US 12,387,072 B2
Smart mailbox receptacle and platform to ship packages and goods from a Trimodal system that includes a courier service, an automated vehicle or robot, and/or an unmanned drone
Daniel S O'Toole, Carmel, IN (US); Mark Hamm, Germantown, TN (US); Roger K Russell, Indianapolis, IN (US); and John D Ritchison, Anderson, IN (US)
Filed by Daniel S O'Toole, Carmel, IN (US); Mark Hamm, Germantown, TN (US); Roger K Russell, Indianapolis, IN (US); and John D Ritchison, Anderson, IN (US)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/226,016.
Application 18/226,016 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/233,624, filed on Apr. 19, 2021, granted, now 11,738,883.
Prior Publication US 2023/0363562 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47G 29/14 (2006.01); A47G 29/16 (2006.01); A61L 2/10 (2006.01); A61L 2/20 (2006.01); A61L 2/26 (2006.01); B60L 53/10 (2019.01); B64U 70/99 (2023.01); F21V 33/00 (2006.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01); B64F 1/36 (2017.01); B64U 101/64 (2023.01); F21Y 115/10 (2016.01); G06V 40/16 (2022.01)
CPC A47G 29/141 (2013.01) [A47G 29/16 (2013.01); A61L 2/10 (2013.01); A61L 2/202 (2013.01); A61L 2/26 (2013.01); B60L 53/10 (2019.02); B64U 70/99 (2023.01); F21V 33/0024 (2013.01); G06K 7/1413 (2013.01); G06K 7/1417 (2013.01); A47G 2029/145 (2013.01); A47G 2029/146 (2013.01); A47G 2029/147 (2013.01); A47G 2029/149 (2013.01); A61L 2202/11 (2013.01); A61L 2202/23 (2013.01); B64F 1/362 (2013.01); B64U 2101/64 (2023.01); F21Y 2115/10 (2016.08); G06V 40/166 (2022.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A Smart mailbox receptacle and drone docking delivery box with an expanding floor for accepting a group of multiple deliveries of a goods/parcel to a person requesting a delivery, comprising:
(a) a four cornered structure with an interior cylindrical space and an exterior surface, the structure being configured for supporting and securing an expanding receiving section, for securing a split, upper dronedeck, and for securing a split lower shuffle shelf wherein the dronedeck and shuffle shelf are configured to support, move, and arrange the group of multiple parcels each having a pair of pivotal and raiseable sections with a set of actuators to pivot and raise each of the sections of the pair;
(b) a means for locating the Smart mailbox receptacle and drone docking delivery box with GPS and then for permitting the autobot and/or drone to accurately approach and to dock with the Smart mailbox receptacle and drone docking delivery box;
(c) a means of engaging the Smart mailbox receptacle and drone docking delivery box such that a stable connection/attachment to each of a parcel of the group of multiple parcels can be made;
(d) a means of transferring each of the group of multiple parcels from the autobot or drone to an interior of the structure of the Smart mailbox receptacle and drone docking delivery box drone dock;
(e) a means of preserving the predetermined temperature with a powered hot/cold plate and temperature assist and control unit;
(f) a means for securely storing the goods/parcels once to the interior of the structure of the drone dock;
(g) a means of disengaging/releasing the drone from the drone dock;
(h) a means of encrypted communication between the drone and the drone dock which has a specific GPS address and communication to the person requesting the delivery of the goods/parcel;
(i) a set of functional components incorporated within the Smart mailbox receptacle and drone docking delivery box to prevent damage and deterioration during the transfer and or subsequent storage;
(j) a set of optional features;
(k) a set of identification feature;
(l) a set of additional features on the autobot and/or drone; and
(m) a set of local features
wherein each of a parcel of the group of multiple parcels can be tracked and delivered to the person requesting each of the parcels and a set of demographics regarding the tracking and delivery of each of a parcel of the group of multiple parcels can be made and can provide data for a marketing study.