Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provided for delivering products ordered by a customer of a retailer to a delivery destination designated by the ordering customer by way of autonomous transport vehicles configured to identify products to be dropped off at their next delivery destinations and to prepare such products for deployment while the ATVs are still en-route to their next delivery destinations, and to automatically deploy such products upon arrival at such delivery destinations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for distributing digital currency among two or more devices. As a device determines that it needs additional digital currency, it sends a request to other devices requesting that those other devices take on a portion of the computing which needs to occur. As devices receive the request, responses to the request are generated and sent back to the requesting device, each response providing an answer as to the ability of each respective device to fulfill the request. The requesting device receives the responses, aggregates and/or analyzes the responses, and determines how to transition information and resources to a new computing configuration based on the responses. These changes would be broadcast to the group through the mesh network, with any computing resource transitions (such as digital currency transmissions) likewise similarly being broadcast to the group.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for distributing battery power among two or more devices. As a device determines that it needs additional battery power, it sends a request to other devices requesting that those other devices transfer battery power to the device. As devices receive the request, responses to the request are generated and sent back to the requesting device, each response providing an answer as to the ability of each respective device to fulfill the request. The requesting device receives the responses, aggregates and/or analyzes the responses, and determines how to obtain the needed battery power based on the responses. Changes to configurations of the devices would then be broadcast to the group, with any power transitions likewise similarly being broadcast to the group.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering commercial items. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for a self-electing unmanned vehicle for delivery of commercial items including a UV of a plurality of UVs comprising: a UV control circuit configured to: receive a data request for a task elector; determine resource values associated with a plurality of UV resources to be cooperatively utilized to fulfill one or more tasks; compare each resource value to a corresponding specification value; assign a particular confidence level to each of one or more task identifiers based on the comparison; and provide a self-election response indicating an election of corresponding task to a central control circuit based on the comparison and the assignment when each of the resource values is at least within a threshold value of the corresponding specification value; a plurality of sensors; and a transport system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for controlling aerial and/or ground transport vehicles that are located beyond a communication range of a central control station via one or more aerial and/or ground intermediate control vehicles.

Abstract: Input signals and a failure indication are received from an automated ground vehicle (AGV) or aerial drone. A type of failure at the AGV or aerial drone is determined based upon analyzing the failure indication and the input signals. When the type of failure is a power failure, a first control signal is transmitted that connects a back-up power source to an electrical power network of the AGV or aerial drone. Upon reception of the failure indication, a second control signal is transmitted to the AGV or aerial drone that instigates a security protection measure at the AGV or aerial drone. A third control signal that is effective to actuate a recovery assistance apparatus is transmitted. The recovery assistance apparatus, upon being actuated, replaces or repairs the failed or suspect component.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for the recharging of UAVs having a low battery while the UAVs are in-flight. The system monitors battery status of the UAVs when the UAVs are performing a flight mission, detects when the battery power of a UAV is depleted such that a battery recharge is needed, determines which battery charging source to deploy to recharge the UAV while the UAV is airborne, and facilitates the coupling of the UAV and the charging source such that the battery of the UAV is recharged, which enables the UAV to continue its flight mission while being coupled to the charging source.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide aerial retail product delivery system, comprising: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV); unmanned ground vehicle mobile control points (MCP) each configured to move to a pre-selected intermediate locations; wherein a UAV control circuit is configured to: determine adjustments to a final approach path between the UAV and a MCP to improve an alignment approach at a pre-selected intermediate location by applying a cooperative navigation between the UAV and the MCP as a function of both a first set of navigation data detected by coordination navigation sensor of the UAV, and a second set of navigation data detected by an inbound navigation sensor of the MCP; implement the adjustments to flight of the UAV to modify the final approach path; and direct the transfer of a product to the MCP and to cause the MCP to transport and deposit the product at a delivery location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to enable delivery of commercial products via one or more modular autonomous vehicles. In some embodiments, the system may include databases and primary autonomous vehicles (PAVs). Each database can include information corresponding to commercial missions each defining delivery characteristic and commercial product characteristics of products scheduled for delivery to a delivery destination. Each PAV can include transceivers, storage areas (e.g., to store secondary autonomous vehicles (SAV), SAV components, and commercial objects), and control circuits. The control circuit(s) can be configured to assess commercial missions and select SAV components in accordance with assessed commercial missions. The control circuits can be configured to cause the selected SAV components to be affixed on the SAV.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for charging and protecting unmanned aerial vehicles. A method for protecting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation system during deliveries of commercial products to customers comprises establishing, with a communication device on a UAV, wireless communication with a charger device, controlling a flight system for providing locomotion to the UAV to land the UAV on the charger device, causing, with a control circuit of the UAV, the UAV to enter a protection mode, wherein the protection mode comprises turning off at least a magnetometer of a sensor system configured to collect data on the UAV, sending a protection mode confirmation signal to the charger device via the communication device to cause the charger device to turn on a wireless charger, and beginning to charge a battery of the UAV with electrical charge received from the wireless charger via a wireless charge receiver.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for autonomous vehicles hierarchy management. In some embodiments, a system for autonomous product delivery vehicle fleet management comprises a locomotion system, a communication device, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to receive a request from a second autonomous vehicle to join the autonomous vehicle fleet, wherein the autonomous vehicle fleet comprises a master autonomous vehicle configured to coordinate tasks assigned to vehicles in the autonomous vehicle fleet, authenticate the second autonomous vehicle based on fleet rules stored in a hash chain database and update the hash chain database to add the second autonomous vehicle to the autonomous vehicle fleet, detect a master reassignment condition, and select an autonomous vehicle in the autonomous vehicle fleet as a new master autonomous vehicle based on master assignment rules stored in the hash chain database.

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: 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: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for facilitating s safe emergency landing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and that include UAVs configured to transport products to delivery destination via flight routes. Each UAV includes sensors configured to detect at least one status input associated with the UAV during flight along its flight route. Each UAV analyzes the status inputs while in flight in order to determine an emergency landing location where the UAV would land if unable to fly due to an emergency condition. The UAV also includes a control circuit that evaluates collateral damage associated with the landing of the UAV at the determined emergency landing location, and that can alter the flight route of the UAV to an alternative delivery route associated with an alternative emergency landing location if the alternative emergency landing location is predicted to have a lower collateral damage as compared to the determined emergency landing location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) experiencing emergency landings and providing emergency alerts to the predicted emergency landing locations of the UAV. Each UAV includes sensors configured to detect at least one status input associated with the UAV during flight along its flight route. Each UAV analyzes the status inputs while in flight in order to predict an emergency landing location where the UAV would land if unable to fly due to an emergency condition.

Abstract: When a first laser beam and a second laser beam are directed to the volume of space, an aerial drone is configured to lock onto the first laser beam using a first sensor, and to utilize the first laser beam to guide the drone to an accurate landing at a landing site. The aerial drone is further configured to lock onto the second laser beam using a second sensor, to determine a relationship between the first laser beam and the second laser beam, and to utilize the relationship to adjust the tilt of the aerial drone, the orientation of the aerial drone, the speed differential between the aerial drone and the landing site, and/or the alignment of a portion of the drone with a portion of the landing site when making the landing.

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: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for authenticated customer retail product review management. A system comprises a communication device configured to communicate nodes of a distributed transaction ledger over a network, wherein the distributed transaction ledger comprises digital product purchase records associated with a plurality of entities and a control circuit configured to receive a private key and a public key associated with a user, index transactions associated with the user in the distributed transaction ledger, determine products owned by the user based on the transactions associated with the user, display products owned by the user in a customer review user interface, receive a product review for a product owned by the user via the customer review user interface, generate a product review record based on the product review, and send the product review record to a distributed database as an update to the distributed database.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to forming chains of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) for delivering merchandise. In some embodiments, there is provided a system including: a plurality of AGVs with each AGV having a motorized locomotion system, a storage area, first and second magnetic connectors at ends of a vehicle body, a transceiver, an optical sensor, and a control circuit that activates and deactivates the magnetic connectors; a subset of the AGVs defining a chain; an unlinked AGV; a database containing images of the vehicle body; and a master control circuit that receives an authentication code from the unlinked AGV, determines that the authentication code is authorized, determines position, speed, and direction of the chain of AGVs and the unlinked AGV, compares images to determine proximity and orientation of the unlinked AGV, and activates a magnetic connector to link the unlinked AGV to the chain.

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.