SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A DELIVERY SERVICE USING A DRONE

Abstract

System for a delivery service, wherein the system comprises: a server with delivery information about a delivery, drone information about a drone to be used for delivery, and vehicle information about a vehicle into which the drone is to board, wherein the server is configured to control the drone using the delivery information, the drone information, and the vehicle information to board the vehicle and drive to pick up a package to be delivered, or to leave the vehicle to deliver the package to a delivery destination, wherein the server is configured to: use image data and weight data collected accordingly by a camera and weight sensor of the drone to calculate delivery costs of the package, wherein the server uses the image data and weight data to determine whether the package is of a size that can be delivered by the drone;to request a specific user terminal to pay the delivery costs; and, after the delivery costs have been paid, to control the drone to pick up the package at a delivery origin location, with the server configured to control the drone to return to a return location when the drone has completed delivering the package to the delivery destination.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for a delivery service using a drone. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An existing parcel delivery system is a system in which, when a customer makes a request for parcel delivery, a delivery agent visits a delivery request point and takes the parcel to a distribution center, and the delivery agent reclassifies the parcel according to a destination in the distribution center and delivers the parcel accordingly.

[0003] In this system, it is inconvenient for the delivery agent to visit each customer's delivery request location. Furthermore, it takes a lot of time and reduces efficiency if the delivery agent reclassifies the parcel at the distribution center and delivers the parcel to a warehouse near the destination, or to the destination by loading the parcel into a distribution vehicle and visiting the destination.

[0004] Furthermore, when using public transportation such as express buses, intercity buses, etc., a customer traditionally sends a parcel manually at the public transportation departure time, and a recipient manually picks up the parcel at the terminal at the public transportation arrival time. This is unsystematic and merely a prescribed process.

[0005] In addition, delivering a package using only one drone is limited in its ability to meet overarching requirements and presents other problems, such as noise or an accident when multiple drones are flying.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to develop an efficient delivery service system to deliver a parcel additionally by operating a drone, using as much as possible a means of transport, such as public transport, which is already fixed in time and route.

[0007] The foregoing statements are merely intended to provide an understanding of the background of the present invention and are not intended to imply that the present invention falls within the scope of related art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention relates to a system and method for a delivery service using a drone. Particular embodiments relate to a system and method for a delivery service using a drone, wherein a package to be delivered is picked up using the drone, and the drone, in combination with an existing public transport system, boards a vehicle, travels to a delivery destination, and leaves the vehicle near the delivery destination to deliver the package to the delivery destination, thereby minimizing the operation of the drone and increasing delivery efficiency, and a battery of the drone is charged when the drone is on board the vehicle, making it easy to maintain and manage the drone.

[0009] According to embodiments of the present invention, a system for a delivery service using a drone includes a server that has delivery information about the delivery, drone information about the drone to be used for delivery, and vehicle information about a vehicle the drone is to board, and that controls the drone via the delivery information, the drone information, and the vehicle information so that the drone boards the vehicle and drives, a battery of the drone is charged by the vehicle, or the drone leaves the vehicle to deliver a package to a delivery destination.

[0010] The delivery information may include information about a delivery request, the package, a delivery origin, or the delivery destination.

[0011] The drone information may include information about a drone's position, a drone battery charge level, a drone's path, or whether the drone is on board the vehicle.

[0012] The vehicle information may include information about a vehicle's position, a vehicle's path, or whether the vehicle is being boarded by the drone.

[0013] When the server receives a delivery request, the server instructs the drone to board the vehicle closest to a delivery origin, fly to the delivery origin, and pick up the package.

[0014] After the drone picks up the package from a delivery origin location, the server controls the drone so that the drone boards the vehicle that is moving to the delivery destination and drives off.

[0015] When the drone that picked up the package enters the vehicle and moves to the delivery destination, the server controls the drone so that the drone switches to one or more vehicles and continues on its way.

[0016] When the drone enters or exits the vehicle, the server controls the drone so that the drone enters or exits the vehicle while the vehicle is stopped.

[0017] When the server receives a delivery request from a specific user terminal, the server issues a request to pay a delivery deposit, and when the specific user terminal pays the delivery deposit, the server controls the drone on board the vehicle so that the drone flies to a delivery origin.

[0018] The server may use image data or weight data collected by a camera or weight sensor of the drone to calculate the delivery cost of the package, the server may request a specific user terminal to pay the delivery cost, and when the specific user terminal pays the delivery cost, the server controls the drone so that the drone picks up the package at a delivery origin location.

[0019] When the drone has finished delivering the package to the delivery destination, the server controls the drone so that the drone boards a vehicle that moves to an additional delivery origin location that is closest to the delivery destination, or so that the drone returns to a return location.

[0020] The return location can be a vehicle passing through a main point with many delivery requests, or can be a drone stop at the main point with many delivery requests, and the drone's battery can be charged at the return location.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for a delivery service using a drone includes receiving a delivery request by a server, picking up a package at a delivery origin by the drone, boarding the drone with the picked-up package into a vehicle moving to a delivery destination, and flying the drone from the vehicle and delivering the package to the delivery destination by the drone.

[0022] When the drone with the picked-up package boards the vehicle moving to the delivery destination, one of the drone's batteries can be charged by the vehicle.

[0023] When the drone with the picked-up package boards the vehicle moving to the delivery destination, the drone can transfer to one or more vehicles and continue driving.

[0024] After the drone has flown from the vehicle and delivered the package to the delivery destination by the drone, the method may further include returning the drone to a return location.

[0025] According to the system and method for delivery service using the drone of embodiments of the present invention, the parcel to be delivered is picked up using the drone, and in combination with the existing public transportation system, the drone gets on the vehicle, travels to the delivery destination, and gets off the vehicle near the delivery destination to deliver the parcel to the delivery destination, whereby the operation of the drone can be minimized and the delivery efficiency can be increased, and the battery of the drone is charged when the drone is on board the vehicle, whereby it can be easy to maintain and manage the drone. Character list

[0026] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for a delivery service using a drone according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a delivery service using a drone according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like or similar parts.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for a delivery service using a drone according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a delivery service using a drone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for a delivery service using a drone according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for a delivery service using a drone includes a server that has delivery information about the delivery, drone information about the drone to be used for delivery, and vehicle information about a vehicle the drone is to board, and that controls the drone using the delivery information, the drone information, and the vehicle information so that the drone boards the vehicle and drives, a battery of the drone is charged by the vehicle, or the drone leaves the vehicle to deliver a package to a delivery destination. The system may consist of the server itself, or one or more drones and the server that controls the drones.

[0030] For example, one or more drones and one or more vehicles are provided. Each of the vehicles is provided with a space where the one or more drones can land or board. After the drone has landed or boarded, a battery of the drone is charged by the vehicle. In the system for delivery service using the drone, according to an embodiment of the present invention, using drone and vehicle information, the drone rests on a roof of a vehicle moving along a specific route or at a drone stop at a main point and charges the battery. Further, when a delivery request is received, the drone is controlled on the vehicle passing a location closest to the delivery origin to take off and head for the delivery origin, i.e., move there.After the drone picks up a package, it is directed to board a vehicle traveling to the delivery destination. When the vehicle passes the location closest to the delivery destination, the drone is directed to take off again and deliver the package to the delivery destination. Consequently, the problem caused by the drone is minimized by utilizing a system for existing public transport, etc., and the drone's flight is also minimized, increasing the efficiency of the system for the delivery service.

[0031] Additionally, the delivery information may contain information about a delivery request, a package, a delivery origin, or a delivery destination. The drone information may contain information about a drone's position, the charge level of a drone's battery, a drone's path, or whether a drone is on board a vehicle. The vehicle information may contain information about a vehicle's position, a vehicle's path, or whether a drone is on board a vehicle.

[0032] In particular, the delivery information may include: information about a delivery request received from a user, information about a volume, size, contents of a package, etc., and information about a delivery origin, a delivery destination, delivery urgency, a desired time for delivery of a package, etc. The drone information may include information about whether a drone is operational, a battery status, a distance a drone can fly, a current position of a drone, etc. The vehicle may be a public transport vehicle such as a bus or similar that has a fixed route or path.In particular, the vehicle information may include information about a travel path of a vehicle or a route of a bus, a current position of a vehicle and an estimated position over time, whether a drone has landed in or boarded a vehicle, whether a vehicle is capable of charging a drone, etc.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the system for the delivery service using the drone, when the server receives the delivery request, the server causes the drone on board the vehicle positioned closest to the delivery origin to fly to the delivery origin and pick up the package.

[0034] Specifically, a customer can apply for a membership in a delivery service application in advance and use the delivery service application to request a drone delivery. The customer enters the size and weight of the package into the delivery service application in advance. The server determines whether the package can be delivered by drone and informs the customer of the determination result. The vehicles, buses, etc., continue driving while circling on specified paths. Drones are mounted on the roof of the moving vehicles or buses, or are on board and are either ready or stationary.In the event that the parcel can be delivered by drone, the drone on the vehicle positioned closest to a delivery request location for which the customer requests delivery of the parcel will then be controlled to take off and travel to the delivery request location, among the drones mounted on or attached to the vehicles or buses.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the system for delivery service using the drone, after the drone picks up the package from the delivery origin, the server controls the drone so that the drone boards the vehicle heading to the delivery destination and drives. The server selects the vehicle or bus heading to the delivery destination that is closest to the delivery origin where the drone picked up the package. The server then identifies whether the vehicle or bus has a space for the drone to board (i.e., land) or to board. If there is a space for the drone to board or land, the server controls the drone so that the drone that picked up the package flies, boards the vehicle or bus, and drives to the delivery destination.In addition, after the drone has landed on the vehicle or bus, the drone's battery is charged, which minimizes charging time and keeps the drone in a flight-ready condition at all times.

[0036] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the system for delivery service using the drone, when the drone that picked up the package gets on the vehicle and drives to the delivery destination, the server controls the drone so that the drone transfers to one or more vehicles and drives. This means that, like a person who delivers a package using a vehicle or bus, if there is no vehicle or bus that goes directly to the delivery destination, the server uses a fixed travel path of a vehicle or a fixed route of a bus to determine a path for the most efficient delivery of a package, determines the vehicle or bus that drives along the path, and controls the drone so that the drone transfers to the specific vehicle or bus and drives to the delivery destination. If on the roof of the vehicle or bus to be deliveredIf there is no space to take off or board the drone at the point where the drone is to transfer, the server controls the drone so that the drone lands on a drone stop at a main point near a transfer point and waits, i.e. is on standby or rests.

[0037] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the delivery service system using the drone, when boarding or disembarking the vehicle, the server controls the drone so that the drone enters or exits the vehicle while the vehicle is stopped. The drone can enter or exit the vehicle or bus while the vehicle or bus is moving. Boarding or exiting only when the vehicle or bus is stopped due to waiting for a traffic light, traffic jam, or the like prevents accidents and traffic congestion.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the drone delivery service system, when the server receives a delivery request from a specific user terminal, the server requests payment of a delivery deposit. When the specific user terminal pays the delivery deposit, the server controls the drone on board the vehicle so that the drone flies to the delivery origin.

[0039] After the delivery deposit is paid, the drone flies and arrives at the delivery origin. The server uses a camera or weight sensor equipped on the drone to determine whether a packed package is of a size or weight that the drone can deliver. If the package is of a size or weight that the drone cannot deliver, the customer is asked to repack the package. The delivery deposit is the cost of calling or summoning the drone. If the customer refuses to repack or cancels the delivery request, the server returns the drone and does not return the paid delivery deposit to the customer. The server informs the customer of the summoning cost in advance. To pay the summoning cost, the customer is asked to apply for a membership in the delivery service application and register payment information.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the drone delivery service system, the server uses image data or weight data acquired by the drone's camera or weight sensor to calculate the delivery cost of the package. The server requests the designated user terminal to pay the delivery cost. When the designated user terminal pays the delivery cost, the server controls the drone to pick up the package from the delivery origin. The larger the size of the package or the heavier the weight of the package, the more difficult it is for the drone to deliver the package and the longer the delivery time. The delivery cost increases accordingly. Therefore, the server calculates the delivery cost when the drone picks up the package and informs the customer of the delivery cost.Only when the customer accepts the delivery costs are the delivery costs paid, and the server instructs the drone to begin delivery. The paid delivery deposit is returned to the customer because the drone is called. Since the drone will not make the delivery if the customer refuses to pay the delivery costs, the server instructs the drone to return and does not return the paid delivery deposit to the customer.

[0041] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the system for the delivery service using the drone, when the drone has finished delivering the package to the delivery destination, the server controls the drone to board a vehicle that travels to an additional delivery origin located closest to the delivery destination and travels, or to return to a return location. The server controls the drone that has finished delivery to board the vehicle or bus and travels to an additional delivery request location closest to the delivery destination. If there is no additional delivery request nearby, the server performs analysis using big data and controls the drone to board the vehicle or bus that has a path or route thatthat passes through a distribution center location. If there is no vehicle or bus nearby whose path or route passes through the distribution center location, the server controls the drone so that the drone boards the vehicle or bus and travels to a drone stop installed at the distribution center location, and the drone waits at the drone stop (i.e., enters a standby or ready state).

[0042] Additionally, the return point is the vehicle that passes the main point with multiple delivery requests, or the drone stops at the main point with multiple delivery requests. The drone's battery can be charged at the return point. The roof of the vehicle or bus and the drone stop are equipped with charging points. When the drone takes off, lands, or lands, the drone uses the charging facility to recharge its battery and prepares for the next delivery.

[0043] Fig.2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a delivery service using a drone according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for a delivery service using a drone includes receiving a delivery request by a server in step S100, picking up a package at a delivery origin by the drone in step S140, for example, after completing steps S110, S120, and S130, boarding the drone with the picked-up package into a vehicle traveling to a delivery destination in step S180, for example, after completing steps S150 and S160, flying the drone from the vehicle, and delivering the package to the delivery destination by the drone in step S210. Upon boarding,After boarding the drone with the picked-up package onto the vehicle traveling to the delivery destination in step S180, the drone's battery can be charged by the vehicle. If it is determined that the package cannot be transported (No in step S140) or the customer does not accept the delivery costs (No in step S160), the package is unloaded in step S170 and the drone is guided to a vehicle for transport in step S230.

[0044] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the method for the delivery service using the drone, when the drone boards the vehicle traveling to the delivery destination with the picked-up package in step S180, the drone can transfer to one or more vehicles and can travel. If direct delivery of the package is not possible (No in step S190), the server analyzes the predetermined route that the vehicle or bus is traveling along, and the server controls the drone so that the drone transfers to one or more vehicles or buses and moves forward in step S200. If direct delivery of the package is possible (Yes in step S190), the drone takes off near the destination in step S210.

[0045] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method for the delivery service using the drone may further comprise, after the drone is flown from the vehicle in step S210 and the drone delivers the package to the delivery destination in step S220, returning the drone to a return location in steps S240 and S250 or steps S260 and S270 based on a determination in step S230. Upon returning the drone to the return location in steps S240 and S250 or steps S260 and S270, the server controls the drone when there is an additional delivery request on the return path so that the drone immediately performs an additional delivery.

[0046] According to embodiments of the present invention, the system and method for delivery service using the drone can deliver a package by using the drone in cooperation with public transportation infrastructure such as a bus, etc. Furthermore, compared with the conventional delivery service using a drone, the drone is mounted on the vehicle or bus, and is charged and driven most of the time, so the drone is kept in a charged state and the distance the drone flies is shortened. Accordingly, this can lead to an improvement in the durability of the drone and a reduction in human safety problems caused by reckless drone flying. Furthermore, battery consumption can be reduced, thus handling a large number of deliveries.

[0047] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A system for a delivery service, the system comprising: a server having delivery information about a delivery, drone information about a drone to be used for delivery, and vehicle information about a vehicle at which the drone is to board, wherein the server is configured to control the drone by the delivery information, the drone information, and the vehicle information to board the vehicle and drive to pick up a package to be delivered or to exit the vehicle to deliver the package to a delivery destination. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to control the drone such that a battery of the drone can be charged by the vehicle. [3] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to, when the drone has finished delivering the package to the delivery destination, control the drone to return to a second vehicle so that a battery of the drone can be charged at the second vehicle. [4] The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery information includes information about a delivery request, the package, a delivery origin, or the delivery destination. [5] The system of claim 1, wherein the drone information includes information about a position of the drone, a charge level of a battery of the drone, a travel path of the drone, or whether the drone is on board the vehicle. [6] The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information includes information about a position of the vehicle, a travel path of the vehicle, or whether the vehicle is boarded by the drone. [7] The system of claim 1, wherein when the server receives a delivery request, the server is configured to instruct the drone on board the vehicle closest to a delivery origin to fly to the delivery origin and retrieve the package. [8] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to, after the drone picks up the package at a delivery origin location, control the drone to board the vehicle traveling to the delivery destination location and ride on the vehicle. [9] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to control the drone to transfer to a second vehicle and ride on the second vehicle after the package is picked up by the drone. [10] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to control the drone to enter or exit the vehicle while the vehicle is in a stopped state. [11] The system of claim 1, wherein the server, upon receiving a delivery request from a particular user terminal, is configured to issue a request for payment of a delivery deposit, and the server is configured to, upon payment of the delivery deposit, control the drone on board the vehicle to fly to a delivery origin. [12] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to: Use image data or weight data collected by a camera or weight sensor of the drone to calculate the delivery cost of the parcel; to request a specific user terminal to pay the delivery costs; and After the delivery costs have been paid, to control the drone to pick up the package at a delivery origin location. [13] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to, after delivering the package to the delivery destination, control the drone to board a second vehicle that travels to an additional delivery origin closest to the delivery destination and rides on the second vehicle. [14] The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to control the drone to return to a return location when the drone has completed delivering the package to the delivery destination. [15] The system of claim 14, wherein the return location is a second vehicle passing through a main point with many delivery requests or a drone stop at the main point with many delivery requests, and wherein a battery of the drone is configured to be charged at the return location. [16] A method for a delivery service, the method comprising: Receiving a delivery request; Collecting a parcel at a delivery origin using a drone according to the delivery request Boarding the drone with the package onto a vehicle heading towards a delivery destination; Flying the drone from the vehicle; and Using the drone to deliver the package to the delivery destination. [17] The method of claim 16, further comprising using the vehicle to charge a battery of the drone while the drone is on board the vehicle. [18] The method of claim 16, wherein flying the drone comprises flying the drone from the vehicle to a second vehicle such that the drone rides on the second vehicle. [19] The method of claim 16, further comprising requesting payment for delivery, wherein the package is picked up at the delivery origin location upon receipt of the payment. [20] A method for a delivery service using a drone, the method comprising: Receiving delivery information about a delivery, drone information about a drone to be used for the delivery, and vehicle information about a vehicle to be used by the drone for the delivery; and Controlling the drone through the delivery information, the drone information, and the vehicle information so that the drone can pick up a package at a delivery origin location, enter the vehicle so that the drone can ride on the vehicle while it is charged, and exit the vehicle to deliver the package to a delivery destination location.

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