System and Method for Distributed Utility Service Execution

Abstract

Utility services related to executing services requiring trips of various lengths, and short-distance assistance to customers. Utility services can be delivered by semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles on various types of routes, and can be delivered economically. A network of utility vehicles provide the utility services, and can include a commonly-shared dispatch system.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . Utility execution system for moving goods from a first location to a second location, said system comprising:
 a network of system collectors;   a processor associated with each of said system collectors, said processor comprising:   a receiving processor; and   a delivery processor;   wherein said receiving processor is configured for executing:   receiving a request from the first location to deliver the goods to the second location;   selecting an optimum one of said system collectors based on a status of said one of said system collectors; and   directing said delivery processor associated with the optimum one to command that the optimum one at the first location receive the goods; and   wherein said delivery processor is configured for executing:   associating a security means with the goods as the goods are stored in the optimum one, the security means requiring security information to release the goods;   determining a proposed path between the first location and the second location based on historic data received from the network;   commanding the optimum one to proceed along the proposed path until the optimum one reaches the second location;   verifying receipt of the security information; and   releasing the goods at the consumer location.   
     
     
         29 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein said delivery processor is configured for executing:
 (a) updating the proposed path based on real-time data received from said network; 
 (b) commanding the optimum one to proceed along the updated proposed path; 
 (c) repeating (a) and (b) until the optimum one reaches the second location. 
 
     
     
         30 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein said processor executes in one of said system collectors and/or a server. 
     
     
         31 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors is an autonomous vehicle. 
     
     
         32 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein said network defines a communications network and one of said system collectors comprises a beacon positioned along the proposed path, wherein said beacon is configured for receiving and transmitting data over the communications network. 
     
     
         33 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a beacon positioned along the proposed path, wherein said beacon is configured for providing fiducial information to the utility execution system. 
     
     
         34 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors is configured for operating on a city sidewalk and/or a rural street. 
     
     
         35 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a localization subsystem configured for detecting, based on the historic data and real-time data received from the network, a current location and situation of said one of said system collectors. 
     
     
         36 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a wireless access location. 
     
     
         37 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a preferred route subsystem configured for:
 determining a preferred path between the starting location and the second location based on the historic data and the real time data; and 
 determining an avoidable path between the starting location and the second location least one utility execution location based at least on the number of the at least one obstacle in the updated proposed path. 
 
     
     
         38 . Utility execution system of  claim 37  further comprising a dispatching mechanism configured for:
 coupling a delivery truck with one of said system collectors; 
 tracking battery life in said one of said system collectors; and 
 enabling said one of said system collectors to respond to a summons. 
 
     
     
         39 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a road obstacle-climbing subsystem configured for:
 detecting a road obstacle; 
 commanding said one of said system collectors to crest the road obstacle; and 
 commanding said one of said system collectors to maintain balance and stability while traversing the road obstacle. 
 
     
     
         40 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a stair-climbing subsystem configured for:
 detecting a stair; 
 commanding said one of said system collectors to encounter and traverse the stair; and 
 commanding said one of said system collectors to achieve stabilized operation while traversing the at least one stair. 
 
     
     
         41 . Utility execution system of  claim 29  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a sensor and the processor comprises a rules compliance subsystem configured for:
 accessing navigation rule information from the historic data, the real time data, the sensor, and combinations thereof; 
 commanding the at least one utility vehicle to navigate at least according to the navigation rule information; 
 wherein said one of said system collectors is configured for learning the navigation rule information as said one of said system collectors operates and interacts with the updated proposed navigation path. 
 
     
     
         42 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  further comprising a training subsystem including a neural network. 
     
     
         43 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein a first of said system collectors comprises a grouping subsystem configured for:
 commanding a second one of said system collectors to follow said first one of said system collectors; and 
 maintaining a coupling between said first one of said system collectors and said second one of said system collectors. 
 
     
     
         44 . Utility execution system of  claim 43  wherein the coupling comprises an electronic coupling. 
     
     
         45 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a battery comprising a quick charge feature configured for accommodating a minimum amount of non-operational time of said one of said system collectors. 
     
     
         46 . Utility execution system of  claim 45  wherein said battery comprises a locking feature configured for locking said battery to of said system collectors, the locking feature including a security feature to enable removal of the at least one battery. 
     
     
         47 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a sensor, said utility execution system further comprising:
 a sensor subsystem configured for processing data from said sensor; 
 wherein said sensor comprises one or more of:
 a heat sensor configured for sensing a live object; 
 a camera configured for sensing a moving object; 
 
 a laser sensor configured for providing a location cloud representation of an object and sensing distance to the obstacle; 
 an ultrasonic sensor configured for sensing distance to the obstacle; and 
 a radar sensor configured for sensing speed of the obstacle, and weather and traffic proximate to said one of said system collectors; 
 a sensor fusion subsystem configured for fusing data from a plurality of said sensor and classifying the obstacle; and 
 a behavior model subsystem configured for predicting a future position of the obstacle. 
 
     
     
         48 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a delivery truck configured for transporting the goods to said one of said system collectors and transporting said one of said system collectors to the second location. 
     
     
         49 . Utility execution system of  claim 48  wherein said delivery truck is configured for enabling exchanging a spent battery with a charged battery in said one of said system collectors. 
     
     
         50 . Utility execution system of  claim 48  wherein said delivery truck comprises a battery charging feature. 
     
     
         51 . Utility execution system of  claim 48  wherein said delivery truck comprises a lift mechanism configured for enabling ingress and egress of said one of said system collectors. 
     
     
         52 . Utility execution system of  claim 48  wherein said delivery truck comprises:
 an in-lift feature configured for enabling ingress of said one of said system collectors; and 
 an out-lift feature configured for enabling egress of said one of said system collectors; 
 wherein said delivery truck is configured for moving during ingress and egress. 
 
     
     
         53 . Utility execution system of  claim 28  wherein one of said system collectors comprises a beacon configured for:
 sensing an obstacle; 
 enabling communication among said system collectors; 
 protecting data exchanged among said beacon and said system collectors; and 
 collecting sensor data from the updated proposed path. 
 
     
     
         54 . Utility execution system of  claim 48  wherein one of said of system collectors comprises an airborne vehicle configured for transporting the goods to said delivery truck.