UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO INTERACT WITH SPECIFICALLY INTENDED OBJECTS
In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, methods, and processes are provided to control and allocate UASs. In some embodiments, a system to control unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), comprises: one or more wireless transceivers configured to communicate with the UAS; a control circuit coupled with the transceiver(s); and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: receive sensor data captured by at least one sensor of a UAS; determine, from the sensor data, unique identification of an object at a predefined location; and confirm, from the sensor data, that the identified object is an expected object expected at the predefined location.
1 . A system to control unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), comprising:
one or more wireless transceivers;
a control circuit coupled with the one or more transceivers; and
a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of:
receive, while the UAS is in flight and prior to delivery of a package intended to be delivered to a predefined location to be received by a customer associated with the predefined location, sensor data captured by at least one sensor of a UAS comprising image data captured by a camera on the UAS;
determine, from the image data, a unique delivery pad identifier of a first delivery pad at the predefined location and unique to the first delivery pad, wherein the first delivery pad is configured to at least receive a package when delivered by the UAS;
confirm, from the sensor data and prior to the delivery by the UAS of the package intended to be delivered to the predefined location, that the identified first delivery pad is an expected object expected at the predefined location;
confirm, based on the sensor data, an identification of the customer; and
initiate delivery of the package in response to confirming the first delivery pad identifier and the identification of the customer.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
receive additional sensor data from the UAS;
detect a different package is located on the first delivery pad;
confirm there is sufficient space on the first delivery pad, not occupied by the different package, to receive the package being carried by the UAS; and
initiate delivery of the package in response to confirming there is sufficient space on the first delivery pad to deliver the package.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit further receives, through at least one of the one or more the wireless transceivers, a detected communication from a user interface unit associated with the customer who is associated with the predefined location, wherein the control circuit, in confirming the identified first delivery pad is the expected object, confirms the identified first delivery pad based on the received sensor data and the detected communication from the user interface unit.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to obtain an identification through facial recognition of the customer positioned proximate the predefined location, and confirm the predefined location based on the identification of the first delivery pad identifier, the detected communication from the user interface unit, and the facial recognition of the customer.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to obtain an identification through facial recognition of the customer positioned proximate the predefined location, and confirm the predefined location based on the identification of both the first delivery pad identifier and the facial recognition of the customer.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first delivery pad identifier comprises a predefined pattern of colors.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
receive a communication from a distribution vehicle wherein the communication comprises an identification of the distribution vehicle, obtain additional image data captured by the camera on the UAS, while the UAS is above a roof of the distribution vehicle, obtain a unique identification of the distribution vehicle at a location from image processing of the additional image data, and confirm that the identification of the distribution vehicle is consistent with an expected distribution vehicle assigned to transport the UAS away from the predefined location.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit, in determining the unique identification of the first delivery pad, determines a package identifier from the sensor data of a different package expected to be cooperated with the UAS and to be retrieved by the UAS to be returned to a supplier.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to obtain dimensions of the package being delivered, detect from image processing measurements on the first delivery pad, determine an available delivery area on the first delivery pad, and confirm there is sufficient space on the first delivery pad to receive the package.
10 . A method of controlling unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), comprising:
receiving, while a UAS is in flight and prior to delivery by the UAS of a package intended to be delivered to a predefined location to be received by a customer associated with the predefined location, sensor data captured by at least one sensor of the UAS comprising image data captured by a camera on the UAS;
determining, from the image data, a unique delivery pad identifier of a first delivery pad at the predefined location and unique to the first delivery pad, wherein the first delivery pad is configured to at least receive a package when delivered by the UAS;
confirming, from the sensor data and prior to the delivery by the UAS of the package intended to be delivered to the predefined location, that the identified first delivery pad is an expected object expected at the predefined location;
confirming, based on the sensor data, an identification of the customer; and
initiating delivery of the package in response to confirming there is sufficient space on the first delivery pad to deliver the second package.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
receiving additional sensor data from the UAS;
detect a different package is located on the first delivery pad;
confirming there is sufficient space on the first delivery pad, not occupied by the different package, to receive the package being carried by the UAS; and
initiating delivery of the package in response to confirming there is sufficient space on the first delivery pad to deliver the package.
12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
receiving a detected communication from a user interface unit associated with the customer who is associated with the predefined location; and
wherein the confirming the identified first delivery pad is the expected object comprises confirming the identified first delivery pad based on the received sensor data and the detected communication from the user interface unit.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
obtaining an identification through facial recognition of the customer positioned proximate the predefined location; and
confirming the predefined location based on the identification of the first delivery pad identifier, the detected communication from the user interface unit, and the facial recognition of the customer.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
obtaining an identification through facial recognition of the customer positioned proximate the predefined location, and confirm the predefined location based on the identification of both the first delivery pad identifier and the facial recognition of the customer.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
receiving a communication from a distribution vehicle, wherein the communication from the distribution vehicle comprises an identification of the distribution vehicle;
obtain additional image data captured by the camera on the UAS, while the UAS is above a roof of the distribution vehicle, obtain a unique identification of the distribution vehicle at a location from image processing of the additional image data; and
confirming that the identification of the distribution vehicle is consistent with an expected distribution vehicle assigned to transport the UAS away from the predefined location.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the determining the unique identification of the first delivery pad comprises determining, from the sensor data, a package identifier of a different package expected to be cooperated with the UAS and to be retrieved by the UAS to be returned to a supplier.
17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising identifying that the first delivery pad identifier comprises a predefined pattern of colors.
18 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
obtaining, by the UAS, dimensions of the package being delivered;
detecting from image processing measurements on the first delivery pad;
determining an available delivery area on the first delivery pad, and
confirming there is sufficient space on the first delivery pad to receive the package.