Unmanned aerial vehicle approach notification
First Claim
1. A method performed by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivering a package to a destination, the method comprising:
- determining that a location of the UAV is within a threshold distance from a designated landing zone at the destination;
identifying a person present in or proximate to the designated landing zone;
selecting an approach indicator to communicate an operation of the UAV to the person;
transmitting a message to the person, the message including a question to be responded to by an action performed by the person;
determining that the person performed the action; and
in response to the determining that the person performed the action, landing the UAV in the designated landing zone or at another location specified by the person via the action.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may provide an approach notification to enable people to understand and interpret actions by the UAV, such as an intention to land or deposit a package at a particular location. The UAV may communicate a specific intention of the UAV and/or communicate a request to a person. The UAV may monitor the person or data signals for a response from the person, such as movement of the person that indicates a response. The UAV may be equipped with hardware and/or software configured to provide notifications and/or exchange information with a person at or near a destination. The UAV may include lights, a speaker, and possibly a projector to enable the UAV to project information and/or text on a surface. The UAV may control a moveable mechanism to “point” toward the person, at an object, or in another direction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method performed by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivering a package to a destination, the method comprising:
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determining that a location of the UAV is within a threshold distance from a designated landing zone at the destination; identifying a person present in or proximate to the designated landing zone; selecting an approach indicator to communicate an operation of the UAV to the person; transmitting a message to the person, the message including a question to be responded to by an action performed by the person; determining that the person performed the action; and in response to the determining that the person performed the action, landing the UAV in the designated landing zone or at another location specified by the person via the action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
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a propulsion system; a flight controller; one or more processors in communication with at least the propulsion system and the flight controller; and memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform acts to; determine that a location of the UAV is within a threshold distance from a destination; detect at least one of a person or an obstacle at the destination or adjacent to the destination; select an indicator to communicate an intention of the UAV to deposit a package at the destination based at least in part on presence of the at least one of the person or the obstacle; and cause an output device to provide the indicator prior to deposit of the package in at the destination. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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determining that a location of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is within a threshold distance from a destination; detecting at least one of a person or an obstacle at the destination or adjacent to the destination; selecting a notification to communicate an intention of the UAV to deposit a package at the destination based at least in part on presence of the at least one of the person or the obstacle; outputting the notification to communicate the intention of the UAV to deposit the package at the destination; and depositing the package at the destination. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification