A method and system for optimizing drone delivery efficiency. The method includes determining an optimal intermediate location for a UAV based on historical payload delivery data related to a payload carried by the UAV, wherein the distance between the optimal intermediate location and each of a group of potential recipient devices is less than a predetermined threshold; causing the UAV to navigate to the optimal intermediate location; sending, to each potential recipient device having a probability of requesting the payload carried by the UAV which exceeds a predetermined threshold, a notification indicating the payload carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle; receiving, from a first potential recipient device of the potential recipient devices, a request to deliver the payload; and causing the UAV to navigate from the optimal intermediate location to a location of the first potential recipient device when the request to deliver the payload is received.
B64U 101/64 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons for parcel delivery or retrieval
2.
PAYLOAD RELEASE APPARATUS FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE
A payload release apparatus (PRA) is configured to expel payload efficiently at a delivery location. In an embodiment, the PRA includes a top portion, the top portion including a connector adapted to connect to a first end of a tether; a hook portion connected to the top portion, the hook portion including: a shank, a vertex, a high point, and a gap defined between the high point and the shank; and an elastic member, the elastic member blocking the gap defined between the high point and the shank of the hook portion, the elastic member having a relaxed position and a stretched position.
A system and method for deploying multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a single landing site is presented. The method includes: generating a hovering perimeter for a landing site, the hovering perimeter including a plurality of hovering points and a plurality of approach vectors, each hovering point having spatial coordinates and being uniquely associated with one of the plurality of approach vectors, wherein a flight path based on a first approach vector of the plurality of approach vectors does not overlap with a flight path based on a second approach vector of the plurality of approach vectors; and configuring a first UAV of a plurality of UAVs to: navigate to a first hovering point of the plurality of hovering points; hover at the first hovering point; and navigate from the first hovering point to the landing site when the first UAV is authorized to land at the landing site.
A system and method for improving payload delivery utilizing environmental factors is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for delivery of a payload, the request including a destination location; determining an optimal height for a release of the payload at the destination location, wherein the payload is delivered by a UAV configured to hover at the destination location; generating a navigation plan including a flight path having an origin point and the destination location; and configuring the UAV to execute the navigation plan and release the payload at the destination location from the determined optimal height.
A payload release apparatus (PRA) is configured to expel payload efficiently at a delivery location. In an embodiment, the PRA includes a top portion, the top portion including a connector adapted to connect to a first end of a tether; a hook portion connected to the top portion, the hook portion including: a shank, a vertex, a high point, and a gap defined between the high point and the shank; and an elastic member, the elastic member blocking the gap defined between the high point and the shank of the hook portion, the elastic member having a relaxed position and a stretched position.
A system and method for safely terminating navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A method includes generating a navigation plan for the UAV, the UAV including a propulsion system, wherein the navigation plan includes at least a start point, an end point, and a virtual three-dimensional (3D) tunnel connecting the start and end points; and configuring the UAV to execute the navigation plan by navigating from the start point to the end point, wherein the UAV is configured such that the UAV executes the navigation plan by navigating from the start point to the end point, wherein the UAV is further configured such that the UAV terminates navigation by terminating power to the propulsion system of the UAV and deploying a failsafe, wherein the UAV is configured to terminate navigation when the UAV is outside of the 3D tunnel.
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
B64U 101/60 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
A system and method for aerial traffic management of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. The method includes receiving at least a navigation request from a first UAV of a plurality of UAVs, wherein the navigation request specifies at least a waypoint; determining whether the waypoint is clear; sending an instruction the first UAV to hover at a specified position until the waypoint is clear, when the received waypoint is not clear; locking the waypoint, when the received waypoint not clear; and instructing the first UAV to navigate to the received waypoint.
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
B64U 101/60 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
A system and method for safely terminating navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A method includes generating a navigation plan for the UAV, the UAV including a propulsion system, wherein the navigation plan includes at least a start point, an end point, and a virtual three-dimensional (3D) tunnel connecting the start and end points; and configuring the UAV to execute the navigation plan by navigating from the start point to the end point, wherein the UAV is configured such that the UAV executes the navigation plan by navigating from the start point to the end point, wherein the UAV is further configured such that the UAV terminates navigation by terminating power to the propulsion system of the UAV and deploying a failsafe, wherein the UAV is configured to terminate navigation when the UAV is outside of the 3D tunnel.
B64U 101/60 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
A payload release device, a payload release assembly including a payload release device, and methods for arming a payload release device. A payload release device includes a member and a button. The member has a top portion, a bottom portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion has an aperture defining a bottom edge, a first upwardly sloping edge, and a second upwardly sloping edge, wherein each upwardly sloping edge is upwardly sloping with respect to the bottom edge. The button has a top surface and is at least partially disposed in the aperture, wherein the button is depressed toward the first upwardly sloping edge when force is applied thereto, wherein the button raises toward the second upwardly sloping edge when at least a portion of the force applied to the button is released, and wherein the second upwardly sloping edge is parallel with the top surface of the button.
A method and system for optimizing drone delivery efficiency. The method includes determining an optimal intermediate location for a UAV based on historical payload delivery data related to a payload carried by the UAV, wherein the distance between the optimal intermediate location and each of a group of potential recipient devices is less than a predetermined threshold; causing the UAV to navigate to the optimal intermediate location; sending, to each potential recipient device having a probability of requesting the payload carried by the UAV which exceeds a predetermined threshold, a notification indicating the payload carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle; receiving, from a first potential recipient device of the potential recipient devices, a request to deliver the payload; and causing the UAV to navigate from the optimal intermediate location to a location of the first potential recipient device when the request to deliver the payload is received.
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
B64U 101/64 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons for parcel delivery or retrieval
13.
System and method for aerial traffic management of unmanned aerial vehicles
A system and method for aerial traffic management of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. The method includes receiving at least a navigation request from a first UAV of a plurality of UAVs, wherein the navigation request specifies at least a waypoint; determining whether the waypoint is clear; sending an instruction the first UAV to hover at a specified position until the waypoint is clear, when the received waypoint is not clear; locking the waypoint, when the received waypoint not clear; and instructing the first UAV to navigate to the received waypoint.
B64U 101/60 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
14.
System and method for dynamically arming a failsafe on a delivery drone
A system and method for safely terminating navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A method includes generating a navigation plan for the UAV, the UAV including a propulsion system, wherein the navigation plan includes at least a start point, an end point, and a virtual three-dimensional (3D) tunnel connecting the start and end points; and configuring the UAV to execute the navigation plan by navigating from the start point to the end point, wherein the UAV is configured such that the UAV executes the navigation plan by navigating from the start point to the end point, wherein the UAV is further configured such that the UAV terminates navigation by terminating power to the propulsion system of the UAV and deploying a failsafe, wherein the UAV is configured to terminate navigation when the UAV is outside of the 3D tunnel.
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
B64U 101/60 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons
15.
System and method for aerial cord release mechanisms
A method for passive aerial cord release mechanisms and an aerial cord release mechanism for an aerial vehicle (AV). A method includes determining a retracting force to be applied to a winch of an aerial vehicle (AV), wherein the determined retracting force is a force required to retract a cord to be coiled around the winch within the AV, and the cord is temporarily coupled to the winch, such that an external force exceeding a predetermined threshold causes decoupling between the cord and the winch.
A self-release mechanism. The self-release mechanism includes a counter-weight, wherein the counter-weight is located on a first end of the self-release mechanism; a shaft having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the shaft is coupled to the counter-weight, wherein the shaft defines a perforation, wherein the perforation is adapted to receive a cord; and a hook including a hook bend, wherein the hook is located on a second end of the self-release mechanism, wherein the hook is coupled to the bottom portion of the shaft, wherein the self-release mechanism moves to a first position when a tension is exerted on the self-release mechanism due to gravity caused by coupling of the hook to a payload via the hook bend, wherein the self-release mechanism moves to a second position when the exerted tension is released.
A system and method for dynamically operating a drone safety system of a delivery drone. The method includes: receiving at least one terrain map; receiving a delivery request, wherein the delivery request includes a destination location and a delivery time; analyzing the received at least one terrain map and the delivery request to generate a navigation plan, wherein the navigation plan include a plurality of segments, wherein each of the plurality of segments include at least source coordinates, destination coordinates, an operation instruction to operate a drone safety system in case of failure of a delivery drone; and sending the navigation plan to the delivery drone for execution of the navigation plan at least in case of failure of the delivery drone.
A system and method for deploying multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a single landing site. The method includes: generating a hovering perimeter for a landing site, the hovering perimeter including a plurality of hovering points and a plurality of approach vectors, each hovering point having spatial coordinates and being uniquely associated with one of the plurality of approach vectors, wherein a flight path based on a first approach vector of the plurality of approach vectors does not overlap with a flight path based on a second approach vector of the plurality of approach vectors; and configuring a first UAV of a plurality of UAVs to: navigate to a first hovering point of the plurality of hovering points; hover at the first hovering point; and navigate from the first hovering point to the landing site when the first UAV is authorized to land at the landing site.
A system and method for securing delivery of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining visual features of a captured image of a current location of the autonomous vehicle, the captured image generated by an image sensor communicatively coupled with the autonomous vehicle; retrieving location coordinates of the current location of the autonomous vehicle from a positioning sensor communicatively coupled with the autonomous vehicle; matching the visual features of the captured image to reference data associated with the location coordinates; and determining if the current location is the final destination. In some embodiments, the method further includes matching a verification code present within the captured image to a reference verification code, where the verification code is a two-dimensional visual code previously associated with the final destination.
An apparatus and method for centralized control of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a processing circuitry; and a memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, configure the apparatus to: establish control of a vehicle, wherein establishing the control further includes determining a set of instructions for controlling the vehicle, wherein the apparatus is configured to control the vehicle based on the determined set of instructions; determine, for a node, a subset of the set of instructions for controlling the vehicle; generate a mission plan for the vehicle based on a request from the node when the request is valid, wherein the request indicates a requested navigation from a first location to a second location, wherein the request is not valid when the requested navigation is not in the subset of instructions; and send, to the vehicle, control instructions for navigating to the first location and control instructions for navigating from the first location to the second location based on the mission plan.
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Automated delivery services, automated delivery of goods, including perishables, food, and consumer goods, from a business to a consumer and between individuals; Automated delivery services, namely, transporting goods via automated vehicles; Automated delivery services, namely, travel route planning for the transport goods using automated vehicles between two or more locations; Automated delivery services, namely, rental of automated aircraft, and providing on demand transportation of goods; piloting automated vehicles; travel route planning for automated vehicles; rental and leasing of automated delivery vehicles for businesses and consumers on an on-demand basis Computer services, namely, on-site and remote management of information technology (IT) systems of others comprised of computer hardware and software for accessing automated vehicle delivery systems; providing an online non-downloadable Internet-based system application featuring technology enabling users to generate navigation plans for automated vehicles
22.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CENTRALIZED CONTROL OF VEHICLES
An apparatus and method for centralized control of a vehicle. The apparatus includes: a processing circuitry; and a memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, configure the apparatus to: establish control of at least one vehicle, wherein establishing the control further comprises determining a set of instructions for controlling each vehicle; generate a mission plan for a first vehicle of the at least one vehicle based on a request from a node when the request is valid, wherein the request indicates at least a first location and a second location; send, to the first vehicle, control instructions for navigating to the first location based on the mission plan; and send, to the first vehicle, control instructions for navigating from the first location to the second location based on the mission plan, when the vehicle is at the first location.
A system and method for dynamically updated vehicle navigation planning for a second UV based on navigation feedback of a first UV. The first UV navigates based on a first navigation plan and the second UV navigates based on a second navigation plan. The system includes: a processing circuitry; and a memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, configure the system to: receive the navigation feedback of the first UV, wherein the navigation feedback of the first UV includes telemetry data indicating at least a divergence event and a location of the divergence event, wherein the divergence event is a divergence of the first UV from the first navigation plan; and dynamically update the second navigation plan based on the navigation feedback of the first UV when the second navigation plan includes the location of the divergence event.
G01C 22/00 - Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers or using pedometers
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G05D 1/10 - Simultaneous control of position or course in three dimensions
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G01C 23/00 - Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraftCombined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
24.
Apparatus and method for semi-automated vehicle control
An apparatus and method for semi-automated control of a vehicle. The apparatus includes: a processing circuitry; and a memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, configure the apparatus to: establish control of the vehicle, wherein establishing the control further comprises determining a set of instructions for controlling the vehicle, wherein the apparatus is configured to control the vehicle based on the set of instructions during a first mode of control; receive at least one control instruction from a node, wherein the apparatus is configured to control, in real-time, the vehicle based on the set of instructions and the at least one control instruction received from the node during a second mode of control; determine, based on a predetermined list of mode changing events, a mode changing event; and change from the first mode to the second mode, when the mode changing event is determined.
An apparatus and method for centralized control of a vehicle. The apparatus includes: a processing circuitry; and a memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, configure the apparatus to: establish control of at least one vehicle, wherein establishing the control further comprises determining a set of instructions for controlling each vehicle; generate a mission plan for a first vehicle of the at least one vehicle based on a request from a node when the request is valid, wherein the request indicates at least a first location and a second location; send, to the first vehicle, control instructions for navigating to the first location based on the mission plan; and send, to the first vehicle, control instructions for navigating from the first location to the second location based on the mission plan, when the vehicle is at the first location.
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G06G 7/70 - Analogue computers for specific processes, systems, or devices, e.g. simulators for vehicles, e.g. to determine permissible loading of ships
B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
