Patent ID: 11900747
Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES INC.
Field: Control (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  B  H | IPC B  G  H

Claim 87:
88. A method of performing a dispatched hold-at-location logistics operation for a deliverable item from an origin location using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly operating as a temporary hold-at-location logistics receptacle and a dispatch server, the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly having at least a modular mobility base propelling the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular auxiliary power module providing power for the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, a modular cargo storage system configured to at least temporarily maintain the deliverable item within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and a modular mobile autonomy control module that autonomously controls operation of the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly during the dispatched logistics operation from the hold-at-location logistics facility, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a delivery dispatch command for the dispatched hold-at-location logistics operation from the dispatch server, the delivery dispatch command comprising at least
identifier information on the deliverable item,
transport parameters on the deliverable item,
hold-at-location information related to an intermediate hold location for the deliverable item as maintained within the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly, and
delivery authentication information related to an authorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item;

(b) verifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, that each of the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base, the modular auxiliary power module, and the modular cargo storage system are compatible with the dispatched hold-at-location logistics operation for the deliverable item based upon the delivery dispatch command;
(c) receiving, by the modular cargo storage system, the deliverable item into a payload area within the modular cargo storage system at the origin location;
(d) autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from the original on a route to the intermediate hold location identified by the hold-at-location information;
(e) notifying, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the authorized delivery recipient of the deliverable item of an approaching arrival at the intermediate hold location when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of the intermediate hold location identified by the hold-at-location information;
(f) receiving delivery recipient authentication input by the modular mobile autonomy control module from a delivery recipient disposed external to the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly at the intermediate hold location;
(g) providing, by the modular cargo storage system, selective access to the deliverable item within the modular cargo storage system only when the delivery recipient authentication input correlates to the delivery authentication information indicating that the delivery recipient providing the delivery recipient authentication input is the authorized delivery recipient;
(h) monitoring, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, unloading of the deliverable item from within the modular cargo storage system using one or more sensors on at least one of the modular mobile autonomy control module and the modular cargo storage system; and
(i) autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from the intermediate hold location on a return route to the origin location after the deliverable item is no longer detected within the modular cargo storage system.