Unmanned aircraft systems with a customer interface system and methods of delivery utilizing unmanned aircraft systems

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An unmanned aircraft system (UAS), comprising:
 a crane system comprising a first spool system and a crane motor cooperated with the first spool system, wherein the first spool system comprises a first cord that is extended and retracted in response to the crane motor driving the first spool;   a physical retractable interface system secured with and 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   a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions to be executed by the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to:   activate the crane motor to extend the first cord and lower the retractable interface system while the UAS is maintained in flight;   wherein the retractable interface system comprises an input interface comprising a signature capturing system configured to capture a signature from a customer at the delivery location when the retractable interface system is lowered and accessible to the customer while the UAS is maintained in flight as part of a delivery process in delivering the first package.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable interface system is further configured to receive a first input from the customer, and further comprises a transceiver such that the retractable interface system is communicatively coupled with the UAS, wherein a first input received through the retractable interface system is communicated to the control circuit and the control circuit is configured to cause the UAS to implement an action in response to the first input. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the input interface is configured to allow a customer to enter a delivery authentication specific to an ordered product being delivered; and
 wherein the transceiver communicates the delivery authentication to the control circuit to be used in authorizing the delivery of the first package.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the input interface further comprises:
 a payment method system, a physical display and at least one user selectable option configured to receive physical input from a customer at the delivery location when the retractable interface system is lowered and accessible to the customer while the UAS is maintained in flight.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first input comprises a return request to return a second package, wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the crane system in response to the return request and hoist the second package from the delivery location and cause the UAS to carry the second package away from the delivery location. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a camera;   wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the camera during delivery of the first package to capture video of the delivery of the first package at the delivery location.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input interface comprises a payment method system configured to receive payment information from a customer at the delivery location when the retractable interface system is lowered and accessible to the customer while the UAS is maintained in flight, and wherein the retractable interface system further comprises a wireless communication communicatively coupled with the payment method system, and wherein the payment method system is configured to cause the acquired payment information to be wirelessly communicated via the wireless communication interface to a remote payment system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the payment method system comprises a credit card system configured to obtain the credit card payment information from the credit card. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly receive an authentication communication from a user interface unit associated with the customer;   wherein the control circuit is configured to confirm an authorization to deliver the first package based on the authentication communication, and initiate the delivery of the first package in response to confirming the authorization.   
     
     
         10 . A method of delivering a package with an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), comprising:
 activating a crane motor of a crane system coupled with a first spool system to drive the first spool system, and extending a first cord cooperated with the first spool lowering a retractable interface system while the UAS is maintained in flight relative to a delivery location where a first package carried by the UAS is to be delivered by the UAS;   activating the retractable interface system; and   receiving a first input from a customer at the delivery location through an input interface of the retractable interface system while the UAS is maintained in flight, wherein the input interface comprises a signature capturing system;   wherein the receiving the first input comprises capturing, through the signature capturing system, a signature from the customer at the delivery location while the retractable interface system is lowered and accessible to the customer and while the UAS is maintained in flight.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving, through the retractable interface system while the UAS is in flight, a first input from the customer at the delivery location;   communicating, through a transceiver of the retractable interface system, the first input received through the retractable interface system to a control circuit of the UAS; and   causing the UAS to implement an action in response to the first input.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving, through the input interface, a delivery authentication entered by the customer that is specific to an ordered product being delivered, and   communicating the delivery authentication to the control circuit to be used in authorizing the delivery of the first package.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 obtaining payment information from the customer through a payment method system of the retractable interface system while the retractable interface system is lowered and accessible to the customer and while the UAS is maintained in flight.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the receiving first input comprises:
 receiving a return request to return a second package;   activating the crane system in response to the return request and hoisting the second package from the delivery location; and   causing the UAS to carry the second package away from the delivery location.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 activating a camera of the UAS during delivery of the first package and capturing video of the delivery of the first package at the delivery location.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving payment information, through a payment method system of the retractable interface system, from a customer at the delivery location while the retractable interface system is lowered and accessible to the customer and while the UAS is maintained in flight; and   causing the acquired payment information to be communicated to a remote payment system.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the obtaining the payment information comprises obtaining credit card payment information from a credit card. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 wirelessly receiving, through a wireless transceiver, an authentication communication from a user interface unit associated with the customer;   confirming an authorization to deliver the first package based on the authentication communication; and   initiating the delivery of the first package in response to confirming the authorization.