Walmart Apollo, LLC

Wal-mart Stores, Inc.

Other

Donald R High

Michael D Atchley

David C Winkle

Brian G McHale

Todd Davenport Mattingly

John Jeremiah O'Brien

Robert L Cantrell

John Paul Thompson

Robert C Taylor

Nathan Glenn Jones

Bruce Walter Wilkinson

ChandraShekar Natarajan

Shuvro Chakrobartty

John F Simon

Karl Kay

Chandrashekar Natarajan

Eric E Welch

Gregory A Hicks

Matthew Allen Jones

Nicholas Ray Antel

Joseph Jurich

John J O'brien

Jason D Bellar

Sai Phaneendra Sri Harsha Viswanath Putcha

Christopher R Heeney

Joseph Courtland Halbrook

Daniel Wayne Young

Richard Carl McSorley, Jr

Nicholaus Adam Jones

David G Tovey

Jeremy L Velten

Justin Schuhardt

Henry P Sampara

Mario Alberto Cornejo Barriere

Martin Thomas Faitak, Iv

Anton Valkov

Samantha M Mangosing

Noah R Kapner

Nicholas D Rone

Robert J Taylor

Aaron James Vasgaard

Yurgis Mauro Bacallao

David Martin Nelms

Andrew B Millhouse

Tim Webb

Eric Anthony Letson

Timothy Fenton

Charles Harry Lobo

Sid Shake

Joseph Wayne Hendricks

Courtland J Halbrook

David C Cox

Eugene P Sunday

Amy J Savaiinaea

Mike Dean Atchley

Gary Dewayne Griggs

Jeremy Varner

Patricia Bird

Coleman Johnson

David E Ferrell

Jeff Byrne

Elizabeth Fretheim

Jimmie Ray Bishop, Iii

Atikhun Unahalekhaka

Parvez Musani

Erik Rye

Tariq B Islam

Robert Abate

Muhenned Abdulsahib

Wallace Carrell King

Brian Harrison

A method for tracking an item in a distributed environment is provided. At least one node in a network adds a new block to a first cryptographically verifiable ledger represented by a first sequence of blocks that is stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. The new block added to the first cryptographically verifiable ledger contains a component identifier and a hash of a previous block in the first sequence of blocks. The at least one node in the network adds a new block to a second cryptographically verifiable ledger represented by a second sequence of blocks that is stored in the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. The new block added to the second cryptographically verifiable ledger contains a destination identifier, the first sequence of blocks, and a hash of a previous block in the second sequence of blocks.

System and methods for tracking an item in a distributed environment

Some embodiments include apparatuses providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a retail facility, comprising: multiple self-propelled motorized transport units; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system, wherein the central computer system comprises: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed cause the control circuit to: receive an override command, from a worker associated with the retail facility, to cause a first motorized transport unit of the multiple motorized transport units to implement one or more actions; confirm a valid authorization of the worker to override one or more operating limits of the first motorized transport unit; and override the one or more operating limits and communicate one or more instructions to the first motorized transport unit configured to cause the first motorized transport unit to implement the one or more actions in accordance with the override command.

Overriding control of motorized transport unit systems, devices and methods

A robotic delivery system includes a server, a dispatch module, and a robotic delivery vehicle. The dispatch module transmits a suggested item to the dispatch application being executable on a client device operated by a user; and receives, from the dispatch application, a selection of the suggested item from the user of the client device.

Autonomous robot delivery systems and methods

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.

Apparatus and method of monitoring product placement within a shopping facility

A delivery tower for receiving a package from an aerial vehicle. The delivery tower has a table top coupled to a base. The base includes telescoping members. The delivery tower has a controller and communications module operably coupled to the base. The table top moves between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position with extension of the telescoping members. In the first, retracted position the delivery tower is configured to operate as an outdoor table. In the second, extended position, the delivery tower is configured to receive a package from the aerial vehicle.

Retractable table tower for UAV package delivery

Apparatuses, components and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.

Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods

Described in detail herein is an automated fulfillment system including a computing system programmed to receive requests from disparate sources for physical objects disposed at one or more locations in a facility. The computing system can combine the requests, and group the physical objects in the requests based on object types or expected object locations. Autonomous robot devices can receive instructions from the computing system to retrieve a group of the physical objects and deposit the physical objects in storage containers.

Distributed autonomous robot interfacing systems and methods

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to allocate unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Some embodiments, provide UAS allocation systems, comprising: a UAS database that stores for each registered UAS an identifier and corresponding operational capabilities; an allocation control circuit configured to: obtain a first set of multiple task parameters specified by a first customer and corresponding to a requested first predefined task that the customer is requesting a UAS be allocated to perform; identify, from the UAS database, a first UAS having operational capabilities to perform the first set of task parameters while implementing the first task; and cause an allocation notification to be communicated to a first UAS provider, of the multiple UAS providers, associated with the first UAS requesting the first UAS provider to allocate the identified first UAS to implement the first task.

Systems and methods to allocate unmanned aircraft systems

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering merchandise using autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) in cooperation with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In some embodiments, the system includes: an AGV having a motorized locomotion system, a storage area to hold merchandise, a sensor to detect obstacles, a transceiver, and a control circuit to operate the AGV; a UAV having a motorized flight system, a gripper mechanism to grab merchandise, a transceiver, an optical sensor to capture images; and a control circuit to operate the UAV. In some forms, the system may include a control circuit that instructs movement of the AGV along a delivery route; determines if the AGV has stopped due to an obstacle; and in certain circumstances, instructs the UAV to retrieve merchandise from the AGV, calculates a delivery route for the UAV to the delivery location, and instructs the UAV to deliver the merchandise.

Systems and methods for delivering merchandise using autonomous ground vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles

A robotic delivery system includes a server, a dispatch module, and a robotic delivery vehicle. The dispatch module transmits a suggested item to the dispatch application being executable on a client device operated by a user; transmits an item cost for the suggested item to a dispatch application; receives, from the dispatch application, a selection of the suggested item from the user of the client device; transmits a message directing the robotic delivery vehicle to deliver the suggested item having been selected; and transmits a message to a facility associated with the robotic delivery vehicle.

A system for storing one or more unmanned aerial vehicles is described herein. The system includes one or more shelves attached to a holding structure, the one or more shelves being configured to support one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the one or more shelves defining one or more shelf areas configured to receive the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles. The system also includes an electrical charging station configured to charge electrical batteries of the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles supported by the one or more shelves; and a data transfer and storage system configured to transfer and store data that is previously stored in a data storage device of the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles in a data storage unit.

System for storing unmanned aerial vehicles

In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for facilitating delivery, via autonomous ground vehicles, of products ordered by customers of a retailer to customer-specified restricted areas accessible by an entryway openable via an access code.

Systems and methods for delivering products via autonomous ground vehicles to restricted areas designated by customers

Growing community of inventors

Noel, MO, United States of America

Donald R High