Delivery of packages by unmanned aerial vehicles
US9536216B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B2210/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A package delivery apparatus uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a package containing a product to a delivery destination area. The UAV uses GPS signals to guide it to the delivery destination area and an altimeter to determine its height above the delivery destination area. The UAV then adjusts its height to a preferred drop or release height for that package and product and releases the package. An optional camera allows a human operator to view the delivery destination area. An expandable foam package surrounds the product to protect the product from impact and moisture. The package may be streamlined to reduce air resistance and increase the range of the UAV. The package characteristics, such as its thickness, are determined based one or more of the weight and fragile nature of the product, and the drop height.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.