公开(公告)号：US10520953B2

公开(公告)日：2019-12-31

申请号：US15699952

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: G05D1/10 ,  B60L11/18 ,  B60L15/38 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B60L1/00 ,  B60L58/12 ,  B60L58/20 ,  B60L53/00 ,  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 access power level data corresponding to each of the multiple UAVs, and select a second UAV of the multiple UAVs based at least in part on a power level of the second UAV relative to a threshold power level corresponding to a first task to be performed and a predicted power usage by the second UAV while utilizing a first tool system temporarily cooperated with the second UAV in performing the first task.

公开(公告)号：US10435279B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-08

申请号：US15061671

申请日：2016-03-04

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G01C21/20 ,  B66F9/06 ,  A47F10/04 ,  H04W4/80 ,  G05D1/02 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  G01S1/02 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B62B5/00 ,  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 ,  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 ,  B60L53/36 ,  B60L53/63 ,  B60L11/18 ,  G06F21/60 ,  H04L29/06 ,  G06Q20/12 ,  G06F16/903 ,  A47F10/02 ,  H04B1/38 ,  A47F10/00 ,  G05B19/12 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for providing route guidance to a customer in a shopping facility space are provided. A system for providing route guidance comprises a communication device configured to communicate with a user interface device, a store map database storing location information for a plurality of items available for purchase in the retail space, and a control circuit coupled to the communication device and the store map database. The control circuit is configured to receive a list of items for purchase from a user associated with the user interface device via the communication device, retrieve location information associated with each item of the list of items for purchase from the store map database, determine a route based on at least one user entered route preference and the location information associated with each item of the list of items for purchase, and provide the route to the user interface device.

公开(公告)号：US20190302798A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-03

申请号：US16270901

申请日：2019-02-08

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/10 ,  H04W4/40 ,  H04W40/22

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for monitoring and controlling communication capabilities of unmanned transport vehicles that via one or more intermediate communication devices that provide relay communications between the unmanned transport vehicles and a control station device when the unmanned transport vehicles travel through areas where the network quality does not permit direct communication between the unmanned transport vehicles and the control station device.

公开(公告)号：US20190302249A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-03

申请号：US16357534

申请日：2019-03-19

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: G01S11/12 ,  G01S7/48 ,  B64C39/02

Abstract: Electromagnetic energy signals are transmitted to an aerial drone. A comparison of the identification information inherent to these signals is made with acceptable identification information in a ledger stored at the drone. When the comparison identifies a valid transmission station, the control circuit allows the processing of the electromagnetic energy signals from the valid transmission station. The processing is effective to ascertain the location of or fine-tune the location of the aerial drone.

公开(公告)号：US20190295385A1

公开(公告)日：2019-09-26

申请号：US16435778

申请日：2019-06-10

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: G08B7/02 ,  H04Q9/00 ,  G08B21/18

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are configured to track palletized products. Some embodiments comprise: a first array of sensors positioned relative to multiple products collectively arranged on a first transport pallet configured to support the multiple products while being transported; a wirelessly transceiver; and a pallet control circuit communicatively coupled with the wireless transceiver and the first array of sensors, wherein the pallet control circuit is configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors of the first array of sensors, determine a condition of one or more products of the multiple products at least as the multiple products are transported based on the sensor data, and cause condition information to be wirelessly transmitted to a separate notification system configured to provide notification to a worker regarding the condition of the one or more products.

公开(公告)号：US20190241266A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-08

申请号：US16381343

申请日：2019-04-11

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： John P. Thompson ,  Donald R. High ,  Nathan G. Jones ,  David C. Winkle ,  Brian G. McHale

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B64D9/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B64D47/08

CPC classification number: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64D9/00 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/0011 ,  G06Q10/083

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to enable package delivery and interaction with customers. Some embodiments comprise unmanned aircraft system (UAS), comprising: a crane system comprising a first spool system and a crane motor, the first spool system comprises a first cord that is extended and retracted; a retractable interface system cooperated with the first cord; a package holder configured to hold a first package to be delivered by the UAS at a delivery location; a control circuit coupled with the crane motor to control the crane motor, and to activate the crane motor to extend the first cord and lower the retractable interface system while the UAS is maintained in flight at least at a threshold height; wherein the retractable interface system comprises an input interface to receive input from a customer at the delivery location.

公开(公告)号：US20190227576A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-25

申请号：US16243211

申请日：2019-01-09

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: G05D1/12 ,  G05D1/10 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G01C21/20 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: Sensory information is obtained at a drone (e.g., from sensors at the drone or deployed at other locations), and the sensory information defines the physical operating environment of the drone. The aerial drone is initially operated according to a current geographical location that is received. The sensory information is subsequently obtained, for example, from the sensors. An adjusted current geographical location of the aerial drone is selectively determined based upon an evaluation of the sensory information and a UWB beacon signal. The aerial drone is operated according to the adjusted current geographical location.

公开(公告)号：US10347095B2

公开(公告)日：2019-07-09

申请号：US15792455

申请日：2017-10-24

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: G08B7/02 ,  G08B21/18 ,  H04Q9/00 ,  G08B23/00

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are configured to track palletized products. Some embodiments comprise: a first array of sensors positioned relative to multiple products collectively arranged on a first transport pallet configured to support the multiple products while being transported; a wirelessly transceiver; and a pallet control circuit communicatively coupled with the wireless transceiver and the first array of sensors, wherein the pallet control circuit is configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors of the first array of sensors, determine a condition of one or more products of the multiple products at least as the multiple products are transported based on the sensor data, and cause condition information to be wirelessly transmitted to a separate notification system configured to provide notification to a worker regarding the condition of the one or more products.

公开(公告)号：US20190188635A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-20

申请号：US16191146

申请日：2018-11-14

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  John J. O'Brien ,  David C. Winkle ,  Todd D. Mattingly

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G1/00

CPC classification number: G06Q10/0832 ,  G05D1/0088 ,  G05D2201/0213 ,  G06Q10/20 ,  G08G1/205

Abstract: An economic priority of a cargo is determined based upon the financial information and delivery restrictions. Based upon sensed readings, the condition of the disabled delivery vehicle is determined and one or more proposed actions performable by the automated autonomous repair vehicle that would remedy the operational problems of the disabled delivery vehicle are identified. One (or more) of the proposed actions is selected based upon the economic priority of the cargo. The automated autonomous repair vehicle is caused to perform the selected action.

公开(公告)号：US20190170423A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-06

申请号：US16267057

申请日：2019-02-04

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： David C. Winkle ,  Bruce W. Wilkinson ,  Todd D. Mattingly

IPC: F25D11/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  F25D3/12 ,  F25D31/00 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering and maintaining perishable items within a certain temperature range during delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for transporting merchandise including: a container for transporting merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in a delivery vehicle along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location, the container including: a merchandise storage area receiving merchandise and a coolant; an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; a temperature sensor measuring the temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport; and a control circuit configured to receive the temperature measurements from the temperature sensor during transport and to modify the insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range.