IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,164,138
Granted Patent B2
US 11,164,138 · App. 16/017,246 · Granted Nov 2, 2021

Mobile package delivery

Inventors: Eric V. Kline (Rochester, MN); Sarbajit K. Rakshit (Kolkata, IN)
Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
G06Q10/083
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,164,138
App. No.
16/017,246
Granted
Nov 2, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products method for transferring one or more packages between delivery vehicles. The computer-implemented method includes monitoring, using a processor, a plurality of delivery vehicles. The processor determines that one or more packages should be transferred between a first delivery vehicle and a second delivery vehicle of the plurality of delivery vehicles. The processor further instructs the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle to meet at a rendezvous location. The processor identifies one or more packages to transfer from the first delivery vehicle to the second delivery vehicle. The processor further transfers the identified one or more packages from the first delivery vehicle to the second delivery vehicle. The processor further stores the identified one or more packages in the second delivery vehicle.

Claims (42)

1. A computer-implemented method for transferring one or more packages between delivery vehicles, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, instructions to deliver one or more packages to a customer location;

detecting, automatically by the processor, respective locations of a plurality of delivery vehicles using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device of each of the respective delivery vehicles, wherein the plurality of delivery vehicles comprises a first delivery vehicle and a second delivery vehicle;

scheduling, by the processor, the first delivery vehicle to deliver the one or more packages to the customer location, wherein the scheduling comprises updating a delivery manifest of the first delivery vehicle to include the delivery of the one or more packages, and creating a navigable route for the first delivery vehicle to the customer location;

determining one or more packages for transfer from the first delivery vehicle to the second delivery vehicle;

instructing, by the processor, the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle to meet at a rendezvous location, the first delivery vehicle comprising a first conveyor system, and the second delivery vehicle comprising a second conveyor system;

identifying, by the processor, the one or more packages in the first delivery vehicle to transfer to the second delivery vehicle;

transferring, by the first conveyor system, the identified one or more packages from the first delivery vehicle to the second conveyor system of the second delivery vehicle, wherein transferring by the first conveyor system the identified one or more packages from the first delivery vehicle to the second conveyor system of the second delivery vehicle comprises attaching a failsafe mechanism to each package of the one or more packages, wherein the failsafe mechanism comprises a tether;

and storing, by the second conveyor system, the identified one or more packages in the second delivery vehicle.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the transfer of the identified one or more packages occurs while the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle are in motion.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising assigning a delivery schedule and a second package manifest to the second delivery vehicle.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising facilitating communications between the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the communications is used to coordinate to at least one of:

speed, lane travel and alignment.

6. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to:

receive instructions to deliver one or more packages to a customer location;

detect, automatically, respective locations of a plurality of delivery vehicles using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device of each of the respective delivery vehicles, wherein the plurality of delivery vehicles comprises a first delivery vehicle and a second delivery vehicle;

schedule the first delivery vehicle from the plurality of delivery vehicles to deliver the one or more packages to the customer location, wherein the scheduling comprises updating a delivery manifest of the first delivery vehicle to include the delivery of the one or more packages, and creating a navigable route for the first delivery vehicle to the customer location;

determine one or more packages for transfer from the first delivery vehicle to the second delivery vehicle;

instruct the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle to meet at a rendezvous location, the first delivery vehicle comprising a first conveyor system, and the second delivery vehicle comprising a second conveyor system;

identify the one or more packages in the first delivery vehicle to transfer to the second delivery vehicle;

instruct the first conveyor system to transfer the identified one or more packages from the first delivery vehicle to the second conveyor system of the second delivery vehicle, wherein transferring by the first conveyor system the identified one or more packages from the first delivery vehicle to the second conveyor system of the second delivery vehicle comprises attaching a failsafe mechanism to each package of the one or more packages, wherein the failsafe mechanism comprises a tether;

and instruct the second conveyor system to store the identified one or more packages in the second delivery vehicle.

7. The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein the transfer of the identified one or more packages occurs while the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle are in motion.

8. The computer program product of claim 6 , further comprising assigning a delivery schedule and a second package manifest to the second delivery vehicle.

9. The computer program product of claim 6 , further comprising facilitating communications between the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the communications is used to coordinate to at least one of:

speed, lane travel and alignment.

11. A computer system, comprising:

a plurality of delivery vehicles;

a processor in communication with one or more types of memory, the processor configured to:

receive instructions to deliver one or more packages to a customer location;

detect respective locations of the plurality of delivery vehicles using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device of each of the respective delivery vehicles, wherein the plurality of delivery vehicles comprises a first delivery vehicle and a second delivery vehicle;

schedule the first delivery vehicle from the plurality of delivery vehicles to deliver the one or more packages to the customer location, wherein the scheduling comprises updating a delivery manifest of the first delivery vehicle to include the delivery of the one or more packages, and creating a navigable route for the first delivery vehicle to the customer location;

determine one or more packages for transfer from the first delivery vehicle to the second delivery vehicle;

instruct the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle to meet at a rendezvous location, the first delivery vehicle comprising a first conveyor system, and the second delivery vehicle comprising a second conveyor system;

identify the one or more packages in the first delivery vehicle to transfer to the second delivery vehicle;

instruct the first conveyor system to transfer the identified one or more packages from the first delivery vehicle to a second conveyor system of the second delivery vehicle, wherein transferring by the first conveyor system the identified one or more packages from the first delivery vehicle to the second conveyor system of the second delivery vehicle comprises attaching a failsafe mechanism to each package of the one or more packages, wherein the failsafe mechanism comprises a tether;

and instruct the second conveyor system to store the identified one or more packages in the second delivery vehicle.

12. The computer system of claim 11 , wherein the transfer of the identified one or more packages occurs while the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle are in motion.

13. The computer system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further operable to assign a delivery schedule and a second package manifest to the second delivery vehicle.

14. The computer system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further operable to facilitate communications between the first delivery vehicle and the second delivery vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: KLINE, ERIC V.; RAKSHIT, SARBAJIT K.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 046193/0154 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190392371A1 · Dec 26, 2019