Automated package delivery to a delivery receptacle
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method to automate package deliveries, comprising:
- receiving from a package delivery system processor, by one or more computing devices associated with a delivery device, delivery information associated with a package, the delivery information comprising a delivery location and instructions for the delivery device to approach the delivery location from a particular direction, the instructions further being provided to a delivery receptacle to provide a basis for directing one or more first beacons at the delivery location prior to arrival of the delivery device;
transporting, by the delivery device, the package to the delivery location;
locating, by the delivery device, the one or more first beacons being transmitted by the delivery receptacle at the delivery location; and
depositing, by the delivery device, the package into the delivery receptacle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improving automated package delivery to mobile delivery receptacles to allow accurate and reliable package deliveries comprises a delivery receptacle for an automated package delivery via an unmanned aerial delivery device. The delivery receptacle is notified of a pending delivery and travels to a receiving location. The delivery receptacle emits infrared (“IR”) beacons from one or more IR beacon transmitters. An aerial delivery device detects the IR beacon and uses the beacons to navigate to the delivery receptacle. The delivery receptacle receives IR beacon responses from the aerial delivery device and continually or periodically directs the IR beacons in the direction of the aerial delivery device. The aerial delivery device deposits the package in the delivery receptacle. After receiving the package, the delivery receptacle transports the package to a secure location, such as into a garage.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method to automate package deliveries, comprising:
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receiving from a package delivery system processor, by one or more computing devices associated with a delivery device, delivery information associated with a package, the delivery information comprising a delivery location and instructions for the delivery device to approach the delivery location from a particular direction, the instructions further being provided to a delivery receptacle to provide a basis for directing one or more first beacons at the delivery location prior to arrival of the delivery device; transporting, by the delivery device, the package to the delivery location; locating, by the delivery device, the one or more first beacons being transmitted by the delivery receptacle at the delivery location; and depositing, by the delivery device, the package into the delivery receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system to deliver packages in specified locations, comprising:
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a storage device associated with a delivery device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the delivery device storage device, wherein the processor executes application code instructions that are stored in the storage device to cause the system to; receive, from a package delivery computing system, delivery information associated with a package, the delivery information comprising a delivery location and instructions for the delivery device to approach the delivery location from a particular direction; transport the package to the delivery address; detect one or more first beacons being transmitted by a delivery receptacle at the delivery address; and deposit the package into the delivery receptacle, and a delivery receptacle storage device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the delivery receptacle storage device, wherein the processor executes application code instructions that are stored in the delivery receptacle storage device to cause the system to; receive a communication that the delivery device is transporting the package to the delivery receptacle, provide a basis for directing one or more first beacons at a direction of approach of the delivery location prior to arrival of the delivery device; transmit the one or more first beacons in an expected direction of arrival of the delivery device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 19, 20)
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14. A computer program product, comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable program instructions embodied thereon that when executed by a computer cause the computer to receive packages, the computer-executable program instructions comprising; computer-executable program instructions to receive a communication that a delivery device is transporting a package to a delivery receptacle and instructions to provide a basis for directing one or more first beacons at a direction of approach of the delivery location prior to arrival of the delivery device; and computer-executable program instructions to transmit one or more first beacons in an expected direction of arrival of the delivery device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification