Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a process for delivering a package comprising the following steps: purchasing a package, providing an address for the package, paying for the package; delivering the package to the address via a drone. The process can also include the steps of providing at least one short range signal, reading the short range signal by the drone; and then delivering the package to the short range signal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO REALATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application that hereby claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/165,834 Filed on May 22, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    At least one embodiment relates to a system and process for delivering goods via drones. There is at least one embodiment that relates to a system comprising at least one device for delivery and a portable electronic device for communicating with the at least one device. In addition there is at least one process for controlling the device for delivery and the portable electronic device as well. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    At least one embodiment relates to a process for delivering a package comprising the following steps: purchasing a package, providing an address for the package, paying for the package; delivering the package to the address via a drone. The process can also include the steps of providing at least one short range signal, reading the short range signal by the drone; and then delivering the package to the short range signal. 
         [0004]    In at least one embodiment, the drone is a flying drone. In at least one other embodiment the short range signal is a light. In at least one embodiment there is a step of reading the short range signal wherein this step comprises reading the light. 
         [0005]    In at least one embodiment the short range signal comprises a strobing light in the form of a pattern. 
         [0006]    In at least one embodiment drone reads the short range signal using a camera. In at least one embodiment the drone reads the short range signal to identify the party to receive the package. 
         [0007]    In addition, in at least one embodiment the process can include the step of transmitting a code for controlling the transmission of the short range signal. In at least one embodiment the process includes notifying the purchaser of the time, date and location of the delivery by the drone. 
         [0008]    In at least one embodiment the process includes opening an application on a user&#39;s portable device so as to initiate the production of the at least one short range signal. 
         [0009]    In addition in at least one embodiment there is a system for delivering goods. The system can comprise at least one GPS tracking system, at least one data network, at least one drone for delivering at least one good, and at least one portable handheld device configured to communicate with the at least one drone to signal the drone an exact area that the drone is to deliver any particular goods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
           [0011]    In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a view of the system in action; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the computer network for use with the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a server used in the computer network shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a portable electronic device shown in the computer network of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of a drone shown with the computer network in  FIG. 1  and with the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for the process for delivering goods to users; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a process for providing user location with a handheld; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a process for colocation; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is another series of steps for an alternative delivery process. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Turning now in detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a view of the system in action. For example, in this view, there is shown a network or system  10 , which comprises a GPS communication system  20 , a drone  30 , a first cell tower  25 , a second cell tower, a wifi network transmitter  35 , a data network  40 , the user  50 , and a portable electronic device  130 , which can be held by the user  50 . With this system, once the user  50  purchases an object, that object can be transported by a drone such as drone  30 , to the user  50 , while communicating through data network  40 , a cell tower network using triangulation or through a wifi network transmitter for geolocating a device. However, the preferred way for geolocation would be via GPS colocation via satellite tracking. A more detailed explanation of the process for delivering goods to user is shown in the flow chart in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic block diagram of the plurality of electronic components that are in communication with each other in order to accomplish the process shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, there is shown the Internet or a computer network  100 , which is in communication with a plurality of different electronic devices. For example, there is an application server  110  for running the application, which assists in connecting the user and the drone  30  carrying the object together. In addition, there is a database server  120  which is in communication with application server  110 . Database server  120  includes data about the user, data about the drone, data about addresses, and any other data necessary to achieve the process shown in  FIG. 6 . In addition, in communication with drone  30  is a GPS communication system  20 . GPS communication system  20  can be in the form of GPS receiver module, which allows for the geographic location monitoring of a drone, and at least one user via different phones or portable handheld devices  130 ,  140 , and  150 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows schematic block diagram of the electronic components of a server such as application server  110 , or database server  120 . For example, as shown, there is a microprocessor  111 , a memory  112 , a mass storage  113 , a power supply  114 , input output ports  115 , and a transceiver  116 . All of these components are coupled together both communicatively and electrically via a motherboard  117 . Thus, power supply  114  provides power to microprocessor  111 , memory  112 , mass storage  113 , I/O ports  115 , and transceiver  116  via motherboard  117 . In addition, microprocessor  111  is configured to allow data or information to be fed from memory  112 , or data to be fed through transceiver  116  into microprocessor  111 . Alternatively, microprocessor  111  can receive information from I/O ports  115  wherein the user is manually inputting data such as typing on a keyboard. Once microprocessor  111  receives a series of instructions and processor  111  can initiate the process shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows the schematic block diagram of a portable handheld device or phone such as phone  130 . In this view, there is a microprocessor  131 , a memory  132 , mass storage  133 , a power supply  134 , input output ports  135 , a transceiver  136 , wherein this transceiver is a Wi-Fi transceiver, a GPS circuit  137 , the video circuit  138 , and a cellular transceiver  139 . All of these components are coupled to motherboard  141 , and the each of these components receives power from power supply  134  which is fed through motherboard  141 . Memory  132  is configured to act as a short-term or RAM type memory, well. Mass storage device  133  is a hard drive for storing ROM type memory. In addition there can also be a Bluetooth transceiver as well  136   a.  The Bluetooth transceiver can be configured to communicate wirelessly with other Bluetooth transceivers either on a drone or with other portable handheld devices or with other computers. 
         [0025]    In addition, video circuit  138  communicates with video screen  142  to relay information that is fed from across the motherboard to provide a display on video screen  142 . In addition, microprocessor  131  can receive instructions from memory  132  associated with a program or series of instructions. For example, microprocessor  131  can receive a set of instructions instructing microprocessor  131  to initiate a coded short range signal such as a strobe light or patterned light signal. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of the structure of a drone such as drone  30 , provided in a layout  230 . For example, there is shown a microprocessor  231 , memory  232 , mass storage device  233 , power supply  234 , input output port  235 , transceiver  236 , and GPS circuit  237 , wherein all of these components are coupled to motherboard  241 . In addition, coupled to motherboard  241  is a light  238 , and a camera  239 . Camera  239  is configured to read a strobe or signal from a portable electronic device such as phone or portable handheld device  130 . The signal recorded by camera  239  is then fed through memory  232  into microprocessor  231 , wherein the signal is then decoded and used to identify the identity of the user holding a handheld device that is emitting that particular signal. In addition, light  238  is configured to emit a signal to the handheld device for communication as well. Furthermore, the drone can also have a distance measurement sensor  242  which is used to determine the distance that the drone is positioned from a user. 
         [0027]    In addition, through this sensor, the drone is constantly measuring the distance to the ground (earth). If the distance to the ground obtained from the drone&#39;s GPS is showing rapidly higher values that the distance measurement obtained from the separate measurement system then the drone will correct the drone&#39;s flight level height from the separate measurement system including a sensor  242  and alarm signal is sent to flight&#39;s supervisor and the drone can be temporarily set to the mode in which is even the position of the drone determined via cell tower triangulation or it is switched to manual mode where the remote operator which supervises the flight will take control over the drone&#39;s flight. 
         [0028]    In case if the connection is dropped even connection with the control center or even cell phone signal may be lost or after the alarm signal is sent the drone can start escape maneuver when the drone will quickly increase it&#39;s height of flight level and eventually will fly away from the current position in programmed manner. After the connection is reestablished and height from GPS and height from the measuring sensor are similar, then it can be returned to normal operation mode and operator in the control center can decide about the next behavior of the drone. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the process for communicating between a drone, a data network, a handheld electronic device. The drone could be drone  30 , the data network to be named data network  40 , comprising at least application server  110 , and database server  120 . The handheld electronic device could be in the form of phone or portable handheld device  130 . For example, the system starts in step S 201  where the user logs in to a server. Once the user is logged in, the user is identified by the server such as application server  110 . The user can then search for goods in step S 202 . These could be any type of item for goods for purchase and for future delivery. Next, in step S 203 , the user could then purchase and then pay for these goods. Next, in step S 204 , the user could then provide a location to the server for delivery of these goods. 
         [0030]    Next, in step  204   a  the system could generate a private authentication key. This private authentication key could be in the form of a hexadecimal number, or electronic or digital code. Next, in step  204   b  the key could be stored in the drone&#39;s memory such as memory  232 . Next, in step  204   c  the key could be sent to the smartphone application and then downloaded to the smartphone. 
         [0031]    Next, in step S 205  the system could then load the goods with the drone for future delivery. Next, in step S 206 , the system could then notify the user of the time, date, and location of delivery. This notification could be in the form of an email, or text message, a phone call, or any other type of automatic messaging system. Next, in step S 207  the system initiates movement in the drone so that the drone can then move to the location for delivery and deliver the goods to that location in step S 207   a.  During the time that the drone is flying, in step S 207   b,  the drone can measure the distance of the drone between the drone and another objection using the drone distance sensor  242 . If the drone falls below a certain altitude or if the drone comes to close to another object, the user controlling the drone can then correct the positioning of the drone and its flight path. 
         [0032]    Before, during, or after the drone is moving towards location, either the user, or the system can open an application on the user&#39;s portable handheld device in step S 208 . Next, in step S 209  the system can send a message to the user that the item is being delivered by the drone. Next, in step S 210 , the user presents his or her portable handheld device. Next in step  210   a  the location is determined by the system. This location process is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0033]    In addition in step  211 a this key is transmitted to the drone&#39;s camera via the user&#39;s smartphone flashlight, display another visible or invisible light based communication method. This signal is compared with the stored key. This short range or short-term signal in step S 211  a could be in the form of any type of suitable signal but in at least one embodiment is in the form of a light. The light could be in the form of a strobe or pulsing light which is pulsing in a pattern that is sufficient to identify the user, and the landing location or at least the user&#39;s handheld electronic device. As indicated above, this pattern is created using the user&#39;s smartphone flash or display. Next, in step  211   b  the drone compares the signal sent from the smartphone to the drone&#39;s camera or light sensitive sensor. 
         [0034]    Next in step  211   c  the drone connects if the signal matches. However, in step  211   c  if the drone does not receive the signal or if the keys do not match each other or if the drone does not receive any signal then the drone hovers in position for awhile and waits until another means of connection is made such as via WIFI or Bluetooth or similar wireless waves or light based communication. 
         [0035]    Alternatively, in step  211   d  the drone could send a signal back for reading by the portable communication device. If the portable communication device such as a smartphone receives and confirms this signal then in step  211   e  it sends a signal to the drone to deliver the goods. Next in step  211   f  the drone returns back to the base when the battery for the drone starts to run down. 
         [0036]    In at least one embodiment, the landing location will be determined by laying of the smartphone on the ground with light emitter pointing upwards while transmitting the identification key. User will mark by this method safe environment for the landing of the drone. The drone will land upon the smartphone safely without damaging it. 
         [0037]    Alternatively if there is a connection between the smartphone and the drone and received key is identical with stored key then the drone lands with the goods in step  212   
         [0038]    Next, with the landing, that the drone could then in step S 213  deliver these goods. Once these goods are delivered the drone in step S 214  could then head back. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is the process for providing the location of the user with the handheld. For example, a more definite location of both the user and his device such as a cell phone and the location of the drone is determined. For example, in step S 701 /S 210 A the system can determine the location of the user using a number of different services. For example, the system can determine the location through triangulation in step S 702   a,  or via GPS location in step S 702   b,  or through WIFI location in step S 702   c  or through the spotting of visible light in step S 702   d.  The step of determining through triangulation occurs via locating a cellular signal via a plurality of different cellular towers  25  and  27 . The triangulation occurs via at least three cellular towers locating a device such as a user&#39;s device providing the third location via triangulation. Then this user&#39;s device  130  which can include a GPRS or CDMA or LTE chip can then provide its location to the system via a signal from this chip. Conversely the drone  30  can include a cellular telephone can also provide this triangulation signal. The location of this device can also be through a GPS signal via a GPS communication system  20  which can comprise a satellite. Alternatively the tracking can be through a WIFI network such as the user&#39;s WIFI network wherein when there is a user located adjacent to his or her WIFI network the portable device  130  can then have its location pinpointed via this WIFI network. If the device is the drone, the user can allow access for the drone to the WIFI network as well. Alternatively visible light can be projected either from the drone  30  or from the user&#39;s portable device  130  so that the other object can identify the location of the other object as well as authenticate the identity of the user. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows this process for co-location via a more sequential method wherein the user&#39;s device is located first via triangulation in step S 702   a,  next located via GPS in step S 702   b,  next located via WIFI in step S 702   c,  and next located via visible light in step S 702   d.  In at least one embodiment, the connection or authentication of the devices can be performed via a WIFI to WIFI connection between the drone and the user&#39;s handset using a handshake key method. Next the system can determine the location of the drone through these sequential steps as well. Finally, once both devices are co-located, the user can then take control of the region to have the goods delivered in step S 706 . For example, the user can provide a guidance location via his portable device  130  to direct the drone to drop the goods at a particular pinpointed location either shown in a map or by locating the portable device  130  and laying it on the ground. Now that the drone has a handshake co-location communication with the electronic device, this drone can then immediately spot the device and land the drone on the portable electronic device. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8A  shows an alternative method for connecting the user with the drone. For example, when the user will make his order he will provide his delivery address in step  801  and eventually exact GPS on the map in the browser while ordering in step  802 . If the GPS coordinates are not present then rough GPS coordinates corresponding to the delivery address will be acquired from the maps or database in step  803 . Next, the user can be asked to provide exact location which can be achieved from the App on the smartphone when the user will stand on the pretended landing place and in the App on his smartphone he will confirm that exact place and actual GPS coordinates will be sent to the server in step  804 . If the user is not able at the moment be on the delivery location he can specify the landing location by placing a marker on the map in his smartphone&#39;s app on in the browser on the webpage in optional step  805 . Next, the user purchases the goods in step  806 . Next, the drone is sent to deliver the goods in optional step  807 . When the drone is on the way, the user can update the landing position in the opened application  808  on his smartphone in the same manner. Next, in step  809  the goods are delivered to the user. This step can include any one of the steps shown in  FIG. 8  for further location and authentication of the user with respect to the drone. 
         [0042]    In all, there is provided a system and process for controlling the precise delivery of goods to a user in a controlled manner. 
         [0043]    Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.