Abstract: A tape dispensing system includes packaging tape an application apparatus, and an incision element. The application apparatus is configured to apply the packaging tape to a package. The incision element defines a unique pattern, and is connected to the application apparatus. Movement of the apparatus is effective to punch or incise the unique pattern defined by the incision element completely through the packaging tape and into the package as or after the packaging tape is applied to the package.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to presenting a virtual representation of a user's environment based on activity in the user's environment. In some embodiments, a system comprises one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors are located about the user's environment and configured to detect the activity within the user's environment and transmit, to a control circuit, indications of the activity, the control circuit configured to receive, from the one or more sensors, the indications of the activity within the user's environment, generate the virtual representation of the user's environment, and render, based on the indications of the activity, the virtual representation of the user's environment to include representations of the activity within the user's environment, and a display device, the display device configured to present the virtual representation of the user's environment including the representations of the activity within the user's environment.

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 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: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing aerial animal food delivery. In one embodiment, a system for providing aerial animal food delivery comprises: an unmanned aerial vehicle, an animal food container coupled to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the animal food container being configured to hold animal food during transport by the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a central computer system communicatively coupled to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the central computer system being configured to: instruct the unmanned aerial vehicle to travel to a service location at a service time with the animal food container and instruct a release of the animal food from the animal food container in an unpackaged form at the service location such that the animal food is accessible to and edible by one or more animals upon release.

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; and wherein data acquired through a first set of at least one of the multiple UAVs while performing a first set of at least one task is caused to be distributed to a second set of at least two of the multiple UAVs, and cause cooperative computational processing of the data through the UAV control circuits of the second set of UAVs and cooperatively identify based on the cooperative computational processing a second set of at least one task to be performed, and identify a set of at least two tool systems to be utilized by a third set of at least two of the multiple UAVs in cooperatively performing the second set of at least one task.

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: In some embodiments, provide systems, apparatuses and methods to deliver products using unmanned delivery aircraft. In some embodiments, product delivery system is provided, comprising: an unmanned delivery aircraft configured to deliver a package to a package drop point corresponding to a location of a vehicle at a predefined drive-through station, wherein the delivery aircraft comprises: one or more cameras; an image processor configured to process images captured by the one or more cameras and based on the processing of the images confirm a precise location of the package drop point as defined according to a determined current location and an orientation of the vehicle; and a crane system that supports the first package and lowers the first package to the package drop point relative to the current location and orientation of the vehicle while the delivery aircraft hovers above the vehicle by a threshold distance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided herein useful for delivering merchandise using autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) linking to and unlinking from other AGVs. In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of AGVs where each AGV has a storage area and couplers at each end of the AGV and a first linked orientation in which the AGVs are linked end to end in a predetermined sequence. The system further includes centralized control circuit configured to receive a plurality of merchandise orders for delivery, identify a geographic neighborhood having orders, identify AGVs for delivery in the neighborhood, instruct the AGVs to form the first linked orientation, and instruct navigation of the AGV chain to an initial detachment location in the neighborhood. The AGVs detach in the neighborhood, complete their individual deliveries, and navigate to a predetermined relinking location in the neighborhood.

Abstract: Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful for autonomously delivering lockers. In some embodiments, a system comprises a carrier vehicle, the carrier vehicle comprising a storage area, a docking station including a plurality of storage docks, each of the plurality of storage docks configured to secure at least one locker, wherein the docking station is located within the storage area, and a retrieval point, a plurality of lockers each configured to house at least one product, a delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle comprising a delivery dock, wherein the delivery dock is configured to receive, at the retrieval point, at least one locker, and a propulsion mechanism, wherein the propulsion mechanism propels the delivery vehicle, and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to identify, from the plurality of lockers, a selected locker, and cause the selected locker to move to the retrieval point.

Abstract: A central computer system directs a motorized transport unit through a retail shopping facility to a particular mobile item container having at least one item disposed therein, that item being designated for return to a particular department within the retail shopping facility such that this item can then again be presented for sale. After causing that motorized transport unit to physically attach to this mobile item container, the central computer system then directs that motorized transport unit through the retail shopping facility with the attached particular mobile item container to the one or more departments to which the item or items are to be so returned.

Abstract: Methods and systems of utilizing a drone for a package delivery are provided. An example method can include: receiving, by a central server, a request from a customer device, the request comprising one or more ordered items and a delivery destination; determining, by a processor at a central server and based on the request, instructions of a flight mission for a drone at a distribution center; instructing a first control system at a distribution center to place the ordered items into a bag; loading the bag into one of a plurality of cargo bays; providing the instructions of the flight mission to a second control system to control the drone to navigate to the delivery destination; and controlling the drone by the second control system to automatically release the bag with the ordered items from the cargo bay, the cargo bay remaining with the drone.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to identifying a hacked data communication received by an unmanned vehicle (UV). In some embodiments, there is provided a system for identifying a hacked data communication received by a UV including a retail UV a first antenna; a second antenna; a timing device; a memory device; a transport device; and a control circuit configured to determine whether data communication is hacked based on at least: an estimated location of a signal source, a determined timestamp, a determined source device identifier, a determined data type of a data content, and a source antenna; and in response to a determination that the data communication is not hacked, modify a first mission data to a second mission data; and initiate operation of the transport device to move the UV through a modified route based on the second mission data.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle for delivering a package includes a package deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle, a package coupled to the securing point, and a monitoring system couple to one of the aerial vehicle or the package deployment system. The package deployment system includes a spool coupled to the aerial vehicle; a lowering line fixedly coupled to the spool at a first end, the lowering line having a bitter end at a second end, a securing point coupled to the lowering line between the first end and the second end, and the bitter end coupled to the aerial vehicle at a securing device. The package deployment system is configured to deliver the package at a delivery location and the securing device is configured to release the bitter end to deliver the package. A method for delivering a package with an aerial vehicle having the package deployment system.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle for delivering a package. The aerial vehicle having a package deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle. The package deployment system having a spool coupled to the aerial vehicle, a lowering line fixedly coupled to the spool at a first end, the lowering line having a second end secured to a grasping device, and a cutting device coupled to one of the spool or the lowering line. The aerial vehicle also having a package coupled to the grasping device and a monitoring system couple to one of the aerial vehicle or the package deployment system. The package deployment system is configured to deliver the package at a delivery location. The cutting device is configured to sever the lowering line to deliver the package. A method for delivering a package with an aerial vehicle having the package deployment system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for using multilayered authentication mechanisms, combined with hashing functions, to provide increased security and accuracy in identification of a user. One example is using facial biometric data as input to a hash function, and comparing that hash function output to previously stored hash function outputs to determine if the facial data captured matches that of a known user. Then, once a facial match is determined using the hashed values, a secondary confirmation is requested and/or received. If that secondary confirmation also matches stored data, the user is authorized to perform the transaction or access the restricted area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to managing associate delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for managing associate delivery at an end of shift including one or more cameras configured to periodically capture images of a plurality of associates; an associate interface configured to periodically provide locations of the plurality of associates; one or more storage sensors configured to provide storage sensor data used to determine available capacity of a storage area of each of a plurality of personal vehicles; and a control circuit configured to receive a work schedule; determine whereabouts of a corresponding associate; determine that the corresponding associate has completed a work task; determine whether a personal vehicle has storage area capable of storing one or more retail products; and determine whether the corresponding associate is a candidate to deliver the one or more retail products.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a drone for intermittent flights can include: receiving instructions of a flight mission with a flight route from an original location to a mission destination of the drone, wherein a plurality of stand-by locations are configured for the drone to land on along the flight route; obtaining data of the stand-by locations; scanning a first area between the original location of the drone and a first stand-by location to determine whether the first area is clear; controlling the drone to navigate over the first area along the flight route if the first area is clear; updating a drone position in real time; scanning a second area between an updated drone position and a second stand-by location to determine whether the second area is clear; and controlling the drone to land on the first stand-by location if the second area is not clear.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing increased security to sensitive data acquired by autonomous vehicles. This is done using a flexible classification and storage system, where information about the autonomous vehicle's mission is used in conjunction with sensor data to determine if the sensor data is necessary to the mission. When the sensor data, the location of the autonomous vehicle, and other data indicate that the autonomous vehicle has captured non-mission specific data, it can be deleted, encrypted, fragmented, or otherwise partitioned, with the goal of protecting that sensitive information.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining item availability are provided. A computer implemented method for determining item availability in a shopping space comprising: receiving a request for an item for purchase from a customer, querying an inventory database to determine whether the item for purchase is in stock, in an event that the item for purchase is not in stock according to the inventory database: determining an out of stock response to present to the customer, in an event that the item for purchase is in stock according the inventory database: instructing a motorized transport unit to travel to a display space in the shopping space corresponding to the item for the purchase, determining whether the item is available in the display space based on information captured by one or more sensors of the motorized transport unit, and in an event that the item for purchase is not available in the display space: determining an item unavailable response to present to the customer.