Abstract: A package storage system for a kiosk includes a shelf on which packages are stacked. The shelf is configured to be adjustable in a vertical height. The system also includes a sliding guide configured to be movable with respect to the shelf, and a clamp device having two adjustable side arms and slidably attached to the sliding guide. The clamp device is also configured to grip one of the packages by the two adjustable side arms. The system further includes a blade slidably attached to the sliding guide and configured to pull out a package that is stacked immediately beneath the one package griped by the clamp device. The system also includes a labelling device configured to label the packages inside the kiosk, and a receiving tray configured to receive the packages that are delivered to the kiosk. The system further includes a controller to control movement of the clamp device. The controller is further programmed to move the packages based on specified rules.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that limit the change in temperature and/or control a temperature of products during delivery.

Abstract: An unmanned battery optimization vehicle includes a transceiver, a battery optimization apparatus, and a control circuit. The transceiver is configured to transmit and receive signals. The battery optimization apparatus is configured to interact with a battery disposed at an unmanned autonomous vehicle. The control circuit is coupled to the transceiver and the battery optimization apparatus. The control circuit is configured to cause the unmanned battery optimization vehicle to independently navigate and travel to a present location of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part upon the signals received at the transceiver. When the unmanned battery optimization vehicle reaches the present location of the unmanned autonomous vehicle, the control circuit is further configured to direct the battery optimization apparatus to engage in an interaction with the battery at the unmanned autonomous vehicle. The interaction is effective to optimize battery operation at the unmanned autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in flight. A method comprises controlling motions of a UAV via a locomotion system, wherein the UAV comprises a charging antenna coupled to and extending away from a body of the UAV, the charging antenna comprises a wireless charge receiver positioned along a length of the charging antenna and a contact charge tip positioned at an end of the charging antenna away from the body. The UAV is configured to hover near the wireless charger of the host vehicle to charge a power storage device of the UAV via the charging antenna of the charging antenna and cause the contact charge tip of the charging antenna to contact the contact charge surface of the host vehicle to charge the power storage device while hovering.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for creating and monitoring predefined mission routes along air rails and non-overlapping buffer zones surrounding unmanned vehicles during travel of the unmanned vehicles along the predefined mission routes. The buffer zone may be thought of as a projected movement variation area being associated by the system to the UAV and containing four dimensions, the three positional dimensions, X, Y, and Z, along with a temporal one, time. Generally, the buffer zone will change as ambient conditions, location, and orientation of an unmanned vehicle change during travel of the unmanned vehicle along its predefined mission route.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to mapping a space. In some embodiments, a system for mapping a space comprises a communication device configured to receive location data from a portable user device in a user space, a device location database configured to store location data, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to aggregate, over time, the location data in the user space from the portable user device and store the location data in the device location database, the location data comprising coordinates and timestamps associated with a plurality of locations, determine a plurality of dwell locations in the user space corresponding to locations where the portable user device rests based on the timestamps of the location data, and identify one or more objects in the user space based at least on the coordinates of the plurality of dwell locations.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for modular compliance monitoring are provided. A system for monitoring modular compliance in a shopping space includes an image capture device, a baseline condition database, and a control circuit coupled to the image capture device and the baseline condition database. The control circuit being configured to obtain, from the image capture device, one or more images of a display module in the shopping space, retrieve, from the baseline condition database, a baseline condition model for a display space corresponding to the display module, and compare the one or more images of the display module in the shopping space and the baseline condition model to determine a modular compliance status for the display module.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing voice-initiated conversation interface on multiple devices. Some such systems provide a voice-initiated conversation interface on multiple devices and comprise a network connector configured to communicate with one or more other user devices over a network, a user interface device configured to communicate with a user, a memory device storing at least a portion of a distributed conversation database, wherein the distributed conversation database comprises a plurality of conversation records encrypted with public keys associated with each conversation and conversation database is updated based on communications with the one or more other user devices via the network connector, and a control circuit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) experiencing emergency landings and providing emergency alerts to the predicted emergency landing locations of the UAV. Each UAV includes sensors configured to detect at least one status input associated with the UAV during flight along its flight route. Each UAV analyzes the status inputs while in flight in order to predict an emergency landing location where the UAV would land if unable to fly due to an emergency condition. The UAV is configured to transmit an alert signal to electronic devices proximate the predicted emergency landing location to notify users of the electronic devices that the unmanned aerial vehicle is going to experience an emergency landing at the predicted emergency landing location.

Abstract: A window unit for receiving a package from an aerial vehicle to a window of a building. The window unit includes a frame and a net. The frame is coupled to a building wall and a window ledge. The net is coupled within the frame. The net receives delivery of the package. The window unit includes sensors and communication devices to confirm alignment of the package and effectuate delivery of the package. The window unit includes a release device for releasing the frame or net if there is a snag with the package or aerial vehicle. A method of delivering a package to the window unit includes confirming the package is aligned with the net prior to release of the package from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of facilitating movement of product-containing pallets include at least one forklift unit configured to lift and move the product-containing pallets, at least one motorized transport unit configured to mechanically engage and disengage a respective forklift unit, and a central computer system in communication with the at least one motorized transport unit. The central computer system is configured to transmit at least one signal to the at least one motorized transport unit. The signal is configured to cause the at least one motorized transport unit to control the at least one forklift unit to move at least one of the product-containing pallets.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of enabling consumers to purchase substitute products when the products ordered by the consumers are out of stock include processing an internet order for a product received from a consumer in a geographic location and in response to receiving an electronic notification indicating that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at a retail sales facility associated with the geographic location of the consumer, generating an electronic message including an indication that the product ordered by the consumer is out of stock at the retail sales facility, and including a selection option of at least one substitute product for the product ordered by the consumer. The methods and system further include transmitting the electronic message from the electronic inventory management device at the retail sales facility to an electronic computing device of the consumer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivery packages using unmanned delivery aircrafts. Some embodiments include product delivery systems, comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: receive, from a customer, an authorization to deliver a product by an unmanned delivery aircraft; receive, from a portable user interface unit associated with the customer, global location information of a current location of the user interface unit and that designates a delivery location where the customer would like the product delivered; and initiate a delivery, by an unmanned delivery aircraft, of the product to the delivery location defined by the global location information received from the user interface unit.

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 access power level data corresponding to each of the multiple UAVs, and select a second UAV of the multiple UAVs based at least in part on a power level of the second UAV relative to a threshold power level corresponding to a first task to be performed and a predicted power usage by the second UAV while utilizing a first tool system temporarily cooperated with the second UAV in performing the first task.

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, methods, and computer-readable storage media for a task management and distribution system. Systems configured as disclosed manage task distribution between various robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles. As tasks are identified as not capable of completion by the detecting robot, they are transmitted to a central task-management system which identifies a subset of robots which are capable of completing the task, determines the availability of the robots in the subset, and assigns one of those robots in the subset to complete the task.

Abstract: A system includes a point cloud generator configured to generate a point cloud of a store, an imaging data generator configured to generate imaging data of the store, and an analysis module. The analysis module is configured to receive the point cloud and the imaging data; combine the point cloud with the imaging data to generate an overlayed map; add date and time to the overlayed map; establish reference points in the overlayed map; receive an instruction of identifying a desired location in the overlayed map; identify the location in the overlayed map based on the reference points; identify, from the imaging data and based on the date and time, a portion of the imaging data relevant to the location; and analyze the portion of the imaging data to obtain knowledge of events or activities occurring at the location at the date and time.

Abstract: A method of managing products on a shelf by using a computer system in communication with an electronic shelf label (ESL) and a scanning device includes scanning by the scanning device the electronic shelf label attached to the shelf in a vicinity of one or more products, and detecting an out area on the shelf. The method also includes receiving by the computer system a position of the electronic shelf label transmitted by the electronic shelf label, communicating by the scanning device the location of the out area to the computer system, identifying by the computer system a location of the electronic shelf label based on the position, identifying a backroom electronic shelf label associated with products associated with the out area, and activating the backroom electronic shelf label with an action message.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting, at a processor and by a plurality of associates, a mission to be performed by the plurality of associates; identifying the mission based on associated store information comprising an inventory status, sales data, and a set of predetermined rules; generating, by the processor, a queue of tasks to complete the mission based on priorities and dependencies of the tasks; determining a task for each associate whose profile defines best abilities matching a predetermined task dataset and the associated store information; assigning the queue of tasks to the plurality of the associates to complete the tasks; receiving, from each of the associates, a notification of a completion of an assigned task; verifying, by the processor, the completion of the assigned task; and determining, by the processor, completion of the mission when each task for the mission is verified to be completed.

Abstract: A support system for an autonomous robot may include a diagnostic component coupled to the autonomous robot; one or more on-board sensors coupled to the autonomous robot, the one or more on-board sensors configured to communicate with the diagnostic component; a servicing alignment engine configured to store information, the servicing alignment engine configured to communicate with the diagnostic component; and an auxiliary robot configured to communicate with the diagnostic component. The diagnostic component is configured to continuously monitor a status of the autonomous robot, determine if the status is within a predetermined operating value, and send a notification to the auxiliary robot based on the status. The auxiliary robot is configured to determine a remedial action based on a notification that the status is outside of the predetermined operating value and initiate the remedial action on the autonomous robot when the status is not within the predetermined operating value.