providing power to an automated mobile vehicle during an event, comprising:

engaging the automated mobile vehicle with a docking component of a recovery location, wherein the automated mobile vehicle is at a location to provide coverage for the event using at least one component coupled to the automated mobile vehicle; and

providing power to the automated mobile vehicle via the docking component.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the docking component is at least one of a shelf or a hook.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the component is at least one of a light, a speaker, a microphone, a projector, or a camera.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing network connectivity to the automated mobile vehicle.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the automated mobile vehicle is at least one of an aerial vehicle, a ground based vehicle, or a water based vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the event is an inoperability of at least one infrastructure component of a materials handling facility.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the power is provided to the automated mobile vehicle using inductive charging.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the recovery location is located within a materials handling facility.