US-12620284-B2 - System and method for drone delivery

US12620284B2US 12620284 B2US12620284 B2US 12620284B2US-12620284-B2

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a unique system and method useful for secure delivery of products. The system includes a network, a control backend, an unmanned delivery device, at least one secure compartment, and a verification device. The system-implemented method includes two-stage biometric identifications as well as a Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled encrypted keys verifications to enhance security and privacy.

Inventors

Barrett Stubbs
David Risner

Assignees

Deliviweed LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240507

Claims (11)

1 . A method for secure delivery of a parcel by way of an unmanned delivery device having one or more secure compartments, the method comprising: receiving a first biometric identifier of a customer at a database configured to store customer biometric identification and verify customer identity; receiving a product order from the customer, the product order designating items to be delivered and a delivery location; assigning at least one secure compartment of the unmanned delivery device for items of the product order; generating a public key and a private key, wherein the public key is stored on the unmanned delivery device and is associated with the assigned at least one secure compartment assigned to the product order, and wherein the private key is stored in the database and is transmitted to a verification device of the customer; transporting, by the unmanned delivery device, the secure compartment, having items of the product order secured therein, to the delivery location; receiving a second biometric identifier of the customer by the unmanned delivery device; transmitting the second biometric identifier to the database to verify whether the second biometric identifier matches the first biometric identifier; requesting, by the unmanned delivery device, the private key from the verification device of the customer upon verification that the second biometric identifier matches the first biometric identifier; determining whether the private key from the verification device of the customer matches the public key associated with the at least one secure compartment; in response to the private key from the verification device of the customer and the public key associated with the at least one compartment of the safe matching, providing access to the at least one secure compartment assigned to the product order.
2 . The method for secure delivery of a parcel by way of an unmanned delivery device having one or more secure compartments of claim 1 , wherein the verification device includes an NFC device.
3 . The method for secure delivery of a parcel by way of an unmanned delivery device having one or more secure compartments of claim 2 , wherein the NFC device includes one or more of the following: a cell phone, a computer, a tablet, and/or a smart wearable device.
4 . The method for secure delivery of a parcel by way of an unmanned delivery device having one or more secure compartments of claim 2 , wherein the NFC device is configured to perform card emulation without relying on a secure element.
5 . The method for secure delivery of a parcel by way of an unmanned delivery device having one or more secure compartments of claim 1 , wherein the unmanned delivery device includes an aerial drone.
6 . The method for secure delivery of a parcel by way of an unmanned delivery device having one or more secure compartments of claim 5 , further comprising landing the aerial drone at the delivery location.
7 . The method for secure delivery of a parcel by way of an unmanned delivery device having one or more secure compartments of claim 1 , wherein the first biometric identifier and the second biometric identifier include one or more of the following: facial recognition, fingerprint identification, and/or retinal identification.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unmanned delivery device comprises an autonomous ground transportation device.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one secure compartment is configured to be sealed to prevent penetration of ambience air and moisture.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unmanned delivery device includes a processor, a computer, and a data transceiver, and wherein the data transceiver is configured to receive data from and transmit data to at least one outside device in a wireless manner.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one secure compartment is configured to deter physical tampering.

Description

BACKGROUND In the field of autonomous delivery, ensuring efficiency, safety, and security is paramount for meeting customer demands. Current autonomous delivery approaches include using a drone or an autonomous vehicle as the delivery platform. These delivery platforms typically have a compartment and/or a detachable string to carry goods. While these current approaches are able to deliver goods to designated delivery locations, they provide limited or no security scheme to the goods during transportation and delivery. Therefore, certain high-valued and/or controlled goods are not suitable for undergoing such delivery methods. Thus, there remains a need for improved and/or alternative approaches to reinforce security in autonomous delivery systems. Aspects of the present disclosure are addressed to those needs. SUMMARY A unique system and method have been developed to address these as well as other issues. In one embodiment, the system includes a network, a control backend, an unmanned delivery device, and a verification device. Each component of the system is linked together by the network such that data can be communicated among the system components. The control backend is configured to process customer orders and coordinate deliveries of the customer orders. The unmanned delivery device is configured to deliver customer orders autonomously. The verification device facilitates a secure verification for a customer to access the goods. According to one embodiment, the control backend includes a database and a processor. In accordance with some forms, the database is configured to store at least one biometric identifier of a customer. In certain embodiments, the database is configured to store one or more reference identifier which are linked to one or more biometric identifiers which are stored on a separate secure database. In some forms, the database is further configured to verify customer identity by comparing biometric identifiers of the customer. The processor may be configured to generate at least one public key and at least one private key. The public key is configured to be stored locally on the unmanned delivery device, and the private key is configured to be stored in the database and transmitted to the verification device. In one version, the unmanned delivery device includes a network interface controller (NIC), a computer, a transportation portion, and a secure portion that has at least one secure compartment. The network interface controller is configured to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to communicate with other system components such as the backend through the network. The computer includes at least a processor that processes algorithms including artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for optimizing delivery routes and a memory that facilitates storing working data on the unmanned delivery device. The working data includes, but is not limited to, the public key generated from the backend processor and/or the biometric identifiers of the customers. The transportation portion is configured to carrying the unmanned delivery device to the site of delivery. The secure portion is coupled to the unmanned delivery device for storing products. The secure compartment is configured to provide accesse of the product to the customer who placed the order and obtained the private key by the verification device that matches the public key stored on the unmanned delivery device. In one example, a customer orders an item. In some forms, ordering may be using an app or web browser on the verification device. Prior to or during the ordering process, the customer is required to provide a first biometric identifier, such as a facial scan. In certain embodiments, the first biometric identifier is transmitted to the database of the control backend. The database also receives the order information, which includes at least the product to be delivered and a delivery location designated by the customer. The processor of the backend processes the order and coordinates preparation of the delivery. Before loading the product into the unmanned delivery device, the processor assigns at least one secure compartment of the unmanned delivery device to the ordered product. During order processing and delivery preparation, the processor stores the first biometric identifier along with other information that has been input by the customer in the database and generates encryption keys: a public key stored on the unmanned delivery device and associated with the secure compartment assigned to the product, and a private key stored in the database and sent to the customer's verification device. Thereafter, the ordered product is securely loaded into the secure compartment of the unmanned delivery device, which is designed to be tamper-resistant. In accordance with some forms, the unmanned delivery device is dispatched from a distribution center and navigates autonomously, optionally using GPS and/or AI to optimize the route, c