Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for autonomous vehicles task management and organization. A system for organizing autonomous product delivery vehicles comprises a locomotion system of a first autonomous vehicle, a communication device, a memory device, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to retrieve one or more vehicle tasks assigned to the first autonomous vehicle from a hash chain database, decrypt the task parameters with a private key of the first autonomous vehicle stored on the memory device, identify a second autonomous vehicle as a transferee of the one or more vehicle tasks based on transfer rules in the task parameters, and update the hash chain database with a new block comprising a hash of preceding data in the hash chain database and the task parameters of the one or more vehicle tasks encrypted with a public key of the second autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring inventory of items includes a relatively lower resolution image device configured and arranged to capture a plurality of lower resolution images of a plurality of items on a shelf; and a relatively higher resolution image device configured and arranged to capture one or more higher resolution images of the plurality of items; and a computer system configured to: receive the plurality of lower resolution images; compare the plurality of lower resolution images to detect an image difference, the image difference corresponding to a moved item on the shelf; if an image difference is detected, process the image difference to focus on an area of the shelf where the image difference is detected; receive the one or more higher resolution images of the area of the shelf where the image difference is detected; and determine which item is missing or misplaced on the shelf.

Abstract: A system and a method for protecting a user from potentially falling unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or package or both are described herein. The system includes a base structure; and a roof structure attached to and extending from the base structure. The base structure is configured to support the roof structure. The roof structure is configured to support a weight of the UAV and package. The roof structure is configured to shield or protect a user from potentially falling UAV or package or both when the user is under the roof structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for a physical device authorizing digital copies. When a request for the generation of a digital copy is received, the computer system first performs a physical verification of a physical key. If the key matches the authorized key(s) on record, a verification of a private or private key (used for asymmetrical cryptography), which is stored in memory in the physical key, is performed. If verification of the physical key and digital verification of the private/public key are confirmed, the duplication process is allowed to proceed, and a hash function output is added to the digital copy.

Abstract: System and methods for managing one or more unmanned aerial vehicles. The system can include an unmanned aerial vehicle, a landing station for the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a loading station for receiving a package and unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle can be configured to: (i) determine a first confidence level for landing on the landing station, (ii) travel, based on the first confidence level, to the landing station, and (iii) determine a second confidence level for delivering the package to a delivery destination. The loading station can be configured to: (i) receive the second confidence level to deliver the package to the delivery destination from the unmanned aerial vehicle, and (ii) confirm, based on the second confidence level, the unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of delivering the package to the delivery destination.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to autonomously determining trustworthiness of a message. In some embodiments, a drone capable of autonomously determining trustworthiness of messages comprises a drone body, a propulsion mechanism, a plurality of sensors, a wireless radio, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive, from the wireless radio, a message, determine a source transmitting the message, determine content of the message, determine, based on the source transmitting the message, the content of the message, and the observational data, contextual information for the message, determine, based on the contextual information for the message, an expectation for the message, and one of: determine, based on the contextual information and the expectation, that the message is trustworthy, and determine, based on the contextual information and the expectation, that the message is not trustworthy.

Abstract: A method include: generating one digital currency unit by tying the one digital currency unit to a regular currency; storing information of the one digital currency unit into a block of a blockchain; buying or paying the one digital currency unit; determining whether restrictions are applied to the one digital currency unit by referring to one or more documents associated with the one digital currency; recording the determination in a block of the blockchain; overlaying the one digital currency unit with customer purchase history; calculating savings based on the one digital currency unit again naked forecast; applying the savings to customer purchases; using the one digital currency unit for accepted goods or services with the saving if the one digital currency unit is restricted; using the one digital currency unit for any goods or services with the saving if the one digital currency unit is unrestricted; and storing the one digital currency into a digital currency reserve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for controlling the noise and sound emitted by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle may emit a sound to mask the noise created by the propellers of the vehicle. It may additionally emit sounds based on the information about the area surrounding the vehicle or the landing or delivery location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for authorizing a product's return using blockchain security systems. When a product is being returned, a notification is sent to the blockchain security system. The system can receive customer information, retrieve a blockchain or blockchains associated with the customer. Likewise, the system may obtain information about the product being returned (serial numbers, product type, etc.) and retrieve a blockchain or blockchains associated with that product information. Using a hash table, the system can then compare the product being returned to the data in the various blockchains and determine, based on that comparison, if the product was sold by the retailer.

Abstract: An assembly for reducing a pendulum effect of a package suspended from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The assembly includes a curved rail having a first rail connection and a second rail connection, the first rail connection and the second rail connection rotationally coupling the curved rail to a body of the UAV. The assembly includes a trolley assembly moveably coupled to the curved rail, the trolley assembly comprising a housing having a first trolley with four wheels and a second trolley with four wheels. The assembly includes a tether coupled to the housing of the trolley assembly, the tether configured to couple to the package. The assembly allows movement of the package in three-axes with respect to the UAV.

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: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to locating a virtual retail product. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for locating a virtual product at a store including a product interface configured to store product identifiers, receive initial locations at stores of virtual products, update the initial locations, and update the updated initial locations; one or more sensors configured to detect product identifiers; and a control circuit configured to receive the detected product identifiers, receive a product location query, determine a location of a user in the store, update the second updated initial locations, determine one or more locations corresponding to stored product identifiers, determine a first location of a first product; determine a second location of the retail product, determine whether the first location or the second location is closer to the user; and in response, provide the first location to the product interface.

Abstract: A method and system for predictive package delivery. The method and system include loading a product onto a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), launching the UAV and navigating the UAV to a delivery location, communicating to a portable device of a consumer at the delivery location the product loaded into the UAV, preventing interception of the package by a third party, and delivering the product to the consumer after the consumer purchases the product with the portable device. The product is selected based on a prediction of high demand products for the delivery location. The delivery of the product comprises sensing the consumer is in the receiving position and then lowering the product to the consumer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for receiving order information at a storage space, then generating single-use access information for opening the storage space to either deposit an item into, or retrieve an item from, the storage space. This single-use access information may be encoded into a token, then transmitted to a mobile device of the customer or courier. As the customer or courier crosses a geo-fence surrounding the storage space with the token, the mobile device transmits, to the storage space, a notification. This notification informs the storage space to transmit the single-use access instructions, allowing the courier or customer to deposit or remove a product as needed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for receiving, from an issuer, an electronic prescription for a patient, then fulfilling that prescription using a blockchain/distributed ledger verification system. The system receives multiple public keys, combines them, then performs a hash function (or other encryption) on that combination. The resulting output is then transmitted to a pharmacy for prescription fulfillment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing a daisy-chain connection with autonomous remote pilots are provided. An example method can include: under control of a computing device configured with executable instructions: generating a mission instruction for a drone to navigate from an original location to a destination along the flight route; instructing the drone with the mission instruction to navigate to the destination; generating, based on a pre-defined criteria, a first verification code based on the mission instruction; broadcasting the first verification code with the mission instruction to a plurality of remote pilots; selecting a first pilot from the plurality of the remote pilots; verifying the first verification code provided by the first pilot to authorize the first pilot to monitor, control, or backup the drone along the flight route; and generating a second verification code based on the mission instruction.

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: A method for unloading and loading a lock box are provided, including: providing an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) storing a lock box to be delivered, the AGV comprising: at least one sensor; a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor and storing program instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to instruct the lock box to perform operations comprising: moving out of the AGV, wherein the lock box comprises: a box body; the first set of stands and the second set of stands; and a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels, extending the first set of stands of the lock box outwardly to contact the ground; extending the second set of stands of the lock box outwardly to contact the ground; determining that the package has been removed from the lock box; and automatically loading the lock box onto the AGV.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle system includes a body and a plurality of sensors coupled to the body and configured to generate a plurality of sensor measurements corresponding to the plurality of sensors. The system also includes a control unit configured to: receive inputs from a plurality of sources wherein the plurality sources comprise the plurality of sensors, the inputs comprise the plurality of sensor measurements; determine a confidence level of each input based on other inputs; prioritize, based on the confidence level associated with each input, the inputs; generate, based on the prioritization of the inputs and the confidence level, a combined input with a combined confidence level; and determine, based on the combined input and the combined confidence level, a mission task to be performed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for verifying a product being returned is a product which was sold by using blockchain security systems. At a first time, the system identifies a blockchain specific to an item being sold, then generates a new block for the blockchain with information about the sale. When an item is being returned, the system retrieves the blockchain and compares the data contained within the sale block to data associated with the product and/or the customer returning the product. If a match is found, the product is returned and the blockchain is further updated with the return information.