PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11383649-B1
Application Number: US-201916549597-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Securable storage compartments

Abstract:
A vehicle includes a vehicle body and storage compartments that are located in the vehicle body. Each of the storage compartments has a cavity and a closure that selectively secures the cavity. A respective authorization input is associated with each of the storage compartments. The closure of each of the storage compartments is operable to unsecure the cavity upon receipt of the respective authorization input.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving a first user request from a first user for access to a first storage compartment that is located in a vehicle, the first storage compartment being in communication with a computer system; 
 receiving first contents in the first storage compartment from the first user; 
 securing the first contents in the first storage compartment; 
 receiving, with the computer system, a second user request from a second user to be transported by the vehicle; and 
 transporting the second user with the vehicle according to the second user request while the first contents remain secured in the first storage compartment, wherein the first storage compartment is not accessible by the second user when being transported by the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a third user request from the first user for access to the first storage compartment; and 
 after the transporting of the second user, unsecuring the first storage compartment in response to the third user request. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising associating a first authorization input with the first storage compartment. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the receiving of the third user request includes receiving the first authorization input. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first user request is additionally for transporting the first user with the vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising transporting the first user according to the first user request. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second user request is additionally for access to a second storage compartment that is located in the vehicle. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 receiving second contents in the second storage compartment from the second user; and 
 securing the second contents in the second storage compartment. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the securing of the second contents occurs while the first contents remain secured in the first storage compartment. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second storage compartment is not accessible by the first user while the second contents are secured therein. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving a third request from a third user to transport the third user with the vehicle; and 
 transporting the third user with the vehicle according to the third request; 
 wherein while the third user is transported by the vehicle, the first contents remain secured in the first storage compartment, the second contents remain secured in the second storage compartment, and the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment are not accessible by the third user while being transported by the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       12. A vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle body; and 
 storage compartments that are coupled to the vehicle body, each of the storage compartments having a cavity, a closure that selectively secures the cavity, and a sensor that assesses whether contents of the cavity is living; 
 wherein the closure is prevented from securing the cavity according to an assessment of the contents of the cavity with the sensor. 
 
     
     
       13. The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the vehicle is prevented from moving according to the assessment of the contents of the cavity by the sensor. 
     
     
       14. The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor is one of a motion detector, or a camera. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is the motion detector, and the assessment of the contents is whether the contents are moving. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein each of the storage compartments further includes a chemical sensor for assessing the contents. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is the camera. 
     
     
       18. A storage system comprising:
 a storage compartment comprising:
 a cavity, 
 a closure for selectively securing the cavity, and 
 a controller for selectively operating the closure in response to an authorization input associated with a first user, 
 
 wherein the storage system determines, while contents are stored in the cavity on behalf of the first user, at least one of an actual or attempted unauthorized access to the cavity by a second user and communicates an alert regarding the unauthorized access to the first user. 
 
     
     
       19. The storage system of  claim 18 , further comprising a sensor for assessing different contents of the cavity, wherein the storage system operates the sensor to assess the contents of the cavity, determines with the sensor whether contents received from the first user are left in the cavity, and communicates an alert to the first user that the contents associated therewith are left in the cavity. 
     
     
       20. The storage system of  claim 18 , wherein the storage system is a component of a vehicle configured to transport different users and, while transporting the second user with the vehicle, the controller determines the unauthorized access to the cavity by the second user and communicates the alert regarding the unauthorized access to the first user. 
     
     
       21. The storage system of  claim 18 , wherein the storage system keeps records of one or more of access to the cavity by different users or the different contents of the cavity. 
     
     
       22. The storage system of  claim 21 , wherein the storage system communicates the records of the access to the cavity to a security checkpoint. 
     
     
       23. The storage system of  claim 21 , wherein the controller keeps the records.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/686,274, filed Aug. 25, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/382,458, filed on Sep. 1, 2016, entitled “Securable Storage Compartments,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to storage devices and, in particular, securable and movable storage devices used with vehicles. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle that includes a vehicle body and storage compartments that are located in the vehicle body. Each of the storage compartments has a cavity and a closure that selectively secures the cavity. A respective authorization input is associated with each of the storage compartments. The closure of each of the storage compartments is operable to unsecure the cavity upon receipt of the respective authorization input. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a cavity, a closure that is operable to secure the cavity and unsecure the cavity in response to an authorization input, and a propulsion mechanism that is connected to the cavity to autonomously move the cavity. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a method that includes receiving a first user request for access to a storage compartment that is located in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is at a first location, and receiving contents in the storage compartment from the first user. The method also includes causing the vehicle to move autonomously from the first location to a second location after receiving the contents, wherein the second location is away from the user. The method also includes receiving a second user request for access to the storage compartment, wherein the user is located at a third location, and causing the vehicle to move autonomously from the second location to the third location after receiving the second user request for access to the storage compartment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a vehicle with storage compartments according to various exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a plurality of a plurality of vehicles having a plurality of storage compartments, which are in communication with a plurality of user devices and a central computer system. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of exemplary hardware that may be used in conjunction with the vehicles and storage compartments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a flowchart of an exemplary method. 
         FIG. 4B  is a flowchart of an alternative method of a substep of the method shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , a vehicle  100  includes one or more secure storage compartments  110  for securely storing possessions of a passenger or other user of the vehicle  100 . The vehicle  100  is used or shared by multiple different people that might otherwise be unassociated with each other, for example, in a ridesharing usage model. By providing the secure storage compartments  110 , possessions may be stored in the vehicle  100  by a first user and remain secure in the vehicle from subsequent users or passengers of the vehicle  100  until the first user later retrieves their possessions from the storage compartment  110 . In various other applications, the storage compartments  110  may also be used or shared by multiple different people independent of any particular vehicle or groups of vehicles, or may be used by or associated with a single person or defined group of people. 
     The vehicle  100  may be a passenger vehicle (e.g., configured to transport the user), a delivery vehicle (e.g., configured to transport possessions of various users), or provide dual functions of passenger and delivery vehicles. The vehicle  100  may by driven (e.g., by a hired driver or owner of the vehicle  100 , or by the passenger) or self-driving (e.g., autonomous). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the storage compartments  110  may be located inside a rear (e.g., trunk) of a body  100   a  of the vehicle  100  (i.e., “a vehicle body”), or may be provided in other locations of the vehicle  100  (e.g., in a passenger compartment, in a front storage compartment, on an external rack of the vehicle  100 , and/or towed behind the vehicle  100 ). The storage compartments  110  may additionally be provided in different sizes or capacities, for example, the storage compartments  110  are larger than first alternative storage compartments  110 ′, which are in turn larger than alternative storage compartments  110 ″. 
     Each storage compartment  110  includes a cavity  111  (e.g., defined by a housing, box, vessel, etc.) and a closure  112  (e.g., hinged or sliding door) that secures the cavity  111 . The closure  112  is selectively lockable (e.g., by including a mechanical and/or magnetic latch) to selectively secure the storage compartment  110  by preventing physical access into the cavity  111 . Alternatively, one closure  112  may be associated with more than one cavity  111 , so as to secure a plurality of cavities  111 . For example, the cavities  111  may be movable relative to the closure  112  (e.g., via a conveyer, turntable, other moving devices of the vehicle  100  or the compartments  110 ), such that only one cavity  111  is accessible via the closure  112  at a given time. 
     Furthermore, each storage compartment  110  may be located in a primary compartment defined by the body  100   a  of the vehicle  100 , such as a passenger compartment, trunk, frunk, etc., which may themselves be further securable (e.g., the passenger compartment is itself securable (e.g., using a conventional vehicle key or key fob associated with the vehicle  100  for accessing and/or operating the vehicle  100 ), and the storage compartment  110  located therein is further securable in the manners described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , m-numbered vehicles  100   1-m  may each include n-numbered storage compartments  110   1-n , which may be in communication with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the central computer system  230  and/or o-numbered user electronic devices  220   1-o . As such, the storage compartments may be operated (e.g., locked/unlocked, secured/unsecured) by user electronic devices  220 . 
     Each vehicle  100  includes one or more controllers  202 , one or more input devices  204 , one or more sensors  206 , and one or more transceivers  208 , which may be physically coupled to the vehicle  100  (e.g., part of an infotainment system) or may be provided by another electronic device associated with the vehicle  100  (e.g., a smartphone of a driver or owner of the vehicle  100 ). The one or more controllers  202  are configured to control or otherwise provide instructions for one or more operations of the vehicle  100 , such as by operating a vehicle-end software program (e.g., for ridesharing, ride-hailing, delivery requesting, etc.). The one or more input devices  204  are configured to receive inputs from the driver or passengers of the vehicle  100  (e.g., via a touch screen to receive touch inputs, a microphone to receive voice commands, a camera to observe gestures, fingerprint scanner, etc.). The one or more sensors  206  are configured to observe or sense other characteristics of the vehicle  100  or its environment (e.g., global positioning or other locating sensors, accelerometers, cameras, etc.). The one or more transceivers  208  are configured to send and/or receive various signals (e.g., wirelessly via cellular, Wi-fi, Bluetooth, near field communication, or other suitable wireless communication method) to/from the storage compartments  110 , user electronic devices  220  (e.g., smartphones or other portable electronic devices), and/or a central computer system  230 . A plurality of vehicles  100  may be considered to cooperatively form a transportation system. 
     Each storage compartment  110  of a plurality of n-numbered storage compartments  110  in a given vehicle  100  includes, in addition to the cavity  111  and the closure  112 , one or more controllers  213 , one or more sensors  216 , and one or more transceivers  218 , which are physically coupled to the storage compartment  110 . The storage compartment  110  may additionally include one or more input devices  214 . The one or more controllers  213  are configured to control one or more operations of the storage compartment  110 , such as by operating the closure  112  to secure or unsecure (e.g., lock/unlock) the cavity  111  according to a software program. The one or more sensors  216  are configured to observe or sense various characteristics of the storage compartment  110  or its environment (e.g., closure status, weight sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors accelerometers, global positioning or other locating sensors, cameras, etc., as discussed in further detail below). The one or more transceivers  218  are configured to send and/or receive various signals, such as to/from the vehicle  100 , to/from the user electronic devices  220 , and/or the central computer system  230 . The one or more input devices  214 , where included, are configured to receive inputs from the user of the storage compartment  110  (e.g., via a touch screen to receive touch inputs, a microphone to receive voice commands, a camera to observe gestures, fingerprint scanner, etc.). A plurality of storage compartments  110  may be considered to cooperatively form a storage system, which may be part of an individual vehicle  100  or the transportation system formed by the plurality of vehicles  100 . 
     Each user electronic device  220  of a plurality of o-numbered user electronic devices  220  includes one or more controllers  222 , one or more input devices  224 , one or more sensors  226 , and one or more transceivers  228 . The one or more controllers  222  are configured to control one or more operations of the user electronic device  220 , such as by operating a user-end software program (e.g., for ridesharing, ride-hailing, delivery requesting, etc.). The one or more input devices  224  are configured to receive inputs from the user of the user electronic device  220  (e.g., via a touch screen to receive touch inputs, a microphone to receive voice commands, a camera to observe gestures, fingerprint scanner, etc.). The one or more sensors  206  are configured to observe or sense other characteristics of the user electronic device  220  (e.g., the geographic location of the user electronic device  220 ). The one or more transceivers  228  are configured to send and/or receive various signals such as to/from the vehicle  100 , the storage compartments  110 , and/or the central computer system  230 . Each user is able to request (e.g., reserve, summon, hail, etc.) one or more of the vehicles  100 , one or more of the storage compartments  110 , or one or more both via the user electronic device  220  of the user (e.g., owned or otherwise associated with the user). In making such a request, the user, may, for example request that the vehicle  100  and/or storage compartment  110  move to a first geographic location (e.g., to pick up the user as a passenger and/or objects of the user to be delivered) and thereafter be moved to a second geographic location (e.g., via a route between the first and second geographic locations). 
     The central computer system  230  is in communication with the vehicle  100 , the storage compartments  110 , and/or the user electronic devices  220 . The central computer system  230  may, for example, operate a back-end software program (e.g., for ridesharing, ride-hailing, delivery requesting, etc.), which works in conjunction with the vehicle-end and the user-software programs to facilitate users requesting the vehicles  100  and/or the storage compartments  110 . The central computer system  230  may also facilitate other functions, such as transactions, geographic tracking, authorizing access, etc. It should be noted that various the various functions described below may be performed in consolidated and/or distributed manners between the vehicles  100 , the storage compartments  110 , the user electronic devices  220 , and/or the central computer system  230 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary hardware configuration that may be used to implement the various systems disclosed herein, including the various controllers  202 ,  213 ,  222  and/or the central computer system  230 . A controller  300  may include or otherwise be in communication with a processor  310 , a memory  320 , a storage device  330 , one or more input devices  340  (e.g., the various sensors and/or transceivers described previously), and one/or more output devices  350  (e.g., transceivers, audio output, and/or displays). The controller  300  may include a bus  360  or a similar device to interconnect the components for communication. The processor  310  is operable to execute computer program instructions and perform operations described by the computer program instructions. As an example, the processor  310  may be a conventional device such as a central processing unit. The memory  320  may be a volatile, high-speed, short-term information storage device such as a random-access memory module. The storage device  330  may be a non-volatile information storage device such as a hard drive or a solid-state drive. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-2 , as referenced above, the closure  112  is selectively controlled (e.g., locked or unlocked) to prevent or provide physical access to the cavity  111  thereof. More particularly, the compartment controller  213  is configured to lock or unlock the closure  112  upon confirmation of authorized access. 
     Authorized access is confirmed by receipt of an authorization input. The authorization input is a unique input, which is changed for each subsequent user and/or each subsequent usage instance of the storage compartment  110 . The authorization input is associated with the storage compartment  110 , such that subsequent operation (e.g., unsecuring) of the storage compartment  110  requires providing the authorization input. The authorization input may, for example, be a user-entered code (e.g., pin code, password, gesture sequence, etc.), a digital key (e.g., passcode, electronic signal, or token communicated to the storage compartment  110  by the portable electronic input device  116 ′), or an identity signature of the user (e.g., a biometric, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, voice recognition, etc.) or a signature associated the user&#39;s electronic device  220  (e.g., by the user being logged in to the user-end software program). 
     Upon subsequently providing the authorization input, the closure  112  is operated (e.g., to lock or unlock). The authorization input may be received directly by the storage compartment  110 , or indirectly via the vehicle  100 , the user electronic device  220 , and/or the central computer system  230  using the various input devices, sensors, and/or transceivers thereof (as described above). It should be noted that a form of the authorization input may change after receipt by the vehicle  100 , the user electronic device  220 , and/or the central computer system  230 , which then provide the authorization input as another authorization signal to the storage compartment  110 . 
     As a result, multiple storage compartments  110  in a single vehicle may be simultaneously used by different users, but are not accessible by each other user. For example, when a first storage compartment is operable (e.g., unsecurable, or unlockable) by a first user electronic device  220  and a second storage compartment is operable by a second user electronic device  220 , the first storage compartment  110  is not also operable by the second user electronic device  220  and the second storage compartment  110  is not also operable by the first user electronic device  220 . Stated differently, the storage compartment  110  is not operable at a given time by two different user electronic devices  220 , which are otherwise unassociated with each other (e.g., not sharing a shared or affiliated accounts or login credentials). 
     The authorization input may be provided actively or received passively. When provided actively, the user takes action to provide the authorization input, such as by entering the authorization code, triggering sending of the digital key, touching a fingerprint sensor, moving into proximity of a camera, and/or providing a voice input. 
     When provided passively, the user takes no dedicated action to provide the authorization input, but rather one or more of the various input devices, sensors, and/or transceivers are configured to automatically send, receive, and/or observe the authorization input. For example, the user electronic device  220  may communicate the digital key or its identity when in proximity to the vehicle  100  and/or the storage compartment  110 . Alternatively, the vehicle  100  and/or the storage compartment  110  may identify the user electronic device  220  being in proximity to the vehicle  100  and/or the storage compartment  110  (e.g., by receiving an identifier broadcast from the user electronic device  220 ). Still further, a camera of the vehicle  100  or the storage compartment  110  may passively observe passengers of the vehicle  100  to identify the user with facial recognition. In these examples, the authorization input may be passively provided and/or observed using the vehicle-end and/or user-end ridesharing or delivery software program. This passive providing of the authorization input may also allow the storage compartment  110  to be operated (e.g., by unlocking the closure  112 ) in advance of the vehicle  100  reaching the user, or otherwise without notice to the user. 
     While authorized access is granted via the authorized input, authorized access may be expanded or restricted in various additional manners. For example, authorized access may be expanded by creating one or more additional authorization inputs (e.g., subservient authorization inputs) that are also associated with the storage compartment  110  for a given user or usage instance. For example, the subservient authorization input may be provided to other user devices associated with the user (e.g., having a shared account, affiliated accounts, shared login credentials, such as for a family member), when delivering contents of the storage compartment  110  to another user (e.g., a recipient), or to provide inspection access (e.g., for airport security). Furthermore, access may also be provided by an access override via the central computer system  230  (e.g., if the user is unable to provide the authorization input, or the authorization input is not ultimately receivable or transferrable to the storage compartment  110 ). 
     Authorized access may also be limited in various manners. For example authorized access may be limited by further authorization criteria, such as location (e.g., geo-fencing), time of day, and/or a usage duration (e.g., corresponding to a delivery time and/or location) of the storage compartment  110 . These additional authorization criteria may be determined by the various controllers and/or sensors of the vehicle  100 , the storage compartment, or the user electronic device  220  (e.g., a global positioning system). 
     Further security measures may be utilized to address unauthorized access to the storage compartment or attempts therefor. For example, after unsuccessful attempts to provide the proper authorization input, access may be prevented for a lockout period, until a replacement authorization input is created (e.g., by the central computer system  230 ) and then provided by the user, or until an access override is provided (e.g., upon confirming the identity of and/or authorization for the person attempting to access the storage compartment  110 ). Further, the storage compartment  110  may detect forced, unauthorized access to the storage compartment  110 . An identifying record may be made of the person attempting to access or having forced open the storage compartment  110 , such as by acquiring, storing, and/or sending fingerprint data, a picture, an audio recording of the person, and/or a corresponding alert to the user. 
     The storage compartment  110  may include various additional functionality and related systems or components. As discussed in further detail below, various storage compartments  110  may be removable from the vehicle  100 , move autonomously, provide heating/cooling/insulation, control humidity, assess contents, and/or provide tracking. 
     The storage compartments  110  may be fixed or removable from the vehicle  100 . Storage compartments  110  that are removable and additionally physically securable to the vehicle  100  (e.g., using a selectively operable locking mechanism). Among other advantages, the storage compartments  110  that are removable allow for better time utilization of the vehicle  100  and transfer of the storage compartments  110 , including their contents, independent of the vehicle  100 . For example, the storage compartment  110  may be left by the vehicle  100  at a user-defined location, so as to securely keep or deliver the contents thereof to the user or other recipient at user specified locations. The vehicle  100  is thereafter usable by other users or for other purposes, and the storage compartment  110  may be later picked up by the same vehicle  100  or another vehicle  100 . The storage compartment  110  may be removed by the user, another person, and/or equipment associated with operation of the vehicle  100  (e.g., a driver and/or manually or automatically operated lifting and removal device), another person or equipment associated with a drop off location (e.g., an attendant at a service station and/or manually or automatically operated lifting and removal device), or by the storage compartment  110  itself (e.g., if self-propelled as described below). 
     In another example, the storage compartment  110  may be left temporarily in a secure holding area of an intermediate user destination, such as at a shopping mall. The storage compartment  110 , and its contents, thereby remain in close proximity to the user, while the vehicle  100  is thereafter usable by other users or for other purposes. When requested by the user (e.g., based on a reservation or later request), the storage compartment  110  is then picked up at the holding area and the user is picked up at the user destination by the same vehicle  100  or another vehicle  100 . 
     In a still further example, the vehicle  100  transports and leaves the storage compartment  110 , including the user contents, at a remote location, such as a vehicle service station. The vehicle  100  is thereafter usable by other users or for other purposes. When requested by the user (e.g., based on a reservation or later request), the vehicle  100  or another vehicle  100  picks up and transports the storage compartment  110  to the user at a passenger pickup location or a delivery location. The storage compartment  110  may be picked up or loaded by the user, another person, and/or equipment associated with operation of the vehicle  100  (e.g., a driver and/or manually or automatically operated lifting and removal device), another person or equipment associated with a temporary holding (e.g., an attendant at a service station and/or manually or automatically operated lifting and removal device), or by the storage compartment  110  itself (e.g., if self-propelled as described below). 
     In yet another example, the storage compartments  110 , including those with various auxiliary functions, are stored at a secure repository, such as a vehicle service station. When a storage compartment is requested by the user with certain storage requirements (e.g., capacity such as size/weight, environmental controls such as heating/cooling/humidity, etc.), the appropriate storage compartment is loaded and secured into the vehicle  100  and brought to the user. 
     According to still further embodiments, one or more of the storage compartments  110  are self-propelled and/or move autonomously (e.g., are self-navigating, or are autonomously movable devices). The storage compartments  110  that are self-propelled and/or move autonomously allow the storage compartments  110  to follow the user, move independently of the user to rendezvous with the user at different locations, and/or deliver contents to the user without the user moving to the vehicle  100 . 
     Storage compartments  110 ′″ that are self-propelled may includes a propulsion mechanism. One example of a propulsion mechanism includes, for example, a power supply  115  and a motor  117  for driving wheels  119  of the storage compartments  110 ′″ or for driving other motive components (e.g., legs, tracks, etc.). The storage compartment  110 ′″ receives movement instructions via the input device  214  and/or the transceiver  218 , which are executed by the controller  212  according to software programming. The power supply  115  may, for example, be a battery that is charged by the vehicle  100 , or at a service station or other charging location. The sensors  216  of the storage compartment are additionally configured for directional navigation (e.g., via a global positioning system thereof, and related geographic or building mapping) and for environmental navigation (e.g., cameras, sonar, and other sensors for evaluating the changing conditions, such as moving people or vehicles). Storage compartments  110 ′″ that follow the user may, for example, additionally include sensors  216  for identifying and following a relative location of a beacon (e.g., provided by the user electronic device  220  or dedicated transmitter) of the user. The storage compartment  110 ″″ may move itself to/from the vehicle  100 , for example, to automatically load/unload contents thereof into/out of the vehicle  100 , thereby improving accessibility for those unable (e.g., those physically unable or otherwise occupied) to move objects into/out of the vehicle  100 , or functioning as an automated delivery device. 
     Storage compartments  110  may additionally be configured to provide a conditioned storage environment, for example, by heating, cooling, controlling humidity, and/or thermally insulating contents thereof. The storage compartment  110 ″″ may include a Peltier or other thermoelectric device  150 , or may receive conditioned air from the vehicle  100 , along with appropriate sensors and controls (e.g., a thermostat and/or humidistat) for controlling an internal temperature and/or humidity of the storage compartment  110 . Such storage compartments  110  may additionally include insulation to prevent heat loss or heat gain and/or be sealed to prevent moisture loss or intrusion. Storage compartments  110  having heating, cooling, and/or thermal insulating capabilities may, for example, be used for storing and/or delivering groceries or other thermally sensitive goods. Storage compartments  110  having such environmental condition equipment may be identified to the user via the user-end software program and be specifically requestable by the user. 
     Storage compartments  110  may also be configured to assess contents in various manners for preventing closure of the storage compartment  110 , preventing movement of the vehicle  100 , and/or record keeping (e.g., chain of custody). As noted above, the sensors  216  of the storage compartment  110  may include sensors for detection and/or assessing weight, movement, temperature, chemical composition, and/or appearance of the contents. Weight may be assessed using a load cell or other weight sensor, and the determined weight may be used to determine whether the contents are still present in the cavity  111 , have changed, and/or exceed a weight capability of the storage compartment  110  (e.g., if self-propelled). Movement may be assessed using an accelerometer, camera, or other motion detection device, and detected movement be used to prevent closure of the storage compartment  110  and/or movement of the vehicle  100  if the contents are determined to be a living organism. Temperature may be assessed, for example, using a temperature sensor, and detected temperature may be used to ensure contents (e.g., food) are maintained at an appropriate temperature. Chemical composition may be assessed using various types of chemical sensors, and detected chemistry may be used to prevent closure of the storage compartment  110  and/or movement of the vehicle  100  if the contents are determined to be dangerous (e.g., explosive) and/or nefarious (e.g., illegal drugs). The visual appearance of the contents may be assessed using one or more visual cameras, infrared cameras, and/or X-ray scanners, and the determined appearance may be used to identify the contents or provide an alert as to possible types of contents (e.g., if used for airport security). 
     Records of the contents and/or access to the contents (e.g., opening/closing) may be kept, so as to ensure the contents are maintained without change (e.g., if provided to airport or other security checkpoint), to identify and/or alert the owner of contents inadvertently left in the storage compartment, inventory tracking, etc. 
     The storage compartment  110  may instead or additionally be configured to provide location tracking. In one example, the sensors  216  of the storage compartment  110  include a global or other positioning system to identify its location, while the transceiver  218  sends location information to the user (e.g., via a cellular network) or other recipient. In another example, the storage compartment  110  instead relies on the sensors  206  of the vehicle  100  or the sensors  226  of the user electronic device  220  to determine the current location of the storage compartment  110  to identify the storage compartment  110 , such identity and location being sent to the user electronic device  220  or other recipient and/or tracked by the central computer system  230 . In yet another example, the storage compartment  110  may be identified by another device (e.g., optical scanner, or receiver) at a known location (e.g., a service station), which then sends the identity of the storage compartment  110  and the known location information to the user, other recipient, and/or the central computer system  230 . 
     Instead of or in addition to the storage compartments  110 , the vehicle  100  may instead include one or more accessibility devices  140 , such as a wheelchair, motorized scooter, etc. The user may request the vehicle  100  and/or the accessibility device via the user electronic device  220  operating the user-end software program. The accessibility device may, for example, be a passive device, which is not itself able to communicate with the vehicle  100 , the user electronic device  220 , or the central computer system  230 . Alternatively, the accessibility device may include appropriate electronics (e.g., controllers, input devices, sensors, and/or transceivers) to be reserved and subsequently operated in the manner described above for the storage compartment  110  (e.g., requiring an authorization input to be operated). The accessibility device may also be self-propelled and self-navigating (e.g., autonomous), so as to be deliverable to the user in closer proximity to the user than the vehicle  100  (e.g., along sidewalks and/or inside buildings). 
     Alternative to storage compartments  110  being requestable by the user, the storage compartments  110  may be utilized in other usage or ownership models. For example, the storage compartments  110  and/or the vehicle  100  may be owned by a user, in which case, the storage compartment  110  may incorporate one or more of the various features discussed above (e.g., self-moving, heating/cooling, securable, location tracking, etc.). The storage compartments  110  may also be rented by the user for an extended period of time (e.g., as luggage for a trip) in which case the storage compartments  110  may also incorporate various features discussed above (e.g., self-moving, securable, location tracking, etc.). The storage compartments  110  and/or the vehicle  100  may be used as a delivery service for a vendor, such as a restaurant delivering food to various different customers with separately secured storage compartments  110  in one or more vehicles. 
     The vehicles  100 , the storage compartments  110 , and/or the user electronic devices  220  are used according to various methods for storing and/or transporting users&#39; contents, as well as for transporting passengers, which are implemented using software programs (e.g., the user-end, vehicle-end, and back-end software programs referenced above). As discussed in further detail below, the software programs allow users to request (e.g., reserve, summons, hail, etc.) the vehicle  100  and/or the storage compartment  110  to locations based on passenger requirements (e.g., number of available seats in the vehicle  100 ), and/or storage requirements (e.g., size and/or other auxiliary features of available storage compartments  110 ). 
     According to the method shown in the flowchart of  FIG. 3 , in a first step S 402 , first instructions are received from a first user for a vehicle and/or storage compartment to be in a first location. The instructions may originate or be sent by the first user (User′) as a request (e.g., reservation, summoning, hailing, etc.) using the user electronic device  220 , and received by the first vehicle  100   1  (e.g., an electronic device of the driver). The instructions may additionally identify a second location and/or routing information to or along which the vehicle  100   1  and/or the first storage compartment  110   1  are to be moved. The second location or routing information may instead be received in subsequent instructions. The instructions may additionally include passenger and/or storage requirements, for example, specifying the number of passengers (if any, or if solely for contents delivery) and specifying the quantity, size, auxiliary requirements, etc. of the requested storage compartments  110 ). 
     For example, the user may submit a request via the user electronic device  220 , the request is broadcast to a plurality of the vehicles  100  via the central computer system  230 , and a first of the vehicles  100   1  accepts the request and, thereby, receives the instructions. Alternatively, the request may be assigned by the central computer system  230  to the first of the vehicles  100   1 . In a still further alternative, the user may view available vehicles  100   1-m  with their passenger and storage capacities, which may be filtered by the user according to location/route, passenger, and storage requirements, and select an available vehicle  100  meeting or nearly meeting such requirements. 
     In a second step S 404 , the first vehicle  100   1  and/or the first storage compartment  110   1  are moved to the first location according to the first instructions. It should be noted that when the user requests only the storage compartment  110  (e.g., requests a delivery), the vehicle  100  by which the storage compartment  110  is moved may be irrelevant to the user. 
     In a third step S 406 , the first storage compartment  110   1  receives first contents of the first user therein, and the storage compartment  110  is secured. For example, the closure  112  is locked. The third step S 406  may occur after the first step S 402  and the second step S 404 . However, the first step S 402  and the second step S 404  may be omitted. For example, the user may already be a passenger of the first vehicle  100   1  containing the storage compartment  110   1 , and then become a user of the first storage compartment  110   1  (e.g., by placing contents therein, and securing the storage compartment  110   1 ). 
     In a fourth step S 408 , a first unique authorization input is associated with the first storage compartment  110   1 . The unique authorization input may, as described, be a user-defined code, an automatically generated token, or an identity (e.g., a biometric of the user, or a signature of the user electronic device  220 ). The authorization input may be created prior to or substantially coincident with the use of the storage compartment  110  (e.g., between submitting the request for and subsequently securing the storage compartment  110 ), but is associated with the storage compartment  110  substantially coincident with the use thereof. By associating the authorization input with the first storage compartment  110   1  coincident with its use, the storage compartment  110   1  may be subsequently unsecured (e.g., opened) providing the authorization input associated therewith, or with a subservient authorization input or an override, as discussed above. 
     In a fifth step S 410 , the first vehicle  100   1  and/or the storage compartment  110   1  are moved to a second location. The first storage compartment  110   1  may be moved by the first vehicle  100   1 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the fifth step S 410  includes moving the storage compartment  110  with another of the vehicles  100   2-m . In a first substep S 410   a  of step S 410 , the first vehicle  100   1  transports the first storage compartment  110   1 , which remains secure, to a temporary storage or holding area, which may be of a user destination or a vehicle service station, as described above. In a second substep S 410   b , instructions are received to transport the storage compartment to the second location (e.g., according to a previously-scheduled reservation or in response to a current request of the user). In a third substep S 410   c , another of the vehicles  100   2-m  picks up the first storage compartment  110   1 , and transports the storage compartment  110   1  to the second location. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4A , in a sixth step S 412 , the authorization input associated with the first storage compartment  110   1  is received, and the storage compartment  110   1  is unsecured in response to receipt of the authorization input. As noted above, the authorization input may be provided by the user to and received by one or more of the various input devices, sensors, and/or transceivers of the vehicle  100 , the storage compartment  110 , and/or the user electronic device  220 . 
     In a seventh step S 414 , steps S 402  to S 412  are repeated for users (Users 2-o ), which may include the first user, of additional storage compartments  110   2-n  of the first vehicle  100   1 . The seventh step S 414  is performed for the additional storage compartments  110  in a manner that does not conflict with steps S 402  to S 412  for the first storage compartment  110   1 . For example, the seventh step S 414  may be performed, while the first storage compartment  110   1  remains secure with contents of the first user therein, but while the first vehicle  100   1  is not actively transporting the first user (User 1 ) as a passenger and/or not missing a timed delivery of the contents of the first storage compartment  110   1 . That is, contents of one user (User′) secured in the first storage compartment  110   1  may remain in the first vehicle  100   1 , while the first vehicle  100   1  is being used by another user (User 2-o ). 
     In an eighth step S 416 , steps S 402  to S 414  are repeated for subsequent users (Users 1-o ), which may include any previous users, of the first storage compartment  110   1  and the additional storage compartments  110   2-n  of the first vehicle  100   1 . Thus, the storage compartments  110   1-n  are reused sequentially by different users (Users 1-o ) having different authorization inputs associated with each storage compartment  110   1-n  for such subsequent uses. The eighth step S 416  is performed in a manner that does not conflict with steps S 402  to S 414  (e.g., by not using storage compartments  110   1-n  that are already secure, not causing conflicting delivery/dropoff/pickup times, etc.). 
     In a ninth step S 418 , steps S 402  to S 416  are repeated for users (Users 1-o ), which may include any previous user, of storage compartments of additional vehicles  100   2-m . Thus, the vehicles  100   1-m , along with their storage compartments  110   1-n , may be reused by subsequent users (Users 1-o ). The ninth step S 418  is performed in a manner that does not conflict with steps S 402  to S 416  (e.g., by not sending vehicles  100  that are already transporting other passengers, not causing conflicting delivery/dropoff/pickup times, etc.).

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190823
Publication Date: 20220712
Grant Date: 20220712
Priority Date: 20160901
Inventors: NORTHCOTT, MALCOLM J.
LAST, MATTHEW E.
ZHOU, Kan
PERNER, DAVID P.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60R7/087", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60P3/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R7/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0092", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R7/087", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R7/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0098", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60P3/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0098", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R7/087", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0092", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R7/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60P3/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 67908916