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 coupled with the motor and configured to enable UAV to move itself; and wherein a first UAV control circuit of a first UAV of the multiple UAVs, when implementing code stored in memory, is configured to identify, based at least in part on a first task performed using a first tool system temporarily coupled with the first UAV, a set of at least one task to be cooperatively performed by the first UAV and at least a second UAV of the multiple UAVs.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for field monitoring. A system for field monitoring comprises a plurality of types of sensor modules, an unmanned vehicle comprising a sensor system, and a control circuit configured to: receive onboard sensor data from the sensor system of the unmanned vehicle, detect an alert condition at a monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, select one or more types of sensor modules from the plurality of types of sensor modules to deploy at the monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, and cause the unmanned vehicle and/or one or more other unmanned vehicles to transport one or more sensor modules of the one or more types of sensor modules to the monitored area and deploy the one or more sensor modules by detaching from the one or more sensor modules at the monitored area.

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: Some embodiments provide an aerial monitoring system to monitor a geographic area, comprising: a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: a plurality of lift motors to drive a propeller; a substructural support supporting the lift motors and propellers; a UAV control circuit configured to control the operation of the lift motors; a rechargeable electrical power source that supplies electrical power to the UAV control circuit and the plurality of lift motors; a recharge control circuit; and a modifiable support system cooperated with the substructural support and supporting a set of photovoltaic cells electrically coupled with the rechargeable power source and configured to supply electrical power to the rechargeable power source, wherein the recharge control circuit is configured to control a modification of the modifiable support system to cause a physical modification of at least an orientation of the modifiable support system relative to the substructural support.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that include a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system coupled with the motor and configured to enable the first UAV to move itself; and wherein the UAV control circuit when implementing code stored in memory is configured to identify, based at least in part on a first task performed using a first tool system temporarily coupled with the first UAV, a second task to be performed by the first UAV and to identify a different second tool system to be used to perform the second task.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that include a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; propulsion system; and a universal coupler configured to interchangeably couple with and decouple from one of multiple different tool systems each having different functions to be put into use while carried by a UAV, wherein a coupling system of the universal coupler is configured to secure a tool system with the UAV and enable a communication connection between a communication bus and the tool system, and wherein the multiple different tool systems comprise at least a package securing tool system configured to retain and enable transport of a package while being delivered, and a sensor tool system configured to sense a condition and communicate sensor data of the sensed condition to the UAV control circuit over the communication bus.

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 coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective UAVs to move themselves; and wherein a first UAV control circuit of a first UAV of the multiple UAVs is configured to identify a second UAV carrying a first tool system configured to perform a first function, cause a notification to be communicated to the second UAV directing the second UAV to transfer the first tool system to the first UAV, and direct a first propulsion system of the first UAV to couple with the first tool system being transferred from the second UAV.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for store management. A store management system comprises a product allocation database storing product location indicators for one or more unique product identifiers associated with items offered for sale, an item consolidation system, a retail space stocking system, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: determine whether to place an item on a retail space accessible to customers or in a storage area, instruct the retail space stocking system to stock the retail space based on the product location indicator of a plurality of items, receive an order from an in-store customer including a plurality of selected items that comprises items not available in the retail space, and cause the item consolidation system to retrieve at least some of the items not available on the retail space from the storage area for the in-store customer.

Abstract: Various partialities (including but not limited to partialities based on values, aspirations, preferences, and/or affinities) for individual persons are represented as corresponding vectors. The length and/or the angle of the vector represents the magnitude of the strength of the individual's belief in the good that comes from that imposed order. Vectors can also be specified to characterize corresponding products and/or services. These vectors for persons and products/services can be leveraged in any of a wide variety of ways. By one approach a particular partiality vector is used to identify a particular customization for a geographic region (i.e., a particular customization to employ with a base product).

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of facilitating movement of product-containing pallets include at least one forklift unit configured to lift and move the product-containing pallets, at least one motorized transport unit configured to mechanically engage and disengage a respective forklift unit, and a central computer system in communication with the at least one motorized transport unit. The central computer system is configured to transmit at least one signal to the at least one motorized transport unit. The signal is configured to cause the at least one motorized transport unit to control the at least one forklift unit to move at least one of the product-containing pallets.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to transporting containers using an autonomous dolly. Some of these embodiments include systems for transporting containers along delivery paths comprising: an autonomous dolly having a microcontroller and a support portion configured to carry a plurality of containers; a mobile device with a microcontroller in communication with the microcontroller of the dolly; and one or more sensors in communication with the mobile device, the one or more sensors and mobile device configured to triangulate the location of the mobile device; wherein the dolly's microcontroller is configured to receive tracking information from the mobile device's microcontroller and to cause the dolly to follow the mobile device along a delivery path defined by movement of the mobile device from a starting point to an ending point.

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: Some embodiments provide a system to design an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) based on an intended task, comprising: UAS component database and a design control circuit configured to: obtain a first set of multiple task parameters corresponding to a requested task that the UAS is being designed to perform; identify at least one primary type of UAS component to be included in the UAS being designed; identify a first set of one or more secondary types of UAS components to support the primary type of UAS component while implementing the task; and provide a design plan of the designed UAS designed to be utilized to implement the task.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to enable package delivery and interaction with customers. Some embodiments comprise unmanned aircraft system (UAS), comprising: a crane system comprising a first spool system and a crane motor, the first spool system comprises a first cord that is extended and retracted; a retractable interface system cooperated with the first cord; a package holder configured to hold a first package to be delivered by the UAS at a delivery location; a control circuit coupled with the crane motor to control the crane motor, and to activate the crane motor to extend the first cord and lower the retractable interface system while the UAS is maintained in flight at least at a threshold height; wherein the retractable interface system comprises an input interface to receive input from a customer at the delivery location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivery packages using unmanned delivery aircrafts. Some embodiments include product delivery systems, comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: receive, from a customer, an authorization to deliver a product by an unmanned delivery aircraft; receive, from a portable user interface unit associated with the customer, global location information of a current location of the user interface unit and that designates a delivery location where the customer would like the product delivered; and initiate a delivery, by an unmanned delivery aircraft, of the product to the delivery location defined by the global location information received from the user interface unit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages and/or cargo through the use of unmanned delivery aircraft. In some embodiments, a portable unmanned delivery aircraft launch system is provided that comprises: a first portable launch pad system comprising: a package deck; an unmanned delivery aircraft deck secured with the package deck and positioned above and separated by a distance from the package deck; and multiple modular coupling structures fixed with a frame enabling temporary rigid coupling and decoupling between the first launch pad system and multiple additional portable launch pad systems.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages and/or cargo through the use of unmanned delivery aircraft. In some embodiments, a mechanical package release system is provided that comprises: a package release hanger configured to couple with and suspend from an unmanned delivery aircraft; and one or more tension supports each configured to secure with a package and to releasably couple with the package release hanger wherein a decrease of at least a threshold amount of a force being applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports induces a mechanical release of the coupling between the one or more tension supports and the package release hanger resulting in a release of the package from the unmanned delivery aircraft.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages. Some embodiments provide an unmanned delivery system comprising: a rotational drive shaft; a crane motor cooperated with the drive shaft that is rotated by the crane motor; a first crane system with a first cord fixed with the first crane system, wherein the first crane system is configured to cooperate with the drive shaft to control the first crane system in controlling the spooling and retraction of the first cord; a control circuit coupled with the crane motor; and a stop switch electrically coupled with the control circuit and positioned to be contacted by a package release hanger secured with the first cord when the first cord is retracted to a first threshold; wherein the control circuit is configured to stop the crane motor in response to receiving a signal from the stop switch.