Relay locations for mobile automated vehicles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9260028-B2
Application number	US-201414460269-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2014
Priority date	Dec 17, 2013
Publication date	Feb 16, 2016
Grant date	Feb 16, 2016

Abstract

An automated mobile vehicle configured to autonomously provide coverage for inoperable infrastructure components at various locations. A plurality of automated mobile vehicles may be deployed to provide emergency lighting, a wireless network, audio, video, etc., at an event area. The event area may be indoors and/or outdoors.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a docking component for engaging an automated mobile vehicle with the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is located within a materials handling facility and secured to a surface of the materials handling facility; and
a power component configured to provide power to the automated mobile vehicle while the automated mobile vehicle is engaged with the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the docking component is a hook secured to the surface of the materials handling facility.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the hook provides an electrical connection between the power component and the automated mobile vehicle when the automated mobile vehicle is engaged with the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide inductive charging to the automated mobile vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the docking component includes one or more mating members that engage one or more landing arms of the automated mobile vehicle when the automated mobile vehicle is positioned on the apparatus.

6. An apparatus, comprising:
a shelf having a surface of a size sufficient to receive an automated mobile vehicle, wherein the shelf is attached to one or more of a vertical wall or a support within a materials handling facility; and
a first mating member configured to receive a first landing arm of the automated mobile vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first mating member is incorporated into a top surface of the shelf.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first mating member includes a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is angled inward to assist in a positioning of the automated mobile vehicle at the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
a second mating member configured to receive a second landing arm of the automated mobile vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one mating member is configured to provide an electrical charge to the automated mobile vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the electrical charge to the automated mobile vehicle is provided to the first landing arm of the automated mobile vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one mating member is configured to provide network connectivity to the automated mobile vehicle.

13. A method for providing power to an automated mobile vehicle during an event, comprising:
engaging the automated mobile vehicle with a docking component of a recovery location, wherein the automated mobile vehicle is at a location to provide coverage for the event using at least one component coupled to the automated mobile vehicle; and
providing power to the automated mobile vehicle via the docking component.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the docking component is at least one of a shelf or a hook.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the component is at least one of a light, a speaker, a microphone, a projector, or a camera.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
providing network connectivity to the automated mobile vehicle.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the automated mobile vehicle is at least one of an aerial vehicle, a ground based vehicle, or a water based vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the event is an inoperability of at least one infrastructure component of a materials handling facility.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the power is provided to the automated mobile vehicle using inductive charging.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the recovery location is located within a materials handling facility.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Worley Iii William Spencer
• Clayton Eric Mathew

Classifications

• B64U2101/20

  for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms · CPC title

• A63H27/12

  Helicopters (A63H27/04 takes precedence); Flying tops · CPC title

• A63H17/26

  Details; Accessories (drive mechanisms A63H29/00) · CPC title

• H04W4/021

  Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences · CPC title

• H04B1/3822

  specially adapted for use in vehicles (H04B1/3827 takes precedence) · CPC title