Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user (e.g., picker or picking agent) may retrieve an item from an inventory location and place the item into a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it is added to or removed from the tote.

Abstract: A system may use sensor data from a facility to generate tentative values associated with an event, such as the identification of an item removed from a shelf of the facility. A confidence value associated with each of the tentative values may be less than a confidence threshold. In response, inquiry data seeking confirmation of a tentative value from an associate is generated and sent to one or more associates in the facility. Responses from the associates are collected to determine a selection of one of the tentative values. The selected tentative value is designated as output data for the system. Thereafter, the output data and the original sensor data are designated as training data, which can then be used to train or update machine learning systems. Subsequent use of the updated machine learning systems can yield more accurate results.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user (e.g., picker or picking agent) may retrieve an item from an inventory location and place the item into a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it is added to or removed from the tote.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for tracking removal or placement of items at inventory locations with a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user may remove an item from an inventory location and the inventory management system may detect that removal and update a user item list associated with the user to include an item identifier representative of the removed item. Likewise, if the user places an item at an inventory location, the inventory management system may detect that placement and update the user item list to remove an item identifier representative of the placed item.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for associating multiple totes with a single profile so that items placed into any of the multiple totes are identified on a profile item identifier list. For example, if two users located in a materials handling facility are picking items that are to be consolidated or otherwise treated together, each user may select a different tote and move separately through the materials handling facility. As either user picks items and places those items into a corresponding tote, a profile item identifier list is updated to include an item identifier for each picked item.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques to present information to a user of a materials handling facility using a representative color. A representative color at an inventory location is determined based on one or more colors used at the inventory location. Once determined, the representative color may be used in the presentation of a user interface that includes item data and visual elements therein. The use of the representative color in the user interface facilitates the identification of items or an inventory location within the material handling facility.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for developing and dynamically updating user paths through a materials handling facility. A user path through a materials handling facility may be developed that will route a user past one or more items (e.g., pick list items, recommended items, wish list items, promotional items) planned for the user. If the user does not follow the user path, the user path may be dynamically updated to account for the current location of the user and/or to consider other actions performed by the user.

Abstract: This disclosure describes interactive data processing systems configured to facilitate selection by a human associate of tentative results generated by an automated system from sensor data. In one implementation, an event may take place in a materials handling facility. The event may comprise a pick or place of an item from an inventory location, movement of a user, and so forth. The sensor data associated with the event is processed by an automated system to determine tentative results associated with the event. In some situations, an uncertainty may exist as to which of the tentative results accurately reflects the actual event. The system may then determine whether the event is to be merged with one or more temporally and spatially proximate events and, if so, the sensor data and tentative results for the merged event is sent to a human associate. The associate may select one of the tentative results.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for tracking removal or placement of items at inventory locations with a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user may remove an item from an inventory location and the inventory management system may detect that removal and update a user item list associated with the user to include an item identifier representative of the removed item. Likewise, if the user places an item at an inventory location, the inventory management system may detect that placement and update the user item list to remove an item identifier representative of the placed item.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for propagating and synchronizing the presentation of user specific information across multiple output devices. In some implementations, a location of a user is determined and user specific information is provided to a plurality of output device controllers configured to control output devices at the determined location. Control instructions are also provided instructing the output device controllers to store, render, present and/or remove the user specific information.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to provide a user interface for an unauthenticated user of a materials handling facility. A transient profile indicative of one or more user preferences may be created and associated with the unauthenticated user. As the unauthenticated user interacts with the facility, preferences may be determined and included in the transient profile. Subsequent operation of the facility may take into account the transient profile. As the unauthenticated user moves throughout the facility, the transient profile may “follow” them, providing an ongoing user experience. Should the unauthenticated user later be authenticated, the transient preferences may be incorporated into a persistent profile.

Abstract: Functionality of sensors on a shelf or other inventory location is tested by encouraging an interaction and determining if the output from the sensors on the shelf is consistent with the interaction. An interaction at the shelf can include, for example, a user adding or removing an item from the shelf. To encourage this type of interaction with the shelf or items therein, an announcement may be generated and presented to a user. The announcement may comprise an advertisement with some type of incentive for the user to add or remove an item from the shelf. Upon verifying such an interaction, sensor data before and after the interaction can be compared to generate diagnostic data for the sensor, which can indicate whether the sensor is operational or malfunctioning.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user (e.g., picker or picking agent) may retrieve an item from an inventory location and place the item into a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it is added to or removed from the tote.

Abstract: This disclosure describes interactive data processing systems configured to facilitate selection by a human associate of tentative results generated by an automated system from sensor data. In one implementation, an event may take place in a materials handling facility. The event may comprise a pick or place of an item from an inventory location, movement of a user, and so forth. The sensor data associated with the event is processed by an automated system to determine tentative results associated with the event. In some situations, an uncertainty may exist as to which of the tentative results accurately reflects the actual event. The system may then determine whether the event is to be merged with one or more temporally and spatially proximate events and, if so, the sensor data and tentative results for the merged event is sent to a human associate. The associate may select one of the tentative results.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user (e.g., picker or picking agent) may retrieve an item from an inventory location and place the item into a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it is added to or removed from the tote.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, embodiments of a material dispenser configured to dispense material while tracking an amount of dispensed material and messaging to a user, in near-real-time, the amount of dispensed materials, a running cost of the dispensed materials, and/or the like. The material dispenser may include one or more weight sensors to track an amount of dispensed material and a display to indicate to a user a running amount of material that has been dispensed and a running cost to the user.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for propagating, synchronizing and expiring user specific information among multiple output devices. In some implementations, retention information is provided along with the user specific information and the output device and/or output device controller will determine when to expire the user specific information based on the retention information. In other implementations, the output device controller and/or output device may periodically request updates from other output devices, output device controllers and/or the inventory management system to determine whether to expire user specific information.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user (e.g., picker or picking agent) may retrieve an item from an inventory location and place the item into a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it is added to or removed from the tote.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to determine a tote placement indicative of a position of a user relative to a tote, or vice versa. The determination may be based at least in part on data such as images acquired from cameras onboard the tote, images acquired from cameras external to the tote, proximity sensors onboard the tote, weight sensors, and so forth. Orientation of information presented on a display device of the tote may be based on the tote placement.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to present information to a user of a facility that uses a wearable device. Using sensor data acquired from sensors in a facility, operational data associated with the user is generated. Such operational data may be related to providing customer assistance. The operational data is used to generate user interface data, which is transmitted to the wearable device. Upon receipt, the wearable device presents the operational data as a user interface using a display device, which may help provide customer assistance as needed.