Autonomous delivery device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11099562-B1
Application number	US-201816179855-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Nov 2, 2018
Priority date	Nov 2, 2017
Publication date	Aug 24, 2021
Grant date	Aug 24, 2021

Abstract

Provided is an autonomous mobile robotic device that may carry, transport, and deliver one or more items in a work environment to predetermined destinations. The robotic device may comprise a container in which the one or more items may be placed. Once tasks are complete, the robotic device may autonomously navigate to a predetermined location.

First claim

I claim:

1. A robotic device for carrying, transporting, and delivering packages, parcels, and mail items, the robotic device comprising:
one or more processors;
a chassis including a set of wheels;
a motor for driving the set of wheels;
a suspension system;
a rechargeable battery for providing power to the robotic device;
a control system module for controlling the movement of the robotic device;
a set of sensors;
a screen with graphical user interface;
a module for receiving packages, parcels, and mail items; and
a module for delivering packages, parcels, and mail items, wherein:
the robotic device delivers and collects packages, parcels and mail items from multiple locations in a single work session;
the robotic device navigates in a most efficient manner to deliver and collect packages, parcels and mail items; and
the robotic device navigates to locations in a consecutive order, the robotic device navigating to each location consecutively in such a manner that each successive location visited is the location closest to the location visited immediately previously.

2. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device autonomously navigates through the work environment to deliver and collect packages, parcels and mail items.

3. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device summons a second robotic device when the robotic device has reached a predetermined capacity.

4. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device includes multiple compartments, each compartment containing packages, parcels, and mail items to a specific individual.

5. The robotic device of claim 4 , wherein an individual must unlock a compartment specific to them utilizing any of: speaking a voice command, utilizing a biometric scanner, utilizing a voice module, utilizing a key, utilizing a code scanning element such as a QR or barcode scanner, utilizing an identification card scanner, sending a command via a remote control or application of a communications device, by pressing a sequence of buttons, by utilizing a pin code.

6. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the delivering module is a module for delivering a box, a sliding mechanism, a pushing mechanism, an armature, a tilting mechanism, an angling mechanism.

7. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device is summoned for a work session by an individual using an application of a communications device, voice command, remote control, or via a screen with graphical user interface of a robotic device.

8. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device is summoned for a work session by a delivery and collection vehicle, once the delivery and collection vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance of the robotic device.

9. The robotic device of claim 8 , wherein the robotic device delivers outgoing packages, parcels and mail items to the delivery and collection vehicle and receives inbound packages, parcels, and mail items from the delivery and collection vehicle.

10. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises a module for printing postage labels.

11. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises a module for providing packaging materials to an individual.

12. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises a temperature control module for at least one of: a cooling, refrigeration, freezing, warming, a heating, and cooking.

13. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises a module for processing payment transactions.

14. The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises a QR code or barcode code scanning module.

15. The robotic device of claim 1 wherein the robotic device transmits a communication to an individual alerting the individual that the robotic device contains a package, parcel, or mail item of the individual when the robotic device has obtained a package, parcel, or mail item addressed to the individual.

16. A method for collecting and delivering packages, parcels and mail items, the method comprising:
providing a robotic device, the robotic device comprising:
one or more processors;
a chassis including a set of wheels;
a motor for driving the set of wheels;
a suspension system;
a rechargeable battery for providing power to the robotic device;
a control system module for controlling the movement of the robotic device;
a set of sensors;
a screen with graphical user interface;
a module for receiving packages, parcels, and mail items;
a module for delivering packages, parcels, and mail items;
a module for providing packaging materials;
a module for printing labels; and
a module for processing payments;

the robotic device receiving a command for a work order from an individual or delivery and collection vehicle;
the robotic device receiving packages, parcels, and mail items from an individual or delivery and collection vehicle; and
the robotic device delivering packages, parcels, and mail items to a predetermined location, wherein:
the robotic device delivers and collects packages, parcels and mail items from multiple locations in a single work session;
the robotic device navigates in a most efficient manner to deliver and collect packages, parcels and mail items; and
the robotic device navigates to locations in a consecutive order, the robotic device navigating to each location consecutively in such a manner that each successive location visited is the location closest to the location visited immediately previously.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the robotic device navigates to a predetermined location upon receiving a signal broadcast by a delivery and collection vehicle once the delivery and collection vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance of the robotic device.

18. The robotic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a module for providing packaging materials;
a module for printing labels; and
a module for processing payments, wherein:
the robotic device receives a command for a work order from an individual or delivery and collection vehicle;
the robotic device receives packages, parcels, and mail items from an individual or delivery and collection vehicle; and
the robotic device delivers packages, parcels, and mail items to a predetermined location.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the robotic device is summoned for a work session by an individual using an application of a communications device, voice command, remote control, or via a screen with graphical user interface of a robotic device.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of:
the robotic device summons a second robotic device when the robotic device has reached a predetermined capacity;
the robotic device includes multiple compartments, each compartment containing packages, parcels, and mail items to a specific individual;
the robotic device transmits a communication to an individual alerting the individual that the robotic device contains a package, parcel, or mail item of the individual when the robotic device has obtained a package, parcel, or mail item addressed to the individual; and
the robotic device delivers outgoing packages, parcels and mail items to a delivery and collection vehicle and receives inbound packages, parcels, and mail items from the delivery and collection vehicle.

Assignees

• Ebrahimi Afrouzi Ali
• Ai Inc

Inventors

• Ebrahimi Afrouzi Ali

Classifications

• G05D1/0225

  involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay (parking aids B62D15/027) · CPC title

• G05D1/0088 Primary

  characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours (using knowledge based models G06N5/00) · CPC title

• G05D2201/0216

  Physics · mapped topic

• G05D1/0276

  using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle (involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058) · CPC title

• G06Q10/083

  Shipping · CPC title