Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to a method for shipping objects by means of a shipping system comprising a drone and a warehouse, wherein the warehouse has an exchange station, i.e. a delivery or collection station for objects, wherein the shipping system comprises a control system configured to coordinate the drone and the warehouse between them; the method comprising the phase of exchanging an object between a warehouse and a drone.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for receiving a package delivered by an unmanned aerial vehicle.

<CIT> discloses a UAV landing structure including a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity.

<CIT> relates to a drone receiving system having a tray configured to function as a landing pad for the drone delivering a package as well as a nest for the package, wherein the tray is associated with at least a mounting arm for mounting the drone receiving system to an outside of a structure.

<CIT> relates to a landing platform for mounting on a luminaire, where the landing platform provides an interface to a drone.

<CIT> relates to an autonomous conveyor interfacing aerial delivery, to handle reception of smart parcels from a drone, and delivering them to a specific compartment inside an office, flat, or floor.

<CIT> relates to logistics transportation equipment comprising a transportation vehicle and drones loaded onto the transportation vehicle and is characterized in that the transportation vehicle is provided with a container, and the upper surface of the top plate of the container is used as the landing platform of the drones; the interior of the container is separated into an object storage area and an object discharge area, and an object in the object storage area is placed into the object discharge area through a mechanical arm and lifted to an object outlet through lifting equipment.

At a high level, aspects described herein relate to an elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as delivery drones. The elevated delivery platform can be attached to an object off the ground, such as a pole or a home. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, a delivery drone is more easily capable of making deliveries to the platform by removing many of the obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. This further increases the safety of drone delivery by allowing drones to stay in the air above people and property. The elevated platform facilitates drone delivery by receiving parcels from drones and safely lowering the parcels so that they can be retrieved by a person. Similarly, parcels can be elevated from the ground level to the elevated platform to be retrieved by drones.

Some systems also include mechanism for protecting parcels from adverse weather conditions, such as a cover that forms a protected area around a parcel. These systems are beneficial because parcels can be left for extended periods of time, either awaiting pick up or after delivery. Not only does this protect parcels from weather conditions and allow for broader time windows for parcel delivery, but the elevation and cover also provide additional security to protect parcel from thieves, also known as "porch pirates.

The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a personal drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.

The present disclosure relates to a delivery platform for facilitating delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles as defined in claim <NUM>.

Further, the present disclosure relates to a delivery system for facilitating delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles as defined in claim <NUM>.

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 present disclosure provides for a personal drone delivery system. The delivery system may be an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery platform, a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these.

Throughout this disclosure, "unmanned systems" 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. The UAVs discussed and illustrated in this disclosure are a four-rotor vertical takeoff and landing UAVs. However, the UAV 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.

Having this in mind, the present technology describes a personal drone delivery system that may include a UAV delivery platform, a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these. This disclosure describes the delivery system as a "personal" system, and many of the embodiments are discussed in the context of a person's home or place of living. It is not intended to be limited to such embodiments, but may also be used in the context of business or industries, including business locations that are primarily engaged in parcel delivery.

At a high level, the UAV delivery platform may be an elevated surface to facilitate the delivery of parcels from a UAV. As used herein, the UAV delivery platform may also be referred to as simply a "delivery platform. " The delivery platform may be elevated by mounting it onto a structure, including a pole, a home, an apartment building, or the like. In some instances, it may be mounted on a track system to move the delivery platform along the track system. The delivery platform may communicate with different devices and systems, such as a mobile user device and a UAV. The delivery platform may include one or more of several different sensors to facilitate communication and delivery, such as antennas, cameras, weather sensors, pressure sensors, and the like.

The delivery platform may comprise an elevating surface. The elevating surface may be raised and lowered. As such, when a parcel is dropped off at the delivery platform by a UAV, the parcel may be lowered from the delivery platform by the elevating surface to a lower position where the parcel may be retrieved by a person. In some cases, the parcel may be lowered by the elevating surface and placed into a containment unit.

The containment unit may comprise a housing to protect the parcel from environmental elements and to provide security to the parcel. The containment unit may receive the parcel from the elevating surface. To do so, the containment unit may extend a portion of the housing over the elevating surface having the parcel. Then, the portion of the housing may be retracted so that an end of the housing unit pulls the parcel into the housing. The containment unit may store the parcel until it is retrieved by a person or drone.

Each of the delivery platform and the containment unit may be operated autonomously using predetermined or learned instructions. The delivery platform and the containment unit may also be controlled using a computer application, sometimes referred to as an "app" or "mobile app. " For example, the elevating surface of the delivery platform may be raised and lowered in response to instructions received from a mobile device executing an app.

Having described a high level summary of the technology, example aspects are provided below in further detail with reference to the figures.

<FIG> provides an example operating environment <NUM> that may be used for drone delivery. Operating environment <NUM> is illustrated as having delivery platform <NUM>, drone <NUM>, containment unit <NUM>, user device <NUM>, and storage <NUM>. Each of these is shown communicating through network <NUM>. Network <NUM> may include, without limitation, local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Network <NUM> may comprise the Internet and cellular networks, or any of a variety of possible public and private networks. In some instances, network <NUM> may comprise direct hard-wire communication, or any form of short- or long-range communication methods, such as infrared (IR) or Bluetooth. Because operating environment <NUM> is intended only to illustrate one example environment, it should not be read as limiting the operating environment to only the illustrated components, but rather, it may include any combination of these or other components.

Delivery platform <NUM> may be any platform that facilitates parcel delivery by a drone, such as drone <NUM>. Some example embodiments of suitable delivery platforms will be further described in this disclosure. Drone <NUM>, while illustrated as a UAV, may be any unmanned system. In a specific embodiment that will be described in more detail, drone <NUM> is a UAV having parcel carrier <NUM>. Containment unit <NUM> is also illustrated within operating environment <NUM>, and may comprise any device for housing or securing a parcel during the delivery process. Specific example embodiments of containment unit <NUM> are described in more detail in this disclosure.

User device <NUM> represents any device that may receive user inputs and communicate information through network <NUM>. One suitable example of user device <NUM> that may be utilized with the present technology is computing device <NUM>, which is described in more detail below with reference to <FIG>. However, more general examples of user device <NUM> may include smartphones, smartwatches, personal computers, tablets, personal digital assistants, or the like. User device <NUM> may be capable of executing a computer application, more commonly referred to as an "app" or a "mobile app. " An app is a computer-readable software code that may be executed by a processor of user device <NUM> and may be stored in storage <NUM>.

In general, storage <NUM> stores computer-usable information, such as data or instructions. One example of storage <NUM> is described in <FIG> with reference to memory <NUM>. Storage <NUM> may store information that is utilized by any of the other components illustrated in operating environment <NUM> or described throughout this disclosure. While storage <NUM> is depicted as a single data store, storage <NUM> may include one or more data stores or may be in a cloud environment. Storage <NUM> may include remote data stores or may be integrated within any of the components in operating environment <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a general overview <NUM> of delivery platform <NUM> in an example use environment. Here, delivery platform <NUM> is fixed to structure <NUM>, which is an example location that may send or receive parcels. Delivery platform <NUM> may be fixed to an area on structure <NUM> so that delivery platform <NUM> is elevated above structure <NUM> or at least above a majority of structure <NUM>. Delivery platform <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as coupled to track system <NUM> that runs along rooftop <NUM>. Other track system locations may be used and are discussed in more detail below. Track system <NUM> may move delivery platform <NUM> from a first position on structure <NUM> to a second position on structure <NUM>. The first position may be higher in elevation than the second position, and the first position may be used to facilitate delivery of a parcel <NUM> by UAV <NUM>. The second position may be used to facilitate elevating or lowering a parcel <NUM> to or from delivery platform <NUM> so that it may be retrieved by a person on the ground. Various aspects of these elements will be described in more detail below.

At a high level, however, delivery platform <NUM> solves several problems that have been encountered when delivering parcels using drones. When delivering parcels using UAVs, one problem that is sometimes encountered is a difficult terrain at the delivery location. The delivery location may be surrounded by obstacles such as trees or vehicles, or may be geographically sloped. These issues can make take-offs and landings or near-ground pick ups and releases difficult. Similarly, there are additional safety concerns when delivering parcels using UAVs, particularly when navigating UAVs near the ground. For instance, people, animals, and property may be near the delivery location at the time of the delivery.

To solve these problems, some of the delivery platforms described in the present disclosure, such as delivery platform <NUM>, are elevated above these obstacles and safety concerns. Thus, when UAVs are delivering parcels, many of these obstacles and safety concerns may be avoided. This also has the added benefit of allowing UAV delivery to take place at a greater number of delivery locations. Since there are currently many delivery addresses that may not be able to take advantage of UAV delivery due to the delivery location's structure or its terrain, the delivery platforms described throughout this disclosure provide systems that allow these locations to begin using UAV delivery methods. Additionally, the elevated aspects of the delivery platforms provide enhanced security for people shipping and receiving parcels. Instead of placing a parcel on the ground, such as on a porch, the parcels may be selectively raised to an elevated, more secure position, and they may stay in this position until retrieved by a UAV or a person on the ground.

Turning now to <FIG>, a top view of delivery platform <NUM> is provided. Delivery platform <NUM> is shown in the second position, which is lower in elevation than the first position, shown in <FIG>. In the second position, delivery platform <NUM> may extend over edge <NUM> of rooftop <NUM> so that there is no obstruction below a bottom of delivery platform <NUM> to the ground or release point.

In general, delivery platform <NUM> may comprise delivery surface <NUM>. Delivery surface <NUM> may include elevating surface <NUM>, which may comprise substantially all of delivery surface <NUM> or only a portion of delivery surface <NUM>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, elevating surface <NUM> is shown as comprising a portion of delivery surface <NUM>, while another portion of delivery surface <NUM> includes stationary surface <NUM>. Here, stationary surface <NUM> surrounds elevating surface <NUM>, and elevating surface <NUM> is recessed below stationary surface <NUM>. Additionally, delivery surface <NUM> may be proximate outer rim <NUM>, which may be fixed to outer rim <NUM> and extend upward therefrom.

Delivery platform <NUM> may comprise cover <NUM>. Cover <NUM> may be retractable so as not to obstruct delivery of a parcel by a UAV. As illustrated, cover <NUM> is in a retracted position. Cover <NUM> may be comprised of segments, such as segments 220A and 220B, that stack together when cover <NUM> is in the retracted position. In a covered position, the segments may extend end to end. <FIG> shows an example of cover <NUM> in the covered position having segments 220A and 220B in the end-to-end configuration. In the end-to-end configuration, the segments cover the top of delivery platform <NUM> to protect parcel <NUM> from external conditions, such as weather, while the parcel is on the delivery surface <NUM>. Cover <NUM> may be deployed from the retracted position, such as that shown in <FIG>, to the covered position, such as that shown in <FIG> by rotating about pivot <NUM>. This rotation is illustrated as in <FIG> as directional arrow <NUM>. When cover <NUM> is in the covered position, outer edge <NUM> of cover <NUM> may be positioned outside outer rim <NUM> to limit the amount of external moisture from contacting delivery surface <NUM> or parcel <NUM>.

In another embodiment, which is not illustrated, a cover may comprise a plastic or other waterproof polymer material. This may include one or more sheets of material. The material may be secured at one end to a delivery platform and to a rotatable arm at the other end. The cover material may be deployed by rotating the arm over the top of the delivery platform, thereby covering the platform with the cover material.

Delivery platforms, such as delivery platform <NUM> may include climate controls, for example, controls that regulate the temperature and humidity within delivery platform <NUM>. In such cases, parcels that require particular temperature ranges or moisture conditions can be delivered using UAVs. This is particularly helpful when delivering medicine-allowing medicine to be delivered and held until a person retrieves it, or to be stored for a period of time prior to being picked up by a UAV. To do so, delivery platform <NUM> further comprises a compressor, not shown. The compressor removes heat from within a contained area of delivery platform <NUM>, for example, an area that is formed when cover <NUM> is deployed. Cover <NUM> may comprise insulation that forms an insulated area when deployed. Delivery platform <NUM> may also comprise a dehumidifier, not shown, that removes moisture from within the contained area. Cover <NUM> can further comprise outer edge <NUM>. When cover <NUM> is deployed, outer edge <NUM> secures into a recessed area of outer rim <NUM> to form a seal. In some cases, outer edge <NUM> forms a seal by contacting outer rim <NUM> of cover <NUM>. This is just one example, and others include outer rim <NUM> of cover contacting outer edge <NUM> an inside part of outer edge <NUM>, on an outside part of outer edge <NUM>, or by directly contacting a surface of delivery platform <NUM> when deployed, and can form a seal at each of these locations.

With reference back to <FIG>, delivery platform <NUM> may comprise one or more sensors. For example, some sensors include those illustrated on anemometer <NUM>, wind vane <NUM>, and camera <NUM>. While not illustrated, delivery surface <NUM> may include a scale to determine weight of parcels that are placed on delivery surface <NUM>. Each of these sensors may determine information and communicate this information to a UAV delivering a parcel. Wireless communication may be facilitated by antenna <NUM>, which may be used with any of the communication methods previously discussed, such as Wi-Fi. As an example, anemometer <NUM> may collect wind speed, while wind vane <NUM> may collect wind direction. This may be communicated to a UAV during delivery of a parcel to assist in guiding the UAV so that the parcel may be released or retrieved from the delivery surface <NUM>.

Additionally, delivery platform <NUM> may have an associated waypoint identification. The waypoint identification may guide the UAV to delivery platform <NUM> using a satellite positioning system, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Camera <NUM> may be any type of camera known in the art. It may be positioned to detect the presence of a parcel, such as parcel <NUM>, on delivery surface <NUM>. Camera <NUM> may also be used to determine live images of delivery platform <NUM> that are communicated to a UAV delivering a parcel to guide the UAV during release or retrieval. Camera <NUM> may further be used to detect machine-readable indicia, such as labels, that are on the parcel. Camera <NUM>, or another camera associated with delivery platform <NUM>, may point in an upward direction to collect images as the UAV approaches. These images can provide positioning information to the UAV during the approach by transmitting this back to the UAV. This helps increase accuracy when delivering the parcel.

The various sensors may be utilized to deploy cover <NUM> from the retracted position to the covered position. Looking to <FIG>, as an example, parcel <NUM> may be delivered by UAV <NUM>. As previously described, this may include release of parcel <NUM> at delivery platform <NUM> or pick up of parcel <NUM> at delivery platform <NUM>. When parcel <NUM> is released at delivery platform <NUM>, camera <NUM> may detect that parcel <NUM> is present at delivery surface <NUM>. Based on detecting that parcel <NUM> is present on delivery surface <NUM>, cover <NUM> may be deployed from the retracted position, as shown in <FIG>, to the covered position, as shown in <FIG>. Other methods for detecting the presence of parcel <NUM> on delivery surface <NUM> may be used to determine when to deploy cover <NUM>. For example, an indication that parcel <NUM> has been delivered may be received from a delivery service or UAV <NUM>. Other sensors, such as a scale that determines a force applied to delivery surface <NUM>, may be used in addition to or in lieu of camera <NUM>.

In another example, UAV <NUM> may be approaching delivery platform <NUM> having parcel <NUM>. Delivery platform <NUM> may receive an indication from UAV <NUM> that UAV <NUM> intends to release parcel <NUM> on delivery surface <NUM>. In response to the indication from UAV <NUM>, delivery platform <NUM> may determine whether cover <NUM> is in the retracted position or in the covered position. If cover <NUM> is in the covered position, as in <FIG>, then delivery platform <NUM> may move cover <NUM> from the covered position to the retracted position, shown in <FIG>, by rotating pivot <NUM> in the direction indicated by directional arrow <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the various sensors may be used to determine information about a parcel <NUM>. For instance, the scale associated with delivery surface <NUM> may be used to determine a weight of parcel <NUM>, which may be used to determine the type of UAV needed to retrieve parcel <NUM>, as some delivery UAVs will have a greater payload capacity than others. Further, camera <NUM> may be used to detect an image machine-readable indicia <NUM>, from which delivery information may be determined, such as a delivery address.

Turning now to <FIG>, a bottom view of delivery platform <NUM> when cover <NUM> is in the covered position, is provided. Delivery platform <NUM> comprises delivery surface <NUM>, which includes elevating surface <NUM> and stationary surface <NUM>. Elevating surface <NUM> may be raised and lowered from an elevated position to a lowered position by lift <NUM>. Lift <NUM> may comprise one or more lift cables <NUM>. The lift cables <NUM> may be retracted or extended by lift <NUM> so that elevating surface <NUM> moves upward to the elevated position or downward to the lowered position. <FIG> illustrates elevating surface <NUM> in the elevated position, while <FIG> illustrates elevating surface <NUM> in transition from the elevated position to the lowered position. In some cases, as a parcel is lowered by elevating surface <NUM>, a battery associated with delivery platform <NUM> may be charged by a generator that is turned based on the gravity-assisted lowering of elevating surface <NUM> and the parcel. The energy stored in the battery during the lowering with the parcel may be used to raise the elevating platform to the raised position.

To facilitate raising and lowering elevating surface <NUM>, delivery platform <NUM> may comprise guide cable <NUM> and one or more guide wheels <NUM>. Guide cable <NUM> may comprise guide fastener <NUM>. Guide cable <NUM> may be coupled to the bottom of elevating surface <NUM>, and may be raised and lowered independent of elevating surface <NUM>. Guide cable <NUM> may be extended or retracted in a winch-like fashion. In general, guide cable <NUM> may be used to facilitate raising and lowering of elevating surface <NUM>. With brief reference to <FIG>, which show another example use-case scenario for delivery platform <NUM>, the figures illustrate an example use of guide cable <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates guide cable <NUM> in the retracted position. Guide cable <NUM> may be independently lowered from elevating surface <NUM> to a lowered position near the ground by extending guide cable <NUM>. In some cases, guide cable <NUM> may be fastened to support <NUM> on or near the ground using guide fastener <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. As elevating surface <NUM> is lowered by lift <NUM>, guide cable <NUM> may be retracted to keep tension along guide cable <NUM>. By retracting guide cable <NUM> while lowering elevating surface <NUM>, elevating surface <NUM> is less likely to sway about lift cables <NUM>, reducing the risk of elevating surface <NUM> contacting structure <NUM> and reducing the risk that parcel <NUM> shifts when raising or lowering elevating surface <NUM>. This process may be similar for raising elevating surface <NUM> to its elevated position. For example, as elevating surface is raised by lift <NUM>, guide cable <NUM> may be extended to keep tension on guide cable <NUM> and one or more lift cables, such as lift cable <NUM>.

Guide wheels <NUM> may also serve to facilitate the safe raising and lowering of elevating surface <NUM>. Turning back to <FIG>, guide wheels <NUM> may be fixed to the bottom of elevating surface <NUM>, and they may extend outward and away from elevating surface <NUM> in the direction of structure <NUM>. Guide wheels <NUM> may contact a sidewall of structure <NUM> as elevating surface <NUM> is raised and lowered. This stabilizes elevating surface <NUM> while it is being raised and lowered, making it less likely to sway.

As indicated above, delivery platform <NUM> is only an example of one embodiment of a delivery platform. Another example embodiment of a delivery platform is described with reference to <FIG>. Reference is first made to <FIG>, which provides a top view of delivery platform <NUM>, and to <FIG>, which provides a bottom view of delivery platform <NUM>. Here, delivery platform <NUM> is movably coupled to vertical track system <NUM>, where delivery platform <NUM> and vertical track system <NUM> are together referred to as a "delivery system. " Delivery platform <NUM> may comprise delivery surface <NUM>, which may include elevating surface <NUM> and stationary surface <NUM>. In some cases, delivery platform <NUM> may only comprise elevating surface <NUM>, or it may have only a portion as elevating surface <NUM> and further comprise a portion as stationary surface <NUM>. Stationary surface <NUM> can comprise stationary edge <NUM>. Outer rim <NUM> can extend upward and away from stationary edge <NUM>.

Delivery platform <NUM> may also comprise chamber <NUM>. Chamber <NUM> may include a bottom portion that includes elevating surface <NUM> and top rim <NUM>. Chamber <NUM> may include sidewall <NUM> extending from elevating surface <NUM> to top rim <NUM>. Top rim <NUM> may be horizontally aligned with stationary surface <NUM>. In cases where there is no stationary surface, top rim <NUM> may include an outer edge of delivery surface <NUM>, not illustrated. Sidewall <NUM> may be expandable, such as in an accordion configuration. Put another way, sidewall <NUM> may be able to expand and contract vertically between top rim <NUM> and elevating surface <NUM> as the distance between top rim <NUM> and elevating surface <NUM> increases or decreases. In this way, chamber <NUM> may be a variable volume chamber. In some cases, elevating surface <NUM> may be detached from sidewall <NUM>.

Chamber <NUM> may be utilized to store one or more parcels, such as parcel <NUM> (interchangeably referred to as second parcel <NUM>). Chamber <NUM> may also allow for delivery of multiple parcels. Since chamber <NUM> can store parcels vertically, e.g., one on top of the other, multiple deliveries may be made to delivery platform <NUM>. In this way, delivery platform <NUM> does not have to be made horizontally larger, such as having to make the size of delivery surface <NUM> of delivery platform <NUM> larger to accommodate multiple parcels. This allows for delivery platform <NUM> to be placed at a greater number of delivery locations, including those where a larger delivery platform may be challenging to install. Chamber <NUM> further allows for multiple deliveries by allowing parcels to accumulate prior to retrieving the parcels from the platform, thus possibly reducing the need to retrieve a parcel after each delivery.

To store parcels in chamber <NUM>, a first parcel <NUM> may be delivered to delivery platform <NUM> and placed on elevating surface <NUM>. For example, first parcel <NUM> may be placed on elevating surface <NUM> by a UAV. In response to first parcel <NUM> being placed on elevating surface <NUM>, elevating surface <NUM> may be lowered. Elevating surface <NUM> may be lowered using one or more threaded shafts, such as threaded shaft <NUM>, illustrated as extending below stationary surface <NUM>. As an example, elevating surface <NUM> may include one or more threaded portions in contact with the one or more threaded shafts, such as threaded portion <NUM> is illustrated in contact with threaded shaft <NUM>. Threaded shaft <NUM> may engage a motorized unit, not illustrated, that turns threaded shaft <NUM> in either a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction. In doing so, elevating surface <NUM> may be raised and lowered. In some cases, chamber support arm <NUM> may be affixed to stationary surface <NUM> and extend below elevating surface <NUM> to provide support for elevating surface <NUM>.

Continuing with this example, as elevating surface <NUM> is lowered, the top of first parcel <NUM> is lowered as well. At some point the top of first parcel <NUM> may become horizontally aligned with stationary surface <NUM>, and thus, first parcel <NUM> is stored in chamber <NUM>. When the top of parcel <NUM> is horizontally aligned with stationary surface <NUM>, delivery platform <NUM> may be ready to accept another parcel, such as second parcel <NUM>, for delivery. In this way, parcel <NUM> may be placed on top of first parcel <NUM> and the process repeated. That is, elevating surface <NUM> may be lowered so that second parcel <NUM> is stored in chamber <NUM> until the top of second parcel <NUM> is horizontally aligned with stationary surface <NUM>.

To determine when the top of a parcel, such as first parcel <NUM> or second parcel <NUM>, is horizontally aligned with stationary surface <NUM>, delivery platform <NUM> may comprise emitter <NUM>, such as a laser, and detector <NUM>, such as a photocell. While the present disclosure is described with reference to a laser and a detector, it is contemplated that any combination of an emitter-detector pair can detect an object between the emitter-detector pair may be used. In this example, emitter <NUM> may emit a source of light that may be detected by detector <NUM>. Thus, when a parcel is between emitter <NUM> and detector <NUM>, detector <NUM> will not detect the light. As the parcel is lowered, the top of the parcel may drop below the beam of light emitted from emitter <NUM>, allowing detector <NUM> to detect the light. At that point, delivery platform <NUM> may stop lowering elevating surface <NUM> and the parcel is stored in chamber <NUM>.

Another configuration for lowering and raising elevating surface <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. This configuration may be used in addition to or in lieu of the configuration described in <FIG> that have one or more vertical threaded shafts. In the configuration provided by <FIG>, threaded shaft <NUM> is used in conjunction with scissor system <NUM> to raise and lower elevating surface <NUM>.

Scissor system <NUM> may comprise first elongated member <NUM> and second elongated member <NUM>. First elongated member <NUM> may have a stationary end <NUM> that is affixed to a location on threaded shaft <NUM>. Stationary end <NUM> is affixed to the location on threaded shaft <NUM> such that stationary end <NUM> does not move along threaded shaft <NUM> as threaded shaft <NUM> is rotated. First elongated member <NUM> may also have a first pivot joint end <NUM> that is opposite stationary end <NUM> and is pivotably attached to elevating surface <NUM>. Scissor system <NUM> may further comprise second elongated member <NUM>. Second elongated member <NUM> may have movable end <NUM> that is engaged with threaded shaft <NUM>, such that movable end <NUM> moves along threaded shaft <NUM> when threaded shaft <NUM> is rotated. In this manner, a distance between stationary end <NUM> and movable end <NUM> may be increased or decreased based on the rotation of the threaded shaft <NUM>. Further, second elongated member <NUM> may additionally comprise second pivot joint end <NUM> that is opposite movable end <NUM> and is pivotably attached to elevating surface <NUM>. The distance between stationary end <NUM> and movable end <NUM> may be equal to or greater than a distance between first pivot joint end <NUM> and second pivot joint end <NUM>, and the distance between first pivot joint end <NUM> and second pivot joint end <NUM> may be a fixed distance. In some cases, a portion of scissor system <NUM> may be affixed to chamber support arm <NUM>, and chamber support arm <NUM> may be affixed to stationary surface <NUM>. In this manner, as threaded shaft <NUM> is rotated, such as by using the motorized unit, elevating surface <NUM> is raised or lowered relative to stationary surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more guides may be used to stabilize elevating surface <NUM> as it is raised and lowered. For example, guide <NUM> may be fixed on one end to stationary surface <NUM> and may extend downward and away from stationary surface <NUM>, and elevating surface <NUM> may be movably secured to guide <NUM>.

With reference now to <FIG>, which illustrates example delivery system <NUM>, vertical track system <NUM> may be used to retrieve parcels from delivery platform <NUM> or to place parcels onto delivery platform <NUM> at a ground location. For example, delivery platform <NUM> may be movably secured to vertical track system <NUM>. What is meant by vertical track system is a track system that raises and lowers delivery platform <NUM> from an elevated position, where parcels may be delivered using a UAV, to a lowered position at or near a retrieval area, such as the ground or a containment unit (discussed in more detail below). In the lowered position, parcels may be retrieved or dropped off by a person. Thus, in this embodiment, delivery platform <NUM> may traverse all of or a portion of a vertical height from the elevated position to the lowered position by moving vertically along vertical track system <NUM>. This system may be used in addition to or in lieu of an elevating surface that may be raised and lowered from an elevated position to a lowered position, such as the one described above with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated by <FIG>, and will be further explained below, some embodiments of delivery platform <NUM> can be controlled using computer application <NUM>. For example, raising and lowering delivery platform <NUM>, or an elevating surface as described in some embodiments, may be performed using computer application <NUM> on user device <NUM>, best illustrated in enlarged view <NUM>. User device <NUM> can be any user device having a processor executing computer readable instructions on memory. Computing device <NUM> of <FIG> is a suitable example. Computer application <NUM> may utilize security features of user device <NUM>, such as facial identification, fingerprint identification, passcodes, etc. to verify an identity of a person attempting to retrieve a parcel, or use delivery platform <NUM>, generally. User device <NUM> can receive an input, for example, at input area <NUM> to instruct delivery platform <NUM> to perform a particular action, illustrated in <FIG> as lowering delivery platform <NUM>, which is just one example. Other examples include raising a delivery platform or elevating surface, requesting pick up or delivery of a parcel, deploying a cover, receiving information from sensors associated with a delivery platform, inputting a delivery location for a parcel, and the like. User device <NUM> may communicate to delivery platform or a carrier associated with UAVs delivering to the delivery platform using Wi-Fi or cellular service.

With reference now to <FIG>, in some embodiments, delivery platform <NUM> may comprise an upper cover <NUM> and a lower cover <NUM>. For example, upper cover <NUM> may be deployed to cover the top of delivery platform <NUM>, while lower cover <NUM> may be deployed to cover a bottom part of delivery platform <NUM>. Each may operate in a manner similar to cover <NUM> described in <FIG>. Lower cover <NUM> may provide additional protection to parcels on delivery platform <NUM>. It may also provide additional protection to delivery platform <NUM> itself and vertical track system <NUM> by making delivery platform <NUM> more aerodynamically stable during high wind situations. Like the other components described with reference to delivery platform <NUM> lower cover <NUM> may be used with any of the embodiments of the technology described herein.

In reference now to <FIG>, another embodiment of a delivery platform is provided. Here, delivery platform <NUM> is secured directly to structure <NUM>, and does not use a track system. This embodiment provides additional stability for delivery platform <NUM>, as delivery platform <NUM> comprises one or more arms, such as arm <NUM>, that extend away from delivery platform <NUM> and are mounted directly to structure <NUM> using mount <NUM>. In this example embodiment, delivery platform <NUM> comprises variable volume chamber <NUM> to store multiple parcels. To raise and lower the parcels, delivery platform <NUM> may use an elevating surface having a lift, which are not illustrated.

Another example embodiment of a delivery platform is provided in <FIG>, which illustrates delivery platform <NUM> having securing area <NUM> to facilitate UAV pick up of a parcel. <FIG> illustrate an example series of figures that illustrate a method for securing a parcel to a UAV to facilitate the UAV picking up the parcel. As illustrated, delivery platform <NUM> comprises delivery area <NUM> and securing area <NUM>. Delivery platform <NUM> is illustrated having delivery area <NUM> and securing area <NUM> as separate areas that are separated by theoretical dashed line <NUM>. In some embodiments, it may be difficult to distinguish delivery area <NUM> from securing area <NUM>. In some cases, delivery area <NUM> and securing area <NUM> may comprise the same area. That is, the various components described with respect to each of delivery area <NUM> and securing area <NUM> may be found in other arrangements where sometimes a particular component may be found on delivery area <NUM>, while in other embodiments, it may be located on securing area <NUM>. Although this applies to all components described with respect to these figures, some specific examples are discussed in more detail. In some cases, delivery platform <NUM> may comprise a set of one or more rollers <NUM> that may move a parcel from delivery area <NUM> to securing area <NUM>. Delivery area <NUM> and securing area <NUM> are illustrated as extending to a stationary edge, wherein outer rim <NUM> extends upward and away from the stationary edge.

As noted, delivery platform <NUM> may comprise delivery area <NUM> and securing area <NUM>. Delivery area <NUM> may comprise delivery surface <NUM>. Delivery surface <NUM> may comprise elevating surface <NUM> and stationary surface <NUM>. Like other embodiments previously described, in some cases, elevating surface <NUM> may comprise all of or only a portion of delivery surface <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated as delivery platform <NUM>, delivery area <NUM> comprises chamber <NUM>, which may be a variable volume chamber, such as those previously described. In addition to or in lieu of chamber <NUM>, elevating surface <NUM> may be lowered and raised by a lift system, not illustrated.

Additionally, delivery platform <NUM> is illustrated as having securing area <NUM>. In general, securing area <NUM> may facilitate pick up of a parcel, such as parcel <NUM> shown in <FIG>, by a UAV. Continuing with <FIG>, securing area <NUM> may comprise one or more securing arms, such as securing arms 522A and 522B, described in more detail below. Securing area <NUM> may also comprise one or more sensors 520A and 520B. Sensors 520A and 520B may be embodied as an emitter, such as a laser; as a camera; or any other sensor that may detect the presence or location of an object. As noted above, sensors 520A and 520B are shown associated with securing area <NUM>, however, one or more may also be located in delivery area <NUM>, for example to detect when a top of a parcel is horizontally aligned with elevating surface <NUM> or for detecting machine-readable indicia on the parcel.

To describe how delivery platform <NUM> may facilitate pick up of a parcel, such as parcel <NUM>, reference is now made to <FIG>. In these figures, sensors 520A and 520B have been removed for convenience in describing the technology. In <FIG>, parcel <NUM> is atop elevating surface <NUM>. Parcel <NUM> may arrive at elevating surface <NUM> by methods previously described. For example, elevating surface <NUM> may be lowered to a lowered position at or near the ground. There, a person may have placed parcel <NUM> on elevating surface <NUM>, intending parcel <NUM> to be picked up for delivery by a UAV. Elevating surface <NUM> may be raised to an elevated position, as shown in <FIG>. In another example, delivery platform <NUM> may have been lowered to a lowered position, such as by using a vertical track system, so that parcel <NUM> can be placed on elevating surface <NUM>, or more generally, onto delivery surface <NUM>. In some cases, a combination of these methods, or other methods described herein, may be used.

As shown in <FIG>, parcel <NUM> may be moved from delivery area <NUM> to securing area <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG> as parcel <NUM> moving in the direction of directional arrow <NUM> and crossing dashed line <NUM>, which illustrates the theoretical "boundary" between delivery area <NUM> and securing area <NUM>. To move parcel <NUM> from delivery area <NUM> to securing area <NUM>, delivery platform <NUM> may include a set of rollers <NUM> that traverse from delivery area <NUM> to securing area <NUM>. Rollers <NUM> may be multidirectional rollers, meaning that rollers <NUM> may be able to rotate in any direction. Rollers <NUM> may be independently movable, such as one roller rolling in one direction, while another roller rolls in another direction, while yet another roller does not move. In this way, the orientation of parcel <NUM> may also be adjusted by rollers <NUM>, as illustrated by directional arrow <NUM>. As such, parcel <NUM> may be maneuvered by rollers <NUM> to orient parcel <NUM> to a position where a UAV may pick up parcel <NUM>.

An example of UAV <NUM> descending onto delivery platform <NUM> to pick up parcel <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. Here, parcel <NUM> has been oriented so that when UAV <NUM> descends on parcel <NUM>, at least a portion of parcel carrier <NUM> is placed around parcel <NUM>. Further, parcel carrier <NUM> may be positioned around parcel <NUM> so that at least a portion of parcel carrier <NUM> is between a securing arm pivot area, such as securing arm pivot areas 530A and 530B, and a securing arm crossbar, such as securing arm crossbar 532A and 532B. Examples of parcel carriers that may be suitable for use as parcel carrier <NUM>, and with this technology more generally, are described in<CIT>, which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

While <FIG> illustrates two securing arms, securing arms 522A and 522B, some embodiments of delivery platform <NUM> may comprise only one securing arm, while others may comprise more than two. In this figure, each of securing arms 522A and 522B is illustrated as having the same feature, and thus, reference is made only to 522B when describing securing arm 522B in more detail; however, securing arm 522A may have some of the same features and the discussion is equally applicable, although some components may be hidden from view in <FIG>. Further, while securing arms 522A and 522B are illustrated as part of securing area <NUM>, in other embodiments, securing arms 522A and 522B may be part of delivery area <NUM>, for example, by locating securing arms 522A and 522B on opposing sides of elevating surface <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, securing arm 522B comprises securing arm pivot area 530B, first member 534B, second member 536B, and securing arm crossbar 532B. While not described in detail, second member 534A may comprise features that are described in conjunction with first member 534B. First member 534B may be pivotably secured to securing arm pivot area 530B at a first end 538B of first member 534B. Second member 536B may be pivotably secured to securing arm pivot area 530B at a second end 540B of second member 536B. Thus, first member 534B and second member 536B may pivot from a retracted positon where first member 534B and second member 536B are parallel with securing surface <NUM>, such as in <FIG>, to an engaged position where first member 534B and second member 536B are perpendicular to securing surface <NUM>, such as in <FIG>. However, more generally, in this same manner, first member 534B and second member 536B may be positioned at any angle relative to securing surface <NUM> along an arc created by pivoting each member about pivot area 530B.

Continuing again with <FIG>, securing arm 522B may comprise crossbar 532B. Crossbar 532B may extend from third end 542B of first member 534B, where third end 542B is opposite first end 538B, to fourth end 544B of second member 536B, where fourth end 544B is opposite second end 540B. As described, securing arm 522B may be pivoted from a retracted position to an engaged position, such as by pivoting securing arm 522B in the direction of directional arrow 548B, shown in <FIG>. Keeping with <FIG>, as illustrated, by pivoting securing arm 522B to the engaged position, crossbar 532B may be positioned above both parcel <NUM> and at least a portion of parcel carrier <NUM>. Put another way, at least a portion of parcel carrier <NUM> may be disposed between crossbar 532B and parcel <NUM>. In some cases, crossbar 532B may be positioned above notch <NUM> of parcel carrier <NUM>.

Additionally, securing arm 522B may house strap 552B, shown in <FIG>. For example, strap 552B may be formed of polypropylene or another polymer. In some cases, strap 552B may comprise a metal, such as a wire. Continuing with <FIG>, to secure parcel <NUM> to parcel carrier <NUM>, strap 552B may be tightened to apply until strap 552B wraps around parcel <NUM> and parcel carrier <NUM>. Strap 552B may be disposed within notch <NUM> so that strap 552B does not slip along a portion of parcel carrier <NUM>. After securing parcel <NUM> to parcel carrier <NUM> with one or more straps, such as strap 552B, securing arm 522B may be moved to the retracted position by pivoting securing arm 522B in the direction of directional arrow 554B. Strap 552B may be cut to form two cut ends. The two cut ends may be secured together so that strap 552B wraps around parcel <NUM> and parcel carrier <NUM>. As an example, the two cut ends of strap 552B may be secured together at a bottom of parcel <NUM>, so that parcel <NUM> remains secured to parcel carrier <NUM> until strap 552B is cut or loosened. When the securing arms, such as securing arm 522B, are in the retracted position, UAV <NUM> may be free to navigate away from delivery platform <NUM> with parcel <NUM>. As noted above, directional arrow 548A and strap 552A may be analogous to directional arrow 548B and strap 552B, respectively, however, with respect to securing arm 522A.

In an embodiment, crossbar 532B may not be a separate component of securing arm 522B, but may itself be formed of strap 552B. In this embodiment, a portion of strap 552B may extend from third end 542B of first member 534B to fourth end 544B of second member 536B of securing arm 522B. Thus, after strap 552B is tightened around parcel <NUM> and parcel carrier <NUM>, only first member 534B and second member 536B may be moved to the retracted position. Another strap may then be extended from third end 542B to fourth end 544B and the process repeated for pick up of the next parcel.

Turning briefly to <FIG>, parcel <NUM> may be released from parcel carrier <NUM> of UAV <NUM> by disengaging the strap, such as straps 552A and 552B. For instance, while not illustrated, parcel carrier <NUM> may comprise a blade to cut straps 552A and 552B. In some cases, parcel carrier <NUM> may apply tension to straps 552A and 552B to break it. For example, the tension may be applied to a weak area, such as an area where straps 552A and 552B were fastened when securing parcel <NUM> to parcel carrier <NUM>.

Throughout this disclosure, several embodiments of delivery platforms are described. Some embodiments of the delivery platforms have been described having a set of components, while other embodiments have been described having a different set. It will be recognized that not all embodiments of the delivery platform can be described in this disclosure, and therefore, it is intended by the inventors that the various aspects and components described relative to each embodiment of the delivery platforms are interchangeable and can be in any combination with any other embodiment.

Embodiments of the delivery platform may sometimes be used in conjunction with a containment unit that may hold a parcel until it is picked up or retrieved by a person. For instance, the containment unit may be located near the ground so that it is easily accessible. In some cases, the containment unit may be located on a balcony or a window of a multistory building. In some cases, the containment unit may be built into an exterior wall. At a high level, the containment unit may receive a parcel from a delivery platform after a UAV has released the parcel at the delivery platform. This operates to free up space on the platform, while still providing security for the parcel and ease of access when a person retries it. In other cases, the containment unit may be used to hold a parcel that is intended to be picked up by a UAV, and it may hold the parcel until receiving an indication from the delivery platform that a UAV is ready to pick up the parcel. This too helps to free up space on the delivery platform so other parcels may be delivered. Thus, using the containment unit in conjunction with the delivery platform allows for more parcels to be delivered from UAVs.

As will be described in more detail below, embodiments of the containment unit may load and unload parcels from one or more ends of the containment unit. Thus, a containment unit may engage with other forms of unmanned systems. Some examples of which will be further described.

Turning to <FIG>, an example embodiment of containment unit <NUM> is provided. Containment unit <NUM> is shown comprising housing <NUM>. Housing <NUM> may comprise one or more units, such as inner housing unit <NUM> and outer housing unit <NUM>. Housing <NUM> may also comprise floor <NUM>, i.e., "housing floor. " Inner housing unit <NUM> may comprise more than one wall. In a specific example, inner housing unit <NUM> may comprise two sidewalls, i.e., "inner sidewalls. " In another specific example, inner housing unit <NUM> may comprise two sidewalls and a top wall. A first sidewall may extend parallel to a second sidewall and be separated by a distance, each sidewall forming a portion of inner housing unit <NUM>. A first end of the first sidewall and a first end of the second sidewall may be connected by a first end piece <NUM> of inner housing unit <NUM>, while a second end of the first sidewall and a second end of the second sidewall may be connected by a second end piece <NUM> of the inner housing unit <NUM>. In this way, the sidewalls and end pieces <NUM> and <NUM> may form a box-like that is inner housing unit <NUM>. In some cases, inner housing unit <NUM> may comprise a top wall that extends from the top of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Though the top wall is illustrated in the figures having an arc shape, it will be recognized that the top wall, when present, may be any shape. Inner housing unit <NUM> may be open on its bottom side, meaning that at least a portion of the bottom side of inner housing unit <NUM> is not covered by a wall and access to an inside volume space of inner housing unit <NUM> may be made through an open portion.

Outer housing unit <NUM> may comprise a first sidewall and a second sidewall, i.e., "outer sidewalls. " A top wall of outer housing unit <NUM> may connect the top of the first sidewall and the top of the second sidewall. In this way, the sidewalls and the top wall of outer housing unit <NUM> may form a box-like structure having a volume and is open on both ends. In some cases, outer housing unit <NUM> may include floor <NUM>, and floor <NUM> may connect a bottom of the first sidewall and a bottom of a second sidewall of outer housing unit <NUM>. In some embodiments, floor <NUM> may be independent of outer housing unit <NUM>.

Inner housing unit <NUM> may be movable, while outer housing unit <NUM> may be stationary. As an example, inner housing unit <NUM> may be movable using gear <NUM> and gear track <NUM>. In this example, gear track <NUM> may be secured to inner housing unit <NUM>, while gear <NUM> is secured to a stationary portion of containment unit <NUM>. Other mechanisms for moving inner housing unit <NUM> may also be used, such as an actuator system, a motorized threaded shaft, etc. In some cases, inner housing unit <NUM> may move from an extended position to a retracted position. When inner housing unit <NUM> is in the retracted position, outer housing unit <NUM> may cover at least a portion of inner housing unit <NUM>. When inner housing unit <NUM> is in the retracted positon, the first sidewall and the second sidewall of inner housing unit <NUM> may be above at least a portion of floor <NUM>. The retracted position for the inner housing unit <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>.

To move from the retracted position to an extended position, inner housing unit <NUM> may move in a direction indicated by either directional arrow <NUM> or <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates inner housing unit <NUM> in an extended position. Here, inner housing unit <NUM> has moved in the direction of directional arrow <NUM>. In the extended position, at least a portion of the sidewalls of inner housing unit <NUM> is not above floor <NUM>. In the extended position, the open portion at the bottom of inner housing unit <NUM> may extend beyond edge <NUM> of floor <NUM>. In the extended position, at least a portion of inner housing unit <NUM> may extend beyond edge <NUM> of outer housing unit <NUM>, and thus, at least a portion of inner housing unit <NUM> may not be covered by outer housing unit <NUM>.

In embodiments that comprise outer housing unit <NUM>, outer housing unit <NUM> may serve to provide additional protection for parcels stored in containment unit <NUM>. For instance, if there is a parcel stored in containment unit <NUM>, containment unit <NUM> may retrieve another parcel for storage. During retrieval of the second parcel, outer housing unit <NUM> may protect the stored first parcel, while inner housing unit <NUM> is used to facilitate storage of the second parcel in containment unit <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, generally illustrate one example of how containment unit <NUM> may retrieve one or more parcels <NUM> from a delivery platform is provided. Only a portion of a delivery platform is shown. The figures illustrate elevating surface <NUM> and variable volume chamber <NUM> having parcels <NUM>. Initially, the delivery platform may receive a parcel from a UAV. Elevating surface <NUM> may be lowered to a lowered position where elevating surface <NUM> is horizontally aligned with floor <NUM> of containment unit <NUM>. Using chamber <NUM>, the tops of the parcels <NUM> may be lowered so that they are horizontally aligned with or they are below elevating surface <NUM>, which may include the entirety of parcels <NUM> being within chamber <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, inner housing unit <NUM> may be extended from the retracted position to an extended position by moving inner housing unit <NUM> in the direction of directional arrow <NUM>. Because the parcels <NUM> are within chamber <NUM>, inner housing unit <NUM> may be extended over parcels <NUM> and cover all of or a portion of elevating surface <NUM>. As previously noted, at least a portion of the bottom of inner housing unit <NUM> may be opened to allow access to the volume space within inner housing unit <NUM>. By extending inner housing unit <NUM> over the top of parcels <NUM>, parcels <NUM> may have access to the inside of inner housing unit <NUM>.

To insert parcels <NUM> within inner housing unit <NUM>, a surface of chamber <NUM> may be raised, as previously described, in the direction of directional arrow <NUM>. As the surface of chamber <NUM> is raised, so are parcels <NUM>, and parcels <NUM> are inserted into the volume space of inner housing unit <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

To remove parcels <NUM> from elevating surface <NUM> and onto floor <NUM> of containment unit <NUM>, inner housing unit <NUM> may be retracted to the retracted position by moving inner housing unit <NUM> in the direction of directional arrow <NUM>. As inner housing unit <NUM> is retracted into the retracted position, first end piece <NUM> begins to make contact with parcels <NUM>, which applies a force to parcels <NUM> in the direction of directional arrow <NUM>, e.g., from elevating surface <NUM> towards floor <NUM>. Thus, parcels <NUM> may slide from elevating surface <NUM> onto floor <NUM> of containment unit <NUM>. Sliding parcels <NUM> from elevating surface <NUM> onto floor <NUM> may be further facilitated by the horizontal alignment of elevating surface <NUM> and floor <NUM>. An example embodiment of parcels <NUM> stored within containment unit <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, which shows the inner housing unit <NUM> in the retracted position, having moved from the extended position shown in <FIG>.

To load parcels <NUM> onto elevating surface <NUM>, for example to send parcels <NUM> using a UAV delivery method, the process may act in reverse. Particularly, a person may have access to containment unit <NUM> by accessing through second end piece <NUM>, which may open for the person using a key or by receiving a message from a user device to open. Once parcels <NUM> are secured within containment unit <NUM>, inner housing unit <NUM> may move to the extended position. Here, second end piece <NUM> applies a force on parcels <NUM> to move them onto elevating surface <NUM>. The delivery platform may then perform methods that have previously been described to facilitate retrieval of parcels <NUM> by the UAV.

<FIG> illustrate an example use-case environment for a plurality of containment units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and delivery platform <NUM>. In this use-case example, containment units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are associated with a multi-story, multi-occupant dwelling. In such cases, delivery platform <NUM> may be able to deliver parcels from each of containment units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. This may have the benefit of limiting the number of delivery platforms, while still allowing individual people with different delivery addresses to send and receive parcels using UAVs.

<FIG> illustrates delivery platform <NUM> having delivery surface <NUM>. Delivery platform <NUM> is associated with a plurality of containment units. In this example, delivery platform <NUM> is may be usable with first containment unit <NUM>, which is associated with a first delivery address; second containment unit <NUM>, which is associated with a second delivery address; and third containment unit <NUM>, which is associated with a third delivery address. Each of the delivery addresses may be a different address for a respective dwelling unit.

As is shown in <FIG>, UAV <NUM> is approaching delivery platform <NUM> with parcel <NUM> for delivery. Once parcel <NUM> is released onto delivery platform <NUM>, a camera of delivery platform <NUM> may detect and image machine-readable indicia on parcel <NUM>, and the delivery address may be determined based on the machine-readable indicia. Based on determining the delivery address, delivery platform <NUM> may deliver parcel <NUM> to a containment unit associated with the determined delivery address.

In the example illustrated by <FIG>, it is determined that one or more parcels, including parcel <NUM>, are to be delivered to the second delivery address, which is associated with second containment unit <NUM>. Using methods previously described, delivery platform <NUM> may lower elevating surface <NUM> to a lowered position at second containment unit <NUM>, such as in <FIG>, so that parcel <NUM> may be retrieved by second containment unit <NUM>, such as in <FIG>.

In some cases, containment units may interact with unmanned terrestrial vehicles (UTVs). <FIG> illustrates an example use-case environment <NUM> having containment unit <NUM>, UTV <NUM>, and delivery platform <NUM>. While <FIG> illustrates containment unit <NUM>, UTV <NUM>, and an embodiment of delivery platform <NUM>, it is contemplated that any combination of the components described herein may be used.

An embodiment of UTV <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, which provides an example of UTV <NUM> delivering one or more of parcels <NUM> and <NUM> to or from containment unit <NUM>. Parcels <NUM> and <NUM> may be separated by divider <NUM>. In this example, UTV <NUM> comprises storage area <NUM> that may house one or more parcels. UTV <NUM> may further comprise lift <NUM> that raises parcels <NUM> and <NUM>. In some cases, lift <NUM> may comprise a scissor lift. UTV <NUM> may comprise a top portion <NUM> that is movable. An opening to storage area <NUM> may be formed by moving top portion <NUM> to an open position. By opening storage area <NUM> at the top, lift <NUM> may raise or lower parcels through the opening in the top.

<FIG> illustrate dropping off one or more parcels <NUM> at containment unit <NUM> using UTV <NUM>, having outer housing unit <NUM> and inner housing unit <NUM>. In <FIG>, UTV <NUM> may approach containment unit <NUM> with parcels <NUM>. UTV <NUM> has movable top portion <NUM> that may be moved to create top opening <NUM> to storage area <NUM> of UTV <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. After creating top opening <NUM> to storage area <NUM>, containment unit <NUM> may move inner housing unit <NUM> to a position over top opening <NUM>. As in embodiments already described, inner housing unit <NUM> may have an opening on the bottom that allows access to the inside of inner housing unit <NUM>. By positioning at least a portion of inner housing unit <NUM> above top opening <NUM> of the UTV <NUM>, parcels <NUM> may be raised through top opening <NUM> and the bottom opening of inner housing unit <NUM>, such as by lift <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. Similar to methods previously described, inner housing unit <NUM> may move to the retracted position, and in doing so, first end piece <NUM> may pull parcels <NUM> into containment unit <NUM>, the position shown in <FIG>.

Moving now to <FIG>, another embodiment of a containment unit is provided as containment unit <NUM>. Containment unit <NUM> may comprise inner housing unit <NUM> and outer housing unit <NUM>. As described in other embodiments, inner housing unit <NUM> may also comprise first end piece <NUM>, and inner housing unit <NUM> may be movable, for example, by using a first gear and track system <NUM>.

Containment unit <NUM> may further comprise a movable second end piece <NUM>. Movable second end piece <NUM> may be in a first position at the location shown in <FIG>. That is, when movable second end piece <NUM> is in the first position, movable second end piece <NUM> is opposite a delivery end, i.e., the end where the parcel <NUM> is being retrieved from or dropped off. As illustrated in <FIG>, the delivery end is the end of containment unit <NUM> having first end piece <NUM>. Movable second end piece <NUM> may move in a direction indicated by directional arrows <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, movable second end piece <NUM> may move in a direction towards the delivery end, such as toward first end piece <NUM> and may move in a direction away from the delivery end, such as away from first end piece <NUM>. By moving second end piece <NUM> toward or away from the delivery end, second end piece <NUM> may facilitate removing parcel <NUM> from containment unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an example of removing parcel <NUM> from containment unit <NUM> so that parcel <NUM> may be retrieved by an unmanned system. For example, in <FIG>, parcel <NUM> is inside containment unit <NUM>, which includes at least inner housing unit <NUM>. Like other embodiments of containment units, containment unit <NUM> may comprise inner housing unit <NUM> and not comprise outer housing unit <NUM>, although containment unit <NUM> is illustrated as having outer housing unit <NUM>.

To remove parcel <NUM>, inner housing unit <NUM> may move to an extended position, such as that shown in <FIG>. As noted, movable second end piece <NUM> may move in the direction of the delivery end, or first end piece <NUM>, by moving in the direction indicated using directional arrow <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when second end piece <NUM> moves toward the delivery end of containment unit <NUM>, it pushes parcel <NUM> in the direction of the delivery end. When parcel <NUM> moves toward the delivery end, parcel <NUM> may exit a bottom opening of inner housing unit <NUM> that is formed by moving inner housing unit <NUM>.

With reference now to <FIG>, another embodiment of a containment unit, illustrated as containment unit <NUM>, is described. Here, containment unit <NUM> comprises housing <NUM>, which may comprise one or more housing units. Containment unit <NUM> may further comprise chamber area <NUM> and movable floor <NUM>, which may be movable using lift <NUM>. In this embodiment, floor <NUM> may be lowered, which increases the volume of chamber area <NUM>, which allows for the storage of parcels <NUM> within the chamber area <NUM> and below housing <NUM>. Floor <NUM> may also be raised to decrease the volume of chamber area <NUM>, which moves parcels <NUM> in an upward direction toward housing <NUM>. Parcel <NUM> may be moved upward until they are within housing <NUM>. In some cases, parcels <NUM> may be moved into housing <NUM> so that parcels <NUM> may be removed from within housing <NUM> using methods previously described. Parcels <NUM> may be raised or lowered using floor <NUM> so that a top portion of parcels <NUM> is horizontally aligned with elevating surface <NUM> so that another parcel may be received from elevating surface <NUM>, not illustrated.

This disclosure provides several embodiments of containment units. Some embodiments of the containment units have been described having a set of components, while other embodiments have been described having a different set. For example, containment unit <NUM> is described having movable floor <NUM>, while containment unit <NUM> is described having floor <NUM>, which is associated with one or more housing units. It will be recognized, however, that not all embodiments of the containment unit can be described in this disclosure, and therefore, it is intended by the inventors that the various aspects and components described relative to each embodiment of the containment units are interchangeable and can be in any combination with any other embodiment.

With regard to various embodiments described in this disclosure, and with reference to the methods below, aspects of the present technology may take the form of methods; systems; one or more computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that may be executed by one or more processors; or any combination thereof. Example methods are illustrated with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a flow diagram of method <NUM> for delivering a parcel. Method <NUM> includes, at block <NUM>, approaching a delivery platform with a UAV having a parcel. The UAV may communicate to the delivery platform an indication that the UAV is approaching with the parcel for release on the delivery platform. The delivery platform may include any of the embodiments described herein. For example, the delivery platform may include a delivery surface that comprises an elevating surface and a stationary surface, the elevating surface having a lift that lowers the elevating surface from a raised position at a first height at the delivery platform to a lowered position where the parcel may be retrieved. Method <NUM> further includes, at block <NUM>, releasing the parcel onto the delivery platform, for example, releasing the parcel onto the elevating surface of the delivery platform. Subsequent to the release, the elevating surface lowers the parcel to a second height that is less than the first height. In response to releasing the parcel on the delivery platform, method <NUM> further includes, at block <NUM>, navigating the UAV away from the delivery platform.

<FIG> provides example method <NUM> for retrieving a parcel from a delivery platform. At block <NUM>, a UAV having a parcel carrier approaches a delivery platform. The delivery platform may be any type of delivery platform described herein. In an example, the delivery platform comprises a camera to read machine-readable indicia. At block <NUM>, a delivery location for the parcel is received. The delivery location can be received at the UAV from delivery platform. The delivery location is received from the delivery platform based on the delivery platform determining the delivery location from machine-readable indicia on the parcel. The UAV uses the camera to scan the machine-readable indicia to determine the delivery location. At block <NUM>, the UAV is positioned relative to the parcel. The position of the UAV is relative to the parcel based on the parcel carrier, for example, the parcel carrier may require the UAV to be positioned above the parcel carrier. The UAV can be positioned at any point relative to the parcel, such that parcel can be secured to or by the parcel carrier. Based on the position of the UAV, at block <NUM>, the parcel is secured to the parcel carrier. In an aspect, the parcel carrier closes around the parcel to secure the parcel. In another aspect, the delivery platform secures the parcel to the parcel carrier. At block <NUM>, the UAV navigates away from the delivery platform with the parcel. The UAV navigates away based on the delivery location. That is, the UAV may navigate away from delivery platform to the delivery location or to an intermediate location to facilitate delivery of the parcel to the delivery location.

Method <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>. Method <NUM> includes an example method for delivering a parcel. At block <NUM>, method <NUM> includes receiving a parcel from a UAV at a delivery platform. The delivery platform may include any of the embodiments described herein. For example, the delivery platform may include a delivery surface that comprises an elevating surface and a stationary surface, the elevating surface may have a lift that lowers the elevating surface from a raised position at the delivery platform to a lowered position. At block <NUM>, in response to receiving the parcel at the delivery platform, lowering the elevating surface having the parcel from the raised position to the lowered position. The method may include receiving an indication that the parcel has been delivered to the delivery platform. The parcel may be scanned by a camera on the delivery platform to determine a delivery address of the parcel. For example, the camera may image a machine-readable indicia on the parcel that is associated with the delivery information of the parcel. In some cases, the delivery address may be determined by receiving an indication of the delivery address from the UAV. Based on determining the delivery address, the method may include determining that the delivery address is associated with a containment unit of a plurality of containment units. The elevating surface may be lowered to the containment unit associated with the delivery address. At block <NUM>, the elevating surface is aligned with a containment unit. The elevating surface may be lowered to horizontally align a bottom of the parcel with a floor of the containment unit. Based on receiving an indication that the parcel has been retrieved by the containment unit (e.g., the elevating surface no longer detects the parcel's weight), at block <NUM>, the elevating surface may be raised to the raised position.

An example method of retrieving a parcel is provided by method <NUM> with reference to <FIG>. Method <NUM> can be performed using computer-readable media that store executable instructions. Such instructions may be in the form of an app that is executable by a user device, such as a smartphone. At block <NUM>, an indication that a UAV has delivered a parcel to a delivery platform may be received by the user device. In response to receiving the indication, the user device, at block <NUM>, receives an input indicating a retrieval request for the delivered parcel. In response to receiving the retrieval request, at block <NUM>, the user device may communicate instructions to the delivery platform to initiate a retrieval process. The retrieval process may include lowering an elevating surface of the delivery platform having the parcel from an elevated position to a lowered position.

In some cases, the elevating surface of the delivery platform may be lowered to a lowered position where it is retrieved by a containment unit. The user device may receive an indication that the parcel has been retrieved by the containment unit. In some cases, the user device may communicate a retrieval request to the containment unit, where in response to the retrieval request to the containment unit, the containment unit releases the parcel.

Method <NUM> provides an example method for securing a parcel to a UAV at a delivery platform. Method <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>. At block <NUM>, a parcel is positioned at a securing area of a delivery platform. The delivery platform may be any delivery platform described herein. Positioning the parcel at the securing area may include receiving a parcel at an elevating surface of the delivery platform. In such cases, the elevating surface raises the parcel to a delivery surface. Securing area can be separate from, part of, or the same as delivery surface. Positioning the parcel at the securing area may include maneuvering the parcel into a particular position, which may be done using rollers. At block <NUM>, it is determined that that a parcel carrier of a UAV is positioned around a parcel. This can be determined using sensors provided on the delivery platform, such as the camera. At block <NUM>, the parcel is secured to the UAV. The parcel can be secured to the parcel carrier of the UAV. Using one method, the parcel carrier extends a securing arm over the parcel carrier and the parcel. The parcel carrier uses the securing arm to tighten a strap around the parcel carrier and the securing arm. The strap secures the parcel to the securing arm, such the UAV can be navigated away from the delivery platform with the parcel.

Referring back now to <FIG>, an exemplary operating environment for implementing embodiments of the present invention is shown and designated generally as computing device <NUM>. Computing device <NUM> is but one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing device <NUM> be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated.

The invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal data assistant or other handheld device. Generally, program modules including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. refer to code that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including hand-held devices, consumer electronics, general-purpose computers, more specialty computing devices, etc. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network.

With reference to <FIG>, computing device <NUM> includes a bus <NUM> that directly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory <NUM>, one or more processors <NUM>, one or more presentation components <NUM>, input/output ports <NUM>, input/output components <NUM>, and an illustrative power supply <NUM>. Bus <NUM> represents what may be one or more busses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Although the various blocks of <FIG> are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one may consider a presentation component such as a display device to be an I/O component. Also, processors have memory. We recognize that such is the nature of the art, and reiterate that the diagram of <FIG> is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing device that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Distinction is not made between such categories as "workstation," "server," "laptop," "hand-held device," etc., as all are contemplated within the scope of <FIG> and reference to "computing device.

Computing device <NUM> typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computing device <NUM> and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media.

Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device <NUM>. Computer storage media excludes signals per se.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Memory <NUM> includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device <NUM> includes one or more processors that read data from various entities such as memory <NUM> or I/O components <NUM>. Presentation component(s) <NUM> present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc..

I/O ports <NUM> allow computing device <NUM> to be logically coupled to other devices including I/O components <NUM>, some of which may be built in. Illustrative components include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc..

Embodiments described in the paragraphs above may be combined with one or more of the specifically described alternatives. In particular, an embodiment that is claimed may contain a reference, in the alternative, to more than one other embodiment. The embodiment that is claimed may specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed.

The subject matter of embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

Throughout this disclosure, words such as "a" and "an," unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, include the plural as well as the singular. Thus, for example, the constraint of "a feature" is satisfied where one or more features are present. Also, the term "or" includes the conjunctive, the disjunctive, and both (a or b thus includes either a or b, as well as a and b).

Embodiments of the present invention have been described in relation to particular embodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

Claim 1:
A delivery platform (<NUM>) for facilitating delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, the delivery platform comprising: a delivery surface (<NUM>), the delivery surface (<NUM>) comprising a stationary surface (<NUM>) and an elevating surface (<NUM>); a lift cable (<NUM>) extendable from the delivery platform, the lift cable (<NUM>) secured to the elevating surface (<NUM>), wherein extending the lift cable (<NUM>) lowers the elevating surface from an elevated position to a lowered position and retracting the lift cable (<NUM>) raises the elevating surface from the lowered position to the elevated position, further comprising a guide wheel (<NUM>) secured to the elevating surface and extending away from the elevating surface.