PACKAGE DELIVERY TECHNIQUES

• US 20170355076A1
• Filed: 08/28/2017
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gordon-Carroll, Clint Huson, Lin, Rongbin Lanny, Bunker, Brandon
• Granted Patent: US 10,589,418 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2852 Elements for displacement of the vacuum cleaner or the accessories therefor, e.g. wheels, casters or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/008 Manipulators for service tasks
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/006 by means of a wireless system for controlling one or several manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/08 by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0003 Home robots, i.e. small robots for domestic use
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1679 characterised by the tasks executed
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/002 controlled by automatically acting means for powered-operated mechanisms E05F15/70
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/611 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25011 Domotique, I-O bus, home automation, building automation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/39001 Robot, manipulator control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0282 generated in a local control room
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 : Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 : Mobile robot

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for communicating action instructions between a home automation system and a mobile robotic device. In some embodiments, methods may comprise receiving, from a first device, information regarding a delivery of a package to a first location, determining that a mobile robotic device and the first device are part of a predetermined group of devices operating in a neighborhood network, transporting, by the mobile robotic device, the package to a drop-off location, and initiating a notification for the first device based at least in part on transporting the package.

Claims

1. A method for security or automation systems, comprising:

receiving, from a first device, information regarding a delivery of a package to a first location;

determining that a mobile robotic device and the first device are part of a predetermined group of devices operating in a neighborhood network;

transporting, by the mobile robotic device, the package to a drop-off location; and

initiating a notification for the first device based at least in part on transporting the package.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a stationary device associated with a home automation system at the first location and the mobile robotic device comprises an unmanned air vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the first device, a request to transport the package to the drop-off location, wherein transporting the package is based at least in part on receiving the request.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving data related to occupancy at the first location; and

determining to transport the package to the drop-off location based at least in part on the received data, wherein transporting the package is based at least in part on determining to transport the package.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

determining an expected occupancy at the first location, the expected occupancy comprising an expectancy that the first location will remain unoccupied for a threshold period of time, wherein transporting the package is based at least in part on determining the expected occupancy.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the expected occupancy is based at least in part on a schedule for one or more occupants of the first location.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving information regarding the delivery of the package further comprises receiving of a height of the package, a length of the package, a width of the package, an estimated weight of the package, a volume of the package, an identification of the package, an image of the package, information associated with a current location of the package, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving one or more identifying details associated with the package from the received information;

capturing an image of the package;

comparing the captured image with the one or more retrieved identifying details associated with the package; and

identifying the package at the first location based at least in part on the comparing.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the drop-off location for the package based at least on a name on the package, a type of one or more items delivered, a code on the package, tracking information, instructions from the first device, instructions from an occupant of the first location, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a secured area within the first location as the drop-off location;

deactivating at least a portion of a home automation system at the first location;

transporting the package to the secured area within the first location; and

reactivating at least the portion of the home automation system at the first location.

11. A method for security or automation systems, comprising:

determining, at a first device, information regarding a delivery of a package to a first location;

determining that a mobile robotic device and the first device are part of a predetermined group of devices operating in a neighborhood network;

generating a request to transport the package to a drop-off location; and

transmitting the request to the mobile robotic device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first device comprises a stationary device associated with a home automation system at the first location and the mobile robotic device comprises an unmanned air vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting a person having the package at the first location;

detecting, via one or more sensors of the first device, the package being delivered at the first location; and

generating the request to transport the package based at least in part on detecting the package being delivered.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

capturing at least one image of the person placing the package in the first location; and

including the at least one image in the request to transport the package to the drop-off location.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining a location of an occupant of the first location; and

upon determining the location of the occupant is beyond a predefined distance from the first location, automatically generating the request to transport the package to the drop-off location.

16. An apparatus for security and/or automation systems, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

receive, from a first device, information regarding a delivery of a package to a first location;

determine that a mobile robotic device and the first device are part of a predetermined group of devices operating in a neighborhood network;

transport, by the mobile robotic device, the package to a drop-off location; and

initiate a notification for the first device based at least in part on transporting the package.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first device comprises a stationary device associated with a home automation system at the first location and the mobile robotic device comprises an unmanned air vehicle.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive, from the first device, a request to transport the package to the drop-off location, wherein transporting the package is based at least in part on receiving the request.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive data related to occupancy at the first location; and

determine to transport the package to the drop-off location based at least in part on the received data, wherein transporting the package is based at least in part on determining to transport the package.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

determine an expected occupancy at the first location, the expected occupancy comprising an expectancy that the first location will remain unoccupied for a threshold period of time, wherein transporting the package is based at least in part on determining the expected occupancy.