Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful in retail store inventory storage and retrieval. Some embodiments provide systems, comprising: a rack system positioned above a dropdown ceiling and extending over the sales floor, and comprising: a plurality of racks, a rail system and the plurality of access passages; a plurality of unmanned vehicles; a plurality of access stations, wherein the access stations physically cooperate with one of the access passages; each rack comprises storage cells to receive a reusable tote; and wherein the central control circuit is configured to receive a request for a first product, identify a first access station, access the inventory tracking system to identify a first storage cell in which the first product is stored, identify an available unmanned vehicle, and communicate to the unmanned vehicle directing the unmanned vehicle to retrieve the tote and transport the tote to the first access station.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to processing online orders. In some embodiments, a system for processing online order comprises an order processing server configured to receive an online order including grocery items and transmit, to a control circuit, the online order, the control circuit configured to receive the online order, determine the grocery items included in the online order, determine a number of grocery items that require refrigeration and a number of grocery items that require freezing, determine a number of totes required for the online order, assign to the online order the number of totes required, transmit, to the totes, a command, wherein each of the number of totes is configured to receive, from the control circuit, the command, and in response to the receipt of the command, one of maintain its temperature, enter the refrigeration state, and enter the freezer state.

Abstract: Autonomous carriers or totes that include vacuum units are provided. As the totes move or are moved through a warehouse carrying products, they collect debris. The debris can be analyzed at the tote, and actions can be performed based upon the analysis.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to processing online orders. In some embodiments, a system for processing online order comprises an order processing server configured to receive an online order including grocery items and transmit, to a control circuit, the online order, the control circuit configured to receive the online order, determine the grocery items included in the online order, determine a number of grocery items that require refrigeration and a number of grocery items that require freezing, determine a number of totes required for the online order, assign to the online order the number of totes required, transmit, to the totes, a command, wherein each of the number of totes is configured to receive, from the control circuit, the command, and in response to the receipt of the command, one of maintain its temperature, enter the refrigeration state, and enter the freezer state.

Abstract: Features are applied to a mathematical model to produce a cutting pattern for opening a container. The cutting pattern specifies which of one or more cutting tools is to be used and the location of where cuts are to be made on the container. The cutting pattern is sent to a container opening machine. The container opening machine is operated and the container cut and opened by the container opening machine according to the cutting pattern.

Abstract: Method and systems for an autonomous storage and retrieval tower integrated with a fulfillment system.

Abstract: Features are applied to a mathematical model to produce a cutting pattern for opening a container. The cutting pattern specifies which of one or more cutting tools is to be used and the location of where cuts are to be made on the container. The cutting pattern is sent to a container opening machine. The container opening machine is operated and the container cut and opened by the container opening machine according to the cutting pattern.

Abstract: A parent tote container is segmented into smaller, child tote containers. Each of the child tote containers includes products that are commonly sold together and are removed from the tote containers at picker stations with the same type of picker mechanism. Items are moved from the child tote containers to a customer order tote container at a picker station.

Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.

Abstract: Method and systems for an autonomous storage and retrieval tower integrated with a fulfillment system.

Abstract: The contents of totes and the amount a tote container is filled are monitored. A central database stores product dimensions and tote dimensions as well as a percentage of which a tote is to be filled. Image scanners that obtain three-dimensional images are used to determine if the actual dimensions of the tote, the product, and the fill amount are consistent with the expected or optimal values of these characteristics. When there is a discrepancy between measured and expected values, then one or more actions can be taken.

Abstract: The contents of totes and the amount a tote container is filled are monitored. A central database stores product dimensions and tote dimensions as well as a percentage of which a tote is to be filled. Image scanners that obtain three-dimensional images are used to determine if the actual dimensions of the tote, the product, and the fill amount are consistent with the expected or optimal values of these characteristics. When there is a discrepancy between measured and expected values, then one or more actions can be taken.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful in retail store inventory storage and retrieval. Some embodiments provide systems, comprising: a rack system positioned above a dropdown ceiling and extending over the sales floor, and comprising: a plurality of racks, a rail system and the plurality of access passages; a plurality of unmanned vehicles; a plurality of access stations, wherein the access stations physically cooperate with one of the access passages; each rack comprises storage cells to receive a reusable tote; and wherein the central control circuit is configured to receive a request for a first product, identify a first access station, access the inventory tracking system to identify a first storage cell in which the first product is stored, identify an available unmanned vehicle, and communicate to the unmanned vehicle directing the unmanned vehicle to retrieve the tote and transport the tote to the first access station.

Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful in retail store inventory storage and retrieval. Some embodiments provide systems, comprising: a rack system positioned above a dropdown ceiling and extending over the sales floor, and comprising: a plurality of racks, a rail system and the plurality of access passages; a plurality of unmanned vehicles; a plurality of access stations, wherein the access stations physically cooperate with one of the access passages; each rack comprises storage cells to receive a reusable tote; and wherein the central control circuit is configured to receive a request for a first product, identify a first access station, access the inventory tracking system to identify a first storage cell in which the first product is stored, identify an available unmanned vehicle, and communicate to the unmanned vehicle directing the unmanned vehicle to retrieve the tote and transport the tote to the first access station.

Abstract: Method and systems for an autonomous storage and retrieval tower integrated with a fulfillment system.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for picking up and transferring different types of merchandise. In one form, the system includes: a shopping facility with a merchandise order assembly area; an automated retrieval system to transport merchandise to the assembly area; a first robotic device at the assembly area for picking up and moving a first set of merchandise items; a second robotic device at the assembly area for picking up and moving a second set of merchandise items; and a merchandise database identifying the first and second sets of merchandise items. The system also includes a control circuit configured to: receive the merchandise order, identify a merchandise item being transported to the assembly area, determine the category of merchandise item, and direct the merchandise item to the first or second robotic device or a manual transfer area.

Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.

Abstract: Features are applied to a mathematical model to produce a cutting pattern for opening a container. The cutting pattern specifies which of one or more cutting tools is to be used and the location of where cuts are to be made on the container. The cutting pattern is sent to a container opening machine. The container opening machine is operated and the container cut and opened by the container opening machine according to the cutting pattern.

Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.