US 11,775,919 B2
Aerial drone-based systems and methods for adaptively providing an aerial relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle
Reuben F. Burch, V., Mississippi State, MS (US); David A. Doyle, Hernando, MS (US); and Brian D. Popp, Southaven, MS (US)
Assigned to Federal Express Corporation, Memphis, TN (US)
Filed by FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION, Memphis, TN (US)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/950,023.
Application 16/950,023 is a division of application No. 15/711,005, filed on Sep. 21, 2017, granted, now 10,878,365.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/400,906, filed on Sep. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0142271 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. B64C 39/02 (2023.01); G06Q 10/0833 (2023.01); G06Q 50/30 (2012.01); H04W 4/48 (2018.01); G01S 5/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01); G06Q 10/08 (2023.01); B64F 1/22 (2006.01); G06Q 10/0832 (2023.01); G06Q 10/083 (2023.01); B64D 47/08 (2006.01); G06Q 50/28 (2012.01); B64U 101/30 (2023.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01)
CPC G06Q 10/0833 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 47/08 (2013.01); B64F 1/222 (2013.01); G01S 5/0018 (2013.01); G05D 1/0094 (2013.01); G06Q 10/08 (2013.01); G06Q 10/083 (2013.01); G06Q 10/0832 (2013.01); G06Q 50/28 (2013.01); G06Q 50/30 (2013.01); H04W 4/48 (2018.02); B64U 2101/30 (2023.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01); B64U 2201/10 (2023.01)] 33 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerial drone-based method for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for a plurality of broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
transitioning, by an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle, from at least a low power state to an active power state;
automatically uncoupling the aerial communication drone from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle once the aerial communication drone transitions to the active power state;
moving, by the aerial communication drone, from the secured position on the internal docking station to a first deployed airborne position within an interior of the delivery vehicle, the first deployed airborne position corresponding to a highest concentration of wireless devices within the delivery vehicle, wherein moving to the first deployed airborne position comprises moving to a plurality of positions within the delivery vehicle and detecting, by the aerial communication drone, a concentration of wireless devices at each of the plurality of positions within the delivery vehicle, determining, by the aerial drone, that the highest concentration of wireless devices occurs at the first deployed airborne position, and in response to determining that the highest concentration of wireless devices occurs at the first deployed airborne position, returning to the first deployed airborne position;
establishing, by a multi-transceiver of the aerial communication drone at the first deployed airborne position, a first wireless data communication path to a first of the broadcast-enabled devices within the delivery vehicle;
establishing, by the multi-transceiver of the aerial communication drone at the first deployed airborne position, a second wireless data communication path to a second of the broadcast-enabled devices within the delivery vehicle; and
coupling the first wireless data communication path and the second wireless data communication path by the multi-transceiver of the aerial communication drone operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for at least the first of the broadcast-enabled devices and the second of the broadcast-enabled devices.