# US 2019/0318296 A1 · System and method for performing precision guided air to ground package delivery > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0318296 A1 - Document ID: US20190318296A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/782,853 - Filed: 2017-10-13 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-13 - Assignees: Dash Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Joel Nathan Ifill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190318296A1 ## CPC - G06Q 10/083: Shipping - B64D 1/02: Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles (jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12) - B64D 1/08: the articles being load-carrying devices - G05D 1/101: {specially adapted for aircraft} - G05D 1/105: {specially adapted for unpowered flight, e.g. glider, parachuting, forced landing (parachutes per se B64D17/00)} - G05D 1/46: Control of position or course in three dimensions [3D] - G06Q 10/0843: {using forecasting or optimisation} - G08C 17/02: using a radio link - B64U 10/13: Flying platforms - B64U 2101/69: the UAVs provided with means for airdropping goods, e.g. deploying a parachute during descent - B64U 2201/20: Remote controls - G01C 21/20: Instruments for performing navigational calculations (G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) ## Abstract Described is a method of delivery for cargo or goods from an aerial vehicle (mothership) to a designated ground delivery location via the use of a direct air shipping (DASH) package. For example an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a DASH packaged stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the DASH package flight control computer (flight controller) calculates a preferred travel trajectory based upon the aerodynamic properties of the package and location relative to the designated delivery location such as a small delivery pad located on a patio of a home. When the mothership transits through a calculated release point the DASH package disengages the mothership. As the DASH package descends it may increase accuracy relative to the designated delivery location by altering aerodynamic properties to maintain the preferred travel trajectory and decreasing landing zone size requirements and increasing precision of delivery. To reduce the impact force at landing the designated delivery location and/or the DASH package may contain a net, airbag, parachute or similar device to provide a suitably soft landing suitable for commercial home delivery. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for delivering goods to the ground from an aerial vehicle, including: cargo to be delivered; and an outer delivery package configured to house said cargo; and a flight controller located inside said aerial vehicle; and a designated landing site. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes deflectable surfaces capable of altering the flight path of said outer delivery package. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes location sensors that communicate with said aerial vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes aerodynamic features wherein: said aerodynamic features may be in a retracted position when said outer delivery package is not in flight; and wherein said aerodynamic features may be deployed upon launch from said aerial vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said flight controller is programmed with the location of said designated landing site. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said aerial vehicle includes a sensor pod with two-way communication and sensors which provide communication between said aerial vehicle and said outer delivery package. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said designated landing includes site material configured into an energy absorbing crushable impact zone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes an inflatable airbag. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package is released via an automatic trigger when the aerial vehicle reaches a pre-determined spot. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package is released manually when the aerial vehicle reaches a pre-determined spot. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package takes a vertical trajectory from the time of release to the time of landing. ### Claim 12 A method for delivering goods to the ground from an aerial vehicle including the steps of: Inserting the cargo to be delivered into an outer delivery package; storing said outer delivery package in an aerial vehicle; programming a desired landing location into memory onboard said aerial vehicle; releasing said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle; deploying aerodynamic features on said outer delivery package; controlling the direction of said outer delivery package while in flight; and allowing said outer delivery package to land at said designated landing spot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the outer delivery package follows a vertical trajectory from launch to the ground. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein said designated landing spot includes site material configured into an energy absorbing crushable impact zone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein said delivery package is cushioned by an airbag on landing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein said aerial vehicle and said outer delivery package are in communication after said outer delivery package has been launched from said aerial vehicle.