Multi-use UAV docking station systems and methods

• US 9,387,928 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hsieh, Raphael, Gentry, Nicholas Kristofer, Nguyen, Luan Khai
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwari, Maceeh
• Application Number:
  US14/576,082
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/146 the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/51 Photovoltaic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/52 Wind-driven generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/54 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/12 for anchoring aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/32 generated by fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/37 Charging when not in flight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/39 Battery swapping
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/60 with rolling cages
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/00 Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/99 Means for retaining the UAV on the platform, e.g. dogs or magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 : of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/102 : specially adapted for vertical take-off of aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 : Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 : with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 : located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/003 : Flight plan management
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0034 : Assembly of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0039 : Modification of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 : for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 : specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 : for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a series of multiuse UAV docking stations are disclosed. The docking stations can be networked with a central control and a plurality of UAVs. The docking stations can include a number of services to facilitate both UAV guidance and maintenance and community acceptance and benefits. The docking stations can include package handling facilities and can act as a final destination or as a delivery hub. The docking stations can extend the range of UAVs by providing recharging/refueling stations for the UAVs. The docking stations can also include navigational aid to guide the UAVs to the docking stations and to provide routing information from the central control. The docking stations can be incorporated into existing structures such as cell towers, light and power poles, and buildings. The docking stations can also comprise standalone structures to provide additional services to underserved areas.

Claims

1. A method to deliver packages via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

receiving a package at a central facility;

mapping, via a central control, a first flight path of a first UAV from the central facility to a final destination of the package, the first flight path comprising two or more segments and one or more stops at one or more docking stations between the central facility and the final destination;

instructing the first UAV to follow the first flight path;

receiving at the central control, weather data from one or more weather stations;

receiving at the central control, a current position of the first UAV;

identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the first UAV;

mapping a second flight path from the current position of the first UAV to the identified closest docking station in response to the weather data;

instructing the first UAV to follow the second flight path in response to the weather data;

instructing the first UAV to drop the package at the identified closest docking station;

receiving a current position from a second UAV;

mapping a third flight path from the current position of the second UAV to the identified closest docking station; and

instructing the second UAV to follow the third flight path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more segments of the flight path is between two of the central facility, a docking station, and the final destination.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an error code from the second UAV;

receiving a current position from the second UAV;

identifying a closest docking station to the current position of the second UAV;

mapping a fourth flight path from the first current position of the second UAV to the identified closest docking station; and

instructing the second UAV to follow the fourth flight path.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the second UAV further comprises identifying the closest unoccupied docking station.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the first UAV further comprises identifying the closest unoccupied docking station.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a communication from the UAV at a first docking station; and

transmitting the communication from the first docking station to the central control.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a weight, a size, or both of the package; and

calculating the maximum flying range for the UAV based on the measured weight, size, or both of the package.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a weight of the package; and

determining a size for the UAV based on the measured weight, size, or both of the package.

9. A method to deliver packages via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

receiving a package at a central facility;

mapping, via a central control, a first flight path of a first UAV from the central facility to a final destination of the package, the first flight path comprising two or more segments and one or more stops at one or more docking stations between the central facility and the final destination;

instructing the first UAV to follow the first flight path;

receiving an error code from the first UAV;

receiving a current position from the first UAV;

identifying a closest docking station to the current position of the first UAV;

mapping a second flight path from the current position of the first UAV to the identified closest docking station;

instructing the first UAV to follow the second flight path in response to receiving the error code;

instructing the first UAV to drop the package at the identified closest docking station;

receiving a current position from a second UAV;

mapping a third flight path from the current position of the second UAV to the identified closest docking station; and

instructing the second UAV to follow the third flight.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the two or more segments of the first flight path is between two of the central facility, a docking station, and the final destination.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving at the central control, weather data from one or more weather stations;

receiving at the central control, a current position of the second UAV;

identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the second UAV;

mapping a fourth flight path from the current position of the second UAV to the identified closest docking station; and

instructing the second UAV to follow the fourth flight path.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the second UAV further comprises identifying the closest unoccupied docking station.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the first UAV further comprises identifying the closest unoccupied docking station.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving data from one or more weather stations along the third flight path;

mapping a fourth flight path for the second UAV from the identified closest docking station to the final destination of the package based on the weather station data; and

instructing the second UAV to follow the fourth flight path.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a communication from the first UAV at a first docking station; and

transmitting the communication from the first docking station to the central control.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

measuring a weight, a size, or both of the package; and

calculating the maximum flying range for the UAV based on the measured weight, size, or both of the package.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

measuring a weight of the package; and

determining a size for the UAV based on the measured weight, size, or both of the package.

18. A method to deliver packages via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

receiving a package at a central facility;

mapping, via a central control, a first flight path of a first UAV from the central facility to a final destination of the package;

instructing the first UAV to follow the first flight path;

receiving at the central control, weather data from one or more weather stations;

receiving at the central control, a current position of the first UAV;

identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the first UAV;

mapping a second flight path from the current position of the first UAV to the identified closest docking station in response to the weather data;

instructing the first UAV to follow the second flight path in response to the weather data;

instructing the first UAV to drop the package at the identified closest docking station;

receiving a current position from a second UAV;

mapping a third flight path from the current position of the second UAV to the identified closest docking station; and

instructing the second UAV to follow the third flight path.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the first UAV further comprises identifying the closest unoccupied docking station.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a communication from the first UAV at a first docking station; and

transmitting the communication from the first docking station to the central control.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein each of the one or more weather stations is located on a docking station.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

measuring a weight, a size, or both of the package; and

calculating the maximum flying range for the first UAV based on the measured weight, size, or both of the package;

wherein the first flight path comprises two or more segments and one or more stops at one or more docking stations between the central facility and the final destination; and

wherein a distance for each segment of the one or more segments is equal to or shorter than the calculated maximum flying range for the first UAV.