# US 2021/0174418 A1 · Methods for sample presentation using autonomous vehicles

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- Number: US 2021/0174418 A1
- Document ID: US20210174418A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/174,387
- Filed: 2021-02-12
- Published: 2021-06-10
- Earliest claimed: 2017-02-14
- Inventors: Thomas Danaher Harvey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210174418A1

## CPC

- G06Q 30/0617: {Representative agent}
- G05D 1/81: Handing over between on-board automatic and on-board manual control
- G09F 21/04: by land vehicles
- 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
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS

## Abstract

A method and a system to present samples of products to customers by transporting the samples to the customer's location with an autonomous vehicle. The sample can be a product, a component of a product, a material or a device to gather information in defining the product. The autonomous vehicle is adapted for off road travel and may enter buildings, it can be carried to a nearby location by a street adapted vehicle. Information may be transmitted electronically but physical presence is essential. The customer or the customer's agent receives a presentation of the product definer and a selection of a final product is made. In other cases the autonomous vehicle delivery separate or installed technical equipment to examine the presentation location and assist in the final product selection. For example, photographs from multiple locations can measure a room for installation of carpets or draperies, etc.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of selection a product comprising:
defining a class of products based on a potential demand of a customer,
selecting a location where a physical product definer can acquire information to select a product from the class,
selecting the physical product definer to acquire information to distinguish between products in the class wherein the physical product definer is enabled to acquiring information unsuitable for remote acquisition from at least one of objects and data sources present at the location,
transporting the physical product definer to the location with an autonomous first vehicle, and
selecting a product from the class of products at least partially on the basis of information acquired as a result of use of the physical product definer at the location; wherein:
the selection of the physical product definer is at least partially on the basis of the class of products, and
the physical product definer is transported subsequent to the selection of the physical product definer with at least one of the autonomous first vehicle and a second vehicle distinct from the autonomous first vehicle on a public road network to a point accessible by the public road network and is transported from said point to the location by the autonomous first vehicle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the information is obtained by measuring an object at the location with the physical product definer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the information is obtained electronically at the location wherein access to the information is restricted to a limited area including the location.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the information is obtained at the location by a camera comprised in the product definer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the information is obtained at the location by a sensor comprised in the product definer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein:
the definition of the class of products is at least partially on the basis of a communication from the customer; and the selection of the location is at least partially on the basis of the communication,

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein:
the information is obtained by measuring an object at the location with the physical product definer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein:
the information is obtained electronically at the location wherein access to the information is restricted to a limited area including the location.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein:
the information is obtained at the location by a camera comprised in the product definer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein:
the information is obtained at the location by a sensor comprised in the product definer.

### Claim 11

A method of selection a product comprising:
(a) selecting a location where information to select the product is available,
(b) transporting a physical product definer with an autonomous vehicle to the location,
(c) acquiring the information at the location with the use of the physical product definer, and
(d) selecting the product based on the information;
wherein
(a) acquisition of the information requires the physical presence of the physical product definer at the location,
(b) the information concerns conditions at the location, and
(c) the selection of the location is based on at least one of a communication from a customer and the requirements of a customer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11 wherein:
the information is obtained by measuring an object at the location with the physical product definer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11 wherein:
the information is obtained electronically at the location wherein access to the information is restricted to a limited area including the location.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11 wherein:
the information is obtained at the location by a camera comprised in the product definer.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11 wherein:
the information is obtained at the location by a sensor comprised in the product definer.

### Claim 16

A device to select a product comprising:
an autonomous vehicle adapted to travel to a location selected by a potential customer for the product and carry a sensor to the location,
the sensor which is adapted to acquire information at the location to select the product from a class of products;
wherein the sensor acquires data from conditions at the location which is used to determine conditions at the location which at least partially determine the selection of the product.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16 wherein:
the sensor is a mechanical probe which contacts the surface of an object at the location to measure at least one of the size of an object at the location and the position of an object at the location.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16 wherein:
the sensor is a camera.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16 wherein:
the sensor can be removed from the vehicle at the location and operated separately from the vehicle.