Drone receiver

• US 9,950,791 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2016
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Blomberg, Jeanette L., Butler, Eric K., Chandra, Anca A., Chowdhary, Pawan R., Griffin, Thomas D., Jadav, Divyesh, Lee, Sunhwan, Moore, Robert J., Strong, Jr., Hovey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Xavier, Valentina
• Application Number:
  US15/064,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20170259940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/007 Helicopter portable landing pads
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/222 for storing aircraft, e.g. in hangars
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/32 for handling freight
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/36 Other airport installations ground installations for de-icing aircraft B64F5/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/368 Arrangements or installations for routing, distributing or loading baggage
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/90 Launching from or landing on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/82 Airborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/84 Waterborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/86 Land vehicles

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus comprising a body including a cavity for storing one or more packages, and a conveyor belt disposed above a top surface of the body. The belt is shaped to receive one or more packages, and the belt is controllable to rotate a package placed on the belt either from the top surface to the cavity for storage or from the cavity to the top surface for dispatch. A package comprises at least one of a drone and a payload transported by the drone. The apparatus further comprises a landing mechanism for stabilizing a drone landing on the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a body including a cavity for storing one or more packages;

a conveyor belt disposed above a top surface of the body, wherein the belt is shaped to receive one or more packages, and the belt is controllable to rotate a package placed on the belt either from the top surface to the cavity for storage or from the cavity to the top surface for dispatch; and

a landing mechanism for stabilizing a drone landing on the apparatus;

wherein a package comprises at least one of a drone and a payload transported by the drone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further includes a recharge unit for re-charging one or more batteries of one or more drones stored in the cavity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing mechanism facilitates landing of a drone from above the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the landing mechanism comprises one or more retractable shock absorbers for slowing and stabilizing the fall of a drone landing from above the apparatus; and

the apparatus provides power to extend and retract the shock absorbers.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the landing mechanism comprises an array of electromagnets for slowing and stabilizing the fall of a drone landing from above the apparatus; and

the apparatus provides alternating current to power the array of electromagnets.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the landing mechanism is configured to release blasts of air to slow and stabilize the fall of a drone landing from above the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing mechanism facilitates landing of a drone from below the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the landing mechanism comprises a net suspended below the body to envelop and catch a drone in the air.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a drone caught by the net is one of the following:

a malfunctioning drone that has lost power in air, a drone programmed to power down when positioned within proximity of the apparatus, or a powered drone.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus serves as at least one of the following:

a beacon, a landing area, a sheltered storage area, a takeoff area, and a drone recharge facility.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted to a stationary installation.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mobile.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is mounted to a non-stationary flat-bed ground or water vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is mounted to a drone of a first size, the drone is capable of storing and carrying one or more other drones of a second size, and the first size is greater than the second size.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the belt comprises one or more mechanical movable arms, the arms controllable to grasp or release a package positioned on the belt.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises one or more mechanical movable arms, the arms controllable to grasp or release a package in the cavity.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the belt and the landing mechanism is controllable by a drone landing on the apparatus via an executable flight plan for the drone.