公开(公告)号：US20230391592A1

公开(公告)日：2023-12-07

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

CPC classification number: B66F9/063 ,  G01C21/206 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G06Q30/0633 ,  G06Q30/0605 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  G06Q30/0613 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  E01H5/12 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G06Q10/1095 ,  G05D1/028 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  E01H5/061 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  G06Q30/0601 ,  G06Q30/0619 ,  B62B5/0076 ,  G06Q30/0639 ,  G06Q30/0281 ,  G06Q30/0631 ,  G01S1/02 ,  G06Q30/0641 ,  H04N5/77 ,  G06Q10/30 ,  G06Q30/0617 ,  H04N7/183 ,  G06Q30/016 ,  G06Q30/0635 ,  H04W4/80 ,  G05D1/0297 ,  G01S1/7034 ,  H02J7/0013 ,  G10L13/00 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G06V20/20 ,  G06V20/40 ,  G06V20/52 ,  G06V20/56 ,  G06V20/58 ,  G06V20/647 ,  G06V30/224 ,  G06F18/214 ,  G06T7/74 ,  G06T7/593 ,  H04W4/33 ,  H04W4/30 ,  H04W4/40 ,  H04N13/282 ,  B60L53/36 ,  B60L53/63 ,  A47F3/08 ,  A47F10/04 ,  A47F13/00 ,  A47L11/4011 ,  B07C5/28 ,  B07C5/3422 ,  B60P3/06 ,  B62B5/0026 ,  B62B5/0069 ,  B65F3/00 ,  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 ,  G05D1/0289 ,  G05D1/0291 ,  G05D1/0293 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G06F3/017 ,  G06Q10/0631 ,  G08G1/20 ,  G10L15/22 ,  G10L17/22 ,  H04B10/116 ,  H04L67/12 ,  H04L67/141 ,  H04L67/143 ,  H04N7/18 ,  H04N7/185 ,  H04W4/02 ,  Y10S901/01 ,  G06Q10/06315 ,  G05D2201/0216 ,  Y02W30/82 ,  H04W4/021

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：US20230101755A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US18076952

申请日：2022-12-07

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： John J. O'Brien ,  Daniel W. Young ,  Richard C. McSorley ,  Christopher R. Heeney ,  Joseph Jurich, JR. ,  Bruce W. Wilkinson ,  Todd D. Mattingly ,  Donald R. High ,  Robert L. Cantrell ,  Brian G. McHale

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  H04L9/06 ,  H04L9/00

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US11373135B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-28

申请号：US15646462

申请日：2017-07-11

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Brian G. McHale ,  Parvez Musani ,  Donald R. High ,  Todd D. Mattingly

IPC: G06Q10/08

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for delivering products to customers while analyzing and satisfying product-associated and/or delivery location-associated restrictions. The delivery attempt of the products is commenced after the product-associated restrictions are determined to be satisfied. The delivery of the product or products to the customer or an authorized person is authorized after the delivery location-associated restrictions are determined to be satisfied.

公开(公告)号：US10669140B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-02

申请号：US15423812

申请日：2017-02-03

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: B66F9/06 ,  G06T7/593 ,  H04W4/029 ,  H04W4/30 ,  H04W4/80 ,  H04W4/40 ,  H04N13/282 ,  B60L53/36 ,  B60L53/63 ,  A47F13/00 ,  A47L11/40 ,  B07C5/28 ,  B07C5/342 ,  B65F3/00 ,  E01H5/06 ,  E01H5/12 ,  G01S1/70 ,  G01S1/72 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G05D1/02 ,  H04N7/18 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G05B19/048 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/18 ,  G06K9/32 ,  G06K9/62 ,  G06K9/78 ,  G06Q10/02 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G08G1/00 ,  G10L13/04 ,  G10L15/22 ,  G10L17/22 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H04B10/116 ,  H04L29/08 ,  H04N5/77 ,  H04W4/021 ,  B62B5/00 ,  B60P3/06 ,  H04W4/33 ,  H04W4/02 ,  A47F3/08 ,  G01C21/20 ,  G06F16/903 ,  A47F10/00 ,  A47F10/02 ,  G05B19/12 ,  G06F21/60 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14 ,  G06Q20/12 ,  H04B1/38 ,  H04L29/06

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to address incorrectly placed items. Some systems comprise: a plurality of motorized transport units that are each configured to perform multiple different tasks at a retail shopping facility; and a central computer system configured to instruct various ones of the plurality of motorized transport units to implement at least one of the multiple different tasks relative to the retail shopping facility, receive and analyze input data detected and provided by the motorized transport units while the motorized transport units perform the at least one of the tasks, and detect and categorize each item of multiple items that are incorrectly placed within the retail shopping facility according to one of multiple different predefined categories.

公开(公告)号：US20190337722A1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-07

申请号：US16514240

申请日：2019-07-17

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 ,  Bruce W. Wilkinson

IPC: B65G1/137 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B60P3/06 ,  B60P3/00 ,  B60P1/64 ,  B60P3/20

Abstract: Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful for autonomously delivering lockers. In some embodiments, a system comprises a carrier vehicle, the carrier vehicle comprising a storage area, a docking station including a plurality of storage docks, each of the plurality of storage docks configured to secure at least one locker, wherein the docking station is located within the storage area, and a retrieval point, a plurality of lockers each configured to house at least one product, a delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle comprising a delivery dock, wherein the delivery dock is configured to receive, at the retrieval point, at least one locker, and a propulsion mechanism, wherein the propulsion mechanism propels the delivery vehicle, and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to identify, from the plurality of lockers, a selected locker, and cause the selected locker to move to the retrieval point.

公开(公告)号：US20190308784A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-10

申请号：US16294659

申请日：2019-03-06

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

Inventor： Robert L. Cantrell ,  Donald R. High ,  Brian G. McHale

IPC: B65D63/10 ,  B65D65/04 ,  B65D71/02 ,  B65D71/06

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to packing one or more commercial product items for delivery to customers. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for packing one or more commercial product items including an elongated strip comprising a material that is at least flexible and bendable; at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) coupling device secured to a first portion of the elongated strip, wherein the UAV coupling device comprises a plate configured to couple the elongated strip to a UAV configured to deliver the one or more commercial product items; a securing mechanism at a second portion of the elongated strip; and a wrapping material covering at least exposed areas of the one or more commercial product items not covered by the elongated strip.

公开(公告)号：US10423169B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-24

申请号：US15699936

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 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64D1/16 ,  B64D47/08

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; and wherein data acquired through a first set of at least one of the multiple UAVs while performing a first set of at least one task is caused to be distributed to a second set of at least two of the multiple UAVs, and cause cooperative computational processing of the data through the UAV control circuits of the second set of UAVs and cooperatively identify based on the cooperative computational processing a second set of at least one task to be performed, and identify a set of at least two tool systems to be utilized by a third set of at least two of the multiple UAVs in cooperatively performing the second set of at least one task.

公开(公告)号：US10399775B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-03

申请号：US16265876

申请日：2019-02-01

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 ,  Bruce W. Wilkinson

IPC: G06F7/00 ,  B65G1/137 ,  B60P3/06 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B60P1/64 ,  B60P3/20

Abstract: Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful for autonomously delivering lockers. In some embodiments, a system comprises a carrier vehicle, the carrier vehicle comprising a storage area, a docking station including a plurality of storage docks, each of the plurality of storage docks configured to secure at least one locker, wherein the docking station is located within the storage area, and a retrieval point, a plurality of lockers each configured to house at least one product, a delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle comprising a delivery dock, wherein the delivery dock is configured to receive, at the retrieval point, at least one locker, and a propulsion mechanism, wherein the propulsion mechanism propels the delivery vehicle, and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to identify, from the plurality of lockers, a selected locker, and cause the selected locker to move to the retrieval point.

公开(公告)号：US20190206175A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-04

申请号：US16352671

申请日：2019-03-13

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

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

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：US20190205970A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-04

申请号：US16191620

申请日：2018-11-15

Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLC

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

IPC: G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q20/18 ,  A61B10/00

CPC classification number: G06Q30/0639 ,  A61B10/0096 ,  G06Q20/18 ,  G06Q30/0185 ,  G06Q30/0224 ,  G06Q30/0609

Abstract: A request is received at each of the transceivers from a human requestor to access or move a product. The request including information concerning a DNA sample of the human requestor that has been voluntarily obtained. At each of a plurality of transceivers, the information concerning the DNA sample is compared to a list of acceptable DNAs at each of the transceivers. When a match exists and when a predetermined number of nodes confirm the match, one of the plurality of electronic nodes sends an electronic control signal to a locking mechanism at the product to unlock the locking mechanism and release the product.