US 12,084,824 B2
Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods
Donald R. High, Noel, MO (US); Michael D. Atchley, Eureka Springs, AR (US); Shuvro Chakrobartty, Frisco, TX (US); Karl Kay, Gentry, AR (US); Brian G. McHale, Oldham (GB); Robert C. Taylor, Round Rock, TX (US); John P. Thompson, Bentonville, AR (US); Eric E. Welch, Rogers, AR (US); and David C. Winkle, Leesburg, FL (US)
Assigned to Walmart Apollo, LLC, Bentonville, AR (US)
Filed by Walmart Apollo, LLC, Bentonville, AR (US)
Filed on May 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/144,759.
Application 18/144,759 is a continuation of application No. 17/346,954, filed on Jun. 14, 2021, granted, now 11,679,969.
Application 17/346,954 is a continuation of application No. 16/361,015, filed on Mar. 21, 2019, granted, now 11,046,562, issued on Jul. 11, 2019.
Application 16/361,015 is a continuation of application No. 15/060,953, filed on Mar. 4, 2016, granted, now 10,280,054, issued on May 7, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/152,465, filed on Apr. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/152,440, filed on Apr. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/152,630, filed on Apr. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/152,711, filed on Apr. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/152,610, filed on Apr. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/152,667, filed on Apr. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/157,388, filed on May 5, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/165,579, filed on May 22, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/165,416, filed on May 22, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/165,586, filed on May 22, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/171,822, filed on Jun. 5, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/175,182, filed on Jun. 12, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/182,339, filed on Jun. 19, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/185,478, filed on Jun. 26, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/194,131, filed on Jul. 17, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/194,119, filed on Jul. 17, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/194,121, filed on Jul. 17, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/194,127, filed on Jul. 17, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/202,744, filed on Aug. 7, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/202,747, filed on Aug. 7, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/205,548, filed on Aug. 14, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/205,569, filed on Aug. 14, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/205,555, filed on Aug. 14, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/205,539, filed on Aug. 14, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/207,858, filed on Aug. 20, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/214,826, filed on Sep. 4, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/214,824, filed on Sep. 4, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/292,084, filed on Feb. 5, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/302,547, filed on Mar. 2, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/302,567, filed on Mar. 2, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/302,713, filed on Mar. 2, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/303,021, filed on Mar. 3, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/129,726, filed on Mar. 6, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/129,727, filed on Mar. 6, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/138,877, filed on Mar. 26, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/138,885, filed on Mar. 26, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/152,421, filed on Apr. 24, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0391592 A1, Dec. 7, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E01H 5/06 (2006.01); A47F 3/08 (2006.01); A47F 10/04 (2006.01); A47F 13/00 (2006.01); A47L 11/40 (2006.01); B07C 5/28 (2006.01); B07C 5/342 (2006.01); B60L 53/36 (2019.01); B60L 53/63 (2019.01); B60P 3/06 (2006.01); B62B 5/00 (2006.01); B65F 3/00 (2006.01); B66F 9/06 (2006.01); E01H 5/12 (2006.01); G01C 21/20 (2006.01); G01S 1/02 (2010.01); G01S 1/70 (2006.01); G01S 1/72 (2006.01); G05B 19/048 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2024.01); G06F 3/01 (2006.01); G06F 18/214 (2023.01); G06Q 10/02 (2012.01); G06Q 10/0631 (2023.01); G06Q 10/08 (2023.01); G06Q 10/083 (2023.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); G06Q 10/1093 (2023.01); G06Q 10/30 (2023.01); G06Q 30/016 (2023.01); G06Q 30/02 (2023.01); G06Q 30/0601 (2023.01); G06Q 50/40 (2024.01); G06T 7/593 (2017.01); G06T 7/73 (2017.01); G06V 20/20 (2022.01); G06V 20/40 (2022.01); G06V 20/52 (2022.01); G06V 20/56 (2022.01); G06V 20/58 (2022.01); G06V 20/64 (2022.01); G06V 30/224 (2022.01); G08G 1/00 (2006.01); G10L 13/00 (2006.01); G10L 15/22 (2006.01); G10L 17/22 (2013.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H04B 10/116 (2013.01); H04L 67/12 (2022.01); H04L 67/141 (2022.01); H04L 67/143 (2022.01); H04N 5/77 (2006.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01); H04N 13/282 (2018.01); H04W 4/02 (2018.01); H04W 4/021 (2018.01); H04W 4/029 (2018.01); H04W 4/30 (2018.01); H04W 4/33 (2018.01); H04W 4/40 (2018.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01); A47F 10/00 (2006.01); A47F 10/02 (2006.01); B62B 3/14 (2006.01); G01S 5/16 (2006.01); G01S 5/18 (2006.01); G05B 19/12 (2006.01); G06F 16/903 (2019.01); G06F 21/60 (2013.01); G06K 7/10 (2006.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01); G06Q 20/12 (2012.01); H04B 1/38 (2015.01); H04L 9/40 (2022.01)
CPC E01H 5/061 (2013.01) [A47F 3/08 (2013.01); A47F 10/04 (2013.01); A47F 13/00 (2013.01); A47L 11/4011 (2013.01); B07C 5/28 (2013.01); B07C 5/3422 (2013.01); B60L 53/36 (2019.02); B60L 53/63 (2019.02); B60P 3/06 (2013.01); B62B 5/0026 (2013.01); B62B 5/0069 (2013.01); B62B 5/0076 (2013.01); B65F 3/00 (2013.01); B66F 9/063 (2013.01); E01H 5/12 (2013.01); G01C 21/206 (2013.01); G01S 1/02 (2013.01); G01S 1/70 (2013.01); G01S 1/7034 (2019.08); G01S 1/7038 (2019.08); G01S 1/72 (2013.01); G05B 19/048 (2013.01); G05D 1/0011 (2013.01); G05D 1/0016 (2013.01); G05D 1/0022 (2013.01); G05D 1/0027 (2013.01); G05D 1/0061 (2013.01); G05D 1/0088 (2013.01); G05D 1/021 (2013.01); G05D 1/0214 (2013.01); G05D 1/0219 (2013.01); G05D 1/0234 (2013.01); G05D 1/0246 (2013.01); G05D 1/0255 (2013.01); G05D 1/0276 (2013.01); G05D 1/028 (2013.01); G05D 1/0289 (2013.01); G05D 1/0291 (2013.01); G05D 1/0293 (2013.01); G05D 1/0297 (2013.01); G05D 1/04 (2013.01); G06F 3/017 (2013.01); G06F 18/214 (2023.01); G06Q 10/02 (2013.01); G06Q 10/0631 (2013.01); G06Q 10/06311 (2013.01); G06Q 10/08 (2013.01); G06Q 10/083 (2013.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01); G06Q 10/1095 (2013.01); G06Q 10/30 (2013.01); G06Q 30/016 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0281 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0601 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0605 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0613 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0617 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0619 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0631 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0633 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0635 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0639 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0641 (2013.01); G06Q 50/40 (2024.01); G06T 7/593 (2017.01); G06T 7/74 (2017.01); G06V 20/20 (2022.01); G06V 20/40 (2022.01); G06V 20/52 (2022.01); G06V 20/56 (2022.01); G06V 20/58 (2022.01); G06V 20/647 (2022.01); G06V 30/224 (2022.01); G08G 1/20 (2013.01); G10L 13/00 (2013.01); G10L 15/22 (2013.01); G10L 17/22 (2013.01); H02J 7/0013 (2013.01); H02J 7/0071 (2020.01); H04B 10/116 (2013.01); H04L 67/12 (2013.01); H04L 67/141 (2013.01); H04L 67/143 (2013.01); H04N 5/77 (2013.01); H04N 7/18 (2013.01); H04N 7/183 (2013.01); H04N 7/185 (2013.01); H04N 13/282 (2018.05); H04W 4/02 (2013.01); H04W 4/021 (2013.01); H04W 4/029 (2018.02); H04W 4/30 (2018.02); H04W 4/33 (2018.02); H04W 4/40 (2018.02); H04W 4/80 (2018.02); A47F 2010/005 (2013.01); A47F 2010/025 (2013.01); A47L 2201/04 (2013.01); B07C 2501/0045 (2013.01); B07C 2501/0054 (2013.01); B07C 2501/0063 (2013.01); B60Y 2410/10 (2013.01); B62B 3/1404 (2013.01); B62B 5/005 (2013.01); B65F 2210/168 (2013.01); G01S 5/16 (2013.01); G01S 5/18 (2013.01); G01S 2201/01 (2019.08); G01S 2201/02 (2019.08); G05B 19/124 (2013.01); G05B 2219/23363 (2013.01); G05B 2219/39107 (2013.01); G06F 16/90335 (2019.01); G06F 21/606 (2013.01); G06K 7/10297 (2013.01); G06K 7/10821 (2013.01); G06K 7/1413 (2013.01); G06Q 10/06315 (2013.01); G06Q 20/12 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10028 (2013.01); G06V 20/44 (2022.01); G10L 2015/223 (2013.01); H02J 7/00034 (2020.01); H04B 1/38 (2013.01); H04L 63/06 (2013.01); H04L 63/08 (2013.01); H04L 63/0846 (2013.01); Y02W 30/82 (2015.05); Y02W 90/00 (2015.05); Y02W 90/10 (2015.05); Y04S 10/50 (2013.01); Y10S 901/01 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A retail facility assistance system comprising:
a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a retail facility space; and
a central computer system comprising a network interface, wherein the central computer system is configured to:
identify a first motorized transport unit, of a plurality of motorized transport units, based on a location of the first motorized transport unit within a three dimensional grid of the retail facility space and a known location within the three dimensional grid of a first movable item container;
temporarily associate the first motorized transport unit of the plurality of motorized transport units with a user interface unit that is associated with a customer;
identify a location associated with the user interface unit that is associated with the customer; and
wirelessly communicate, through the network interface, location information based on the three dimensional grid of the retail facility space to the first motorized transport unit to control movement of the first motorized transport unit through the retail facility space directing the first motorized transport unit to the known location of the first movable item container to retrieve the first movable item container, and from the known location of the first movable item container to the location associated with the user interface unit based at least in part on an input from the user interface unit that is temporarily associated with the first motorized transport unit.