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

Claim 70:
71. A method of performing a dispatched logistics operation for a deliverable item maintained within a remotely-actuated logistics receptacle and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly 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, the method comprising the steps of:
detecting, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, deposit of the deliverable item based upon sensor data generated by a sensor within the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;
transmitting, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, a dispatch request message to the dispatch server in response to the detected deposit of the deliverable item, the dispatch request message including shipping information on the deliverable item and identifier information on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;
receiving, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a dispatch command from the dispatch server, the dispatch command comprising at least
identifier information on the deliverable item based upon the shipping information,
transport parameters on the deliverable item based upon the shipping information,
destination delivery information related to pickup of the deliverable item, and
pickup authentication information related to the modular autonomous bot assembly as an authorized pickup entity for the deliverable item;

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 transporting the deliverable item as part of the dispatched logistics operation for the deliverable item based upon the dispatch command;
autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from a bot storage location to a location of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle as identified by the destination delivery information in the dispatch command;
broadcasting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a pickup authentication signal when the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is within a threshold notification range of the location of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;
autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move to a receiving position proximate an access door on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle upon arrival at the location of the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;
detecting, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, the pickup authentication signal from the modular mobile autonomy control module;
authenticating, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, that the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is the authorized pickup entity for the deliverable item when authentication information in the pickup authentication signal correlates to the pickup authentication information from the dispatch command;
activating, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, a door actuator on the remotely actuated logistics receptacle after authenticating that the modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is the authorized pickup entity based upon the pickup authentication signal, wherein activating the door actuator causing the access door on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle to move from a secure closed position to an open position;
broadcasting, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, a ready confirmation signal once the modular mobility base is located at the receiving position proximate the access door on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle;
activating, by the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle, a parcel object actuator on the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle in response to the ready confirmation signal from the modular mobile autonomy control module and only if the authentication information in the pickup authentication signal correlates to the pickup authentication information from the dispatch command, wherein activating the parcel object actuator moves the deliverable item from where it is maintained in the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle and into the custody of the modular cargo storage system; and
autonomously causing, by the modular mobile autonomy control module, the modular mobility base to move from the remotely-actuated logistics receptacle to a destination location for delivery of the deliverable item, the destination location being identified as part of the destination delivery information from the dispatch command.