公开(公告)号：WO2018064010A1

公开(公告)日：2018-04-05

申请号：PCT/US2017/053361

申请日：2017-09-26

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： MATTINGLY, Todd D. ,  TOVEY, David ,  TAYLOR, Robert J.

IPC: G06Q30/00 ,  G06K7/01

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein including a user product having a unique product identifier; an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the user product; a product database of reference images corresponding to states of usage of the user product that is associated with the unique product identifier; and a control circuit operably coupled to the image capturing device and the product database of reference images. The control circuit configured to receive the image of the user product from the image capturing device and the unique product identifier associated with the user product; compare the product image with the reference images of the database of references images to determine whether replacement of the user product is warranted; and notify a user that a product replacement of the user product is warranted.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供了包括具有唯一产品标识符的用户产品的装置和方法; 图像捕捉设备，被配置为捕捉用户产品的图像; 参考图像的产品数据库，其对应于与唯一产品标识符相关联的用户产品的使用状态; 以及可操作地耦合到图像捕获装置和参考图像的产品数据库的控制电路。 控制电路被配置为从图像捕获装置接收用户产品的图像以及与用户产品相关联的唯一产品标识符; 比较产品图像和参考图像数据库的参考图像以确定是否有必要更换用户产品; 并通知用户有必要更换用户产品。

公开(公告)号：WO2018053083A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-22

申请号：PCT/US2017/051495

申请日：2017-09-14

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： WILKINSON, Bruce W. ,  JONES, Nathan G. ,  MUSANI, Parvez ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D. ,  MCHALE, Brian G.

IPC: G06K7/10 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/06

Abstract: Partiality vectors for a particular customer and vectorized characterizations of a plurality of products are employed by a control circuit to select a particular one of the plurality of products to ship to a particular customer. By one approach this selected product is shipped without the particular customer having ordered this product. By one approach the aforementioned selection is based upon a prediction that the particular customer will keep the selected product upon receipt thereof based upon those partiality vectors and vectorized characterizations notwithstanding that it may not be known whether the particular customer has ever previously made a purchasing decision regarding this particular product. By one approach a customer can return a delivered product without being required to leave their delivery address, (re)seal the product/package, and/or attach a return label thereto.

Abstract translation: 用于特定顾客的部分矢量和多个产品的矢量化表征由控制电路采用以选择多个产品中的特定一个以运送到特定顾客。 通过一种方法，所选产品在没有特定客户订购该产品的情况下发货。 通过一种方法，上述选择是基于这样的预测，即特定顾客将基于那些偏向量和向量化表征而保留选择的产品，尽管可能不知道特定顾客是否曾经做过关于 这个特殊的产品。 通过一种方法，客户可以返回交付的产品，而不需要离开他们的送货地址，（重新）密封产品/包装，并且/或者将返回标签附加到其上。

公开(公告)号：WO2018049148A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：PCT/US2017/050664

申请日：2017-09-08

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： CANTRELL, Robert L. ,  THOMPSON, John P. ,  WINKLE, David C. ,  ATCHLEY, Michael D. ,  HIGH, Donald R. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D. ,  MCHALE, Brian G. ,  O'BRIEN, John J. ,  SIMON, John F. ,  JONES, Nathan G. ,  TAYLOR, Robert C.

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that comprise multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective UAVs to move themselves; and wherein a first UAV control circuit of a first UAV of the multiple UAVs is configured to access power level data corresponding to each of the multiple UAVs, and select a second UAV of the multiple UAVs based at least in part on a power level of the second UAV relative to a threshold power level corresponding to a first task to be performed and a predicted power usage by the second UAV while utilizing a first tool system temporarily cooperated with the second UAV in performing the first task.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，提供了包括多个无人驾驶飞行器（UAV）的无人空中作业系统，每个无人飞行器包括：无人飞行器控制电路; 电机; 以及推进系统，所述推进系统与所述马达耦合并且被配置成使得所述相应的UAV能够自身移动; 并且其中所述多个UAV中的第一UAV的第一UAV控制电路被配置为访问与所述多个UAV中的每个UAV相对应的功率水平数据，并且至少部分地基于所述多个UAV中的第二UAV的功率水平来选择所述多个UAV中的第二UAV。 第二UAV相对于与要执行的第一任务相对应的阈值功率水平以及第二UAV在利用与第二UAV临时合作执行第一任务的第一工具系统时的预测功率使用。

公开(公告)号：WO2018048741A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：PCT/US2017/049844

申请日：2017-09-01

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： CANTRELL, Robert L. ,  THOMPSON, John P. ,  WINKLE, David C. ,  ATCHLEY, Michael D. ,  HIGH, Donald R. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D. ,  MCHALE, Brian G. ,  O'BRIEN, John ,  SIMON, John F.

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  G01N33/00 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G06Q50/02

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems of identifying at least one pest based on crop damage detection in a crop-containing area include an unmanned vehicle including at least one sensor configured to detect at least one type of pest damage on at least one crop in the crop-containing area and to capture pest damage data. An electronic database includes pest damage identity data associated with one or more crop-damaging pests, and a computing device communicates with the unmanned vehicle and the electronic database via a network. The unmanned vehicle transmits the captured pest damage data via the network to the computing device and, in response to receipt of the captured pest damage data from the unmanned vehicle, the computing device accesses the pest damage identity data on the electronic database to determine an identity of one or more pests responsible for the detected type of pest crop damage.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，基于作物含有区域中的作物损害检测来识别至少一种有害生物的方法和系统包括无人驾驶车辆，其包括至少一个传感器，所述至少一个传感器被配置为检测至少一种类型的有害生物 对作物含有地区的至少一种作物造成损害，并捕获有害生物损害数据。 电子数据库包括与一种或多种作物破坏害虫相关的害虫损害身份数据，并且计算设备经由网络与无人驾驶车辆和电子数据库通信。 无人驾驶车辆通过网络将捕获的有害生物损害数据传输到计算设备，并且响应于从无人驾驶车辆接收到捕获的有害生物损害数据，计算设备访问电子数据库上的有害生物损害识别数据以确定身份 的一种或多种有害生物对检测到的害虫作物损害类型负责。

公开(公告)号：WO2018048688A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：PCT/US2017/049256

申请日：2017-08-30

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： MATTINGLY, Todd D. ,  ANTEL, Nicholas Ray ,  TAYLOR, Robert J. ,  O'BRIEN, John J.

IPC: G06Q30/06

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for store management. A system for store management comprises: a storage system in a backroom area, a conveyor system, a return sensor system, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: receive an interact request from a customer via a user interface device in a showroom area, cause the conveyor system to retrieve one or more items from the storage system and transport the one or more items to the item interaction area based on the interact request, receive a return request, cause the return sensor system to collect data from the at least one item, determine whether to accept the return request based on the data collected by the return sensor system, and cause the conveyor system to retrieve the at least one item from the customer and make the at least one item available for another customer.

Abstract translation: 本文提供了用于商店管理的系统，设备和方法。 用于商店管理的系统包括：在后房区域中的存储系统，传送系统，返回传感器系统和控制电路。 控制电路被配置为：通过展示区域中的用户接口装置接收来自顾客的交互请求，使传送系统从存储系统取回一个或多个物品，并将一个或多个物品传送到物品交互区域 基于所述交互请求，接收返回请求，促使所述返回传感器系统从所述至少一个物品收集数据，基于所述返回传感器系统收集的数据确定是否接受所述返回请求，并使所述输送机系统 检索客户中的至少一个物品，并使至少一个物品可供另一个客户使用。

公开(公告)号：WO2018039549A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-01

申请号：PCT/US2017/048591

申请日：2017-08-25

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nathan G. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D. ,  WILKINSON, Bruce W. ,  MCHALE, Brian G.

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q30/02

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for store management. A store management system comprises a product allocation database storing product location indicators for one or more unique product identifiers associated with items offered for sale, an item consolidation system, a retail space stocking system, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: determine whether to place an item on a retail space accessible to customers or in a storage area, instruct the retail space stocking system to stock the retail space based on the product location indicator of a plurality of items, receive an order from an in-store customer including a plurality of selected items that comprises items not available in the retail space, and cause the item consolidation system to retrieve at least some of the items not available on the retail space from the storage area for the in-store customer.

Abstract translation: 本文提供了用于商店管理的系统，设备和方法。 商店管理系统包括产品分配数据库，其存储与提供销售的物品相关联的一个或多个唯一产品标识符的产品位置指示符，物品合并系统，零售空间储存系统和控制电路。 控制电路被配置为：确定是否将物品放置在客户可访问的零售空间或存储区域中，指示零售空间库存系统基于多个物品的产品位置指示符来存储零售空间，接收 来自店内顾客的包括多个选择项目的订单包括在零售空间中不可用的项目，并且导致项目合并系统从存储区域检索零售空间中不可用的至少一些项目中的至少一些项目 店内顾客。

公开(公告)号：WO2018017832A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-25

申请号：PCT/US2017/043073

申请日：2017-07-20

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： WILKINSON, Bruce W. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D.

IPC: G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/06

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for selecting items to stock. A customer profile database storing customer partiality vectors, comprising customer value vectors, associated with a plurality of customers, a product database storing vectorized product characterizations associated with a plurality of products, a distribution system; and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: select a plurality of customer profiles associated with a store location, aggregate a plurality of customer value vectors associated with the plurality of customer profiles to determine aggregated store customer value vectors, determine alignments between the aggregated store customer value vectors and vectorized product characterizations associated with the plurality of products, select one or more products to stock at the store location based on the alignments, and instruct the distribution system to transport the one or more products the store location according to the one or more products selected for the store location.

Abstract translation: 这里提供了用于选择库存项目的系统，设备和方法。 存储顾客偏好向量的顾客简档数据库，其包括与多个顾客相关联的顾客价值向量，存储与多个产品相关联的矢量化产品特征的产品数据库，分销系统; 和一个控制电路。 控制电路被配置为：选择与商店位置相关联的多个顾客简档，聚合与多个顾客简档相关联的多个顾客价值向量以确定聚集的商店顾客价值向量，确定聚集的商店顾客价值向量 以及与所述多个产品相关联的矢量化产品特征，基于所述比对来选择要在所述商店位置处储存的一个或多个产品，并且指示所述分配系统根据所选择的一个或多个产品来传送所述一个或多个产品所述商店位置 为商店位置。

公开(公告)号：WO2018013423A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-18

申请号：PCT/US2017/041137

申请日：2017-07-07

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： WILKINSON, Bruce W. ,  MORGAN, Starla C. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D.

IPC: G06Q20/12 ,  G06Q20/20 ,  G06Q20/32

CPC classification number: G06Q20/208 ,  G06K7/10297 ,  G06Q20/20 ,  G06Q20/407

Abstract: A retail shopping facility having at least one public entrance, a customer service area, a product display area, and at least one point-of-sale (POS) station also has at least one scanner configured to remotely and uniquely identify a product previously purchased from the product display area as that product re-enters the retail shopping facility via the public entrance with a customer. That scanner provides corresponding identifying information regarding that returning product to a control circuit that in turn uses that information to automatically process an exchange transaction of the returning product for a substitute product in the product display area such that the exchange transaction occurs without the customer engaging either the customer service area or one of the POS stations.

Abstract translation: 具有至少一个公共入口，客户服务区，产品展示区和至少一个销售点（POS）站的零售购物设施还具有至少一个扫描仪，该扫描仪被配置为： 远程且唯一地识别先前从产品展示区购买的产品，因为该产品通过公共入口与顾客重新进入零售购物设施。 该扫描仪向控制电路提供关于返回产品的相应识别信息，该控制电路继而使用该信息来自动处理返回产品在产品显示区域中的替代产品的交换交易，使得交换交易发生而客户不参与 客户服务区或其中一个POS站。

公开(公告)号：WO2018005603A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-04

申请号：PCT/US2017/039668

申请日：2017-06-28

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： WILKINSON, Bruce W. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D.

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q10/06

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that allocate products to at a reallocation location. Some systems comprise: a product identifier system at a product reallocation location that identifies product as products are disaggregated from a collection of products; a product allocation database that identifies multiple customers and associates product identifiers intended to be delivered to each of the multiple customers; and a product assignment system communicatively coupled with the product identifier system and the product allocation database, wherein the product assignment system, for each product of the collection of products, receives an identifier of a first product as the products are disaggregated from the collection of products, dynamically identifies a first customer for which the identified first product is to be assigned, and directs the first product to be reallocated for the identified first customer.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，提供了将产品分配给重新分配位置的系统和方法。 一些系统包括：在产品再分配位置处的产品标识符系统，当产品从产品集合中分解时标识产品; 产品分配数据库，其识别多个顾客并且将要传递给所述多个顾客中的每一个的产品标识符相关联; 以及与所述产品标识符系统和所述产品分配数据库可通信地耦合的产品分配系统，其中，对于所述产品集合的每个产品，所述产品分配系统在所述产品从所述产品集合分解时接收第一产品的标识符 动态地识别将被分配所识别的第一产品的第一客户，并且指引第一产品被重新分配给所识别的第一客户。

公开(公告)号：WO2017223168A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-28

申请号：PCT/US2017/038482

申请日：2017-06-21

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： WILKINSON, Bruce W. ,  MORGAN, Starla C. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D.

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  G06F17/30 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q20/18 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q30/02

CPC classification number: G06Q30/0271 ,  G06Q30/0268

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to communicating customized information about a product or service to customers based on the customers' values and preferences. In some embodiments, there is provided a system communicating sourcing stories about products or services to customers including: an electronic interface configured to receive input identifying a customer and input relating to a product or service; a first database communicatively coupled to the electronic interface, the first database containing data regarding the customer; a second database communicatively coupled to the electronic interface, the second database containing a plurality of sourcing stories about the product or service; and a control circuit operatively coupled to the electronic interface and the first and second databases, the control circuit configured to select one of the sourcing stories based on the customer data and to transmit the selected sourcing story to the customer.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供了用于基于顾客的价值和偏好向顾客传达关于产品或服务的定制信息的装置和方法。 在一些实施例中，提供了一种向客户传达关于产品或服务的采购故事的系统，包括：电子接口，其被配置为接收识别顾客的输入和与产品或服务有关的输入; 通信地耦合到所述电子接口的第一数据库，所述第一数据库包含关于所述客户的数据; 通信地耦合到所述电子接口的第二数据库，所述第二数据库包含关于所述产品或服务的多个采购故事; 以及可操作地耦合到电子接口以及第一和第二数据库的控制电路，控制电路被配置为基于客户数据选择采购情节之一并将选择的采购情节发送给顾客。