The present disclosure relates to a blocking system for mobile robots that may operate in an automated storage and retrieval structure (ASRS) having a multilevel structure. Moreover, the disclosed embodiment(s) discusses mechanical implementations over horizontal rails to function as a bot blocking system and avoid potential boundary breach by the mobile robot. These mechanical implementations are expected to safely decelerate and arrest motion of mobile robot. The blocking system may comprise blocking components configured to act as friction brakes to stop mobile robot and inhibit damage to the multilevel structure, in case of boundary-breach. Blocking system in the present disclosure further allows easy installation of mechanical implementation and capability to adapt to variations in the multilevel structure.
B60T 7/22 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle
B61H 7/00 - Brakes with braking members co-operating with the track
B61H 11/00 - Applications or arrangements of braking or retarding apparatus not otherwise provided for; Combinations of apparatus of different kinds or types
Some embodiments provide an automated order fulfillment facility, comprising: a multi-level storage structure comprising a plurality of racks, and a mobile robot configured to transport totes to and from the multi-level storage structure. The mobile robot can comprise: a transport system configured to transport the mobile robot, a frame mounted on the transport system, a plurality of support locations vertically oriented within the frame, a first tote handling device comprising a first portion configured to extend from the frame and acquire a first tote from the multi-level storage structure, and a second tote handling device comprising a second portion configured to extend from the frame and support one or more totes second totes above the first tote as the first tote is being acquired.
B66B 9/16 - Mobile or transportable lifts specially adapted to be shifted from one part of a building or other structure to another part or to another building or structure
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
B66F 9/12 - Platforms; Forks; Other load-supporting or load-gripping members
B25J 5/00 - Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages
An order fulfillment system for fulfilling orders for goods includes a storage structure configured to store totes, mobile robots configured to transport the totes, and a workstation. The workstation includes a first station configured to receive product totes storing the goods for fulfilling the orders and a second station configured to receive order totes storing the goods of fulfilled orders. The order fulfillment system may also include containers configured to receive the goods from the product totes or the order totes. The containers may be stored at a third station of the workstation and/or in an order tote located at the second station of the workstation and/or in at least one shopping cart located at the workstation.
Some embodiments provide order packaging control systems, comprising: a product packaging (PP) control circuit communicatively couple with an automated custom package fabrication (CPF) system configured to fabricate on demand custom packages, an automated product retrieval (PR) system configured to autonomously retrieve one or more products, pick stations, and a set of sensor systems. The PP control circuit can be configured to receive orders; prioritize the orders and define an order fulfillment sequence, track states of the PR system and the CPF system; determine product retrieval timing, and correspondingly determine fabrication timing of when the CPF system is to fabricate corresponding packaging; and control the PR system and the CPF system in controlling synchronous operation of the PR system and the CPF system to synchronize an availability of products of an order at a pick station and an availability of a custom package at the pick station.
Some embodiments provide a system to control retail product allocation, comprising: an anomaly detection system applying a series of anomaly detection models to business metric data to identify an anomaly of a category of products; a contextualization detection system applying contextual models to data relative to the anomaly and identifying contextual factors; a causal detection system applying causal inference and determination models to sets of relevance data as a function of the contextual factors to determine influence attribution factors that are predicted to have been factors in causing the threshold variation, and apply attribution prioritization models to define relevancy scores to the influence attribution factors and prioritize the influence attribution factors; a personalization recommendation system applying personalization models to the prioritized influence attribution factors and the contextual factors as a function of a particular recipient type and control a graphical user interface presenting customized anomaly notification information.
The approaches described herein provide synchronization of data files across different databases used by different services and platforms. The services may be cloud-based services and include databases that include various types of data.
G06F 16/27 - Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
7.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO CONTROL CUSTOMIZED PERFORMANCE INSIGHT THROUGH MACHINE LEARNING BASED KNOWLEDGE GRAPHS
Some embodiments provide systems to control customized retail product performance information, comprising: a linkage mapping system to define and update linkings within a knowledge graph; a personalization recommendation system controlling different display systems to control graphical user interfaces presenting customized anomaly notification information specific to intended recipients as a function of the linkings; and a community detection system applying a set of machine learning community detection models to identify additional relationships between two or more of the entity nodes, based on feedback data from multiple intended recipients, and cause the linkage mapping system to update the multi-level linkages to embed one or more additional association links between the two or more of the entity nodes; wherein the personalization recommendation system is configured to control, based on the updated additional association links, a first graphical user interface to present first customized anomaly notification information specific to a first intended recipient.
Some embodiments provide retail facility control systems comprising: at least one retail operational subsystem comprising: an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) to automatically store and retrieve respective products in the ASRS and facilitate fulfillment of a customer order; a retail execution system to receive ASRS data and coupled to a plurality of retail applications to obtain customer-related data, associate-related data, and retail facility-related data; at least one data repository to store the ASRS data, the customer-related data, the associate-related data, and the retail facility-related data; a control circuit; and a solver module configured to be executed by the control circuit to: access business priorities and operational goals defined for a retail facility; and define a recommended operational plan intended to be implemented at the retail facility and predicted to enhance operation of the retail facility consistent with one or more business priorities and operational goals.
Method and system for automatic product source tracing are provided. A method for product source tracing comprises querying a supply chain distributed ledger and matching each case report to at least one product lot record in the supply chain distributed ledger based on the item descriptor, the case location identifier, and the case date recorded in the case report, assigning a weighting factor to each matched lot record matched with a case based on a completeness of the matched lot record, determining a supplier confidence score for a supplier based on the number of matched lot records associated with the supplier and weighting factors associated with each matched lot record associated with the supplier, and automatically generating a product safety tracing report comprising a ranked list of suppliers associated with the product safety issue based on supplier confidence scores of a plurality of suppliers.
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
H04L 9/06 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols the encryption apparatus using shift registers or memories for blockwise coding, e.g. D.E.S. systems
Systems for decanting inventory products from cases at a retail facility include a loading zone that receives products cases, decanting stations having associated containers with an amount of available space therein, and a decanting transport system that transports the product cases from the loading zone to the decanting stations and has sensors that obtain information relating to the product cases. A processor-based a control circuit receives from the sensors information relating to product cases being transported from the loading zone by the decanting transport system, selects a subset of the product cases, analyzes one or more business rules governing decanting to assign each product case in the subset to a decanting station, and causes the decanting transport system to divert each product case in the subset to its assigned decanting station based on the one or more business rules.
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G06Q 50/28 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
B65B 5/12 - Introducing successive articles, e.g. confectionery products, of different shape or size in predetermined positions
B65B 59/00 - Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
B65B 1/04 - Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
B65B 61/00 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
B65B 65/00 - MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING - Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
11.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MERGING RETAIL PRODUCTS BETWEEN CONTAINERS TO OPTIMIZE STORING CAPACITY OF RETAIL STORAGE FACILITIES
Automated storage and retrieval systems for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility include a storage structure with storage locations configured to store containers that contain retail products, and a conveying system that conveys the containers between the storage locations and a product picking station. A processor-based control circuit analyzes one or more business rules governing product merging between the containers being conveyed toward the picking station by the conveying system to identify two containers that are eligible for the product merging therebetween. When the control circuit detects that the two containers identified as product merging eligible arrived at the picking station, these two containers are kept by the conveying system at the picking station until all of the products are removed from a first one of these two containers and merged together with the products stored in a second one of these two containers.
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
B65G 47/61 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from conveyors of the suspended, e.g. trolley, type for articles
B65G 17/48 - Controlling attitudes of load-carriers during movement
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G06Q 30/06 - Buying, selling or leasing transactions
12.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING SPACE UTILIZATION OF CONTAINERS AT RETAIL STORAGE FACILITIES
Automated storage and retrieval system for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility includes a storage structure with storage locations configured to store containers that contain retail products, and a conveying system that conveys the containers between the storage locations and a product picking station. A computing device analyzes one or more business rules to identify at least two containers that are eligible for the product merging therebetween and causes the conveying system to move these two containers from the storage structure toward a picking station selected by the control circuit. When the two containers identified as product merging eligible arrive at the picking station, these two containers are kept by the conveying system at the picking station until all of the products are removed from a first one of these two containers and merged together with the products stored in a second one of these two containers.
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
B65G 47/61 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from conveyors of the suspended, e.g. trolley, type for articles
B65G 17/48 - Controlling attitudes of load-carriers during movement
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G06Q 30/06 - Buying, selling or leasing transactions
13.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING SPACE UTILIZATION OF CONTAINERS AT RETAIL STORAGE FACILITIES
Automated storage and retrieval systems for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility include a storage structure with storage locations configured to store containers that contain retail products, and a container transport system that transports the containers between the storage locations and a decanting station. A processor-based control circuit identifies a group of eligible containers for topping off (i.e., adding additional products) and determines a utilization value for each of the eligible containers. The control circuit determines an effort value for each of the eligible containers and ranks the eligible containers based on the utilization value and the effort value for each container. The control circuit then selects a subgroup from the eligible containers based on the rankings and causes the container transport system to transport each container in the subgroup of eligible containers from its respective storage location in the storage structure to the decanting station.
Some embodiments provide systems to determine contextual information comprising: an intent mining system that receive inquiry content that does not include personal identification information (PII) and is configured to determine an estimated intent information being sought by an intended recipient, identify a mapping to a sub-set of supplemental keywords corresponding to the intent information; and identify historic inquiries associated with actual historic product purchases relevant to the inquiry content and supplemental keywords, and obtain a listing of products associated with the inquiry content; a product association system that identifies a set of multiple products that each have a purchase threshold relationship with one or more products from the determined listing of products, and generate an enhanced listing of products; a topic extraction system that evaluates associations between product parameters of the enhanced listing of products to identify multiple associated topics and corresponding topic confidence scores.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for access token conversion. The system comprises a first application programming interface (API) backend using a first authentication service based on a first tokenization protocol and a second API backend using a second authentication service based on a second tokenization protocol. The second authentication service is configured to receive from, a user device, a call to the second API backend with a first token associated with the first authentication service, convert the first token to a first converted token based on the second tokenization protocol, and forward the first converted token to the user device for use in subsequent calls to the second API backend.
G06Q 20/36 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices using electronic wallets or electronic money safes
A checkout terminal is provided. The checkout terminal comprises a camera array, a display device, a weight scale, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to identify, based at least on images captured by the camera array, product identifiers associated with a plurality of different items placed in a placement area and on the weight scale, determine a combined weight of the plurality of different items based on product weight information stored in a product database, retrieve a weight measurement measured by the weight scale, detect for unaccounted items based on comparing the combined weight the plurality of different items and the weight measurement, and in the event that an unaccounted item is detected, display, via the display device, instructions to move one or more items to identify the unaccounted item.
A47F 9/04 - Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores
G01G 19/414 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only
A heel insert is provided for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The heel insert includes a base. The heel insert includes a spine extending outward from the base to a tip of the spine such that the spine extends upward along a posterior wall of a heel region of the upper toward the ankle opening when the base is operatively connected to the heel region. The tip of the spine is moveable relative to the base between a first position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear. The heel insert includes a spring operatively connected to the spine such that the spring biases the tip of the spine toward the first position of the tip. The tip of the spine is resiliently deflectable toward the second position against the bias of the spring.
A heel support is provided for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The heel support includes a cradle configured to be operatively connected to a heel region of the upper. The cradle includes a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward a posterior wall of the heel region. The tip portion is moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The heel support includes a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion. The tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to establish retail point-of-sale (POS) hardware management systems, comprising: an intermediary system control circuit configured to execute computer program modules comprising: a hardware management module configured to operate as an intermediary module between multiple different sets of client POS systems, a plurality of different sets of hardware systems, and a plurality of shared resource applications. The hardware management module comprises a plurality of hardware manager sub-modules each corresponding to one of the sets of hardware systems. Each of the hardware manager sub-modules is configured to output communications and receive communications, for a corresponding one set of hardware systems of different sets of hardware systems, in accordance with a single predefined hardware communications protocol, of a set of predefined hardware communications protocols, corresponding to the set of hardware systems regardless of a type of hardware system or manufacturer.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to inventory management. In some embodiments, an inventory management system comprises inventory items having attached fiducial markers, a control circuit, and an application executed on a mobile device operable by a user. The mobile application is configured to present a real-world view of inventory items within a camera's field of view, capture information associated, with the fiducial markers, and transmit this information to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to apply one or more information filters to identify inventory items having specified, attributes and transmit these identifications to the mobile application. The mobile application is configured to present an augmented view of the inventory items by displaying indications over the inventory items having the specified attributes to identify to the user which items require attention.
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G06Q 10/06 - Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
G06Q 20/32 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices using wireless devices
G06Q 50/28 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
21.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUIDANCE OF CUSTOMERS IN A RETAIL STORE
A customer is provided with a customized and guided experience when shopping in- person in a retail store, distribution center, or other shopping area or location. Proactive actions that guide a customer through the store in a customized way are determined taking the customer's intent, customer's history with the store, customer's purchase history, and customer's location within the store (among other things} as inputs and rendering to the user guidance as to how to navigate or interact with or within the store.
A mounting apparatus includes a wall bracket, a first intermediate bracket, a second intermediate bracket, a first rail, and a second rail. Each intermediate bracket affixes to the wall bracket and includes a connection mechanism to affix the intermediate bracket to the wall bracket, a first side including a first plurality of mounting screw holes, a second side including a first set of threaded fasteners, and a third side including a second set of threaded fasteners. The first rail is removably coupled to the first intermediate bracket and the second rail is removably coupled to the second intermediate bracket. Each rail includes a front segment including a second plurality of mounting screw holes, a first side segment including a first set of attachment screw holes, and a second side segment including a second set of attachment screw holes.
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
23.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TOUCHLESS TEMPERATURE SCREENING SYSTEM
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to screening a body temperature of a human. In some embodiments, there is provided a touchless temperature screening system that screens a body temperature of a human including a housing comprising an output interface; one or more first sensors; a temperature sensor; and a control circuit configured to: cause the output interface to provide one or more messages; receive the one or more user inputs indicative of responses to at least one of the one or more messages; receive temperature data corresponding to the body temperature; determine whether the human meets a health criteria; and transmit a control signal indicative of the human meeting the health criteria in response to the human meeting the health criteria.
A61B 5/0205 - Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
G16H 40/67 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
A61B 5/103 - Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
24.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREDICTING OTIF RATES
A computing device is configured to obtain order attribute data characterizing at least one order placed and to obtain rank data characterizing a supply performance versus other supply performances. The computing device can also be configured to obtain recency data characterizing a past supply performance and to determine a probability of an in-full fill rate of the at least one order using a fill rate prediction model. The computing device can also send the probability of the in-full fill rate to a supply partner.
This application relates to apparatus and methods for providing recommended items to advertise. In some examples, a computing device determines a plurality of first values for a corresponding plurality of first items based on the user's engagement with each of the first items. The computing device may then determine a subset of the plurality of first items based on the first values. The computing device may receive a search request and determine a plurality of second values for a plurality of second items based on the search request. The computing device may determine a plurality of third values for the subset of items based on the plurality of second values for the plurality of second items and the user's engagement with each of the subset of items. The computing device may determine the recommended items based on the plurality of second values and the plurality of third values.
A system for recommending price markdowns to a retailer can include a computing device that is configured to obtain historical markdown data characterizing customer purchasing behavior. The computing device can also determine initial recommended price markdown data for a first period based on the historical markdown data wherein the initial recommended price markdown data for the first period comprises optimized price markdowns and experimental price markdowns. The optimized price markdowns and the experimental price markdowns are different. The computing can also determine final recommended price markdown data for the first period based on probabilistically choosing between the optimized price markdowns and the experimental price markdowns of the initial price markdown data and then send the final recommended price markdown data to at least one retailer.
There are provided systems and methods for picking up and transferring different types of merchandise. In one form, the system includes: a shopping facility with a merchandise order assembly area; an automated retrieval system to transport merchandise to the assembly area; a first robotic device at the assembly area for picking up and moving a first set of merchandise items; a second robotic device at the assembly area for picking up and moving a second set of merchandise items; and a merchandise database identifying the first and second sets of merchandise items. The system also includes a control circuit configured to: receive the merchandise order, identify a merchandise item being transported to the assembly area, determine the category of merchandise item, and direct the merchandise item to the first or second robotic device or a manual transfer area.
An approach generates a speed profile for one or more delivery locations. The speed profile corresponds to location data of a delivery order for a respective delivery location, and indicates a plurality of events associated with a movement of a delivery order to the respective delivery location. The approach generates, based on the speed profile and location data corresponding to the delivery order, feature data of the respective delivery location. The approach applies a machine learning model to the generated feature data to output a door-step time prediction for the respective delivery location. The door-step time prediction is based on a time difference between timestamps of two events of the plurality of events associated with the movement of the delivery order. The approach generates a planned delivery route for the one or more delivery locations, based on the one or more delivery locations and respective the door- step time predictions.
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
29.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR AUTOMATICALLY ESTIMATING ORDER SIZES
A customer order prediction system can include a computing device configured to obtain customer order data characterizing a customer's interaction with an electronic marketplace and to obtain environmental data characterizing at least one event expected to effect the customer's ordering behavior. The computing device can be further configured to generate feature data based on the customer data and the environmental data wherein the feature data organizes the customer data and the environmental data based on characteristics of an order size estimation model. The computing device is also configured to determine a predicted customer order size using the order size estimation model and to adjust a delivery availability of the electronic marketplace based on the predicted order size.
There are provided systems and methods relating to regulating merchandise received at distribution centers. In one form, the system includes: a distribution center for storing various types of merchandise, and purchase orders for projected incoming merchandise to be delivered on projected delivery dates from vendors to the distribution center. The system also includes a control circuit configured to: receive a merchandise capacity limit for one or more storage areas for a future target date; determine a projected amount of merchandise present at the storage area(s) for the future target date; compare the projected amount of merchandise to the merchandise capacity limit; if the projected amount of merchandise does not exceed the limit, transmit the purchase orders to the corresponding vendors; and if the projected amount of merchandise exceeds the limit, apply prioritization criteria to adjust some of the purchase orders and defer the projected delivery dates for those purchase orders.
Methods and systems for managing inventory at a retail facility include an image capture device having a field of view that includes a product display shelf of the retail facility, an electronic database that stores defined product display areas and assigned unique identifiers of the products on the product display shelves, and a computing device. The computing device obtains an image of a product display shelf, detects the individual packages of the different products captured in the image, identifies the products associated with the packages detected in the image by utilizing reference information stored in the database, determines whether one or more of the products on the product display shelf is associated with an out of stock event, and transmits an out of stock alert to an electronic device of a worker at the retail facility, notifying the worker to replenish the depleted products on the product display shelf.
Methods and systems for managing inventory at a retail facility include an image capture device having a field of view that includes a product display shelf of the retail facility, an electronic database that stores a planogram of product display shelves at the retail facility and a computing device. The computing device obtains an image of a product display shelf, detects the individual packages of each of the different products captured in the image, defines different product display areas for the different products on the product display shelf captured in the image, and generates virtual boundary lines that surround each of the defined product display areas. The computing device also determines an identity of a product contained located in each defined product display area, and associates the virtual boundary lines surrounding each defined product display area with an identifier unique to the product contained in the defined product display area.
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
A47F 10/02 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets
G06K 9/34 - Segmentation of touching or overlapping patterns in the image field
G06K 9/46 - Extraction of features or characteristics of the image
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
33.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF DETECTING FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY AT SELF-CHECKOUT TERMINALS
Methods and systems for detecting fraudulent activity at a self-checkout terminals of a retail store include a scanner for scanning an identifier of a candidate product located in the product-scanning area of the self-checkout terminal, and one or more sensors that detect at least one physical characteristic of the candidate product located in the product-scanning area of the self-checkout terminal. A computing device then correlates the obtained electronic data corresponding to actual identifying characteristic information associated with the candidate product to the reference physical characteristic information associated with the reference product in order to generate a similarity score between the actual and reference physical characteristic information. If the similarity score is above a predetermined similarity threshold, the self-checkout terminal is permitted to process a purchase of the candidate product, but if the similarity score is below the threshold, the self-checkout terminal is restricted from processing the purchase.
A control circuit accesses a digitized image of a particular item and then processes that digitized image to thereby assign various aspects of the digitized image to various dimensions in N-dimensional Euclidean space to thereby provide an N-dimensional representation. The control circuit then accesses a database containing a plurality of various clustered groups of N-dimensional representations. At least some of the clustered groups have a corresponding identifying label. Conducting a nearest neighbor search serves to identify a clustered group to which the particular item most likely belongs to thereby provide an identified cluster group. When the identified cluster group does not have a corresponding identifying label, the control circuit can then further determine whether a predetermined condition has also been met. When true, the control circuit alerts a user via a user interface that the identified cluster group should be assigned an identifying label.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to detecting a mis-scan of an item. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for detecting a mis-scan of an item for purchase comprising a checkout station; a first staging location; a second staging location; a first area of interest at the checkout station; a second area of interest at the checkout station; a camera; and a control circuit configured to: receive an identifier of a first item; detect a hand of a user purchasing the first item, the first item, and a scanner on a first image captured by the camera; in response to the detection of the hand, the first item, and the scanner, initiate detection of mis-scan items during a checkout process; determine that a payment transaction has been received; and stop the detection of mis-scan items.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to a price display system for a product. In some embodiments, a price display system for a product comprises a product display unit, a price sign comprising a substrate upon which markings are applied, wherein the markings include a price for a product and a visual identifier to identify the product, the visual identifier comprising a plurality of markers including a pair of markers, the pair of markers indicate boundaries of the visual identifier, data markers, wherein each of the data markers represents one of two states, wherein the data markers collectively represent an identification number corresponding the product for sale in the retail environment, and timing markers, wherein each of the timing markers represent one of two states, wherein the timing markers collectively represent a timing value.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to inventory management systems for retailers. In some embodiments, an inventory management system comprises a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is communicatively coupled to a networked server system and configured to receive, from in-store systems, inventory management information, generate, based on the inventory management information, inventory management tasks, transmit, to the networked server system, the inventory management tasks to be maintained by the networked server system, receive, from a mobile device, user credentials, and authenticate, based on the user credentials, the mobile device, and an application configured to be executed on the mobile device and wherein the application when executed on the mobile device is configured to receive, from the mobile device, the user credentials, cause transmission of the user credentials, access the networked server system, and cause presentation, via a display device, indications of the inventory management tasks.
There are provided systems and methods relating to checking and confirming merchandise purchased at shopping facilities. In one form, the system includes: a shopping cart containing merchandise items to be purchased; a sales transaction database; a point-of-sales system that creates transaction records identified by transaction identifiers; and a mobile device used by an employee that includes a sensor to scan a paper or digital receipt to obtain the transaction identifier and a camera to capture images of the items in the shopping cart. The system also includes a control circuit that receives the transaction identifier, accesses the database using the identifier to determine the purchased items; analyzes the images of the merchandise items in the shopping cart and creates a computer vision receipt listing detected items; compares the purchased items with the detected items; and takes an action if there is a discrepancy.
Examples provide a system and method for autonomously placing items into non-rigid containers. An image analysis component analyzes image data generated by one or more cameras associated with picked items ready for bagging and/or a non-rigid container, such as, but not limited to, a bag. The image analysis component generates dynamic placement data identifying how much space is available inside the bag, bag tension, and/or contents of the bag. A dynamic placement component generates a per-item assigned placement for a selected item ready for bagging based on a per-bag placement sequence and the dynamic placement data. Instructions, including the per-item assigned placement designating a location within the interior of the non-rigid container to the selected item and an orientation for the selected item after bagging, is sent to at least one robotic device. The robotic device places the selected item into the non-rigid container in accordance with the instructions.
A parent tote container is segmented into smaller, child tote containers. Each of the child tote containers includes products that are commonly sold together and are removed from the tote containers at picker stations with the same type of picker mechanism. Items are moved from the child tote containers to a customer order tote container at a picker station.
Examples provides sale-restricted items management for self-checkout. A list of sale-restricted items is output to a first user via a user interface associated with a self-checkout device. The user interface enables the first user to navigate options associated with selecting a sale-restricted item, including brand, variety, size and quantity options. A notification component outputs a retrieval alert to a set of user devices associated with a second user authorized to retrieve the selected item. The alert includes an identification of the selected item, a location of the selected item, a self-checkout device identifier and an instruction to retrieve the selected item. A verification component verifies an age of the first user. The second user delivers the retrieved item to the first user at the self-checkout for completion of the transaction.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to determining a flavor profile for an item. In some embodiments, a computing system for determining a flavor profile of an item comprises a memory device storing computer-executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to obtain a spectral profile associated with the item, identify at least one attribute value for at least one attribute of the item based on the received spectral profile, determine a flavor score for the item based on the at least one attribute value, obtain time series data associated with the item corresponding to a number of days, calculate a predicted flavor score for the item relative to the number of days based on the received time series data, and generate a flavor profile for the item based at least on the predicted flavor score.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to processing online orders. In some embodiments, a system for processing online order comprises an order processing server configured to receive an online order including grocery items and transmit, to a control circuit, the online order, the control circuit configured to receive the online order, determine the grocery items included in the online order, determine a number of grocery items that require refrigeration and a number of grocery items that require freezing, determine a number of totes required for the online order, assign to the online order the number of totes required, transmit, to the totes, a command, wherein each of the number of totes is configured to receive, from the control circuit, the command, and in response to the receipt of the command, one of maintain its temperature, enter the refrigeration state, and enter the freezer state.
Systems and methods for interactively displaying a product on a show room floor are disclosed. The interactive display allows a customer to practice using and installing the actual product in a simulated environment, which helps the customer determine whether the product is right for their needs and desires. The interactive display includes a rotatable platform attached to an extendable arm. A product may be secured to the rotatable platform, and the rotatable platform may rotate to provide 360 degrees view of the product. A user may pull the product away from the display and toward themselves due to the extendable arm which supports the weight of the rotatable platform and the product while the arm is in an extended position, while the arm is in a contracted position, and while the arm transitions between the extended and contracted position.
There are provided systems and methods for assembling merchandise ordered by customers, such as at shopping facilities. In one form, the system includes: a shopping order interface for receiving merchandise orders; a shopping facility including a merchandise pickup area and a merchandise assembly area; an automated retrieval system for transporting merchandise to the assembly area; an automated retrieval inventory database; an offline retrieval inventory database; and a merchandise database containing dimensions of merchandise. The system also includes a control circuit configured to: receive a merchandise order, determine dimensions of the items in the order, determine an arrangement of the items in order containers, instruct retrieval of items by the automated retrieval system; instruct retrieval of a second set of items not capable of retrieval by the automated retrieval system; and instruct transfer and deposit of the items in the order containers.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
46.
SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SAMPLES TO CUSTOMERS IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to providing personalized samples to customers. In some embodiments, a system for providing personalized samples to customers comprises an online shopping server configured to host an online shopping website and receive item selections indicating items to add to the customer's cart, a database configured to store a list of sample types, and a purchase likelihood estimator configured to receive the items to add to the customer's cart, determine an identity of the customer, determine customer traits, determine available sample types and traits associated with the available sample types, calculate a probability score based on the customer traits and the traits associated with each of the available sample types, and add, to the customer's cart based on the probability scores for each of the available sample types, one or more samples from the one or more of the available sample types.
In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for processing information requests of workers at a retail facility and retrieving information associated with the retail facility based on the information requests. An electronic device permits a worker at the retail facility to input an information request in association with at least one worker at the retail facility or at least one product at the retail facility. A computing device receives, from the electronic device, electronic data representative of a scope of the information request, analyzes this electronic data to determine the scope of the information request, obtain relevant information from one or more databases, and transmits the obtained information to the electronic device, which in turn outputs the information to the worker.
Features are applied to a mathematical model to produce a cutting pattern for opening a container. The cutting pattern specifies which of one or more cutting tools is to be used and the location of where cuts are to be made on the container. The cutting pattern is sent to a container opening machine. The container opening machine is operated and the container cut and opened by the container opening machine according to the cutting pattern.
First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.
B26D 1/01 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work
B23K 26/082 - Scanning systems, i.e. devices involving movement of the laser beam relative to the laser head
B26D 3/12 - Slitting marginal portions of the work, i.e. forming cuts, without removal of material, at an angle, e.g. a right angle, to the edge of the work
B65B 43/26 - Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
B65B 69/00 - Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
50.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING AND EXECUTING TRUSTED CUSTOMER ACCESS
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for determining and executing trusted customer access. In one embodiment, a system for determining and executing trusted customer access for smart locks at a retail shopping facility includes an access door, a smart lock securing the access door, a user interface device, and a control circuit coupled to the user interface device. The control circuit being configured to determine whether a user is a trusted user based on a determination that authentication data matches with stored authentication data within a threshold accuracy, a store-risk value associated with a retail shopping facility is within a risk threshold value, and a crime index value associated with an area that is within a threshold distance from the retail shopping facility is within the index threshold value, and provide an optical key to the user interface device.
Examples provide a system for decanting items from a set of cases into a set of storage totes in preparation for induction into an automated tote storage device. A set of robotic decanting devices includes at least one robotic de-palletizing device configured to remove a selected case comprising a set of items from a pallet at a de-palletizing station. A stationary robotic case opener device opens each case as it moves along a conveyor device. A set of sensor devices scans cases and/or contents of cases to identify each item removed from each case. A stationary robotic picker device removes each item from each case and places each item into an appropriate destination tote. A robotic tote transfer device moves the destination tote to an induction point of the storage device. A decant manager component updates inventory to include items placed into each tote inducted into the storage device.
Examples provide a tote conveyance system for autonomously conveying totes from a storage system to a pickup/receiving area via smart container transport carts. The smart container conveyance cart aligns with the induction station on the storage system. The system utilizes actuators to move totes onto the cart from an induction station on the storage system or move totes off the cart into the induction station. Loading or unloading of totes are performed in accordance with priorities assigned based on cold-chain compliance temperature thresholds associated with the contents of the totes, weights of the totes, and destination of totes.
In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to recognize retail products in a physical retail store through a portable device that comprises a decision control circuit configured to: process each frame of the subset of frames by multiple modelling techniques each relative to a corresponding image attribute and obtain a corresponding product identification probability; determine corresponding aggregated identification probabilities of the first product based on the product identification probabilities; collectively evaluate the aggregated identification probabilities and identify when a predefined relationship with a collective threshold probability exists; and cause an image of the first product to be displayed in response to identifying that one or more of the aggregated identification probabilities having the predefined relationship with the collective threshold probability.
A disclosed system for transport asset monitoring, for example monitoring truck trailer unloading progress at large retail locations, includes an artificial intelligence (AI) solution for managing operations at a facility. The AI solution analyzes current load percentage and other data to predict availability for moving the transport asset and ability to accept a new incoming transport asset. Predictions of availability can reduce response times, resulting in higher utilization rates for assets, thereby improving efficiency. An exemplary system includes a sensor configured to sense operation progress parameter data for a transport asset; and logic to receive the operation progress parameter data from the sensor; determine, using the AI solution and based at least on the operation progress parameter data, a predicted milestone parameter; and report the predicted milestone parameter to a remote node.
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
G06Q 50/28 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to recognize retail products, comprising: a model training system configured to: identify a customer; access an associated customer profile; access and apply a set of filtering rules to a product database based on customer data; generate a listing of products specific to the customer; access and apply a model training set of rules to train a machine learning model based on the listing of products and corresponding image data for each of the products in the listing of products; and communicate the trained model to the portable user device associated with first customer.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to assess quality of produce at a facility. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for assessing quality of produce at a facility including a produce assessment station configured to provide a staging area to determine a quality classification of a target produce. By one approach, the produce assessment station includes a fixed surface; a rotatable base, a first arm comprising a microphone; a second arm comprising a tapping device; and a local control circuit. In one configuration, the local control circuit configured to rotate the rotatable base at a particular angle and at a particular time interval and receive audio data from the microphone. By one approach, the system includes a plurality of sensors and a portable device configured to provide a signal to the local control circuit to initiate the quality classification of the target produce.
G01N 21/892 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination in moving material, e.g. paper, textiles characterised by the flaw, defect or object feature examined
G01N 29/036 - Analysing fluids by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves
An automated sliced food vending kiosk provides a sanitary, sealed environment for storing, slicing, packaging, and dispensing sliced food items, such as deli meats and cheeses. Orders may be customized through a user interface, and be scheduled for preparation to be completed coincidental with an expected approximate retrieval time. In some examples, wireless capability detects customer arrival, which is used as a trigger to begin preparing an earlier-submitted order. Food safety may be improved by correlating food item chubs with customer profiles, to provide alert recipient information, if needed. The kiosk may be tied in with retail inventory management for automated reordering of food items and reconciling slicing operations with sales and inventory levels.
G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
G07F 11/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
G07F 11/04 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
G07F 11/70 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are formed in the apparatus from components, blanks, or material constituents
58.
CONVEYOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SORTING MERCHANDISE USING INTERCHANGEABLE AND ASSIGNABLE SORTATION MODULES
There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.
B65G 47/50 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to destination signals stored in separate systems
G01N 21/956 - Inspecting patterns on the surface of objects
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control (DNC), flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), integrated manufacturing systems (IMS), computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
An automated bakery kiosk 1000 takes orders for customized bakery products 7, prepares the bakery product 7, automatically customizes it, stores and dispenses the bakery product 7 with minimal assistance required from a store associate 5. It employs a customization subsystem 1100 which can write or decorate with an edible liquid 9, such as icing, on the bakery product 7. It also has temperature-controlled storage compartments 1100 which can be used to thaw the bakery product 7 so that it will be ready when it reaches its ultimate destination. There is a cleaning subsystem 1131 which cleans out the liquid 9, and an antimicrobial system 1139 which reduces microbes on the customization device 1100. The automated bakery kiosk 1000 also has a customer interface 1610 that works with the processor 1510 and transport mechanism 1300 to transport the customer's bakery product 7 to a pick-up compartment 1020 when the customer 3 provides a proper code to access the bakery product 7.
Various configurations of picking and packaging carts are disclosed that can be advantageously employed in Ecommerce and retail settings to improve operational efficiency. Examples can preclude the need for a detour from the item retrieval location to a packaging area, prior to delivery to a shipping area, such as a drop-off point. Some examples include a frame; a shelf rack; accessory support units including a printer holder; multiple shipping container support units configured to hold a plurality of shipping containers of a plurality of sizes; and a packaging shelf arrangement comprising a top shelf providing a flat packaging surface.
Systems, methods, and machine readable media are provided for relabeling items. A computing device is communicatively coupled to a scanning device, a printing device, and an inventory system. The computing device identifies at least one of the items as missing an expected label type, the expected label indicating a location where the item should be stocked. The system scans the item via the scanning device, queries the inventory system to determine a location for the item. The system prints, via the printing device, a label indicating a location where the item should be stocked in the retail facility, applies the label to the item and sorts the item, via the sorting apparatus, to transport the item to one of the outlets based on the location indicated on the label.
Described in detail herein are object storage and retrieval systems and methods. A first storage tower can be configured to receive a first request to dispense a first physical object, fail to determine that the first physical object is stored in the first storage tower, interface with a local computing system to determine whether the first physical object is designated to be stored in the first storage tower or is currently stored in the first facility, and in response to failing to confirm the first physical object is designated to be stored in the first storage tower or is currently stored in the first facility, generate a communications bridge, via the local computing system, to the remote computing system to perform at least a second action.
Described in detail herein are object storage and retrieval systems and methods. A storage receptacle can be configured to receive an input from the user device including the decoded identifier from the machine-readable element associated with the one or more physical objects, via a input device, confirm the one or more physical objects are stored within the interior volume of the at least one storage receptacle, and dispense the one or more physical objects via the at least one opening of the at least one storage receptacle.
In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided herein useful to assessing products. In some embodiments, an enclosure for use in assessing products comprises a housing including a door configured to allow placement of a product within the housing, a product holding surface located within the housing allowing pictures to be taken through the product holding surface and configured to support the product, a first image capture device configured to capture an image of the product from a first perspective, a second image capture device configured to capture an image of the product from a second perspective, and wherein the image of the product from the second perspective is captured through the product holding surface, and a lighting element, wherein the lighting element is located within the housing, and wherein the lighting element is configured to provide lighting within the housing.
Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval system. In one embodiment, an object storage and retrieval system includes a computing system hosting a service application and in communication with a database and storage and retrieval apparatuses configured to store and dispense physical objects. Each storage and retrieval apparatus is in communication with the computing system. The computing system can transmit instructions to a first one of the storage and retrieval apparatuses to render the status of the first physical object on the interactive display of the storage and retrieval apparatus.
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to presenting search diagnostic tools in concert with a website. In some embodiments, a system for presenting search diagnostic tools in concert with a website comprises a server, wherein the server stores code for a website including a first code set including executable code for rendering the website and a second code set including executable code for rendering a user interface integrated with the rendering of the website including search diagnostic tools for the website, and a control circuit configured to receive a search query, receive results for the search query, output signals to cause rendering of the website, wherein the website includes the results for the search query, and output signals to cause rendering of the user interface including the search diagnostic tools such that the user interface is presenting with the search results for the search query.
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
A folding wing for a conveyor is disclosed that can extend to facilitate sorting of items and providing additional space for docking locations. A first and second section each have a conveyor surface; and are coupled with a reverse-knee joint such that, in a folded configuration the conveyor surface of the first section and the conveyor surface of the second section are adjacent, and in an unfolded configuration, the first section conveyor surface and the second section conveyor surface form a contiguous conveyor surface. In some examples, the frame may be made of aluminum, and the rollers made of PVC, in order to reduce weight. In some examples, the folding section may measure approximately two feet by two feet. The folding assembly may drop down for even more space savings, when not in use, and be supported in an extended configuration with a second reverse knee joint.
B65G 15/26 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration comprising a series of co-operating units extensible, e.g. telescopic
B65G 17/28 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of co-operating units, e.g. interconnected by pivots extensible, e.g. telescopic
68.
AUTONOMOUS GROUND VEHICLE (AGV) CART FOR ITEM DISTRIBUTION
A disclosed system for transporting items to destination locations, for example when receiving inventory at large retail locations, includes an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) having at least one shelf; a shelf elevator operable to raise and lower the at least one shelf; a drive unit operable to move the AGV between a docking location and a destination location; the AGV able to position the at least one shelf at a different heights for loading and offloading items first height and a second height different from the first height, autonomously navigate between the docking location and the first destination location, and bid on delivery tasks. Some examples are further able to use a cartridge unit to expand cargo capacity. An AGV could analyze the currently-loaded weight and the remaining available space, and dynamically adjust the heights of the shelves according to the dimensions of the assigned items.
Systems, methods, and machine readable media are provided for automatic charging and swapping power sources for an Autonomous Vehicle (AV). A determination is made whether a current first power source installed in an AV has sufficient power to complete a task assigned to the AV. In response to determining the first power source has insufficient power to complete the assigned task, the AV is directed to a location of a power source repository. The AV is positioned proximate a power source swapping unit of the power source repository where the first power source is removed from the AV and a second power source stored at the power source repository is installed into the AV.
B60K 1/04 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units of the electric storage means for propulsion
B60L 50/50 - Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
B60L 50/60 - Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
B60L 53/00 - Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
B60L 53/80 - Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
A ripening schedule for produce is created and the ripening schedule when implemented at a ripening chamber is effective to control the environmental conditions and the time spent in the ripening chamber by the produce in order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to the target shipping date. The ripening schedule is applied to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber.
A23N 15/00 - Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes; Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs
A23N 15/06 - Devices for other treatment of fruit, e.g. marking, maturing, polishing
A23L 3/00 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
A23B 7/152 - Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group or in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
A23B 7/144 - Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group or in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
A23B 7/14 - Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group or
A23B 7/00 - Preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
G06K 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing access to vulnerability data in large scale operations, such as by synchronizing access to vulnerability data for active developers who have recently modified source code. For example, source vulnerability scanner (SVS) access may be granted to source code developers identified in a source control management system (SCM) as having made modifications within some recent timeframe, and may further revoke access for stale user accounts. This efficiently implements the information security principle of least privilege, and may easily scale to operations involving hundreds or thousands of active developers and asset owners, and tens of thousands of network assets - and even larger operations.
A robotic vehicle retrieval system that includes an automated sorting system and robotic vehicles configured to carry items in a facility is discussed. The automated sorting system is configured to instruct the robotic vehicles to retrieve items of a particular type at a pick-up location of the automated sorting system on demand and then retreat from the pick- up location as needed until each robotic vehicle is carrying a specified quantity of items of an item type. Upon reaching the specified quantity of items, the robotic vehicles deliver the items to designated locations in the facility.
B65B 59/00 - Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
B66F 9/06 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control (DNC), flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), integrated manufacturing systems (IMS), computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
73.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE SALE OF AGE-RESTRICTED MERCHANDISE
There are provided systems and methods for the purchase of age-restricted merchandise without requiring the transmission of biometric information. In one form, the system includes: age-restricted merchandise items offered for sale to customers, a server that receives orders from customer devices, and a customer database containing a plurality of customer records. The system further includes: a control circuit that queries a customer whether the customer opts in to the use of local biometric authentication to enable the purchase of age-restricted merchandise items; receives customer identification proof documentation; associates a unique identifier corresponding to the customer device; stores the customer's opt in agreement, the customer's identification proof documentation, and the unique identifier associated with the customer device; receives an order for the purchase of an age-restricted merchandise item and the unique identifier; confirms local biometric authentication; verifies the customer's identity and age; and authorizes completion of the purchase transaction.
An iterative, tiered system for identifying which assets need to be remodeled. This tiered system uses a Bayesian Structural Time Series, followed by an ensemble classification and cost estimation. The results are then input into an optimization model, where the best possible set of stores is selected according to the constraints. Remodeling of the store then commences.
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
G05B 13/04 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric involving the use of models or simulators
An example method for predicting average inventory with newly added items can include: aggregating sales data of a plurality of items, the items comprising training items and new items; identifying, using a set of predefined rules, a data set of similar items on the training items for each of the new items, the set of predefined rules comprising a first stage similarity module, a second stage similarity module, and a second stage classification module; obtaining target metrics for each of the new items, the target metrics being turn predictions from the data set of the similar items; calculating mean errors of the turn predictions to identify a set of turn predictions with mean errors lower than a dynamic threshold; obtaining an ultimate turn prediction for each new item by averaging the set of turn predictions; and predicting an average inventory for each new item based on the ultimate turn prediction.
A method of identifying a malware compromise is provided. The method includes: generating a new entry of fake token for a non-existing application or an existing application; storing the fake token in a same location as a genuine token of a computing device; detecting when the fake token is accessed and used by a malware for logging into a server on which the existing application is installed; and issuing a notification when the server is accessed with the fake token.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
G06F 21/55 - Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures
G06F 21/70 - Protecting specific internal or peripheral components, in which the protection of a component leads to protection of the entire computer
77.
METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MORE QUICKLY CLASSIFY ADDITIONAL TEXT ENTRIES
A control circuit obtains and utilizes a first set of rules that determines a distance, as a function of a modified Jaccard distance, between each of a number of predetermined classes. The control circuit utilizes that information to generate groups of the predefined classes by evaluating the distance between each of the predetermined classes. First probabilities for each of the additional text entries regarding membership in each of the groups so generated is calculated along with second probabilities regarding membership in a particular one of the predefined classes in its corresponding group. A resultant probability is then calculated using the first and second probabilities that a given additional text entry belongs to a particular one of the predefined classes. The control circuit then utilizes that resultant probability information to automatically classify additional text entries by associating the given additional text entry to a particular one of the predefined classes.
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for cataloguing and assessing images. This is performed by a system which receives images of an item, and identifying, within each image, the item. The system performs a structural similarity analysis of the item and for each image applies a plurality of distortions, such that for each image in the images multiple distorted images are generated. The system identifies within the distorted images at least one feature and applies a regression model to the images using the at least one feature and the structural similarity score.
Described in detail herein is a system for fabricating contoured divider walls using a 3D printer. The system includes a vehicle trailer that has a storage volume. The storage volume is configured to store pallets. Sensors are configured to identify physical attributes associated with the storage volume and each of the pallets. The system can further include a 3D printing device and a computing system coupled to the sensors and the 3D printing device. The computing system is configured to receive the physical attributes of the storage volume and each of the pallets, to divide the pallets into multiple sets of pallets based on position of each of the pallets in the storage volume, to determine a contour shape of each set of pallets in the multiple sets of pallets, and to transmit a first set of instructions instructing the 3D printing device to fabricate one or more divider walls for a set of pallets.
Systems and methods described herein are optimized for cutting sealing elements on packages using optical radiation. Packages can pass through a cutting device that applies the optical radiation to damage, vaporize, or cut the sealing element (e.g., tape) on the package. The systems and methods control several aspects of the cutting process to adjust throughput, improve efficiency, and reduce line stoppages. Systems can include an in-feed conveyor that orients packages and rejects packages that are out of specification, which can lead to issues such as jamming or damage to the equipment. Systems can include a variable-speed cut conveyor controlled by a computing system to dynamically adjust the speed of packages based upon historical cut quality, environmental measurement data, and height data related to a vertical dimension of the package.
B65B 57/02 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
B65B 59/02 - Arrangements to enable adjustments to be made while the machine is running
A method for computer modeling a retail environment includes: calculating a space elasticity for an item category in a retail store, using a constrained linear regression model; calculating a cross-space elasticity for the item category in the retail store, using a multiple non-linear regression model; generating a category space allocation for the item category in the retail store, using a non-linear multiple-constraint mixed integer optimization model, based on the space elasticity of the item category and the cross-space elasticity of the item category; and generating an electronic planogram for the retail store, based on the category space allocation of the item category.
A method for computer modeling a retail environment includes: calculating a space elasticity for an item of an item category in a retail store, using a constrained linear regression model; calculating a cross-space elasticity for the item of the item category in the retail store, using a multiple regression model; generating a number for horizontal facings for the item of the item category in the retail store, using a non-linear multiple-constraint mixed integer optimization model, based on the space elasticity of the item and the cross-space elasticity of the item; and generating an electronic planogram of the item category for the retail store, based on the number of the horizontal facings of the item.
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
G06Q 10/06 - Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
83.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORECASTING DELIVERIES VIA BLOCKCHAIN SMART CONTRACTS USING HYPERSPECTRAL COMPUTER VISION AND IOT DEVICES
A supply chain forecasting system with blockchain controls is discussed. The supply chain forecasting system can include a central computing system communicating with a third party computing system. The central computing system and third party computing system can initiate, adjust, and fulfill smart contracts associated with the delivery of physical objects using blockchain controls.
Systems and methods for performing structure and attribute based graph partitioning. An exemplary system can receive a plurality of transactions, with each transaction identifying a point of sale and an item exchanged by the transaction. The system can generate a structure graph of the plurality of transactions and receive a request to partition the structure graph into sub-categories. The system can then retrieve, from a database, attributes of each respective structure vertex in the structure vertices. Using those attributes and the structure graph, the system can generate a structure-attribute graph. The system can then generate a unified neighborhood matrix of the structure-attribute graph; and partition the structure graph based on the unified neighborhood matrix.
At a retail store or product storage location, a product is received and sold to a customer in a sales transaction. The sale transaction is recorded on a blockchain ledger, and the sales transaction includes customer identification information. A recall report is received concerning the product. The blockchain ledger is accessed and customers that purchased the recalled product are identified using the customer identification information. An action to take is determined. The action utilizes the contact information of customers that purchased the recalled product.
G06K 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
Systems and methods described herein are optimized for cutting sealing elements on packages using optical radiation. Packages can pass through a cutting device that applies the optical radiation to damage, vaporize, or cut the sealing element (e.g., tape) on the package. The systems and methods control several aspects of the cutting process to adjust throughput, improve efficiency, and reduce line stoppages. Systems can include an in-feed conveyor that orients packages and rejects packages that are out of specification, which can lead to issues such as jamming or damage to the equipment. Systems can include a variable-speed cut conveyor controlled by a computing system to dynamically adjust the speed of packages based upon historical cut quality, environmental measurement data, and height data related to a vertical dimension of the package.
Systems and methods for auto-naming nodes in a behavior tree are provided. An example method can include: providing a hierarchy of tree nodes by a computing device; generating a first corpus for each node at a final level; creating a first term-document matrix associated with the first corpus; identifying a first group of high-frequency words in the first term-document matrix; removing the first group of the high-frequency words obtain a second corpus; creating a second term-document matrix based on each of a set of predefined rules; identifying a second group of high-frequency words to represent node names; selecting a best set of the predefined rules based on an automatic evaluation model; generating a node name by removing a duplicate word in each node; incorporating feedback to generate a predicted name for each node; and selecting a final name for each node from the predicted name and the generated node name.
Systems and methods for generating a hierarchical data structure are provided. An example method can include: acquiring sales data associated with items and item pairs in a category for a given period; filtering, based on a set of predetermined criteria, the sales data to obtain the items and the item pairs; generating document term matrices for the item pairs based on item description and item attributes; calculating attribute similarity measures and substitutability measures for the item pairs; performing, based on a set of predefined CBT generating rules, a hierarchical clustering on the document term matrices, item association, the substitutability measures and the attribute similarity measures; generating the CBT with a hierarchical grouping of the items; transforming the CBT to a dendrogram; pruning the dendrogram to generate a wireframe; regrouping the item pairs in CBT nodes with similar and substitutable attributes; and generating a user interface to visualize the CBT.
A method includes receiving an electronic feed inventory file; creating a feed message including a batch of inventory messages based on the feed inventory file; placing the feed message in a message queue; performing validation one each of the inventory messages; generating a response to each of inventory messages that are invalidated; generating a first batch of response message including the responses to the inventory messages that are invalidated, the first batch of response message having the batch identification; publishing the first batch of response message to the message queue; updating a first database based on inventory messages that are validated; generating a responses to each of the inventory messages that are validated; generating a second batch of response message including the responses to the inventory messages that are validated, the second batch of response message having the batch identification; publishing the second batch of response message to the message queue; and updating a second database based on the first batch of response and second batch of response messages.
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for using a distributed ledger to track and manage industrial fixture assets, such as shelves, refrigerators, ovens, and air conditioning units. The distributed ledger is spread among multiple devices and, as devices report new data (such as current and voltage levels), additions to the distributed ledger can be made. The distributed ledger may use blockchain technologies, and each device in the multiple device may have distinct wallets which are used to pay for maintenance requests or other actions.
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for using a distributed ledger to track and manage information technology fixture assets, such as cash registers, computers, MC40s, and electronic scales. The distributed ledger is spread among multiple devices and, as devices report new data (such as current and voltage levels), additions to the distributed ledger can be made. The distributed ledger may use blockchain technologies, and each device in the multiple device may have distinct wallets which are used to pay for maintenance requests or other actions.
H04L 1/00 - Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
H04L 9/06 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols the encryption apparatus using shift registers or memories for blockwise coding, e.g. D.E.S. systems
Systems, method, and computer-readable mediums for automated text classification, and particularly a mechanism for performing binary classification using only a set of positive labeled data as training data and having a large set of unlabeled data, where the algorithm can function without any information regarding the negative class. The disclosed classification systems and methods may use a text classification process which automatically classifies text based on the current positive training data available, but identifies additional words which can be added to the positive training data such that future iterations of the text classification can better identify the positive class of text.
Various configurations of light weight pick carts are disclosed; some embodiments may alternate between a first configuration having two shelf racks and a second configuration having both a shelf rack and a flatbed. A first shelf rack has multiple accessory support units attached, having multiple different configurations to facilitate holding differing shapes, sizes, or weights of accessories. Swivel casters and multiple handle locations can enhance maneuverability; and proper selection of material and use of perforation and wire frames may reduce weight to ease operation. For stability, a removable second shelf rack may engage the first shelf rack using hooks, while a removable flatbed unit may engage the first shelf rack using notches. The second shelf rack provides more discrete storage locations, while the flatbed permits transportation of larger or heavier items. This versatility enhances the utility of the cart.
B62B 3/00 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
A47B 47/00 - Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements
B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
B62B 3/02 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
94.
ROBOTIC WATERING DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING LIVE PLANTS
Examples provide a robotic plant-watering device including a set of articulated robotic arms connected to a main body. One or more adjustable water sprinkler devices attach to one or more of the robotic arms for watering one or more selected plants. One or more gripper devices removably attach to one or more of the robotic arms to grip a portion of a plant or plant container. The gripper device is utilized to modify a plant's position or location. A set of sensor devices generate sensor data associated with the plants or the conditions within a live plant center. A plant maintenance component analyzes the sensor data using a set of plant maintenance rules to generate a dynamic plant watering schedules based on the plant status and ambient conditions. The plant-watering device autonomously sprays a predetermined amount of water specified in the dynamic plant watering schedule onto a selected plant.
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in flight. A method comprises controlling motions of a UAV via a locomotion system, wherein the UAV comprises a charging antenna coupled to and extending away from a body of the UAV, the charging antenna comprises a wireless charge receiver positioned along a length of the charging antenna and a contact charge tip positioned at an end of the charging antenna away from the body. The UAV is configured to hover near the wireless charger of the host vehicle to charge a power storage device of the UAV via the charging antenna of the charging antenna and cause the contact charge tip of the charging antenna to contact the contact charge surface of the host vehicle to charge the power storage device while hovering.
B60L 53/00 - Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
A storage tower can be configured to store and dispense physical objects. The storage tower includes a first vertical shaft disposed in the central vertical cavity of the storage tower. The storage tower further includes a first transport apparatus operatively coupled to the first vertical shaft. The storage tower further includes a second vertical shaft disposed within the vertical central cavity of the storage tower. A second transport apparatus can be operatively coupled to the second vertical shaft. A first pair of rotatable plates can be disposed in an upper portion of the central cavity. A second pair of rotatable plates can be disposed in a lower portion of the central cavity.
Systems and methods are disclosed that enable multidimensional privacy control for consumers, to more effectively control their privacy, even while accepting some targeted marketing that provides time-savings, monetary savings, and other benefits. Agreements may involve smart contracts implemented on a blockchain, to provide time-limited access to marketing data, such as purchase histories recorded in receipts held by a digital wallet. The access may be specified in differing tiers of visibility, with certain classes of information withheld, and different types of recipients allowed or blocked. This permits consumers to intelligently select a trade-off between sharing information and receiving value resulting from that sharing, with the consumers in control of the specific type of information shared, and the types of entities that my receive particular information. Thus, privacy may be controlled in a multidimensional manner that is advantageous to consumers.
G06Q 20/06 - Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used only among participants of a common payment scheme
G06Q 20/36 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices using electronic wallets or electronic money safes
H04L 9/30 - Public key, i.e. encryption algorithm being computationally infeasible to invert and users' encryption keys not requiring secrecy
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
98.
DETERMINING ITEM MORTALITY BASED ON TRACKED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS DURING TRANSIT
Item mortality, such as failure rates and expected remaining lifespan, may be determined based on tracked environmental conditions during transit, such as vibration, temperature, and other conditions. For complex items, multiple different internal components may have varying degrees of susceptibility to damage from unfavorable conditions, with each of the components able to individually cause a failure of the entire item. Thus, the specific set of internal components may drive item mortality prediction. Sensors may be located in shipping containers that share data collected throughout the supply chain, using a blockchain, to increase confidence in the integrity of the data. The use of mortality models generated with anonymized component or process data may enable manufacturers to protect trade secrets, such as the specific components or manufacturing processes used, even while leveraging the manufacturer's detailed knowledge of an item.
In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for creating and monitoring predefined mission routes along air rails and non-overlapping buffer zones surrounding unmanned vehicles during travel of the unmanned vehicles along the predefined mission routes. The buffer zone may be thought of as a projected movement variation area being associated by the system to the UAV and containing four dimensions, the three positional dimensions, X, Y, and Z, along with a temporal one, time. Generally, the buffer zone will change as ambient conditions, location, and orientation of an unmanned vehicle change during travel of the unmanned vehicle along its predefined mission route.
Disclosed herein are aspects of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In one embodiment, the UAV includes a container body having a cargo bay configured to hold cargo, and a plurality of rotor assemblies coupled to the container body. Each rotor assembly is configured to provide the container body with propulsion. A control system may be held by the container body and operatively connected to the rotor assemblies. The control system may be configured to fly the container body to a destination. The rotor assemblies may be moveable between a flight configuration and a shipping configuration. In the flight configuration, the rotor assemblies may extend outward from the container body such that the rotor assemblies are positioned to propel the container body through the air. In the shipping configuration, the rotor assemblies may be folded to the container body such that the container body is configured to be shipped to a destination.
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