Patent Publication Number: US-11046454-B2

Title: Unmanned aerial vehicle impact monitoring system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     To save time and also potentially money, distributors and sellers of goods have been attempting to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to handle customer shipments. These UAVs have distinct advantages since they can be automated or remotely controlled. This allows for savings in labor. 
     UAV airborne delivery also provides for very fast service. Under a conventional package delivery service, a customer orders an item, the item is placed on one truck, and then the item is transported by the truck from a warehouse to a distribution center. The item is then unloaded at one area (incoming) of the distribution center, is moved to a sorting area of the distribution center, and then moved to a loading (shipment) area, where the item is placed on a pallet that is waiting for an outgoing truck. After placing the item on the outgoing truck, the item is then transported on the truck or van from the distribution center to the ultimate delivery destination area. 
     However, with a UAV, after the customer orders an item, the UAV delivery process results in much faster delivery. The item (in some embodiments in a package) is loaded onto the UAV, the UAV is launched, the UAV reaches the delivery destination area, and the UAV then delivers the package. 
     There are multiple ways in which a UAV may deliver a package at the desired destination. For example, the UAV could land, release the package, and then take off. The UAV may also hover above the delivery destination, lower the package from the UAV to the ground using a line or tether, release the package, and then retract the tether. The UAV may also release the package from a relatively small distance above a landing area (e.g., with or without a parachute to slow the descent of the package to the landing area). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) impact monitoring is disclosed. The system and technique includes unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a propulsion system configured to fly the UAV to a destination; a retention mechanism for retaining and releasing a package carried by the UAV; and an indicator reader module configured to determine a status of an impact indicator attached to the package. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system and technique includes a UAV having a propulsion system configured to fly the UAV to a destination; a retention mechanism for retaining and releasing a package carried by the UAV; and an indicator reader module. The indicator reader module is configured to, prior to the retention mechanism releasing the package at the destination, determine a status of an impact indicator attached to the package and, responsive to determining that the status indicates an activation of the impact indicator, abort a release of the package by the retention mechanism at the destination. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system and technique includes a UAV having a propulsion system configured to fly the UAV to a destination; a retention mechanism for retaining and releasing a package carried by the UAV; and an indicator reader module. The indicator reader module is configured to, prior to picking up the package by the retention mechanism, determine a status of an impact indicator attached to the package and, responsive to determining that the status indicates a non-activation of the impact indicator, pick up the package by the retention mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present application, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are diagrams illustrating respective front and rear views of an embodiment of an impact indicator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams illustrating respective front and rear views of the impact indicator of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in an activated state according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator illustrated in  FIG. 2B  in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator illustrated in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  is another diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in an activated state according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator illustrated in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of an impact indicator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator illustrated in  FIG. 5A  in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in an activated state in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in another activated state in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator illustrated in  FIG. 7A  in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an impact indicator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a perspective rear view of a portion of an embodiment of the impact indicator of  FIG. 8  according with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a section view of an embodiment of the impact indicator of  FIG. 9  according to the present disclosure taken along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of the impact indicator depicted in  FIG. 10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of an impact indicator in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the impact indicator of  FIG. 12  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating a side view of the impact indicator depicted in  FIG. 12  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are diagrams illustrating a portion of the impact indicator depicted in  FIGS. 12-14  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of an impact indicator in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the impact indicator of  FIG. 16  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating a section view of the impact indicator depicted in  FIG. 16  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure taken along the line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of an impact indicator in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of an impact indicator in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  is a diagram illustrating a portion of the impact indicator depicted in  FIG. 20  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 22  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) impact monitoring system according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a UAV impact monitoring system according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 24  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a UAV impact monitoring method according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device, system, method and technique for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) impact monitoring. According to one embodiment, the system and technique includes a UAV having a propulsion system configured to fly the UAV to a destination; a retention mechanism for retaining and releasing a package carried by the UAV; and an indicator reader module configured to determine a status of an impact indicator attached to the package. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable impact and/or acceleration event detection of a package being transported/delivered by the UAV. The UAV is configured to acquire one or more types of data pertaining to an impact indicator affixed to and/or otherwise associated with the package to determine if the package has been subject to an impact event that may otherwise cause damage to the package. If an activated status is determined for the impact indicator (indicating that the package has been subjected to an impact event of sufficient magnitude to cause the impact indicator to display and/or otherwise indicate a positive impact status, the UAV may abort the delivery, re-acquire the package for the return thereof to its destination, etc. 
     With reference now to the Figures and in particular with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , exemplary diagrams of an impact indicator  10  are provided in which illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.  FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating a front view of impact indicator  10 , and  FIG. 1B  is a diagram illustrating a rear view of impact indicator  10 . In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , indicator  10  is a portable device configured to be affixed to or disposed within a transport container containing an object of which impact and/or acceleration events associated therewith are to be monitored. Embodiments of impact indicator  10  monitor whether an object has been exposed to an impact or some level of an acceleration event during manufacturing, storage and/or transport of the object. In some embodiments, impact indicator  10  may be affixed to a transport container using, for example, adhesive materials, permanent or temporary fasteners, or a variety of different types of attachment devices. The transport container may include a container in which a monitored object is loosely placed or may comprise a container of the monitored object itself. It should be appreciated that  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , impact indicator  10  comprises a housing  12  having a detection assembly  14  disposed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, detection assembly  14  is configured to detect and indicate impact or acceleration events in either of two different directions, indicated by direction  16  or direction  18  relative to indicator  10  in  FIG. 1B  (i.e., in direction  16 / 18  or at an angle thereto having a directional vector component in a corresponding direction  16 / 18 ). However, it should be understood that assembly  14  may be configured for detecting/indicating an impact event corresponding to a single direction (as will be described further below). Further, it should be understood that additional detection assemblies  14  may be included in indicator  10  to provide impact detection/indication in additional directions. 
     In some embodiments, housing  12  is configured and/or constructed from a clear or semi-opaque material having a masking label  20  located on a front side thereof or affixed thereto ( FIG. 1A ). In some embodiments, masking label  20  is configured having one or more apertures or “windows”  22  for providing a visual indication of impact detection. For example, as will be described further below, in response to indicator  10  being subjected to or receiving some predetermined level of impact or acceleration event, detection assembly  14  causes a visual indication to be displayed within or through one or more of windows  22  to provide a visual indication that the monitored object has or may have been subjected to some level of impact. However, it should be understood that other methods may be used to provide a visual indication that detection assembly  14  has moved and/or been otherwise placed into an activated state indicating that indicator  10  has experienced a shock, impact or acceleration event. It should also be understood that housing  12  may be configured and/or manufactured from other materials (e.g., opaque materials having one or more windows  22  formed therein). In some embodiments, housing  12  may be configured without window  22 . For example, as will be described in greater detail below, indicator  10  may be configured to provide visual and/or non-visual indications of whether an impact or acceleration condition has been experienced by indicator  10  (e.g., via the use of RFID signals). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , detection assembly  14  is illustrated in a non-activated or initial pre-detection state (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event). In the illustrated embodiment, detection assembly  14  comprises a weight or mass member  30  and spring members  40  and  42 . Housing  12  comprises sidewalls  46  and  48  located on opposite sides of mass member  30 . Sidewalls  46  and  48  form a translation path to enable movement of mass member  30  within housing  12  in response to housing  12  or indicator  10  being subjected to an acceleration event. For example, in  FIG. 1B , mass member  30  is located in a non-activated position  50  within housing  12 . Additionally, referring to  FIG. 1A , a medial surface portion  52  of mass member  30  is located within and/or is otherwise visible within window  22 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1B , spring members  40  and  42  bias mass member  30  to the non-activated position  50  in the pre-detection state of indicator  10 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, spring members  40  and  42  comprise leaf springs  56  and  58 , respectively; however, it should be understood that other types of biasing elements may be used. In  FIG. 1B , sidewall  46  has formed therein recesses or seats  62  and  64  for holding respective ends  68  and  70  of leaf springs  56  and  58 . Sidewall  48  has formed therein recesses or seats  74  and  76  for holding respective ends  80  and  82  of leaf springs  56  and  58 . Leaf springs  56  and  58  are formed having a length greater than a width of mass member  30  (e.g., as measured in a direction from sidewall  46  to sidewall  48 ). The ends  68  and  80  of leaf spring  56  are located in respective seats  62  and  74  such that leaf spring  56  is positioned in an orientation transverse to the movement path of mass member  30 . The ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  are located in respective seats  64  and  76  such that leaf spring  58  is positioned in an orientation transverse to the movement path of mass member  30 . For example, the translation path formed by sidewalls  46  and  48  enables movement of mass member  30  in the directions indicated by  16  and  18 . 
     Ends  68  and  80  of leaf spring  56  are located in seats  62  and  80 , and ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  are located in respective seats  64  and  76 , such that leaf springs  56  and  58  have convex surfaces facing each other. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, leaf springs  56  and  58  are biased towards each other. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1B , leaf springs  56  and  58  each extend laterally across a medial portion of mass member  30  between opposing arcuately formed walls  88  and  90  of mass member  30 . Leaf springs  56  and  58  are biased toward each other and support mass  30  in the non-activated position  50  (e.g., leaf springs  56  and  58  contact and support respective walls  88  and  90  of mass member  30  to retain mass member  30  in the non-activated position  50 ). It should be understood that mass member  30  may be otherwise formed and/or spring members  40  and  42  may be otherwise configured and/or positioned relative to mass member  30  to retain and/or bias mass member  30  to the non-activated position  50 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams illustrating respective front and rear views of indicator  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in an activated state. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , indicator  10  and/or housing  12  has been subjected to an impact and/or acceleration event in a direction corresponding to direction  16  of a level and/or magnitude to overcome the bias force of spring members  40  and  42  and thereby cause mass member  30  to move from non-activated position  50  to an activated position  96 . In response to the acceleration event, leaf spring  56  inverts and a convex portion thereof applies a biasing force against wall  88  of mass member  30  to bias mass member  30  to the activated position  96 . Additionally, in response to the acceleration event and movement of mass member  30  to the activated position  96 , ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  are drawn out of respective seats  64  and  76 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 2A , in the activated position  96 , a different portion of mass member  30  is located within and/or is otherwise visible in window  22  than when mass member  30  is in the non-activated position  50 . For example, in the non-activated position  50 , a medial portion of mass member  30  (e.g., medial surface portion  52  ( FIG. 1A )) is located within and/or is otherwise visible in window  22 . However, in response to movement of mass member  30  to the activated position  96 , a surface portion  98  located adjacent medial surface portion  52  is located within and/or is otherwise visible in window  22 . As will be described further below, mass member  30  may contain, at different locations thereon, different types and/or forms of indicia on a side thereof facing window  22  corresponding to the non-activated and activated positions of mass member  30  within housing  12  to provide an indication as to whether indicator  10  has been subjected to a certain level or magnitude of acceleration event/impact. 
       FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 2B  of indicator  10 , and  FIG. 3B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 3A  of indicator  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 2B, 3A and 3B , as described above, in response to an acceleration event in direction  16  of a level and/or magnitude to overcome the bias force of spring members  40  and  42 , leaf spring  56  inverts and a convex portion thereof applies a biasing force against wall  88  of mass member  30  to bias mass member  30  to the activated position  96 . Additionally, ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  are drawn out of respective seats  64  and  76 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , sidewalls  46  and  48  have formed therein indent regions  102  and  104 , respectively, that are set back and/or offset from adjacent wall surfaces  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112  of sidewalls  46  and  48 , respectively. Indent region  102  is located along sidewall  46  between seats  62  and  64 , and indent regions  104  is located along sidewall  48  between seats  74  and  76 . In response to movement of mass member  30  to the activated position  96 , ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  are drawn out of respective seats  64  and  76  and become positioned within respective indent regions  102  and  104 . Indent regions  102  and  104  prevent or substantially prevent ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  from returning to respective seats  64  and  76 . Thus, if indicator  10  is subjected to another acceleration event in a direction opposite direction  16  (e.g., direction  18 ) in an attempt to reset and/or re-position mass member  30  in the non-activated position  50  after being in an activated state, indent regions  102  and  104  resist the return of ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  to seats  64  and  76 , thereby resulting in an additional bias force in the direction  16  that would need to be overcome in an opposite direction to effectuate movement of mass member  30  toward the non-activated position  50 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of indicator  10  with mass member  30  located in another activated position  116  (e.g., on a side of housing  12  opposite activated position  96 ), and  FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 4A . For clarity, referring to  FIG. 1B , mass member  30  is depicted therein in non-activated position  50 . Activated positions  96  and  116  are referenced in  FIG. 1B  to illustrate locations within housing  12  where mass member  30  will be located when in activated positions  96  and  116 . Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , if indicator  10  has been subjected to an acceleration event in direction  16  that caused mass member  30  to move to activated position  96  ( FIG. 2B ) and thereafter is subjected to another acceleration event in direction  18  (e.g., an unauthorized attempt to reseat mass member  30  in the non-activated position  50  or in response to some other impact event) of a level and/or magnitude to overcome the force(s) applied by leaf springs  56  and  58 , leaf springs  56  and  58  both collapse or invert and mass member  30  moves from activated position  96 , past non-activated position  50 , to the activated position  116 . For example, in response to the acceleration event in direction  18  of a level and/or magnitude to overcome the force(s) applied by leaf springs  56  and  58 , leaf springs  56  and  58  both collapse or invert such that convex portions thereof apply a biasing force against wall  90  of mass member  30  to bias mass member  30  to activated position  116 . Additionally, ends  68  and  80  of leaf spring  56  are drawn out of respective seats  62  and  74  and become positioned within respective indent regions  102  and  104 . Thus, in response to movement of mass member  30  from activated position  96  to activated position  116 , leaf springs  56  and  58  are biased in a same direction (e.g., toward wall  90  of mass member  30 ) and ends  68 ,  70 ,  80  and  82  of respective leaf springs  56  and  58  are located within indent regions  102  and  104 , respectively, to prevent or substantially prevent leaf springs  56  and  58  to returning to seat  62 ,  64 ,  74  or  76 , thereby further preventing or substantially preventing mass member  30  from returning (in a maintained durational state) to non-activated position  50  after being in an activated state. 
       FIG. 5A  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of indicator  10  in accordance with the present disclosure, and  FIG. 5B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 5A  of indicator  10 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , sidewalls  46  and  48  each have formed therein an additional spring seat  120  and  122 , respectively. Seat  120  is located along sidewall  46  between seats  62  and  64 , and seat  122  is located along sidewall  48  between seats  74  and  76 . Similar to seats  62 ,  64 ,  74  and  76 , seats  120  and  122  comprise a recessed area along respective sidewalls  46  and  48  for receiving ends  68 / 80  and  70 / 82  of respective leaf springs  56  and  58  in response to indicator  10  being subjected to an impact or acceleration event of sufficient magnitude to cause movement of mass member  30  (e.g., as described above in connection with  FIGS. 2A, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B ). For example,  FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating indicator  10  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  with mass member  30  located in the activated position  96 . Because leaf springs  56  and  58  are configured having a length greater than a lateral width of the translation path for movement of mass member  30 , the ends of leaf springs  56  and  58  will seek the widest lateral dimension between sidewalls  46  and  48  to relieve tension forces therein. Thus, for example, in response to indicator  10  being subjected to an acceleration event in direction  16  of a magnitude sufficient to overcome the bias forces of leaf springs  56  and  58 , mas member  30  will move from non-activated position  50  toward activated position  96 , leaf spring  56  will collapse and/or invert and apply a biasing force toward wall  88  of mass member  30 , and ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  will be drawn out of respective seats  64  and  76  and become located in respective seats  120  and  122 . Seats  120  and  122   102  and  104  prevent or substantially prevent ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  from returning to respective seats  64  and  76 . Thus, if indicator  10  is subjected to another acceleration event in a direction opposite direction  16  (e.g., direction  18 ) in an attempt to reset and/or re-position mass member  30  in the non-activated position  50  after being in an activated state, indent regions  102  and  104  resist the return of ends  70  and  82  of leaf spring  58  to seats  64  and  76 , thereby resulting in an additional bias force in the direction  16  that would need to be overcome in an opposite direction to effectuate movement of mass member  30  toward the non-activated position  50 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of indicator  10  of  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6  with mass member  30  located in activated position  116 , and  FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 7A . If indicator  10  has been subjected to an acceleration event in direction  16  that caused mass member  30  to move to activated position  96  ( FIG. 6 ) and thereafter is subjected to another acceleration event in direction  18  (e.g., an unauthorized attempt to reseat mass member  30  in the non-activated position  50  or in response to some other impact event) of a level and/or magnitude to overcome the force(s) applied by leaf springs  56  and  58 , leaf springs  56  and  58  both collapse or invert and mass member  30  moves from activated position  96 , past non-activated position  50 , to the activated position  116 . For example, in response to the acceleration event in direction  18  of a level and/or magnitude to overcome the force(s) applied by leaf springs  56  and  58 , leaf springs  56  and  58  both collapse or invert such that convex portions thereof apply a biasing force against wall  90  of mass member  30  to bias mass member  30  to activated position  116 . Additionally, ends  68  and  80  of leaf spring  56  are drawn out of respective seats  62  and  74  and become positioned within respective seats  120  and  122 . Thus, in response to movement of mass member  30  from activated position  96  to activated position  116 , leaf springs  56  and  58  are biased in a same direction (e.g., toward wall  90  of mass member  30 ) and ends  68 ,  70 ,  80  and  82  of respective leaf springs  56  and  58  are located within seats  120  and  122 , respectively, to prevent or substantially prevent leaf springs  56  and  58  to returning to seat  62 ,  64 ,  74  or  76 , thereby further preventing or substantially preventing mass member  30  from returning (in a maintained durational state) to non-activated position  50  after being in an activated state. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram representing and illustrating an embodiment of indicator  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, impact indicator  10  may be affixed (permanently or removably) to a printed circuit board and/or otherwise permanently or removably connected to electronic circuitry (e.g., such as a removable cartridge) such that, in response to receipt and/or detection of an acceleration event or impact condition of a sufficient magnitude, impact indicator  10  provides an electronic switch closure or opener that may thereby provide an electronic signal/indication of such event. In  FIG. 8 , indicator  10  includes a mechanical switching mechanism  80 , switch circuitry  82 , and a wireless communications module  83  coupled to switch circuitry  82 . Mechanical switching mechanism  80  may be any mechanical device used to cause a state change in switch circuitry  82 . For example, in some embodiments, mechanism  80  may comprise mass member  30 . In such an embodiment (as will be described in greater detail below), movement of mass member  30  may cause a state change in switch circuitry  82  (e.g., changing from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition, or vice versa). Switch circuitry  82  may comprise one or more switch elements, contacts, and or circuits that are responsive to movement of mass member  30  (or other type of mechanical switching mechanism  80 ). Wireless communications module  83  is configured to wirelessly communicate information associated with a state of switch circuitry  82  indicating the activation state of indicator  10  (e.g., based on an open or closed circuit state of circuitry  82 ). For example, in one embodiment, wireless communications module  83  includes an RFID module  84 . In some embodiments, RFID module  84  comprises a passive RFID module  84  (e.g., a passive RFID tag) having an RFID integrated circuit or circuitry  86  (e.g., disposed on or as part of a printed circuit board) and a memory  88 , along with an antenna  90 . As a passive RFID module  84 , indicator  10  does not contain a battery (e.g., power is supplied by an RFID reader  100 ). For example, when radio waves from reader  100  are encountered by module  84 , antenna  90  forms a magnetic field, thereby providing power to module  84  to energize circuit  86 . Once energized/activated, module  84  may output/transmit information encoded in memory  88 . However, it should be understood that, in some embodiments, RFID module  84  may comprise an active RFID module  84  including a power source (e.g., a battery) that may be configured to continuously, intermittently, and/or according to programmed or event triggers, broadcast or transmit certain information. It should also be understood that wireless communications module  83  may be configured for other types of wireless communication types, modes, protocols, and/or formats (e.g., short-message services (SMS), wireless data using General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)/3G/4G or through public internet via Wi-Fi, or locally with other radio-communication protocol standards such as Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® low energy (BLE), LoRA, NB-IoT, SigFox, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or other prevalent technologies). As will be described further below, impact indicator  10  functions as a shock fuse such that, in response to receipt of a particular level and/or magnitude of a shock/acceleration event, an electrically conductive member either opens or closes an electronic switch. This configuration enables impact indicator  10  to be used as a passive impact sensor/indicator that can be used as part of an electronic signal or circuit. In some embodiments, the impact sensing capabilities/functions of impact indicator  10  of the present disclosure needs no power while in the monitoring state. When activated, impact indicator  10  completes or opens an electrical path of a circuit and thus could be integrated into most any electronic monitoring system. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, memory  88  includes at least two different stored and/or encoded values  92  and  94 . For example, value  92  may correspond to a value outputted/transmitted by module  84  when switch circuitry  82  is in an open circuit condition or state, and value  94  may correspond to a value outputted/transmitted by module  84  when switch circuitry  82  is in a closed circuit condition or state. As an example, the value  94  may represent an RFID tag identification (ID) number not having an activated impact switch circuitry  82 , and the RFID tag&#39;s ID number may have an additional character (e.g., “0”) placed at the end thereof. Value  92  may represent the RFID ID number having an activated impact switch circuitry  82 , and the RFID tag&#39;s ID number may have an additional character at the end thereof being different from the additional character carried by value  94  (e.g., “1”). In the illustrated embodiment, RFID module  84  (e.g., circuitry  86 ) is coupled to switch circuitry  82  and can detect whether switch circuitry  82  is in an open or closed circuit condition or state. Thus, for example, switch circuitry  82  may initially be in closed circuit condition or state. Thus, if energized/activated, module  84  would transmit value  94  to reader  100 . If indicator were to be subject to an impact event, mechanism  80  may cause a change in circuitry  82  that would result in circuitry  82  being in an open circuit condition or state. Thus, if now energized/activated (e.g., after the impact event), module  84  would instead transmit value  92  to reader  100 . Thus, embodiments of the present invention enable indicator  10  to monitor sensitive products/objects to which it is attached for potential damage caused by shock using electronic indicators (e.g., RFID readers) while indicator  10  does not contain or require any internal power source (e.g., a battery). 
     The present invention may include computer program instructions at any possible technical detail level of integration (e.g., stored in a computer readable storage medium (or media) (e.g., memory  88 ) for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices (e.g., communications module  83  and/or RFID module  84 ). Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. In some embodiments, electronic circuitry (e.g., circuitry  86 ) including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods and/or apparatus according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the illustrations and/or block diagrams, may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the illustrations and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computing device, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the illustrations and/or block diagram block or blocks. Switch circuitry  82 , wireless communications module  83 , and/or RFID module  84  may be implemented in any suitable manner using known techniques that may be hardware-based, software-based, or some combination of both. For example, switch circuitry  82 , wireless communications module  83 , and/or RFID module  84  may comprise software, logic and/or executable code for performing various functions as described herein (e.g., residing as software and/or an algorithm running on a processor unit, hardware logic residing in a processor or other type of logic chip, centralized in a single integrated circuit or distributed among different chips in a data processing system). As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a perspective rear view of a portion of an embodiment of indicator  10  in accordance with the present disclosure,  FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a section view of indicator  10  of  FIG. 9  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention taken along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of indicator  10  depicted in  FIG. 10 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , mechanical switching mechanism  80  is formed by mass member  30  having affixed or secured thereto an electrically conductive element  120 . In some embodiments, mass member  30  may be formed of a non-metallic or non-conductive material such that conductive element  120  may be secured thereto (e.g., affixed by bonding, fasteners, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, conductive element  120  extends transversely across mass member  30  in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of movement of mass member  30  within housing  12  (e.g., movement directions  16  and  18  depicted in  FIG. 1B ). Conductive member  120  is configured to connect with and/or engage spaced apart contacts  122  and  124  of switch circuitry  82  to cause circuitry  82  to be in either an open circuit condition or state (e.g., when conductive element  120  is disengaged from contacts  122  and  124 ) or a closed circuit condition or state (e.g., when conductive element  120  is in engagement with contacts  122  and  124 ). In the illustrated embodiment, conductive element  120  extends linearly across mass member  30  in the direction described above; however, it should be understood that the direction, size, shape, etc., of element  120  may vary (e.g., based on the position and/or locations of contacts  122  and  124 ). Contacts  122  and  124  comprise electrically conductive pads or segments of circuitry  82 . For example, circuitry  82  may comprise one or more electrically conductive wires, traces, pads, posts, and/or electronic components that are coupled to RFID module  84 . In  FIG. 9 , RFID module  84  is omitted from view to better illustrate mass member  30  with conductive element  120 ; however, it should be understood that contacts  122  and  124  may be coupled to and/or otherwise form part of RFID module  84 . 
     Thus, in operation, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , circuitry  82  is initially in a closed circuit state when mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  ( FIG. 1B  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event)). Thus, if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100  while mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event), RFID module  84  would detect the closed circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  94 . Responsive to indicator  10  being subjected to an impact or acceleration event of a magnitude sufficient to cause movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position (e.g., position  96  or  116  ( FIGS. 2B and 7A )), the state of circuitry  82  would change from being in a closed circuit condition to being in an open circuit condition because conductive element  120  would have moved away and become disengaged from contacts  122  and  124 . Thus, responsive to movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position  96  or  116 , if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100 , RFID module  84  would detect the open circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  92  instead of value  94 . Thus, a change in the switch circuitry  82  state causes a change in a value output by RFID module  84  when activated. 
     Additionally, embodiments of impact indicator  10  provide a non-reversible indication of impact activation. For example, as described above in connection with  FIG. 4A , once mass member  30  leaves the non-activated or pre-activated position  50  in response to an impact event, mass member  30  would remain in either position  96  or  116  (e.g., due to leaf springs  56  and  58 ), thereby resulting in circuitry  82  remaining in an open state condition and RFID module  84  transmitting value  92  when energized. 
     In the above description and illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 9-11 , circuitry  82  is in a closed circuit condition when mass member  30  is in the non-activated or pre-activated position  50 . However, it should be understood that indicator  10  may be alternately configured such that circuitry  82  is instead in an open circuit condition when mass member  30  is in the non-activated or pre-activated position  50 , and circuitry  82  is in a closed circuit condition when mass member is in position  96  or  116  (e.g., by placing a pair of contacts  122  and  124  near each of positions  96  and  116  (instead of near position  50 ) which would engage conductive element  120  when mass member  30  is in respective positions  96  or  116 ). Alternatively, mass member  30  could have multiple spaced apart conductive elements  120  (e.g., one near an upper portion of mass member  30  and one near a lower portion of mass member  30 ) such that movement of mass member  30  into position  96  or  116  would cause a respective conductive element  120  to come into engagement with contacts  122  and  124  located near position  50  (e.g., the lower conductive element  120  engaging contacts  122  and  124  located near position  50  when mass member is in position  96 , and vice versa for when mass member  30  is in position  116 ). Thus, it should be understood that the placement of conductive element  120  and/or contacts  122  and  124  may vary while enabling RFID module  84  to transmit different values based on whether circuitry  82  is in an open or closed circuit state (based on whether indicator has been subjected to an impact event). 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of indicator  10  in accordance with the present disclosure,  FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of indicator  10  of  FIG. 12  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention taken along the line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating a side view of indicator  10  depicted in  FIG. 12  taken along the line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 . In  FIGS. 12-14 , most elements of indicator  10  (e.g., those depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 ) have been omitted for clarity and ease of description; however, it should be understood that indicator  10  may be similarly configured as depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , another embodiment of switching mechanism  80 , circuitry  82 , and RFID module  84  coupled to switch circuitry  82  are depicted. In the illustrated embodiment, switching mechanism  80  is formed by mass member  30  (e.g., without conductive element  120  ( FIGS. 9-11 )). For ease of description and clarity, mass member  30  is not depicted in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Switch circuitry  82  includes conductive switch elements  130  and  132 , and conductive contacts  140 ,  142 ,  144 , and  146 . Switch elements  130  and  132  are located generally in or near respective positions  96  and  116  such that as mass member  30  moves into position  96  or  116  from position  50 , mass member  30  contacts or otherwise engages respective switch element  130  or  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, switch element  130  is fixedly coupled to contact  140 , and switch element  132  is fixedly coupled to contact  146 . Switch elements  130  and  132 , and contacts  140 ,  142 ,  144 , and  146 , may comprise conductive wires, pins, posts, pads, traces, etc. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , switch element  130  includes contiguous switch element segments  150 ,  152 , and  154  where segment  150  is fixedly coupled to contact  140 . Switch element  130  comprises a flexible switch element  130  such that segments  150 ,  152 , and  154  are movable in angular relationship relative to each other, and segment  150  may bend/rotate relative to and/or with contact  140 . Similarly, switch element  132  includes contiguous switch element segments  156 ,  158 , and  160  where segment  156  is fixedly coupled to contact  146 . Switch element  132  also comprises a flexible switch element  132  such that segments  156 ,  158 , and  160  are movable in angular relationship relative to each other, and segment  156  may bend/rotate relative to and/or with contact  146 . In the illustrated embodiment, switch elements  130  and  132  include non-linear switch element segments  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 , and  160 , respectively. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, switch elements  130  and  132  are formed having a generally Z-shaped configuration (e.g., when viewed from a position orthogonal to a plane of movement of switch elements  130  and  132 ); however, it should be understood that elements  130  and  132  may be otherwise configured. 
     As best depicted in  FIG. 12 , circuitry  82  is initially in an open circuit state when mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event). For example, in this embodiment, in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  of mass member  30 , segments  154  and  160  are each spaced apart from and/or in disengagement with respective contacts  142  and  144 . Thus, if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100  while mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event), RFID module  84  would detect the open circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  92 . Responsive to indicator  10  being subjected to an impact or acceleration event of a magnitude sufficient to cause movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position (e.g., position  96  or  116 ), the state of circuitry  82  would change from being in an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition because the movement of mass member  30  would result in mass member  30  contacting a respective switch element  130  or  132  and cause the respective switch element  130  or  132  to come in contact with and/or engage respective contact  142  or  144 , thereby closing a respective circuit. Thus, responsive to movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position  96  or  116 , if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100 , RFID module  84  would detect the closed circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  94  instead of value  92 . Thus, a change in the switch circuitry  82  state causes a change in a value output by RFID module  84  when activated. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , each switch element  130  and  132  may be part of and/or otherwise form a different, separate circuit (circuit  162  and  164 , respectively) such that RFID module  84  can detect whether either circuit  162  or  164  is in an open or closed circuit condition. For example, if indicator  10  has been subjected to an impact event causing mass member  30  to move from position  50  to position  96 , circuit  164  would remain in an open circuit condition, while circuit  162  would have gone from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition. RFID module  84  may be configured to function similar to a digital logic OR gate such that a closed value  94  is output if one or both circuits  162  and  164  are in a closed circuit condition. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , switch circuitry  82  is in an open circuit condition when mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event). However, it should be understood that indicator  10  may be otherwise configured (e.g., where circuits  162  and  164  would initially be in a closed circuit condition (e.g., switch elements  130  and  132  each in engagement with respective contacts  142  and  144  where movement of mass member into position  96  or  116  causes mass member  30  to disengage a respective switch element  130  or  132  from respective contacts  142  or  144 . 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  are diagrams illustrating a portion of indicator  10  depicted in  FIGS. 12-14 . In  FIGS. 15A and 15B , only switch element  132  is depicted; however, it should be understood that the operation and/or function of switch element  130  is similar to that hereinafter described in connection with switch element  132 . In  FIG. 15A , indicator  10  has been subjected to an impact event such that mass member  30  has moved in the direction  170  into position  116  such that the movement of mass member  30  towards position  116  has caused mass member  30  to contact switch element  132 , thereby causing switch element segment  160  to engage contact  144  to place circuit  164  from an open circuit condition into a closed circuit condition. In  FIG. 15B , in response to indicator  10  being subjected to another impact event causing mass member  30  to move in direction  172  away from position  116 , although mass member  30  has disengaged from switch element  132  (i.e., mass member  30  is no longer contacting or applying a force to switch element  132 ), switch element  132  remains in engagement with contact  144  such that circuit  164  remains in a closed circuit condition. In this embodiment, switch element  132  comprises a flexible and/or deformable switch element  132  such that a force applied to switch element  132  by mass member  30  causes switch element  132  to compress within the space directly between contacts  144  and  146 , thereby resulting in switch element  132  being maintained in a compressed state between contacts  144  and  146 . Being in a compressed state, switch element  132  continues to apply a force to contact  144 , thereby maintaining circuit  164  in a closed circuit state after mass member  30  has moved away from position  116  (or away from contacting switch element  132 ). Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide an irreversible indication of impact activation by maintaining circuit  164  in a closed circuit state once circuit  164  has gone from an open circuit state to a closed circuit state. In the above description, circuit  164  is initially in an open circuit condition and then becomes a closed circuit in response to movement of mass member  30  against switch element  132 . However, it should be understood that the open/closed circuit condition or operation could be reversed (e.g., initially in a closed circuit condition where switch element  132  is in engagement with contact  144  where movement of mass member  30  against switch element  132  causes switch element  132  to disengage from contact  144 ). In this alternate embodiment, another contact or the configuration of switch element  132  may cause circuit  164  to remain in an open circuit state even after mass member  30  moves away from position  116 . 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of impact indicator  10  in accordance with the present disclosure,  FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of impact indicator  10  of  FIG. 16  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 , and  FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating a section view of impact indicator  10  depicted in  FIG. 16  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure taken along the line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 16 . In  FIGS. 16-18 , most elements of indicator  10  (e.g., those depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 ) have been omitted for clarity and ease of description; however, it should be understood that indicator  10  may be similarly configured as depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 16-18 , another embodiment of switching mechanism  80 , circuitry  82 , and RFID module  84  coupled to switch circuitry  82  are depicted. In the illustrated embodiment, switching mechanism  80  is formed by mass member  30  (e.g., without conductive element  120  ( FIGS. 9-11 )). For ease of description and clarity, mass member  30  is not depicted in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Switch circuitry  82  includes conductive switch elements  170  and  172 , and conductive contacts  180 ,  182 ,  184 , and  186 . Switch elements  170  and  172  are located generally in or near respective positions  96  and  116  such that as mass member  30  moves into position  96  or  116  from position  50 , mass member  30  contacts or otherwise engages respective switch element  170  or  172 . In the illustrated embodiment, switch element  170  is fixedly coupled to contact  180 , and switch element  172  is fixedly coupled to contact  186 . Switch elements  170  and  172 , and contacts  180 ,  182 ,  184 , and  186 , may comprise conductive wires, pins, posts, pads, traces, etc. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 16-18 , switch elements  170  and  172  are arcuately shaped (e.g., when viewed from a position orthogonal to a plane of movement of switch elements  170  and  172 ) having a convex portion thereof disposed toward mass member  30 . In some embodiments, switch elements  170  and  172  comprise flexible switch elements  170  and  172  such that switch elements  170  and  172  may bend/rotate relative to and/or with respective contacts  180  and  186 . In the illustrated embodiment (as best illustrated in  FIG. 18  relative to contact  182 ), contacts  182  and  184  are disposed at an angle and/or incline toward mass member  30  (e.g., toward respective switch elements  170  and  172 ) such that contacts  182  and  184  are disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane of movement of mass member  30  (and respective switch elements  170  and  172 ). Although  FIG. 18  only depicts contacts  182  and  186  (due to the location of the section view), it should be understood that contacts  184  and  180  are similarly configured (e.g., contact  184  disposed at an acute angle toward mass member  30 /switch element  172 ). 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 17 , switch element  172  extends toward contact  184  and bends downwardly near a distal end thereof (e.g., toward a plane parallel to a plane of movement of mass member  30 /switch element  172  but closer to a base attachment location of contact  184 ). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, switch element  172  includes contiguous switch element segments  190 ,  192 , and  194 . Segment  190  is fixedly coupled to contact  186  at a proximal end thereof and extends in a direction generally toward contact  184 . As segment  190  approaches a location of contact  184  (e.g., prior to reaching contact  184 ), segment  190  transitions to segment  192  (e.g., an approximate right angle) where segment  192  extends in a direction toward module  84  (i.e., in a direction toward a base of contact  184 ). Segment  192 , prior to reaching module  84 , transitions to segment  194  which extends in a direction similar to segment  190  (e.g., an approximate right angle to segment  192 ). It should be understood that switch element  170  is similarly configured (e.g., bending downwardly near a distal end thereof). 
     In operation, as best depicted in  FIG. 16 , circuitry  82  is initially in an open circuit state when mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event). For example, in this embodiment, in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  of mass member  30 , switch elements  170  and  172  are each spaced apart from and/or in disengagement with respective contacts  182  and  184 . Thus, if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100  while mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event), RFID module  84  would detect the open circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  92 . Responsive to indicator  10  being subjected to an impact or acceleration event of a magnitude sufficient to cause movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position (e.g., position  96  or  116 ), the state of circuitry  82  would change from being in an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition because the movement of mass member  30  would result in mass member  30  contacting a respective switch element  170  or  172  and cause the respective switch element  170  or  172  to come in contact with and/or engage respective contact  182  or  184 , thereby closing a respective circuit. Thus, responsive to movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position  96  or  116 , if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100 , RFID module  84  would detect the closed circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  94  instead of value  92 . Thus, a change in the switch circuitry  82  state causes a change in a value output by RFID module  84  when activated. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 16-18 , distal ends of switch elements  170  and  172  and angled downwardly toward a base of respective contacts  182  and  184 , and contacts  182  and  184  are disposed at an acute angle toward respective switch elements  170  and  172 , to reduce a likelihood of switch elements  170  and  172  from riding up and over a respective contact  182  and  184  (e.g., response to movement of mass member  30 ). As described above in connection with  FIGS. 12-14 , each switch element  170  and  172  may be part of and/or otherwise form a different, separate circuit (e.g., circuit  162  and  164 , respectively) such that RFID module  84  can detect whether either circuit  162  or  164  is in an open or closed circuit condition. For example, if indicator  10  has been subjected to an impact event causing mass member  30  to move from position  50  to position  96 , circuit  164  would remain in an open circuit condition, while circuit  162  would have gone from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition. RFID module  84  may be configured to function similar to a digital logic OR gate such that a closed value  94  is output if one or both circuits  162  and  164  are in a closed circuit condition. Further, embodiments of indicator  10  provide an irreversible indication of activation. For example, as described further in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 , once indicator  10  has been subject to an impact condition of a sufficient magnitude to move mass member away from position  50 , spring members  40  and  42  maintain mass member  30  in either position  96  or  116 , thereby maintaining switch elements  170  and/or  172  in engagement with respective contacts  182  and  184 . 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of impact indicator  10  in accordance with the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 19 , indicator  10  is configured similarly to as depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 16-18  except instead of a single switch element  170  and  172 , a plurality of distinct switch elements  170  and  172  are coupled to respective contacts  180  and  186 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, three switch elements  170  (e.g., switch elements  170   1 ,  170   2 , and  170   3 ) are coupled to contact  180 , and three switch elements  172  (e.g., switch elements  172   1 ,  172   2 , and  172   3 ) are coupled to contact  186 . It should be understood that a greater or fewer quantity of switch elements  170  and  172  may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple switch elements  170  and  172  are used to increase the likelihood of initiating a circuit state change (e.g., triggering a closed circuit condition from an open circuit condition, or vice versa). For example, using multiple switch elements  170  and  172  increases the likelihood of a circuit state change should one or more switch elements  170  and  172  fail or fail to engage respective contacts  182  and  184 . 
       FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of impact indicator  10  in accordance with the present disclosure. In  FIG. 20 , most elements of indicator  10  (e.g., those depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 ) have been omitted for clarity and ease of description; however, it should be understood that indicator  10  may be similarly configured as depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 20 , another embodiment of switching mechanism  80 , circuitry  82 , and RFID module  84  coupled to switch circuitry  82  are depicted. In the illustrated embodiment, switching mechanism  80  is formed by mass member  30  (e.g., without conductive element  120  ( FIGS. 9-11 )). Impact indicator  10  of  FIG. 20  is configured similar to as that depicted and described in connection with  FIGS. 12-14  except switch circuitry  82  includes conductive switch elements  200  and  202 . Switch elements  200  and  202  are located generally in or near respective positions  96  and  116  such that as mass member  30  moves into position  96  or  116  from position  50 , mass member  30  contacts or otherwise engages respective switch element  200  or  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, switch element  200  is fixedly coupled to contact  140 , and switch element  202  is fixedly coupled to contact  146 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 20 , switch element  200  includes contiguous switch element segments  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216  where segment  210  is fixedly coupled to contact  140 . Switch element  200  comprises a flexible switch element  200  such that one or more of segments  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216  are movable in angular relationship relative to each other, and segment  210  may bend/rotate relative to and/or with contact  140 . Similarly, switch element  202  includes contiguous switch element segments  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226  where segment  220  is fixedly coupled to contact  146 . Switch element  202  also comprises a flexible switch element  202  such that one or more of segments  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226  are movable in angular relationship relative to each other, and segment  220  may bend/rotate relative to and/or with contact  146 . In the illustrated embodiment, switch elements  200  and  202  include non-linear switch element segments  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226 , respectively. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, switch elements  200  and  202  are formed having a generally modified Z-shaped configuration (e.g., when viewed from a position orthogonal to a plane of movement of switch elements  200  and  202 ); however, it should be understood that elements  200  and  202  may be otherwise configured. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, segment  210  extends from contact  140  toward mass member  30  and transitions to segment  212  such that segment  212  is in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of mass member  30  (i.e., in an initial state/position). Segment  212  transitions to segment  214  such that segments  214  and  216  form an acute angle relative to each other (e.g., an open-sided acute triangle) in a spring-like configuration such that segment  216  extends in a direction toward mass member  30  at an acute angle relative to segment  214  (e.g., with the open-side of the acute triangle facing mass member  30 ). Segments  214  and  216  form a compressible spring at a distal end of switch element  200 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 20 , switch element  202  (and segments  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226 ) are configured similarly to as that described in connection with switch element  200 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, switch elements  200  and  202  have a Z-shaped configuration with a profile or maximum width less than that depicted in  FIGS. 12-14  (e.g., relative to switch elements  130  and  132 ). In  FIG. 20 , circuitry  82  is initially in an open circuit state when mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event). For example, in this embodiment, in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state/position  50  of mass member  30 , segments  216  and  226  are each spaced apart from and/or in disengagement with respective contacts  142  and  144 . Thus, if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100  while mass member  30  is in the non-activated or initial pre-detection state  50  (i.e., prior to being subjected to an acceleration event), RFID module  84  would detect the open circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  92 . Responsive to indicator  10  being subjected to an impact or acceleration event of a magnitude sufficient to cause movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position (e.g., position  96  or  116 ), the state of circuitry  82  would change from being in an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition because the movement of mass member  30  would result in mass member  30  contacting a respective switch element  200  or  202  and cause the respective switch element  200  or  202  to come in contact with and/or engage respective contact  142  or  144 , thereby closing a respective circuit. Thus, responsive to movement of mass member  30  from the initial non-activated position  50  to an activated position  96  or  116 , if RFID module  84  is activated or energized by RFID reader  100 , RFID module  84  would detect the closed circuit condition of circuitry  82  and output or transmit value  94  instead of value  92 . Thus, a change in the switch circuitry  82  state causes a change in a value output by RFID module  84  when activated. 
     As described above in connection with  FIGS. 12-14 , each switch element  200  and  202  may be part of and/or otherwise form a different, separate circuit (circuit  162  and  164 , respectively) such that RFID module  84  can detect whether either circuit  162  or  164  is in an open or closed circuit condition. Similar to as described and depicted in connection with  FIGS. 15A and 15B , although mass member  30  may disengaged from switch element  200  or  202  (i.e., mass member  30  is no longer contacting or applying a force to switch element  200  or  202 ), switch element  200  and/or  202  remains in engagement with respective contacts  142  and  144  such that circuit  162  and/or  164  remains in a closed circuit condition. In this embodiment, switch elements  200  and  202  comprise a flexible and/or deformable switch element  200  and  202  such that a force applied to switch element  200  and/or  202  by mass member  30  causes switch element  200  and/or  202  to compress within the space directly between contacts  144  and  146  (e.g., at least respective segments  214 / 216  and  224 / 226 , thereby resulting in segments  214 / 216  and  224 / 226  being maintained in a compressed state against respective contacts  142  and  144 . Being in a compressed state, switch elements  200  and  202  continues to apply a force to respective contacts  142  and  144 , thereby maintaining circuit  162  or  164  in a closed circuit state after mass member  30  has moved away from position  96  or  116  (or away from contacting switch element  200  or  202 ). Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide an irreversible indication of impact activation by maintaining circuit  162  or  164  in a closed circuit state once circuit  162  or  164  has gone from an open circuit state to a closed circuit state. In the above description, circuits  162  and  164  are initially in an open circuit condition and then become a closed circuit in response to movement of mass member  30  against switch elements  200  or  202 . However, it should be understood that the open/closed circuit condition or operation could be reversed (e.g., initially in a closed circuit condition where switch element  200  is in engagement with contact  142  where movement of mass member  30  against switch element  200  causes switch element  200  to disengage from contact  142 ). In this alternate embodiment, another contact or the configuration of switch element  200  may cause circuit  162  to remain in an open circuit state even after mass member  30  moves away from position  96 . 
       FIG. 21  is a diagram illustrating a portion of impact indicator  10  depicted in  FIG. 20  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 21 , only switch element  202  is depicted; however, it should be understood that the operation and/or function of switch element  200  is similar to that hereinafter described in connection with switch element  202 . In  FIG. 21 , indicator  10  has been subjected to a first impact event such that mass member  30  has initially moved into position  116  such that the movement of mass member  30  towards position  116  has caused mass member  30  to contact switch element  202 , thereby causing switch element segment  226  to engage contact  144  to place circuit  164  from an open circuit condition into a closed circuit condition. In  FIG. 21 , in response to indicator  10  being subjected to another impact event causing mass member  30  to move in direction  172  away from position  116 , although mass member  30  has disengaged from switch element  202  (i.e., mass member  30  is no longer contacting or applying a force to switch element  202 ), switch element  202  remains in engagement with contact  144  such that circuit  164  remains in a closed circuit condition. In this embodiment, switch element  202  comprises a flexible and/or deformable switch element  202  such that a force applied to switch element  202  by mass member  30  causes switch element  202  to compress and/or deflect within the space directly between contacts  144  and  146 , thereby resulting in switch element  202  being maintained in a compressed state between contacts  144  and  146 . Being in a compressed state, switch element  202  continues to apply a force to contact  144 , thereby maintaining circuit  164  in a closed circuit state after mass member  30  has moved away from position  116  (or away from contacting switch element  202 ). For example, segments  224  and  226  form a compressed leaf spring biased against contact  144  to maintain switch element  202  in engagement with contact  144 . Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide an irreversible indication of impact activation by maintaining circuit  164  in a closed circuit state once circuit  164  has gone from an open circuit state to a closed circuit state. In the above description, circuit  164  is initially in an open circuit condition and then becomes a closed circuit in response to movement of mass member  30  against switch element  202 . However, it should be understood that the open/closed circuit condition or operation could be reversed (e.g., initially in a closed circuit condition where switch element  202  is in engagement with contact  144  where movement of mass member  30  against switch element  202  causes switch element  202  to disengage from contact  144 ). In this alternate embodiment, another contact or the configuration of switch element  202  may cause circuit  164  to remain in an open circuit state even after mass member  30  moves away from position  116 . 
       FIG. 22  is a block diagram representing and illustrating an embodiment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) impact indicator monitoring system  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 22 , system  300  includes a UAV  302  and an item or package  304  that may be flown by UAV  302  to a particular destination (e.g., from an origin (such as a vendor location) to a destination (such as a consumer), or vice versa). In the illustrated embodiment, package  304  includes an impact indicator  306  attached, affixed, and/or otherwise secured thereto. It should be understood that, as used herein, “package”  304  may include a particular object or item, or a package/container containing an object or item. Impact indicator  306  is configured to detect and indicate whether package  304  has been subjected to a sufficient magnitude of an impact or acceleration event, thereby causing an activation status of impact indicator  306  to change from a non-activated state to an activated state. For example, impact indicator  306  may comprise indicator  10  as depicted and described in  FIGS. 1-21 . However, it should be understood that impact indicator  306  may comprise other types of impact indicators (e.g., an impact indicator as depicted and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,863,683 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; an impact indicator as depicted and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,103,734 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; an impact indicator as depicted and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,103,849 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; an impact indicator as depicted and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,116,058 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and other types of impact indicators, including shock/impact indicators that are commercially available under the name ShockWatch® from ShockWatch, Inc., of Dallas, Tex.) 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 22 , UAV  302  includes a propulsion/guidance system  310  configured to fly UAV  302 , a power source  312  (e.g., a battery) to provide power to various mechanisms of UAV  302 , an antenna  314 , a transceiver  316  for transmitting and receiving communications (e.g., wireless communications via antenna  314 ), an altimeter  318 , a retention mechanism  320  configured to pick up, retain, and release an object (e.g., package  304 ) by UAV  302 , and a GPS receiver  321 . In the illustrated embodiment, UAV  304  also includes a memory  322  having a controller  324 , a GPS module  326 , a communications module  328 , and UAV data  330 . Propulsion/guidance system  310  may include one or more propellers, ailerons, rudders, etc., for enabling the flight and movement of UAV  302 . Altimeter  318  may be any device which can provide the altitude of UAV  302  (e.g., the height above a delivery destination). Retention mechanism  320  may comprise, but not be limited to, one or more of a claw, gripper, or grapple, a releasable clamp, a bomb bay, a hook and eyelet, controllable jaws and eyelets, devices which may partially penetrate package  304  (e.g., tongs), a suction device, a line or tether (e.g., being retractable relative to UAV  302  for lowering/raising package  304  relative thereto), etc. 
     In some embodiments, controller  324  is configured to control the operation of UAV  302  for retrieving/delivering package  304 . For example, in some embodiments, GPS module  326  may be used to gather/process geopositional data of UAV  302  (e.g., using geopositional data acquired via GPS receiver  321 ). Controller  324  may also receive the GPS coordinates of an origin and/or delivery destination of package  304  (e.g., wirelessly or though a physical connection/port). The GPS coordinates of an origin and/or delivery destination of package  304  may be stored in memory  322  as UAV data  330  (e.g., delivery data  332 ). Controller  324  may activate propulsion/guidance system  310  to take off and fly toward a desired location, and GPS module  326  may acquire GPS data regarding UAV  302  and interface with controller  324  for controlling the direction and movement of UAV  302  to a desired location. Altimeter  318  provides altitude information also used by controller  324  for controlling the movement and altitude of UAV  302 . Communications module  328  may be used for transmitting/receiving various types of information relative to UAV  302  (e.g., via a network  340  to a server  342  or other remote location). For example, network  340  may comprise any type of wired and/or wireless network (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a Wi-Fi or cellular network, etc.). It should also be understood that communications module  328  may be configured for a variety of types of wireless communications, modes, protocols, and/or formats (e.g., short-message services (SMS), wireless data using General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)/3G/4G or through public internet via Wi-Fi, or locally with other radio-communication protocol standards such as Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® low energy (BLE), LoRA, NB-IoT, SigFox, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or other prevalent technologies). Further details of UAV  302 , including operational characteristics and/or methods for grasping/transporting/releasing package  304  is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,536,216, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It should be understood that UAV  302  may be otherwise configured to facilitate its characteristics for flying and/or grasping/transporting/releasing package  304 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 22 , UAV  302  also includes an indicator reader device  350 . Indicator reader device  350  may include any type of device for viewing and/or reading an indication of impact activation of impact indicator  306  on package  304 . For example, indicator reader device  350  may comprise, but not be limited to, a camera  352 , an RFID reader  354  (e.g., such as RFID reader  100  as described above), and/or a barcode reader  356 . In the illustrated embodiment, UAV  302  also includes an indicator reader module  360  and indicator data  362  (e.g., depicted as being stored in memory  322 ). Indicator reader module  360  is configured to receive information corresponding to indicator  306  (e.g., captured and/or otherwise acquired by reader device  350 ) and determine an activation status of impact indicator  306 . Indicator data  362  may comprise information associated with a prior and/or current activation status of indicator  306 , or may comprise information enabling module  360  to assess the information acquired by reader device  350  to determine the activation status of indicator  306 . For example, indicator reader module  360  may be configured to derive an activation status of indicator  306  based on an image captured by camera  352  (e.g., by detecting a color, a color change, or other type of visual indication), based on a value emitted by indicator  306  (e.g., a value emitted by a passive RFID tag as described above), a value represented and/or otherwise defined by a barcode or other type of code, etc. In some embodiments, indicator reader module  360  may be configured to access indicator data  362  to compare currently acquired information with previously acquired information (e.g., comparing two different image captures of indicator  306  acquired at two different times), compare acquired information with stored information (e.g., access a relational database to determine whether a current value indicated by indicator  306  indicates an activation status), or otherwise assess an activation state of indicator  306 . In some embodiments, the activation status of indicator  306  may be communicated to a remote location (e.g., to server  342  via communications module  328 ). 
     Thus, the present invention may include computer program instructions at any possible technical detail level of integration (e.g., stored in a computer readable storage medium (or media) (e.g., memory  322 ) for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices (e.g., communications module  328  and/or indicator reader module  360 ). Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods and/or apparatus according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the illustrations and/or block diagrams, may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the illustrations and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computing device, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the illustrations and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     Controller  324 , GPS module  326 , communications module  328 , and/or indicator reader module  360  may be implemented in any suitable manner using known techniques that may be hardware-based, software-based, or some combination of both. For example, controller  324 , GPS module  326 , communications module  328 , and/or indicator reader module  360  may comprise software, logic and/or executable code for performing various functions as described herein (e.g., residing as software and/or an algorithm running on a processor unit, hardware logic residing in a processor or other type of logic chip, centralized in a single integrated circuit or distributed among different chips in a data processing system). As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” 
       FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of UAV impact indicator monitoring system  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 23 , UAV  302  has indicator reader device  350  attached or coupled thereto, and package  304  is detachably coupled to UAV  302  by retention mechanism  320 . Indicator reader device  350  is located and/or otherwise oriented in a position on UAV  302  to facilitate the acquisition of status information pertaining to indicator  306  (e.g., with a line of sight to indicator  306 , in proximity to indicator  306  to read a value displayed or emitted by indicator  306  (e.g., such as an RFID value), etc.). In operation, package  304  is transferred or flown from one location (e.g., an origin) to another location (e.g., a destination). For example, UAV  302  may be used to deliver package  304  to a customer that has placed an order for a particular object or item from a merchant or other entity, retrieve package  304  from a customer that is returning an object or item to a merchant, retrieving package  304  from a warehouse and delivering same to a distribution center, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, package  304  has impact indicator  306  attached thereto. If package  304  has been subject to an impact event over a certain threshold, indicator  306  detects such event and undergoes a change to indicate such an event (e.g., transitioning from a non-activated state to an activated state). As described above, indicator reader device  350  may acquire information associated with indicator  306  (e.g., capture an image, detect an RFID value, read a barcode, etc.) and indicator reader module  360  may assess such information to derive an activation status of indicator  306 . 
     In some embodiments, indicator reader module  360  is configured to cause reader device  350  to acquire information pertaining to indicator  306  at various times. For example, in some embodiments, module  360  is programmed to cause device  350  to acquire information as to indicator  306  prior to grasping or retaining package  304  by UAV  302 , after grasping/retaining package but prior to package  304  being released from UAV  302 , and/or after package  304  has been released by UAV  302 . If module  360  determines that package  304  has been subject to an impact event over a certain threshold (as indicated by a current status of indicator  306 ), UAV  302  may be programmed to perform, or not perform, a particular action (e.g., not grasp package  304 , not release/deliver package  304 , return package  304  to its origin, etc.). As an example, should the delivery method involve dropping package  304  from what is considered some safe height (or even releasing retention mechanism  320  upon package  304  being in contact with the ground or other surface), module  360  may be configured to cause reader device  350  to read indicator  306  (e.g., capture an image and/or otherwise read a value associated with indicator  306 ) after package  304  has been released from retention mechanism  320 . In response to module  360  determining that indicator  306  indicates an activated status, module  360  may be configured to cause retention mechanism  320  to reacquire package  304  (e.g., interfacing with controller  324  to cause retention mechanism  320  to re-grasp package  304  to enable package  304  to be returned to its origin). Similarly, if module  360  detects an activated status of indicator  306  prior to grasping package  304  for delivery of package  304 , or if module  360  detects an activated status of indicator  306  prior to releasing retention mechanism  320 , module  360  may cause UAV  302  (e.g., interfacing with controller  324 ) to not grasp package  304  or not release/deliver package  304 , respectively). If module  360  detects that indicator  306  has remained in a non-activated status, module  360  may interface with controller  324 , if necessary, to enable UAV  302  to continue its program or operation(s). 
     In some embodiments, indicator data  362  may comprise information associated with when, or at what intervals, to acquire information pertaining to the activation status of indicator  306 . For example, in some embodiments, reader module  360  may access indicator data  362  to determine when to cause reader device  350  to acquire information as to indicator  306  (e.g., prior to activating retention mechanism  320  (to either grasp or release), after activating retention mechanism  320  (after grasping or releasing), at periodic intervals, etc.). In some embodiments, reader module  360  may store a current activation status of indicator  306  as determined by module  360  (e.g., along with a time or clock value), may store captured images of indicator  306 , and/or interface with communications module  328  to cause the communication of a current status of indicator  306  (along with any acquired data  362  pertaining to the activation status of indicator  306 ) to a remote location (e.g., server  342 ). 
     Thus, regardless of how UAV  302  might deliver or transport package  304 , there may there may be potential damage to package  304  (as a result of the transportation/delivery of package  304  or prior thereto). For example, package  304  may be inadvertently dropped, UAV  302  may mistakenly fly into a tree, etc. System  300  enables a condition of package  304  to be monitored in connections with its transportation from an origin to a destination. It should be understood that various features of system  300  may also be remotely activated. For example, in some embodiments, a user may remotely control and/or interface with UAV  302  and cause reader device  350  to acquire information pertaining to indicator  306 . For example, in some embodiments, UAV  302  may receive a signal to cause camera  352  to acquire an image of indicator  306 , cause RFID reader  354  to energize a passive RFID tag of indicator  306  to acquire a value therefrom, cause barcode reader  356  to read a barcode displayed by indicator  306 , etc. Module  360  may assess the acquired information and determine/communicate an activation status of indicator  306 . It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, reader module  360  (or portions/certain functions thereof) may be omitted from UAV  302  and, instead, be remotely located (e.g., residing on server  342  or elsewhere). In such an embodiment, for example, information acquired by indicator reader device  350  may be communicated from UAV  302  to a remote location (e.g., server  342 ) where a determination of impact indicator  306  activation status is then made. Based on the determined activation status of impact indicator  306 , various operational control parameters may be communicated to UAV  302 . 
       FIG. 24  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for UAV impact indicator monitoring. The method begins at block  400 , where an operation or procedure to pick-up or grasp package  304  is initiated. At block  402 , module  360  causes reader device  350  to acquire information/data pertaining to impact indicator  306  (e.g., capturing a photographic image, reading a barcode, reading an RFID value, etc.). At decisional block  404 , module  360  determines whether the acquired information indicates an activated status of indicator  306 . If so, the method proceeds to block  406 , where the pick-up operation of package  304  is aborted. If at decisional block  404  it is determined that indicator  306  is in a non-activated state, the method proceeds from decisional block  404  to block  408 , where retention mechanism  320  is actuated/activated to grasp or otherwise pick-up package  304 . At block  410 , UAV  302  is operated to transport package  304  to a destination. 
     At block  412 , an operation or procedure to drop-off/release/deliver package  304  is initiated. At block  414 , module  360  causes reader device  350  to acquire information/data pertaining to impact indicator  306  (e.g., capturing a photographic image, reading a barcode, reading an RFID value, etc.). At decisional block  416 , module  360  determines whether the acquired information indicates an activated status of indicator  306 . If so, the method proceeds to block  418 , where the delivery or drop-off operation of package  304  is aborted, and then the method proceeds to block  420  where UAV  302  is controlled/operated to return to its origin. If at decisional block  416  it is determined that indicator  306  is in a non-activated state, the method proceeds from decisional block  416  to block  422 , where retention mechanism  320  is actuated/activated to release package  304 . 
     At block  424 , module  360  causes reader device  350  to acquire information/data pertaining to impact indicator  306  (e.g., capturing a photographic image, reading a barcode, reading an RFID value, etc.). At decisional block  426 , module  360  determines whether the acquired information indicates an activated status of indicator  306 . If so, the method proceeds to block  428 , where retention mechanism  320  is actuated/activated to re-acquire package  304  (e.g., grasping or otherwise picking up package  304 ), and then the method proceeds to block  430  where UAV  302  is controlled/operated to return to its origin. If at decisional block  426  it is determined by module  360  that indicator  306  is in a non-activated state, the method proceeds from decisional block  426  to block  430  where UAV  302  is controlled/operated to return to its origin. 
     Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure enable impact and/or acceleration event detection for package delivery using a UAV. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the UAV to collect information as to the activation status of an impact indicator associated with a package being delivered or to be delivered such that the condition of the package may be ascertained throughout the delivery operation (e.g., beginning prior to package acquisition and extending until a delivery operation has been successfully completed without incurring a potentially detrimental impact event. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.