Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of pollinating crops in a crop-containing area include at least one unmanned vehicle having a receptacle including pollen, a pollen dispenser configured to dispense the pollen from the receptacle onto the crops, and a sensor configured to detect presence of the pollen dispensed from the at least one pollen dispenser on the crops and interpret the presence of the pollen dispensed from the at least one pollen dispenser on the crops as a verification that the pollen dispensed from the at least one pollen dispenser was successfully applied to the crops.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for store management. A system for store management comprises: a storage system in a backroom area, a conveyor system, a return sensor system, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: receive an interact request from a customer via a user interface device in a showroom area, cause the conveyor system to retrieve one or more items from the storage system and transport the one or more items to the item interaction area based on the interact request, receive a return request, cause the return sensor system to collect data from the at least one item, determine whether to accept the return request based on the data collected by the return sensor system, and cause the conveyor system to retrieve the at least one item from the customer and make the at least one item available for another customer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of identifying at least one pest in a crop-containing area include an unmanned vehicle including a visible light video camera configured to detect a pest in the crop-containing area and to capture first pest detection data and an infrared video camera configured to detect a pest in the crop-containing area and to capture second pest detection data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of defending a crop-containing area against crop-damaging pests include an unmanned aerial vehicle including a sensor that detects one or more pests in the crop-containing area and an output device configured to eliminate the pest from the crop-containing area. One or more docking stations configured to accommodate the UAV are provided. A computing device configured to communicate with the UAV and the docking station over a network is provided. The UAV is configured to send pest detection data captured by a sensor of the UAV while patrolling the crop-containing area. In return, the computing device is configured to send a signal to the UAV to indicate instructions to the UAV as to how to move or activate the output device in order to eliminate the detected pest from the crop-containing area.

Abstract: Provided is a smart package. The smart package may include a body portion having an inner volume. A door may be coupled to the body portion, wherein the door is moveable between a closed and an open position. In the closed position the door restricts access to the inner volume of the body portion. In the open position, an opening to the inner volume is exposed for access to the inner volume. The smart package may also include a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device controls and monitors operation of the smart package, such as monitoring the status of the contents and the environment of the inner volume of the smart package. The smart package may also include a modular adapter coupled to an outer surface of the body portion, wherein the modular adapter is configured to releasably connect to an output of a delivery vehicle system.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for providing a virtual shopping experience. A system for providing a virtual shopping experience comprises a virtual map database, an interaction rules database, a communication device, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to provide a virtual shopping space including representations of a plurality of items for sale to a user interface device associated with a customer, determine a store section corresponding to a location of the customer within the virtual shopping space based on the virtual map database, retrieve an interaction rule associated with the store section from the interaction rules database, wherein the interaction rule specifies supported interactions among a plurality of available interactions in the virtual shopping space, detect a customer movement in the store section, and modify the virtual shopping space based on the customer movement and the interaction rule associated with the store section.

Abstract: Provided is a self-service virtual store system. The self-service virtual store includes a server comprising a memory, a database stored in the memory, and a processor, wherein the database contains data for a 3D virtual store front, wherein the data for the 3D virtual store front comprises data including a plurality of visually perceptible elements, which visually perceptible elements correspond to the 3D virtual store front, particular items in the 3D virtual store front, and avatars. The self-service virtual store includes a computer coupled to the server wherein a user interfaces with the server through the computer. The server is programmed to provide to users a virtual shopping experience in a virtual environment, wherein users utilize avatars to move within the virtual environment and perform shopping function.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to provide experiential on-site use of physical products within a retail shopping facility in a combined virtual and physical setting. In some embodiments, a customer may use a physical retail product within the retail shopping facility in an environment simulated to be similar to those typically used or recommended for use with the physical retail product. Thus, for certain items that cannot be easily experienced in a retail shopping facility, the systems, apparatuses, and methods herein provide for a manner of experiencing a physical retail product before purchase. The combined virtual-physical experience may serve as a retail marketing system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to providing a virtual shopping system. A system for providing a virtual shopping experience comprises: a central computer system, a virtual reality showroom system in communication with the central computer system, the virtual reality showroom portion comprising one or more virtual reality shopping stations, each of the virtual reality shopping stations comprising a display device extending around at least a portion of a user, and configured to present a virtual representation of a shopping space for user navigation, and a user input device, wherein the user input device is configured to allow the user to navigate the virtual representation of the shopping space, a point of sale system in communication with the central computer system, and a fulfillment portion in communication with the central computer system and configured to facilitate transfer of purchased items to the user.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles such as UAVs or cars provide network access points. User devices connect to the network access points and network access is monitored. User location data is also monitored. A profile of the user is generated from the gathered data. Advertisements are selected based on a profile of the user and the current location of the user. The autonomous vehicles may be distributed geographically to provide a network access to a geographic area. In response to detecting that a user device is moving out of a coverage area of an autonomous vehicle, nearby autonomous vehicles are identified. If the user device is in the coverage area of a nearby autonomous vehicle, the network connection to the user device is transferred to that vehicle.

Abstract: A shipping options system comprises a shipping options engine that generates a plurality of store item delivery options in response to a set of assessment criteria and generates a bid request in response to the delivery options; and an auctioning engine that receives the bid request from the shipping options engine, and submits the bid request to at least one carrier according to a comparison between a carrier score and capabilities of the carrier to satisfy the bid request.

Abstract: A delivery management system comprises a communication device that receives a notification of a communication established between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that delivers a payload and a delivery box constructed and arranged to receive the payload from the UAV when the UAV is a predetermined distance from the delivery box and moving in a direction toward the delivery box, the communication including an identity of the UAV; a verification device that processes the notification and validates the identity of the UAV; and an instruction generator that generates an instruction to the delivery box to open the delivery box in response to the verification device validating the identity of the UAV and a determination by the communication device that the communication is established between the UAV and the delivery box. The communication device includes an autolocker communication device that outputs the instruction to the delivery box.

Abstract: A method and system for home delivery of prescribed medication comprise processing a prescription for a medication at a first location, purchasing at least one item of interest at a second location, and combining the prescribed medication and the at least one item of interest under a same delivery to a third location determined by a user of the prescribed medication and at least one item of interest.

Abstract: A disposable food delivery device is disclosed. The device includes a food utensil coupled to a food container. The food container can be pre-charged with food, such as a dehydrated food, such that a liquid can be added to the dehydrated food to result in a ready-to-eat food at any selected time. The food container illustratively can include a port for receiving the liquid. The food container also illustratively can include a security seal for assuring that the food has not been contaminated prior to consumption. Another illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a valve for retaining liquid in the food container prior to consumption of the food.

Abstract: A disposable food delivery device is disclosed. The device includes a food utensil coupled to a food container. The food container can be pre-charged with food, such as a dehydrated food, such that a liquid can be added to the dehydrated food to result in a ready-to-eat food at any selected time. The food container illustratively can include a port for receiving the liquid. The food container also illustratively can include a security seal for assuring that the food has not been contaminated prior to consumption. Another illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a valve for retaining liquid in the food container prior to consumption of the food.

Abstract: Cubic boron nitride tooling, e.g. for woodworking, is fabricated with the same geometries and machinery as is used for fabricating conventional carbide tooling.

Abstract: A wine rack apparatus comprising a planar frame having a top, bottom, and two or more spaced-apart vertical supports, the frame defining one or more columns having one or more rows of vertically stacked bottle supports therein, each bottle support comprising a pair of horizontally spaced-apart dowels extending horizontally between adjacent spaced-apart vertical supports, one or more wine bottles able to be supported horizontally therein and transversely vis-à-vis the planar frame.

Abstract: Cubic boron nitride tooling, e.g. for woodworking, is fabricated with the same geometries and machinery as is used for fabricating conventional carbide tooling.

Abstract: A vibration-isolating system for mounting a cathode ray tube monitor to an enclosed audio base includes an annular vibration-isolating grommet having an axial bore; a snap cap including an annular portion having a surface for supporting the grommet and an axial aperture, at least two legs extending substantially perpendicularly from the annular portion opposite the surface astride the aperture to distal ends, and a nub extending radially from the distal end of each leg; and an elongated member configured to fit about the legs, through the axial aperture and through the axial bore, and to attach to a cathode ray tube housing.

Abstract: An integrated mounting solution provides a plurality of mounting connections in close proximity to the appliance, and one or more appliances with a compatible, mating mounting connection. In a preferred form, the mounting connections are integrated with the appliance and may take the form of a series of hole, or perhaps projections. In a particularly preferred form, the mounting connections are a series of holes arranged vertically and positioned in a recess designed into the appliance so that the mounting connections are not a prominent aspect of the visual impact of the appliance, yet are readily available for securing an accessory.