公开(公告)号：US20190155264A1

公开(公告)日：2019-05-23

申请号：US16253779

申请日：2019-01-22

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Benjamin D. Enssle ,  Cristy C. Brooks ,  David C. Winkle ,  Greg A. Bryan ,  Todd D. Mattingly

IPC: G05B19/418 ,  G06F16/2457 ,  B65G43/08 ,  B65G43/10 ,  G01N21/956 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B65G47/50

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that include interconnected conveyors including multiple sensors configured to detect identifying characteristics and physical characteristics of the products traveling on the conveyors. The product-associated information that is detected by the sensors is analyzed relative to predefined product-associated identifying characteristics and physical characteristics stored in a database, and an error signal is generated if the actual, sensor-obtained product identifying characteristics and/or physical characteristics, do not correspond to the predefined, database-stored product identifying characteristics and/or physical characteristics.

公开(公告)号：US10274952B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-30

申请号：US15699942

申请日：2017-09-08

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Robert L. Cantrell ,  John P. Thompson ,  David C. Winkle ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Donald R. High ,  Todd D. Mattingly ,  Brian G. McHale ,  John J. O'Brien ,  John F. Simon ,  Nathan G. Jones ,  Robert C. Taylor

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/10 ,  G07C5/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  G06Q10/06

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.

公开(公告)号：US10269255B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-23

申请号：US15460578

申请日：2017-03-16

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  David C. Winkle

IPC: B60L3/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/10

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system to identify geographic zones into which unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are inhibited from flying. In some instances, the system detects, while the UAS is in flight and traveling along a flight path to a delivery location where the UAS is scheduled to deliver a package, a no fly zone (NFZ) into which the UAS is to avoid flying; obtains a revised flight path to the delivery location that includes a detour route around the no fly zone; directs the motor controller to control the motors to implement the revised flight path; and detects when the UAS is at a threshold distance from the delivery location and initiate delivery of the package.

公开(公告)号：US20190066047A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-28

申请号：US16049420

申请日：2018-07-30

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： John J. O'Brien ,  Robert L. Cantrell ,  David C. Winkle ,  Donald R. High

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  B64C39/02

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for validating products to be delivered to customers via unmanned aerial vehicles. Each UAV includes sensors configured to detect at least one actual physical characteristic and/or actual identifying characteristic of a product being loaded into the UAV and/or being transported by the UAV to a delivery destination. The actual physical characteristic information and/or the actual identifying information detected by the sensors is compared to predefined physical characteristic information and/or predefined identifying information stored in an electronic database in order to validate that the product that is being loaded into the UAV and/or being transported by the UAV is not damaged and corresponds to the order being fulfilled. If validation of one or more products is not successful, the UAV is restricted from delivering such products to the delivery destination.

公开(公告)号：US10189691B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-29

申请号：US15274991

申请日：2016-09-23

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  Robert C. Taylor ,  David C. Winkle

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  B60L11/18 ,  B60P3/06 ,  B62B5/00 ,  G05D1/02 ,  B66F9/06 ,  G01C21/20 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G01S1/02 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  H04W4/04 ,  A47F3/08 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  H04N5/77 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  H04N7/18 ,  E01H5/06 ,  E01H5/12 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  H04W4/33 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/593 ,  H04N13/282 ,  A47L11/40 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/18 ,  G06K9/32 ,  G06K9/62 ,  G06K9/78 ,  G08G1/00 ,  G10L13/04 ,  G10L15/22 ,  G10L17/22 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H04B10/116 ,  H04L29/08 ,  H04W4/30 ,  A47F13/00 ,  B07C5/28 ,  B07C5/342 ,  B65F3/00 ,  G05B19/048 ,  G06F3/01 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/40 ,  A47F10/02 ,  H04B1/38 ,  A47F10/00 ,  G05B19/12 ,  G06F17/30 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14

Abstract: Some embodiments include a track system comprising: an elevated track system comprising a series of elevated tracks that are positioned elevated above a sales floor and products distributed over at least a portion of the sales floor of a shopping facility, and configured such that multiple motorized transport units travel along the series of elevated tracks in traversing at least portions of the shopping facility.

公开(公告)号：US20190002256A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-03

申请号：US16109290

申请日：2018-08-22

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  David C. Winkle

IPC: B66F9/06 ,  H04W4/80 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B60L11/18 ,  H04N7/18 ,  H04N13/282 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/593 ,  H04W4/33 ,  A47F13/00 ,  H04W4/30 ,  A47L11/40 ,  H04L29/08 ,  H04B10/116

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatus to enhance safety. In some embodiments, a system comprises: a central computer system comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; and 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: communicate positioning routing instructions to the plurality of motorized transport units directing the motorized transport units to one or more external areas of a shopping facility that are exposed to weather conditions; and communicate separate area routing instructions to each of the motorized transport units that when implemented cause the motorized transport units to cooperatively and in concert travel in accordance with the area routing instructions over at least predefined portions of one or more external areas to cause ground treatment systems to address ground level conditions.

公开(公告)号：US20180370654A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-27

申请号：US15994593

申请日：2018-05-31

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Robert L. Cantrell ,  Donald R. High ,  Brian G. McHale ,  David C. Winkle ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  John J. O'Brien ,  Nathan G. Jones

IPC: B64F1/20 ,  G05D1/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G01S3/789

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.

公开(公告)号：US20180282139A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-04

申请号：US16001774

申请日：2018-06-06

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Karl Kay ,  David C. Winkle

IPC: B66F9/06 ,  H04W4/80 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B60L11/18 ,  H04N7/18 ,  H04N13/282 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/593 ,  H04W4/33 ,  A47F13/00 ,  H04W4/30 ,  A47L11/40 ,  H04L29/08 ,  H04B10/116

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a shopping 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 shopping 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.

公开(公告)号：US12084824B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-10

申请号：US18144759

申请日：2023-05-08

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Shuvro Chakrobartty ,  Karl Kay ,  Brian G. McHale ,  Robert C. Taylor ,  John P. Thompson ,  Eric E. Welch ,  David C. Winkle

IPC: E01H5/06 ,  A47F3/08 ,  A47F10/04 ,  A47F13/00 ,  A47L11/40 ,  B07C5/28 ,  B07C5/342 ,  B60L53/36 ,  B60L53/63 ,  B60P3/06 ,  B62B5/00 ,  B65F3/00 ,  B66F9/06 ,  E01H5/12 ,  G01C21/20 ,  G01S1/02 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G05B19/048 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F18/214 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  G06Q10/0631 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  G06Q10/1093 ,  G06Q10/30 ,  G06Q30/016 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/0601 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  G06T7/593 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06V20/20 ,  G06V20/40 ,  G06V20/52 ,  G06V20/56 ,  G06V20/58 ,  G06V20/64 ,  G06V30/224 ,  G08G1/00 ,  G10L13/00 ,  G10L15/22 ,  G10L17/22 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H04B10/116 ,  H04L67/12 ,  H04L67/141 ,  H04L67/143 ,  H04N5/77 ,  H04N7/18 ,  H04N13/282 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/021 ,  H04W4/029 ,  H04W4/30 ,  H04W4/33 ,  H04W4/40 ,  H04W4/80 ,  A47F10/00 ,  A47F10/02 ,  B62B3/14 ,  G01S5/16 ,  G01S5/18 ,  G05B19/12 ,  G06F16/903 ,  G06F21/60 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14 ,  G06Q20/12 ,  H04B1/38 ,  H04L9/40

CPC classification number: E01H5/061 ,  A47F3/08 ,  A47F10/04 ,  A47F13/00 ,  A47L11/4011 ,  B07C5/28 ,  B07C5/3422 ,  B60L53/36 ,  B60L53/63 ,  B60P3/06 ,  B62B5/0026 ,  B62B5/0069 ,  B62B5/0076 ,  B65F3/00 ,  B66F9/063 ,  E01H5/12 ,  G01C21/206 ,  G01S1/02 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G01S1/7034 ,  G01S1/7038 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G05B19/048 ,  G05D1/0011 ,  G05D1/0016 ,  G05D1/0022 ,  G05D1/0027 ,  G05D1/0061 ,  G05D1/0088 ,  G05D1/021 ,  G05D1/0214 ,  G05D1/0219 ,  G05D1/0234 ,  G05D1/0246 ,  G05D1/0255 ,  G05D1/0276 ,  G05D1/028 ,  G05D1/0289 ,  G05D1/0291 ,  G05D1/0293 ,  G05D1/0297 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G06F3/017 ,  G06F18/214 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  G06Q10/0631 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  G06Q10/1095 ,  G06Q10/30 ,  G06Q30/016 ,  G06Q30/0281 ,  G06Q30/0601 ,  G06Q30/0605 ,  G06Q30/0613 ,  G06Q30/0617 ,  G06Q30/0619 ,  G06Q30/0631 ,  G06Q30/0633 ,  G06Q30/0635 ,  G06Q30/0639 ,  G06Q30/0641 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  G06T7/593 ,  G06T7/74 ,  G06V20/20 ,  G06V20/40 ,  G06V20/52 ,  G06V20/56 ,  G06V20/58 ,  G06V20/647 ,  G06V30/224 ,  G08G1/20 ,  G10L13/00 ,  G10L15/22 ,  G10L17/22 ,  H02J7/0013 ,  H02J7/0071 ,  H04B10/116 ,  H04L67/12 ,  H04L67/141 ,  H04L67/143 ,  H04N5/77 ,  H04N7/18 ,  H04N7/183 ,  H04N7/185 ,  H04N13/282 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/021 ,  H04W4/029 ,  H04W4/30 ,  H04W4/33 ,  H04W4/40 ,  H04W4/80 ,  A47F2010/005 ,  A47F2010/025 ,  A47L2201/04 ,  B07C2501/0045 ,  B07C2501/0054 ,  B07C2501/0063 ,  B60Y2410/10 ,  B62B3/1404 ,  B62B5/005 ,  B65F2210/168 ,  G01S5/16 ,  G01S5/18 ,  G01S2201/01 ,  G01S2201/02 ,  G05B19/124 ,  G05B2219/23363 ,  G05B2219/39107 ,  G06F16/90335 ,  G06F21/606 ,  G06K7/10297 ,  G06K7/10821 ,  G06K7/1413 ,  G06Q10/06315 ,  G06Q20/12 ,  G06T2207/10028 ,  G06V20/44 ,  G10L2015/223 ,  H02J7/00034 ,  H04B1/38 ,  H04L63/06 ,  H04L63/08 ,  H04L63/0846 ,  Y02W30/82 ,  Y02W90/00 ,  Y02W90/10 ,  Y04S10/50 ,  Y10S901/01

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US12080179B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-03

申请号：US18222419

申请日：2023-07-14

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  Robert C. Taylor ,  David C. Winkle ,  John P. Thompson

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06F16/22 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  B64U101/00

CPC classification number: G08G5/0043 ,  B64C39/024 ,  G06F16/22 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  G08G5/0004 ,  G08G5/0013 ,  G08G5/0017 ,  G08G5/0026 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  B64U2101/00 ,  B64U2201/00

Abstract: 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.