Patent Publication Number: US-2019196511-A1

Title: Container Delivery System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/610,454, which was filed on Dec. 26, 2017. The entire content of the foregoing provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Using unmanned vehicles to deliver items provides for alternative options in transporting the items to an intended recipient. Unmanned vehicles generally include a battery which powers the unmanned vehicle during delivery of the item. Exemplary unmanned vehicles include aerial vehicles, such as drones, as well as various types of ground- or water-based vehicles. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide container delivery systems including a container with an energy storage device (e.g., a rechargeable battery) and an unmanned vehicle configured to transport the container between different locations. The unmanned vehicle also includes an energy storage device (e.g., a rechargeable battery). When the unmanned vehicle contacts and/or grips the container for initiating transport of the container, the connection between the unmanned vehicle and the container transfers energy from the energy storage device of the container to the energy storage device of the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle is therefore at least partially recharged as it transports the container, allowing for the unmanned vehicle to travel longer distances than possible on a single battery capacity. 
     In one embodiment, an exemplary container delivery system is provided. The container delivery system includes a container and an unmanned vehicle (e.g., a drone). The container includes an inner chamber configured to receive one or more items. The container also includes an energy storage device. The unmanned vehicle is configured to deliver the container between a first location (e.g., a loading or packing location) and a second location (e.g., a target delivery destination). During delivery of the container by the unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle contacts the container such that the energy storage device provides energy to the unmanned vehicle (e.g., provides energy to a rechargeable battery of the unmanned vehicle). 
     In another embodiment, an exemplary locker delivery system is provided. The locker delivery system includes a locker and a drone. The locker includes an inner chamber configured to receive one or more items. The locker also includes a rechargeable battery. The drone is configured to deliver the locker between a first location and a second location. During delivery of the locker by the drone, the drone contacts the rechargeable battery such that the rechargeable battery provides energy to the drone (e.g., provides energy to a rechargeable battery of the drone). 
     In another embodiment, an exemplary method of container delivery is provided. The method includes providing a container, the container including an inner chamber configured to receive one or more items. The container includes an energy storage device. The method includes coupling an unmanned vehicle to the container to deliver the container between a first location and a second location. During coupling of the unmanned vehicle to the container, the method includes contacting the container with the unmanned vehicle such that the energy storage device provides energy to the unmanned vehicle. 
     It should be appreciated that other combinations and/or permutations of embodiments are envisioned as also being within the scope of the present invention. Other objects and features will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction 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 present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosed container delivery systems and methods, reference is made to the accompanying figures. The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, help to explain the invention. In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary container delivery system in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is a diagrammatic top view of a container of an exemplary container delivery system in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is a diagrammatic cutaway top view of a container of an exemplary container delivery system in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary container delivery system in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computing device in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a container delivery system environment in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an implementation of a container delivery system in an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood that certain relative terminology used herein, such as, but not necessarily limited to, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “top”, “bottom”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up” and “down” is solely for the purposes of clarity and designation and is not intended to limit embodiments to a particular position and/or orientation. Accordingly, such relative terminology should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments having specific dimensions. Thus, any dimensions provided herein are for an exemplary purpose and are not intended to limit the invention to embodiments having particular dimensions. 
     Unmanned vehicles used for delivery of items are generally limited in travel range by the capacity of the unmanned vehicle battery. Although charging stations can be provided at different locations for recharging the unmanned vehicle battery in-between deliveries, such recharging can be time consuming. In addition, recharging the unmanned vehicle battery in-between deliveries creates a risk that the energy level in the battery may drop during the delivery if the travel distance is beyond a specific range, resulting in missed deliveries and inoperative unmanned vehicles that require additional maintenance/pick-up. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address these concerns and provide a container delivery system that includes a container with a battery that charges the unmanned vehicle during delivery of the container. More particularly, the exemplary container delivery system includes an unmanned vehicle that contacts the container in such a way that allows for the battery of the unmanned vehicle to receive energy from the battery of the container. Such charging of the unmanned vehicle battery during the delivery ensures that the unmanned vehicle battery will not lose charge, and increases the travel range capabilities of the unmanned vehicle. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a container delivery system  100  (hereinafter “system  100 ”) in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The system  100  includes one or more containers  102  (e.g., sealable containers, secure lockers, or the like) and one or more unmanned vehicles  104  (e.g., drones, autonomous robotic vehicles, automated guided vehicles, combinations thereof, or the like) for delivering the containers  102  between different locations. For example, the unmanned vehicle  104  can collect one or more containers  102  at a pick-up location (e.g., a first location) and transport/deliver the one or more containers  102  to the same or different drop-off or delivery locations (e.g., second locations). 
     Each container  102  includes one or more inner chambers  106  configured and dimensioned to securely receive therein one or more items to be delivered by the unmanned vehicle  104 . In some embodiments, the container  102  can include multiple, separated inner chambers  106  to maintain separation between certain items to be delivered. The walls separating the inner chambers  106  can be padded and/or insulated. Each container  102  includes an opening or door  108  such that the inner chamber  106  can be accessed for placement or removal of the items into/from the inner chamber  106 . Each door  108  can include a locking mechanism  110  (e.g., a lock configured to be opened with a key, biometrics and/or a unique numerical combination input via a keypad). In some embodiments, the container  102  can include a security system  112  configured to detect improper access to the inner chamber  106  after the locking mechanism  110  has been engaged. 
     The container  102  can include one or more light sources  114  to improve visibility within the inner chamber  106 . In some embodiments, a light source  114  can be disposed on an outer surface of the container  102  and can be actuated to emit light when, e.g., the container  102  is ready for pick-up by the unmanned vehicle  104 , the container  102  is ready for pick-up at the delivery location, the container  102  is delivered and contains temperature and/or time-sensitive materials, combinations thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the light source  114  can emit light of different colors depending on the intended visual message. 
     In some embodiments, the container  102  can include a temperature control system  116  configured to regulate the temperature within the inner chamber  106 . In some embodiments, the temperature control system  116  can maintain independent temperature environments in each of the inner chambers  106  depending on the different items being transported. For example, a frozen item can be stored in one inner chamber  106  and a cold environment can be maintained by the temperature control system  116 , while a hot item can be stored in another inner chamber  106  in the same container  102  and a hot environment can be maintained by the temperature control system  116 . 
     Each container  102  includes one or more energy storage devices  118  (e.g., rechargeable batteries) providing energy for regulating the temperature control system  116 , security system  112 , light source  114 , locking mechanism  110 , combinations thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the energy storage device  118  can be integrally formed within the body of the container  102 . In some embodiments, the energy storage device  118  can be detachably mounted/coupled to the container  102 , e.g., the bottom surface of the container  102 . During packing of the container  102 , the energy storage device  118  can be in contact with a charging element connected to an energy source such that the energy storage device  118  is charged prior to delivery. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  can include a loading and/or docking bay  120  at which the containers  102  can be loaded in preparation for delivery. The loading and/or docking bay  120  includes an energy source  122  configured to charge the energy storage device  118  of the container  102 . The loading and/or docking bay  120  includes a docking area  124  at which the unmanned vehicles  104  can dock and/or pick-up containers  102  for delivery. Although shown as a single unit, it should be understood that the loading bay and the docking bay can be separate structural units such that containers  102  are loaded at one unit and unmanned vehicles  104  dock at another unit. The system  100  can also include multiple delivery bays (similar to bay  120 ) at which containers  102  are delivered, such that the energy storage device  118  of empty containers  102  can be charged prior to pick-up by an unmanned vehicle  104 . 
     The container  102  can include a transmitter/receiver  126  configured to electronically (e.g., wirelessly) receive information from a central computing system  128  via a communication interface  130 . The transmitter/receiver  126  can electronically transmit information to the central computing system  128  via the communication interface  130  regarding various container information  132  (e.g., a geographic location of each container  102  (as determined via a global positioning system), an energy level of the energy storage device  118 , the temperature within each of the inner chambers  106 , the locked/unlocked status of the locking mechanism  110 , the status of the security system  112 , whether the light source  114  is emitting light, combinations thereof, of the like). Such container information  132  can be electronically stored in one or more databases  134  of the system  100 . In some embodiments, the transmitter/receiver  126  can communicate directly with the nearest unmanned vehicles  104  regarding whether a pick-up/delivery is needed and/or the energy level of the energy storage device  136 . 
     Each unmanned vehicle  104  includes an energy storage device  136  (e.g., a rechargeable battery) detachably mounted/coupled to the unmanned vehicle  104 . The unmanned vehicle  104  includes a coupling mechanism  138  configured to securely latch or grip one or more containers  102  to be delivered by the unmanned vehicle  104 . In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism  138  can be in the form of a cage configured to substantially surround the container(s)  102 . In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism  138  can be in the form of a housing configured to substantially enclose the container(s)  102 . In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism  138  can be in the form of a multi-prong connection (e.g., prongs on the container  102  engaged with complementary openings in the unmanned vehicle  104 , prongs on the unmanned vehicle  104  engaged with complementary openings in the container  102 , combinations thereof, or the like). 
     Contact between the unmanned vehicle  104  and the container  102  (e.g., contact between the coupling mechanism  138  and the container  102 , contact between the body of the unmanned vehicle  104  and the container  102 , or the like) allows the energy storage device  118  of the container  102  to provide energy to the unmanned vehicle  104 . In some embodiments, the energy storage device  118  can power the unmanned vehicle  104  directly. In some embodiments, the energy storage device  118  can transfer energy to the energy storage device  136 , and the energy storage device  136  can power the unmanned vehicle  104  (e.g., indirect powering of the unmanned vehicle  104 ). 
     Thus, upon picking up a container  102  for delivery, contact between the unmanned vehicle  104  and the container  102  provides energy to the unmanned vehicle  104 . The unmanned vehicle  104  is therefore capable of traveling longer distances based on the capacity of both energy storage devices  118 ,  136 . Recharging of the energy storage device  136  by the energy storage device  118  further ensures that the unmanned vehicle  104  will not lose energy during delivery. 
     The unmanned vehicle  104  can include a computing system  140  configured to receive as input, e.g., the weight of a container  102  to be delivered, the delivery location, the delivery route, the energy level of the energy storage device  118 , or the like. For example, upon contact with the container  102 , the computing system  140  can detect the energy level of the energy storage device  118 . Based on such input, the computing system  140  can determine whether the capacity of the energy storage devices  136 ,  118  will be sufficient to deliver the container  102  and whether additional charging of the energy storage devices  136 ,  118  is needed (e.g., it may determine a delivery radius range). 
     Based on the total weight of the containers  102  to be delivered, the central computing system  128  can determine an appropriately sized unmanned vehicle  104  and can request arrival of such unmanned vehicle  104  to the location of the container  102 . For example, if multiple containers  102  or containers  102  having a total weight above a predetermined threshold are in need of delivery, the central computing system  128  can select a larger unmanned vehicle  104  for such delivery, while a smaller unmanned vehicle  104  can be used to deliver a light container  102 . The unmanned vehicle  104  can include a transmitter/receiver  142  configured to electronically (e.g., wirelessly) receive information from the central computing system  128  and/or the containers  102  via the communication interface  130 . 
     The transmitter/receiver  142  can electronically transmit information to the central computing system  128  and/or the containers  102  via the communication interface  130  regarding various unmanned vehicle information  144  (e.g., a geographic location of each unmanned vehicle  104  (as determined via a global positioning system), an energy level of the energy storage device  136 , combinations thereof, of the like). Such unmanned vehicle information  144  can be electronically stored in one or more databases  134  of the system  100 . The unmanned vehicles  104  can therefore be in communication with the central computing system  128  and the containers  102  to determine whether additional pick-up/delivery of containers  102  is needed and to determine the nearest container  102  locations if additional charging is needed for the unmanned vehicle  104 . 
     In-between deliveries, the unmanned vehicle  104  can dock at the docking area  124  of the loading and/or docking bay  120 , and the energy storage device  136  can be recharged by the energy source  122 . In some embodiments, docking bay  120  can be located at both pick-up and delivery locations such that the energy storage device  136  can be recharged after delivery of the container  102  has been made. In some embodiments, the containers  102  and/or the unmanned vehicles  104  can include solar panels configured to charge the energy storage devices  118 ,  136  during transport of the container  102 . In some embodiments, the bay  120  can include solar panels as the energy source  122 . The loading and/or docking bay  120  can include a transmitter/receiver  146  configured to electronically (e.g., wirelessly) receive and/or transmit information from/to the central computing system  128 , the containers  102  and/or the unmanned vehicles  104  via the communication interface  130 . 
     The docking bay information  148  transmitted from the loading and/or docking bay  120  can include, e.g., a geographic location of the bay  120 , the number of containers  102  for pick-up at the bay  120  (and the energy level of each container  102 ), the number of unmanned vehicles  104  at the bay  120  (and the energy level of each unmanned vehicle  104 ), combinations thereof, or the like. The docking bay information  148  can be electronically stored in one or more databases  134  of the system  100 . 
     The system  100  can include one or more user interfaces  150  having a graphical user interface (GUI)  152  for receiving input and/or displaying information to a user. Although shown as a separate component of the system  100 , it should be understood that the containers  102 , the unmanned vehicles  104  and/or the loading/docking bays  120  can each include one or more user interfaces  150  for displaying data, information or notifications about the containers  102 , the unmanned vehicles  104  and/or the loading/docking bays  120 . The system  100  can include one or more processing devices  154  having one or more processors  156  for processing the data received by the central computing system  128  and stored in the databases  134 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a diagrammatic front view of an exemplary container  200  of the system  100  in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The container  200  includes a body  202  configured to securely enclose one or more items to be delivered. The container  200  includes a door  204  movably connected to the body  202 , and a locking mechanism  206  for maintaining the door  204  locked to the body  202 . In some embodiments, the container  200  can include a user interface  209  (e.g., a display, a keypad, combinations thereof, or the like) that provides notifications to the user and allows the user to input data, such as a code to unlock the locking mechanism  206 . In one embodiment, the container  200  may include an interface to accept biometric data in the form of a fingerprint to control locking mechanism  206 . In some embodiments, the container  200  can include a coupling mechanism  208  configured to engage and detachably couple with the coupling mechanism  138  of the unmanned vehicle  104 . The coupling mechanism  208  can be in the form of, but is not limited to, two or more prongs protruding from the body  202 . 
     Such prongs can be received and locked by complementary openings in the coupling mechanism  138  of the unmanned vehicle  104 , such that the container  200  can remain structurally connected to the unmanned vehicle  104  until delivery has been made. The container  200  includes an energy storage device  210 , such as, but not limited to a rechargeable battery that is electrically connected via, e.g., wires  212 , to the coupling mechanism  208 . Upon engagement of the coupling mechanisms  138 ,  208 , the energy storage device  210  can transfer energy to the energy storage device  136  of the unmanned vehicle  104  to increase the overall travel range of the unmanned vehicle  104 . In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism  138  can be used to connect the container  200  to an energy source (e.g., the energy source  122  of the bay  120 ) to recharge the energy storage device  210 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a diagrammatic cutaway top view of the container  200  of  FIG. 2A . The container  200  includes an inner chamber  214  and a temperature control system  216  for regulating the temperature within the inner chamber  214 . In some embodiments, the temperature control system  216  can be in the form of a hot/cold plate. The temperature control system  216  can be electrically connected via, e.g., wires  218 , to a controller  220 . The controller  220  can be part of the transmitter/receiver  126  or can be a separate component of the container  200 . 
     The controller  220  can be in communication with the central computing system  128  via the transmitter/receiver  126  such that data regarding the desired temperature for the inner chamber  214  can be received by the controller  220  to appropriately regulate the temperature control system  216 . The energy storage device  210  can be electrically connected via, e.g., wires  222 , to the controller  220  to provide power to the temperature control system  216  and the controller  220 . 
     In some embodiments, the container  200  can include a docking section  224  formed within the body  202 . The docking section  224  can be in the form of two or more openings complementary to prongs of, e.g., the coupling mechanism  138  of the unmanned vehicle  104 , a docking station of the bay  120  for charging the energy storage device  210 , or the like. The energy storage device  210  can be electrically connected to the docking section  224  to allow for charging of the energy storage device  210 . 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary container delivery system  300  (hereinafter “system  300 ”). The system  300  includes a loading/docking bay  302  with a user interface  304  (e.g., a touchscreen panel) and speaker  306  for outputting notifications to the user. The bay  302  includes a charging section  308  configured to receive and charge one or more energy storage devices  310  such as rechargeable batteries (e.g., extended batteries) for either an unmanned vehicle  312  or a container  314 . 
     Each container  314  can receive one or more items  316  to be delivered. The energy storage device  310  includes an interface  318  for engagement with the container  314  such that the energy storage device  310  can provide power to systems of the container  314  and the unmanned vehicle  312  during delivery. The container  314  also includes an interface  320  complementary to the interface  318  to allow for engagement between the energy storage device  310  and the container  314 . 
     Thus, in operation, orders for items can be placed remotely by a customer. One or more containers  314  are prepared with the items  316  to be delivered based on the order and, once complete, the containers  314  can be loaded on the bay  302 . Each container  314  is connected to a respective energy storage device  310  to power components of the container  314 . Upon reaching a predetermined energy level of the energy storage device  310 , the unmanned vehicle  312  engages with the container  314  and transports the container  314  to the delivery location. During engagement between the unmanned vehicle  312  and the container  314 , the energy storage device  310  provides energy to the battery of the unmanned vehicle  312 . 
     In some embodiments, delivery of the container  314  can be made to a delivery bay (similar to bay  302 ) that allows for charging of the energy storage device  310  prior to pick-up of the empty container  314  for transport back to the bay  302 . After delivery of the container  314  has been made, the unmanned vehicle  312  can determine which of the empty containers  314  at the delivery bay has been there the longest. The unmanned vehicle  312  can engage with the selected empty container  314  (with the charged energy storage device  310 ) and transports the empty container  314  to the bay  302  for additional deliveries. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computing device  400  in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The computing device  400  includes one or more non-transitory computer-readable media for storing one or more computer-executable instructions or software for implementing exemplary embodiments. The non-transitory computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, one or more types of hardware memory, non-transitory tangible media (for example, one or more magnetic storage disks, one or more optical disks, one or more flash drives), and the like. For example, memory  406  included in the computing device  400  may store computer-readable and computer-executable instructions or software for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., instructions for controlling components of the container  102 , the unmanned vehicle  104 , the loading/docking bay  120 , the processing device  154 , the user interfaces  150 , the communication interface  130 , the central computing system  128 , combinations thereof, or the like). The computing device  400  also includes configurable and/or programmable processor  402  and associated core  404 , and optionally, one or more additional configurable and/or programmable processor(s)  402 ′ and associated core(s)  404 ′ (for example, in the case of computer systems having multiple processors/cores), for executing computer-readable and computer-executable instructions or software stored in the memory  406  and other programs for controlling system hardware. Processor  402  and processor(s)  402 ′ may each be a single core processor or multiple core ( 404  and  404 ′) processor. 
     Virtualization may be employed in the computing device  400  so that infrastructure and resources in the computing device  400  may be shared dynamically. A virtual machine  414  may be provided to handle a process running on multiple processors so that the process appears to be using only one computing resource rather than multiple computing resources. Multiple virtual machines may also be used with one processor. Memory  406  may include a computer system memory or random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, and the like. Memory  406  may include other types of memory as well, or combinations thereof. 
     A user may interact with the computing device  400  through a visual display device  418  (e.g., a personal computer, a mobile smart device, or the like), such as a computer monitor, which may display one or more user interfaces  420  (e.g., GUI  152 ) that may be provided in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The computing device  400  may include other I/O devices for receiving input from a user, for example, a keyboard or any suitable multi-point touch interface  408 , a pointing device  410  (e.g., a mouse). The keyboard  408  and the pointing device  410  may be coupled to the visual display device  418 . The computing device  400  may include other suitable conventional I/O peripherals. 
     The computing device  400  may also include one or more storage devices  424 , such as a hard-drive, CD-ROM, or other computer readable media, for storing data and computer-readable instructions and/or software that implement one or more portions of the system  100 , such as the container  102 , the unmanned vehicle  104 , the loading/docking bay  120 , the processing device  154 , the user interfaces  150 , the communication interface  130 , the central computing system  128 , or the like. Exemplary storage device  424  may also store one or more databases  426  for storing any suitable information required to implement exemplary embodiments. For example, exemplary storage device  424  can store one or more databases  426  for storing information, such as data relating to the container information  132 , the unmanned vehicle information  144 , the docking bay information  148 , or the like, and computer-readable instructions and/or software that implement exemplary embodiments described herein. The databases  426  may be updated by manually or automatically at any suitable time to add, delete, and/or update one or more items in the databases. 
     The computing device  400  can include a network interface  412  configured to interface via one or more network devices  422  with one or more networks, for example, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) or the Internet through a variety of connections including, but not limited to, standard telephone lines, LAN or WAN links (for example, 802.11, T1, T3, 56 kb, X.25), broadband connections (for example, ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM), wireless connections, controller area network (CAN), or some combination of any or all of the above. The network interface  412  may include a built-in network adapter, network interface card, PCMCIA network card, card bus network adapter, wireless network adapter, USB network adapter, modem or any other device suitable for interfacing the computing device  400  to any type of network capable of communication and performing the operations described herein. Moreover, the computing device  400  may be any computer system, such as a workstation, desktop computer, server, laptop, handheld computer, tablet computer (e.g., the iPad™ tablet computer), mobile computing or communication device (e.g., the iPhone™ communication device), or other form of computing or telecommunications device that is capable of communication and that has sufficient processor power and memory capacity to perform the operations described herein. 
     The computing device  400  may run an operating system  416 , such as versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, the different releases of the Unix and Linux operating systems, versions of the MacOS® for Macintosh computers, embedded operating systems, real-time operating systems, open source operating systems, proprietary operating systems, or other operating systems capable of running on the computing device and performing the operations described herein. In exemplary embodiments, the operating system  416  may be run in native mode or emulated mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the operating system  416  may be run on one or more cloud machine instances. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary container delivery system environment  500  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The environment  500  can include servers  502 ,  504  operatively coupled to unmanned vehicles  506 ,  508 , containers  510 ,  512 , delivery/loading bays  514 , and central computing system  516 , via a communication platform  522 , which can be any network over which information can be transmitted between devices communicatively coupled to the network. For example, the communication platform  522  can be the Internet, Intranet, virtual private network (VPN), wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), and the like. In an embodiment, the communication platform  522  can be part of a cloud environment. 
     The environment  500  can include repositories or databases  518 ,  520 , which can be operatively coupled to the servers  502 ,  504 , as well as to the unmanned vehicles  506 ,  508 , the containers  510 ,  512 , the delivery/loading bays  514 , and the central computing system  516 , via the communications platform  522 . In exemplary embodiments, the servers  502 ,  504 , unmanned vehicles  506 ,  508 , the containers  510 ,  512 , the delivery/loading bays  514 , and the central computing system  516 , and databases  518 ,  520  can be implemented as computing devices (e.g., computing device  400 ). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the databases  518 ,  520  can be incorporated into one or more of the servers  502 ,  504  such that one or more of the servers  502 ,  504  can include databases  518 ,  520 . 
     In an embodiment, the databases  518 ,  520  can store container information, the unmanned vehicle information, and the docking/delivery bay information. In an embodiment, embodiments of the servers  502 ,  504  can be configured to implement one or more portions of the system  100 . For example, server  502  can be configured to implement one or more portions of the unmanned vehicles  506 ,  508 , the containers  510 ,  512 , the delivery/loading bays  514 , and/or the central computing system  516 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process  600  as implemented by a container delivery system. To begin, at step  602 , a container including an inner chamber configured to receive one or more items, and including an energy storage device, is provided. At step  604 , an unmanned vehicle is coupled to the container to deliver the container between first and second locations. At step  606 , during coupling of the unmanned vehicle to the container, the container is contacted with the unmanned vehicle such that the energy storage device of the container provides energy or power to the unmanned vehicle (e.g., the battery of the unmanned vehicle). 
     At step  608 , the temperature control system, the security system, and/or the light source of the container can be powered with the energy storage device. The energy storage device of the container thereby provides energy to both the container and the unmanned vehicle. At step  610 , the unmanned vehicle can be docked with a docking bay connected to an energy source. At step  612 , an energy storage device such as a battery of the unmanned vehicle can be recharged with the energy source while the unmanned vehicle is docked with the docking bay. At step  614 , an energy level of the energy storage device of the container can be detected by the unmanned vehicle upon contact of the unmanned vehicle with the container. Such detection can be used when delivering a container and/or when determining whether a container is fully charged for transport between bays. 
     While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is expressly noted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, but rather that additions and modifications to what is expressly described herein also are included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutations are not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.