Smart locker automated transfer system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11325779-B2
Application number	US-202016862683-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2020
Priority date	Apr 30, 2020
Publication date	May 10, 2022
Grant date	May 10, 2022

Abstract

A smart locker automated transfer system includes one or more lockers, a transfer system, and an autonomous delivery robot. Each locker includes a retractable base plate configured to hold the package. The transfer system may include a rack and rail system, one or more conveyor belts, or both. The autonomous delivery robot may be configured to receive the package from the transfer system. The autonomous delivery robot may be configured to deliver the package to a destination.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A smart locker automated transfer system comprising:
a plurality of lockers, wherein each locker of the plurality of lockers comprises:
a first side configured for loading a package,
a second side configured for unloading the package, and
a retractable base plate configured to hold the package;

a transfer system comprising:
at least two sets of parallel bars configured to move horizontally along a plurality of guide rails to align with a locker, and
a rail base plate configured to receive the package from the retractable base plate, wherein the rail base plate is attached to the at least two sets of parallel bars via a hydraulic lift mechanism, wherein the hydraulic lift mechanism is configured to align the rail base plate vertically with the locker; and
an autonomous delivery robot configured to receive the package from the rail base plate and deliver the package to a destination.

2. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 1 , wherein the retractable base plate comprises a first rack and pinion mechanism configured to extend the retractable base plate from the locker and retract the retractable base plate into the locker.

3. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 2 , wherein the retractable base plate comprises a second rack and pinion mechanism configured to transfer the package to the rail base plate.

4. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 3 , wherein the second rack and pinion mechanism is positioned in a perpendicular direction along a same plane relative to the first rack and pinion mechanism.

5. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 1 , further comprising a cloud management system configured to:
receive a package pickup request; and
transmit a locker identifier (ID) to the transfer system, wherein the locker ID indicates a locker associated with the package pickup request.

6. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 5 , wherein the cloud management system is further configured to:
determine an estimated delivery time; and
transmit the estimated delivery time to a user.

7. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 6 , wherein the estimated delivery time is determined based on one or more of a user location, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and a time to load the autonomous delivery robot.

8. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 5 , wherein the cloud management system is further configured to transmit a delivery destination to the autonomous delivery robot.

9. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 8 , wherein the cloud management system is further configured to transmit information associated with a package pickup to the autonomous delivery robot.

10. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 5 , wherein the transfer system is configured to:
receive the locker ID, wherein the locker ID indicates the locker associated with the package pickup request; and
align the rail mechanism with the indicated locker in response to receiving the locker ID.

11. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 10 , wherein the locker associated with the package pickup request is configured to:
receive an unlock request from the cloud management system;
open the second side in response to the unlock request;
extend the retractable base plate to transfer the package; and
retract the base plate based on a confirmation of a successful transfer to the rail base plate.

12. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 1 , wherein the rail base plate is configured to transfer the package to the autonomous delivery robot.

13. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 1 , wherein the autonomous delivery robot is configured to receive a delivery destination and information associated with a package pickup.

14. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 13 , wherein the autonomous delivery robot is configured to park in a docking area based on the information associated with the package pickup.

15. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 14 , wherein the autonomous delivery robot is configured to:
receive the package from the rail base plate;
traverse to the delivery destination;
transmit an authentication request to a customer;
receive an authentication response from the customer; and
on a condition that the authentication response matches an identifier associated with the package, deliver the package to the customer.

16. A smart locker automated transfer system comprising:
a plurality of lockers, wherein each locker of the plurality of lockers comprises:
a first side configured for loading a package,
a second side configured for unloading the package, and
a retractable smart locker configured to hold the package;

a transfer system comprising a conveyor belt; and
an autonomous delivery robot configured to receive the package from the conveyor belt and deliver the package to a destination.

17. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 16 , further comprising a cloud management system configured to:
receive a package pickup request; and
transmit a locker identifier (ID) to the transfer system, wherein the locker ID indicates a locker associated with the package pickup request.

18. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 17 , wherein the transfer system is configured to:
receive the locker ID, wherein the locker ID indicates the locker associated with the package pickup request; and
start the conveyor belt in response to receiving the locker ID.

19. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 18 , wherein the locker associated with the package pickup request is configured to:
receive an unlock request from the cloud management system; and
open the second side in response to the unlock request to transfer the package to the conveyor belt.

20. The smart locker automated transfer system of claim 19 , wherein the autonomous delivery robot is configured to:
receive the package from the conveyor belt;
traverse to the delivery destination;
transmit an authentication request to a customer;
receive an authentication response from the customer; and
on a condition that the authentication response matches an identifier associated with the package, deliver the package to the customer.

Assignees

• Great Wall Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Ganguli Subhabrata
• Srinivasa Avaneesh
• Madhusoodanan Namrita
• Crawford Mark

Classifications

• G06Q10/0836

  Recipient pick-ups · CPC title

• B25J5/007

  mounted on wheels · CPC title

• G06Q10/087 Primary

  Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders · CPC title

• B65G1/1373

  for fulfilling orders in warehouses · CPC title

• B65G43/08

  Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed or discharged {(and controlling the discharging devices B65G47/42)} · CPC title