Abstract: A check-in system for an dispensing items includes a computing device having an application installed thereon. The computing device is configured to check in a customer to notify the kiosk of a time range during which an order of the customer is picked up. The kiosk is configured to receive a check-in message from the computing device, receive the location of the computing device, receive a message indicative of the arrival of the customer at the automated tower, retrieve information of the order from an order database stored on a remote server, assemble the order based on the check-in message and the information of the order, and move the assembled order close to a pick-up location of the automated tower to facilitate pick-up of the assembled order.

Abstract: Examples provide a system for staggering induction of items into an automated storage. Multiple partial order totes containing items for fulfillment of multiple different orders can be inducted into an automated storage simultaneously. The parts of a multipart order can also be inducted into the automated storage at staggered intervals. The system tracks each part of each multipart order inducted into the system and monitors the location of each tote containing items for fulfilling each order, the induction duration each tote has been inside the automated storage system, and unreceived items which are part of the multipart order, but which have not yet been inducted into the item storage. The system outputs notifications associated with received items, unreceived items, tote locations, aggregation of partial order totes and/or threshold wait times associated with inducting parts of an order into the automated storage.

Abstract: An autonomous storage and retrieval tower with dynamic resizing of available space is discussed.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval system. In one embodiment, an object storage and retrieval system includes a computing system hosting a service application and in communication with a database and storage and retrieval apparatuses configured to store and dispense physical objects. Each storage and retrieval apparatus is in communication with the computing system. The computing system can transmit instructions to a first one of the storage and retrieval apparatuses to render the status of the first physical object on the interactive display of the storage and retrieval apparatus.

Abstract: Examples provide a height adjustable tray including a service surface for moving one or more items from a first height near the top of a display case down to a lower height within reach of a user in a seated position or otherwise unable to reach a top surface of the display case. The tray is connected to a set of one or more support arms. A gearing mechanism moves the set of support arms along a range of motion to lower the tray from the first height near the top of the display case to a position in front of the display case at a second height. The tray remains in a horizontal orientation substantially parallel to the floor or ground surface as the tray moves through the range of motion. An operating mechanism controls movement of the tray along the range of motion.

Abstract: Examples provide a height adjustable tray including a service surface for moving one or more items from a first height near the top of a display case down to a lower height within reach of a user in a seated position or otherwise unable to reach a top surface of the display case. The tray is connected to a set of one or more support arms. A gearing mechanism moves the set of support arms along a range of motion to lower the tray from the first height near the top of the display case to a position in front of the display case at a second height. The tray remains in a horizontal orientation substantially parallel to the floor or ground surface as the tray moves through the range of motion. An operating mechanism controls movement of the tray along the range of motion.

Abstract: Examples provide a system for staggering induction of items into an automated storage device. Multiple partial order totes containing items for fulfillment of multiple different orders can be inducted into an automated storage device simultaneously. The parts of a multipart order can also be inducted into the automated storage device at staggered intervals. The system tracks each part of each multipart order inducted into the system to monitor the location of each tote containing items for fulfilling each order, the induction duration each tote has been inside the automated storage system, and unreceived items which are part of the multipart order but which have not yet been inducted into the item storage device. The system outputs notifications associated with received items, unreceived items, tote locations, aggregation of partial order totes and/or threshold wait times associated with inducting all parts of an order into the automated storage device.

Abstract: An autonomous storage and retrieval tower with dynamic resizing of available space is discussed.

Abstract: A storage tower can be configured to store and dispense physical objects. The storage tower includes a first vertical shaft disposed in the central vertical cavity of the storage tower. The storage tower further includes a first transport apparatus operatively coupled to the first vertical shaft. The storage tower further includes a second vertical shaft disposed within the vertical central cavity of the storage tower. A second transport apparatus can be operatively coupled to the second vertical shaft. A first pair of rotatable plates can be disposed in an upper portion of the central cavity. A second pair of rotatable plates can be disposed in a lower portion of the central cavity.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval system. In one embodiment, an object storage and retrieval system includes a computing system hosting a service application and in communication with a database and storage and retrieval apparatuses configured to store and dispense physical objects. Each storage and retrieval apparatus is in communication with the computing system. The computing system can transmit instructions to a first one of the storage and retrieval apparatuses to render the status of the first physical object on the interactive display of the storage and retrieval apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling onboard power and communication systems at an automated locker are provided. An example method can include: autonomously detecting a status of a primary power supply connected to the locker, a communication status between the locker and a central server, an internal server status, and an onboard battery percentage of an onboard power; when the onboard battery percentage is greater than or equal to the predetermined battery percentage, autonomously switching to the onboard power and requesting the internal server to conduct transactions and store transaction data internally; and when the battery percentage of the onboard power is lower than the predetermined battery percentage, shutting down the locker; and when the primary power supply is detected to be reestablished and the locker is in communication with the central server, autonomously requesting the internal server to upload the transaction data to the central server.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to secure access. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for securing access using decentralized biometric authentication data through a blockchain network including: a user interface product operable on a user device and configured to: receive a first one or more biometric data; receive near real-time location data associated with the first one or more biometric data; receive a token comprising a second one or more biometric data; determine whether the first one or more biometric data matches within a threshold with the second one or more biometric data; determine whether the first one or more biometric data and the second one or more biometric data are associated with the user device; determine whether the near real-time location data is within a threshold distance from a storage and retrieval system (SRS); and provide data associated with unlocking the SRS.

Abstract: An example security system for an automated locker that stores and dispenses customer orders, include the automated locker including a plurality of sensors and a central computer in communication with the plurality sensors. The plurality sensors can include: at least one smoke detector, at least one camera, at least one sniffer, at least one shock sensor, at least one flood sensor, at least one wind sensor, and at least one fire sensor. The security system may also include a remote server configured to receive sensitive data that is encrypted and/or erased from the central computer upon detecting a hack on the central computer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to automatically order. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for automatically ordering a product item including at least one first sensor, at least one smart-device interface, a remote database, and at least one control circuit configured to: determine whether a signaling data is received; communicatively couple with the at least one smart device; prompt a user to select; determine whether a previously stored data has been stored; delete the previously stored data; copy a plurality of urgency threshold values; access the first sensed data; access the second sensed data; determine a product item; determine whether the at least one of: the first sensed data and the second sensed data has reached an urgency threshold value; and automatically initiate ordering and delivery of the product item when the urgency threshold value has been reached.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for an automated kiosk which responds to natural disasters. Such a system can: receive, at a processor in an automated kiosk, an electronic weather report for weather associated with a geographic location of the automated kiosk; receive, from an exterior sensor mounted on the automated kiosk, exterior sensor data; and receive, from an interior sensor mounted inside the automated kiosk, interior sensor data. The system can then identify, via the processor and based on at least one of the electronic weather report, the exterior sensor data, and the interior sensor data, a likelihood of a natural disaster affecting the automated kiosk. The system can initiate actions to protect the kiosk and/or the products stored in the kiosk from the natural disaster, based on the likelihood and the type of threat encountered.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval system. A tray can support one or more physical objects. One or more adjustable members coupled to the tray can transition from a first state to a second state based on the one or more physical objects disposed on the tray. The one or more adjustable members stabilize the one or more physical objects when the one or more adjustable members are in the second state. A transport apparatus can transport the tray with the physical object. The one or more adjustable members are in the second state as the transport apparatus transports the tray between the at least one of the plurality of shelves and the receptacle.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is a blockchain license storage system. A computing system can receive instructions to fabricate a three-dimensional physical object from a mobile device. The instructions can include a design of the three-dimensional physical object. The computing system can control a printing device to fabricate the at least one three-dimensional physical object based on the design of the at least one three-dimensional physical object. The computing system can generate a license file for the design of the at least one three-dimensional physical object. The computing system can generate a cryptographically verifiable ledger represented by a sequence of blocks. One of the blocks in the sequence of blocks can store transactional records associated with the generated license.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is object storage and retrieval system. Each of multiple storage towers can store and dispense physical objects. The storage towers can be an octagonal prism-shaped housing, a shelving unit disposed within the housing, and one or more receptacles defining one or more openings in the housing. A loader disposed in the housing of each storage tower, can transfer one or more of the physical objects between the one or more receptacles and shelves of the shelving unit. An intermediate transport apparatus disposed external to the storage towers and positioned between two or more of the storage towers, can be aligned with one of the one or more receptacles of each of the two or more storage towers. The intermediate transport apparatus can transfer the one or more physical objects between the two or more towers via the one or more receptacle.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for presenting merchandise to customers at a shopping facility. In one form, the system includes: a shopping facility hosting an event for customers; merchandise items related to the event; an automated storage and retrieval system that includes a merchandise holding area at the shopping facility for the merchandise items related to the event and a robot for moving between the holding area and the hosting area; and customer characteristics or preferences of customers attending the event. In the system, a control circuit identifies and selects the merchandise items related to the event, instructs stocking of the merchandise holding area with these merchandise items, identifies and selects a subset of merchandise items based on the customer characteristics or preferences, instructs the robot to gather the subset of merchandise items from the merchandise holding area and to deliver the subset to the hosting area.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval tower. An end effector is coupled to a robotic crane that is configured to traverse a shaft disposed within the tower. The end effector is connectable to a first sensing mechanism configured to identify an event in the tower that is associated with one or more physical objects stored in the tower and/or a second cleaning mechanism configured to resolve an event in the tower that is associated with the one or more physical objects.