Abstract: A recirculation valve for use with a tankless water heater in a system that includes hot and cold water fixtures and a cold water supply.

Abstract: A flexible datacenter includes a mobile container, a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, a datacenter control system, a plurality of computing systems, and a climate control system. The datacenter control system modulates power delivery to the plurality of computing systems based on unutilized behind-the-meter power availability or an operational directive. A method of dynamic power delivery to a flexible datacenter using unutilized behind-the-meter power includes monitoring unutilized behind-the-meter power availability, determining when a datacenter ramp-up condition is met, enabling behind-the-meter power delivery to one or more computing systems when the datacenter ramp-up condition is met, and directing the one or more computing systems to perform predetermined computational operations.

Abstract: A flexible datacenter includes a mobile container, a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, a datacenter control system, a plurality of computing systems, and a climate control system. The datacenter control system modulates power delivery to the plurality of computing systems based on unutilized behind-the-meter power availability or an operational directive. A method of dynamic power delivery to a flexible datacenter using unutilized behind-the-meter power includes monitoring unutilized behind-the-meter power availability, determining when a datacenter ramp-up condition is met, enabling behind-the-meter power delivery to one or more computing systems when the datacenter ramp-up condition is met, and directing the one or more computing systems to perform predetermined computational operations.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for propagating, synchronizing and expiring user specific information among multiple output devices. In some implementations, retention information is provided along with the user specific information and the output device and/or output device controller will determine when to expire the user specific information based on the retention information. In other implementations, the output device controller and/or output device may periodically request updates from other output devices, output device controllers and/or the inventory management system to determine whether to expire user specific information.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to determine a tote placement indicative of a position of a user relative to a tote, or vice versa. The determination may be based at least in part on data such as images acquired from cameras onboard the tote, images acquired from cameras external to the tote, proximity sensors onboard the tote, weight sensors, and so forth. Orientation of information presented on a display device of the tote may be based on the tote placement.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to present information to a user of a facility that uses a wearable device. Using sensor data acquired from sensors in a facility, operational data associated with the user is generated. Such operational data may be related to providing customer assistance. The operational data is used to generate user interface data, which is transmitted to the wearable device. Upon receipt, the wearable device presents the operational data as a user interface using a display device, which may help provide customer assistance as needed.

Abstract: Described are systems for a materials handling facility to emit air from a floor which is used to generate an air cushion upon which one or more totes may move. The floor may contain one or more apertures which receive air from an air reservoir which is supplied by an air source such as a compressor. Air emitted by these apertures is constrained by a deck of the tote, forming an air cushion upon which the tote rests. In some implementations the air cushion may be maintained while a user is within a threshold distance, and discontinued when the user is beyond the threshold distance.

Abstract: A flexible datacenter includes a mobile container, a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, a datacenter control system, a plurality of computing systems, and a climate control system. The datacenter control system modulates power delivery to the plurality of computing systems based on unutilized behind-the-meter power availability or an operational directive. A method of dynamic power delivery to a flexible datacenter using unutilized behind-the-meter power includes monitoring unutilized behind-the-meter power availability, determining when a datacenter ramp-up condition is met, enabling behind-the-meter power delivery to one or more computing systems when the datacenter ramp-up condition is met, and directing the one or more computing systems to perform predetermined computational operations.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to present information to a user of a materials handling facility that stores items in inventory locations. Some or all of the information may be designated as confidential or have restrictions on presentation to reduce or eliminate dissemination of the confidential information to unauthorized users. A device such as a display carried by the user, mounted on a tote or shelf, and so forth may present the confidential information on a user interface. Presentation of the confidential information, acceptance of user inputs to the user interface, or both may be based on identification of an authorized user, a relative position between the user and the display, or other factors.

Abstract: A flexible growcenter includes a mobile container, a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, a growcenter control system, a climate control system, a lighting system, and an irrigation system. The growcenter control system modulates power delivery to one or more components of the climate control system, the lighting system, and the irrigation system based on unutilized behind-the-meter power availability or an operational directive. A method of dynamic power delivery to a flexible growcenter using unutilized behind-the-meter power includes monitoring unutilized behind-the-meter power availability, determining when a growcenter ramp-up condition is met, and enabling behind-the-meter power delivery to one or more computing systems when the growcenter ramp-up condition is met.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for associating multiple totes with a single profile so that items placed into any of the multiple totes are identified on a profile item identifier list. For example, if two users located in a materials handling facility are picking items that are to be consolidated or otherwise treated together, each user may select a different tote and move separately through the materials handling facility. As either user picks items and places those items into a corresponding tote, a profile item identifier list is updated to include an item identifier for each picked item.

Abstract: Described is an interactive data processing system configured to facilitate selection by a human associate of tentative values generated by an automated system from sensor data. In one implementation, an event may take place in a materials handling facility. The event may comprise a pick or place of an item from an inventory location, movement of a user, and so forth. The sensor data associated with the event is processed by an automated system to determine tentative values associated with the event. In some situations, an uncertainty may exist as to which of the tentative values accurately reflects the actual event. The sensor data and tentative values may be provided to a human associate. The associate may select one of the tentative values. The selected tentative value and the sensor data may be used to train the automated system.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to test sensors in a materials handling facility. In one implementation, an age of a user in the facility and a predicted path through the facility may be determined. Physical access controls may be initiated at inventory locations along the predicted path and adjacent to the user. The physical access controls may include deployment of physical barriers, activation of locks, and so forth. As another user who is permitted access approaches a particular inventory location, the physical access controls may be deactivated.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a total weight associated with a user pattern may be monitored by sensors of a base surface and weight of inventory items may be monitored by sensors at the inventory locations. When a user associated with the user pattern retrieves an item from an inventory location, the decrease in the weight at the inventory location will correspond with the increase in total weight associated with the user pattern. Accordingly, the item may be tracked from the inventory location and associated with the user pattern based on the corresponding changes in weight.

Abstract: There is provided a water delivery system that includes, hot and cold water lines that are for feeding hot and cold water to respective hot and cold water fixtures, a water heater having a cold water input and a hot water output, a water circulator for pumping water from the hot water outlet to the hot water fixture, a bypass line that couples between the water circulator and the cold water input and at least a first check valve constructed and arranged in the bypass line for selectively directing hot pumped water via the water circulator to the cold water input to the water heater while preventing flow in an opposite direction toward the water circulator. A second check valve is disposed in the cold water line for selectively directing cold water from the cold water line to the cold water input to the water heater while preventing flow in an opposite direction toward the cold water line.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for determining if assistance is to be provided to a user. In some instances, a total weight associated with a user pattern may be monitored by sensors of a base surface and a determination made if an abnormality related to the user pattern is present. If an abnormality exists, the appropriate assistance may be determined based on the abnormality and provided to the user.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for routing output information to one or more of a plurality of output devices. In one implementation, output information that includes information to be presented and a location information identifying where the output information is to be presented may be generated by an output host. The output information is received by an output router that determines, based on the location information, an output device and routes the output information to the output device for presentation.

Abstract: A flexible datacenter includes a mobile container, a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, a datacenter control system, a plurality of computing systems, and a climate control system. The datacenter control system modulates power delivery to the plurality of computing systems based on unutilized behind-the-meter power availability or an operational directive. A method of dynamic power delivery to a flexible datacenter using unutilized behind-the-meter power includes monitoring unutilized behind-the-meter power availability, determining when a datacenter ramp-up condition is met, enabling behind-the-meter power delivery to one or more computing systems when the datacenter ramp-up condition is met, and directing the one or more computing systems to perform predetermined computational operations.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for propagating and synchronizing the presentation of user specific information across multiple output devices. In some implementations, a location of a user is determined and user specific information is provided to a plurality of output device controllers configured to control output devices at the determined location. Control instructions are also provided instructing the output device controllers to store, render, present and/or remove the user specific information.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for propagating, synchronizing and expiring user specific information among multiple output devices. In some implementations, retention information is provided along with the user specific information and the output device and/or output device controller will determine when to expire the user specific information based on the retention information. In other implementations, the output device controller and/or output device may periodically request updates from other output devices, output device controllers and/or the inventory management system to determine whether to expire user specific information.