Device, System and Method for Modular Item Storage, Transportation and Delivery

Abstract

The invention relates to a device, system and method for storing, transporting and delivering items. The device comprises of a modular container which is configured to be installed in a mobile robot. The modular container comprises of a control unit, first communication component and a power component. The system comprises of a modular container and a mobile robot, wherein the mobile robot comprises of a motion component, a second control unit, a second communication component. The method comprises of installing the modular container to the mobile robot and a second method for providing goods and services via modular container and mobile robot.

Claims

1. A modular container configured to be installed into at least one mobile robot, comprising: a control unit; a first communication component; and a power component; wherein the modular container is configured to exchange at least one operation transmission with the mobile robot relating to at least one of: secure placement of the modular container into the mobile robot; and/or contents of the modular container; and/or status of the modular container; and/or traveling area and/or region.

2. The modular container according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: a motion sensor, configured to measure at least one numerical value of acceleration; and/or a placement sensor, configured to measure data relating to installation of the modular container to the mobile robot; and/or a temperature sensor, configured to share temperature data within at least one compartment to the control unit; and/or an inclination sensor, configured to measure the modular container's inclination, and wherein the control unit comprises a microprocessor-controlled module and configured for receiving sensor data.

3. (canceled)

4. The modular container according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured for: receiving at least one first data comprising at least one operational command form at least one sender via the first communication component; receiving second data comprising information about battery status from the power component; sending at least one second data to at least one recipient via the communication component; and examining status of contents of the modular container, comprising information about at least one of product levels, maintenance and malfunctioning of any component.

5. The modular container according to claim 1, wherein the modular container comprises a width of 40 to 100 cm, a length of 40 to 100 cm, and a height of 20 to 80 cm.

6. The modular container according to claim 1, wherein the communication component comprises at least one of: a short-range communication component, wherein short-range comprises distances up to 100 m, and wherein the modular container is configured to exchange data with the mobile robot.

7. The modular container according to claim 6, wherein the communication component additionally comprises at least one long-range communication component, wherein long-range comprises distances of more than 1 km, and wherein the communication component is configured to transmit data.

8. The modular container according to claim 1, wherein the modular container comprises at least one identification component (ID) which is further configured to be unique to each modular container.

9. A modular transporting system comprising: a mobile robot comprising a motion component; a second control unit; a second communication component; a second power component; a modular container according to claim 1; and a first locking component configured to lock the modular container to the mobile robot.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a base unit comprising a handling device, the handing device comprising at least one mechanical arm, the handling device configured to fit the modular container to the mobile robot.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the mechanical arm is further configured to: lift the modular container above the mobile robot; install the modular container into the mobile robot so that the first locking component can be engaged; and twist the first locking component through an angle of at least 60 degrees.

12. The system according to claim 10 wherein the base unit is equipped with at least one of: at least one parking space for the mobile robot; and/or at least one charging pod for at least one of the mobile robot and the modular container; and/or at least one third communication component; and/or at least one maintenance unit; and/or at least one servicing unit; and/or at least registering at least one incoming and at least one outgoing modular container ID.

13. The system according to claim 9 wherein the mobile robot is further equipped with at least one interactive component which is configured to provide a user information about at least one of a service and a product, the system further comprising a user interface configured to interact with the mobile robot so as to generate at least one augmented reality feature accessible to a user.

14. A method for installing at least one modular container to at least one mobile robot, the method comprising: placing the modular container according to claim 1 into the mobile robot; locking the modular container to the mobile robot; determining at least one function of the modular container by the mobile robot; and implementing a subroutine configured according to the function of the modular container by the mobile robot.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein installing the modular container to the mobile robot is performed via at least one handing device comprising at least one mechanical arm, and wherein the method further comprises: rotating the locking component by an angle of at least 60 degrees; and unlocking the modular container from the mobile robot only when the mobile robot has reached at least one base unit.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: parking the mobile robot at the base unit; charging at least one of the mobile robot and the modular container at the base unit; maintaining at least one of the mobile robot the modular container at the base unit; servicing at least one of the mobile robot and the modular container at the base unit; installing a different modular container to the mobile robot; and identifying a modular container via at least one unique ID.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the modular container sending operational information the mobile robot, the operational information relating to at least one of: installing the modular container to the mobile robot; and/or status of the modular container; and/or traveling to an area and/or region.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising using at least one sensor of a modular container to perform at least one of: sensing motion; and/or sensing successful fitting of the modular container to the mobile robot; and/or sensing a temperature inside the modular container; and/or sensing an inclination of the modular container.

19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising establishing communication between at least one user terminal and at least one base unit via at least one server, the server further accessing historical data relating to mobile robot and modular container stored in the base unit.

20. A method for providing at least one of the at least one good and/or at least one service via mobile robots, the method comprising: determining demand for a good and/or service at a specified location at a specified time; outfitting at least one mobile robot with a modular container configured to provide at least one of the at least one good and at least one service; travelling to the specified location at the specified time; and providing the good and/or service at the location and time to at least one user.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the method further comprises: locking the mobile robot to prevent any access in a closed position and allowing access to at least one part of the modular container in an open position: and a control unit of the modular container causing the lid to change from the closed position to the open position before communicating to a second control unit of the mobile robot via a first and second communication components that the function can be performed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0305] FIG. 1 schematically depicts the components of the modular container according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0306] FIG. 2 schematically depicts a communication component according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0307] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a modular container and the twist locking mechanism to lock the modular container to a mobile robot;

[0308] FIG. 3a depicts an embodiment of a modular container locked to the mobile robot with a solenoid bolt.

[0309] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a modular container configured with a beverage module;

[0310] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the mobile robot configured to be fitted with a modular container;

[0311] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a lock configured to lock the lid of the mobile robot;

[0312] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a method with steps involving automatic change of functions in a modular container to distribute item/s.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0313] FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a modular container 101. The modular container comprises a control unit 2. The control unit can generally be a microprocessor-controlled module configured to receive data from at least one of the sensors. The sensor can be at least one of a motion sensor 26, a placement sensor 20, a temperature sensor, and an inclination sensor 24.

[0314] The motion sensor maybe installed in the base of the container and can be configured with an accelerometer. This accelerometer can measure the acceleration in the motion of the container and output a respective value, the control unit 2 can read this value from the motion sensor 26.

[0315] The placement sensor 20 can be a capacitive sensor which can be configured to communicate to the control unit a change in the value of capacitance. The two plates of the capacitor can be constituted by the modular container and the mobile robot. When this value is within a predetermined range the placement of the container in the mobile robot is ensured. The temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the components of the modular container.

[0316] The inclination sensor 24 configured to measure the slope of the surface that the modular container is resting on. The control unit is configured to receive data from at least one of the above-mentioned sensors and then verifying that all the data is within a predetermined range. Once the data is within the range the control unit sends the information to the mobile robot using a first communication component 8.

[0317] The control unit 2 can be further configured to receive first data from the base unit, the first data comprises the information from a user about the delivery of at least one service/product. The modular container ca be configured to be fitted with the mobile robot 201 for item distribution 4. The item distribution further comprises the user terminal 401 sending at least one request to the server 301, which can be a cloud server, which further communicates with the base unit 500 where at least one modular container is parked. The user terminal 401 can also communicate with the modular container 101 via an interacting component 43.

[0318] The control unit can further comprise a first processing component 6, which comprises receiving data from the power component 60, at least one of the inputs from the sensors 62 and then controls the state 64 of the operation, which means that if all the data is in a range where the modular container is eligible to fulfil the requirements of the operation requested by the user terminal it communicates 66 this information via a first communication component 8 to the base unit 500.

[0319] The first communication component 8 can comprise Bluetooth® 84, NFC 86 and/or infrared 88 communication modules. For instance, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) can be used to communicate between the beverage module 1 and the mobile robot 100 to reduce energy usage.

[0320] FIG. 2 schematically shows communication within the delivery system including some optional elements of the system. The modular container 101 and the mobile robot 201 are configured to communicate via the first communication component 8 and the second communication component respectively. In other words, each of the mobile robot 201 and the modular container preferably have a separate control unit. The communication between the mobile robot 201 and the modular container 101 can be established via different protocols. There can also be more than one protocol used as a failsafe. The modular container can further communicate with the base unit 500 via the first communication component. The modular container 101 can send the base unit 500 information relating to its status, such as remaining battery life, health status, and/or data based on self-diagnostics and/or sensor data.

[0321] The modular container 101 can send the mobile robot 201 operational instruction or commands related to starting of the delivery process and/or locking the lid once the container 101 is securely installed. And the mobile robot 201 can send information to the modular container 101 that it has stopped and that the lid has been unlocked and opened thereby allowing the modular container to perform a function. The mobile robot 201 can also communicate with the user terminal 401 and inform the container 101 of user's requirements.

[0322] Both the container 101 and the robot 201 can be configured to communicate with the base unit 500 which is controlled by a server 301. The server 301 can be a remote server, a cloud server and/or a collection of servers. The server 301 can coordinate operations of a plurality of mobile robot/s 201 and/or modular container/s 101. The server 301 can receive requests from the user terminal 401 and send the instruction to the base unit 500. The base unit 500 can be a pod, hub, truck, garage where at least one mobile robot 201 and at least one modular container 201 is parked.

[0323] The base unit 500 can also be the caring unit for the system. The base unit 500 is configured with at least one automated and/or semi-automated handling device configured with a mechanical arm to replace the modular container 201 in the mobile robot. The mechanical arm can also be configured to lock the container 101 to the robot 201.

[0324] The base unit 500 can be configured to receive at least one command and/or requests from the server 301. Upon receiving the request, the base unit 500 can comprise searching among the parked modular container 101 at least one suitable to perform the requested task. The server 301 can further be configured with knowing the location of the recipient and can communicate with the base unit/s within a predetermined distance from the recipient. The server 301 can comprise of a self-learning module which can predict the future requests and can learn the optimized route to reach the recipient.

[0325] FIG. 3 schematically depicts exemplary components and configuration of the modular container 101 and the first locking component. Handle 102 can be lifted by the mechanical arm at the base unit 500. Mechanical arm can be configured to lift the handle 102 above the height of the modular container. Once the handle 102 is at a predetermined height the mechanical arm can insert the handle 102 with the key 103 inside the locking hole 106. The locking hole 106 can be equipped with a twist-lock which can be twisted with the key 103. The mechanical arm can also be configured to lift the modular container 101 and install it in the mobile robot 201, such that the female part in the modular container 101 of the locking mechanism align with the male part in the mobile robot 201. The mechanical arm can further twist the handle 102 and the key 103 to an angle in the range of 60 to 120 degrees, preferably 90 degrees. This locking mechanism is configured to efficiently lock the container 101 to the mobile robot 201 during the traveling. The mechanical arm can also be configured to pull the handle 102 out once the container 101 is locked to the robot 201. The mechanical arm can further secure the handle 102 in a designated area. In general, the figure depicts an embodiment of a modular container 101 with key 103 fitted to it in the female part of the container and a handle 102 which can be used by an automated or semi-automated mechanical arm (not shown in figures) to insert the key 103 in the female part of the modular container so it can be locked to the male part of the mobile robot.

[0326] FIG. 3a shows an exemplary configuration of the modular container 101 installed in the mobile robot 201 and locked via an electromagnetic locking component 108. The lock can comprise a first conducting component attached to the modular container and a second conducting component attached to the mobile robot. The first and/or the second conducting components can be configured to pass electric current through them via at least one of the at least the power component 60 and at least the second power component, which can lock the modular container and the mobile robot and can provide additional security.

[0327] FIG. 4 schematically depicts exemplary components and a configuration of the modular container 101. Herein the modular container 101 is shown to be used as a beverage holder. 110, 112 shows how the modular container 101 can be configured with different functions.

[0328] FIG. 5 demonstrates an exemplary embodiment of the mobile robot 201. The mobile robot 201 can comprise a modular container 101, that is, it can transport and communicate with the modular container 101. The mobile robot 201 further comprises a motion component 214 (depicted as wheels 214). In the present embodiment, the motion component 214 comprises six wheels 214. This can be particularly advantageous for the mobile robot 201 when traversing curb stones or other similar obstacles on the way to the recipient.

[0329] The mobile robot 201 comprises a lid 215. The lid 215 can be placed over the modular container 101 and can be locked to prevent unauthorised access to the modular container 101. The lock comprises key 211 and hole 212 the key 211 is fitted to the lid 215 and the hole 212 is fitted to the mobile robot 201 and the parts are configured to interlock preferably instructed by a remote cloud server. The mobile robot further comprises lid hinges 217, the hinges 217 can be automated. The mobile robot can further comprise the other half 1050 of the placement sensor 20.

[0330] The mobile robot 201 further comprises a robot signalling device 216, depicted here as a flagpole or stick 216 used to increase the visibility of the robot 201. Particularly, the visibility of the robot 201 during road crossings can be increased. In some embodiments, the signalling device 216 can comprise an antenna. The mobile robot 201 further comprises robot headlight 213 configured to facilitate the robot's navigation in reduced natural light scenarios and/or increase the robot's visibility.

[0331] FIG. 6 shows the second locking component 2110, second locking component is configured to lock the lid of the mobile robot. The lock can comprise of a spring which can be controlled by the remote server. The spring controls the motion of the two arms which when align in a specific position is the ON position.

[0332] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method for item distribution using the device and the system described in the present disclosure. In step S1 a modular container is equipped with at least one function. Modular container communicates this function the base unit where it is parked.