Patent Description:
For example, fulfillment centers and warehouses generally have loading docks for manually loading and unloading parcels into and out of delivery trucks and trailers. However, traditional loading docks are ill-equipped for the technical and logistical demands of take-off and landing of numerous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Upon landing of a drone or UAV, battery changes and drone diagnostic requirements also can take up valuable floor space in existing fulfillment centers, warehouses, or the like. <CIT> discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle delivery system using a UAV to deliver packages between an initiation point and multiple delivery points at a raised elevation. The UAV flies between points. The UAV engages delivery points at a raised elevation, rather than the ground level. The UAV docks through an elevated structure at the delivery point for delivering the package and replenishing a power source. The package is conveyed from a docking end and through a central shaft of the elevated structure by means of an elevator. The package then travels to a lower structure, such as a house or office, for pickup. After completion of the delivery, the UAV replenishes its power source and/or continues on the delivery route. <CIT> discloses a drone-storable pole elevation system comprising a pole vertically fastened to a ground, an elevation device formed through the pole to be moved up or down by external power, and at least one drone station formed on the elevation device and having a top opening to receive a drone. <CIT> discloses a drone hub system.

A drone delivery system hub for facilitating parcel delivery according to independent claim <NUM>, and a method of sending for take-off and receiving for landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) via a drone delivery system hub according to independent claim <NUM> are provided, with preferred embodiments being defined in the dependent claims. In general terms, aspects described herein relate to a drone delivery system hub that facilitates delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also referred to herein as drones. In some embodiments, the drone delivery system hub can be installed on a rooftop or in a parking lot, although any installation location can be used. The drone delivery system hub comprises a center shaft and a plurality of structural arms extending therefrom in a spoke-like fashion. The center shaft can support therein or thereon a parcel-conveying system (e.g., a set of cargo elevators or the like) that conveys parcels from a lower opening of the center shaft to an upper opening thereof. The higher opening provides access to the structural arms. In some embodiments, the drone delivery system hub further comprises a plurality of drone-conveying systems each affixed to and/or supported by the structural arms. The drone-conveying systems are each operable to receive and convey one or more drones along a length of the structural arms for landing, take-off, battery swaps, automated diagnostics, and/or conveyance to the parcel-conveying system for dropping off or picking up of parcels. The drone delivery system hub further comprises at least one linking conveyor span selectably rotatable to selectably align with one or more of the drone-conveying systems. The linking conveyor span can be located at or proximate to the upper opening of the center shaft for receiving or delivering parcels from or to the UAVs.

In use, a UAV may retrieve a parcel from the upper opening of the center shaft from the parcel-conveying system while on the linking conveyor span, then be conveyed onward to one of the drone-conveying systems, which then launches the UAV in an upward and/or outward direction away from the drone delivery system hub for delivery of the parcel. Upon returning, the UAV then can attach to one of the drone-conveying systems during landing and be conveyed to the linking conveyor span for retrieval of a next parcel from the parcel-conveying system and/or for dropping off of another parcel to the parcel-conveying system. The linking conveyor span can be selectively rotated to link with any select one of the drone-conveying systems to allow the UAV to be stored on a particular one of the structural arms and/or to take off in a particular direction as determined based on a variety of predetermined factors. As the UAV is conveyed along one of the drone-conveying systems, battery charging stations and/or autonomous drone diagnosis systems located along one or more of the structural arms can communicate with or otherwise engage with the UAVs, such as swapping of batteries or requesting, receiving, and/or outputting diagnostic data.

This summary is intended to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description section of this disclosure.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the technology will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or learned by practice of the technology.

The present technology is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:.

The subject matter of this disclosure is described herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, to include different steps, combinations of steps, features, and/or combinations of features, similar to those described in this disclosure, and in conjunction with other present or future technologies, to the extent that it falls within the scope of the claims. Moreover, although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein to identify different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various elements except when the order is explicitly described and required.

In general, and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, embodiments that enable and support parcel delivery via unmanned systems taking off from and/or landing on a drone delivery system hub. Unmanned systems such as drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for parcel delivery without the manual labor such parcel delivery traditionally requires. However, while fulfillment centers, warehouses, or other unmanned systems generally have loading docks for manually loading and unloading parcels into and out of delivery trucks and trailers, such loading docks are ill-equipped for the technical and logistical demands of take-off and landing of numerous unmanned aerial vehicles. Upon landing, battery changes and drone diagnostic requirements also can take up valuable floor space in existing fulfillment centers, warehouses, or the like. Such space requirements in regard to battery changes, diagnostic checks, drone take-off, and drone landing can also complicate the sending and receiving of UAVs from other various locations, such as shopping centers, delivery vehicles, trains, kiosks, or the like.

To solve the limitations of these labor-intensive technologies for sending and receiving parcels from a location via UAV, retrofitting of fulfillment centers and warehouses may be employed for effective and efficient use of unmanned systems. Specifically, the drone delivery system hub described herein is one solution for retrofitting buildings, parking lots, vehicles, or any one of a variety of places or structures from which parcels are sent and received. For example, the drone delivery system hub may be installed on a rooftop of a building, fulfillment center, or warehouse, extending upward therefrom and providing an efficient and autonomous structure for landing and take-off of unmanned systems, as well as pick-up and/or drop-off of parcels from the drones landing and taking off therefrom.

In some embodiments, the drone delivery system hub comprises a center shaft frame and a plurality of structural arms extending outward therefrom for facilitating landing, retrieval of at least one parcel, and taking off of one or more UAVs. The height of the center shaft frame may be designed to advantageously limit the expenditure of the UAVs limited battery charge per flight, since the UAVs are not required to descend as low during landing and then ascend as high during take-off. By allowing launching and retrieving of UAVs safely from increased height, the drone delivery system hub saves energy and extends delivery range. The plurality of structural is advantageous for simultaneous sending and/or receiving numerous UAVs in numerous directions for safe and efficient management of UAV traffic to and/or from the drone delivery system hub.

The drone delivery system hub can further include a parcel-conveying system that conveys parcels upwards and/or downwards along the center shaft frame. However, the parcel-conveying system can convey parcels in other directions besides just upwards and/or downwards without departing from the scope of the technology described herein. In some embodiments, the drone delivery system hub also includes a plurality of drone-conveying systems each supported by one of the structural arms and operable for transporting one or more of the UAVs or drones along a length of one or more of the plurality of structural arms. The drone delivery system hub can also include a linking conveyor span at a central location for rotatably linking the drone-conveying systems with each other to allow the UAVs to be conveyed from one of the drone-conveying systems, onto the linking conveyor span, and then onto another one of the drone-conveying systems for storing or subsequent take-off therefrom. This linking conveyor span thus allows the UAVs to be selectively sent in any one of a plurality of directions during take-off based on destination, wind conditions, UAV air traffic, or the like. Alternatively, the linking conveyor span can be fixed and the structural arms can be rotatably attached to the center shaft, such that the structural arms can rotate to provide for a rapid launch of multiple UAVs in desired directions.

The drone delivery system hub may further comprise battery charging stations for storing and/or charging one or more batteries for the UAVs on the structural arms, as well as autonomous drone diagnosis systems located along at least one of the structural arms. This advantageously saves time, since the UAVs can perform these critical tasks between flights at a raised elevation without human intervention or needing to bring the UAVs down from elevated structural arms for performing such tasks. It is also more energy efficient, avoiding the need to carry heavy batteries up and down the center shaft. Furthermore, allowing these critical tasks of charging batteries and performing pre-flight checks / diagnostic activities to take place on the drone delivery system hub, little to no floor space is required for such activities within the building, fulfillment center, or warehouse.

Throughout this disclosure, "unmanned systems," "drones," and "UAVs" include systems that are capable of operating for at least a period of time without input from an on-board human. Unmanned systems may include terrestrial, aquatic, or aerial vehicles. An unmanned system may sometimes include a human on board who is capable of taking control of the unmanned system or that provides instructions to the unmanned system. Some unmanned systems may operate without a human on board, but may be controlled or partially controlled remotely by a human pilot. Some unmanned systems may operate autonomously by receiving instructions from a computer program. Thus, to complete an objective, an unmanned system may operate autonomously, under the guidance of received instructions, or under partial or total control of a human pilot. The word "drone" is synonymous with "unmanned system" as used herein.

One example of an aerial unmanned system is an unmanned aerial vehicle, more commonly called a UAV or a drone. The UAVs or drones discussed and illustrated in this disclosure are a four-rotor vertical takeoff and landing UAVs. However, the UAVs or drones may include any number of rotors, may be embodied as be a fixed-wing aircraft, or some combination of both. As used in this disclosure, the word "delivery" is intended to mean both "to drop off" and "to pick up," unless one of the options is impracticable. For example, a "delivery vehicle" is a vehicle capable of picking up a parcel and dropping off a parcel at a location.

Various controllers described herein, as well as other subject matter disclosed herein may be provided as, at least in part, a method, a system, and/or a computer-program product, among other things. Accordingly, certain aspects disclosed herein may take the form of hardware, or may be a combination of software and hardware. A computer-program that includes computer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readable media may also be used. The subject matter hereof may further be implemented as hard-coded into the mechanical design of computing components and/or may be built into a system or apparatus that enables automated or semi-automated operation of the drone conveying system hub as described herein.

Computer-readable media may include volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media, and may also include media readable by a database, a switch, and/or various other network devices. Network switches, routers, and related components are conventional in nature, as are methods of communicating with the same, and thus, further elaboration is not provided in this disclosure. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and/or non-transitory communications media.

Computer storage media, or machine-readable media, may include media implemented in any method or technology for storing information. Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data representations. Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other storage devices. These memory components may store data momentarily, temporarily, and/or permanently, and are not limited to the examples provided herein.

Referring now to <FIG>, a block diagram of an example computing device <NUM> suitable for supporting the operation of embodiments described herein is provided, in accordance with an embodiment hereof. The computing device <NUM> and components thereof can be or can include any of the controllers described herein. It should be noted that although some components depicted in <FIG> are shown in the singular, they may be plural, and the components may be connected in a different, including distributed, configuration. For example, computing device <NUM> might include multiple processors and/or multiple radios. As shown in <FIG>, computing device <NUM> includes a bus <NUM> that may directly or indirectly connect different components together, including memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, presentation component(s) <NUM> (if applicable), radio(s) <NUM>, input/output (I/O) port(s) <NUM>, input/output (I/O) component(s) <NUM>, and power supply <NUM>.

Memory <NUM> may take the form of the memory components described herein. Thus, further elaboration will not be provided here, but memory <NUM> may include any type of tangible medium that is capable of storing information, such as a database. A database may include any collection of records, data, and/or other information. In one embodiment, memory <NUM> may include a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed, facilitate various functions or steps associated with the subject matter described herein. These instructions will be referred to as "instructions" or an "application" for short. The processor <NUM> may actually be multiple processors that may receive instructions and process them accordingly. The presentation component <NUM> may include a display, a speaker, a screen, a portable digital device, and/or other components that can present information through visual, auditory, and/or other tactile cues (e.g., a display, a screen, a lamp, a light-emitting diode (LED), a graphical user interface (GUI), and/or a lighted keyboard). However, the presentation component <NUM> may be omitted without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

The radio <NUM> may facilitate communication with a network, and may additionally or alternatively facilitate other types of wireless communications, such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, Bluetooth, and/or VoIP communications, among other communication protocols. In various aspects, the radio <NUM> may be configured to support multiple technologies, and/or multiple radios may be configured and utilized to support multiple technologies.

The input/output (I/O) ports <NUM> may take a variety of forms. Exemplary I/O ports may include a USB jack, a stereo jack, an infrared port, a firewire port, and/or other proprietary communications ports. The input/output (I/O) components <NUM> may comprise one or more keyboards, microphones, speakers, touchscreens, and/or any other item useable to directly or indirectly input data into the computing device <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may comprise batteries, generators, fuel cells, and/or any other component that may act as a power source to supply power to computing device <NUM> and to any other components described herein.

Having this in mind, as depicted in <FIG>, the present technology describes a drone delivery system hub <NUM> for facilitating delivery of parcels <NUM> by UAVs <NUM>. The drone delivery system hub <NUM> can be placed on top of a building <NUM>, such as existing buildings via a retrofit addition or integrated in buildings during new construction. For example, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> can fit onto rooftops of shopping malls, logistics warehouses and order fulfillment centers. Additionally or alternatively, the drone delivery system <NUM> can be placed on access points or be designed as a standalone kiosk. For example, the standalone kiosk can be placed in a parking lot or shipping yard, or alternatively can be portable for use in a plurality of locations as needed.

As depicted in <FIG>, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> comprises a center shaft <NUM> and a plurality of structural arms <NUM> coupled and/or affixed thereto and extending outward therefrom for facilitating landing, retrieval of the parcels <NUM>, and taking off of one or more of the UAVs <NUM>. Furthermore, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> comprises a parcel-conveying system <NUM> supported by the center shaft <NUM> and one or more drone-conveying systems <NUM> each supported by one or more of the structural arms <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> can also comprise a link conveyor span <NUM> selectably rotatable to orientations in which the linking conveyor span <NUM> extends between at least two of the drone-conveying systems <NUM>.

The center shaft <NUM> may be of any dimensions and made of any rigid material for fixedly supporting the structural arms <NUM> at an elevated height. For example, the center shaft <NUM> can comprise a center shaft frame <NUM> and a base support <NUM>. The center shaft frame <NUM> can be any support frame of any size or shape, such as a substantially elongated structure to suspend the structural arms <NUM> at a desired elevation above the building <NUM> or other such structures described herein. However, other non-elongated support frames can serve as the center shaft frame <NUM> without departing from the scope of the technologies described herein. In some embodiments, the center shaft frame <NUM> can comprise various cross beams and other such structural supports and can be made of a plurality of frame pieces welded and/or mechanically affixed together or can be a single integrally-formed structural frame. The base support <NUM> is configured to maintain the center shaft frame <NUM> in a substantially vertical orientation. For example, the center shaft frame <NUM> can be mounted to an elevated surface of the building <NUM> and supported by the base support <NUM>, which can likewise include frame members, such as the four angled posts depicted in <FIG>. However, any base support sufficient to maintain the center shaft frame <NUM> in a substantially vertical orientation in operation of the drone delivery system hub <NUM> may be used without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

In some embodiments, the center shaft <NUM> further comprises a center chute <NUM> extending down a length of the center shaft frame <NUM>. For example, the center chute <NUM> can be a hollow tube, elevator shaft, or the like and can house the drone conveying systems <NUM> therein or can itself serve as the drone conveying system <NUM>. In some embodiments, the center chute <NUM> has an upper opening <NUM> and a lower opening <NUM>. The upper opening <NUM> can be at a top of the center chute <NUM> and the lower opening <NUM> can be at a bottom of the center chute. Alternatively, the upper opening <NUM> and the lower opening <NUM> can be at any locations along the center chute <NUM> with the upper opening <NUM> positioned higher than the lower opening <NUM>. For example, as later described herein, there may be multiple upper openings <NUM> suitable for receiving the parcels <NUM> at multiple elevations that are higher than the lower opening <NUM>. In some embodiments, the center chute <NUM> can be covered, such as by a small dome <NUM> (as depicted in the alternative embodiment of <FIG>) or the like, to protect the parcels <NUM> and the center chute <NUM> from the weather.

The structural arms <NUM> can extend in a generally upward and radially outward direction from the center shaft <NUM> or the center shaft frame <NUM>. Furthermore, the structural arms <NUM> are integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the center shaft <NUM> or the center shaft frame <NUM>. In some embodiments, the structural arms <NUM> are fixed in their generally upward and radially outward direction. However, in other embodiments, the structural arms <NUM> are selectively pivotable relative to the center shaft <NUM>, such that in a locked configuration, the structural arms <NUM> extend outward in a spoke-like configuration and in an unlocked configuration, the structural arms <NUM> can be pivoted to mechanically fold inward toward the center shaft <NUM> and can also independently or cooperatively slide down rails or the like on the center shaft frame <NUM>. This can allow protection of the drone deliver system hub <NUM> during strong wind conditions and can also be used for repair and maintenance purposes. For example, in some embodiments, at least one of the structural arms <NUM> can be selectively pivotable toward the center shaft frame <NUM> and/or selectively slidable down the center shaft frame <NUM> for maintenance access or repair access by workers located on the roof of the building <NUM> or at other such lower elevations. This folding and lowering of the structural arms <NUM> can be accomplished using manual or automated actuators, pulleys, or any suitable systems for pulling the structural arms <NUM> toward the center shaft <NUM> and/or cooperatively lowering the structural arms <NUM> down the center shaft <NUM>.

In addition, one of the structural arms <NUM> and/or the center shaft frame <NUM> can comprise arm-supporting spans <NUM> bracing the structural arms <NUM> at a desired angle relative to the center shaft frame <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. However, the arm-supporting spans <NUM> can also fold, selectively pivot along with the structural arms <NUM>, and/or slide along the center shaft frame <NUM> as described above for the structural arms <NUM>, particularly when required for protecting the delivery system hub <NUM> during strong wind conditions and/or for providing access to the structural arms <NUM>, the arm-supporting spans, and/or any components along the structural arms <NUM> for maintenance or repair purposes.

The parcel conveying system <NUM> can be a conveying system configured for substantially vertical conveyance of the parcels <NUM>, the UAVs <NUM>, or other such parcels or physical items. The conveyance can be motorized conveying and/or can utilize gravity (e.g., such as in embodiments where the parcel conveying system <NUM> is the center chute <NUM>) or some additional or alternative manual conveying methods. For example, the parcel conveying system <NUM> can comprise any type of elevator (e.g., a set of cargo elevators), one or more spiral conveyors, one or more L-shaped platforms or conveyor lifts, or other vertical conveyor devices used to move parcels automatically from one elevation to another. The parcels <NUM> can be fed through the lower opening <NUM> via a bottom or lower location of the parcel conveying system <NUM>, either loaded directly thereon or through a connected conveyor system, and then the parcel conveying system <NUM> can convey the parcels <NUM> upward to the upper opening <NUM> to be received by one of the UAVs <NUM>. Likewise, the parcel conveying system <NUM> can receive at the upper opening <NUM> any of the parcels <NUM> from one of the UAVs <NUM> to be conveyed downward to the lower opening <NUM>, which could be within the building <NUM> and/or on an upper surface or roof of the building <NUM>, for example. In some embodiments, the parcel conveying system <NUM> can also serve to convey any of the UAVs <NUM> down the center shaft frame <NUM>, such as for periodic maintenance checks or repairs.

As depicted in <FIG>, the drone-conveying systems <NUM> are each supported by at least one of the structural arms <NUM>. One or more of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> are operable to receive and convey one or more of the UAVs <NUM> along a length of one or more of the structural arms <NUM>. The drone-conveying systems <NUM> can comprise, for example, a pair of opposing rails laterally spaced apart and power rollers positioned within the opposing rails, as depicted in <FIG>. Some examples of drone-conveying systems <NUM> are described as conveyors <NUM> in <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>, each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of drone-conveying systems are operable to catapult the one or more UAVs from the one of the plurality of structural arms upon take-off, such as via accelerated speed of the power rollers or other such drone-conveying systems <NUM>.

As schematically depicted in <FIG>, some embodiments of the drone delivery system hub <NUM> further comprise autonomous drone diagnosis systems <NUM> located along one or more of the structural arms <NUM>. The autonomous diagnosis systems <NUM> are configured to automatically run diagnostic checks and/or pre-flight checks of the UAVs <NUM>. For example, the autonomous diagnosis systems may be the same or equivalent to the autonomous drone diagnosis systems described in <CIT>, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In some embodiments, various components of any one of the drone diagnosis systems <NUM> can be distributed along one of the structural arms <NUM>, such as various sensors, controllers, processors, memory, and the like. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more of the components of the drone diagnosis systems <NUM> can be located remotely from the structural arms <NUM>, while other components thereof such as various sensors or communication components remain on one of the structural arms <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG>, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> further includes battery charging stations <NUM> along one or more of the plurality of structural arms <NUM>. The battery charging stations <NUM> are operable for storing and charging one or more UAV batteries from the UAVs <NUM>. In some embodiments, the battery charging stations <NUM> can be powered via traditional wires extending to a traditional power source, such as connected to the electric grid. However, in some alternative embodiments, the battery charging stations <NUM> are electrically coupled to solar panels <NUM>. For example, the solar panels <NUM> can include a folding solar array as depicted in <FIG>. Additionally or alternatively, wind turbines can be used to generate power for the battery charging stations <NUM> to charge the UAV batteries.

A plurality of UAV storage systems are depicted in <FIG>. In each of the storage systems depicted herein, the UAVs <NUM> may be stored before or after the flight checks and battery swaps are executed (to reduce time between mission received and UAV launch). Alternatively, the UAVs <NUM> may be stored with depleted batteries that are charged while in storage, and flight checks may be executed right before takeoff. <FIG> depicts storing a plurality of the UAVs <NUM> on one of the structural arms <NUM>. This advantageously provides for UAV storage without requiring additional structure. However, this configuration also temporarily blocks the use of one or more structural arms for receiving or launching of the UAVs therefrom while it is used for storage. Thus, as depicted in <FIG>, in some alternative embodiments of the invention, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> may further comprise a first drone storage system <NUM> and/or a second drone storage system <NUM> on one or more of the structural arms <NUM>.

For example, as depicted in <FIG>, the first drone storage system <NUM> can feature an upward-extending storage rack supported by one of the structural arms <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the first drone storage system <NUM> can additionally or alternatively include a downward-extending storage rack supported by one of the structural arms <NUM>. In either case, the UAVs <NUM> are stored out of the way until required. Once a mission is received by any of the controllers described herein, one of the UAVs can be dropped or raised via the storage rack (i.e., the first drone storage system <NUM>). As depicted in <FIG>, the first drone storage system <NUM> can include one or more rails holding the UAVs thereon from either side and can further include a wider opening proximate to the structural arm to allow the UAV's propellers to slide horizontally along the structural arm when conveyed past the first drone storage system <NUM>.

In another example embodiment, as depicted in <FIG>, the second drone storage system <NUM> can be rotatably attached to any one or more of the structural arms <NUM> and operable to rotatable about an axis extending a length of that corresponding structural arm. Furthermore, the drone storage system may comprise a rotation attachment shaft and a plurality of rail segments spaced apart from each other about the rotation attachment shaft and/or the corresponding structural arm to cooperatively rotate about the rotation attachment shaft axis and/or an axis extending the length of the structural arm. For example, the rotation attachment shaft can include one or more fixed portions and one rotating portion rotatably attached to the fixed portions. The fixed portions can be fixedly attached to one of the structural arms, as depicted in <FIG>. Note that in some embodiments, the rail segments can be replaced with other segments of a UAV-conveying system without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

In use, the rail segments of the drone storage system can each be selectively aligned, upon rotation about the rotation attachment shaft and/or the corresponding structural arm, with one of the drone-conveying systems <NUM>, such as one of the pairs of opposing rails of the drone-conveying systems <NUM>, as described above. Thus, as depicted in <FIG> some of the UAVs <NUM> can be stored below one or more of the structural arms <NUM> while others can simultaneously be conveyed, via one of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> and a first one of the rail segments of the drone storage system that are aligned therewith, to the linking conveyor span <NUM> or to an outer end of the structural arm for take-off from. Then, the drone storage system can rotate about the structural arm and/or the rotation attachment shaft such that one of the previously-stored UAVs <NUM> can be conveyed via a second one of the rail segments of the drone storage system and one of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> and/or the linking conveyor span <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the linking conveyor span <NUM> is selectably rotatable to orientations extending between at least two of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> and is operable to convey one or more of the UAVs <NUM> between the at least two of the drone-conveying systems <NUM>. In some embodiments, the linking conveyor span <NUM> is rotatably fixed relative to the center axis of the center shaft frame <NUM> and above the upper opening of the center chute <NUM> and/or a portion of the parcel-conveying system <NUM>, thus allowing the UAVs <NUM> located on the linking conveyor span <NUM> to retrieve one of the parcels <NUM> from the center shaft <NUM> and/or to deposit one of the parcels <NUM> into the center shaft <NUM> via the center chute <NUM> and/or the parcel-conveying system <NUM>. The central position and the rotatability of the linking conveyor span <NUM> allows the linking conveyor span <NUM> to selectably convey the UAVs between any two or more of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> and their corresponding structural arms <NUM>. Specifically, the linking conveyor span <NUM> can comprise a pair of opposing rails laterally spaced apart and power rollers positioned within the opposing rails as with the drone-conveying systems <NUM> described above.

Note that the linking conveyor span <NUM> is just one example device for directing the UAVs <NUM> to different ones of the structural arms <NUM>. In some embodiments (not shown), the linking conveyor span <NUM> can be omitted entirely, and portions of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> and/or other alternative devices can be used to convey the UAVs <NUM> to the center chute <NUM> and/or to other ones of the structural arms <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment where the linking conveyor span <NUM> is omitted, the UAVs <NUM> can power up to hover or fly above the center chute <NUM> for dropping off or retrieving parcels. In another example embodiment, the structural arms <NUM> and/or portions of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> thereon can intersect in such a way that no rotation is necessary to redirect the UAVs <NUM> to other ones of the structural arms <NUM>. For example, an intersecting point of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> can be located over the center chute <NUM> and can be configured with directing mechanisms (not shown) for directing any of the UAVs <NUM> from the intersecting point to one of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> of one of the structural arms. Alternatively, the linking conveyor span <NUM> can be fixed and the structural arms <NUM> can be rotatably attached to the center shaft <NUM>, such that the structural arms <NUM> can rotate to provide for a rapid launch of multiple UAVs <NUM> in desired directions.

In some embodiments, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> further comprises one or more controllers, such as computing device <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, for controlling actuation of the parcel-conveying system <NUM>, the drone-conveying system <NUM>, and/or the linking conveyor span <NUM>. For example, the controllers may include a parcel-conveying controller configured and/or programmed to operate the parcel-conveying system <NUM> and/or to identify to other controllers and/or the UAVs <NUM> information regarding the parcels being conveyed thereby and/or their destinations. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, the controllers can include a drone-conveying controller programmed and/or configured to operate the drone-conveying system <NUM>, including direction, speed, and starting or stopping of the drone-conveying system <NUM> on one or more of the structural arms <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controllers can further include a linking conveyor span controller configured and/or programmed to rotate the linking conveyor span <NUM> based a destination of a one of the UAVs <NUM> positioned on the linking conveyor span <NUM>, wind conditions, and/or statuses of other incoming or outgoing ones of the UAVs <NUM>. The controllers can contain one or more sensors and/or may contain both physically-connected and communicably-coupled components for physical actuation, communication, sensing, and the like. For example, sensors for indicating global and/or relative position of one or more of the UAVs <NUM> on the drone conveying system hub <NUM> may be included and/or communicably coupled with one or more of the controllers described herein.

An example operation of the drone conveying system hub <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>. Path <NUM> depicts a landing and subsequent deceleration path of one of the UAVs <NUM>. Path <NUM> depicts a path of one of the parcels <NUM> as it is carried along one of the structural arms <NUM> to the linking conveyor span <NUM>, and dropped into the center chute <NUM> and conveyed via the parcel-conveying system <NUM> down the center shaft <NUM>. Note that, because the parcel remains with the UAV during landing and deceleration, the parcel's path <NUM> and the UAVs landing path <NUM> are parallel or identical to each other until the parcel is dropped into the center chute <NUM>.

Path <NUM> depicts a battery swap path and/or location along one of the structural arms <NUM>. Although only one arrow is illustrated for path <NUM>, the battery charging stations and battery swap locations can be anywhere along path <NUM>. Likewise, in some embodiments, the battery charging station and/or components for conveying batteries from one of the battery charging stations to a particular battery swapping location can also be included in drone conveying system hub <NUM> on any of the structural arms <NUM>. Likewise, an autonomous pre-flight check can be conducted at any point along the paths depicted herein along the structural arms <NUM>.

Furthermore, as depicted in <FIG>, the path <NUM> depicts a take-off and acceleration path of one of the UAVs <NUM> along another one of the structural arms <NUM>. Path <NUM> depicts a path of another one of the parcels <NUM> as it is carried up the center chute via the parcel-conveying system <NUM> and then picked up by one of the UAVs <NUM> located on the linking conveyor span <NUM> and carried along another one of the structural arms <NUM> to an end thereof for take-off and subsequent delivery. Note that, because the parcel remains with the UAV during take-off and acceleration, the parcel's path <NUM> and the UAV's take-off path <NUM> are parallel or identical to each other after the parcel is received from the center chute <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the drone conveying system hub <NUM> described above can be used in a method <NUM> for sending for take-off and receiving for landing one or more of the UAVs <NUM>. At least a portion of the steps of the method <NUM> in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are listed in <FIG>. The steps may be performed in the order as shown in <FIG>, or they may be performed in a different order. Further, some steps may be performed concurrently as opposed to sequentially. In addition, some steps may be omitted. Still further, embodiments of the present invention may be performed using systems other than the systems and apparatuses described herein without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

The method <NUM> of sending for take-off and receiving for landing one or more of the UAVs <NUM> comprises the steps of receiving a first UAV on a first drone-conveying system, as depicted in block <NUM> and conveying the first UAV toward the center shaft <NUM> and/or center shaft frame <NUM>, as depicted in block <NUM>. The first UAV may be any of the UAVs <NUM> described above and the first drone-conveying system can be any of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> described above. Receiving the first UAV can occur upon the first UAV landing onto and engaging with or being engaged with the first drone-conveying system. Once the first UAV is engaged with the first drone-conveying system, the first drone-conveying system can automatically begin conveying the first UAV toward the center shaft <NUM>. This automatic conveying can be accomplished using any combination of sensors, controllers, motors, and the like.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> can also comprise the steps of receiving a battery from the first UAV at one of the battery charging stations, as depicted in block <NUM>, and automatically conducting an autonomous diagnosis of the first UAV, as depicted in block <NUM>. These steps can occur during the conveying step <NUM>. Specifically, as described above, the battery charging stations can be located on any or all of the structural arms supporting the drone-conveying systems. The first UAV can therefore either receive a signal to release its battery at a location directly over a specific one or a first or last open one of the battery charging stations, or the battery charging stations can be programmed to retrieve the first UAV's battery therefrom. Likewise, the autonomous diagnosis or preflight check can be programmed to occur when the first UAV reaches, via the first drone-conveying system, the autonomous drone diagnosis system <NUM> located on the one of the structural arms supporting the first drone-conveying system. The first UAV can either stop, via the first drone-conveying system, at one of the battery charging stations and/or the autonomous drone diagnosis system for steps <NUM> and/or <NUM>, or the first drone-conveying system can move at a speed that allows for steps <NUM> and/or <NUM> to occur while the first UAV continues to be conveyed by the first drone-conveying system.

The method <NUM> further includes the steps of receiving on the linking conveyor span <NUM> the first UAV from the first drone-conveying system, as depicted in block <NUM>. As noted above, the linking conveyor span <NUM> is rotatable and alignable with any of the drone-conveying systems <NUM>, such that, for example, the conveying of the first UAV past an inner-most end of the first drone-conveying system can deposit the first UAV directly onto the linking conveyor span <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the linking conveyor span <NUM> is located or rotatably locatable over an opening of the center chute, the parcel-conveying system <NUM>, and/or any opening of the center shaft <NUM> for receiving one of the parcels from or delivering one of the parcels to the first UAV.

Furthermore, the method <NUM> comprises conveying the first UAV with the linking conveyor span to a location on the linking conveyor span that is aligned with an opening of the center chute, the parcel-conveying system <NUM>, and/or any opening of the center shaft <NUM>, as depicted in block <NUM>, for receiving one of the parcels from or delivering one or the parcels to the first UAV. Specifically, the method <NUM> can also comprise receiving from the first UAV or giving to the first UAV a parcel via the parcel-conveying system <NUM> while the first UAV is in the location aligned with the opening of the center chute, the parcel-conveying system <NUM>, and/or any opening of the center shaft <NUM>, as depicted in block <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> further comprises rotating the linking conveyor span <NUM> into alignment with a second drone-conveying system supported by a second structural arm coupled and/or affixed to and extending outward from the center shaft <NUM> and/or the center shaft frame <NUM>, as depicted in block <NUM>. The second UAV may be any of the UAVs <NUM> described above (other than the first UAV) and the second drone-conveying system can be any of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> described above (other than the first drone-conveying system). The method <NUM> can also comprise a step of conveying the first UAV to the second drone-conveying system via the linking conveyor span <NUM>, as depicted in block <NUM>.

The method <NUM> can also comprise the steps of conveying, with the second drone-conveying system, the first UAV outward and off of the second drone-conveying system during takeoff of the first UAV, as depicted in block <NUM>. The speed at which the first UAV or any of the UAVs are conveyed off of the drone-conveying systems can be sufficient to substantially launch or otherwise slingshot the first UAV or any of the UAVs outward and upward at a desired take-off speed.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> can further comprise the steps of pivoting the structural arms <NUM> inward toward the center shaft <NUM>, as depicted in block <NUM>, and/or sliding the structural arms <NUM> down the center shaft <NUM>, as depicted in block <NUM>. These steps can be achieved in a manual or automated fashion. As noted above, step <NUM> can be accomplished via the structural arms <NUM> selectively pivoting relative to the center shaft <NUM> from the locked configuration (e.g., radially outward and angled slightly upward from the center shaft <NUM> for take-off and landing of the UAVs <NUM>), to a folded configuration that is achieved when the structural arms <NUM> are mechanically folded toward and/or against the center shaft <NUM>. Likewise, step <NUM> can be accomplished when the structural arms <NUM> are independently or cooperatively slid down rails or the like along the center shaft frame <NUM>. This can allow protection of the drone deliver system hub <NUM> during strong wind conditions and can also be used for repair and maintenance purposes. For example, once the structural arms <NUM> are lowered to a roof of the building <NUM>, maintenance workers can access various control systems and conveying systems or the like on the structural arms <NUM> without requiring the workers to climb to dangerous heights. Note that one or both of steps <NUM> and <NUM> can be omitted without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

In some alternative embodiments, as depicted in <FIG>, a drone delivery system hub <NUM> is similar to the drone delivery system hub <NUM> described above, except that the center shaft <NUM> is substituted with a center shaft <NUM>. The drone deliver system hub <NUM> can include, for example, structural arms <NUM> that are substantially identical to the structural arms <NUM> described above. The center shaft <NUM> is substantially identical to the center shaft <NUM> except that it further comprises: a center chute <NUM> and a plurality of outer chutes <NUM> positioned around or proximate to the center chute <NUM>. Furthermore, in some alternative embodiments, the center chute <NUM> can be omitted, with the plurality of outer chutes <NUM> remaining. The center chute <NUM> and the plurality of outer chutes <NUM> each extend down a center shaft frame <NUM>, substantially identical or similar to the center shaft frame <NUM>. Note that the drone-conveying systems <NUM> can be located within each of the chutes <NUM>,<NUM> or each of the chutes <NUM>,<NUM> can be replaced with one or more drone-conveying systems <NUM>. Alternatively, the chutes <NUM>,<NUM> themselves can serve as the drone-conveying systems <NUM>, simply allowing the parcel to drop therein and fall downward to a desired location on or within the structure or building (e.g., the building <NUM>) to which the drone deliver system hub <NUM> is attached.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the drone delivery system hub <NUM> further comprises a ring <NUM> having spoke rails <NUM> cooperatively attached thereto, the ring <NUM> being rotatable to position the spoke rails <NUM> at locations above different ones of the outer chutes <NUM>. Thus, some methods described herein, similar to the method <NUM> described above, can further comprise the step of cooperatively rotating the ring <NUM> and its spoke rails <NUM> such that one of the spoke rails <NUM> aligns with one of the outer chutes <NUM> for drop-off or pick-up of a parcel via that one of the outer chutes <NUM>. Furthermore, when positioned above one of the outer chutes <NUM>, the spoke rails <NUM> also can individually extend between one of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> and a linking conveyor span <NUM>, which are substantially identical to the drone-conveying systems <NUM> and the linking conveyor span <NUM>, respectively. The linking conveyor span <NUM> can likewise still rotate to align with different ones of the spoke rails <NUM> for conveyance therebetween and can allow ones of the UAVs <NUM> positioned thereon to send to and receive parcels from the drone conveying system <NUM> of the center chute <NUM>. The linking conveyor span <NUM> can rotate in the same or opposite rotational direction as the ring <NUM>.

Advantageously, by using multiple rotating portions, the configuration in <FIG> allows for carrying several UAVs from and to the various structural arms simultaneously without having one central choke point, thus alleviating congestion at the center chute <NUM> and increasing throughput of the parcels <NUM> and the UAVs <NUM>. Furthermore, by having different chutes <NUM>,<NUM> through which the parcels <NUM> may be conveyed, as well as spoke rails <NUM> to rotate the UAVs <NUM> to openings of the different chutes <NUM>,<NUM>, larger amounts of parcel and UAV traffic or throughput may be processed simultaneously in comparison to having a single center chute <NUM>. However, note that the addition of the outer chutes <NUM> can be utilized without the ring <NUM> and/or the spoke rails <NUM> without departing from the scope of the technology described herein. For example, in another alternative embodiment, either the linking conveyor span <NUM> or one or more of the drone-conveying systems <NUM> can extend over the outer chutes <NUM> for the UAVs <NUM> to deposit or pick up additional parcels therefrom, omitting the ring <NUM> and spoke rails <NUM>.

In yet another alternative embodiment, as depicted in <FIG>, a drone delivery system hub <NUM> is substantially identical to the drone delivery system hub <NUM>, except that the structural arms <NUM> comprise both a plurality of upper structural arms <NUM> and a plurality of lower structural arms <NUM>. The upper structural arms <NUM> are located at a higher elevation on a center shaft <NUM> or center shaft frame <NUM> than the lower structural arms <NUM>. Note that the center shaft <NUM> and the center shaft frame <NUM> can be similar or substantially identical to the center shaft <NUM> and the center shaft frame <NUM> described in other embodiments above. The upper structural arms <NUM> and the lower structural arms <NUM> can support drone-conveying systems thereon, as described above, as well as the battery charging stations and/or the autonomous drone diagnostic systems described above. The drone deliver system hub <NUM> can further include upper openings <NUM> and at least one lower opening <NUM>, which are similar to the upper openings <NUM> and the lower openings <NUM> described above. The upper openings <NUM> can include a first upper opening corresponding to the upper structural arms <NUM> for sending and receiving of parcels to and from UAVs <NUM> and a second upper opening corresponding to the lower structural arms <NUM> for sending and receiving of parcels to and from the UAVs <NUM>. Note that the UAVs <NUM> can be similar or identical to the UAVs <NUM> described above. Furthermore, at each of the first and second upper openings, there can also be first and second linking conveyor spans (not shown), each similar to the linking conveyor span <NUM> described above and having the same functioning thereof. Any combination of the components located at a top of the drone delivery system hub <NUM> can be duplicated at various elevations along the center shaft <NUM>, as depicted in the drone delivery system hub <NUM> in <FIG>, without departing from the scope of the technology described herein. Specifically, alternative embodiments can feature three sets, four sets, or more sets of the structural arms <NUM> or <NUM> at different elevations from each other.

In one alternative embodiment, as depicted in <FIG>, a drone deliver system hub <NUM> comprises a center shaft <NUM> similar to the center shaft <NUM> described above, but the structural arms <NUM> and the drone-conveying systems <NUM> are omitted and instead replaced with a take-off cone <NUM> and a landing cone <NUM>. The take-off cone <NUM> can have an inner surface, an outer surface, a bottom opening, and a top opening <NUM> instead of a cone point. The take-off cone further has a gradually widening cross-section from the top opening <NUM> to the bottom opening, as depicted in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the take-off cone's outer surface is substantially concave along the cone's slant.

The take-off cone <NUM> can be attached with its top opening <NUM> directly above the center shaft <NUM> or alternatively the center shaft <NUM> can extend through the top opening <NUM> of the take-off cone. The take-off cone <NUM> is operable to receive UAVs <NUM> from the center shaft <NUM> or conveyor systems thereof through the top opening <NUM> of the take-off cone <NUM>. In some embodiments, a UAV vertical conveyor system <NUM> within the center shaft <NUM> can have one or more mechanisms for pushing the UAVs <NUM> outward from the top opening <NUM> of the take-off cone <NUM>. For example, an omnidirectional ball mat or the like can be operable for turning and/or pushing the UAVs <NUM> through the top opening <NUM> of the take-off cone <NUM> in programmed directions corresponding with each UAV's desired flight path. Then gravity can cause the UAVs <NUM> to slide down the outer surface of the take-off cone <NUM>. Thus, rather than a powered take-off aid, the take-off cone's shape acts as a low friction slide, giving the UAVs <NUM> a sloped ramp to take impulse. Note that other downward-sloped, low-friction structures using gravity in this same manner for UAV take-off can be used in place of the take-off cone <NUM> without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

The landing cone <NUM> can be inverted in comparison to the take-off cone <NUM>. Specifically, the landing cone <NUM> can have an inner surface, an outer surface, a top opening, and a bottom opening <NUM> instead of a cone point. The landing cone <NUM> further has a gradually widening cross-section from the bottom opening <NUM> up to its top opening, as depicted in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the landing cone's inner surface is substantially convex along the landing cone's slant. The landing cone <NUM> can be located above the take-off cone <NUM>, but is depicted herein as being located below the take-off cone <NUM>, with the center shaft <NUM> extending through at least the bottom opening <NUM> of the landing cone <NUM>.

The landing cone <NUM> is operable to receive landing ones of the UAVs <NUM>, with gravity causing those UAVs <NUM> to slide to the center shaft <NUM> to be conveyed downward for loading or unloading of parcels, battery charging or battery swaps, and/or to run diagnostics or repairs thereon. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the landing cone <NUM> is mounted below the take-off cone <NUM>, the landing cone <NUM> can have a larger diameter at its top opening than a diameter of the bottom opening of the take-off cone <NUM>. This provides safety for any of the UAVs <NUM> failing to take-off once they reach an outer-most edge of the take-off cone <NUM>. The failed UAV would simply fall onto the landing cone <NUM> and be conveyed down the center shaft <NUM> for repairs.

In some embodiments, this disclosure may include the language, for example, "at least one of [element A] and [element B]. " This language may refer to one or more of the elements. For example, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "A," "B," or "A and B. " In other words, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "at least one of A and at least one of B," or "at least either of A or B. " In some embodiments, this disclosure may include the language, for example, "[element A], [elementB], and/or [element C]. " This language may refer to either of the elements or any combination thereof. In other words, "A, B, and/or C" may refer to "A," "B," "C," "A and B," "A and C," "B and C," or "A, B, and C.

Claim 1:
A drone delivery system hub (<NUM>; <NUM>) for facilitating parcel delivery, the drone delivery system hub comprising:
a center support frame (<NUM>; <NUM>);
a parcel-conveying system (<NUM>) supported by the center support frame (<NUM>; <NUM>);
a plurality of structural arms (<NUM>; <NUM>) coupled to and extending outward from the center support frame (<NUM>; <NUM>);
a plurality of drone-conveying systems (<NUM>; <NUM>) each supported by at least one of the structural arms (<NUM>; <NUM>) and operable to convey one or more unmanned aerial vehicles - UAVs (<NUM>)-along a length of one or more of the plurality of structural arms; and
a linking conveyor span (<NUM>; <NUM>) selectably extending between at least two of the plurality of drone-conveying systems and at least partially operable to convey the one or more UAVs between the at least two of the plurality of drone-conveying systems.