Recharging apparatus and method

• US 10,815,104 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2018
• Issued: 10/27/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Thompson, John P., Atchley, Michael D., High, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Siek, Vuthe
• Application Number:
  US16/191,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20190084814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
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• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2010/005 using RFID elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2010/025 using stock management systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/08 with arrangements for continuously or intermittently moving the merchandise
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
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• CPC Class Codes: B07C 2501/0045 Return vending of articles, e.g. bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 2501/0054 Sorting of waste or refuse
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 2501/0063 Using robots
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• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10028 : Range image; Depth image; 3D point clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/593 : from stereo images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/74 : involving reference images or patches
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• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/44 : Event detection
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• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 : exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 : Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
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• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/224 : of printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks
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• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 : Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
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• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 : with a programmable schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 : Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
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• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0846 : using time-dependent-passwords, e.g. periodically changing passwords
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• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 : Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/143 : Termination or inactivation of sessions, e.g. event-controlled end of session
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• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 : between a recording apparatus and a television camera
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• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 : for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/82 : Recycling of waste of electrical or electronic equipment [WEEE]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 : Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/10 : Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 : Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 : Mobile robot

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitor power levels at a shopping facility, comprising: central control system separate and distinct from a plurality of self-propelled motorized transport units, wherein the central control system comprises: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications from the plurality of motorized transport units; a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that cause the control circuit to: identify available stored power levels at each of the plurality of motorized transport units; identify an available recharge station, of a plurality of recharge stations distributed throughout the shopping facility, at least relative to a location of the first motorized transport unit intended to be subjected to recharging; and wirelessly communicate one or more instructions to cause the first motorized transport unit to cooperate with an available recharge station.

Claims

1. A system that monitors power levels at a shopping facility, comprising:

a transport unit central control system separate and distinct from a plurality of motorized transport units at a shopping facility, wherein each of the plurality of motorized transport units is self-propelled and wherein the transport unit central control system comprises;

a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications from the plurality of motorized transport units located at the shopping facility;

a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and

a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to;

obtain power levels of each of the plurality of motorized transport units;

identify, based on the obtained power levels, that a first motorized transport unit is to be subjected to recharging;

identify a first recharge station, of a plurality of recharge stations at the shopping facility; and

cause the transceiver to wirelessly communicate an instruction to cause physical movements of the first recharge station to approach the first motorized transport unit and enable the first motorized transport unit to temporarily electrically couple with the first recharge station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to wirelessly communicate a first instruction to the first motorized transport unit directing the first motorized transport unit to implement one or more physical movements to approach the first recharge station.

3. The system of claim 1, is configured to predict, based on the obtained power level of the first motorized transport unit, when the power level of the first motorized transport unit is expected to drop below a threshold and initiates the communication of the instruction to cause the physical movements of the first recharge station as a function of the prediction of when the power level is expected to drop below the threshold.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is further configured to predict a location of the first motorized transport unit corresponding to when the power level of the first motorized transport unit is to drop below the threshold, and cause the communication of the instruction to cause the physical movements of the first recharge station to the predicted location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

communicate a dispense command causing a second motorized transport unit to be dispensed from the first recharge station and communicate an instruction to the second motorized transport unit to removably couple with a movable item container in place of the first motorized transport unit such that the second motorized transport unit when coupled with the movable item container is configured to move the movable item container through the one or more areas of the shopping facility.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit in wirelessly communicating the instruction is configured to wirelessly communicate the instruction to a second motorized transport unit cooperated with the first recharge station directing the second motorized transport unit to move the first recharge station to approach the first motorized transport unit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is configured to communicate an additional instruction to the second motorized transport unit to disengage from the first recharge station and replace the first motorized transport unit in performing a task that was being performed by the first motorized transport unit.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

identify a second motorized transport unit of the plurality of motorized transport units having a power level greater than a first power level threshold; and

wirelessly communicate a replace instruction to cause the second motorized transport unit to move through at least a portion of the shopping facility and to removably couple with a movable item container in place of the first motorized transport unit to move the movable item container through the one or more areas of the shopping facility.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

determine a location at the shopping facility of the first recharge station; and

determine a route between the location of the first recharge station and the location of the first motorized transport unit, wherein the instruction are configured to cause physical movement consistent with the determined route.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to communicate an instruction to the first motorized transport unit to increase its height to temporarily couple with the first recharge station.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to communicate an instruction to the first recharge station to cause the recharging of the first motorized transport unit and control the distribution of power between the first motorized transport unit and each of one or more additional motorized transport units temporarily coupled with and transported along with the first recharge station.

12. A method of providing recharging of a motorized transport unit at a shopping facility, comprising:

obtaining power levels of each of a plurality of motorized transport units at a shopping facility;

identifying, based on the power level, that a first motorized transport unit to be subjected to recharging;

identifying, through a control circuit, a first recharge station, of a plurality of recharge stations at the shopping facility; and

wirelessly communicating an instruction to cause physical movements of the first recharge station to approach the first motorized transport unit and enable the first motorized transport unit to temporarily electrically couple with the first recharge station.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating a first instruction to the first motorized transport unit directing the first motorized transport unit to implement one or more physical movements through to approach the first recharge station.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

predicting, based on the obtained power level of the first motorized transport unit, when the power level of the first motorized transport unit is expected to drop below a threshold; and

initiating the communication of the instruction to cause the physical movements of the first recharge station as a function of the prediction of when the power level is expected to drop below the threshold.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

predicting a location of the first motorized transport unit corresponding to when the power level of the first motorized transport unit is to drop below the threshold, and

causing the communication of the instruction to cause the physical movements of the first recharge station to the predicted location.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating a dispense command causing a second motorized transport unit to be dispensed from the first recharge station and communicate an instruction to the second motorized transport unit to removably couple with a movable item container in place of the first motorized transport unit such that the second motorized transport unit when coupled with the movable item container is configured to move the movable item container through the one or more areas of the shopping facility.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the wirelessly communicating the instruction comprises wirelessly communicating the instruction to a second motorized transport unit cooperated with the first recharge station directing the second motorized transport unit to move the first recharge station to approach the first motorized transport unit.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

identifying a second motorized transport unit of the plurality of motorized transport units having a power level greater than a first power level threshold; and

communicating a replace instruction to cause the second motorized transport unit to move through at least a portion of the shopping facility and to removably couple with a movable item container in place of the first motorized transport unit to move the movable item container through the one or more areas of the shopping facility.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

communicating an instruction to the first motorized transport unit to increase its height to temporarily couple with the first recharge station.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

communicating an instruction to the first recharge station to cause the recharging of the first motorized transport unit and control the distribution of power between the first motorized transport unit and each of one or more additional motorized transport units temporarily coupled with and transported along with the first recharge station.