Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing a virtual reality (VR) appliance interface. A system for providing a VR user interface for managing network data flow comprises a network communication device configured to communicate with a plurality of nodes on a network, a motion sensor configured to receive user input, a VR display device, and a control circuit being configured to aggregate data flow information from the plurality of nodes via the network communication device, generate graphical representations of a plurality of data packets traveling between one or more of the plurality of nodes based on the data flow information, determine display locations for the graphical representations of the plurality of data packets, cause the VR display device to display the graphical representations of the plurality of data packets in the data flow between the plurality of nodes in the three-dimensional space of a VR environment.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing a virtual reality appliance interface experience. A method for providing a virtual reality (VR) user interface for managing networked appliances comprises aggregating configuration data and real-time status information from the plurality of appliances via an appliance communication device configured to communicate with the plurality of appliances on a network and generating graphical representations of the plurality of appliances based on the configuration data and the real-time status information associated with each of the plurality of appliances, the graphical representations of each the plurality appliances comprising at least one visual indicator associated with a characteristic of a corresponding appliance.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a package exchange between a AGV and an UAV is disclosed, wherein the system and method includes authenticating the package exchange between the AGV and the UAV, wherein the AGV and the UAV each transmit authentication information to each other; determining a first set of positioning information, wherein the AGV utilizes mission information and information obtained from one or more sensors; determining a second set of positioning information, wherein the UAV utilizes mission information and information obtained from one or more sensors; transmitting the first set of positioning information from the AGV to the UAV; transmitting the second set of positioning information from the UAV to the AGV; exchanging the package between the AGV and the UAV in response to the transmitted first and second sets of positioning information; and transmitting a confirmation signal to a central server.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to deliver products to a customer at a landmark or rendezvous location, as opposed to a set street or mailing address. In some configurations, a retail product delivery system may include electronic user devices of delivery agents and customers, a shopping user interface and a delivery user interface, and a control circuit. By one approach, the control circuit receives a retail order from a particular customer, monitors individual activity of the particular customer, presents a selection opportunity permitting the particular customer to select a landmark or rendezvous location for delivery of the shipment, and instruct delivery of the shipment to the particular customer at the landmark or rendezvous location. In one aspect, the control circuit facilitates interaction between the electronic user devices of the particular customer and the assigned delivery agent.

Abstract: A system comprises a delivery entity operating to deliver a package at a predetermined time from a first person to a second person and to provide an electronic communication between the first person and the second person that is commensurate with the delivery. An electronic display for displays a first message of the electronic communication from the first person to the second person commensurate with the predetermined time of the delivery of the package to the second person and a transmitter configured to generate and output a second message of the electronic communication generated by the second person during delivery of the package and in response to the displayed first message. An exception handling device controls the delivery entity when an unexpected event disrupts the commensurate delivery with the electronic communication, and generates and outputs instructions to the delivery entity to change the predetermined delivery time to a new delivery time.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to creating a crowdsourced delivery plan. In some embodiments, a system for creating a crowdsourced delivery plan for a package comprises a certification system configured to receive, from a retailer, an indication of items included in the package, determine, based on the indication of items included in the package, a set of requirements, and transmit, to a plurality of portable devices, information regarding the delivery, each of the plurality of portable devices configured to receive, from the certification system, the information regarding the delivery, transmit, to the certification system, an acceptance of the delivery, wherein only ones of the plurality of portable devices associated with delivery agents meeting the set of requirements is capable of acceptance of the delivery, receive, in response to the transmission of the acceptance, an authorization, and present, at a pickup point, the authorization.

Abstract: A method for ensuring that a computer readable information is authentic, including: generating a public key associated with the computer readable information, hashing the computer readable information to obtain a hashed computer readable information, encrypting the hashed computer readable information with a private key to create a digital signature, wherein the hashed computer readable information and the digital signature are stored on a block of a blockchain, authenticating the user computing device in response to a request from the user computing device to download the computer readable information, transmitting the public key and the digital signature to an authenticated user computing device, and instructing the authenticated user computing device to decrypt the digital signature using the public key to obtain the hashed computer readable information, and download the hashed computer readable information to the authenticated user computing system to retrieve the computer readable information.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for receiving and storing delivered items. In some embodiments, a secured delivery locker is described herein that can communicate with delivery vehicles and/or users. In several embodiments, an autonomous delivery vehicle can communicate with a secured delivery locker to authenticate itself. The secured delivery locker can then grant access to the delivery vehicle, such as by opening a door to an interior thereof, so that the delivery vehicle can deposit a package therein. The locker can then confirm receipt of the package and close the door. Thereafter, the locker and/or the delivery vehicle can update a system to indicate that the package was delivered.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for facilitating group shopping. A method for facilitating group shopping comprises authenticating a first user associated with a first user device and a second user associated with a second user device, providing a collaborative shopping user interface, relaying messages between the first user device and the second user device, receiving a purchase request from the first user device, facilitating, with the control circuit, an electronic peer-to-peer payment transfer of a digital currency from the second user device to the first user device, verifying that the electronic peer-to-peer payment transfer is completed, receiving a payment from the first user device comprising the digital currency, and outputting signaling to the POS system to process the purchase request in response to receiving the payment; and wherein the POS system is configured to process the purchase request using at least the payment.

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: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to autonomously completing a task. In some embodiments, a drone comprises a propulsion mechanism, an attachment point configured to releasably receive and secure at least one tool to the drone, a plurality of sensors configured to detect information regarding a performance of the task by the drone when a particular tool is secured to the attachment point, and a control circuit configured to receive the information regarding the performance of the task by the drone, determine that the performance of the task is inadequate, and in response to a determination that the performance of the task is inadequate, at least one of (a) select a new tool with which to perform the task to replace the particular tool and (b) transmit a notification indicating that a new drone is needed to perform the task using the particular tool.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a medical record of a patient that is unable to communicate, wherein the medical record of the patient is stored on a blockchain, is provided, including receiving an encrypted private key and a public key associated with the patient stored on a wearable device of the patient, in response to a scanning of the wearable device of the patient at a scene of an emergency, wherein the encrypted private key is decrypted by a biometric signature of the patient, obtaining the biometric signature of the patient by scanning a bodily feature of the patient, decrypting the encrypted private key using the biometric signature of the patient to determine a private key associated with the patient, and accessing the medical records of the patient, using a combination of the public key and the private key associated with the patient, to access a local storage medium of the wearable device.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a locked space, including generating an access code and a private key associated with the access code, hashing the access code to obtain a hashed access code, encrypting the hashed access code with a public key to create a digital signature, wherein the hashed access code and the digital signature are stored on the blockchain, authenticating a receiving device in response to a request from the receiving device to gain access to the locked space, transmitting the private key and the digital signature to an authenticated receiving device, instructing the authenticated receiving device to decrypt the digital signature using the private key to obtain the hashed access code, and transmit the hashed access code to the computing system, and unlocking the locked space in response to receiving the hashed access code from the receiving device.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a demand on an electrical grid is provided, including: receiving a capped total amount of cryptocurrency available to purchase units of energy from an energy provider, the capped amount of cryptocurrency being recorded in a publicly distributed transaction ledger, allocating a portion of the cryptocurrency of the capped total amount of cryptocurrency to each energy consumption device, wherein the portion of the cryptocurrency allocated to each energy consumption device is recorded in the ledger, receiving, a request from an energy consumption device of the plurality of energy consumption devices that the energy metering device purchase an energy unit, using the portion of cryptocurrency allocated to the first energy consumption device, accessing the publically distributed transaction ledger in response to receiving the request from the first energy consumption to verify that the first energy consumption device has a remaining amount of cryptocurrency.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to selecting tools and drones for completing a task. In some embodiments, the system comprises an autonomous vehicle configured to transport the tools and the drones including a plurality of sensors configured to detect properties of the tools and the drones, the drones, the tools, and a control circuit configured to receive, from the sensors, indications of the properties of the tools and the drones, select, based on the service requests and the indications of the properties of the tools and the drones, at least one of the tools and at least one of the drones to perform at least one of the service requests, cause the at least one of the drones to be equipped with the at least one of the tools, and transmit instructions that are based on the at least one of the service requests.

Abstract: An unmanned autonomous vehicle is configured to delivery packages in a product delivery network. The vehicle includes an outer housing, a conversion circuit, a battery, and a control circuit. The outer housing includes a first layer that is configured to collect solar radiation, and a second layer that is configured to render a visual display. The conversion circuit is disposed within the outer housing, and is coupled to the first layer. The conversion circuit is configured to convert the collected solar radiation to electrical charge and store the charge in a battery. The control circuit is coupled to the second layer and is configured to independently determine one or more images to render at the second layer, and to cause the one or more images to be rendered at the second layer. The solar radiation is collected at the first layer simultaneously with the images being rendered at the second layer.

Abstract: A product distribution system in a building includes an unmanned vehicle and a control circuit in the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle operates independently within the building. The unmanned vehicle is configured to transmit and receive first ultra wideband (UWB) signals. The control circuit is configured to determine the position of the unmanned vehicle based upon an analysis of at least some of the first UWB signals, and to navigate the unmanned vehicle according to the position. The unmanned vehicle is configured to transmit second UWB signals to a device operating within the building, and responsively receive third UWB signals from the device. Based upon the analyzing of the third UWB signals, the control circuit determines a position of the device to avoid a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the device.

Abstract: An intelligent and secure storage unit includes a plurality of storage compartments, an environmental control apparatus, a transceiver, and a control circuit. The environmental control apparatus is configured to individually control environmental conditions in each of the plurality of storage compartments. The control circuit assigns individual compartments according to an identity of the courier using the compartment, and whether the compartment will receive a package from a courier or return a package to the courier. The unmanned autonomous vehicle deposits a package, the control circuit obtains environmental information concerning environmental conditions required by the package, and adjusts the environmental control apparatus of the selected compartment to provide the environmental conditions required by the package.

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: Some embodiments include systems, methods, and apparatuses capable of determining a leader of a group of autonomous vehicles. In some embodiments, a system of autonomous vehicles comprises two or more autonomous vehicles each having a communication device and in communication with one another, each of the two or more autonomous vehicles configured to travel as a group, receive and transport goods, communicate with others of the two or more autonomous vehicles in the group, and conduct a negotiation to establish at least one leader, wherein any one of the two or more autonomous vehicles can become the at least one leader.