Abstract: A system includes a product inventory engine (PIE) module and an intelligent pricing engine (IPE) module. The PIE module is configured to: receive data on an inventory of an item from one or more scanning devices; receive supply data for the item in a specified period of time; and determine an inventory level of the item based on the data and the supply data. The IPE module is configured to: receive a set of rules regulating the item; generate a decision on a price change for the item based on the inventory level of the item and the set of rules; and send the decision to one or more entities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory replenishment. A computer-implemented method may include: analyzing, by a sales data engine, historical sales data of products to obtain sales patterns of the products; determining a demand and a time to be replenished for each of the products; detecting, by a sensor at a retail store, an arrival of a delivery vehicle loaded with the products; autonomously unloading, via a conveyor system, the products from the delivery vehicle to a queue area of the retail store; scanning and identifying the products; ranking and ordering, by an inventory replenishment engine, the products to determine a quantity, a priority and a time to dispense each of the products; autonomously sorting the products into a plurality of carts; moving the products from the queue area to a dispensing area; and alerting assistants to automatically restock the products to sales floor.

Abstract: A dynamic resource allocation engine which can assist in automating activities and processes within an organization. More specifically, the concepts disclosed herein can reduce operational costs by eliminating unnecessary devices, processes, and/or personnel, while also providing an efficient mechanism for testing the effects of new resources on the entire system. This is done by first combining data associated with devices, processes, and personnel, in a common (normalized) data format. This combination represents a simulation of the business or enterprise associated with the data, and can be referred to as a “resource allocation engine.” The resource allocation engine provides information about how resources are being used within the organization.

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: Systems and methods for managing communication of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles. The present invention can include a central server and a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles including a master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicle. The master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicles can communicate with the central server and each other. The master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicle can deliver packages to different locations. In doing so, the master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicle can form a swarm that at least partially share a route for delivery of the packages to their destinations. The master unmanned aerial vehicle can be configured to: (i) receive delivery information for the master and secondary unmanned aerial vehicles, (ii) monitor communication between the swarm, and (iii) determine if the swarms encounters a risk.

Abstract: An autonomous system for managing a vehicle storage area includes a control module configured to communicate, via an application program, with an autonomous yard truck. The control module instructs and facilitates the autonomous yard truck to move, dock, and/or store a trailer in the vehicle storage area. The autonomous yard truck includes a cab-less truck having a first end including a first trailer hookup and a second end including a second trailer hookup, a first set of sensors configured to position the autonomous yard truck in the vehicle storage area, a second set of sensors configured to maneuver the trailer, and a third set of sensors configured to prevent the autonomous truck from colliding with an object.

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: An analysis of the delivery characteristics of an automated vehicle and a comparison of received security credentials of the vehicle to acceptable credentials are performed. Based upon the results of the analysis and the comparison, a confidence score is determined. The confidence score is a numerical measure of trust in an authentic identity of the automated vehicle. The determined confidence score is compared to the confidence threshold and when the score exceeds the confidence threshold, a message is transmitted to the automated vehicle allowing the vehicle to deliver a package to a delivery location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for managing traffic one or more unmanned vehicles. A traffic flow managing system can include: a plurality of unmanned vehicle, each of the plurality of the unmanned vehicle comprising: a processor having executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; and one or more sensors in communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: detect any other unmanned vehicles approaching the unmanned vehicle within a predetermined distance via one or more sensors, communicate with any other unmanned vehicles to create a buffer zone around the unmanned vehicle to avoid entering the buffer zone of any other unmanned vehicles, and determine a route of the unmanned vehicle to a mission destination based on a signal received by the one or more sensors of the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control. A system for UAV control comprises a flight control system of a UAV, an image sensor on the UAV, an aircraft marshaling signal database, and a control circuit coupled to the flight control system, the image sensor, and the aircraft marshaling signal database. The control circuit being configured to: detect, with the image sensor, a gesture from a ground crew member, verify that the ground crew member is an authorized controller of the UAV, compare the gesture with marshaling signals in the aircraft marshaling signal database to determine a corresponding marshaling signal, determine a flight command based on the corresponding marshaling signal, and execute the flight command with the flight control system of the UAV.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that include a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; propulsion system; and a universal coupler configured to interchangeably couple with and decouple from one of multiple different tool systems each having different functions to be put into use while carried by a UAV, wherein a coupling system of the universal coupler is configured to secure a tool system with the UAV and enable a communication connection between a communication bus and the tool system, and wherein the multiple different tool systems comprise at least a package securing tool system configured to retain and enable transport of a package while being delivered, and a sensor tool system configured to sense a condition and communicate sensor data of the sensed condition to the UAV control circuit over the communication bus.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for sorting items discarded in a shopping facility. A system for sorting discarded items comprises a motorized transport unit configured to travel around discarded items placed in a sorting area in the shopping facility, the motorized transport unit comprises a sensor device and an item mover device, an item characterization database storing characteristics corresponding to a plurality of items likely to be found in the shopping facility, and a central computer system. The central computer system is configured to receive data from the sensor device on the motorized transport unit, determine an item characteristic of an item among the discarded items in the sorting area, determine a sorting category of the item from a plurality of predefined categories, and cause the motorized transport unit to move the item, with the item mover device, from the sorting area into a category area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages and/or cargo through the use of unmanned delivery aircraft. In some embodiments, a portable unmanned delivery aircraft launch system is provided that comprises: a first portable launch pad system comprising: a package deck; an unmanned delivery aircraft deck secured with the package deck and positioned above and separated by a distance from the package deck; and multiple modular coupling structures fixed with a frame enabling temporary rigid coupling and decoupling between the first launch pad system and multiple additional portable launch pad systems.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems and methods of enhancing protection of unmanned retail delivery vehicles. Some of these embodiments comprise: a plurality of unmanned delivery vehicles (UDV); a plurality of lure unmanned vehicles; and a procedure randomization system configured to randomly select a protection procedure that is not to be implemented by a first lure unmanned vehicle to enhance an attack vulnerability; and wherein a first lure vehicle control circuit of the first lure unmanned vehicle is configured to obtain a first lure route and control the first lure unmanned vehicle to travel along the first lure route while preventing the selected first protection procedure from being applied while applying at least a sub-set of the set of the plurality of protection procedures to a full capacity while the first lure unmanned vehicle travels along the first lure route.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for identifying, on an autonomous vehicle which is traveling, a loss of a primary location system, and activating a secondary location system. The secondary location system performs a radio frequency sweep of a geographic area around the autonomous vehicle to identify radio frequency beacons, compares the radio frequency beacons to known ground stations, performs a visual scan of the geographic area to identify visual beacons, each visual beacon having a particular visual frequency, and compares the particular visual frequency of each of the visual beacons to known visual beacons. The secondary location system then identifies a current location of the autonomous vehicle by triangulating the verified radio frequency beacons and the verified visual beacons and the autonomous vehicle generates a route to a stopping location based on the current location produced by the secondary location system.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous fulfillment system. The system includes the first computing system with an interactive display. The first computing system can transmit a request for physical objects from a facility. A second computing system can transmit instructions to autonomous robot devices to retrieve the physical objects from the facility. The second computing system can control the image capturing device of an autonomous robot device to capture a live image feed of at least one physical object picked up by the autonomous robot device. The second computing system can switch an input feed of the first computing system to display the live image feed on the interactive display of the first computing system. The second computing system can instruct the autonomous robot device to discard the physical objects picked up by the autonomous robot device and to pick up a replacement physical object.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that limit the change in temperature and/or control a temperature of a product during delivery. Some embodiments provide systems to limit temperature changes, comprising: an evaporative product cooling system comprising: a product cavity that supports a product while the product is transported to a delivery location, wherein the product cooling system comprises an interior wall defining the product cavity, an exterior wall, an evaporative cavity between the interior and exterior walls, a coolant dispensing system, at least one evaporative opening, and a temperature sensor; and a temperature control circuit configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor while the product is in transit, determine that a temperature of the product is greater than a transport temperature threshold, and autonomously activate the coolant dispensing system to release evaporative coolant into the evaporative cavity while the product is transported.

Abstract: An airborne drone training track includes both a ground track and a ceiling track. The ceiling track can be disposed above and be at least essentially aligned with the ground track. Airborne drone attachment tethers movably attach an airborne drone to each of these tracks. A lower airborne drone attachment tether movably attaches to the ground track and to a bottom portion of the airborne drone. A plurality of upper airborne drone attachment tethers movably attach to the ceiling track and to upper portions of the airborne drone. By one approach there is only one lower airborne drone attachment tether and four upper airborne drone attachment tethers.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems of monitoring trash cans. A central computer system of a shopping facility identifies a first motorized transport unit and a second motorized transport unit; communicates routing instructions based on a mapping of the shopping facility to each of the first and second motorized transport units directing the first and second motorized transport units to a trash can receptacle, wherein the second motorized transport unit transports a replacement second trash can; communicates trash can removal instruction to the first motorized transport unit to cause the first motorized transport unit to remove the first trash can from the trash can receptacle; and communicates a trash can replacement instruction to the second motorized transport unit to cause the second motorized transport unit to place the second trash can into the trash can receptacle in place of the first trash can.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing temperature control. An apparatus for temperature control comprises a portable housing configured for delivery of items, an insulated storage compartment in the portable housing and configured to hold a plurality of items during a transport of the portable housing, a temperature control device configured to affect the temperature inside the insulated storage compartment, and a host coupler configured to couple with a host temperature control system to allow the host temperature control system to affect the temperature inside the insulated storage compartment. Wherein the temperature control device is configured to affect the temperature inside the insulated storage compartment without the host coupler being coupled to the host temperature control system.