公开(公告)号：US10997544B1

公开(公告)日：2021-05-04

申请号：US15587334

申请日：2017-05-04

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Avi Bar-Zeev ,  Brian C. Beckman ,  Steven Gregory Dunn ,  Atishkumar Kalyan ,  Amir Navot ,  Frederik Schaffalitzky

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/18 ,  G06K19/06

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for delivery of items using an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”). A user may be provided with a delivery location identifier (“DLI”) that is to be placed at a delivery location within a delivery destination to identify where a UAV is to position an item as part of a delivery to the delivery destination. For example, the delivery destination may be a user's home. Within the deliver destination of the user's home, the user may select a delivery location, such as a spot in the back yard wherein the UAV is to position the ordered item as part of the delivery. To aid the UAV in navigating to the delivery location, the user places the DLI at the delivery location. The UAV detects the DLI and positions the item at or near the DLI as part of the item delivery.

公开(公告)号：US10792810B1

公开(公告)日：2020-10-06

申请号：US15842707

申请日：2017-12-14

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Leonardo Ruggiero Bachega ,  Brandon William Porter ,  Benjamin Lev Snyder ,  Michael Vogelsong ,  Corrinne Yu

IPC: G06F17/00 ,  B25J9/16

Abstract: A machine learning system builds and uses computer models for controlling robotic performance of a task. Such computer models may be first trained using feedback on computer simulations of the robot performing the task, and then refined using feedback on real-world trials of the robot performing the task. Some examples of the computer models can be trained to automatically evaluate robotic task performance and provide the feedback. This feedback can be used by a machine learning system, for example an evolution strategies system or reinforcement learning system, to generate and refine the controller.

公开(公告)号：US10780988B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-22

申请号：US14491215

申请日：2014-09-19

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Buchmueller ,  Brian C. Beckman ,  Amir Navot ,  Brandon William Porter ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Jeffrey P. Bezos ,  Frederik Schaffalitzky

IPC: B64D31/06 ,  B64C11/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D27/24 ,  G08G5/04 ,  F16D43/00 ,  F16P3/00 ,  H02P3/10 ,  H02P3/04 ,  B64D45/00 ,  B64D1/12

Abstract: An automated aerial vehicle (AAV) and system for automatically detecting a contact or an imminent contact between a propeller of the AAV and an object (e.g., human, pet, or other animal) are described. A safety profile for the AAV may be selected based on various factors including a position or configuration of the AAV. When a contact or an imminent contact is detected, the selected safety profile may be executed to reduce or avoid any potential harm to the object and/or the AAV. For example, if a contact with a propeller of the AAV by an object is detected, the rotation of the propeller may be stopped to avoid harming the object. Likewise, an object detection component may be used to detect an object that is nearing a propeller, stop the rotation of the propeller, and/or navigate the AAV away from the detected object.

公开(公告)号：US10583914B2

公开(公告)日：2020-03-10

申请号：US15194468

申请日：2016-06-27

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  John Raymond Brodie ,  Vedran Coralic ,  Taylor David Grenier ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Dominic Timothy Shiosaki ,  Ricky Dean Welsh ,  Richard Philip Whitlock

IPC: B64C11/00 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C11/48 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C11/30 ,  B64C3/54 ,  B64C3/14 ,  B64C27/80 ,  B64C3/46

Abstract: Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Systems, methods, and apparatus may actively adjust the position and/or configuration of one or more propeller blades of a propulsion mechanism to generate different sounds and/or lifting forces from the propulsion mechanism.

公开(公告)号：US20190389580A1

公开(公告)日：2019-12-26

申请号：US16563035

申请日：2019-09-06

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Nicholas Bjone

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B61D3/16 ,  B61L25/02 ,  B61D17/16 ,  G08G5/00

Abstract: Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.

公开(公告)号：US20190337608A1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-07

申请号：US16508020

申请日：2019-07-10

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Noam Sorek

IPC: B64C11/50 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C11/48

Abstract: This disclosure describes aerial vehicles and systems for altering the noise generated by the rotation of a propeller during flight of the aerial vehicle. In some implementations, propellers of the aerial vehicle are paired in a coaxially aligned configuration in which the pair of propellers both rotate in the same direction, are rotationally phase aligned, and separated a defined distance so that the noise from high pressure pulse of the induced flow from the lower propeller is at least partially canceled out by the noise of the high pressure pulse of the induced flow from the upper propeller.

公开(公告)号：US10421542B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-24

申请号：US15460971

申请日：2017-03-16

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Nicholas Bjone

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B61D3/16 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B61L25/02 ,  B61D17/16 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B61L15/00 ,  B61L27/00

Abstract: Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.

公开(公告)号：US10410527B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-10

申请号：US15905713

申请日：2018-02-26

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Amir Navot ,  Brian C. Beckman ,  Daniel Buchmueller ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Fabian Hensel ,  Scott A. Green ,  Brandon William Porter ,  Severan Sylvain Jean-Michel Rault

IPC: G05D1/06 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D45/04 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  G05D1/08 ,  G07C5/08 ,  G01S7/497

Abstract: A system and method for operating an automated aerial vehicle are provided wherein influences of ground effects (e.g., which may increase the effective thrusts of propellers by interfering with the respective airflows) are utilized for sensing the ground or other surfaces. In various implementations, operating parameters of the automated aerial vehicle are monitored to determine when ground effects are influencing the parameters associated with each of the propellers, which correspondingly indicate proximities to a surface (e.g., the ground). Utilizing such techniques, proximities of different portions of an automated aerial vehicle to the ground or other surfaces may be determined (e.g., for detecting issues with an uneven landing area, a sloped ground, etc.).

公开(公告)号：US10399665B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-03

申请号：US15968137

申请日：2018-05-01

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Allan Ko

IPC: B64C11/18

Abstract: Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the position of one or more propeller blade treatments of a propeller blade of an aerial vehicle during operation of the aerial vehicle. For example, the propeller blade may have one or more propeller blade treatments that may be adjusted between two or more positions. Based on the position of the propeller blade treatments, the airflow over the propeller is altered, thereby altering the sound generated by the propeller when rotating. By altering the propeller blade treatments on multiple propeller blades of the aerial vehicle, the different sounds generated by the different propeller blades may effectively cancel, reduce, and/or otherwise alter the total sound generated by the aerial vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20180372868A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-27

申请号：US16103318

申请日：2018-08-14

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Gur Kimchi ,  Scott Isaacs ,  Amir Navot ,  Brian C. Beckman ,  Frederik Schaffalitzky ,  Scott A. Green

IPC: G01S17/08 ,  G08G5/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G08G5/00 ,  G05D1/10 ,  G01S17/93 ,  G01S13/08 ,  G01S15/08

Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated mobile vehicle that includes one or more distance determining elements configured to detect the presence of objects and to cause the automated mobile vehicle to alter its path to avoid the object. For example, a distance determining element may be incorporated into one or more of the motors of the automated mobile vehicle and configured to determine a distance to an object. Based on the determined distance, a path of the automated mobile vehicle may be altered.