WO2019102361A1 - Système et procédé de livraison et de collecte de colis utilisant des drones - Google Patents

Système et procédé de livraison et de collecte de colis utilisant des drones Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019102361A1
WO2019102361A1 PCT/IB2018/059156 IB2018059156W WO2019102361A1 WO 2019102361 A1 WO2019102361 A1 WO 2019102361A1 IB 2018059156 W IB2018059156 W IB 2018059156W WO 2019102361 A1 WO2019102361 A1 WO 2019102361A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
drone
package
drop
zone
identifier
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2018/059156
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Grant Robert James WALKER
Original Assignee
Walker Grant Robert James
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Walker Grant Robert James filed Critical Walker Grant Robert James
Publication of WO2019102361A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019102361A1/fr
Priority to ZA2020/03726A priority Critical patent/ZA202003726B/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/40—Business processes related to the transportation industry
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64F—GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B64F1/00—Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
    • B64F1/32—Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for handling freight
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/083—Shipping
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/083—Shipping
    • G06Q10/0833—Tracking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U2101/00—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
    • B64U2101/60—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
    • B64U2101/64—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons for parcel delivery or retrieval

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to a package delivery and collection system and method using drones, and in particular to a method of and a system for managing the arrival of a drone at a drop off zone.
  • the delivery of packages by drones is not new.
  • the arrival of the delivery drone with a package typically requires the customer to be present to physically collect the package. This has severe practical limitations, which the present invention aims to address.
  • a package delivery and collection system using drones each drone having a unique identifier
  • the system comprising: a detector to detect the arrival of a drone at a drop off zone, the detector being arranged to determine the unique identifier of the drone to ensure that the correct drone has arrived, by comparing the drone’s identifier with an expected drone identifier; and a controller that is arranged, if there is a match in the identifiers, to allow the drone to access the drop off zone.
  • the controller is in active communication with the drone, and can take over control of the drone to ensure that the drone arrives at and/or departs from the drop off zone safely and correctly.
  • the controller is arranged to control the speed and placement of the drone within the drop off zone, and once safely landed the controller is arranged to instruct the drone to either release the package at the drop off zone, in the case of a delivery, or pick up a package, in the case of a collection.
  • the controller is arranged to open a gate into a box or container, typically on the roof of a building, after which the controller instructs the drone to either release or collect the package, or the drone does this of its own accord, and after the drone has left, the controller is arranged to close the gate.
  • each box may be a plurality of boxes each with its own gate, with each box having its own unique box identifier, including location information, which the drone will be provided with to ensure that the package is delivered or collected from the correct box.
  • the drop off zone takes the form of an entrance to one or more chutes, the chute/s terminating either in a central room or apartment of the building, for subsequent collection, or each chute terminating within one of the apartments within the building.
  • each chute has a unique chute identifier, including location information, which the drone will be provided with to ensure that the package is delivered into the correct chute.
  • the chute can be classified as a hot chute, a cold chute or a general chute, depending on the nature of the package being delivered.
  • the package itself can be colour coded accordingly, with a red package being associated with the hot chute, a blue package being associated with the cold chute, and a white package (corresponding to a general or standard package) being associated the white chute.
  • the drop off zone may be any centralised location or building, preferably secured, that may be accessed by the intended recipient of the package or by someone wishing to have a package collected.
  • the system is implemented proximate the drop off zone, in which case the system includes a communications module to communicate with a central control station.
  • the central control station is thus responsible for appointing a particular drone, and sending the drone to fetch the package from a product dispatching centre.
  • the central control station is also arranged to send details of the appointed drone to the detector, including the expected drone identifier.
  • the central control station is also arranged to receive the unique box or chute identifier resulting from a transaction authorizing the delivery of the package, which it in turn transmits to the appointed drone.
  • the drone may be arranged to deliver or collect a plurality of packages, with the central control station sending transportation scheduling data to the drone, the transportation scheduling data including location information of the pickup location and the drop off location and the related flight path that the drone needs to follow, including a unique chute or box identifier if appropriate/required.
  • a package delivery and collection method using drones each drone having a unique identifier, the method comprising: detecting the arrival of a drone at the drop off zone, which includes the step of determining the unique identifier of the drone; comparing the drone’s identifier with an expected drone identifier, to ensure that the correct drone has arrived; and allowing the drone to access the drop off zone if there is a match in the identifiers.
  • the method comprises controlling the speed and placement of the drone within the drop off zone, and once safely landed, instructing the drone to either release the package at the drop off zone, in the case of a delivery, or pick up a package, in the case of a collection.
  • the method comprises opening a gate into a box or container, typically on the roof of a building, and thereafter instructing the drone to either release or collect the package, or allowing the drone to do this of its own accord, and after the drone has left, closing the gate.
  • each box may be a plurality of boxes each with its own gate, with each box having its own unique box identifier, including location information, which the drone will be provided with to ensure that the package is delivered or collected from the correct box.
  • the drone may be arranged to deliver or collect a plurality of packages, with the method comprising sending transportation scheduling data to the drone, the transportation scheduling data including location information of the pickup location and the drop off location and the related flight path that the drone needs to follow, including a unique chute or box identifier if appropriate/required.
  • Figure 1 shows a high level schematic block diagram of a package delivery and collection system, according to a first aspect of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic flow chart of a package delivery and collection method, according to a second aspect of the invention
  • Figures 3 to 7 show the operation of a drone when being controlled by the system and method of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 a package delivery and collection system 10 using drones 12 is shown, with the delivery/collection of a package 15 taking place at a drop off zone 14.
  • Each drone 12 has a unique identifier 16, which it transmits intermittently, or in response to a valid interrogation signal.
  • the drones 12 may be of the type shown in Figures 3 and 4, as described in more detail further below.
  • the system 10 comprises a detector 18 to detect the arrival and subsequent departure of the drone 12 at the drop off zone 14.
  • the detector 18 may comprise a sensor and/or camera to detect an incoming or outgoing drone 12.
  • the detector 18 is arranged to determine (either by interrogation and/or extraction) the unique identifier 16 of the drone 12 to ensure that the correct drone 12 has arrived. This may be done in many ways but is typically done by comparing the drone’s identifier 16 with an expected drone identifier.
  • the system 10 further includes a controller 24 which is arranged to communicate with the drone 12. If there is a match in the identifiers, the controller 24 is arranged to allow the drone 12 to access (or depart from) the drop off zone 14.
  • the controller 24 is in active communication with the drone 12, and can take over control of the drone 12 to ensure that the drone 12 arrives at and/or departs from the drop off zone 14 safely and correctly.
  • the controller 24 is arranged to control the speed and placement of the drone 12 within the drop off zone 14. Once safely landed, the controller 24 is arranged to instruct the drone 12 to either release the package 15 at the drop off zone 14, in the case of a delivery, or pick up a package 15, in the case of a collection.
  • drop off zone 14 comprises a box or container 28, typically on the roof of a building 86.
  • the controller 24 is arranged to open a gate 26 into the box or container 28, as the drone 12 approaches. Once opened, the controller 24 instructs the drone 12 to either release or collect the package 15, or the drone 12 is arranged to do this of its own accord. After the drone 12 has left, the controller 24 is arranged to close the gate 26 of the box 28. Thus, in the case of a delivery, the package 15 is safely secured within the box 28 for subsequent retrieval by a customer.
  • each box 28 there may be a plurality of boxes 28 each with its own gate 26.
  • Each box 28 would typically have its own unique box identifier, including location information, which the drone 12 would be provided with to ensure that the package 15 is delivered or collected from the correct box 28.
  • the drop off zone 14 takes the form of an entrance 30 to a chute 32.
  • the package 15 After being dropped into the entrance 30 of the chute 32, the package 15 either simply falls down towards a lower collection point 34, where a customer can collect the package, or is conveyed or transported downwardly towards the collection point 34, of course depending upon the nature of the package 15.
  • each chute 32 may terminate either in a central room or apartment of the building, for subsequent collection, or each chute 32 may terminate within one of the apartments within the building 86.
  • each chute 32 has a unique chute identifier, including location information, which the drone 12 will be provided with to ensure that the package 15 is delivered into the correct chute 32.
  • the chute 32 can be classified as a hot chute, a cold chute or a general chute, depending on the nature of the package 15 being delivered.
  • the package 15 itself can be colour coded accordingly, with a red package 15 being associated with the hot chute, a blue package 15 being associated with the cold chute and a white package (corresponding to a general or standard package) being associated the white chute.
  • the drop off zone 14 may be any centralised location or building, preferably secured, that may be accessed by the intended recipient of the package 15 or by someone wishing to have a package 15 collected.
  • the system 10 is implemented proximate the drop off zone 14, as for example shown in Figures 5 and 6.
  • the system 10 includes a communications module 20 to communicate with a central control station 22, via any communications network 21 .
  • the central control station 22 is thus responsible for appointing a particular drone 12, and sending the drone 12 to fetch the package from a product dispatching centre.
  • the central control station 22 is also arranged to send details of the appointed drone 12 to the detector 18, including the expected drone identifier 16.
  • the central control station 22 is also arranged to send details of the appointed drone 12 to the intended recipient, including details of the expected delivery time, and requesting confirmation from the recipient that the drone 12 may proceed to deliver/collect the package 15.
  • This communication between the central control station 22 and the recipient may be done in different ways, but would typically be facilitated by means of a software application (‘app’) on a mobile device associated with the recipient.
  • the app could also be used to send the coordinates of the drone’s destination, which would either be predetermined/preset or would be based on the current position of the user’s mobile device.
  • two coordinate points may be used or needed by the drone 12, the first being the coordinates of the actual drop off zone 14, and the second being the coordinates of the exit point off a main airway that the drone 12 is obliged to follow.
  • the express approval of the recipient may be required before the drone 12 can exit the main airway, thus entering the recipient’s premises.
  • the central control station 22 can remotely control the flying of the drone 12.
  • the central control station 22 is also arranged to receive the unique box or chute identifier resulting from a transaction authorizing the delivery of the package 15.
  • the transaction would typically be a sale of a product or products, to be accommodated within the package 15, at a retailer, whether a physical store or an online store, with the central control station 22 then in turn transmitting the box or chute identifier to the appointed drone 12.
  • the drone 12 may be arranged to deliver or collect a plurality of packages 15, with the central control station 22 sending transportation scheduling data to the drone 12.
  • the transportation scheduling data includes location information of the pickup location and the drop off location and the related flight path that the drone 12 needs to follow, including the unique chute or box identifier if appropriate/required.
  • the drone has a unique identifier
  • the method 50 typically comprising the step of detecting the arrival of the drone at a drop off zone, as indicated by block 52.
  • This step 52 may in turn include the step of determining the unique identifier of the drone, as indicated by block 54.
  • the method 50 proceeds to then compare the drone’s identifier with an expected drone identifier, to ensure that the correct drone has arrived, as indicated by block 56.
  • the method 50 proceeds to allow the drone to access the drop off zone, as indicated by block 60.
  • the system 10 is used to control the arrival of a drone 12 at a drop off zone 14.
  • the drone 12 typically comprises a body 80, a plurality of propeller arrangements 82 extending away from the body 80 and a holder 84 for releasably holding a package 15 for delivery.
  • the drone 12 has a unique identifier, typically embedded within electronics within the body 80, which it can transmit intermittently, or in response to a valid interrogation signal.
  • the system 10 comprises a detector to detect the arrival of the drone 12 at the drop off zone 14, typically by interrogating and/or extracting the unique identifier of the drone 12 to ensure that the correct drone 12 has arrived at the drop off zone 14. If the unique identifier of the drone 12 matches that of an expected drone 12, the system 10 allows the drone 12 to access the drop off zone 14.
  • the system 10 is arranged to open a gate 26 into a chamber 28, after which the system 10 instructs the drone 12, and in particular the holders 84, to release the package 15 into the chamber 28. After the drone 12 has left, the system 10 is arranged to close the gate 26 thereby securing the package 15 within the chamber 28.
  • the chamber 28 may comprise an entrance to a chute, such as a chimney chute of a building.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Primary Health Care (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de livraison et de collecte de colis utilisant des drones, chaque drone ayant un identifiant unique. Le système comprend un détecteur pour détecter l'arrivée d'un drone au niveau d'une zone de dépôt, le détecteur étant conçu pour déterminer l'identifiant unique du drone afin de s'assurer que le drone correct est arrivé, en comparant l'identifiant du drone à un identifiant de drone attendu ; et un dispositif de commande qui est conçu, si les identifiants correspondent, pour permettre au drone d'accéder à la zone de dépôt. Selon un mode de réalisation, le dispositif de commande est en communication active avec le drone, et peut prendre le contrôle du drone pour s'assurer que le drone arrive à la zone de dépôt et/ou la quitte de façon sûre et correcte.
PCT/IB2018/059156 2017-11-21 2018-11-21 Système et procédé de livraison et de collecte de colis utilisant des drones WO2019102361A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2020/03726A ZA202003726B (en) 2017-11-21 2020-06-19 Package delivery and collection system and method using drones

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA201707878 2017-11-21
ZA2017/07878 2017-11-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019102361A1 true WO2019102361A1 (fr) 2019-05-31

Family

ID=66631387

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2018/059156 WO2019102361A1 (fr) 2017-11-21 2018-11-21 Système et procédé de livraison et de collecte de colis utilisant des drones

Country Status (2)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2019102361A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA202003726B (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111232233A (zh) * 2020-03-04 2020-06-05 北京三快在线科技有限公司 载货无人机及其检测货物掉落的方法和装置
CN111361738A (zh) * 2020-03-18 2020-07-03 李秀英 一种楼层无人机快递投递系统
JP2021160887A (ja) * 2020-03-31 2021-10-11 西武建設株式会社 発着装置、配送物供給方法、配送物供給システム
EP3984919A4 (fr) * 2019-06-14 2023-07-12 Zhou, Pengyue Terminal d'accès à des marchandises, et procédé d'assemblage de celui-ci

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9244147B1 (en) * 2014-10-22 2016-01-26 Google Inc. Automated package delivery to a delivery receptacle
US20160068265A1 (en) * 2014-09-10 2016-03-10 International Business Machines Corporation Package transport by unmanned aerial vehicles
US20160253907A1 (en) * 2015-01-29 2016-09-01 Qualcomm Incorporated Systems and Methods for Restricting Drone Airspace Access
US20170116568A1 (en) * 2015-10-21 2017-04-27 James Pleis Drone Operated Delivery Receptacle
US20170255896A1 (en) * 2016-03-04 2017-09-07 Jesse Van Dyke Unattended Delivery Drop Box

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160068265A1 (en) * 2014-09-10 2016-03-10 International Business Machines Corporation Package transport by unmanned aerial vehicles
US9244147B1 (en) * 2014-10-22 2016-01-26 Google Inc. Automated package delivery to a delivery receptacle
US20160253907A1 (en) * 2015-01-29 2016-09-01 Qualcomm Incorporated Systems and Methods for Restricting Drone Airspace Access
US20170116568A1 (en) * 2015-10-21 2017-04-27 James Pleis Drone Operated Delivery Receptacle
US20170255896A1 (en) * 2016-03-04 2017-09-07 Jesse Van Dyke Unattended Delivery Drop Box

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3984919A4 (fr) * 2019-06-14 2023-07-12 Zhou, Pengyue Terminal d'accès à des marchandises, et procédé d'assemblage de celui-ci
CN111232233A (zh) * 2020-03-04 2020-06-05 北京三快在线科技有限公司 载货无人机及其检测货物掉落的方法和装置
CN111361738A (zh) * 2020-03-18 2020-07-03 李秀英 一种楼层无人机快递投递系统
JP2021160887A (ja) * 2020-03-31 2021-10-11 西武建設株式会社 発着装置、配送物供給方法、配送物供給システム

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA202003726B (en) 2022-01-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2019102361A1 (fr) Système et procédé de livraison et de collecte de colis utilisant des drones
US11854108B2 (en) System and method for controlling drone delivery or pick up during a delivery or pick up phase of drone operation
US20210339887A1 (en) Receiving Appliance for Automated Deliveries
US11825971B2 (en) Receiving device for parcels or packages delivered by air
US10657483B2 (en) Systems and methods for secure package delivery
CN108542242B (zh) 用于无人机递送的着陆垫
WO2017034278A1 (fr) Système de distribution par drone
JP6201092B1 (ja) 配達物無人自動受取装置
US9990684B2 (en) Mailport for automated parcel carriers
KR20150104863A (ko) 무인 비행체를 이용한 배송 물품의 무인 수취 시스템
KR20180008359A (ko) 무인비행장치를 이용한 무인 배송 시스템
CN208781098U (zh) 集成有停机平台的无人配送用智能快递箱及无人配送系统
CN208873183U (zh) 一种基于无人机的电子商务配送系统
WO2020052111A1 (fr) Procédé et appareil de réception de marchandises, support de stockage, et boîte de livraison express
CN109460955A (zh) 用于无人配送的智能快递箱、无人配送系统及其配送方法
CN106506151A (zh) 一种用于无人机物流配送的密码发送与接收装置
WO2018195851A1 (fr) Système et procédé de transport de marchandises pour bâtiments
CN105892386B (zh) 无人运载系统及其承载器
US10664788B2 (en) Ad-hoc parcel delivery drop zone and hotspot
CN106056328A (zh) 一种自动收发包裹的系统及方法、楼宇
CN109533624A (zh) 一种用于无人配送场景的智能快递箱
US20200126434A1 (en) Method Of Performing Work Related To Delivery
CN205656719U (zh) 无人载具物流智能收储装置和系统
CN110930094A (zh) 基于5g通讯的物品的配送方法和装置
KR102577423B1 (ko) 단지 내 로봇 배송 시스템 및 그 동작방법

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 18881178

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 18881178

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1