A system including a landing location where a drone at least one of delivers and acquires a parcel, and a homing device to interact with the drone to guide the drone to the landing location independent of interaction from another source. The homing device guides the drone during the landing phase of a flight plan. A method is also disclosed.

A payload support frame is adapted to suspend a payload from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during flight. The frame comprises at least one elongated rigid segment, at least one upper flexible segment at an upper end of the rigid segment, and at least one lower flexible segment at a lower end of the rigid segment. One or more of (a) the at least one rigid segment, (b) the at least one upper flexible segment, or (c) the at least one lower flexible segment comprise a dielectric material. The upper flexible segment is adapted to be selectively attachable, directly or indirectly, to the UAV. The lower flexible segment is adapted to be selectively attachable, directly or indirectly, to the payload.

A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a side wall positioned between the upper and lower portions, an attachment point on the housing adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot in the housing that extends downwardly towards a center of the housing thereby forming a hook or lip on the lower portion of the housing beneath the slot, a plurality of holes in the upper portion of the housing; and a plurality of holes in the lower portion of the housing. A method of retracting a payload coupling apparatus during UAV flight is also provided.

A system and a method for retrieving a package delivered by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The system includes a receiving structure mounted to and extending from a wall of a building, the receiving structure being configured to receive the package delivered by the UAV; and a transport system configured to transport the package from the receiving structure located outside of the building to a location inside of the building. The receiving structure includes a platform configured to support a weight of the UAV and the package carried by the UAV, and a trap door mounted to the platform configured to open and close an opening leading to the transport system.

Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV.

In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to enable package delivery and interaction with customers. Some embodiments comprise unmanned aircraft system (UAS), comprising: a crane system comprising a first spool system and a crane motor, the first spool system comprises a first cord that is extended and retracted; a retractable interface system cooperated with the first cord; a package holder configured to hold a first package to be delivered by the UAS at a delivery location; a control circuit coupled with the crane motor to control the crane motor, and to activate the crane motor to extend the first cord and lower the retractable interface system while the UAS is maintained in flight at least at a threshold height; wherein the retractable interface system comprises an input interface to receive input from a customer at the delivery location.

A system and method for autonomous drone-based package reception and surveillance of the present invention. In accordance with the inventive method, an at least partially enclosed chute is provided with dimensions sufficient to receive packages. A platform is mounted within the chute to receiving the packages. A mechanism is provided to move the platform from a first position within the chute to receive the packages to a second position within the chute to deliver the packages. In the best mode, the platform is a second drone. Multiple drones, equipped with wireless transceivers, cameras, lasers, lights, detectors and even weapons are networked to provide perimeter security. The chute includes a door secured with a wireless latch activated by a system controller. One or more identification symbols, such as QR codes, bar codes, symbols etc. are provided on the door to be read by the airborne delivery vehicle. Nodes are included for charging the airborne delivery vehicle and the site-based drones as well. The deployment of the nodes within the chute is controlled by the site-based drones. An optional scale is provided in the platform for weighing package upon delivery. The system is adapted for operation via a smartphone.

An autonomous cargo container retrieval and delivery system locates a select cargo container and maneuvers an unmanned aerial vehicle proximate to the container for retrieval. The vehicle positions itself to engage the cargo container using a grasping mechanism, and, responsive to engaging the cargo container, retracts the cargo container toward the vehicle. As the cargo container is retracted toward the vehicle, weight sensors within the retrieval mechanism sense the weight and the weight distribution of the cargo container, and, can modify the cargo container's location on the vehicle to optimize vehicle flight operations or replace the container on the ground and alert the operator that the cargo container is too heavy or has an improper weight distribution. Upon mating the cargo container with the vehicle, a coupling mechanism latches or secures the cargo container to the vehicle for further flight and/or ground operations.

A payload retrieval system including a UAV having a payload receptacle positioned within the UAV, a payload coupling apparatus positioned within the payload receptacle, a tether having a first end secured within the UAV and a second end attached to the payload coupling apparatus, and a payload guiding member positioned on an underside of the UAV for guiding at least part of a payload into the payload receptacle during retrieval of a payload.

A system including a landing location where a drone at least one of delivers and acquires a parcel, and a homing device to interact with the drone to guide the drone to the landing location independent of interaction from another source. The homing device guides the drone during the landing phase of a flight plan. A method is also disclosed.