Air cargo delivery system and related methods

Abstract

The present application discloses a cargo aerial delivery system and related methods for delivering one or more delivery items. A cargo aerial delivery system may include a cargo container configured to carry the delivery item(s) and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to carry the cargo container to a delivery destination of the delivery item. The cargo container may include a programmable device storing manifest information regarding the delivery item(s), and a local communication mode configured to communicate delivery information from the cargo container to the UAV. A method of utilizing the cargo aerial delivery system may include loading the delivery item(s) into a container body of the cargo container, inputting manifest information into the programmable device, operably engaging the cargo container with the UAV, generating a delivery route, transporting the cargo container with the UAV according to the delivery route, and unloading each delivery item at a respective delivery destination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to systems and related methods for the aerial delivery of goods. Background Art

[0002] Due to advancements in autonomous aerial vehicle technology, it has become increasingly practical to autonomously transport and deliver items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, coordinating the delivery of multiple items using multiple UAVs can introduce logistical challenges. For example, in a logistics operation involving multiple UAVs, each UAV is configured to carry one of multiple cargo containers, and the ability to pair a given cargo container with a given UAV may be limited by the UAV's predetermined configuration and / or the need to provide the UAV with delivery instructions corresponding to the cargo container. Considering the variable payloads of the delivery items contained within a given cargo container, this challenge is further complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Disclosed herein are systems and related methods for the aerial delivery of one or more delivery items. A goods aerial delivery system can include a cargo container configured to carry one or more delivery items and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to carry the cargo container to each of one or more delivery destinations corresponding to the delivery items. The cargo container can include a programmable device that stores manifest information regarding each delivery item. The manifest information includes item destination information indicating the delivery destination of each delivery item. The goods aerial delivery system also utilizes a local communication mode configured to communicate delivery information from the cargo container to the UAV, the delivery information being at least partially based on the item destination information.

[0004] A method of delivering one or more delivery items to respective delivery destinations using a goods aerial delivery system can include loading the (one or more) delivery items into a container body of the cargo container and inputting manifest information regarding each delivery item into the programmable device of the cargo container. The method can also include: operably engaging the cargo container with the UAV; generating a delivery route for delivering the (one or more) delivery items to the respective delivery destinations; transporting the cargo container with the UAV according to the delivery route; and unloading each delivery item at the respective delivery destination. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of a goods aerial delivery system according to the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing an example of the use of a goods aerial delivery system according to the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 3is a top - isometric view showing an example of a cargo air - delivery system according to the present disclosure, where a cargo container is located outside an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

[0008] Figure 4 is showing Figure 3 of a cargo air - delivery system in a top - isometric view, where the cargo container is received within the UAV.

[0009] Figure 5 is showing Figures 3 - 4 of a cargo air - delivery system in a bottom - rear - isometric view, where the cargo container is located outside the UAV.

[0010] Figure 6 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of using a cargo air - delivery system according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0011] Figures 1 to 6 There are provided illustrative non - exclusive examples of a cargo air - delivery system 10 for delivering one or more delivery items 20 to respective delivery destinations 22 and / or a cargo container 100 for carrying one or more delivery items 20 according to the present disclosure. In Figures 1 - 6 each of, elements having similar or at least substantially similar purposes are labeled with similar numbers, and each element in Figure 1 – Figure 6 may not be discussed in detail herein. Similarly, not all elements are labeled in Figures 1 - 6 each of, but for consistency, the associated reference numerals may be used herein. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, elements, components, and / or features discussed herein with reference to one or more of Figures 1 - 6 may be included in and / or used with any one of Figures 1 - 6 . Generally, in the drawings, elements that may be included in a given example are shown in solid lines, while elements that are optional for a given example are shown in dashed lines. However, elements shown in solid lines are not required for all examples of the present disclosure, and elements shown in solid lines may be omitted from a given example without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 An example of a cargo air - delivery system 10 and a cargo container 100 according to the present disclosure is schematically shown. As Figure 1As schematically shown, the cargo air delivery system 10 includes a cargo container 100 configured to carry one or more delivery items 20 and a vehicle 200 configured to carry the cargo container 100 to each of one or more delivery destinations 22 corresponding to the (one or more) delivery items 20. Each delivery item 20 is associated with a corresponding delivery destination 22 such that the cargo container 100 and / or the cargo air delivery system 10 is configured to transport each delivery item 20 to the corresponding delivery destination 22. The cargo air delivery system 10 is configured to receive information regarding the delivery destination 22 of each delivery item 20 via local communication with the secure cargo container 100 such that the cargo air delivery system 10 receives the destination for transporting the delivery item 20 independent of any communication from an external remote communication network.

[0013] The cargo container 100 may be configured to support and / or carry the (one or more) delivery items 20 in any suitable manner. For example, and as Figure 1 schematically shown, the cargo container 100 may include a container body 110 configured to at least partially enclose and support the (one or more) delivery items 20 and configured to be selectively and operably coupled to the vehicle 200.

[0014] The vehicle 200 may include and / or may be any suitable vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 200. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the cargo container 100 may be configured to be used in conjunction with any suitable vehicle 200, and / or elements and / or aspects of the cargo air delivery system 10 according to the present disclosure may be used in systems utilizing vehicles 200 other than UAVs (e.g., land-based, water-based, and / or air-based vehicles). However, without loss of generality, the present disclosure generally pertains to examples where the vehicle 200 is a UAV. Thus, references to the UAV 200 herein may also be understood to describe the vehicle 200 as the case may be, and vice versa.

[0015] Typically, and as discussed herein, the cargo air delivery system 10 is configured to cause the UAV 200 to travel to and / or be directed to each delivery destination 22 independently of the UAV 200 from an external remote communication network (such as a communication network external to the UAV 200 and / or the cargo container 100) or in the absence of such an external remote communication network. Conversely, and as described herein, the cargo container 100 is configured to provide information regarding the delivery item 20 and the delivery destination 22 to the UAV 200 to cause and / or direct the UAV 200 to travel to each delivery destination 22. In this manner, the cargo container 100 can be configured to be carried by any one of a plurality of unique UAVs 200 configured to engage the cargo container 100. The cargo air delivery system 10 can be configured such that a given cargo container 100 containing the delivery item(s) 20 can be operably coupled to and carried by any available UAV 200 in a fleet of UAVs 200 for transporting the delivery item(s) 20 to their destination(s) without the UAV 200 receiving delivery instructions regarding the delivery item(s) 20 from a device other than the cargo container 100.

[0016] As further schematically shown in Figure 1 the cargo container 100 includes a programmable device 120 that stores manifest information 130 regarding each delivery item 20. As described in more detail herein, the cargo air delivery system 10 is generally configured such that the UAV 200 travels to and / or is directed to each delivery destination 22 at least in part based on the manifest information 130 (and / or information and / or instructions derived from the manifest information 130). The manifest information 130 can include and / or can be any suitable information characterizing the delivery item(s) 20 carried by the cargo container 100. For example, the manifest information 130 generally includes an item identifier and item destination information indicating the delivery destination 22 of each delivery item 20. As a further example, the manifest information 130 can include item weight information indicating the weight of each delivery item 20 for each delivery destination 22; item identification information indicating the identity of each delivery item 20; item recipient information indicating the intended recipient of each delivery item 20; hazardous material information indicating the hazard associated with each delivery item 20 (such as may correspond to a safety data sheet (SDS) associated with each delivery item 20); and / or time sensitivity information indicating the latest arrival time by which each delivery item 20 needs to reach its corresponding delivery destination 22. However, these examples are not exhaustive, and it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the manifest information 130 can include any suitable additional and / or alternative descriptors corresponding to the delivery item(s) 20.

[0017] The cargo air delivery system 10, the cargo container 100, and / or the programmable device 120 may be configured to selectively receive, input, and / or update the manifest information 130 in any suitable manner. For example, and as Figure 1 schematically illustrated, the cargo container 100 may include an input device 122 that is configured to selectively update the manifest information 130 when a given delivery item 20 is added to or removed from the cargo container 100. The input device 122 may be configured to update the manifest information 130 in any suitable manner (such as at least partially automatically and / or at least partially manually). As an example, and as Figure 1 schematically illustrated, the input device 122 may include an input scanner 124 that is configured to scan a portion of the delivery item 20, such as via optical, electrical, and / or magnetic means, when the delivery item 20 is added to or removed from the cargo container 100. In such an example, the input scanner 124 may be manually operated and / or may be configured to automatically scan the delivery item 20 when the delivery item 20 is added to or removed from the cargo container 100. Additionally or alternatively, the input device 122 may be configured to receive a manual input, such as via the user interface 126, to update the manifest information 130, and the user interface 126 is configured to receive an input from a human user to update the manifest information 130. In such an example, the user interface 126 may include and / or may be any suitable interface, such as a keyboard, a touch screen, and / or voice-activated controls.

[0018] As schematically illustrated in Figure 1 the cargo air delivery system 10 generally includes a delivery system controller 60 that is configured to determine and generate a delivery order, a destination schedule, and / or a delivery route 30 for the UAV 200 to follow to deliver the delivery item(s) 20. For example, when the cargo container 100 carries two or more delivery items 20, the delivery route 30 may include and / or may be a list of the order and / or sequence of the delivery destinations 22 corresponding to the two or more delivery items 20. In such an example, the delivery route 30 may include and / or may be information regarding the delivery order for delivering the delivery item 20 to the respective delivery destinations 22. Additionally or alternatively, the delivery route 30 may include information regarding a specific flight path followed by the UAV 200, such as speed, altitude, and / or flight path information, to guide the UAV 200 to the delivery destination(s) 22. The delivery route 30 is generally at least partially based on the manifest information 130, as described herein.

[0019] The delivery system controller 60 can be a component of the cargo air delivery system 10 and / or supported by any suitable component of the cargo air delivery system 10. As an example, and as Figure 1 schematically illustrated therein, the cargo container 100 and / or the UAV 200 can include the delivery system controller 60. In an example where the cargo container 100 includes the delivery system controller 60, the programmable device 120 can be associated with the delivery system controller 60. In such an example, the programmable device 120 can also be described as generating the delivery route 30.

[0020] The delivery system controller 60 and / or the programmable device 120 can be any suitable one or more devices configured to perform the functions of the delivery system controller 60 and / or the programmable device 120 discussed herein. For example, the delivery system controller 60 can include one or more of an electronic controller, a dedicated controller, a special-purpose controller, an unmanned aerial vehicle navigation controller, a personal computer, a special-purpose computer, or other suitable controller devices. The programmable device 120 can include an RFID device, a display device, a logic device, a memory device, and / or a memory device having a non-transitory computer-readable medium suitable for storing computer-executable instructions for implementing aspects of the systems and / or methods according to the present disclosure.

[0021] As discussed, when the goods container 100 carries two or more delivery items 20, the delivery route 30 typically includes information regarding the order and / or sequence of delivering the delivery items 20 to the corresponding delivery destinations 22, the information being at least partially based on the manifest information 130 associated with the delivery items 20. In one example, the delivery order is arranged such that when a given delivery item 20 has the same delivery destination 22 and / or the same intended recipient as one or more other delivery items, the delivery of the given delivery item 20 is at least partially prioritized. Arranging the delivery order in this manner helps to reduce the total weight of the delivery items 20 remaining in the goods container 100 relatively early in the delivery route 30, such as optimizing the energy efficiency of the UAV 200. The UAV 200 can operate with higher energy efficiency when carrying a smaller total weight, such that removing weight from the goods container 100 earlier in the delivery route 30 helps to operate the UAV 200 with higher energy efficiency for the larger remaining portion of the delivery route 30. Accordingly, the delivery route 30 can additionally or alternatively be configured to at least partially prioritize delivering the heavier delivery items 20 and then the lighter delivery items 20. For example, the manifest information 130 can include weight information regarding each delivery item 20, and the delivery route 30 can be at least partially based on the weight information of the delivery items 20 for each delivery destination 22. In such an example, the delivery order can be at least partially arranged to prioritize the deliveries in the order of decreasing weight of the delivery items 20 for each delivery destination 22. As another example, the delivery order can be at least partially arranged to prioritize the delivery of the delivery items 20 in the order of decreasing hazard level (such as may be represented by the hazardous material information corresponding to each delivery item 20) and / or in the order of increasing latest arrival time and / or decreasing time sensitivity (e.g., as may be represented by the time sensitivity information corresponding to each delivery item 20).

[0022] The delivery system controller 60 can also be configured to generate the delivery route 30 based on any suitable considerations, such as to reduce and / or minimize the total travel time required to deliver the delivery items 20, and / or to reduce and / or minimize the total energy required to deliver the delivery items 20. As an example, the delivery route 30 can be at least partially based on the item destination information. As a more specific example, the delivery order can be at least partially arranged to prioritize the delivery of the delivery items 20 in the order of increasing distance from the UAV 200 (e.g., relative to the initial position of the UAV 200). Arranging the delivery order in this manner can correspond to a reduction in the total distance traveled by the UAV 200 when following the delivery route 30.

[0023] Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the cargo air delivery system 10 utilizes a local communication mode 50 that is configured to communicate delivery information 140 from the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200. As discussed, the local communication mode 50 is generally configured to communicate the delivery information 140 from the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200 independent of communication with an external remote communication network. In this way, the local communication mode 50 enables the UAV 200 to transport the delivery item 20 according to a delivery route 30 that is only from the cargo container 100, where the delivery route 30 has a received delivery route 30 or has a delivery route 30 generated after receiving the delivery information 140.

[0024] As used herein, the delivery information 140 generally refers to a set of information transmitted from the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200 and is generally at least partially based on the manifest information 130. That is, the delivery information 140 can include, can be, and / or can be based on at least a portion of the manifest information 130. In some examples, such as in an example where the cargo container 100 includes a delivery system controller 60, the delivery information 140 can include and / or can be the delivery route 30. That is, in such an example, the delivery system controller 60 can be configured to generate the delivery route 30 at least partially based on the manifest information 130 such that the delivery route 30 is transmitted from the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200 via the local communication mode 50. However, this is not required for all examples of the cargo air delivery system 10, and it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the delivery route 30 can be generated after communicating the delivery information 140 from the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200 via the local communication mode 50. As an example, in an example where the UAV 200 includes a delivery system controller 60, the delivery system controller 60 can be configured to generate the delivery route 30 based on the delivery information 140 and after communicating the delivery information 140 from the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200 via the local communication mode 50.

[0025] The local communication mode 50 can include and / or can be any suitable system for communicating the delivery information 140 from the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200. As an example, and as Figure 1As schematically shown, the cargo container 100 may include a container communication device 150 (such as may be supported by the container body 110), and the UAV 200 may include a vehicle communication device 250, wherein a local communication mode 50 is utilized by the container communication device 150 and the vehicle communication device 250. In such an example, the local communication mode 50 is generally used to convey delivery information 140 from the container communication device 150 to the vehicle communication device 250. Examples of the local communication mode 50 may include near-field communication, Bluetooth communication, RF communication, and / or an RFID reader, a barcode scanner, or other code scanners or other suitable local communication modes, wherein information may be conveyed via electromagnetic signals, electrical signals, optical signals, radio frequency signals, near-field communication signals, wireless connections, wired connections, direct connections, and / or visual connections. In such an example, the communication of the delivery information 140 from the container communication device 150 to the vehicle communication device 250 may be initiated in any suitable manner. As an example, the container communication device 150 may be configured to initiate the communication of the delivery information 140 to the vehicle communication device 250, or may be configured to convey the delivery information 140 to the vehicle communication device 250 in response to receiving a request for the delivery information 140 from the vehicle communication device 250.

[0026] The delivery information 140 may be conveyed from the container communication device 150 to the vehicle communication device 250 in any suitable manner and / or in any suitable form, such as via electromagnetic signals, electrical signals, optical signals, radio frequency signals, near-field communication signals, wireless connections, wired connections, direct connections, and / or visual connections. As an example, the container communication device 150 may be configured to complete an electrical connection with the vehicle communication device 250 when the container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200. Additionally or alternatively, the container communication device 150 may be configured to actively transmit the delivery information 140 to the vehicle communication device 250. For example, and as Figure 1 schematically shown, the container communication device 150 may include a wireless transmitter 152 configured to wirelessly transmit the delivery information 140 to the vehicle communication device 250. In other examples, the container communication device 150 may be configured to passively provide the delivery information 140 to the vehicle communication device 250. As a more specific example of such passive communication, the container communication device 150 may include and / or may be a barcode, a matrix barcode, a magnetic stripe, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and / or a near-field communication (NFC) tag, and the vehicle communication device 250 may be configured to read, scan, and / or otherwise receive the delivery information 140 from the container communication device 150.

[0027] The UAV 200 can be configured to receive and / or engage the cargo container 100 in any suitable manner. For example, and as Figure 1 schematically illustrated, the UAV 200 can include a docking bay 210 such that when the cargo container 100 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200, the cargo container 100 is at least partially received within the docking bay 210. In such an example, the docking bay 210 can refer to a portion of the UAV 200 that is at least partially enclosed (such as at least partially encapsulating the cargo container 100). However, this is not required for all examples, and within the scope of the present disclosure is that the docking bay 210 can refer to a portion of the UAV 200 that is at least partially exposed to the external environment. Additionally or alternatively, the UAV 200 can include a cargo container receiver 212 configured to selectively and operatively engage the cargo container 100 such that the cargo container 100 is secured to the UAV 200 and such that the UAV 200 can carry the cargo container 100. In such an example, the cargo container 100 can be described as including a vehicle engagement structure 160 configured to selectively and operatively engage the cargo container receiver 212 to operatively secure the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200. Equivalently, the cargo container receiver 212 can be described as being configured to selectively and operatively engage the vehicle engagement structure 160 to operatively secure the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200. In this manner, one or both of the vehicle engagement structure 160 and the cargo container receiver 212 can include mechanically actuated structures, examples of which can include latches, hooks, clamps, brackets, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle engagement structure 160 can refer to a substantially static portion of the cargo container 100 engaged by the cargo container receiver 212, and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can refer to a substantially static portion of the UAV 200 engaged by the vehicle engagement structure 160. In such an example, the cargo container 100 can be described as being configured to selectively transition between a docking configuration and a non-docking configuration, in the docking configuration, the cargo container receiver 212 operatively engages the cargo container 100 and / or the vehicle engagement structure 160 such that the UAV 200 can carry the cargo container 100, and in the non-docking configuration, the cargo container 100 is removed from the UAV 200.

[0028] The vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can include and / or can be any suitable part of the cargo container 100 and / or the UAV 200. As an example, the vehicle engagement structure 160 can include a structure extending from the container body 110 to meet the UAV 200 and / or the cargo container receiver 212, or can simply be a part of the cargo container 100 and / or the container body 110 that engages (and / or is engaged by) the cargo container receiver 212. Similarly, the cargo container receiver 212 can include a structure extending within the docking bay 210 to meet the cargo container 100 and / or the vehicle engagement structure 160, or can simply be a part of the UAV 200 and / or the docking bay 210 that engages (and / or is engaged by) the vehicle engagement structure 160.

[0029] The vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can be at least partially load-bearing, and / or can be configured such that the engagement between the vehicle engagement structure 160 and the cargo container receiver 212 is at least partially load-bearing. The vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can be configured to at least partially restrict the cargo container 100 from transitioning from a docked configuration to an undocked configuration, and / or can be configured to at least partially support the weight of the cargo container 100. That is, the vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can be configured such that when the vehicle engagement structure 160 is operatively engaged with the cargo container receiver 212 and / or when the UAV 200 is carrying the cargo container 100, the cargo container receiver 212 at least partially supports the weight of the cargo container 100. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can be configured such that when the vehicle engagement structure 160 is operatively engaged with the cargo container receiver 212, the cargo container 100 and / or the vehicle engagement structure 160 at least partially support the weight of the UAV 200. For example, the cargo container 100 can be configured to contact the ground surface when the UAV 200 is not in flight and when the cargo container 100 is operatively secured to the UAV 200, such that the cargo container 100 supports the UAV 200, such as holding the UAV 200 above the ground surface. In such an example, the cargo container 100 can include landing gear, skids, ground contact surfaces, and / or any other suitable components for engaging the ground surface. In an example where the vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 is at least partially load-bearing, the vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can also be described as representing a detachable load-bearing structure.

[0030] The vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can additionally or alternatively be configured such that the transition of the cargo container 100 from a non-docked configuration to a docked configuration is restricted unless the vehicle engagement structure 160 and the cargo container receiver 212 are aligned and / or otherwise in a predetermined orientation relative to each other. In such an example, the vehicle engagement structure 160 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can be described as keyed. In some examples, the vehicle engagement structure 160 can include a container communication device 150, such as to allow an electrical connection between the container communication device 150 and the vehicle communication device 250 when the container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200.

[0031] When present, the vehicle engagement structure 160 is generally configured to selectively and operatively engage the cargo container receiver 212 to secure the cargo container 100 to the UAV 200 when the cargo container 100 and / or the container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200. For example, the vehicle engagement structure 160 can be configured to mechanically engage the container body 110 and / or the cargo container receiver 212 when the cargo container 100 and / or the container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200 and when the UAV 200 is carrying the cargo container 100, such that the cargo container 100 is at least partially restricted from moving relative to the UAV 200. To ensure and / or facilitate the operative coupling between the vehicle engagement structure 160 and the cargo container receiver 212, the vehicle engagement structure 160 can be configured to operatively engage the cargo container receiver 212 only when the container body 110 is in a predetermined orientation relative to the UAV 200 and / or the docking bay 210.

[0032] The cargo container 100 and / or the UAV 200 can include one or more components configured to detect when the container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200. For example, and as Figure 1 schematically illustrated, the cargo container 100 and / or the UAV 200 can include a cargo container engagement sensor 214 configured to detect when the container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200 and / or when the cargo container 100 is in a docked configuration. The cargo container engagement sensor 214 can include and / or can be any suitable mechanism and can be a component of any suitable part of the cargo air delivery system 10. As an example, the cargo container 100, the vehicle engagement structure 160, the UAV 200, and / or the cargo container receiver 212 can include the cargo container engagement sensor 214.

[0033] In an example of a cargo air delivery system 10 that includes a cargo container engagement sensor 214, a local communication mode 50 can be used to communicate delivery information 140 from a cargo container 100 to a UAV 200 based at least in part on the cargo container engagement sensor 214 indicating that a container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200. For example, a container communication device 150 can be configured to communicate the delivery information 140 to a vehicle communication device 250 in response to the cargo container engagement sensor 214 indicating that the container body 110 is operatively coupled to the UAV 200. The local communication system 50 can be configured to initiate the transfer of the delivery information 140 from the container communication device 150 to the vehicle communication device 250 in response to the cargo container engagement sensor 214 indicating that the cargo container 100 is in a docking configuration. Additionally or alternatively, a delivery system controller 60 and / or a programmable device 120 can be configured to generate a delivery route 30 in response to the cargo container engagement sensor 214 indicating that a vehicle engagement structure 160 is operatively engaged with a cargo container receiver 212, and / or communicate the delivery route 30 and / or the delivery information 140 to the UAV 200.

[0034] As discussed, as used herein, UAV 200 represents an exemplary non-exclusive embodiment of a vehicle 200 for carrying a cargo container 100. In such an example, the UAV 200 can be any suitable aerial vehicle for carrying the cargo container 100. For example, and as Figure 1 schematically illustrated, the UAV 200 can be a rotorcraft that includes one or more rotors 230. As a more specific example, the UAV 200 can include one rotor 230, two rotors 230, three rotors 230, four rotors 230, or more than four rotors 230. In such an example, the (one or more) rotors 230 can be at least partially powered by a battery. Thus, contrary to an example of a vehicle 200 that consumes fuel while in transit, the UAV 200 in the form of a battery-powered rotorcraft can experience a reduction in total payload weight only after unloading a delivery item 20 at a corresponding delivery destination 22. In this manner, in an example where the UAV 200 is battery-powered, it may be particularly advantageous to configure the delivery route 30 to prioritize the delivery of delivery items 20 in order of decreasing weight.

[0035] The cargo container 100 can have any suitable specifications and / or dimensions for carrying the delivery item(s) 20. As an example, the container body 110 of the cargo container 100 can define a volume having a capacity that is at least 10 liters (L), at least 50 L, at least 100 L, at least 500 L, at least 1,000 L, at least 5,000 L, at least 10,000 L, at least 50,000 L, at most 100,000 L, at most 70,000 L, at most 20,000 L, at most 7,000 L, at most 2,000 L, at most 700 L, at most 200 L, at most 70 L, and / or at most 20 L. Additionally or alternatively, the cargo container 100 and the delivery item(s) contained therein can jointly have a total mass that is at least 1 kilogram (kg), at least 5 kg, at least 10 kg, at least 50 kg, at least 100 kg, at least 500 kg, at least 1,000 kg, at most 1,500 kg, at most 700 kg, at most 200 kg, at most 70 kg, at most 20 kg, at most 7 kg, and / or at most 2 kg.

[0036] Figure 2 An example of a delivery route 32 that the UAV 200 can follow is schematically shown, such as can correspond to the delivery route 30. The delivery route 32 can correspond to and / or can be the spatial and / or temporal path that the UAV 200 follows when the UAV 200 follows and / or proceeds along the delivery route 30, and the delivery route 32 can include and / or can be the sequence of delivery destinations 22 specified by the delivery route 30. As used herein, the delivery route 30 generally refers to a set of information and / or instructions corresponding to the flight path followed by the UAV 200, while the delivery route 32 generally refers to the flight path itself (represented in any suitable manner). In particular, Figure 2 An example of a delivery route 32 based on the delivery route 30 is schematically shown, wherein the delivery sequence is at least partially based on considerations other than the distance between the UAV 200 and the delivery destination 22. As Figure 2 further schematically shown, the cargo air delivery system 10 can also include a ground-based control system 12 configured to monitor the UAV 200 as the UAV 200 travels along the delivery route 32. In such an example, and as Figures 1 - 2As schematically shown, the UAV 200 may further include a ground communication device 220 configured to communicate with a ground-based control system 12. In this way, the ground-based control system 12 may be configured to monitor the position of the UAV 200 and / or the delivery status of the delivery item(s) carried by the UAV 200 as the UAV 200 travels along the delivery route 32. As described above, the ground-based control system 12 is generally not configured to provide the UAV 200 with the manifest information 130, the delivery information 140, or the delivery route 30 before the UAV 200 begins the delivery route 32. As described herein, the ground-based control system 12 does not include and / or represent an external remote communication network that conveys the delivery information 140 to the UAV 200.

[0037] Figures 3 - 5 A less schematic illustration of a portion of an example of the cargo air delivery system 10 is provided. More specifically, Figures 3 - 5 An example of the cargo air delivery system 10 is shown, where the UAV 200 is a rotorcraft having four rotors 230, and where the cargo container 100 is fully contained within the docking bay 210 of the UAV 200 when in the docking configuration. Figure 3 and Figure 5 An example is shown where the cargo container 100 is removed from the UAV 200 (and thus in the non-docking configuration), while Figure 4 An example is shown where the cargo container 100 is operatively received (and fully enclosed) within the docking bay 210 such that the cargo container 100 is hidden from view. As Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, Figures 3 - 5 An example is shown where the cargo container 100 includes a vehicle engagement structure 160 (as Figure 3 shown) and where the UAV 200 includes a cargo container receiver 212 such that when the cargo container 100 is in the docking configuration, the vehicle engagement structure 160 and the cargo container receiver 212 engage with each other. Additionally, in the example of Figures 3 - 5 the cargo container receiver 212 includes a cargo container engagement sensor 214 (as Figure 5 shown).

[0038] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method 300 schematically depicting delivering one or more delivery items (such as the delivery item 20) to a corresponding delivery destination (such as the delivery destination 22) using a cargo air delivery system (such as the cargo air delivery system 10) including a cargo container (such as the cargo container 100) and a UAV (such as the UAV 200) in accordance with the present disclosure. In Figure 6In [the figure], some steps are shown in dashed boxes, which indicates that these steps may be optional or may correspond to an optional version of the method according to the present disclosure. That is, it is not required that all methods according to the present disclosure include the steps shown in solid boxes. From the discussion herein, it can be understood that Figure 6 the methods and steps shown are not restrictive, and other methods and steps are within the scope of the present disclosure, including methods having a number of steps greater than or less than the number of steps shown.

[0039] As Figure 6 shown, method 300 includes loading the delivery item(s) at 310 into a container body of a cargo container (such as container body 110), and inputting manifest information (such as manifest information 130) regarding each delivery item at 320 into a programmable device (such as programmable device 120) of the cargo container. Inputting the manifest information at 320 can be performed in any suitable manner, such as by scanning each delivery item using an input scanner (such as input scanner 124) and / or by manually inputting the manifest information via a user interface (such as user interface 126). Method 300 further includes operably engaging the cargo container with a UAV at 330; generating at 350 a delivery route (such as delivery route 30) for delivering the delivery item(s) to the corresponding delivery destination(s); transporting the cargo container along the delivery route with the UAV at 360; and unloading each delivery item at the corresponding delivery destination at 370.

[0040] Engaging the cargo container with the UAV at 330 can be performed in any suitable manner. As an example, the engagement at 330 can include engaging the cargo container with a cargo container receiver of the UAV (such as cargo container receiver 212) to transition the cargo container from a non-docked configuration to a docked configuration. As another example, the engagement at 330 can include forming an electrical connection between a vehicle communication device (such as vehicle communication device 250) and a container communication device (such as container communication device 150). Additionally or alternatively, and as Figure 6 shown, the engagement at 330 can include, at 332, generating and transmitting an engagement signal using a cargo container engagement sensor (such as cargo container engagement sensor 214) indicating that the cargo container is in a docked configuration. In such an example, the generating and transmitting at 332 can include transmitting the engagement signal to the container communication device and / or the vehicle communication device.

[0041] As in Figure 6As further shown, method 300 may further include, after inputting the manifest information at 320, at 340, transferring delivery information (such as delivery information 140) from the cargo container to the UAV. In such an example, and as described herein, the delivery information is at least partially based on the manifest information. The transfer at 340 may be performed in any suitable manner and / or between any suitable components of the cargo aerial delivery system. For example, the transfer at 340 may include transferring the delivery information from the container communication device to the vehicle communication device. In such an example, the transfer at 340 may be performed via a wired connection and / or a wireless connection between the container communication device and the vehicle communication device. Additionally or alternatively, in an example where method 300 includes generating and transmitting an engagement signal at 332, the transfer at 340 may be performed in response to the cargo container engagement sensor indicating that the cargo container is in a docking configuration. For example, in an example where the generation and transmission at 332 includes transmitting the engagement signal to the container communication device, the container communication device may initiate the transfer of the delivery information at 340 after receiving the engagement signal. Similarly, in an example where the generation and transmission at 332 includes transmitting the engagement signal to the vehicle communication device, the vehicle communication device may initiate the transfer of the delivery information at 320 after receiving the engagement signal.

[0042] As discussed herein, generating the delivery route at 350 is typically at least partially based on the manifest information and may be performed by a delivery system controller (such as delivery system controller 60). As an example, the UAV may include a delivery system controller and may perform generating the delivery route at 350 after transferring the delivery information at 340. Additionally or alternatively, generating the delivery route at 350 may be performed after generating and transmitting the engagement signal at 332.

[0043] As Figure 6 Further shown, generating the delivery route at 350 may include calculating an optimal delivery flight path at 352 (such as delivery flight path 32 and / or such as may otherwise correspond to the delivery route). The calculation of the optimal delivery flight path at 352 may be performed in any suitable manner and / or based on any suitable considerations. As an example, and as Figure 6 shown, calculating the optimal delivery flight path at 352 may include calculating a priority score associated with each delivery item such that generating the delivery route at 350 includes configuring the delivery route to deliver the delivery items in decreasing order of the priority scores.

[0044] Calculating a priority score at 354 can be based on any suitable consideration and / or attribute of the delivery item. For example, and as discussed, it may be desirable to prioritize the delivery of relatively heavy and / or delivery items that share a delivery destination with other delivery items, such as to reduce the total weight of the delivery items carried by the UAV. Thus, the priority score for a given delivery item can be at least partially based on item weight information corresponding to the given delivery item. For example, the priority score for a given delivery item can be positively correlated with the weight of the given delivery item.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, the priority score for a given delivery item can be at least partially based on hazardous material information corresponding to the given delivery item. For example, the priority score for a given delivery item can be positively correlated with the hazardousness of the given delivery item.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, the priority score for a given delivery item can be at least partially based on item destination information corresponding to the given delivery item. For example, the priority score for a given delivery item can be negatively correlated with the distance between the UAV and the delivery destination of the given delivery item. As another example, the priority score for a given delivery item can be positively correlated with the number of other delivery items having the same delivery destination as the given delivery item.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, the priority score for a given delivery item can be at least partially based on time sensitivity information corresponding to the given delivery item. For example, the priority score for a given delivery item can be negatively correlated with the time interval between the current time and the latest arrival time by which the given delivery item needs to reach the corresponding delivery destination.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, the priority score for a given delivery item can be at least partially based on item recipient information corresponding to the given delivery item. For example, the priority score for a given delivery item can be positively correlated with the number of other delivery items having the same intended recipient as the given delivery item.

[0049] Illustrative non - exclusive examples of the inventive subject matter in accordance with the present disclosure are described in the paragraphs enumerated below:

[0050] A1. A cargo container (100) for carrying one or more delivery items (20) to respective delivery destinations (22), the cargo container (100) comprising:

[0051] A container body (110) configured to at least partially enclose and support one or more delivery items (20) and configured to be selectively and operably coupled to a vehicle (200);

[0052] A programmable device (120), supported by a container body (110), stores manifest information (130) for each of one or more delivery items (20); and

[0053] A container communication device (150), supported by the container body (110), and configured to communicate delivery information (140) to a vehicle communication device (250) of a vehicle (200) to guide the vehicle to a respective delivery destination (22) of the one or more delivery items (20);

[0054] wherein the manifest information (130) includes item destination information that represents a delivery destination (22) for each of the one or more delivery items (20); and wherein the delivery information (140) is at least partially based on the item destination information.

[0055] A2. The cargo container (100) according to paragraph A1, wherein the delivery information (140) includes at least a portion of the manifest information (130).

[0056] A3. The cargo container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A2, wherein the container body (110) defines a volume having a capacity that is one or more of the following: at least 10 liters (L), at least 50L, at least 100L, at least 500L, at least 1,000L, at least 5,000L, at least 10,000L, at least 50,000L, up to 100,000L, up to 70,000L, up to 20,000L, up to 7,000L, up to 2,000L, up to 700L, up to 200L, up to 70L or up to 20L.

[0057] A4. The cargo container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A3, wherein the cargo container (100) is configured to be operably carried by any one of a plurality of unique vehicles (200) configured to engage with the cargo container (100).

[0058] A5. The cargo container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A4, further comprising an input device (122) configured to selectively update the manifest information (130) when a given one of the one or more delivery items (20) is added to or removed from the cargo container (100).

[0059] A6. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A5, wherein the input device (122) is configured to automatically update the manifest information (130) when a given delivery item (20) is added to or removed from the goods container (100).

[0060] A7. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A5 - A6, wherein the input device (122) includes an input scanner (124) configured to scan a portion of a given delivery item (20) when the given delivery item (20) is added to or removed from the goods container (100).

[0061] A8. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A7, wherein the input device (122) is configured to receive manual input to update the manifest information (130).

[0062] A9. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A8, wherein the input device (122) includes a user interface (126) configured to receive input from a human user to update the manifest information (130).

[0063] A10. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A9, wherein the vehicle (200) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (200).

[0064] A11. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A10, further comprising a vehicle engagement structure (160) configured to selectively and operably engage a goods container receiver (212) of the vehicle (200) to secure the goods container (100) to the vehicle (200) when the container body (110) is operably coupled to the vehicle (200).

[0065] A12. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A11, wherein the vehicle engagement structure (160) is configured to mechanically engage the goods container receiver (212) when the container body (110) is operably coupled to the vehicle (200) and when the vehicle (200) is carrying the goods container (100), such that the goods container (100) is at least partially restricted from moving relative to the vehicle (200).

[0066] A13. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A12, wherein the vehicle engagement structure (160) is configured to operably engage the goods container receiver (212) only when the container body (110) is in a predetermined orientation relative to the vehicle (200).

[0067] A14. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A13, wherein when the vehicle engagement structure (160) is operatively engaged with the goods container receiver (212), one or both of the vehicle engagement structure (160) and the goods container receiver (212) bear at least part of the load.

[0068] A15. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A14, wherein the goods container receiver (212) is configured to at least partially support the weight of the goods container (100) when the vehicle engagement structure (160) is operatively engaged with the goods container receiver (212) and when the vehicle (200) is carrying the goods container (100).

[0069] A16. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A14 - A15, wherein the vehicle engagement structure (160) is configured to at least partially support the weight of the vehicle (200) when the vehicle engagement structure (160) is operatively engaged with the goods container receiver (212) and when the goods container (100) is placed on the ground surface.

[0070] A17. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A16, wherein the goods container (100) is configured to support the vehicle (200) above the ground surface when the vehicle engagement structure (160) is operatively engaged with the goods container receiver (212) and when the goods container (100) is placed on the ground surface.

[0071] A18. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A17, wherein the goods container (100) includes one or more of landing gears, skids, or ground contact surfaces configured to engage the ground surface.

[0072] A19. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A18, wherein one or both of the vehicle (200) and the goods container (100) include a goods container engagement sensor (214) configured to detect when the container body (110) is operatively coupled to the vehicle (200).

[0073] A20. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraph A19, wherein the container communication device (150) is configured to communicate delivery information (140) to the vehicle communication device (250) in response to the goods container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the container body (110) is operatively coupled to the vehicle (200).

[0074] A21. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A20, wherein the container communication device (150) is configured to communicate delivery information (140) to the vehicle communication device (250) independently of communication with an external remote communication network.

[0075] A22. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A21, wherein the container communication device (150) is configured to initiate communication of delivery information (140) to the vehicle communication device (250).

[0076] A23. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A22, wherein the container communication device (150) is configured to communicate delivery information (140) to the vehicle communication device (250) in response to receiving a request for delivery information (140) from the vehicle communication device (250).

[0077] A24. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A23, wherein the container communication device (150) is configured to actively transmit delivery information (140) to the vehicle communication device (250).

[0078] A25. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A24, wherein the container communication device (150) is configured to form an electrical connection with the vehicle communication device (250) when the container body (110) is operatively coupled to the vehicle (200).

[0079] A26. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A25, wherein the vehicle engagement structure (160) includes the container communication device (150).

[0080] A27. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A26, wherein the container communication device (150) includes a wireless transmitter (152) configured to wirelessly transmit delivery information (140) to the vehicle communication device (250).

[0081] A28. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A27, wherein the container communication device (150) is configured to passively provide delivery information (140) to the vehicle communication device (250).

[0082] A29. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A28, wherein the container communication device (150) includes one or more of a barcode, a matrix barcode, a magnetic stripe, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or a near - field communication (NFC) tag.

[0083] A30. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A29, wherein one or more delivery items (20) comprise two or more delivery items (20), and wherein the delivery information (140) comprises a delivery route (30), the delivery route (30) comprising information about the delivery order, wherein the two or more delivery items (20) are delivered to corresponding delivery destinations (22) in the delivery order.

[0084] A31. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A30, wherein the programmable device (120) is configured to generate the delivery route (30) at least in part based on the manifest information (130).

[0085] A32. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A30 - A31, wherein the programmable device (120) is configured to generate the delivery route (30) in response to the goods container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the vehicle engagement structure (160) is operatively engaged with the goods container receiver (212).

[0086] A33. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A30 - A32, wherein the programmable device (120) is configured to communicate the delivery route (30) to the vehicle (200) in response to the goods container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the vehicle engagement structure (160) is operatively engaged with the goods container receiver (212).

[0087] A34. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A30 - A33, wherein the delivery route (30) is at least in part based on item destination information.

[0088] A35. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A34, wherein the delivery order is at least in part arranged to prioritize the delivery of two or more delivery items (20) in ascending order of the distance from the vehicle (200).

[0089] A36. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A34 - A35, wherein the delivery order is arranged such that when a given delivery item (20) has the same delivery destination (22) as one or more other delivery items (20) among two or more delivery items (20), the given delivery item (20) among the two or more delivery items (20) is at least in part preferentially delivered.

[0090] A37. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A30 - A36, wherein the manifest information (130) includes item weight information indicating the weight of each of two or more delivery items (20), and wherein the delivery route (30) is at least partially based on the item weight information.

[0091] A38. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A37, wherein the delivery order is at least partially arranged to prioritize the delivery of two or more delivery items (20) in the order of decreasing weight of the two or more delivery items (20) for each respective delivery destination (22).

[0092] A39. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A30 - A38, wherein the manifest information (130) further includes item recipient information indicating the intended recipient of each of two or more delivery items (20).

[0093] A40. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A39, wherein the delivery order is arranged such that when a given delivery item (20) has the same intended recipient as one or more other delivery items (20) among two or more delivery items (20), the given delivery item (20) among the two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially prioritized for delivery.

[0094] A41. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A30 - A40, wherein the manifest information (130) further includes hazardous material information indicating the hazard associated with each of two or more delivery items (20).

[0095] A42. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A41, wherein the delivery order is at least partially arranged to prioritize the delivery of two or more delivery items (20) in the order of decreasing hazard.

[0096] A43. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs A30 - A42, wherein the manifest information (130) further includes time - sensitivity information indicating the latest arrival time by which each of two or more delivery items (20) needs to reach the respective delivery destination (22).

[0097] A44. The goods container (100) according to paragraph A43, wherein the delivery order is at least partially arranged to prioritize the delivery of two or more delivery items (20) in the order of increasing latest arrival time.

[0098] B1. A cargo air delivery system (10) for delivering one or more delivery items (20) to one or more delivery destinations (22), the cargo air delivery system (10) comprising:

[0099] A cargo container (100) configured to carry one or more delivery items (20); and

[0100] An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (200) configured to carry the cargo container (100) to each of one or more delivery destinations (22) corresponding to the one or more delivery items (20);

[0101] Wherein the cargo container (100) includes a programmable device (120) that stores manifest information (130) regarding each of the one or more delivery items (20); wherein the manifest information (130) includes item destination information that represents the respective delivery destination (22) of each of the one or more delivery items (20); wherein the cargo air delivery system (10) also utilizes a local communication mode (50) configured to communicate delivery information (140) from the cargo container (100) to the UAV (200), and wherein the delivery information (140) is at least partially based on the item destination information.

[0102] B2. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B1, wherein the cargo container (100) is the cargo container (100) described in any one of paragraphs A1 - A44.

[0103] B3. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B2, wherein the cargo container (100) is configured to be carried by any one of a plurality of unique UAVs (200) configured to engage with the cargo container (100).

[0104] B4. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B3, wherein the manifest information (130) further includes item weight information that represents the weight of each of the one or more delivery items (20).

[0105] B5. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B4, wherein the manifest information (130) further includes item identification information that represents the identity of each of the one or more delivery items (20).

[0106] B6. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B5, wherein the waybill information (130) further includes article recipient information, and the article recipient information represents the intended recipient of each of the one or more delivery articles (20).

[0107] B7. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B6, wherein the waybill information (130) further includes hazardous material information, and the hazardous material information represents the hazard associated with each of the one or more delivery articles (20).

[0108] B8. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B7, wherein the hazardous material information corresponds to a safety data sheet (SDS) associated with each of the one or more delivery articles (20).

[0109] B9. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B8, wherein the waybill information (130) further includes time - sensitivity information, and the time - sensitivity information represents the latest arrival time by which each of the one or more delivery articles (20) needs to reach the corresponding delivery destination (22).

[0110] B10. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B9, wherein the UAV (200) includes a docking bay (210), and when the cargo container (100) is operatively coupled to the UAV (200), the cargo container (100) is at least partially received within the docking bay (210).

[0111] B11. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B10, wherein the cargo container (100) and the one or more delivery articles (20) together have a total mass that is one or more of the following: at least 1 kilogram (kg), at least 5 kg, at least 10 kg, at least 50 kg, at least 100 kg, at least 500 kg, at least 1,000 kg, at most 1,500 kg, at most 700 kg, at most 200 kg, at most 70 kg, at most 20 kg, at most 7 kg, or at most 2 kg.

[0112] B12. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B11, wherein the UAV (200) is a rotary - wing aircraft having one or more rotors (230).

[0113] B13. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B12, wherein one or more rotors (230) include one rotor (230), two rotors (230), three rotors (230), four rotors (230) or more than four rotors (230).

[0114] B14. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B12 - B13, wherein one or more rotors (230) are at least partially powered by a battery.

[0115] B15. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B14, wherein the local communication mode (50) is used to directly transmit delivery information (140) from the goods container (100) to the UAV (200).

[0116] B16. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B15, wherein the local communication mode (50) is used to transmit delivery information (140) from the goods container (100) to the UAV (200) independently of communication with an external remote communication network.

[0117] B17. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B16, wherein the UAV (200) includes vehicle communication equipment (250), the goods container (100) includes container communication equipment (150), and the vehicle communication equipment (250) and the container communication equipment (150) utilize the local communication mode (50).

[0118] B18. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B17, wherein the local communication mode (50) is used to transmit delivery information (140) from the container communication equipment (150) to the vehicle communication equipment (250) via one or more of near - field communication, Bluetooth communication, radio frequency (RF) communication, code scanner, barcode scanner, electromagnetic signal, electrical signal, optical signal, RF signal, near - field communication signal, wireless connection, wired connection, direct connection or visual connection.

[0119] B19. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B18, further comprising a delivery system controller (60) configured to generate a delivery route (30) for the UAV (200) to travel along to deliver one or more delivery items (20), wherein the delivery route (30) is at least partially based on the waybill information (130).

[0120] B20. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B19, wherein the delivery information (140) includes and optionally is the delivery route (30).

[0121] B21. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B19 - B20, wherein the UAV (200) includes a delivery system controller (60).

[0122] B22. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B19 - B21, wherein the goods container (100) includes a delivery system controller (60).

[0123] B23. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B22, wherein the programmable device (120) includes a delivery system controller (60).

[0124] B24. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B19 - B23, wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate a delivery route (30) at least in part based on item weight information of the delivery items (20) among one or more delivery items (20) for each delivery destination (22).

[0125] B25. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B24, wherein the one or more delivery items (20) include two or more delivery items (20), and wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate a delivery route (30) such that the two or more delivery items (20) are delivered to the corresponding delivery destinations (22) at least in part in the order of decreasing weight of the two or more delivery items (20) for each delivery destination (22).

[0126] B26. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B9 - B25, wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate a delivery route (30) at least in part based on hazardous material information of each delivery item (20) among one or more delivery items (20).

[0127] B27. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B26, wherein the one or more delivery items (20) include two or more delivery items (20), and wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate a delivery route (30) such that the two or more delivery items (20) are delivered to the corresponding delivery destinations (22) at least in part in the order of decreasing hazard of the two or more delivery items (20).

[0128] B28. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B19 - B27, wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate a delivery route (30) at least in part based on time - sensitivity information of each delivery item (20) among one or more delivery items (20).

[0129] B29. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B28, wherein one or more delivery items (20) include two or more delivery items (20), and wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate a delivery route (30) such that the two or more delivery items (20) are delivered to respective delivery destinations (22) at least partly in an order of decreasing time sensitivity of the two or more delivery items (20).

[0130] B30. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B29, wherein the UAV (200) includes a goods container receiver (212) configured to selectively and operably engage a goods container (100) such that the goods container (100) is secured to the UAV (200) and such that the UAV (200) can carry the goods container (100).

[0131] B31. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B30, wherein the goods container (100) includes a vehicle engagement structure (160) configured to selectively and operably engage the goods container receiver (212) to operably secure the goods container (100) to the UAV (200).

[0132] B32. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B31, wherein when the vehicle engagement structure (160) operably engages the goods container receiver (212), one or both of the vehicle engagement structure (160) and the goods container receiver (212) bear at least part of the load.

[0133] B33. The goods container (100) according to paragraph B32, wherein the goods container receiver (212) is configured to at least partly support the weight of the goods container (100) when the vehicle engagement structure (160) operably engages the goods container receiver (212) and when the vehicle (200) carries the goods container (100).

[0134] B34. The goods container (100) according to any one of paragraphs B32 - B33, wherein the vehicle engagement structure (160) is configured to at least partly support the weight of the vehicle (200) when the vehicle engagement structure (160) operably engages the goods container receiver (212) and when the goods container (100) is placed on a ground surface.

[0135] B35. The goods container (100) according to paragraph B34, wherein the goods container (100) is configured to support the vehicle (200) above the ground surface when the vehicle engagement structure (160) is operatively engaged with the goods container receiver (212) and when the goods container (100) is placed on the ground surface.

[0136] B36. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B30 - B35, wherein the goods container (100) is configured to selectively transition between a docking configuration and a non - docking configuration. In the docking configuration, the goods container receiver (212) is operatively engaged with the goods container (100) such that the UAV (200) can carry the goods container (100). In the non - docking configuration, the goods container (100) is removed from the UAV (200).

[0137] B37. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B36, wherein the goods container receiver (212) is configured to at least partially restrict the goods container (100) from transitioning from the docking configuration to the non - docking configuration.

[0138] B38. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B36 - B37, wherein the vehicle engagement structure (160) is configured to at least partially restrict the goods container (100) from transitioning from the docking configuration to the non - docking configuration.

[0139] B39. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B36 - B38 when referring to paragraph B31, wherein the goods container (100) is restricted from transitioning from the non - docking configuration to the docking configuration unless the vehicle engagement structure (160) and the goods container receiver (212) are in a predetermined orientation relative to each other.

[0140] B40. The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B36 - B39, further comprising a goods container engagement sensor (214) configured to detect when the goods container (100) is in the docking configuration.

[0141] B41. The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B40, wherein one or both of the goods container receiver (212) and the vehicle engagement structure (160) comprise the goods container engagement sensor (214).

[0142] The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B40 - B41, wherein the local communication mode (50) is used to initiate the transfer of delivery information (140) from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) in response to the goods container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the goods container (100) is in a docking configuration.

[0143] The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B1 - B42, further comprising a ground - based control system (12) configured to monitor the UAV (200), wherein the UAV (200) includes a ground communication device (220) configured to communicate with the ground - based control system (12).

[0144] The goods air delivery system (10) according to paragraph B43, wherein the ground - based control system (12) is configured to monitor the position of the UAV (200) via communication with the ground communication device (220).

[0145] The goods air delivery system (10) according to any one of paragraphs B43 - B44, wherein the ground - based control system (12) is configured to monitor the delivery status of one or more delivery items (20) carried by the UAV (200) via communication with the ground communication device (220).

[0146] Using the goods air delivery system (10) described in any one of paragraphs B1 - B45 to deliver one or more delivery items (20) to one or more delivery destinations (22).

[0147] A method (300) of using a goods air delivery system (10) including a goods container (100) and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (200) to deliver one or more delivery items (20) to a corresponding delivery destination (22), the method comprising:

[0148] Loading (310) one or more delivery items (20) into the container body (110) of the goods container (100);

[0149] Inputting (320) the waybill information (130) of each of the one or more delivery items (20) regarding the one or more delivery items (20) into the programmable device (120) of the goods container (100);

[0150] Operably engaging (330) the goods container (100) with the UAV (200);

[0151] Generate a delivery route (30) for delivering each of one or more delivery items (20) to a corresponding delivery destination (22);

[0152] Transport (360) the cargo container (100) with the UAV (200) according to the delivery route (30); and

[0153] Unload (370) each of one or more delivery items (20) at the corresponding delivery destination (22).

[0154] C2. The method (300) according to paragraph C1, wherein the cargo air delivery system (10) is the cargo air delivery system (10) described in any one of paragraphs B1 - B46.

[0155] C3. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C1 - C2, wherein inputting (320) the waybill information (130) into the programmable device (120) includes scanning each of one or more delivery items (20) using an input scanner (124).

[0156] C4. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C1 - C3, wherein inputting (320) the waybill information (130) into the programmable device (120) includes manually inputting the waybill information (130) via a user interface (126).

[0157] C5. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C1 - C4, wherein engaging (330) the cargo container (100) with the UAV (200) includes engaging the cargo container (100) with a cargo container receiver (212) to transition the cargo container (100) from a non - docked configuration to a docked configuration.

[0158] C6. The method (300) according to paragraph C5, wherein engaging the cargo container (100) with the cargo container receiver (212) includes forming an electrical connection between a vehicle communication device (250) and a container communication device (150).

[0159] C7. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C5 - C6, wherein engaging the cargo container (100) with the cargo container receiver (212) includes generating and transmitting (332) an engagement signal using a cargo container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the cargo container (100) is in a docked configuration.

[0160] C8. The method (300) according to paragraph C7, wherein generating and transmitting (332) the engagement signal includes transmitting the engagement signal to the container communication device (150).

[0161] C9. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C7 - C8, wherein generating and transmitting (332) the engagement signal includes transmitting the engagement signal to a vehicle communication device (250).

[0162] C10. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C1 - C9, further comprising: after inputting (320) the waybill information (130), transferring (340) the delivery information (140) from the cargo container (100) to the UAV (200), wherein the delivery information (140) is at least partially based on the waybill information (130).

[0163] C11. The method (300) according to paragraph C10, wherein transferring (340) the delivery information (140) includes transferring the delivery information (140) from a container communication device (150) to a vehicle communication device (250).

[0164] C12. The method (300) according to paragraph C11, wherein transferring (340) the delivery information (140) is performed via a wired connection between the container communication device (150) and the vehicle communication device (250).

[0165] C13. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C11 - C12, wherein transferring (340) the delivery information (140) is performed via a wireless connection between the container communication device (150) and the vehicle communication device (250).

[0166] C14. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C10 - C13 when referring to paragraph C7, wherein transferring (340) the delivery information (140) is performed in response to the container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the cargo container (100) is in a docking configuration.

[0167] C15. The method (300) according to paragraph C14, wherein generating and transmitting (332) the engagement signal using the cargo container engagement sensor (214) includes transmitting the engagement signal to the container communication device (150), and wherein the container communication device (150) initiates transferring (340) the delivery information (140) from the cargo container (100) to the UAV (200) after receiving the engagement signal.

[0168] C16. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C14 - C15, wherein generating and transmitting (332) the engagement signal using the cargo container engagement sensor (214) includes transmitting the engagement signal to the vehicle communication device (250), and wherein the vehicle communication device (250) initiates transferring (340) the delivery information (140) from the cargo container (100) to the UAV (200) after receiving the engagement signal.

[0169] C17. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C1 - C16, wherein generating (350) a delivery route (30) is performed by a delivery system controller (60).

[0170] C18. The method (300) according to paragraph C17, wherein the UAV (200) includes a delivery system controller (60), and wherein generating (350) a delivery route (30) is performed after transferring (340) delivery information (140) from a cargo container (100) to the UAV (200).

[0171] C19. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C1 - C18, wherein generating (350) a delivery route (30) is performed after a cargo container engagement sensor (214) generates and transmits (332) an engagement signal.

[0172] C20. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C1 - C19, wherein generating (350) a delivery route (30) includes calculating (352) an optimal delivery flight path (32).

[0173] C21. The method (300) according to paragraph C20, wherein one or more delivery items (20) include two or more delivery items (20), wherein calculating (352) an optimal delivery flight path (32) includes calculating (354) a priority score associated with each of the two or more delivery items (20), and wherein generating (350) a delivery route (30) includes configuring the delivery route (30) to deliver the two or more delivery items (20) in decreasing order of the priority scores.

[0174] C22. The method (300) according to paragraph C21, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) among the two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially based on item weight information corresponding to the given delivery item (20).

[0175] C23. The method (300) according to paragraph C22, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) is positively correlated with the weight of the given delivery item (20).

[0176] C24. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C21 - C23, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) among the two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially based on hazardous material information corresponding to the given delivery item (20).

[0177] C25. The method (300) according to paragraph C24, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) is positively correlated with the riskiness of the given delivery item (20).

[0178] C26. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C21 - C25, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) among two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially based on item destination information corresponding to the given delivery item (20).

[0179] C27. The method (300) according to paragraph C26, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) is negatively correlated with the distance between the UAV (200) and the delivery destination (22) of the given delivery item (20).

[0180] C28. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C26 - C27, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) is positively correlated with the number of other delivery items (20) having the same delivery destination (22) as the given delivery item (20).

[0181] C29. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C21 - C28, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) among two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially based on time - sensitivity information corresponding to the given delivery item (20).

[0182] C30. The method (300) according to paragraph C29, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) is negatively correlated with the time interval between the current time and the latest arrival time by which the given delivery item (20) needs to reach the corresponding delivery destination (22).

[0183] C31. The method (300) according to any one of paragraphs C21 - C30, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) among two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially based on item recipient information corresponding to the given delivery item (20).

[0184] C32. The method (300) according to paragraph C31, wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) is positively correlated with the number of other delivery items (20) having the same intended recipient as the given delivery item (20).

[0185] As used herein, the phrase "at least substantially" when modifying a degree or relationship includes not only the stated "substantial" degree or relationship, but also the entire range of the stated degree or relationship. The substantial amount of the degree or relationship can include at least 75% of the stated degree or relationship. For example, a first direction being at least substantially parallel to a second direction includes the first direction being within an angular deviation of 22.5° relative to the second direction, and also includes the first direction being the same as the second direction.

[0186] As used herein, the terms "selective" and "selectively" when modifying an action, movement, configuration, or other activity of one or more components or characteristics of a device mean that the particular action, movement, configuration, or other activity is a direct or indirect result of a user's manipulation of an aspect of the device or one or more components of the device.

[0187] As used herein, the terms "adapted to" and "configured to" mean that an element, component, or other subject is designed and / or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms "adapted to" and "configured to" should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject is merely "able to" perform the given function, but rather that the element, component, and / or other subject has been specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and / or designed for the purpose of performing the function. Within the scope of the present disclosure, an element, component, and / or other recited subject that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa. Similarly, a subject that is recited as being configured to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being operable to perform that function.

[0188] As used herein, the term "and / or" placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of the following: (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with "and / or" shall be interpreted in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the entities so joined. Other entities may optionally exist in addition to those specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified entities. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising," a reference to "A and / or B" may, in one example, refer to only A (optionally including entities other than B); in another example, refer to only B (optionally including entities other than A); and in yet another example, refer to A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, etc.

[0189] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" with respect to a list of one or more entities shall be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each entity expressly listed in the list of entities, and not excluding any combination of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows for the optional presence of additional entities, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified within the list of entities referred to in the phrase "at least one". Thus, by way of non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently "A and / or B") can, in one embodiment, refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) A without B (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) B without A (and optionally including entities other than A); and in yet another embodiment, refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) A and at least one (optionally including more than one) B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both associative and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C", and "A, B, and / or C" can refer to only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any one of the foregoing in combination with at least one other entity.

[0190] As used herein, the phrases "for example", "as an example", and / or the term "example" in short, when referring to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure, are intended to convey that the described components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods are illustrative non-exclusive examples of one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure. Thus, the described components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods are not intended to be limiting, requiring, or exclusive / exhaustive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods that are structurally and / or functionally similar and / or equivalent are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0191] In the present disclosure, several illustrative non-exclusive examples have been discussed and / or presented in the context of a flow chart or flow diagram of a method shown and described as a series of boxes or steps. Unless specifically noted in the appended description, within the scope of the present disclosure, the order of the boxes can be different from the order shown in the flow chart, including two or more boxes (or steps) occurring in a different order, simultaneously, and / or repeatedly. Within the scope of the present disclosure, a box or step can be implemented as logic, which can also be described as implementing a box or step as logic. In some applications, a box or step can represent an expression and / or action to be performed by a functionally equivalent circuit or other logic device. The boxes shown can, but need not, represent executable instructions that cause a computer, processor, and / or other logic device to respond, perform an action, change state, generate output or display, and / or make a decision.

[0192] In addition, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses:

[0193] Clause 1. A cargo air delivery system (10) for delivering one or more delivery items (20) to one or more delivery destinations (22), the cargo air delivery system (10) comprising:

[0194] A cargo container (100) configured to carry the one or more delivery items (20); and

[0195] An unmanned aerial vehicle, i.e., UAV (200), configured to carry the cargo container (100) to each of the one or more delivery destinations (22) corresponding to the one or more delivery items (20);

[0196] wherein the cargo container (100) includes a programmable device (120) that stores manifest information (130) regarding each of the one or more delivery items (20); wherein the manifest information (130) includes item destination information representing the respective delivery destinations (22) of each of the one or more delivery items (20); wherein the cargo air delivery system (10) further utilizes a local communication mode (50) configured to communicate delivery information (140) from the cargo container (100) to the UAV (200), and wherein the delivery information (140) is at least partially based on the item destination information.

[0197] Clause 2. The cargo air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the local communication mode (50) is used to directly communicate the delivery information (140) from the cargo container (100) to the UAV (200) independently of communication with an external remote communication network.

[0198] Clause 3. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the UAV (200) includes a vehicle communication device (250), wherein the cargo container (100) includes a container communication device (150), and wherein the local communication mode (50) is configured to transfer the delivery information (140) from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) via one or more of electromagnetic signals, electrical signals, radio frequency signals, near field communication signals, optical signals, wireless connections, wired connections, direct connections, or visual connections.

[0199] Clause 4. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a delivery system controller (60), the delivery system controller (60) being configured to generate a delivery route (30) for the UAV (200) to travel along to deliver the one or more delivery items (20), wherein the delivery route (30) is at least partially based on the waybill information (130).

[0200] Clause 5. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the UAV (200) includes the delivery system controller (60).

[0201] Clause 6. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the cargo container (100) includes the delivery system controller (60).

[0202] Clause 7. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the one or more delivery items (20) include two or more delivery items (20); wherein the waybill information (130) further includes item weight information representing the weight of each of the two or more delivery items (20); wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate the delivery route (30) at least partially based on the item weight information of each of the two or more delivery items (20) with respect to each delivery destination (22); and wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate the delivery route (30) such that the two or more delivery items (20) are delivered to the respective delivery destinations (22) at least partially in decreasing order of the weights of the two or more delivery items (20) for each delivery destination (22).

[0203] Clause 8. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cargo container (100) includes a vehicle engagement structure (160), and wherein the UAV (200) includes a cargo container receiver (212), the cargo container receiver (212) being configured to selectively engage the vehicle engagement structure (160) such that the cargo container (100) is secured to the UAV (200) and such that the UAV (200) can carry the cargo container (100).

[0204] Clause 9. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the cargo container (100) is configured to selectively transition between a docking configuration and a non-docking configuration, in the docking configuration, the cargo container receiver (212) operably engages the cargo container (100) such that the UAV (200) can carry the cargo container (100), in the non-docking configuration, the cargo container (100) is removed from the UAV (200); and wherein the airborne cargo delivery system (10) further includes a cargo container engagement sensor (214), the cargo container engagement sensor (214) being configured to detect when the cargo container (100) is in the docking configuration.

[0205] Clause 10. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 9, wherein one or both of the cargo container receiver (212) and the vehicle engagement structure (160) includes the cargo container engagement sensor (214).

[0206] Clause 11. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the local communication mode (50) is used to initiate the transfer of the delivery information (140) from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) in response to the cargo container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the cargo container (100) is in the docking configuration.

[0207] Clause 12. The airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the UAV (200) is a rotary-wing aircraft having one or more rotors (230).

[0208] Clause 13. A method of delivering the one or more delivery items (20) to the one or more delivery destinations (22) using the airborne cargo delivery system (10) according to claim 1, the method comprising:

[0209] Loading (310) the one or more delivery items (20) into the container body (110) of the cargo container (100);

[0210] Input (320) the manifest information (130) for each of the one or more delivery items (20) into the programmable device (120) of the cargo container (100);

[0211] Operably engage (330) the cargo container (100) with the UAV (200);

[0212] Generate (350) a delivery route (30) for delivering each of the one or more delivery items (20) to a respective delivery destination (22);

[0213] Transport (360) the cargo container (100) with the UAV (200) according to the delivery route (30); and

[0214] Unload (370) each of the one or more delivery items (20) at the respective delivery destination (22).

[0215] Clause 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein inputting (320) the manifest information (130) into the programmable device (120) includes scanning each of the one or more delivery items (20) with an input scanner (124).

[0216] Clause 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein inputting (320) the manifest information (130) into the programmable device (120) includes manually inputting the manifest information (130) via a user interface (126).

[0217] Clause 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein engaging the cargo container (100) with the UAV (200) includes engaging the cargo container (100) with a cargo container receiver (212) to transition the cargo container (100) from a non-docked configuration, in which the cargo container (100) is removed from the UAV (200), to a docked configuration, in which the cargo container receiver (212) operably engages the cargo container (100) such that the UAV (200) can carry the cargo container (100).

[0218] Clause 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein engaging the cargo container (100) with the cargo container receiver (212) includes generating and transmitting (332) an engagement signal by a cargo container engagement sensor (214), the cargo container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the cargo container (100) is in the docked configuration.

[0219] Clause 18. The method according to claim 17 further comprises, after inputting (320) the waybill information (130), transferring (340) the delivery information (140) from the goods container (100) to the UAV (200), wherein the delivery information (140) is at least partially based on the waybill information (130), and wherein transferring (340) the delivery information (140) is performed in response to the goods container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the goods container (100) is in the docking configuration.

[0220] Clause 19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the one or more delivery items (20) comprise two or more delivery items (20), wherein generating (350) the delivery route (30) comprises calculating (352) an optimal delivery flight path (32), wherein calculating (352) the optimal delivery flight path (32) comprises calculating (354) a priority score associated with each of the two or more delivery items (20), and wherein generating (350) the delivery route (30) comprises configuring the delivery route (30) to deliver the two or more delivery items (20) in decreasing order of priority score.

[0221] Clause 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the waybill information (130) comprises item weight information representing the weight of each of the two or more delivery items (20); wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) of the two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially based on the item weight information corresponding to the given delivery item (20); and wherein the priority score of the given delivery item (20) is positively correlated with the weight of the given delivery item (20).

[0222] The various disclosed elements of the devices and systems and method steps of the present disclosure are not necessary for all of the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements and steps disclosed herein. Additionally, one or more of the various elements and steps disclosed herein may define an independent inventive subject matter that is independent of and different from the overall disclosed devices, systems, or methods. Accordingly, such inventive subject matter is not required to be associated with the specific devices, systems, and methods explicitly disclosed herein, and such inventive subject matter may find utility in devices, systems, and / or methods not explicitly disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A cargo air delivery system (10) for delivering two or more delivery items (20) to two or more delivery destinations (22), the cargo air delivery system (10) comprising: A cargo container (100) configured to carry the two or more delivery items (20), wherein the cargo container includes a container body; And An unmanned aerial vehicle, i.e., UAV (200), configured to carry the cargo container (100) to each of the two or more delivery destinations (22) corresponding to the two or more delivery items (20); Wherein the cargo container (100) includes: A programmable device (120) that stores manifest information (130) regarding each of the two or more delivery items (20); wherein the manifest information (130) includes item destination information indicating the respective delivery destination (22) of each of the two or more delivery items (20); wherein the cargo air delivery system (10) directly conveys delivery information (140) from the cargo container (100) to the UAV (200) using a local communication mode (50) independent of communication with an external remote communication network, and wherein the delivery information (140) is at least partially based on the item destination information; A delivery system controller configured to generate a delivery route using the manifest information and the respective delivery destination of each of the two or more delivery items stored in the programmable device, such that the delivery route is transmitted from the cargo container to the UAV via the local communication mode independent of communication with an external remote communication network, wherein the delivery route includes instructions corresponding to a delivery flight path and a delivery order, the delivery flight path for the UAV to travel along to deliver the two or more delivery items to two or more respective delivery destinations, and the two or more delivery items will be delivered to the two or more respective delivery destinations in the delivery order, and wherein the delivery system controller is supported by the container body of the cargo container; A container communication device configured to transmit, independent of communication with the external remote communication network, the delivery route including the instructions corresponding to the delivery flight path and the delivery order from the delivery system controller to a vehicle communication device (250) of the UAV, and the two or more delivery items will be delivered to the two or more respective delivery destinations in the delivery order; and Wherein the UAV is configured to receive the delivery route from the container communication device independent of communication with the external remote communication network and follow the delivery flight path of the delivery route to deliver the two or more delivery items to the two or more respective delivery destinations in the delivery order.

2. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the local communication mode (50) is configured to transmit the delivery route from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) via one or more of electromagnetic signals, electrical signals, or optical signals.

3. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the local communication mode (50) is configured to transmit the delivery route from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) via radio frequency signals.

4. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the local communication mode (50) is configured to transmit the delivery route from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) via near - field communication signals.

5. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the local communication mode (50) is configured to transmit the delivery route from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) via one or more of wireless connections or wired connections.

6. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the local communication mode (50) is configured to transmit the delivery route from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) via a direct connection.

7. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the local communication mode (50) is configured to transmit the delivery route from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) via a visual connection.

8. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container body is configured to at least partially enclose and support the two or more delivery items, and is configured to be selectively and operably coupled to the UAV, wherein the programmable device and the container communication device are supported by the container body, and wherein the programmable device includes the delivery system controller (60).

9. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the waybill information (130) further includes item weight information representing the weight of each of the two or more delivery items (20); wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate the delivery route (30) for each delivery destination (22) at least partially based on the item weight information regarding each of the two or more delivery items (20); and wherein the delivery system controller (60) is configured to generate the delivery route (30) such that the two or more delivery items (20) are delivered to the corresponding delivery destination (22) at least partially in the order of decreasing weight of the two or more delivery items (20) for each delivery destination (22).

10. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the goods container (100) includes a vehicle engagement structure (160), and wherein the UAV (200) includes a goods container receiver (212), the goods container receiver (212) being configured to selectively engage the vehicle engagement structure (160) such that the goods container (100) is fixed to the UAV (200) and such that the UAV (200) is capable of carrying the goods container (100).

11. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 10, wherein the goods container (100) is configured to selectively transition between a docking configuration and a non-docking configuration, in the docking configuration, the goods container receiver (212) operably engages the goods container (100) such that the UAV (200) is capable of carrying the goods container (100), in the non-docking configuration, the goods container (100) is removed from the UAV (200); and wherein the goods air delivery system (10) further includes a goods container engagement sensor (214), the goods container engagement sensor (214) being configured to detect when the goods container (100) is in the docking configuration.

12. The goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 11, wherein the local communication mode (50) is used to initiate the transfer of the delivery route from the container communication device (150) to the vehicle communication device (250) in response to the goods container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the goods container (100) is in the docking configuration.

13. A method of delivering the two or more delivery items (20) to the two or more delivery destinations (22) using the goods air delivery system (10) according to claim 1, the method comprising: loading (310) the two or more delivery items (20) into the container body (110) of the goods container (100); inputting (320) the waybill information (130) regarding each of the two or more delivery items (20) into the programmable device (120) of the goods container (100); operatively engaging (330) the goods container (100) with the UAV (200); generating (350) the delivery route (30) for delivering each of the two or more delivery items (20) to the corresponding delivery destination (22); transporting (360) the goods container (100) with the UAV (200) according to the delivery route (30); and unloading (370) each of the two or more delivery items (20) at the corresponding delivery destination (22).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein inputting (320) the manifest information (130) into the programmable device (120) includes scanning each of the two or more delivery items (20) with an input scanner (124).

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein engaging (330) the cargo container (100) with the UAV (200) includes engaging the cargo container (100) with a cargo container receiver (212) to transition the cargo container (100) from a non-docked configuration, in which the cargo container (100) is removed from the UAV (200), to a docked configuration, in which the cargo container receiver (212) is operatively engaged with the cargo container (100) such that the UAV (200) is capable of carrying the cargo container (100).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein engaging the cargo container (100) with the cargo container receiver (212) includes generating and transmitting (332) an engagement signal via a cargo container engagement sensor (214), the engagement signal indicating that the cargo container (100) is in the docked configuration.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising, after inputting the manifest information (130), transferring the delivery route from the cargo container to the UAV, and wherein transferring (340) the delivery route is performed in response to the cargo container engagement sensor (214) indicating that the cargo container (100) is in the docked configuration.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein generating (350) the delivery route (30) includes calculating (352) an optimal delivery flight path (32), wherein calculating (352) the optimal delivery flight path (32) includes calculating (354) a priority score associated with each of the two or more delivery items (20), and wherein generating (350) the delivery route (30) includes configuring the delivery route (30) to deliver the two or more delivery items (20) in decreasing order of priority score.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the manifest information (130) includes item weight information representing the weight of each of the two or more delivery items (20); wherein the priority score of a given delivery item (20) among the two or more delivery items (20) is at least partially based on the item weight information corresponding to the given delivery item (20); and wherein the priority score of the given delivery item (20) is positively correlated with the weight of the given delivery item (20).

Images