A delivery robot containing a camera inside the lid and its control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a delivery robot and its control method, which includes a lid (18) mounted with hinges (28) on the peripheral top wall (26) of an enclosure (12) carrying the delivery, and a camera inside the lid (24) mounted in a position near the hinges (28) on a rear wall (20) of the lid (18).

Description

[0001] A DELIVERY ROBOT CONTAINING A CAMERA INSIDE THE LID AND ITS CONTROL METHOD

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention is related to a delivery robot and its control method, which includes a camera located underneath the lid that captures images related to delivery.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In the literature, delivery robots operate autonomously by providing bidirectional data flow with a central server. Upon receiving a customer's order command through a database, a delivery robot goes to the relevant unit to receive the package load. After the order is loaded, it goes to the address specified by the customer to deliver the order. When the delivery robot arrives at the address specified by the customer, it opens the robot lid and the delivery concludes when the customer also receives the order. During the delivery, security can be ensured, for example, with a thermal sensor to track the delivery. In the literature, imaging with a camera is also done as a precaution in case the delivery is taken by an unauthorized person.

[0006] WO2021162951 is related to a mobile distribution system with secure access cabinets. In the invention, delivery security is ensured by detecting a situation where unauthorized tampering is done in the delivery cabinet through sensors placed inside the delivery cabinet.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to develop a delivery robot that contains a camera inside the lid, which enables the imaging of the delivery package in the storage area when the lid is in the closed state for delivery security and enables the imaging of the person receiving the delivery when the lid is opened.

[0009] To achieve the mentioned objectives, the invention describes a delivery robot containing a lid mounted with hinges on the peripheral top wall of an enclosure carrying the delivery. The delivery robot contains a camera inside the lid mounted in a position near the hinges on a rear wall of the lid. This allows image capture with the camera placed in the inner position of the lid. Here, the camera inside the lid is a high-resolution image capturing device for delivery security.

[0010] In a preferred configuration of the invention, the camera inside the lid provides view angles facing outward when the lid is in an open state. In this way, images of the person receiving the delivery are captured as the delivery robot opens the lid, tracking the delivery to prevent unauthorized receipts of the order package.

[0011] In a preferred configuration of the invention, the camera inside the lid provides view angles facing into the storage area when the lid is in a closed state. In this way, tracking the delivery is conducted to prevent unauthorized receipts of the delivery package while the lid is closed.

[0012] In a preferred configuration of the invention, the storage area is accessible from the gap between the peripheral top wall of the enclosure. This allows the entire storage area under the lid to be imaged by the camera inside the lid in the closed state once the delivery package is placed into the storage area inside the enclosure.

[0013] In a preferred configuration of the invention, the camera inside the lid is arranged on a lid compartment on the rear wall of the lid. This ensures the camera is mounted in a position that allows it to capture images from the entire storage area when the lid is closed and images at view angles facing outward when the lid is open, thereby providing a total view angle of 180 degrees.

[0014] A preferred configuration of the invention adjusts the hinges to hold the lid at an angle facing outward when the lid is opened. This allows reliable images of the recipient to be captured with the camera inside the lid when the lid is open.

[0015] A preferred implementation of the invention involves the following process steps: the arrival of a delivery command for a customer's order via a database to the delivery robot; the delivery robot going to the loading area for delivery loading upon the arrival of the delivery command; placement of the delivery package inside the delivery robot; the delivery robot closing its lid and switching to the lid closed state upon placement of the delivery package; image capture at view angles facing into the storage area by the camera inside the lid until the delivery is made when the lid is closed, and sending it to the central server; the delivery robot going to the order address specified by the customer who ordered the delivery; the delivery robot opening its lid and switching to the lid open state upon reaching the order address; image capture at view angles facing outward by the camera inside the lid as the customer receives their order when the lid is opened, and sending it to the central server; and the conclusion of the delivery by the delivery robot closing its lid and switching to the lid closed state upon the customer's receipt of the delivery. This allows the recipient who potentially receives the delivery package without authorization to be identified through images captured by the camera inside the lid and sent to a data center. In a preferred implementation of the invention, the central server provides data flow via the database. This enables real-time data flow at specified time intervals to the central server, which serves as a data center for delivery security, with the image data captured by the camera inside the lid.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a delivery robot.

[0018] Figure 2 shows the view angles of the camera inside the lid when the lid is open on a delivery robot.

[0019] Figure 3 shows the view angles of the camera inside the lid when the lid is closed on a delivery robot.

[0020] Figure 4 shows the flowchart of the control method relating to a delivery robot.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] This detailed description explains the subject matter of the invention without any limitation and is elucidated with references to examples for better understanding.

[0023] Figure 1 depicts a front perspective view of a delivery robot. The delivery robot (10) in Figure 1 contains an enclosure (12) that carries a delivery package. The enclosure (12) is mounted on a carrier body (14), which acts as a chassis for the delivery robot (10). The delivery robot (10) operates autonomously, enabling bilateral data flow with the data center. The autonomous delivery robot (10) is equipped with one or more wheels (16) that facilitate forward and backward movement in the horizontal plane. In this invention, the delivery robot has four wheels (16) mounted on the carrier body (chassis) (14). The delivery robot (10) sets its wheels (16) in motion based on the movement command from the data received from the central server. The delivery robot (10) has a storage area (30) accessible from the gap between the peripheral top wall (26) of the enclosure (12). The delivery package is placed inside the storage area (30) of the delivery robot (10). The storage area (30) is covered by a lid (18). The lid (18) is mounted on the peripheral top wall (26) of the enclosure (12) with hinges (28). The delivery robot in this invention contains a camera inside the lid (24). The camera inside the lid (24) is mounted in a position close to the hinges (28) on a rear wall (20) of the lid. The hinges (28) hold the lid (18) at an angle facing outward when it is opened. The camera inside the lid (24) is arranged on a lid compartment (22) on the rear wall (20) of the lid (18). Thus, the camera inside the lid (24) captures images from the entire storage area (30) when the lid (18) is closed and captures images at a total view angle of 180 degrees when the lid (18) is open. In other words, the camera inside the lid (24) takes high-resolution images for delivery security.

[0024] Figure 2 shows the view angles of the camera inside the lid when the lid is open on a delivery robot, and Figure 3 shows the view angles of the camera inside the lid when the lid is closed. The camera inside the lid (24) of the delivery robot (10) captures high-resolution images in a first outer view angle (36), a second outer view angle (38), a third outer view angle (40), and a fourth outer view angle (42) when the delivery robot is in an open lid state (34). In this way, images of the person receiving the delivery are captured, ensuring the tracking of potential unauthorized receipts of the order package. Additionally, when the delivery robot (10) is in a closed lid state (44), the camera inside the lid (24) captures high-quality images of the delivery package inside the storage area (30) at a first inner view angle (46), a second inner view angle (48), and a third inner view angle (50). The camera inside the lid (24) is capable of imaging the entire storage area (30). This can help detect any incomplete or erroneous deliveries. It also aids in tracking unauthorized receipts.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the flowchart of the control method related to a delivery robot. The operation of the delivery robot (10) and the process of capturing images with the camera inside the lid (24) according to the developed control method are as follows:

[0026] • Initially, a delivery command for a customer's order (66) is sent to the delivery robot (10) via a database (53) (54).

[0027] • The delivery robot (10) then moves to the loading area for loading the delivery (56). Here, the delivery package is placed inside the delivery robot (10) (58).

[0028] • Subsequently, the delivery robot (10) closes its lid, transitioning to a closed lid state (44) (60). During this closed lid state (44) until the delivery is made, the camera inside the lid (24) captures images of the storage area (30) at the inner view angles (46) (48) (50) (62) and sends them to the central server (64). In one implementation of the invention, the delivery robot (10) and the central server (52) facilitate data flow through the database (53).

[0029] • After loading and closing the lid, the delivery robot (10) proceeds to the order address specified by the customer who placed the order (68). Upon reaching the order address, the delivery robot (10) opens its lid, transitioning to an open lid state (34) (70).

[0030] • When the lid is opened (34), as the customer (66) receives the ordered item, the camera inside the lid (24) captures images at the outer view angles (36) (38) (40) (42) (72) and sends them to the central server (64).

[0031] • With the receipt of the delivery by the customer (74), the delivery robot (10) transitions back to a closed lid state (44). The delivery is completed (76) when the lid is closed (60). REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0032] 10 Delivery robot 46 First internal view angle

[0033] 12 Enclosure 48 Second internal view angle

[0034] 14 Carrier platform 50 Third internal view angle

[0035] 16 Wheel 52 Central server

[0036] 18 Lid 53 Database

[0037] 20 Rear wall 54 Arrival of delivery command

[0038] 22 Lid compartment 56 Going to the loading area

[0039] 24 Camera inside the lid 58 Placement of delivery package

[0040] 26 Top wall 60 Closing of the lid

[0041] 28 Hinge 62 Image capture

[0042] 30 Storage area 64 Sending to central server

[0043] 34 Lid open state 66 Customer

[0044] 36 First external view angle 68 Going to order address

[0045] 38 Second external view angle 70 Opening of the lid

[0046] 40 Third external view angle 72 Image capture

[0047] 42 Fourth external view angle 74 Receipt of delivery

[0048] 44 Lid closed state 76 Conclusion of delivery

Claims

CLAIMS1- A delivery robot containing a lid (18) mounted with hinges (28) on the peripheral top wall (26) of an enclosure (12) carrying the delivery, characterized by containing a camera inside the lid (24) mounted in a position near the hinges (28) on a rear wall (20) of the lid (18).2- A delivery robot according to claim 1 , characterized by the camera inside the lid (24) providing view angles (36) (38) (40) (42) facing outward when the lid is in an open state (34).3- A delivery robot according to claim 1 , characterized by the camera inside the lid (24) providing view angles (46) (48) (50) facing into a storage area (30) when the lid is in a closed state (44).4- A delivery robot according to claim 3, characterized by the storage area (30) being configured to be accessible from the gap between the enclosure's (12) peripheral top wall (26).5- A delivery robot according to any preceding claim, characterized by the camera inside the lid (24) being configured on a lid compartment (22) on the rear wall (20) of the lid (18).6- A delivery robot according to any preceding claim, characterized by the hinges (28) being adjusted to hold the lid (18) at an angle facing outward when the lid is opened (34).7- A control method of a delivery robot according to any preceding claim, characterized by including the following process steps: the arrival of a delivery command (54) to the delivery robot (10) via a database (53) for a customer's (66) order; the delivery robot's (10) going to the loading area (56) upon the arrival of the delivery command (54) for the delivery load; placement of the delivery package (58) inside the delivery robot (10); the delivery robot's (10) closing of the lid (60) and switching to the lid closed state (44) upon placement of the delivery package (58) to the delivery robot (10); capturing image (62) at view angles (46) (48) (50) facing into the storage area (30) by the camera inside the lid (24) until the delivery is made, when the lid is closed (44), and sending it to the central server (64); approximately the delivery robot's (10) going to the order address specified by the customer who ordered the delivery (68); the delivery robot's (10) opening of the lid (70) and switching to the lid open state (34) upon reaching the order address; capturing image (72) at view angles (36) (38) (40) (42) facing outward by the camera inside the lid (24) when the lid is opened (34) as the customer (66) receives their order, and sending it to the central server (64); approximatelythe conclusion of the delivery (76) by the delivery robot's (10) closing of the lid (60) and switching to the lid closed state (44) upon the customer's receipt of the delivery (74).8- A control method of a delivery robot according to claim 7, characterized by the central server (52) providing data flow via the database (53).

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