Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for autonomous vehicles task management and organization. A system for organizing autonomous product delivery vehicles comprises a locomotion system of a first autonomous vehicle, a communication device, a memory device, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to retrieve one or more vehicle tasks assigned to the first autonomous vehicle from a hash chain database, decrypt the task parameters with a private key of the first autonomous vehicle stored on the memory device, identify a second autonomous vehicle as a transferee of the one or more vehicle tasks based on transfer rules in the task parameters, and update the hash chain database with a new block comprising a hash of preceding data in the hash chain database and the task parameters of the one or more vehicle tasks encrypted with a public key of the second autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages and/or cargo through the use of unmanned delivery vehicle. In some embodiments, a mechanical package release system is provided that comprises: a package release hanger configured to couple with and suspend from an unmanned delivery vehicle; and one or more tension supports each configured to secure with a package and to releasably couple with the package release hanger wherein a decrease of at least a threshold amount of a force being applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports induces a mechanical release of the coupling between the one or more tension supports and the package release hanger resulting in a release of the package from the unmanned delivery vehicle.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages. Some embodiments provide an unmanned delivery system comprising: a rotational drive shaft; a crane motor cooperated with the drive shaft that is rotated by the crane motor; a first crane system with a first cord fixed with the first crane system, wherein the first crane system is configured to cooperate with the drive shaft to control the first crane system in controlling the spooling and retraction of the first cord; a control circuit coupled with the crane motor; and a stop switch electrically coupled with the control circuit and positioned to be contacted by a package release hanger secured with the first cord when the first cord is retracted to a first threshold; wherein the control circuit is configured to stop the crane motor in response to receiving a signal from the stop switch.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to enable package delivery and interaction with customers. Some embodiments comprise unmanned aircraft system (UAS), comprising: a crane system comprising a first spool system and a crane motor, the first spool system comprises a first cord that is extended and retracted; a retractable interface system cooperated with the first cord; a package holder configured to hold a first package to be delivered by the UAS at a delivery location; a control circuit coupled with the crane motor to control the crane motor, and to activate the crane motor to extend the first cord and lower the retractable interface system while the UAS is maintained in flight at least at a threshold height; wherein the retractable interface system comprises an input interface to receive input from a customer at the delivery location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to support the delivery of products. Some embodiments provide a retail delivery locker system comprising: multiple delivery lockers comprising: a housing enclosing an interior product cavity; a door enabling access to the product cavity; first and second docking couplers each configured to securely dock with a docking station and a docking coupler of another locker; and a communication link between the first and second docking couplers; and multiple docking stations each comprising: a locker coupler configured to secure a locker with the docking station; a station control circuit that obtains a first locker identifier from a first locker, confirms the first locker is scheduled to dock with a docking station, and authorize the locking of the docking station with the first docking coupler; and a transceiver enabling the station control circuit to communicate with a remote central control system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to manage a last mile delivery of an unmanned vehicle (UV). In some embodiments, there is provided a system for managing a last mile delivery of a UV including a scout UV configured to perform a dry run delivery to a delivery destination comprising: a differential global positioning satellite (DGPS), an altimeter sensor, a distance sensor, a wind sensor, and a scout control circuit configured to: determine positional location coordinates of the scout UV, determine perimeter coordinates of obstacles along one or more last mile routes, determine a trail of positional location coordinates, provide the trail of positional location coordinates to a delivery UV; and a delivery UV configured to follow the trail of positional location coordinates during an actual delivery of one or more retail products to a delivery destination.

Abstract: A method and system for predictive package delivery. The method and system include loading a product onto a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), launching the UAV and navigating the UAV to a delivery location, communicating to a portable device of a consumer at the delivery location the product loaded into the UAV, preventing interception of the package by a third party, and delivering the product to the consumer after the consumer purchases the product with the portable device. The product is selected based on a prediction of high demand products for the delivery location. The delivery of the product comprises sensing the consumer is in the receiving position and then lowering the product to the consumer.

Abstract: System and methods for managing one or more unmanned aerial vehicles. The system can include an unmanned aerial vehicle, a landing station for the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a loading station for receiving a package and unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle can be configured to: (i) determine a first confidence level for landing on the landing station, (ii) travel, based on the first confidence level, to the landing station, and (iii) determine a second confidence level for delivering the package to a delivery destination. The loading station can be configured to: (i) receive the second confidence level to deliver the package to the delivery destination from the unmanned aerial vehicle, and (ii) confirm, based on the second confidence level, the unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of delivering the package to the delivery destination.

Abstract: A system and method for moving an item using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are described herein. The system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and a mechanism attached to the UAV. The mechanism is configured to grab an item located substantially horizontally vis-à-vis the UAV or to a lateral side of the UAV. The mechanism is configured to maintain a balance of the UAV such that a center of gravity of the UAV including the mechanism is located substantially on a vertical line containing an original center of gravity of the UAV without the mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly for reducing a pendulum effect of a package suspended from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The assembly includes a curved rail having a first rail connection and a second rail connection, the first rail connection and the second rail connection rotationally coupling the curved rail to a body of the UAV. The assembly includes a trolley assembly moveably coupled to the curved rail, the trolley assembly comprising a housing having a first trolley with four wheels and a second trolley with four wheels. The assembly includes a tether coupled to the housing of the trolley assembly, the tether configured to couple to the package. The assembly allows movement of the package in three-axes with respect to the UAV.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for defending an unmanned aerial vehicle from threats on the ground. The UAV may perform distracting or deterring measures to prevent the threat from coming into contact with the UAV such as releasing a package attached to the UAV. In other embodiments, the UAV may release a package or cord connected to the UAV if either has been captured by a threat on the ground so that the UAV may escape unharmed.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles such as UAVs or cars provide network access points. User devices connect to the network access points and network access is monitored. User location data is also monitored. A profile of the user is generated from the gathered data. Advertisements are selected based on a profile of the user and the current location of the user. The autonomous vehicles may be distributed geographically to provide a network access to a geographic area. In response to detecting that a user device is moving out of a coverage area of an autonomous vehicle, nearby autonomous vehicles are identified. If the user device is in the coverage area of a nearby autonomous vehicle, the network connection to the user device is transferred to that vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring inventory of items includes a relatively lower resolution image device configured and arranged to capture a plurality of lower resolution images of a plurality of items on a shelf; and a relatively higher resolution image device configured and arranged to capture one or more higher resolution images of the plurality of items; and a computer system configured to: receive the plurality of lower resolution images; compare the plurality of lower resolution images to detect an image difference, the image difference corresponding to a moved item on the shelf; if an image difference is detected, process the image difference to focus on an area of the shelf where the image difference is detected; receive the one or more higher resolution images of the area of the shelf where the image difference is detected; and determine which item is missing or misplaced on the shelf.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to capture and distribute imaging content. Some embodiments, provide remote inspection systems, comprising: an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) base station control system that wirelessly communicates with an UAS, and comprises: a wireless transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory wherein the control circuit: receives imaging content, captured by a camera of the UAS; establishes a network connection with a content distribution system and activate a distribution session; and communicates the imaging content to the content distribution system that enables multiple remote authorized rendering systems to access the networked content distribution system over the Internet, join the distribution session, and receive over the Internet in real time the imaging content allowing each of the rendering systems to visually play back the imaging content such that a user at each of the multiple rendering systems can watch the imaging content in real time.

Abstract: A delivery tower for receiving a package from an aerial vehicle having a landing pad and a first leg pivotally coupled to a second leg. The first leg and second leg are pivotally coupled to the landing pad. The landing pad is configured to move between a first, folded position and a second, unfolded position. In the second, unfolded position, the delivery tower is configured to receive a package from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A system and a method for protecting a user from potentially falling unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or package or both are described herein. The system includes a base structure; and a roof structure attached to and extending from the base structure. The base structure is configured to support the roof structure. The roof structure is configured to support a weight of the UAV and package. The roof structure is configured to shield or protect a user from potentially falling UAV or package or both when the user is under the roof structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to autonomously determining trustworthiness of a message. In some embodiments, a drone capable of autonomously determining trustworthiness of messages comprises a drone body, a propulsion mechanism, a plurality of sensors, a wireless radio, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive, from the wireless radio, a message, determine a source transmitting the message, determine content of the message, determine, based on the source transmitting the message, the content of the message, and the observational data, contextual information for the message, determine, based on the contextual information for the message, an expectation for the message, and one of: determine, based on the contextual information and the expectation, that the message is trustworthy, and determine, based on the contextual information and the expectation, that the message is not trustworthy.

Abstract: A catch net for receiving a package from an aerial vehicle. The catch net has a net, the net configured to receive the package from the aerial vehicle. The catch net has a structure configured to support the net. The catch net has a module operably coupled to at least one of the net or the structure. The catch net is configured to move between a first position where the catch net is stored and a second position where the catch net is deployed for receiving a package. The catch net is configured to move between the first position and the second position via a signal sent to the module from at least one of the aerial vehicle or a consumer mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing communication of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles. The present invention can include a central server and a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles including a master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicle. The master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicles can communicate with the central server and each other. The master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicle can deliver packages to different locations. In doing so, the master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicle can form a swarm that at least partially share a route for delivery of the packages to their destinations. The master unmanned aerial vehicle can be configured to: (i) receive delivery information for the master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicles, (ii) monitor communication between the swarm, and (iii) determine if the swarms encounters a risk.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing a daisy-chain connection with autonomous remote pilots are provided. An example method can include: under control of a computing device configured with executable instructions: generating a mission instruction for a drone to navigate from an original location to a destination along the flight route; instructing the drone with the mission instruction to navigate to the destination; generating, based on a pre-defined criteria, a first verification code based on the mission instruction; broadcasting the first verification code with the mission instruction to a plurality of remote pilots; selecting a first pilot from the plurality of the remote pilots; verifying the first verification code provided by the first pilot to authorize the first pilot to monitor, control, or backup the drone along the flight route; and generating a second verification code based on the mission instruction.