SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING AND PROCESSING IMAGE DATA

• US 20170323261A1
• Filed: 05/04/2017
• Published: 11/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores Texas LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Nicholaus A., Vasgaard, Aaron J., Jones, Matthew A.
• Application Number:
  US15/586,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20170323261A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/80 by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/583 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/13 Satellite images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to collecting and processing image data relating to retail deliveries. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for capturing images of merchandise delivery containers, the system comprising: at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having an optical sensor for capturing image sequences; a memory device for storing the captured image sequences; an image database including images of at least one of text, symbols, logos, graphic designs, and pictures from known merchandise delivery containers; and a control circuit configured to: receive the captured image sequences; compare the image sequences with the images from the image database; determine individual images in the image sequences that match the images from the image database to identify merchandise delivery containers; and determine, based on the image sequences, address information corresponding to the geographical locations of the identified merchandise delivery containers.

Claims

1. A system for capturing images of merchandise delivery containers, the system comprising:

at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising;

a motorized flight system configured to facilitate flight of the UAV;

a transceiver configured for wireless communication;

an optical sensor configured to capture image sequences;

a first control circuit operatively coupled to the motorized flight system, the transceiver, and the optical sensor, the first control circuit configured to operate and fly the UAV;

a memory device configured to store image sequences captured by the at least one UAV at one or more geographic locations;

an image database including a plurality of predetermined images of at least one of text, symbols, logos, graphic designs, and pictures from known merchandise delivery containers;

a second control circuit in wireless communication with the at least one UAV and operatively coupled to the memory device and image database, the second control circuit configured to;

receive the image sequences captured by the at least one UAV;

compare the image sequences with the predetermined images from the image database;

determine individual images in the image sequences that match the predetermined images from the image database to identify merchandise delivery containers; and

determine, based on the image sequences, address information corresponding to the geographical locations of the identified merchandise delivery containers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one UAV is a plurality of UAVs configured to fly over and capture image sequences of a predetermined geographic neighborhood.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a transport vehicle configured to transport the plurality of UAVs to the predetermined geographic neighborhood.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second control circuit is physically located at a command and control center remote from the at least one UAV, the second control circuit in wireless communication with the at least one UAV.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of predetermined images of at least one of text, symbols, logos, graphic designs, and pictures from known merchandise delivery containers are identifying characteristics that distinguish them as containing merchandise from predetermined retail entities.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second control circuit is configured to use pattern recognition software with pixel matching to match the individual images in the image sequences with the predetermined images from the image database to identify merchandise delivery containers.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a geographic or demographic database in communication with the second control circuit, the database containing predetermined geographic or demographic data for determining the one or more geographic locations from which the image sequences are captured.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second control circuit is configured to update a marketing database with identification information corresponding to the address information, the marketing database configured to facilitate targeted marketing and advertising communications.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second control circuit is configured to determine one or more of the type of merchandise delivered, the frequency of merchandise deliveries, and the source of the merchandise deliveries to the addresses identified by the second control circuit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second control circuit is configured to perform one or more of market share analysis, mapping digital customer saturation and location, identifying locations to send individuals for customer service, and identifying geographic areas where sales may be increased.

11. A method for capturing images of merchandise delivery containers, the method comprising:

providing at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising;

a motorized flight system configured to facilitate flight of the UAV;

a transceiver configured for wireless communication;

an optical sensor configured to capture image sequences;

a first control circuit operatively coupled to the motorized flight system, the transceiver, and the optical sensor, the first control circuit configured to operate and fly the UAV;

storing a plurality of predetermined images of at least one of text, symbols, logos, graphic designs, and pictures from known merchandise delivery containers in an image database;

storing image sequences captured by the at least one UAV at one or more geographic locations;

receiving the image sequences captured by the at least one UAV;

comparing the image sequences with the predetermined images from the image database;

determining individual images in the image sequences that match the predetermined images from the image database to identify merchandise delivery containers; and

determining, based on the image sequences, address information corresponding to the geographical locations of the identified merchandise delivery containers.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one UAV is a plurality of UAVs configured to fly over and capture image sequences of a predetermined geographic neighborhood.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transporting the plurality of UAVs to the predetermined geographic neighborhood.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a command and control center remote from the at least one UAV and in wireless communication with the at least one UAV.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of predetermined images of at least one of text, symbols, logos, graphic designs, and pictures thereof from known merchandise delivery containers are identifying characteristics that distinguish them as containing merchandise from predetermined retail entities.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the determining individual images in the image sequences that match comprises using pattern recognition software with pixel matching to match the individual images in the image sequences with the predetermined images from the image database to identify merchandise delivery containers.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining the one or more geographic locations from which the image sequences are captured based on a geographic or demographic database.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising updating a marketing database with identification information corresponding to the address information, the marketing database configured to facilitate targeted marketing and advertising communications.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining one or more of the type of merchandise delivered, the frequency of merchandise deliveries, and the source of the merchandise deliveries to addresses identified from the address information.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing one or more of market share analysis, mapping digital customer saturation and location, identifying locations to send individuals for customer service, and identifying geographic areas where sales may be increased.