IP Library Granted Patent US 10,457,393
Granted Patent B2
US 10,457,393 · App. 15/479,036 · Granted Oct 29, 2019

Apparatuses and methods for receiving aerial vehicle delivery

Inventors: John P. Thompson (Bentonville, AR); David C. Winkle (Bella Vista, AR); Eric A. Letson (Bentonville, AR)
Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
B64D1/22B64C39/024B64F1/007B64C2201/128B64C2201/141
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,457,393
App. No.
15/479,036
Granted
Oct 29, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for receiving aerial vehicle delivery. An apparatus for receiving aerial vehicle delivery comprises a receiving pad configured to receive a package released by an aerial vehicle; one or more accessory couplers attached to the receiving pad and configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad; and a wall portion surrounding at least a portion of the receiving pad, the wall portion being removably coupled to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler.

Claims (36)

1. An apparatus for receiving aerial vehicle delivery comprising:

a receiving pad configured to receive a package released by an aerial vehicle hovering over the receiving pad;

one or more accessory couplers attached to the receiving pad and configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad; and

a wall portion surrounding at least a portion of the receiving pad, the wall portion being removably coupled to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler; and

wherein the receiving pad is coupled to a motorized retractor configured to retract and extend the receiving pad; and

wherein the motorized retractor is configured to automatically extend the receiving pad in response to the aerial vehicle approaching the receiving pad.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wall portion comprises flexible netting configured to prevent packages from sliding out of the receiving pad.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the receiving pad comprises one or more of a padded layer and a foam layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the receiving pad accessory comprises a receiving identifier.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the receiving identifier comprises one or more of a visual identifier, an optically readable code, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an optical beacon, and a radio frequency beacon.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the one or more accessory couplers comprise a receiving identifier coupler.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the receiving identifier is configured to be updated for each aerial vehicle delivery drop.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the receiving identifier corresponds to one or more of a receiving pad identifier, a customer account identifier, and a delivery order identifier.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the receiving pad accessory comprises an anchor for securing the receiving pad to one or more of a ground and a fixture.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the receiving pad accessory comprises a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with one or more of the aerial vehicle and a central computer system.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to provide an authorization signal to the aerial vehicle to authorize a release of the package.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the authorization signal is provided based on one or more of a user proximity to the receiving pad and a user configured setting.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the receiving pad comprises one or more folding creases for retracting the receiving pad.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the receiving pad comprises a rollable material configured to be rolled up when not in use.

15. A method for receiving aerial vehicle delivery, comprising:

placing a receiving pad to receive a package delivered by an aerial vehicle hovering over the receiving pad, the receiving pad comprises one or more accessory couplers configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad; and

removably attaching a wall portion to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler to surround at least a portion of the receiving pad; and

coupling the receiving pad to a motorized retractor configured to retract and extend the receiving pad; wherein the motorized retractor is configured to automatically extend the receiving pad in response to the aerial vehicle approaching the receiving pad.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

updating a receiving identifier attached the receiving pad via one of the one or more accessory couplers prior to a delivery from the aerial vehicle.

17. A system for receiving aerial vehicle delivery comprising:

a package receiving apparatus comprising:

a receiving pad;

one or more accessory couplers attached to the receiving pad and configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad;

a motorized retractor configured to retract and extend the receiving pad; and

a wall portion surrounding at least a portion of the receiving pad, the wall portion being removably coupled to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler; and

an aerial vehicle configured to deliver a package while in flight comprising:

a receiving pad sensor configured to identify a delivery spot based on a receiving identifier; and

a package release device configured to release the package onto the portion of the receiving pad surround by the wall portion while hovering over the receiving pad;

wherein the motorized retractor is configured to automatically extend the receiving pad in response to the aerial vehicle approaching the receiving pad.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the package release device comprises a crane configured to lower the package into the portion of the receiving pad surround by the wall portion.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 16, 2018
From: WAL-MART STORES, INC.
To: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
Reel/Frame 045951/0176 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2018
From: THOMPSON, JOHN P.; WINKLE, DAVID C.; LESTON, ERIC A.
To: WAL-MART STORES, INC.
Reel/Frame 044922/0205 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62318675 · Apr 5, 2016
Related Publication 20170283057A1 · Oct 5, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,391,381