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.

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: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for crowdsource loaned code with blockchain.

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: 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: A method of drone-drone communications using blockchain includes: determining operational parameters of a first drone; encrypting the operational parameters of the first drone; storing the encrypted operational parameters of the first drone in a block of a blockchain; determining when a second drone is in proximity of the first drone; retrieving the encrypted operational parameters of the first drone from the block of the blockchain; decrypting the encrypted operational parameters of the first drone; retrieving the operational parameters of the first drone based on the decryption; and configuring the second drone with the operational parameters of the first drone.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a flexible cooling blanket including a cooling layer assembly and a heat dissipating layer assembly.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a system for key exchange in a blockchain based system associated with warranty-ownership of physical objects. Embodiments of the key exchange system can include user terminal devices, one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, and a computing system.

Abstract: A method for processing store returns, comprising: selecting, from a data repository, an electronically archived purchase receipt corresponding to an item for return to a retail establishment; identifying the retail establishment for returning the purchased item regardless of whether the item was purchased at the retail establishment; associating at the data repository the purchase receipt and a selected type of tender; and electronically and automatically transferring a refund for the returned item to the selected type of tender.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for retrieving, for an autonomous vehicle which is moving, a navigation path from a memory device in communication with a processor. The system generates a navigation path range based on the navigation path, the navigation path range allowing a threshold distance from the navigation path, and identifying a current location of the autonomous vehicle. The system also determines that the current location of the autonomous vehicle is outside the navigation path range, sends a request to the autonomous vehicle for a list of reasons for the navigation path distinction, and receives (from the autonomous vehicle) the list of reasons for the navigation path distinction. The system compares the list of reasons to a list of acceptable causes for the autonomous vehicle to not be within the navigation path range and determines that an intrusion attempt on the autonomous vehicle is being made.

Abstract: An example method for performing concepts disclosed can include: obtaining a first authentication factor including first biometric data of a user; hashing the first authentication factor to create a first hash; registering the user with a digital credit system using the created first hash; obtaining a second authentication factor including second biometric data of the user; hashing the second authentication factor to create a second hash; comparing the first hash and the second hash; and proceeding the transaction based on the comparison.

Abstract: A package storage system for a kiosk includes a shelf on which packages are stacked. The shelf is configured to be adjustable in a vertical height. The system also includes a sliding guide configured to be movable with respect to the shelf, and a clamp device having two adjustable side arms and slidably attached to the sliding guide. The clamp device is also configured to grip one of the packages by the two adjustable side arms. The system further includes a blade slidably attached to the sliding guide and configured to pull out a package that is stacked immediately beneath the one package griped by the clamp device. The system also includes a labelling device configured to label the packages inside the kiosk, and a receiving tray configured to receive the packages that are delivered to the kiosk. The system further includes a controller to control movement of the clamp device. The controller is further programmed to move the packages based on specified rules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a kiosk station to autonomously accept or decline a package delivery from an autonomous vehicle based on a confidence level is provided. An example system includes the kiosk station configured to: determine its capabilities for accepting the package delivery; convert the capabilities into a binary format; and transmit the binary format to a cloud-based database management unit. The example system also include the autonomous vehicle configured to: generate a deliver task request for the package delivery to be sent to the kiosk station; convert the delivery task request to a binary format; and transmit the binary format to the cloud-based database management unit. The example system further include the cloud-based database management unit configured to: compare the binary format of the kiosk station's capabilities with the binary format of the delivery task request; and generate the confidence level based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for determining autonomous vehicle location using incremental image analysis. An exemplary method can include identifying an expected position of an autonomous vehicle which is moving, and identifying, an actual position of the autonomous vehicle. The identifying of the actual position occurs by obtaining images of the autonomous vehicle's surroundings, initiating an iterative image comparison of those images to previously stored images within a given geographic radius of the autonomous vehicle, and iteratively extending the radius (and the pictures being compared) until a match is found or until the maximum radius is reached.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for intrusion protection on autonomous vehicles. As threats are detected, the nature of the threat is analyzed. A tiered response to the threat is then implemented, with an ultimate implementation including putting the autonomous vehicle in a “turtle” mode, and intermediate implementations including isolation of various subsystems. As the threats are identified and the autonomous vehicle implements the tiered responses, the autonomous vehicle records data regarding the efficiency the responses in diminishing the threat, then modifies the code which forms the autonomous algorithms such that, over time, the autonomous vehicle improves how it recognizes and responds to threats.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for identifying, on an autonomous vehicle which is traveling, a loss of a primary location system, and activating a secondary location system. The secondary location system performs a radio frequency sweep of a geographic area around the autonomous vehicle to identify radio frequency beacons, compares the radio frequency beacons to known ground stations, performs a visual scan of the geographic area to identify visual beacons, each visual beacon having a particular visual frequency, and compares the particular visual frequency of each of the visual beacons to known visual beacons. The secondary location system then identifies a current location of the autonomous vehicle by triangulating the verified radio frequency beacons and the verified visual beacons and the autonomous vehicle generates a route to a stopping location based on the current location produced by the secondary location system.

Abstract: An autonomous system for managing a vehicle storage area includes a control module configured to communicate, via an application program, with an autonomous yard truck. The control module instructs and facilitates the autonomous yard truck to move, dock, and/or store a trailer in the vehicle storage area. The autonomous yard truck includes a cab-less truck having a first end including a first trailer hookup and a second end including a second trailer hookup, a first set of sensors configured to position the autonomous yard truck in the vehicle storage area, a second set of sensors configured to maneuver the trailer, and a third set of sensors configured to prevent the autonomous truck from colliding with an object.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a flexible cooling blanket including a cooling layer assembly and a heat dissipating layer assembly. The cooling layer assembly includes a first set of rigid cooling coils connected to a second set of rigid cooling coils using a first flexible tube. The heat dissipating layer assembly includes a first set of rigid heat dissipating coils and a second set of rigid heat dissipating coils connected with a second flexible tube. The first and second flexible tubes extend across the folding seams of the blanket.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for distributing digital currency among two or more devices. As a device determines that it needs additional digital currency, it sends a request to other devices requesting that those other devices take on a portion of the computing which needs to occur. As devices receive the request, responses to the request are generated and sent back to the requesting device, each response providing an answer as to the ability of each respective device to fulfill the request. The requesting device receives the responses, aggregates and/or analyzes the responses, and determines how to transition information and resources to a new computing configuration based on the responses. These changes would be broadcast to the group through the mesh network, with any computing resource transitions (such as digital currency transmissions) likewise similarly being broadcast to the group.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for distributing computing resources among two or more devices. As a device determines that it needs additional computing resources, it sends a request to other devices requesting that those other devices take on a portion of the computing which needs to occur. As devices receive the request, responses to the request are generated and sent back to the requesting device, each response providing an answer as to the ability of each respective device to fulfill the request. The requesting device receives the responses, aggregates and/or analyzes the responses, and determines how to transition information and resources to a new computing configuration based on the responses. These changes would be broadcast to the group through the mesh network, with any computing resource transitions likewise similarly being broadcast to the group.