EXTENDED CARGO TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

System (100), comprising: a vehicle (101) comprising: a body (170) with an opening (155) and a storage compartment (190) attached to the opening (155), a removable cabin (165) that can be attached to the body (170), and a load-moving subsystem (107a) arranged to move a load (150) from the cabin (165) into a position accessible from an exterior area of ​​the vehicle (101); and a computing device (105) comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to receive a request (140) to deliver the cargo (150) stowed in the cabin (165), wherein the request (140) includes a time and place to deliver the cargo (150), to actuate the cargo movement subsystem (107a) on the basis of the request (140) to move the cargo (150) from the cabin (165) to the storage area, and to actuate the cargo movement subsystem (107a) to move the cargo (150) to the cabin (165) if the cargo (150) is not collected within a predetermined period of time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority over, and all advantages of, the provisional US patent application 62 / 312,061 entitled “ENHANCED CARGO TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM”, filed on March 23, 2016, the application of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference into this document. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Delivery vehicles transport cargo to pickup locations within a city. Cargo is typically loaded into the delivery vehicles and delivered based on a predetermined route without input from the recipients. Vehicles can leave cargo behind for recipients to pick up at a later time. A vehicle's planned delivery route can make it difficult to meet specific time requirements and / or location preferences of recipients. Current vehicles lack integrated mechanisms for managing and delivering cargo according to the specific time requirements and / or locations of recipients. Publication US 9,256,852 B1 discloses a package delivery platform that uses an autonomous road vehicle to navigate to a destination based on destination information. The vehicle has a package security subsystem with lockable compartments accessible via compartment access credentials.Further state of the art is known from US 2014 / 0 136 414 A1, US 2015 / 0 006 005 A1 and DE 10 2009 024 195 A1.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved alternative computing device for a cargo transport vehicle. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary cargo transport system that includes at least one vehicle. Fig. Figure 2 is a diagram of an example route for an example vehicle of the system. Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle of the system. Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 4 is an expanded view of the exemplary vehicle from Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 5 is a view of the exemplary vehicle from Fig. 3, which delivers a load to recipients. Fig. Figure 6 is a view of the exemplary vehicle from Fig. 3, which displays information to the occupant regarding one of the items in the cargo. Fig. Figure 7 is a view of the exemplary vehicle from Fig. 3, which delivers the cargo to a locker and an unmanned aerial vehicle. Fig. 8 is an exemplary process to be carried out in the load transport system from Fig. 1. Fig. 9A and Fig. Figure 9B illustrates another exemplary vehicle and a load movement subsystem. Fig. 10A and Fig. Figure 10B illustrates a display on the example vehicle from Fig. 9A-9B, which displays information regarding one of the items in the shipment. Fig. Figure 11 illustrates the exemplary vehicle from Fig. 9A-9B with openings arranged to deliver the cargo. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] A cargo transportation system can include one or more cargo vehicles. A cargo vehicle includes a computing device programmed to receive one or more requests to deliver one or more items of cargo, such as one or more packages, and to specify corresponding times and / or locations, and to determine a route for the vehicle based on the request(s). Cargo recipients send the requests, for example, via a cloud server, specifying a preferred time and location for receiving the expected cargo from the recipient to the vehicle. The computing device actuates vehicle subsystems to move the vehicle to one or more locations according to the corresponding requests and actuates a cargo movement subsystem to move the cargo from the vehicle to the recipients.The vehicle can include a body and a cabin that can be attached to the body for stowing cargo. A first cabin can contain cargo that has been delivered and can be further exchanged for a second cabin with additional cargo, such as packages, for delivery by the vehicle. This allows the vehicle to deliver cargo to locations and times preferred by the recipients. Advantageously, this system can minimize or prevent cargo from being left unattended.

[0005] As used herein, the term "cargo" refers to any physical object that can be transported by a vehicle of transport as disclosed herein. Cargo is often referred to herein as a "package" or "packages", i.e., items that can be sent to a recipient, e.g., a parcel, a box, etc., as is known.

[0006] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 for delivering an item of cargo, e.g., a package, 150. A computing device 105 in the vehicle 101 is programmed to receive collected data 115 regarding various data 115 relating to the vehicle 101 from one or more data collectors 110, e.g., from sensors of the vehicle 101. For example, data from the vehicle 101 may include the location of the vehicle 101, the location of a cargo recipient, etc. Location data may be in a known form, e.g., geocoordinates (latitude and longitude coordinates) obtained via a known navigation system using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Other examples of data 115 may include measurements from systems and components of the vehicle 101, e.g., B. a location of the load in the vehicle 101, a speed of the vehicle 101, a trajectory of the vehicle 101, etc.

[0007] The computing device 105 is generally programmed for communication via a network or communication bus of the vehicle, as is known. Via the network, bus, and / or wired or wireless mechanisms (e.g., a wired or wireless local area network in the vehicle 101), the computing device 105 can transmit messages to various devices in a vehicle 101 and / or receive messages from the various devices, e.g., controllers, actuators, sensors, etc., including data collectors 110. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where the computing device 105 actually comprises several devices, the vehicle network or vehicle bus can be used for communication between devices, which are represented in this disclosure as the computing device 105.Furthermore, the computing device 105 can be programmed to communicate with the network 120, which, as described below, can include various wired and / or wireless networking technologies, e.g., cellular networks, Bluetooth, wired and / or wireless packet networks, etc.

[0008] The data storage device 106 can be of any known type, e.g., hard disk drives, solid-state drives, servers, or any volatile or non-volatile media. The data storage device 106 can store the collected data 115 sent by the data collectors 110.

[0009] The vehicle 101 can include a variety of subsystems 107. The subsystems 107 control components of the vehicle 101, such as a vehicle seat, a mirror, a tilting and / or telescopic steering wheel, etc. The subsystems 107 include, for example, a load-movement subsystem 107a, a drive subsystem, etc. The computing device 105 can actuate the subsystems 107 to control the components of the vehicle 101, for example, to move the vehicle 101 to a stop, to deliver the load 150, to move the load 150 to a receiver, etc.

[0010] The computing device 105 can be programmed to operate some or all of the subsystems 107 with limited or no input from a human operator, i.e., autonomously. Such programming can be referred to as the "virtual operator." The virtual operator includes programming to monitor and / or control one or more subsystems 107, for example, to provide instructions, e.g., via a communication bus of the vehicle 101 and / or to known electronic control units (ECUs), to actuate vehicle components, e.g., actuate brakes, change a steering wheel angle, etc. When the computing device 105 operates a subsystem 107 autonomously, this means that the computing device 105 ignores at least some input from the human operator with respect to the subsystem(s) 107 selected for control by the virtual operator.For example, if the human operator attempts to press an accelerator pedal while the virtual operator is driving the vehicle, the computing device 105 can ignore the human-initiated command to increase the load and accelerate the vehicle 101 according to its programming. Thus, the virtual operator can operate the vehicle 101 to deliver the load without the human operator. Data collectors 110 can include a variety of devices. For example, various controllers in a vehicle can operate as data collectors 110 to provide data 115 over the network or bus of the vehicle 101, such as data 115 regarding vehicle speed, position, system and / or component functionality, etc. Furthermore, other data collectors 110 could include cameras, motion detectors, etc.Data collector 110 to provide data 115 for evaluating the location of a cargo recipient, the location of a cargo item 150 in the vehicle 101, etc.

[0011] The collected data 115 can include a variety of data collected in a vehicle 101. Examples of collected data 115 are provided above, and furthermore, data 115 are generally collected using one or more data collectors 110 and can additionally include data calculated from them in the computing device 105 and / or on the server 125. In general, collected data 115 can include any data captured by the data collectors 110 and / or calculated from such data. For example, the computing device 105 can collect data 115 about a delivered cargo 150 and its recipients and store the data 115 in a recipient profile that is stored in at least one of the data storage devices 106 and the server 125.

[0012] The system 100 may further include a network 120 connected to a server 125 and a data storage device 130. The computer 105 may also be programmed to communicate via a network 120 with one or more remote locations, such as the server 125, where such a remote location may include a data storage device 130. The network 120 represents one or more mechanisms by which a vehicle computer 105 can communicate with a remote server 125. Accordingly, the network 120 may consist of one or more different wired or wireless communication mechanisms, including any desired combination of wired (e.g., cable and fiber optic) and / or wireless (e.g.,Mobile, wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency communication mechanisms and any desired network topology (or topologies if multiple communication mechanisms are used). Example communication networks include wireless communication networks (e.g., using Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, etc.), local area networks (LANs), and / or wide area networks (WANs), including the internet, which provide data communication services.

[0013] The server 125 can be programmed to determine an appropriate action for one or more vehicles 101 and to provide an instruction to the computing device 105 to proceed accordingly. The server 125 can be one or more computer servers, each generally including at least one processor and at least one memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, including instructions for performing various steps and processes described herein. The server 125 can include or be communicatively coupled to a data storage device 130 for storing collected data 115.Server 125 can store a recipient profile that, as described above, contains data 115 relating to a recipient location, prior settings for receiving the cargo 150, locations of lockers or other storage units that the recipient can access, etc. The recipient profile can be accessed by a variety of vehicles 101.

[0014] System 100 can include a user device 135. The user device 135 can be any of a variety of computing devices that include a processor and memory, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant, etc. The user device 135 can use the network 120 to communicate with the computing device 105 and the server 125. For example, the receiver can use the user device 135 to send a request 140 to the computing device 105 to deliver the load.

[0015] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates exemplary requests 140 that form an exemplary route 145. In this example, a multitude of recipients have sent requests 140 for the delivery of a cargo, in this example, packages 150. Each request 140 specifies a location and a time for the recipient to receive an item of the cargo 150. In the example from Fig. 2. The requests 140 specify a time period during which the occupant is available to collect the cargo 150. For example, the recipient can specify a time period from 9:15 to 10:30 in the request 140, a 75-minute window during which the recipient will be present at the location to collect the cargo. The computing device 105 receives the requests 140 and determines a stop 142 for each request.

[0016] A stop 142 is typically defined as any location and time or period of time at which the vehicle 101 is estimated or expected to deliver the load 150 according to a request 140. Thus, a reference to a "requested time" of a stop 142 is to be understood as a time for the stop provided in a delivery request. A reference to an "expected time" or "forecasted time" of a stop 142 is to be understood as an expected time or period of time for the stop 142 once the route 145 has been planned. Based on the times of the stops 142, the computing device can plan the route 145 to move the vehicle 101 to each stop 142; for example, in Fig. Figure 2 shows four stops 142. If, for example, a delivery request for a first location includes a requested delivery time of 9:15 a.m., a time slot starting at 9:15 a.m. is assigned to a first stop 142 at the first location, and a time slot starting at 2:00 p.m. is assigned to a second stop 142 at a location with a requested delivery time of 2:00 p.m. The computing device 105 accordingly determines the route 145 to move the vehicle 101 from the second stop 142 with the requested time of 2:00 p.m. to the first stop 142 with the requested time of 9:15 a.m.

[0017] Thus, for a multitude of stops 142, server 125 determines route 145 that enables vehicle 101 to reach all the locations defined in the stops 142 from those requested by the stops 142. If more than one request 140 specifies times within a time threshold, e.g., 15 minutes, and locations within a distance threshold, e.g., 10 meters, server 125 can determine one stop 142 for the multiple requests 140 and can then communicate the common stop 142—that is, an expected time and place for the delivery of the cargo 150—to the recipients who sent the corresponding requests 140. In this way, requests 140 whose locations and times are close to each other can be combined into a single stop 142. Server 125 determines route 145 using known navigation determination techniques, e.g.,...using data from the Global Positioning System (GPS).

[0018] Based on requirements 140, server 125 can assign cargo items 150 to a route 145, which are to be loaded into one of the vehicles 101; that is, each vehicle 101 can only carry cargo 150 for a specific route 145. Server 125 can determine, based on requirements 140, that a route 145 cannot deliver the cargo 150 required to satisfy all requirements 140. For example, the times specified in requirements 140 might be too close together for vehicle 101 to meet all of them. In another example, requirements 140 might specify more cargo 150 than any one of the vehicles 101 can carry.Server 125 can send a notification to the recipients who sent requests 140, asking them to send another request 140 for a different time and / or location, and can suggest a time and location that would fit within route 145. Alternatively, server 125 can determine more than one route 145 and assign the load 150 from requests 140 to more than one vehicle 101, with each vehicle 101 following one of the routes 145.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary vehicle 101. The vehicle 101 includes a cabin 165 attached to a vehicle body 170. The vehicle 101 may include a first display 160 showing a current route 145 and / or requirements 140 for the delivery of a cargo 150. The vehicle 101 may include a second display 160 showing information specific to a recipient of an item in the cargo 150, and / or such information may be provided on the first display. The displays 160 may show information collected by the user device 135, such as recipient names, locations of stops, times of stops, etc.

[0020] The vehicle 101 includes a cabin 165. The cabin 165 typically provides storage space for cargo items, such as packages 150, and is attached to the vehicle body 170. The cabin 165 may include one or more displays 160 mounted to it, facing an exterior view. The cabin 165 can be removed from the body 170, as shown in Fig. 4 shown, for loading cargo, such as packages 150. The cabin 165 can include a climate control subsystem 107, e.g., a refrigeration subsystem, to control the environment of the cargo 150, e.g., for cargo 150 that may be perishable or otherwise sensitive to environmental conditions, e.g., food, medicine, expensive wine, etc. Specific types of cargo 150 could be loaded in the cabin 165, and the vehicle 101 can be used as a mobile sales station to sell the cargo 150. For example, the vehicle 101 could be a mobile fashion store, a mobile sushi shop, a mobile tool rental station, a mobile organic food store, and / or a coffee shop. Furthermore, the vehicle 101 could transport occupants as an autonomous law enforcement vehicle 101, an accident response vehicle 101, and / or an ambulance.Furthermore, vehicle 101 can be used to transport passengers in a ride-sharing system.

[0021] Vehicle 101 includes the vehicle body 170. The body 170 accommodates one or more vehicle subsystems 107, e.g., a drive subsystem, a steering subsystem, wheels of vehicle 101, etc. In the examples from Fig. 3-7 The body 170 typically accommodates the subsystems 107 for powering and steering the vehicle 101, and the cabin 165 typically accommodates the cargo 150 to be delivered. Thus, by exchanging a first cabin 165 without cargo 150 with a second cabin 165 with cargo 150 on the body 170, cargo 150 can be added to the vehicle 101. This allows the vehicle 101 to use the same body 170 to transport a variety of cabins 165, including cabins 165 equipped, for example, with a climate control subsystem 107. The body 170 can include one or more displays 160.

[0022] The body 170 includes an opening 155, which allows a load-moving subsystem 107a to move the load 150 from the body 170 to a receiver. The body 170 accommodates the load-moving subsystem 107a to move items of the load 150 from the cabin 165 to the opening 155. The opening 155 allows the load-moving subsystem 107a to move the load 150 from the cabin 165 to the receiver outside the vehicle 101. The load-moving subsystem 107a may include a conveyor belt, a robot arm, and / or a movable tray 190, which is / are in a closed, snug position essentially resting against the body 170 in the opening 155. The storage compartment 190 can be operated by the computer 105 to move into an open position essentially perpendicular to the body 170, e.g. extending from the opening 155 (see Fig. 5) The load 150 can be transported in the open position, e.g. by a conveyor belt, a robot arm, etc., to the storage location 190, where the recipient can collect the load 150.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the load-moving subsystem 107a can, for example, include a robot arm and a conveyor belt, wherein the robot arm moves one of the load packages 150 from a stack of loads 150 onto the conveyor belt, which delivers the load 150 to the storage tray 190. The robot arm can include known gripping devices arranged to grasp and release the load 150, e.g., a gripper, tongs, a vacuum delivery device, etc. The robot arm can further have a known configuration including a plurality of connections arranged to move the gripping devices to the load 150, wherein the connections are rotatably connected, e.g., by universal joints, hinges, etc., and can be moved, e.g., by motors, cables, pulleys, etc. The robot arm can, e.g., be mounted on a roof, a wall, a floor, etc.The robot arm may be attached to the body 170; for example, one of the connections may be rotatably attached to the inner roof of the body 170. The rotatably attached connections allow the robot arm to move through the interior of the body 170. The robot arm may further include a known sensor to identify a specific part of the load 150 for movement to the conveyor belt, e.g., a barcode scanner, a quick-response (QR) code scanner, a camera arranged to read a marking on the load 150, etc. Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of the robot arm, which includes the gripper, which contains a pair of arms, and a motor arranged to move the arms of the gripper to grasp and release the sides of the load 150.

[0024] The conveyor belt can include a belt rotatably mounted on at least two pulleys and a motor arranged to rotate one of the pulleys to move the belt. The belt can have a textured surface to secure the load 150 and prevent it from slipping off the tray 190. The conveyor belt can extend from the stack of load 150 to the opening 155 and / or to the tray 190. The conveyor belt can move the load 150 to the tray 190 so that the load receiver can accept it. If the load receiver does not remove the load 150 from the tray 190 within a predetermined time, the conveyor belt can retrieve the load 150 from the tray 190, and the robot arm can move the load 150 from the conveyor belt to the stack of load 150. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a split side view of the exemplary vehicle 101. Here, the cabin 165 is separated from the body 170, for example, to load cargo 150. The vehicle 101 can include support rings 167 that connect the cabin 165 to the body 170. The support rings 167 can provide increased strength to the body 170 and the cabin 165 and can guide the cabin 165 while it is being attached to the body 170. When the vehicle 101 returns from a first route 145 to pick up additional cargo 150, for example, for delivery on a second route 145, the first cabin 165 can be removed from the body 170 and replaced with a second cabin 165 carrying the additional cargo 150 for delivery on the second route 145.Vehicle 101 can then receive instructions from server 125, which include route 145, determined for requirements 140 for the corresponding new load 150.

[0025] The vehicle 101 can include an end plate 172, which is attached to the vehicle body 170. The end plate 172 encloses the vehicle body 170 opposite the cabin 165. The end plate 172 can be removed from the body 170, for example to access the cargo 150 in the cabin 165.

[0026] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates vehicle 101 with recipients picking up a load 150. Here, vehicle 101 includes two openings 155, each providing a package 150. An item of the load, such as a package 150, can be placed on the shelf 190, from which a recipient can pick up the packages 150. The openings 155 can be positioned in different locations, e.g., on opposite sides of the body 170, to allow more than one recipient to pick up packages 150 without obstructing other recipients. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in section 5, a display 160 mounted on a surface of cabin 165 shows the route 145 and the requirements 140, as previously shown in the example from Fig. 3 described.

[0027] Cabin 165 can include a return opening 175. In addition to picking up packages 150, it is possible for recipients to return cargo 150 to vehicle 101.

[0028] For example, the collected package 150 might not be the correct package 150 for this specific recipient. In another example, the recipient might want to send an initial package 150 instead of collecting a second package 150, or in addition to it. The return opening 175 can open from a closed position, essentially flush with cabin 165, to an open position with an angle to cabin 165 of essentially non-zero, to allow the recipient to place the package 150 in cabin 165.

[0029] Fig. Figure 6 illustrates the exemplary vehicle 101 and an example of a display 160. In addition to displaying information about the packages 150, the route 145, etc., the computing device 105 can collect data 115, for example, from an entertainment service, a news service, etc., and display the data 115 to the recipients on the display 160. For example, the computing device 105 can display a stream of a news report on the display 160.

[0030] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates the exemplary vehicle 101 as it makes a load 150 available for acceptance by a recipient. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle 101 can move the load 150 to a storage unit or the like, e.g., a locker 180, for acceptance by a recipient. The locker 180 can have a lockable door that can be opened with a code sent to a user device 135. The load movement subsystem 107, e.g., a conveyor belt and / or robot arm, can move the load 150 from the cabin 165 to the locked locker 180 so that the recipient can collect the load 150 at a later time. The computing device 105 can then send the code to the device 135 to unlock the locker 180. The requirement 140 can specify a particular locker 180 into which the vehicle 101 is to place the load 150.Alternatively, the vehicle 101 can deliver the load 150 to a user device 135 of a locker provider, who can place the load 150 in the locker 180.

[0031] Vehicle 101 can further make a cargo 150 available for collection by means of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 185. Since Vehicle 101 may not be able to reach the location of the recipient of the cargo 150, the UAV 185 can deliver the cargo 150 from Vehicle 101 to the recipient. The UAV 185 can be a known aircraft programmed to operate with substantially no human input. The UAV can move the cargo 150 from the opening 155 to the recipient.

[0032] The computing device 105 can send a notification to the receiver indicating that the UAV 185 has picked up the payload 150 and is moving towards the receiver. Fig. Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary process 200 for delivering a cargo 150. The process 200 begins at a block 205, where the server 125 receives a variety of requests 140 for items to be delivered in a cargo 150. The requests 140 can be sent by receivers to user devices 135. The requests 140 include the identification of the cargo 150 to be delivered, the location to which the cargo 150 is to be delivered, and the time at which the receiver is available to receive the cargo 150. The request 140 may also include an identification of the locker 180 to which the vehicle 101 is to deliver the cargo 150, as described above, or an instruction to activate the UAV 185 to deliver the cargo 150.

[0033] Next, at block 210, server 125 determines a stop 142 for each of the requests 140. As discussed previously, the stops 142 specify locations, based on locations identified in the requests 140, for the corresponding items of cargo 150 to be delivered and the times at which the items of cargo 150 are to be delivered. Also as described previously, server 125 can select a stop 142 for more than one request 140 if the locations identified in the requests 140 are within a distance threshold, e.g., 10 meters, 50 meters, etc., and if the times identified in the requests 140 are within a time threshold, e.g., 15 minutes.

[0034] Next, at block 215, server 125 determines at least one route 145 based on stops 142. Route 145 includes instructions for the computing device 105 to actuate the vehicle subsystems 107 in order to move the vehicle 101 to each stop. Server 125 determines route 145 using route planning techniques, such as those known, to reach each stop location at the time specified in the stop.

[0035] Next, based on route 145, server 125 assigns cargo 150 to one of the cabins 165 at block 220. As previously described, a single vehicle 101 may not be able to transport all of the cargo 150 requested in requirements 140. There may not be enough cargo 150 to fit in cabin 165 for the entire route 145, or vehicle 101 may not be able to deliver all of the cargo 150 at the requested times. Server 125 assigns each of the one or more items of cargo 150 on each of the routes 145 to one of the cabins 165 to deliver each item of cargo 150 according to requirements 140. Server 125 then sends an instruction to load each item of cargo 150 into a specific cabin 165; for example,The server 125 sends the instruction to a user device 135 of a human operator, to a load movement subsystem 107a, etc.

[0036] Next, server 125 sends an instruction to block 225 to load cabin 165 onto body 170. Server 125 can send the instruction to a user device 135 of an operator of vehicle 101 to manually load cabin 165 onto body 170, and / or server 125 can instruct the computer 105 to move body 170 towards cabin 165 in order to load cabin 165 onto body 170, which forms vehicle 101.

[0037] Next, server 125 at block 230 instructs computing device 105 to actuate one or more vehicle subsystems 107, such as a drive, brake, and steering system, to move vehicle 101 to the next stop on route 145. For example, computing device 105 can actuate the drive subsystem 107 to move vehicle 101 toward the next stop 142, and then actuate the brake subsystem 107 to stop vehicle 101 at stop 142.

[0038] Next, the computing device 105 actuates the load movement subsystem 107a at block 235 to make the load 150 available to the receiver. For example, the computing device 105 could actuate a robot arm of the load movement subsystem 107a to move the load 150 from cabin 165 to opening 155 for collection by the receiver. Alternatively or additionally, the computing device 105 can actuate the load movement subsystem 107 as described above to move the load 150 to locker 180 or to the UAV 185.

[0039] Next, the computing device 105 at block 240 determines whether the charge 150 has been picked up. For example, a camera 110 can collect visual data 115 of the opening 155, and the computing device 105 can determine whether the charge 150 has been picked up based on whether the visual data 115 shows that the receiver has picked it up. In another example, if the charge movement subsystem 107 moves the charge 150 to locker 180, the computing device 105 determines that the charge 150 has been picked up when the charge 150 has been moved into locker 180. If the charge 150 has been picked up, process 200 moves to block 250. Otherwise, process 200 moves to block 245.

[0040] At block 245, the computer 105 actuates the load movement system 107a to retrieve the load 150 from opening 155 back into cabin 165. The load 150 may not be retrieved, for example, because a recipient is not present. Since route 145 is typically planned based on the assumption that vehicle 101 will leave the first stop and proceed to the next stop within a certain time after reaching the first stop, the computer 105 can actuate the load movement subsystem 107 to retrieve the load 150 back into cabin 165 after a certain time, rather than delaying vehicle 101 and potentially causing it to reach the next stop 142 on route 145 after a planned time.

[0041] At block 250, the computing device 105 determines whether process 200 should continue. For example, if route 145 has no more stops and / or no more cargo 150 to deliver, the computing device 105 may decide to terminate process 200 until more requests 140 are received. In another example, route 145 may still have remaining stops, so the computing device 105 decides to continue process 200. If the computing device 105 decides to continue, process 200 returns to block 230 to move to the next stop. Otherwise, process 200 terminates.

[0042] Fig. 9A and Fig. Figure 9B illustrates another exemplary vehicle 101, which includes another exemplary load-moving subsystem 107a. The load-moving subsystem 107a consists of Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B includes a rotating carriage 192, which is rotatably mounted on the cabin 165, and a plurality of containers 194 arranged on the rotating carriage. Each of the containers 194 can hold a portion of the load 150. The rotating carriage 192 rotatably holds the containers 194, which allows the containers 194 to hang downwards regardless of the position of the rotating carriage 192. The load-moving subsystem 107a may include a motor (not shown) arranged to rotate the rotating carriage 192. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9A, the containers 194 can each have a door 194a that opens to allow access to the cargo 150 stored therein and is normally closed when the rotating carriage 192 is moving. Furthermore, the rotating carriage 192 comprises Fig. 9A three sections 196, which are carried through the cabin 165, each section 196 containing six sets of containers 194 (as in Fig. 9A), which are essentially arranged around the circumference of a circle. Each section 196 of the rotatable carriage 192 can be independently rotatable to be aligned with one or more of the openings 155, thereby enabling charge receivers to receive the charge 150 from each of the openings 155 independently of the other openings 155. The vehicle 101 can include a different number of openings 155 arranged for a different number of sections of the charge movement subsystem 107a. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9B, the rotating carriage 192 rotates until the container 194, which contains the requested part of the cargo 150, is aligned adjacent to one of the openings 155. The container 194 then opens its corresponding door 194a to allow the cargo recipient access to the cargo 150 stored therein. Fig. Figure 9B shows a section 196 of the rotatable slide 192, which rotates container 194 to two opposite openings 155.

[0043] Fig. 10A and Fig. Figure 10B illustrates an example display 160 on the bodywork 170. Display 160 provides information to the recipients of the load. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 10A, the display 160 can identify an identification code, such as a barcode or QR code, provided by the load receiver to identify the load 150. Upon identifying the load 150, the load movement subsystem 107a can determine the container 194 that has received the load 150, rotate the rotatable carriage 192 so that the container 194 is adjacent to one of the openings 155, and identify the opening 155 on the display 160 for the load receiver. The load receiver then moves to the opening 155 to receive the load 150.

[0044] Fig. Figure 11 illustrates the vehicle 101 in a side view, showing the openings 155. The cabin 165 can include a plurality of openings 155, each opening 155 containing a sliding door that allows the cargo recipient to receive the cargo 150 from the opening 155. The cabin 165 can include a display 160 that identifies the opening 155. For example, the display 160 can be made of Fig. 10A-10B at the end of cabin 165 identify one of the openings 155 so that the cargo receiver can receive the cargo 150. The indicator 160 on the side of cabin 165 can show the identified opening 155 for the cargo 150. The openings 155 can be sized based on the cargo 150 stowed in them; for example, one of the openings 155 can be larger than the other openings 155 to accommodate a larger cargo 150, while the other openings 155 can accommodate a smaller cargo 150.

[0045] In the sense used here, the adjective-modifying adverb "essentially" means that a form, structure, measure, value, calculation, etc., may deviate from a precisely described geometry, distance, measure, value, calculation, etc., due to defects resulting from materials, processing, manufacturing, sensor measurements, calculations, processing time, communication time, etc. Computing devices 105 generally each comprise instructions that can be carried out by one or more computing devices, such as those identified above, and for executing blocks or process steps described above.Computer-executable instructions can be assembled or evaluated by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Perl, HTML, etc., either individually or in combination. Generally, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, for example, from memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes those instructions, thereby carrying out one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data can be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media. A file in the Computing Device 105 is generally a collection of data stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a storage medium, random-access memory, etc.

[0046] A computer-readable medium includes any medium involved in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer. Such a medium can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and so on. Non-volatile media include, for example, image and magnetic disks and other permanent storage media. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which is typically main memory.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium, punched cards, punched tape, any other physical medium with hole patterns, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EEPROM, any other memory chip or any other memory cartridge or any other medium that can be read by a computer.

[0047] Regarding the media, processes, systems, procedures, etc., described herein, it is understood that while the steps of such processes, etc., have been described as occurring in a specific sequence, such processes could be carried out in such a way that the described steps are performed in a different order than the one described here. It is further understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, other steps added, or certain steps described herein omitted. For example, in process 200, one or more of the steps could be omitted, or the steps could be performed in a different order than the one described herein. Fig.8 shown. In other words, the descriptions of systems and / or processes in this document serve to illustrate certain embodiments and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the disclosed subject matter of the invention.

[0048] Accordingly, it is understood that the present disclosure, including the foregoing description, the accompanying figures, and the subsequent claims, is illustrative and non-limiting. Many embodiments and applications, other than the examples provided, will be apparent to the person skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The scope of the invention should not be determined by reference to the foregoing description, but instead by reference to the claims attached herein and / or contained in a non-provisional patent application based thereon, together with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims entitle the holder.It is expected and intended that future developments will occur in the fields of expertise discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. It is understood that the disclosed subject matter can be modified and varied. REFERENCE MARK LIST 100 System 101 vehicles 105 Calculating device 106 data storage devices 107 subsystems / Vehicle subsystems / Climate control subsystem 107a Charge movement subsystem 110 data collectors 115 data 120 network 125 servers 130 data storage devices 135 User device 140 requirement 142 Stop Route 145 150 loads / package 155 Opening 160 display 165 Cabin 167 support rings 170 body 172 End plate 175 Retrieval opening 180 lockers 185 UAV / Aircraft 190 storage 192 sleds 194 containers 194a Door Section 196 200 process

Claims

[1] System (100), comprising: a vehicle (101) comprising: a body (170) with an opening (155) and a storage compartment (190) attached to the opening (155), a removable cabin (165) that can be attached to the body (170), and a load-moving subsystem (107a) arranged to move a load (150) from the cabin (165) into a position accessible from an exterior area of ​​the vehicle (101); and a computing device (105) comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to receive a request (140) to deliver the cargo (150) stowed in the cabin (165), wherein the request (140) includes a time and place to deliver the cargo (150), to actuate the cargo movement subsystem (107a) on the basis of the request (140) to move the cargo (150) from the cabin (165) to the storage area, and to actuate the cargo movement subsystem (107a) to move the cargo (150) to the cabin (165) if the cargo (150) is not collected within a predetermined period of time. [2] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to determine a route (145) based on the request (140) and to assign a load (150) to the cabin (165) based on the route (145). [3] System (100) according to claim 2, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to determine a plurality of routes (145) when receiving a plurality of requests (140). [4] System (100) according to claim 2, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to actuate the vehicle subsystem (107) to move the vehicle (101) along the route (145). [5] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cabin (165) includes a climate control subsystem (107). [6] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to actuate the charge movement subsystem (107a) to move the charge (150) from the cabin (165) to a locker (180). [7] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to instruct an unmanned aerial vehicle (185) to deliver the cargo (150) from the cabin (165) to a cargo receiver. [8] System (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a display (165) arranged on at least one of the cabin (165) and the body (170). [9] Vehicle (101), comprising: a body (170) which includes an opening (155) and a storage compartment (190) which is attached to the opening (155); a removable cabin (165) that can be attached to the body (170); a load movement subsystem (107a) arranged to move the load (150) from the cabin (165) through the opening (155) into a position accessible from an exterior area of ​​the vehicle (101); and a computing device (105) comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to operate at least one vehicle subsystem (107) for moving the vehicle (101) to deliver cargo (150) stowed in the cabin (165) and the cargo movement subsystem (107a) to move the cargo (150) from the cabin (165) to the storage area and to move the cargo (150) from the storage area to the cabin (165) if the cargo (150) is not collected within a predetermined period of time. [10] Vehicle (101) according to claim 9, wherein the cabin (165) includes a climate control subsystem (107). [11] Vehicle (101) according to claim 9, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to actuate the vehicle subsystem (107) to move the vehicle (101) according to a route (145) received from a server (125). [12] Vehicle (101) according to claim 9, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to actuate the load movement subsystem (107a) to move the load (150) from the cabin (165) to a locker (180). [13] Vehicle (101) according to claim 9, wherein the computing device (105) is programmed to instruct an unmanned aerial vehicle (185) to deliver the cargo (150) from the cabin (165) to a cargo receiver. [14] Vehicle (101) according to claim 9, further comprising a display (160) arranged on at least one of the cabin (165) and the body (170). [15] Vehicle (101) according to claim 9, further comprising a removable end plate (172) attached to the body (170) opposite the cabin (165).

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