公开(公告)号：US20190180237A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-13

申请号：US16211009

申请日：2018-12-05

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Todd D. Mattingly ,  John J. O'Brien ,  Donald R. High ,  Robert L. Cantrell ,  Brian G. McHale

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  H04W12/02 ,  H04L9/08 ,  G05D1/10 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B64C39/02

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided herein useful to the secure delivery of merchandise using unmanned aerial vehicles forming a delivery chain. In some embodiments, the system includes: multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in which each UAV includes a motorized flight system, a navigational system, a merchandise storage system, a memory, a transceiver, and a UAV control circuit. The system further includes: a UAV delivery chain including a starting location, a delivery location, and one or more intermediate transfer locations; and a centralized storage and processing node configured to host a hash chain database containing delivery parameters of the UAVs. In the system, each UAV control circuit is configured to communicate with and cause the centralized node to: retrieve delivery parameters assigned to the UAV, decrypt the delivery parameters; identify another UAV as a transferee to accept receipt of the merchandise, and update the hash chain database.

公开(公告)号：US10280054B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-07

申请号：US15060953

申请日：2016-03-04

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: A47F3/08 ,  B07C5/28 ,  B60P3/06 ,  B62B5/00 ,  B65F3/00 ,  B66F9/06 ,  E01H5/06 ,  E01H5/12 ,  G01S1/02 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/18 ,  G06K9/32 ,  G01C21/20 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  A47F10/04 ,  H04W4/80 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  H04W4/04 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  H04N5/77 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  H04N7/18 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  H04W4/33 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/593 ,  H04N13/282 ,  A47L11/40 ,  B60L11/18 ,  G06K9/62 ,  G06K9/78 ,  G08G1/00 ,  G10L13/04 ,  G10L15/22 ,  G10L17/22 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H04B10/116 ,  H04L29/08 ,  H04W4/30 ,  A47F13/00 ,  B07C5/342 ,  G05B19/048 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/40 ,  G06F21/60 ,  H04L29/06 ,  G06Q20/12 ,  A47F10/02 ,  H04B1/38 ,  A47F10/00 ,  G05B19/12 ,  G06F17/30

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：US20190130086A1

公开(公告)日：2019-05-02

申请号：US16167121

申请日：2018-10-22

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： David G. Tovey ,  John J. O'Brien ,  Bruce W. Wilkinson ,  Brian G. McHale ,  Robert L. Cantrell ,  Donald R. High

IPC: G06F21/32 ,  G07C9/00 ,  G06F21/31 ,  G06F21/35 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04W4/029 ,  H04W4/80 ,  H04L9/32 ,  H04L9/06

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to secure access. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for securing access using decentralized biometric authentication data through a blockchain network including: a user interface product operable on a user device and configured to: receive a first one or more biometric data; receive near real-time location data associated with the first one or more biometric data; receive a token comprising a second one or more biometric data; determine whether the first one or more biometric data matches within a threshold with the second one or more biometric data; determine whether the first one or more biometric data and the second one or more biometric data are associated with the user device; determine whether the near real-time location data is within a threshold distance from a storage and retrieval system (SRS); and provide data associated with unlocking the SRS.

公开(公告)号：US10275975B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-30

申请号：US15648059

申请日：2017-07-12

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  Brian G. McHale ,  Michael D. Atchley

IPC: G07F11/00 ,  G01C21/34 ,  G01C21/36

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for mobile vending. A system for mobile vending comprises a mobile vending machine comprising: an item dispenser configured to display a plurality of items for purchase, a set of motorized wheels, a navigation sensor device, a communication device, and, a control circuit configured to navigate the mobile vending machine based on navigation instructions; and a central computer system configured to communicate with the mobile vending machine via the communication device, the central computer system being configured to: determine a destination for the mobile vending machine, provide the navigation instructions to the mobile vending machine to cause the mobile vending machine to travel to the destination using the set of motorized wheels and the navigation sensor device.

公开(公告)号：US10254766B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-09

申请号：US15708686

申请日：2017-09-19

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  David C. Winkle ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Brian G. McHale ,  Nicholas Ray Antel ,  John J. O'Brien ,  Todd D. Mattingly ,  Nathan G. Jones

IPC: G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B64C1/20

Abstract: Some embodiments include systems, methods, and apparatuses capable of determining a leader of a group of autonomous vehicles. In some embodiments, a system of autonomous vehicles comprises two or more autonomous vehicles each having a communication device and in communication with one another, each of the two or more autonomous vehicles configured to travel as a group, receive and transport goods, communicate with others of the two or more autonomous vehicles in the group, and conduct a negotiation to establish at least one leader, wherein any one of the two or more autonomous vehicles can become the at least one leader.

公开(公告)号：US10239740B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-26

申请号：US15061848

申请日：2016-03-04

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Brian G. McHale ,  David C. Winkle ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Shuvro Chakrobartty ,  Donald R. High

IPC: G05D1/02 ,  G01C21/20 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  B66F9/06 ,  A47F10/04 ,  H04W4/80 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G01S1/02 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B62B5/00 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  H04W4/04 ,  B60P3/06 ,  G05D1/00 ,  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 ,  B60L11/18 ,  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: A shopping facility assistance system includes a plurality of motorized transport units, a plurality of user interface units, and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the motorized transport units and the user interface units. The central computer system is configured to control movement of the motorized transport units through a shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the user interface units. More particularly, the central computer system controls movement of the motorized transport units such that a given one of the plurality of motorized transport units selectively leads a user to a destination within the shopping facility or follows the user within the shopping facility as determined by the central computer system. By one approach, the motorized transport units move through the shopping facility via a plurality of preferred pre-determined path segments.

公开(公告)号：US20190070995A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-07

申请号：US16117389

申请日：2018-08-30

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Robert L. Cantrell ,  Donald R. High ,  Brian G. McHale ,  Nicholas R. Antel ,  Gregory A. Hicks ,  Nathan G. Jones ,  John J. O'Brien

IPC: B60P3/11 ,  B60P3/00 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64F1/22 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q50/28

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that for transporting and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles. The unmanned aerial vehicles may be deployed from mobile stations that include receptacles each configured to retain an unmanned aerial vehicle. The receptacles may be independently movable into relative positions that permit multiple unmanned aerial vehicles to be deployed simultaneously from the mobile stations.

公开(公告)号：US10198708B2

公开(公告)日：2019-02-05

申请号：US15813859

申请日：2017-11-15

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Todd D. Mattingly ,  Bruce W. Wilkinson ,  Donald R. High ,  Brian G. McHale

IPC: G06Q50/26 ,  G01C21/34 ,  G08B3/00 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G05D1/02 ,  G08B21/02 ,  G08B21/22

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided herein useful to enable delivery of commercial products to customers. In some embodiments, the system comprises an autonomous ground vehicle on a delivery route to deliver commercial products to a person of interest. The AGV comprises control circuits communicatively coupled to sensors. The control circuits, using sensor data, determines whether a person positioned within a threshold distance relative to the AGV is the PoI; allow the PoI to designate an intention of a second person positioned within the threshold distance as being friendly or adverse relative to the PoI; determine the intention of the second person; receive a command from the PoI overriding the determination that the second person's intention is adverse to the PoI; and allow the PoI to take possession of the commercial products when the designated intention is friendly relative to the PoI and the command is received.

公开(公告)号：US20190025817A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-24

申请号：US16039118

申请日：2018-07-18

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Todd D. Mattingly ,  Donald R. High ,  Bruce W. Wilkinson ,  Jospeh Jurich, JR. ,  Brian G. McHale ,  Robert L. Cantrell ,  John J. O'Brien

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G07C5/00 ,  H04L9/08 ,  H04L9/06 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06F17/30

CPC classification number: G06Q50/28 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G07C5/00 ,  H04L9/0825 ,  H04L9/3239 ,  H04L2209/38 ,  H04L2209/84

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for autonomous vehicles task management and organization. A system for organizing autonomous product delivery vehicles comprises a locomotion system of a first autonomous vehicle, a communication device, a memory device, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to retrieve one or more vehicle tasks assigned to the first autonomous vehicle from a hash chain database, decrypt the task parameters with a private key of the first autonomous vehicle stored on the memory device, identify a second autonomous vehicle as a transferee of the one or more vehicle tasks based on transfer rules in the task parameters, and update the hash chain database with a new block comprising a hash of preceding data in the hash chain database and the task parameters of the one or more vehicle tasks encrypted with a public key of the second autonomous vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20180301030A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-18

申请号：US16013316

申请日：2018-06-20

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  Chandrashekar Natarajan ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  John P. Thompson ,  Brian G. McHale

IPC: G08G1/14 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06Q50/00 ,  G06K9/36

CPC classification number: G08G1/14 ,  G06K9/00637 ,  G06K9/00771 ,  G06K9/36 ,  G06Q50/00 ,  G08G1/145 ,  G08G1/146 ,  G08G1/147 ,  G08G1/148

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for monitoring a parking area. A system for monitoring a parking area comprises an image database storing a plurality of images of a parking lot taken by one or more satellites over time, a baseline database storing baseline models of a plurality of sections of the parking lot, and a control circuit coupled to the image database and the baseline database. The control circuit being configured to: determine a utilization condition for each of the plurality of sections of the parking lot based on performing image analysis on the plurality of images of the parking lot, compare the utilization condition for each of the plurality of sections of the parking lot with the baseline model of the plurality of sections of the parking lot, and in an event that the utilization condition of a section of the plurality of sections of the parking lot substantially deviates from the baseline model of the section, automatically generate an action recommendation for the section of the parking lot.