Patents by Inventor Brian D. Popp
Brian D. Popp has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11861549Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods are described for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle. Such a method has an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle transitioning to an active power state, uncoupling from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle and then moving to a first deployed airborne position within the delivery vehicle. At a first position, the method has the aerial communication drone establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle, then establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle. The drone then couples the first and second wireless data communication paths it established operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for the devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 11775919Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods are described for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle. Such a method has an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle transitioning to an active power state, uncoupling from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle and then moving to a first deployed airborne position within the delivery vehicle. At a first position, the method has the aerial communication drone establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle, then establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle. The drone then couples the first and second wireless data communication paths it established operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for the devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V., David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20220004980Abstract: Improved systems, apparatus, and methods for enhanced positioning of an airborne relocatable communication hub supporting wireless devices are described. Such a method begins with moving an aerial communication drone operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub to a first deployed airborne position, detecting a first signal broadcast by a first wireless device using a communication hub interface on the drone, and detecting a second signal broadcast by a second wireless device using the communication hub interface. The method has the drone comparing a first connection signal strength for the first signal and a second connection signal strength for the second signal, and repositioning the aerial communication drone to a second deployed airborne position based upon the comparison. Once repositioned at the second deployed airborne position, the method has the drone linking the first and second wireless devices using the communication hub interface on the aerial communication drone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 11107030Abstract: Improved systems, apparatus, and methods for enhanced positioning of an airborne relocatable communication hub supporting wireless devices are described. Such a method begins with moving an aerial communication drone operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub to a first deployed airborne position, detecting a first signal broadcast by a first wireless device using a communication hub interface on the drone, and detecting a second signal broadcast by a second wireless device using the communication hub interface. The method has the drone comparing a first connection signal strength for the first signal and a second connection signal strength for the second signal, and repositioning the aerial communication drone to a second deployed airborne position based upon the comparison. Once repositioned at the second deployed airborne position, the method has the drone linking the first and second wireless devices using the communication hub interface on the aerial communication drone.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 11068836Abstract: A drone-based monitored storage system includes a shipment storage with an interior storage area and a drone storage area, an internal docking station, and an internal monitor drone disposed within the shipment storage that aerially monitors the items being shipped within the interior storage area. The monitor drone includes an airframe, battery, onboard controller, lifting engines and lifting rotors responsive to flight control input, communication interface, sensor array that gathers sensory information as the drone moves within the interior shipment storage area of the shipment storage, and a drone capture interface that can selectively mate to the internal docking station to hold the monitor drone in a secure position. The monitor drone can gather the sensory information (such as environment information, image information, multidimensional mapping information, and scanned symbol information) and autonomously detect conditions of items being shipped based upon the sensory information from the sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 11042831Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods for conducting a modified inspection of a delivery vehicle are described. A system has a delivery vehicle transceiver and an inspection drone paired to the vehicle that aerially inspects the vehicle. The delivery vehicle transceiver has a user interface and a wireless radio, while the paired inspection drone has a housing, onboard controller, memory storage, lifting engines, and a communication interface. The drone's onboard controller is operative to identify different existing delivery vehicle inspection points from an inspection profile record; receive an inspection update message from the communication interface; update the existing delivery vehicle inspection points with additional inspection points to yield a targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle; and conduct the modified inspection of the delivery vehicle by gathering the detected sensor-based inspection information related to each of the targeted inspection points.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20210142271Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods are described for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle. Such a method has an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle transitioning to an active power state, uncoupling from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle and then moving to a first deployed airborne position within the delivery vehicle. At a first position, the method has the aerial communication drone establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle, then establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle. The drone then couples the first and second wireless data communication paths it established operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20210073727Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods are described for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle. Such a method has an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle transitioning to an active power state, uncoupling from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle and then moving to a first deployed airborne position within the delivery vehicle. At a first position, the method has the aerial communication drone establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle, then establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle. The drone then couples the first and second wireless data communication paths it established operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10878365Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods are described for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle. Such a method has an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle transitioning to an active power state, uncoupling from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle and then moving to a first deployed airborne position within the delivery vehicle. At a first position, the method has the aerial communication drone establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle, then establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle. The drone then couples the first and second wireless data communication paths it established operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for the devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20200258038Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods for conducting a modified inspection of a delivery vehicle are described. A system has a delivery vehicle transceiver and an inspection drone paired to the vehicle that aerially inspects the vehicle. The delivery vehicle transceiver has a user interface and a wireless radio, while the paired inspection drone has a housing, onboard controller, memory storage, lifting engines, and a communication interface. The drone's onboard controller is operative to identify different existing delivery vehicle inspection points from an inspection profile record; receive an inspection update message from the communication interface; update the existing delivery vehicle inspection points with additional inspection points to yield a targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle; and conduct the modified inspection of the delivery vehicle by gathering the detected sensor-based inspection information related to each of the targeted inspection points.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20200258039Abstract: A drone-based monitored storage system includes a shipment storage with an interior storage area and a drone storage area, an internal docking station, and an internal monitor drone disposed within the shipment storage that aerially monitors the items being shipped within the interior storage area. The monitor drone includes an airframe, battery, onboard controller, lifting engines and lifting rotors responsive to flight control input, communication interface, sensor array that gathers sensory information as the drone moves within the interior shipment storage area of the shipment storage, and a drone capture interface that can selectively mate to the internal docking station to hold the monitor drone in a secure position. The monitor drone can gather the sensory information (such as environment information, image information, multidimensional mapping information, and scanned symbol information) and autonomously detect conditions of items being shipped based upon the sensory information from the sensor array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10679172Abstract: An inspection drone exclusively paired to a delivery vehicle identifies targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the vehicle. A sensor on the drone detects inspection information relative to targeted inspection points once the drone has aerially moved proximate to each targeted inspection point. The drone automatically identifies a potential adverse inspection condition for a targeted inspection point based upon the inspection information. The drone responsively transmits an interactive intervention request to a display-enabled transceiver, where the request identifies the potential adverse inspection condition, indicates a need for a verified inspection of that targeted inspection point, and requests feedback regarding that targeted inspection point.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10664791Abstract: A drone-based monitored storage system includes a shipment storage with an interior storage area and a drone storage area, an internal docking station, and an internal monitor drone disposed within the shipment storage that aerially monitors the items being shipped within the interior storage area. The monitor drone includes an airframe, battery, onboard controller, lifting engines and lifting rotors responsive to flight control input, communication interface, sensor array that gathers sensory information as the drone moves within the interior shipment storage area of the shipment storage, and a drone capture interface that can selectively mate to the internal docking station to hold the monitor drone in a secure position. The monitor drone can gather the sensory information (such as environment information, image information, multidimensional mapping information, and scanned symbol information) and autonomously detect conditions of items being shipped based upon the sensory information from the sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10657485Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods for conducting a modified inspection of a delivery vehicle are described. A system has a delivery vehicle transceiver and an inspection drone paired to the vehicle that aerially inspects the vehicle. The delivery vehicle transceiver has a user interface and a wireless radio, while the paired inspection drone has a housing, onboard controller, memory storage, lifting engines, and a communication interface. The drone's onboard controller is operative to identify different existing delivery vehicle inspection points from an inspection profile record; receive an inspection update message from the communication interface; update the existing delivery vehicle inspection points with additional inspection points to yield a targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle; and conduct the modified inspection of the delivery vehicle by gathering the detected sensor-based inspection information related to each of the targeted inspection points.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10482418Abstract: Paired drone-based systems and methods are described that inspect a delivery vehicle. For example, a system may include a docking station within the vehicle and a sensor-enabled inspection drone paired to the vehicle and that aerially inspects targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20180088578Abstract: An inspection drone exclusively paired to a delivery vehicle identifies targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the vehicle. A sensor on the drone detects inspection information relative to targeted inspection points once the drone has aerially moved proximate to each targeted inspection point. The drone automatically identifies a potential adverse inspection condition for a targeted inspection point based upon the inspection information. The drone responsively transmits an interactive intervention request to a display-enabled transceiver, where the request identifies the potential adverse inspection condition, indicates a need for a verified inspection of that targeted inspection point, and requests feedback regarding that targeted inspection point.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20180086455Abstract: Paired drone-based systems and methods are described that inspect a delivery vehicle. For example, a system may include a docking station within the vehicle and a sensor-enabled inspection drone paired to the vehicle and that aerially inspects targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20180089611Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods for conducting a modified inspection of a delivery vehicle are described. A system has a delivery vehicle transceiver and an inspection drone paired to the vehicle that aerially inspects the vehicle. The delivery vehicle transceiver has a user interface and a wireless radio, while the paired inspection drone has a housing, onboard controller, memory storage, lifting engines, and a communication interface. The drone's onboard controller is operative to identify different existing delivery vehicle inspection points from an inspection profile record; receive an inspection update message from the communication interface; update the existing delivery vehicle inspection points with additional inspection points to yield a targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle; and conduct the modified inspection of the delivery vehicle by gathering the detected sensor-based inspection information related to each of the targeted inspection points.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20180089622Abstract: A drone-based monitored storage system includes a shipment storage with an interior storage area and a drone storage area, an internal docking station, and an internal monitor drone disposed within the shipment storage that aerially monitors the items being shipped within the interior storage area. The monitor drone includes an airframe, battery, onboard controller, lifting engines and lifting rotors responsive to flight control input, communication interface, sensor array that gathers sensory information as the drone moves within the interior shipment storage area of the shipment storage, and a drone capture interface that can selectively mate to the internal docking station to hold the monitor drone in a secure position. The monitor drone can gather the sensory information (such as environment information, image information, multidimensional mapping information, and scanned symbol information) and autonomously detect conditions of items being shipped based upon the sensory information from the sensor array.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20180086456Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods are described for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle. Such a method has an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle transitioning to an active power state, uncoupling from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle and then moving to a first deployed airborne position within the delivery vehicle. At a first position, the method has the aerial communication drone establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle, then establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle. The drone then couples the first and second wireless data communication paths it established operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp