Abstract: A method of drone-drone communications using blockchain includes: determining operational parameters of a first drone; encrypting the operational parameters of the first drone; storing the encrypted operational parameters of the first drone in a block of a blockchain; determining when a second drone is in proximity of the first drone; retrieving the encrypted operational parameters of the first drone from the block of the blockchain; decrypting the encrypted operational parameters of the first drone; retrieving the operational parameters of the first drone based on the decryption; and configuring the second drone with the operational parameters of the first drone.

Abstract: A delivery tower for receiving a package from an aerial vehicle. The delivery tower has a table top coupled to a base. The base includes telescoping members. The delivery tower has a controller and communications module operably coupled to the base. The table top moves between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position with extension of the telescoping members. In the first, retracted position the delivery tower is configured to operate as an outdoor table. In the second, extended position, the delivery tower is configured to receive a package from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle system includes a body and a plurality of sensors coupled to the body and configured to generate a plurality of sensor measurements corresponding to the plurality of sensors. The system also includes a control unit configured to: receive inputs from a plurality of sources wherein the plurality sources comprise the plurality of sensors, the inputs comprise the plurality of sensor measurements; determine a confidence level of each input based on other inputs; prioritize, based on the confidence level associated with each input, the inputs; generate, based on the prioritization of the inputs and the confidence level, a combined input with a combined confidence level; and determine, based on the combined input and the combined confidence level, a mission task to be performed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that comprise multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective UAVs to move themselves; and wherein a first UAV control circuit of a first UAV of the multiple UAVs is configured to identify a second UAV carrying a first tool system configured to perform a first function, cause a notification to be communicated to the second UAV directing the second UAV to transfer the first tool system to the first UAV, and direct a first propulsion system of the first UAV to couple with the first tool system being transferred from the second UAV.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for field monitoring. A system for field monitoring comprises a plurality of types of sensor modules, an unmanned vehicle comprising a sensor system, and a control circuit configured to: receive onboard sensor data from the sensor system of the unmanned vehicle, detect an alert condition at a monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, select one or more types of sensor modules from the plurality of types of sensor modules to deploy at the monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, and cause the unmanned vehicle and/or one or more other unmanned vehicles to transport one or more sensor modules of the one or more types of sensor modules to the monitored area and deploy the one or more sensor modules by detaching from the one or more sensor modules at the monitored area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned task systems are provided that comprise multiple unmanned vehicles each comprising: a control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective unmanned vehicles to move themselves; and wherein a first control circuit of a first unmanned vehicle of the multiple unmanned vehicles is configured to identify a second unmanned vehicle carrying a first tool system configured to perform a first function, cause a notification to be communicated to the second unmanned vehicle directing the second unmanned vehicle to transfer the first tool system to the first unmanned vehicle, and direct a first propulsion system of the first unmanned vehicle to couple with the first tool system being transferred from the second unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: Sensory information is obtained at a drone (e.g., from sensors at the drone or deployed at other locations), and the sensory information defines the physical operating environment of the drone. The aerial drone is initially operated according to a current geographical location that is received. The sensory information is subsequently obtained, for example, from the sensors. An adjusted current geographical location of the aerial drone is selectively determined based upon an evaluation of the sensory information and a UWB beacon signal. The aerial drone is operated according to the adjusted current geographical location.

Abstract: A plurality of lockers can each serve to contain items that have been ordered by a customer. By one approach these lockers are stored in a locker storage facility. By one approach these lockers are configured such that a motorized transport unit can physically engage the locker in order to move the locker. So configured, a central computer system can be configured to select a particular motorized transport unit to retrieve a particular locker that has been previously associated with a particular entity (such as a particular customer or their designated agent) and to make that locker available to that particular entity such that the latter can retrieve their item or items from that locker.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems and methods are provided herein useful to assist in unloading products. Some embodiments provide a product unloading assistance system, comprising: a control circuit; a graphical display; a camera; and a memory with the control circuit performing the steps of: receive an image from the camera comprising at least a portion of a product delivery vehicle and one or more reference points on the delivery vehicle; obtain an identifier of a load in the delivery vehicle to be unloaded; and cause the graphical display to display, in accordance with an orientation of the camera relative to the delivery vehicle based on the one or more reference points, 3D graphical representations of multiple different packaged products as loaded into the delivery vehicle and their orientation relative to each other as they are positioned within the delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in tracking product consumption. Some embodiments provide a product purchasing apparatus comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: receive multiple product data from a restockable customer product storage unit located at a customer residence; evaluate each of the multiple product data relative to one or more thresholds within a continuously updated customer profile; identify one or more products to be replenished as a function of the continuously updated customer profile; automatically cause a purchase, on behalf of the customer, of at least a first product to replenish at least one of the one or more products to be replenished; and obtain payment from a source associated with the customer.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for providing transport are provided. A system for providing passenger transport, comprises a plurality of motorized transport units each comprising a coupler for mechanically coupling to a passenger carrier, and a central computer system communicatively coupled to the plurality of motorized transport units. The central computer system being configured to: receive a ride request from a user, select a motorized transport unit from the plurality of motorized transport units, instruct the motorized transport unit to travel to couple to a passenger carrier associated from the user, determine a route based on user route preference, and instruct the motorized transport unit coupled to the passenger carrier to transport the user based on the route.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses to fulfill customer orders comprising a motorized transport unit; a product pick unit (PPU) that cooperate with the motorized transport unit; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system configured to communicate with the multiple motorized transport units and the plurality of product pick units, and comprises a control circuit and memory storing instructions executed to cause the control circuit to: communicate an instruction to the motorized transport unit and direct the motorized transport unit to transport the product pick unit to a determined first location within the shopping facility proximate to where a first product having been ordered is located; and communicate an instruction to the product pick unit cooperated with the motorized transport unit and direct the product pick unit to retrieve the first product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided, some apparatuses comprise: a location controller separate from a motorized transport unit, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive communications from the motorized transport unit; a control circuit; a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from the communications, a unique light source identifier of a light source detected by the motorized transport unit, and relative distance information determined by the motorized transport unit through an optical measurement; process the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information relative to a mapping of the shopping facility; and determine, in response to the processing, a location of the motorized transport unit within the shopping facility as a function of the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for unmanned flight optimization. A system for unmanned flight comprises a set of motors configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a set of wings coupled to a body of the unmanned aerial vehicle via an actuator and configured to move relative to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: control the unmanned aerial vehicle, cause the set of motors to lift the unmanned aerial vehicle, detect condition parameters based on the sensor system, determine a position for the set of wings based on the condition parameters, and cause the actuator to move the set of wings to the wing position while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in flight.

Abstract: A method for processing store returns, comprising: selecting, from a data repository, an electronically archived purchase receipt corresponding to an item for return to a retail establishment; identifying the retail establishment for returning the purchased item regardless of whether the item was purchased at the retail establishment; associating at the data repository the purchase receipt and a selected type of tender; and electronically and automatically transferring a refund for the returned item to the selected type of tender.

Abstract: Apparatuses, components and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to monitor items on a storage unit. Some embodiments provide a system for monitoring items held on a storage unit, comprising: a scanner device configured to capture a 3D model of the storage unit; a memory configured to store a baseline 3D model of the storage unit in a predetermined stocked state and a plurality of 3D item models, each 3D item model corresponding to an item intended to be held on the storage unit; a difference extraction unit configured to compare the captured 3D model to the baseline 3D model and generate 3D difference data corresponding to a difference between the captured and baseline 3D models, and a product identification unit configured to identify items present in the 3D difference data based on the stored plurality of 3D item models.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a kiosk station to autonomously accept or decline a package delivery from an autonomous vehicle based on a confidence level is provided. An example system includes the kiosk station configured to: determine its capabilities for accepting the package delivery; convert the capabilities into a binary format; and transmit the binary format to a cloud-based database management unit. The example system also include the autonomous vehicle configured to: generate a deliver task request for the package delivery to be sent to the kiosk station; convert the delivery task request to a binary format; and transmit the binary format to the cloud-based database management unit. The example system further include the cloud-based database management unit configured to: compare the binary format of the kiosk station's capabilities with the binary format of the delivery task request; and generate the confidence level based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for mobile vending. A system for mobile vending comprises a mobile vending machine comprising: an item dispenser configured to display a plurality of items for purchase, a set of motorized wheels, a navigation sensor device, a communication device, and, a control circuit configured to navigate the mobile vending machine based on navigation instructions; and a central computer system configured to communicate with the mobile vending machine via the communication device, the central computer system being configured to: determine a destination for the mobile vending machine, provide the navigation instructions to the mobile vending machine to cause the mobile vending machine to travel to the destination using the set of motorized wheels and the navigation sensor device.

Abstract: An example method for performing concepts disclosed can include: obtaining a first authentication factor including first biometric data of a user; hashing the first authentication factor to create a first hash; registering the user with a digital credit system using the created first hash; obtaining a second authentication factor including second biometric data of the user; hashing the second authentication factor to create a second hash; comparing the first hash and the second hash; and proceeding the transaction based on the comparison.