US20180099846A1 - Method and apparatus for transporting a plurality of stacked motorized transport units - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing contains a plurality of motorized transport units in a stacked relationship to one another, with a bottom-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units serving as a locomotion mechanism that selectively causes movement of the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein. By one approach the aforementioned housing has a cylindrical form factor and includes a cylindrically-shaped chamber configured to receive the motorized transport units. By one approach, for example, this housing includes no lifting mechanism to lift any of the motorized transport units into itself and further has no integral locomotion mechanism by which the housing can move itself. The interior of the housing can include at least one track formed therein to receive a corresponding part of each of the plurality of motorized transport units which the motorized transport units can engage to thereby lift themselves into the interior of the housing.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/061,054, filed Mar. 4, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and which claims the benefit of each of the following U.S. Provisional applications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,726, filed Mar. 6, 2015, Docket 8842-134158-US (587US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,727, filed Mar. 6, 2015, Docket 8842-134268-US (615US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/138,877, filed Mar. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-134162-US (610US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/138,885, filed Mar. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-134209-US (635US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,421, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134155-US (608US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,465, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134161-US (603US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,440, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134208-US (611US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,630, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134249-US (612US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,711, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134269-US (626US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,610, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134574-US (623US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,667, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134575-US (663US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/157,388, filed May 5, 2015, Docket 8842-134573-US (606US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,579, filed May 22, 2015, Docket 8842-134576-US (677US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,416, filed May 22, 2015, Docket 8842-134589-US (624US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,586, filed May 22, 2015, Docket 8842-134945-US (732US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/171,822, filed Jun. 5, 2015, Docket 8842-134250-US (621US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/175,182, filed Jun. 12, 2015, Docket 8842-135963-US (726US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/182,339, filed Jun. 19, 2015, Docket 8842-135961-US (749US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/185,478, filed Jun. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-136023-US (742US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,131, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-135962-US (739US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,119, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136020-US (728US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,121, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136022-US (740US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,127, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136024-US (743US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/202,744, filed Aug. 7, 2015, Docket 8842-135956-US (764US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/202,747, filed Aug. 7, 2015, Docket 8842-136021-US (734US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,548, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-135959-US (751US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,569, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136123-US (680US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,555, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136124-US (741US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,539, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136651-US (919US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/207,858, filed Aug. 20, 2015, Docket 8842-136508-US (854US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/214,826, filed Sep. 4, 2015, Docket 8842-136026-US (746US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/214,824, filed Sep. 4, 2015, Docket 8842-136025-US (744US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/292,084, filed Feb. 5, 2016, Docket 8842-137833-US (925US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,547, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-136125-US (748US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,567, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-138040-US (731US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,713, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-137834-US (932US01); and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/303,021, filed Mar. 3, 2016, Docket 8842-137831-US (636US01).
TECHNICAL FIELD
• These teachings relate generally to shopping environments and more particularly to devices, systems, and methods for assisting customers and/or workers in those shopping environments.
BACKGROUND
• In a modern retail store environment, there is a need to improve the customer experience and/or convenience for the customer. Whether shopping in a large format (big box) store or smaller format (neighborhood) store, customers often require assistance that employees of the store are not always able to provide. For example, particularly during peak hours, there may not be enough employees available to assist customers such that customer questions go unanswered. Additionally, due to high employee turnover rates, available employees may not be fully trained or have access to information to adequately support customers. Other routine tasks also are difficult to keep up with, particularly during peak hours. For example, shopping carts are left abandoned, aisles become messy, inventory is not displayed in the proper locations or is not even placed on the sales floor, shelf prices may not be properly set, and theft is hard to discourage. All of these issues can result in low customer satisfaction or reduced convenience to the customer. With increasing competition from non-traditional shopping mechanisms, such as online shopping provided by e-commerce merchants and alternative store formats, it can be important for “brick and mortar” retailers to focus on improving the overall customer experience and/or convenience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The above needs are at least partially met through provision of embodiments of systems, devices, and methods designed to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility, such as described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
• FIG. 1 comprises a block diagram of a shopping assistance system as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of a motorized transport unit of the system ofFIG. 1 in a retracted orientation and an extended orientation in accordance with some embodiments;
• FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of the motorized transport unit ofFIGS. 2A and 2B detachably coupling to a movable item container, such as a shopping cart, in accordance with some embodiments;
• FIG. 4 comprises a block diagram of a motorized transport unit as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 5 comprises a block diagram of a computer device as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 6 comprises a flow diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 7 comprises a perspective view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 8 comprises a block diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 9 comprises an interior front elevational detail view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 10 comprises an interior perspective detail view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 11 comprises a front elevational schematic view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 12 comprises a front elevational schematic view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 13 comprises a front elevational schematic view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 14 comprises a front elevational schematic view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 15 comprises a front elevational schematic view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 16 comprises a front elevational schematic view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;
• FIG. 17 comprises a front elevational schematic view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings; and
• FIG. 18 comprises a perspective top view as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings.
• Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present teachings. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present teachings. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
• Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods are provided for assistance of persons at a shopping facility. Generally, assistance may be provided to customers or shoppers at the facility and/or to workers at the facility. The facility may be any type of shopping facility at a location in which products for display and/or for sale are variously distributed throughout the shopping facility space. The shopping facility may be a retail sales facility, or any other type of facility in which products are displayed and/or sold. The shopping facility may include one or more of sales floor areas, checkout locations (i.e., point of sale (POS) locations), customer service areas other than checkout locations (such as service areas to handle returns), parking locations, entrance and exit areas, stock room areas, stock receiving areas, hallway areas, common areas shared by merchants, and so on. Generally, a shopping facility includes areas that may be dynamic in terms of the physical structures occupying the space or area and objects, items, machinery and/or persons moving in the area. For example, the sales floor area may include product storage units, shelves, racks, modules, bins, etc., and other walls, dividers, partitions, etc. that may be configured in different layouts or physical arrangements. In other example, persons or other movable objects may be freely and independently traveling through the shopping facility space. And in another example, the persons or movable objects move according to known travel patterns and timing. The facility may be any size of format facility, and may include products from one or more merchants. For example, a facility may be a single store operated by one merchant or may be a collection of stores covering multiple merchants such as a mall.
• Generally, the system makes use of automated, robotic mobile devices, e.g., motorized transport units, that are capable of self-powered movement through a space of the shopping facility and providing any number of functions. Movement and operation of such devices may be controlled by a central computer system or may be autonomously controlled by the motorized transport units themselves. Various embodiments provide one or more user interfaces to allow various users to interact with the system including the automated mobile devices and/or to directly interact with the automated mobile devices. In some embodiments, the automated mobile devices and the corresponding system serve to enhance a customer shopping experience in the shopping facility, e.g., by assisting shoppers and/or workers at the facility.
• In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.
• System Overview
• Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1 illustrates embodiments of a shoppingfacility assistance system100 that can serve to carry out at least some of the teachings set forth herein. It will be understood that the details of this example are intended to serve in an illustrative capacity and are not necessarily intended to suggest any limitations as regards the present teachings. It is noted that generally,FIGS. 1-5 describe the general functionality of several embodiments of a system, andFIGS. 6-18 expand on some functionalities of some embodiments of the system and/or embodiments independent of such systems.
• In the example ofFIG. 1, ashopping assistance system100 is implemented in whole or in part at ashopping facility101. Generally, thesystem100 includes one or more motorized transport units (MTUs)102; one or more item containers104; acentral computer system106 having at least onecontrol circuit108, at least onememory110 and at least onenetwork interface112; at least oneuser interface unit114; alocation determination system116; at least onevideo camera118; at least one motorized transport unit (MTU)dispenser120; at least one motorized transport unit (MTU)docking station122; at least onewireless network124; at least onedatabase126; at least one userinterface computer device128; anitem display module130; and a locker or anitem storage unit132. It is understood that more or fewer of such components may be included in different embodiments of thesystem100.
• Thesemotorized transport units102 are located in theshopping facility101 and are configured to move throughout the shopping facility space. Further details regarding suchmotorized transport units102 appear further below. Generally speaking, thesemotorized transport units102 are configured to either comprise, or to selectively couple to, a corresponding movable item container104. A simple example of an item container104 would be a shopping cart as one typically finds at many retail facilities, or a rocket cart, a flatbed cart or any other mobile basket or platform that may be used to gather items for potential purchase.
• In some embodiments, thesemotorized transport units102 wirelessly communicate with, and are wholly or largely controlled by, thecentral computer system106. In particular, in some embodiments, thecentral computer system106 is configured to control movement of themotorized transport units102 through the shopping facility space based on a variety of inputs. For example, thecentral computer system106 communicates with eachmotorized transport unit102 via thewireless network124 which may be one or more wireless networks of one or more wireless network types (such as, a wireless local area network, a wireless personal area network, a wireless mesh network, a wireless star network, a wireless wide area network, a cellular network, and so on), capable of providing wireless coverage of the desired range of themotorized transport units102 according to any known wireless protocols, including but not limited to a cellular, Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Bluetooth network.
• By one approach thecentral computer system106 is a computer based device and includes at least onecontrol circuit108, at least onememory110 and at least one wired and/orwireless network interface112. Such acontrol circuit108 can comprise a fixed-purpose hard-wired platform or can comprise a partially or wholly programmable platform, such as a microcontroller, an application specification integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, and so on. These architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. Thiscontrol circuit108 is configured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in thememory110 as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein.
• In this illustrative example thecontrol circuit108 operably couples to one ormore memories110. Thememory110 may be integral to thecontrol circuit108 or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from thecontrol circuit108 as desired. Thismemory110 can also be local with respect to the control circuit108 (where, for example, both share a common circuit board, chassis, power supply, and/or housing) or can be partially or wholly remote with respect to the control circuit108 (where, for example, thememory110 is physically located in another facility, metropolitan area, or even country as compared to the control circuit108).
• Thismemory110 can serve, for example, to non-transitorily store the computer instructions that, when executed by thecontrol circuit108, cause thecontrol circuit108 to behave as described herein. (As used herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to refer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM) as well as volatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).)
• Additionally, at least onedatabase126 may be accessible by thecentral computer system106. Such databases may be integrated into thecentral computer system106 or separate from it. Such databases may be at the location of theshopping facility101 or remote from theshopping facility101. Regardless of location, the databases comprise memory to store and organize certain data for use by thecentral control system106. In some embodiments, the at least onedatabase126 may store data pertaining to one or more of: shopping facility mapping data, customer data, customer shopping data and patterns, inventory data, product pricing data, and so on.
• In this illustrative example, thecentral computer system106 also wirelessly communicates with a plurality ofuser interface units114. These teachings will accommodate a variety of user interface units including, but not limited to, mobile and/or handheld electronic devices such as so-called smart phones and portable computers such as tablet/pad-styled computers. Generally speaking, theseuser interface units114 should be able to wirelessly communicate with thecentral computer system106 via a wireless network, such as thewireless network124 of the shopping facility101 (such as a Wi-Fi wireless network). Theseuser interface units114 generally provide a user interface for interaction with the system. In some embodiments, a givenmotorized transport unit102 is paired with, associated with, assigned to or otherwise made to correspond with a givenuser interface unit114. In some embodiments, theseuser interface units114 should also be able to receive verbally-expressed input from a user and forward that content to thecentral computer system106 or amotorized transport unit102 and/or convert that verbally-expressed input into a form useful to thecentral computer system106 or amotorized transport unit102.
• By one approach at least some of theuser interface units114 belong to corresponding customers who have come to theshopping facility101 to shop. By another approach, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, at least some of theuser interface units114 belong to theshopping facility101 and are loaned to individual customers to employ as described herein. In some embodiments, one or moreuser interface units114 are attachable to a given movable item container104 or are integrated with the movable item container104. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or moreuser interface units114 may be those of shopping facility workers, belong to theshopping facility101 and are loaned to the workers, or a combination thereof.
• In some embodiments, theuser interface units114 may be general purpose computer devices that include computer programming code to allow it to interact with thesystem106. For example, such programming may be in the form of an application installed on theuser interface unit114 or in the form of a browser that displays a user interface provided by thecentral computer system106 or other remote computer or server (such as a web server). In some embodiments, one or moreuser interface units114 may be special purpose devices that are programmed to primarily function as a user interface for thesystem100. Depending on the functionality and use case,user interface units114 may be operated by customers of the shopping facility or may be operated by workers at the shopping facility, such as facility employees (associates or colleagues), vendors, suppliers, contractors, etc.
• By one approach, thesystem100 optionally includes one ormore video cameras118. Captured video imagery from such avideo camera118 can be provided to thecentral computer system106. That information can then serve, for example, to help thecentral computer system106 determine a present location of one or more of themotorized transport units102 and/or determine issues or concerns regarding automated movement of thosemotorized transport units102 in the shopping facility space. As one simple example in these regards, such video information can permit thecentral computer system106, at least in part, to detect an object in a path of movement of a particular one of themotorized transport units102.
• By one approach thesevideo cameras118 comprise existing surveillance equipment employed at theshopping facility101 to serve, for example, various security purposes. By another approach thesevideo cameras118 are dedicated to providing video content to thecentral computer system106 to facilitate the latter's control of themotorized transport units102. If desired, thevideo cameras118 can have a selectively movable field of view and/or zoom capability that thecentral computer system106 controls as appropriate to help ensure receipt of useful information at any given moment.
• In some embodiments, alocation detection system116 is provided at theshopping facility101. Thelocation detection system116 provides input to thecentral computer system106 useful to help determine the location of one or more of themotorized transport units102. In some embodiments, thelocation detection system116 includes a series of light sources (e.g., LEDs (light-emitting diodes)) that are mounted in the ceiling at known positions throughout the space and that each encode data in the emitted light that identifies the source of the light (and thus, the location of the light). As a givenmotorized transport unit102 moves through the space, light sensors (or light receivers) at themotorized transport unit102, on the movable item container104 and/or at theuser interface unit114 receive the light and can decode the data. This data is sent back to thecentral computer system106 which can determine the position of themotorized transport unit102 by the data of the light it receives, since it can relate the light data to a mapping of the light sources to locations at thefacility101. Generally, such lighting systems are known and commercially available, e.g., the ByteLight system from ByteLight of Boston, Mass. In embodiments using a ByteLight system, a typical display screen of the typical smart phone device can be used as a light sensor or light receiver to receive and process data encoded into the light from the ByteLight light sources.
• In other embodiments, thelocation detection system116 includes a series of low energy radio beacons (e.g., Bluetooth low energy beacons) at known positions throughout the space and that each encode data in the emitted radio signal that identifies the beacon (and thus, the location of the beacon). As a givenmotorized transport unit102 moves through the space, low energy receivers at themotorized transport unit102, on the movable item container104 and/or at theuser interface unit114 receive the radio signal and can decode the data. This data is sent back to thecentral computer system106 which can determine the position of themotorized transport unit102 by the location encoded in the radio signal it receives, since it can relate the location data to a mapping of the low energy radio beacons to locations at thefacility101. Generally, such low energy radio systems are known and commercially available. In embodiments using a Bluetooth low energy radio system, a typical Bluetooth radio of a typical smart phone device can be used as a receiver to receive and process data encoded into the Bluetooth low energy radio signals from the Bluetooth low energy beacons.
• In still other embodiments, thelocation detection system116 includes a series of audio beacons at known positions throughout the space and that each encode data in the emitted audio signal that identifies the beacon (and thus, the location of the beacon). As a givenmotorized transport unit102 moves through the space, microphones at themotorized transport unit102, on the movable item container104 and/or at theuser interface unit114 receive the audio signal and can decode the data. This data is sent back to thecentral computer system106 which can determine the position of themotorized transport unit102 by the location encoded in the audio signal it receives, since it can relate the location data to a mapping of the audio beacons to locations at thefacility101. Generally, such audio beacon systems are known and commercially available. In embodiments using an audio beacon system, a typical microphone of a typical smart phone device can be used as a receiver to receive and process data encoded into the audio signals from the audio beacon.
• Also optionally, thecentral computer system106 can operably couple to one or more user interface computers128 (comprising, for example, a display and a user input interface such as a keyboard, touch screen, and/or cursor-movement device). Such auser interface computer128 can permit, for example, a worker (e.g., an associate, analyst, etc.) at the retail orshopping facility101 to monitor the operations of thecentral computer system106 and/or to attend to any of a variety of administrative, configuration or evaluation tasks as may correspond to the programming and operation of thecentral computer system106. Suchuser interface computers128 may be at or remote from the location of thefacility101 and may access one or more thedatabases126.
• In some embodiments, thesystem100 includes at least one motorized transport unit (MTU) storage unit ordispenser120 at various locations in theshopping facility101. Thedispenser120 provides for storage ofmotorized transport units102 that are ready to be assigned to customers and/or workers. In some embodiments, thedispenser120 takes the form of a cylinder within whichmotorized transports units102 are stacked and released through the bottom of thedispenser120. Further details of such embodiments are provided further below. In some embodiments, thedispenser120 may be fixed in location or may be mobile and capable of transporting itself to a given location or utilizing amotorized transport unit102 to transport thedispenser120, then dispense one or moremotorized transport units102.
• In some embodiments, thesystem100 includes at least one motorized transport unit (MTU)docking station122. Thesedocking stations122 provide locations wheremotorized transport units102 can travel and connect to. For example, themotorized transport units102 may be stored and charged at thedocking station122 for later use, and/or may be serviced at thedocking station122.
• In accordance with some embodiments, a givenmotorized transport unit102 detachably connects to a movable item container104 and is configured to move the movable item container104 through the shopping facility space under control of thecentral computer system106 and/or theuser interface unit114. For example, amotorized transport unit102 can move to a position underneath a movable item container104 (such as a shopping cart, a rocket cart, a flatbed cart, or any other mobile basket or platform), align itself with the movable item container104 (e.g., using sensors) and then raise itself to engage an undersurface of the movable item container104 and lift a portion of the movable item container104. Once the motorized transport unit is cooperating with the movable item container104 (e.g., lifting a portion of the movable item container), themotorized transport unit102 can continue to move throughout thefacility space101 taking the movable item container104 with it. In some examples, themotorized transport unit102 takes the form of themotorized transport unit202 ofFIGS. 2A-3B as it engages and detachably connects to a given movable item container104. It is understood that in other embodiments, themotorized transport unit102 may not lift a portion of the movable item container104, but that it removably latches to, connects to or otherwise attaches to a portion of the movable item container104 such that the movable item container104 can be moved by themotorized transport unit102. For example, themotorized transport unit102 can connect to a given movable item container using a hook, a mating connector, a magnet, and so on.
• In addition to detachably coupling to movable item containers104 (such as shopping carts), in some embodiments,motorized transport units102 can move to and engage or connect to anitem display module130 and/or an item storage unit orlocker132. For example, anitem display module130 may take the form of a mobile display rack or shelving unit configured to house and display certain items for sale. It may be desired to position thedisplay module130 at various locations within theshopping facility101 at various times. Thus, one or moremotorized transport units102 may move (as controlled by the central computer system106) underneath theitem display module130, extend upward to lift themodule130 and then move it to the desired location. Astorage locker132 may be a storage device where items for purchase are collected and placed therein for a customer and/or worker to later retrieve. In some embodiments, one or moremotorized transport units102 may be used to move the storage locker to a desired location in theshopping facility101. Similar to how a motorized transport unit engages a movable item container104 oritem display module130, one or moremotorized transport units102 may move (as controlled by the central computer system106) underneath thestorage locker132, extend upward to lift thelocker132 and then move it to the desired location.
• FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate some embodiments of amotorized transport unit202, similar to themotorized transport unit102 shown in the system ofFIG. 1. In this embodiment, themotorized transport unit202 takes the form of a disc-shaped robotic device having motorized wheels (not shown), alower body portion204 and anupper body portion206 that fits over at least part of thelower body portion204. It is noted that in other embodiments, the motorized transport unit may have other shapes and/or configurations, and is not limited to disc-shaped. For example, the motorized transport unit may be cubic, octagonal, triangular, or other shapes, and may be dependent on a movable item container with which the motorized transport unit is intended to cooperate. Also included areguide members208. InFIG. 2A, themotorized transport unit202 is shown in a retracted position in which theupper body portion206 fits over thelower body portion204 such that themotorized transport unit202 is in its lowest profile orientation which is generally the preferred orientation for movement when it is unattached to a movable item container104 for example. InFIG. 2B, themotorized transport unit202 is shown in an extended position in which theupper body portion206 is moved upward relative to thelower body portion204 such that themotorized transport unit202 is in its highest profile orientation for movement when it is lifting and attaching to a movable item container104 for example. The mechanism within themotorized transport unit202 is designed to provide sufficient lifting force to lift the weight of theupper body portion206 and other objects to be lifted by themotorized transport unit202, such as movable item containers104 and items placed within the movable item container,item display modules130 and items supported by the item display module, andstorage lockers132 and items placed within the storage locker. Theguide members208 are embodied as pegs or shafts that extend horizontally from the both theupper body portion206 and thelower body portion204. In some embodiments, theseguide members208 assist docking themotorized transport unit202 to adocking station122 or adispenser120. In some embodiments, thelower body portion204 and the upper body portion are capable to moving independently of each other. For example, theupper body portion206 may be raised and/or rotated relative to thelower body portion204. That is, one or both of theupper body portion206 and thelower body portion204 may move toward/away from the other or rotated relative to the other. In some embodiments, in order to raise theupper body portion206 relative to thelower body portion204, themotorized transport unit202 includes an internal lifting system (e.g., including one or more electric actuators or rotary drives or motors). Numerous examples of such motorized lifting and rotating systems are known in the art. Accordingly, further elaboration in these regards is not provided here for the sake of brevity.
• FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate some embodiments of themotorized transport unit202 detachably engaging a movable item container embodied as ashopping cart302. InFIG. 3A, themotorized transport unit202 is in the orientation ofFIG. 2A such that it is retracted and able to move in position underneath a portion of theshopping cart302. Once themotorized transport unit202 is in position (e.g., using sensors), as illustrated inFIG. 3B, themotorized transport unit202 is moved to the extended position ofFIG. 2B such that thefront portion304 of the shopping cart is lifted off of the ground by themotorized transport unit202, with thewheels306 at the rear of theshopping cart302 remaining on the ground. In this orientation, themotorized transport unit202 is able to move theshopping cart302 throughout the shopping facility. It is noted that in these embodiments, themotorized transport unit202 does not bear the weight of theentire cart302 since therear wheels306 rest on the floor. It is understood that in some embodiments, themotorized transport unit202 may be configured to detachably engage other types of movable item containers, such as rocket carts, flatbed carts or other mobile baskets or platforms.
• FIG. 4 presents a more detailed example of some embodiments of themotorized transport unit102 ofFIG. 1. In this example, themotorized transport unit102 has ahousing402 that contains (partially or fully) or at least supports and carries a number of components. These components include acontrol unit404 comprising acontrol circuit406 that, like thecontrol circuit108 of thecentral computer system106, controls the general operations of themotorized transport unit102. Accordingly, thecontrol unit404 also includes amemory408 coupled to thecontrol circuit406 and that stores, for example, operating instructions and/or useful data.
• Thecontrol circuit406 operably couples to amotorized wheel system410. Thismotorized wheel system410 functions as a locomotion system to permit themotorized transport unit102 to move within the aforementioned retail or shopping facility101 (thus, themotorized wheel system410 may more generically be referred to as a locomotion system). Generally speaking, thismotorized wheel system410 will include at least one drive wheel (i.e., a wheel that rotates (around a horizontal axis) under power to thereby cause themotorized transport unit102 to move through interaction with, for example, the floor of the shopping facility101). Themotorized wheel system410 can include any number of rotating wheels and/or other floor-contacting mechanisms as may be desired and/or appropriate to the application setting.
• Themotorized wheel system410 also includes a steering mechanism of choice. One simple example in these regards comprises one or more of the aforementioned wheels that can swivel about a vertical axis to thereby cause the movingmotorized transport unit102 to turn as well.
• Numerous examples of motorized wheel systems are known in the art. Accordingly, further elaboration in these regards is not provided here for the sake of brevity save to note that theaforementioned control circuit406 is configured to control the various operating states of themotorized wheel system410 to thereby control when and how themotorized wheel system410 operates.
• In this illustrative example, thecontrol circuit406 also operably couples to at least onewireless transceiver412 that operates according to any known wireless protocol. Thiswireless transceiver412 can comprise, for example, a Wi-Fi-compatible and/or Bluetooth-compatible transceiver that can communicate with the aforementionedcentral computer system106 via theaforementioned wireless network124 of theshopping facility101. So configured thecontrol circuit406 of themotorized transport unit102 can provide information to thecentral computer system106 and can receive information and/or instructions from thecentral computer system106. As one simple example in these regards, thecontrol circuit406 can receive instructions from thecentral computer system106 regarding movement of themotorized transport unit102.
• These teachings will accommodate using any of a wide variety of wireless technologies as desired and/or as may be appropriate in a given application setting. These teachings will also accommodate employing two or moredifferent wireless transceivers412 if desired.
• Thecontrol circuit406 also couples to one or more on-board sensors414. These teachings will accommodate a wide variety of sensor technologies and form factors. By one approach at least onesuch sensor414 can comprise a light sensor or light receiver. When the aforementionedlocation detection system116 comprises a plurality of light emitters disposed at particular locations within theshopping facility101, such a light sensor can provide information that thecontrol circuit406 and/or thecentral computer system106 employs to determine a present location and/or orientation of themotorized transport unit102.
• As another example, such asensor414 can comprise a distance measurement unit configured to detect a distance between themotorized transport unit102 and one or more objects or surfaces around the motorized transport unit102 (such as an object that lies in a projected path of movement for themotorized transport unit102 through the shopping facility101). These teachings will accommodate any of a variety of distance measurement units including optical units and sound/ultrasound units. In one example, asensor414 comprises a laser distance sensor device capable of determining a distance to objects in proximity to the sensor. In some embodiments, asensor414 comprises an optical based scanning device to sense and read optical patterns in proximity to the sensor, such as bar codes variously located on structures in theshopping facility101. In some embodiments, asensor414 comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader capable of reading RFID tags in proximity to the sensor. Such sensors may be useful to determine proximity to nearby objects, avoid collisions, orient the motorized transport unit at a proper alignment orientation to engage a movable item container, and so on.
• The foregoing examples are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to convey an exhaustive listing of all possible sensors. Instead, it will be understood that these teachings will accommodate sensing any of a wide variety of circumstances or phenomena to support the operating functionality of themotorized transport unit102 in a given application setting.
• By one optional approach an audio input416 (such as a microphone) and/or an audio output418 (such as a speaker) can also operably couple to thecontrol circuit406. So configured thecontrol circuit406 can provide a variety of audible sounds to thereby communicate with a user of themotorized transport unit102, other persons in the vicinity of themotorized transport unit102, or even othermotorized transport units102 in the area. These audible sounds can include any of a variety of tones and other non-verbal sounds. These audible sounds can also include, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, pre-recorded or synthesized speech.
• Theaudio input416, in turn, provides a mechanism whereby, for example, a user provides verbal input to thecontrol circuit406. That verbal input can comprise, for example, instructions, inquiries, or information. So configured, a user can provide, for example, a question to the motorized transport unit102 (such as, “Where are the towels?”). Thecontrol circuit406 can cause that verbalized question to be transmitted to thecentral computer system106 via the motorized transport unit'swireless transceiver412. Thecentral computer system106 can process that verbal input to recognize the speech content and to then determine an appropriate response. That response might comprise, for example, transmitting back to themotorized transport unit102 specific instructions regarding how to move the motorized transport unit102 (via the aforementioned motorized wheel system410) to the location in theshopping facility101 where the towels are displayed.
• In this example themotorized transport unit102 includes arechargeable power source420 such as one or more batteries. The power provided by therechargeable power source420 can be made available to whichever components of themotorized transport unit102 require electrical energy. By one approach themotorized transport unit102 includes a plug or other electrically conductive interface that thecontrol circuit406 can utilize to automatically connect to an external source of electrical energy to thereby recharge therechargeable power source420.
• By one approach themotorized transport unit102 comprises an integral part of a movable item container104 such as a grocery cart. As used herein, this reference to “integral” will be understood to refer to a non-temporary combination and joinder that is sufficiently complete so as to consider the combined elements to be as one. Such a joinder can be facilitated in a number of ways including by securing the motorizedtransport unit housing402 to the item container using bolts or other threaded fasteners as versus, for example, a clip.
• These teachings will also accommodate selectively and temporarily attaching themotorized transport unit102 to an item container104. In such a case themotorized transport unit102 can include a movable item container coupling structure422. By one approach this movable item container coupling structure422 operably couples to acontrol circuit202 to thereby permit the latter to control, for example, the latched and unlatched states of the movable item container coupling structure422. So configured, by one approach thecontrol circuit406 can automatically and selectively move the motorized transport unit102 (via the motorized wheel system410) towards a particular item container until the movable item container coupling structure422 can engage the item container to thereby temporarily physically couple themotorized transport unit102 to the item container. So latched, themotorized transport unit102 can then cause the item container to move with themotorized transport unit102. In embodiments such as illustrated inFIGS. 2A-3B, the movable item container coupling structure422 includes a lifting system (e.g., including an electric drive or motor) to cause a portion of the body orhousing402 to engage and lift a portion of the item container off of the ground such that themotorized transport unit102 can carry a portion of the item container. In other embodiments, the movable transport unit latches to a portion of the movable item container without lifting a portion thereof off of the ground.
• In either case, by combining themotorized transport unit102 with an item container, and by controlling movement of themotorized transport unit102 via the aforementionedcentral computer system106, these teachings will facilitate a wide variety of useful ways to assist both customers and associates in a shopping facility setting. For example, themotorized transport unit102 can be configured to follow a particular customer as they shop within theshopping facility101. The customer can then place items they intend to purchase into the item container that is associated with themotorized transport unit102.
• In some embodiments, themotorized transport unit102 includes an input/output (I/O)device424 that is coupled to thecontrol circuit406. The I/O device424 allows an external device to couple to thecontrol unit404. The function and purpose of connecting devices will depend on the application. In some examples, devices connecting to the I/O device424 may add functionality to thecontrol unit404, allow the exporting of data from thecontrol unit404, allow the diagnosing of themotorized transport unit102, and so on.
• In some embodiments, themotorized transport unit102 includes auser interface426 including for example, user inputs and/or user outputs or displays depending on the intended interaction with the user. For example, user inputs could include any input device such as buttons, knobs, switches, touch sensitive surfaces or display screens, and so on. Example user outputs include lights, display screens, and so on. Theuser interface426 may work together with or separate from any user interface implemented at a user interface unit114 (such as a smart phone or tablet device).
• Thecontrol unit404 includes amemory408 coupled to thecontrol circuit406 and that stores, for example, operating instructions and/or useful data. Thecontrol circuit406 can comprise a fixed-purpose hard-wired platform or can comprise a partially or wholly programmable platform. These architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. Thiscontrol circuit406 is configured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in thememory408 as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein. Thememory408 may be integral to thecontrol circuit406 or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from thecontrol circuit406 as desired. Thismemory408 can also be local with respect to the control circuit406 (where, for example, both share a common circuit board, chassis, power supply, and/or housing) or can be partially or wholly remote with respect to thecontrol circuit406. Thismemory408 can serve, for example, to non-transitorily store the computer instructions that, when executed by thecontrol circuit406, cause thecontrol circuit406 to behave as described herein. (As used herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to refer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM) as well as volatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).)
• It is noted that not all components illustrated inFIG. 4 are included in all embodiments of themotorized transport unit102. That is, some components may be optional depending on the implementation.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram that may generally represent any number of various electronic components of thesystem100 that are computer type devices. Thecomputer device500 includes acontrol circuit502, amemory504, auser interface506 and an input/output (I/O)interface508 providing any type of wired and/or wireless connectivity to thecomputer device500, all coupled to acommunication bus510 to allow data and signaling to pass therebetween. Generally, thecontrol circuit502 and thememory504 may be referred to as a control unit. Thecontrol circuit502, thememory504, theuser interface506 and the I/O interface508 may be any of the devices described herein or as understood in the art. The functionality of thecomputer device500 will depend on the programming stored in thememory504. Thecomputer device500 may represent a high level diagram for one or more of thecentral computer system106, themotorized transport unit102, theuser interface unit114, thelocation detection system116, theuser interface computer128, theMTU docking station122 and theMTU dispenser120, or any other device or component in the system that is implemented as a computer device.
• Additional Features Overview
• Referring generally toFIGS. 1-5, theshopping assistance system100 may implement one or more of several different features depending on the configuration of the system and its components. The following provides a brief description of several additional features that could be implemented by the system. One or more of these features could also be implemented in other systems separate from embodiments of the system. This is not meant to be an exhaustive description of all features and not meant to be an exhaustive description of the details any one of the features. Further details with regards to one or more features beyond this overview may be provided herein.
• Tagalong Steering: This feature allows a givenmotorized transport unit102 to lead or follow a user (e.g., a customer and/or a worker) throughout theshopping facility101. For example, thecentral computer system106 uses thelocation detection system116 to determine the location of themotorized transport unit102. For example, LED smart lights (e.g., the ByteLight system) of thelocation detection system116 transmit a location number to smart devices which are with the customer (e.g., user interface units114), and/or on the item container104/motorized transport unit102. Thecentral computer system106 receives the LED location numbers received by the smart devices through thewireless network124. Using this information, in some embodiments, thecentral computer system106 uses a grid placed upon a 2D CAD map and 3D point cloud model (e.g., from the databases126) to direct, track, and plot paths for the other devices. Using the grid, themotorized transport unit102 can drive a movable item container104 in a straight path rather than zigzagging around the facility. As the user moves from one grid to another, themotorized transport unit102 drives the container104 from one grid to the other. In some embodiments, as the user moves towards the motorized transport unit, it stays still until the customer moves beyond an adjoining grid.
• Detecting Objects: In some embodiments,motorized transport units102 detect objects through several sensors mounted onmotorized transport unit102, through independent cameras (e.g., video cameras118), through sensors of a corresponding movable item container104, and through communications with thecentral computer system106. In some embodiments, with semi-autonomous capabilities, themotorized transport unit102 will attempt to avoid obstacles, and if unable to avoid, it will notify thecentral computer system106 of an exception condition. In some embodiments, using sensors414 (such as distance measurement units, e.g., laser or other optical-based distance measurement sensors), themotorized transport unit102 detects obstacles in its path, and will move to avoid, or stop until the obstacle is clear.
• Visual Remote Steering: This feature enables movement and/or operation of amotorized transport unit102 to be controlled by a user on-site, off-site, or anywhere in the world. This is due to the architecture of some embodiments where thecentral computer system106 outputs the control signals to themotorized transport unit102. These controls signals could have originated at any device in communication with thecentral computer system106. For example, the movement signals sent to themotorized transport unit102 may be movement instructions determined by thecentral computer system106; commands received at auser interface unit114 from a user; and commands received at thecentral computer system106 from a remote user not located at the shopping facility space.
• Determining Location: Similar to that described above, this feature enables thecentral computer system106 to determine the location of devices in theshopping facility101. For example, thecentral computer system106 maps received LED light transmissions, Bluetooth low energy radio signals or audio signals (or other received signals encoded with location data) to a 2D map of the shopping facility. Objects within the area of the shopping facility are also mapped and associated with those transmissions. Using this information, thecentral computer system106 can determine the location of devices such as motorized transport units.
• Digital Physical Map Integration: In some embodiments, thesystem100 is capable of integrating 2D and 3D maps of the shopping facility with physical locations of objects and workers. Once thecentral computer system106 maps all objects to specific locations using algorithms, measurements and LED geo-location, for example, grids are applied which sections off the maps into access ways and blocked sections.Motorized transport units102 use these grids for navigation and recognition. In some cases, grids are applied to 2D horizontal maps along with 3D models. In some cases, grids start at a higher unit level and then can be broken down into smaller units of measure by thecentral computer system106 when needed to provide more accuracy.
• Calling a Motorized Transport Unit: This feature provides multiple methods to request and schedule amotorized transport unit102 for assistance in the shopping facility. In some embodiments, users can request use of amotorized transport unit102 through theuser interface unit114. Thecentral computer system106 can check to see if there is an available motorized transport unit. Once assigned to a given user, other users will not be able to control the already assigned transport unit. Workers, such as store associates, may also reserve multiple motorized transport units in order to accomplish a coordinated large job.
• Locker Delivery: In some embodiments, one or moremotorized transport units102 may be used to pick, pack, and deliver items to aparticular storage locker132. Themotorized transport units102 can couple to and move the storage locker to a desired location. In some embodiments, once delivered, the requestor will be notified that the items are ready to be picked up, and will be provided the locker location and locker security code key.
• Route Optimization: In some embodiments, the central computer system automatically generates a travel route for one or more motorized transport units through the shopping facility space. In some embodiments, this route is based on one or more of a user provided list of items entered by the user via auser interface unit114; user selected route preferences entered by the user via theuser interface unit114; user profile data received from a user information database (e.g., from one of databases126); and product availability information from a retail inventory database (e.g., from one of databases126). In some cases, the route intends to minimize the time it takes to get through the facility, and in some cases, may route the shopper to the least busy checkout area. Frequently, there will be multiple possible optimum routes. The route chosen may take the user by things the user is more likely to purchase (in case they forgot something), and away from things they are not likely to buy (to avoid embarrassment). That is, routing a customer through sporting goods, women's lingerie, baby food, or feminine products, who has never purchased such products based on past customer behavior would be non-productive, and potentially embarrassing to the customer. In some cases, a route may be determined from multiple possible routes based on past shopping behavior, e.g., if the customer typically buys a cold Diet Coke product, children's shoes or power tools, this information would be used to add weight to the best alternative routes, and determine the route accordingly.
• Store Facing Features: In some embodiments, these features enable functions to support workers in performing store functions. For example, the system can assist workers to know what products and items are on the shelves and which ones need attention. For example, using 3D scanning and point cloud measurements, the central computer system can determine where products are supposed to be, enabling workers to be alerted to facing or zoning of issues along with potential inventory issues.
• Phone Home: This feature allows users in ashopping facility101 to be able to contact remote users who are not at theshopping facility101 and include them in the shopping experience. For example, theuser interface unit114 may allow the user to place a voice call, a video call, or send a text message. With video call capabilities, a remote person can virtually accompany an in-store shopper, visually sharing the shopping experience while seeing and talking with the shopper. One or more remote shoppers may join the experience.
• Returns: In some embodiments, thecentral computer system106 can task amotorized transport unit102 to keep the returns area clear of returned merchandise. For example, the transport unit may be instructed to move a cart from the returns area to a different department or area. Such commands may be initiated from video analytics (the central computer system analyzing camera footage showing a cart full), from an associate command (digital or verbal), or on a schedule, as other priority tasks allow. Themotorized transport unit102 can first bring an empty cart to the returns area, prior to removing a full one.
• Bring a Container: One or more motorized transport units can retrieve a movable item container104 (such as a shopping cart) to use. For example, upon a customer or worker request, themotorized transport unit102 can re-position one or more item containers104 from one location to another. In some cases, the system instructs the motorized transport unit where to obtain an empty item container for use. For example, the system can recognize an empty and idle item container that has been abandoned or instruct that one be retrieved from a cart storage area. In some cases, the call to retrieve an item container may be initiated through a call button placed throughout the facility, or through the interface of auser interface unit114.
• Respond to Voice Commands: In some cases, control of a given motorized transport unit is implemented through the acceptance of voice commands. For example, the user may speak voice commands to themotorized transport unit102 itself and/or to theuser interface unit114. In some embodiments, a voice print is used to authorize to use of amotorized transport unit102 to allow voice commands from single user at a time.
• Retrieve Abandoned Item Containers: This feature allows the central computer system to track movement of movable item containers in and around the area of theshopping facility101, including both the sale floor areas and the back-room areas. For example, using visual recognition throughstore cameras118 or throughuser interface units114, thecentral computer system106 can identify abandoned and out-of-place movable item containers. In some cases, each movable item container has a transmitter or smart device which will send a unique identifier to facilitate tracking or other tasks and its position using LED geo-location identification. Using LED geo-location identification with the Determining Location feature through smart devices on each cart, thecentral computer system106 can determine the length of time a movable item container104 is stationary.
• Stocker Assistance: This feature allows the central computer system to track movement of merchandise flow into and around the back-room areas. For example, using visual recognition and captured images, thecentral computer system106 can determine if carts are loaded or not for moving merchandise between the back room areas and the sale floor areas. Tasks or alerts may be sent to workers to assign tasks.
• Self-Docking:Motorized transport units102 will run low or out of power when used. Before this happens, themotorized transport units102 need to recharge to stay in service. According to this feature,motorized transport units102 will self-dock and recharge (e.g., at a MTU docking station122) to stay at maximum efficiency, when not in use. When use is completed, themotorized transport unit102 will return to adocking station122. In some cases, if the power is running low during use, a replacement motorized transport unit can be assigned to move into position and replace the motorized transport unit with low power. The transition from one unit to the next can be seamless to the user.
• Item Container Retrieval: With this feature, thecentral computer system106 can cause multiplemotorized transport units102 to retrieve abandoned item containers from exterior areas such as parking lots. For example, multiple motorized transport units are loaded into a movable dispenser, e.g., the motorized transport units are vertically stacked in the dispenser. The dispenser is moved to the exterior area and the transport units are dispensed. Based on video analytics, it is determined which item containers104 are abandoned and for how long. A transport unit will attach to an abandoned cart and return it to a storage bay.
• Motorized Transport Unit Dispenser: This feature provides the movable dispenser that contains and moves a group of motorized transport units to a given area (e.g., an exterior area such as a parking lot) to be dispensed for use. For example, motorized transport units can be moved to the parking lot to retrieve abandoned item containers104. In some cases, the interior of the dispenser includes helically wound guide rails that mate with theguide member208 to allow the motorized transport units to be guided to a position to be dispensed.
• Specialized Module Retrieval: This feature allows thesystem100 to track movement of merchandise flow into and around the sales floor areas and the back-room areas including special modules that may be needed to move to the sales floor. For example, using video analytics, the system can determine if a modular unit it loaded or empty. Such modular units may house items that are of seasonal or temporary use on the sales floor. For example, when it is raining, it is useful to move a module unit displaying umbrellas from a back room area (or a lesser accessed area of the sales floor) to a desired area of the sales floor area.
• Authentication: This feature uses a voice imprint with an attention code/word to authenticate a user to a given motorized transport unit. One motorized transport unit can be swapped for another using this authentication. For example, a token is used during the session with the user. The token is a unique identifier for the session which is dropped once the session is ended. A logical token may be a session id used by the application of theuser interface unit114 to establish the session id when user logs on and when deciding to do use thesystem100. In some embodiments, communications throughout the session are encrypted using SSL or other methods at transport level.
Further Details of Some Embodiments
• In accordance with some embodiments, further details are now provided for one or more of these and other features. By one approach, these teachings will accommodate providing a housing configured to contain a plurality of motorized transport units in a stacked relationship to one another, with a bottom-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units serving as a locomotion mechanism that selectively causes movement of the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein.
• By one approach the aforementioned housing has a cylindrical form factor and includes a cylindrically-shaped chamber configured to receive the plurality of motorized transport units in the aforementioned stacked relationship to one another. These teachings will accommodate a very simple structure in these regards if desired. By one approach, for example, this housing includes no lifting mechanism to lift any of the motorized transport units into itself. These teachings will also accommodate the housing having no integral locomotion mechanism by which the housing can move itself.
• By one approach the housing's cylindrically-shaped chamber includes at least one track formed therein to receive a corresponding part of each of the plurality of motorized transport units. The accommodated part can comprise, for example, the aforementioned guide member. So configured, the motorized transport units can engage that track (or tracks) to thereby lift themselves into the interior of the housing.
• So configured, a plurality of motorized transport units can be readily and conveniently moved from one location to another. Using this approach can help preserve stored energy for the motorized transport units that are not serving as the locomotion mechanism that causes movement of the housing. This approach also creates a highly-visible structure that is considerably easier for a vehicle driver or pedestrian to note and avoid. Accordingly, such a housing can be particularly effective when used to transport motorized transport units to a parking lot when deploying those motorized transport units to, for example, retrieve abandoned shopping carts in that parking lot.
• FIG. 6 provides anillustrative process600 in these regards. It will be understood that the specifics of this example are intended to serve in an illustrative capacity and are not intended to specify any particular limitations with respect to these teachings. For the sake of this illustrative example it is presumed that the aforementionedcentral computer system106 carries out thisprocess600.
• Atblock601 thecentral computer system106 instructs a plurality of the aforementionedmotorized transport units102 to enter a housing that is configured to contain that plurality ofmotorized transport units102 in a stacked relationship to one another.FIG. 7 provides an illustrative example of such ahousing700. In this example thehousing700 comprises a relatively simple construct that lacks, for example, any integral powered lifting mechanism to itself lift any of the plurality ofmotorized transport units102 into itself and also includes no integral locomotion mechanism (such as an engine or motor) by which the housing can move itself.
• In this illustrative example” thehousing700 comprises acylinder701 having, at least in part, a cylindrical form factor that further includes a cylindrically-shaped internal chamber that is open and accessible at the bottom of thehousing700. This cylindrically-shaped housing is configured to receive themotorized transport units102 in the aforementioned stacked relationship to one another as described below in more detail.
• In this example thehousing700 has alower portion702 and anupper portion703. Generally speaking thelower portion702 serves to include the cylindrically-shaped internal chamber and hence serves as a receiving area for themotorized transport units102. Theupper portion702 may or may not be substantially hollow as well but does not serve to house any of themotorized transport units102. One purpose served by theupper portion702 is to increase the visible height of thehousing700 to thereby increase the visibility of thehousing700 when located in, for example, a parking lot for vehicles. If desired, the upper and/orlower portions702 and703 can be internally illuminated to thereby further increase the visibility of thehousing700.
• Support panels704 are disposed at the bottom of thehousing700 and serve to both support the weight of thehousing700 and to define a point of ingress and egress formotorized transport units102. Thesesupport panels704 include grooved tracks formed therein to receiveguide members208 that protrude outwardly of themotorized transport units102 as described above.
• By one approach, and as shown inFIG. 8, thehousing700 may further contain or otherwise support one ormore sensors801. This sensor is configured to sense at least one attribute of the local external environment of thehousing700. That information regarding the external environment of thehousing700 is provided by acorresponding control circuit802 to awireless interface803 of choice (in this case, a Wi-Fi transceiver). So configured, that external environment information can be provided by the housing to thecentral computer system106 and/or to one or more of themotorized transport units102 that are contained within thehousing700.
• These teachings will accommodate a variety of sensors as appropriate to the needs and/or opportunities posed by a particular application setting. Examples include, but are not limited to, temperature sensors, light sensors, cameras (including video cameras), motion sensors, pressure sensors, heat sensors, moisture sensors, acceleration sensors, chemical sensors, and so forth.
• Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, thehousing700 can also include one or more tracks formed in the aforementioned cylindrically-shaped chamber and hence on an interior wall of thehousing700. These tracks, by one approach, can more specifically comprise a groove having a rectangular shaped cross section and parallel sidewalls that are disposed orthogonally with respect to the interior wall of thehousing700. The width and depth of these grooves can be sized to accommodate theaforementioned guide members208 of themotorized transport units102. So configured, theguide members208 are reliably and appropriately received within corresponding grooves and hence these grooves can therefore serve to both constrain a direction of movement of amotorized transport unit102 within the cylindrically-shaped chamber and can also, at least in some cases, provide a support surface against which themotorized transport unit102 can bias itself and hence effect movement within the cylindrically-shaped chamber.
• At least one of these grooves can comprise a vertically-orientedtrack901. By one approach this vertically-orientedtrack901 extends from (or about from) the bottom of the cylindrically-shaped chamber to the top (or about the top) of the cylindrically-shaped chamber (and/or thelower portion702 of the housing700). By one approach the cylindrically-shaped chamber includes two such vertically-orientedtracks901 disposed 180° apart from one another. By another approach the cylindrically-shaped chamber includes four such vertically-orientedtracks901, eachsuch track901 being positioned 90° apart from its adjacent vertically-orientedtracks901. As will be described below in more detail, such a vertically-orientedtrack901 can serve to guide movement of a correspondingmotorized transport unit102.
• At least another of these grooves can comprise a horizontally-orientedtrack902. For many application settings there will likely be a plurality of such horizontally-orientedtracks902 that are vertically displaced from one another in the cylindrically-shaped chamber. By one approach, and as illustrated, each such horizontally-orientedtrack902 can comprise a relatively short track that extends to either side of a corresponding vertically-orientedtrack901. In the illustrated example the horizontally-orientedtrack902 extends a substantially equal distance on either side of the vertically-orientedtrack901.
• These teachings will accommodate a great variety of other approaches in these regards, however. By one approach, for example, the horizontally-orientedtracks902 may only extend away from the vertically-orientedtrack901 on one side of the vertically-orientedtrack901 and not both sides. By another approach, and as another example, a single horizontally-orientedtrack902 may extend around the entire interior periphery of the cylindrically-shaped chamber and hence form a horizontal ring that intersects each and every one of the vertically-orientedtracks901 at that particular vertical level. These teachings will accommodate other variations as well as may suit the needs of a given application setting.
• So configured, these horizontally-orientedtracks902 can also serve to receive theaforementioned guide members208 of a correspondingmotorized transport unit102. As will be described below, so positioning such aguide member208 can serve to provide a surface against which themotorized transport unit102 can bias itself to thereby facilitate moving upwardly or downwardly in the cylindrically-shaped chamber.
• Referring now toFIGS. 11-17, one approach to employing such tracks to permit amotorized transport unit102 to move itself upwardly in the cylindrically-shaped chamber will be described.
• FIG. 11 illustrates amotorized transport unit102 that is presently supported by the ground and that has positioned itself at the bottom of the cylindrically-shaped chamber of thehousing700. Themotorized transport unit102 has also positioned its guide members208.1 and208.2 (as located respectively on theupper body portion206 and thelower body portion204 of the motorized transport unit102) in the aforementioned vertically-orientedtrack901. (A typicalmotorized transport unit102 will likely have more than these twoguide members208 and, similarly, atypical housing700 will have more than the one vertically-orientedtrack901 shown inFIG. 11. Only one such vertically-oriented track and twosuch guide members208 are used in this illustrative example for the sake of simplicity and clarity.) It will be noted that theupper body portion206 and thelower body portion204 of themotorized transport unit102 are fully (or at least mostly) telescoped inwardly towards a fully-contracted configuration.
• FIG. 12 depicts theupper body portion206 of themotorized transport unit102 having telescoped upwardly within the cylindrically-shaped chamber. The guide member208.1 on theupper body portion206 remains in the vertically-orientedtrack901 as does the guide member208.2 on thelower body portion204. Although theupper body portion206 is now disposed upwardly within the cylindrically-shaped chamber, thelower body portion204 remains in contact with the ground.
• InFIG. 13 theupper body portion206 has rotated counterclockwise a few inches (such as 1 to 6 inches) to thereby move the upper body portion's guide member208.1 along a corresponding one of the horizontally-orientedtracks1201. Thelower body portion204 did not rotate and its guide member208.2 remains where it was in the vertically-orientedtrack901.
• InFIG. 14 thelower body portion204 of themotorized transport unit102 telescopes inwardly of theupper body portion206 to thereby lift thelower body portion204 off the ground. Theupper body portion206 is able to remain in its previously-attained vertical level due to the placement and lodging of the upper body portion's guide member208.1 in the horizontally-oriented track. It may also be noted that the guide member208.2 for thelower body portion204 is now in line with another of the horizontally-orientedtracks1401.
• InFIG. 15 thelower body portion204 of themotorized transport unit102 has rotated counterclockwise to thereby move its guide member208.2 along its corresponding horizontally-alignedtrack1401. Theupper body portion206 and its guide member208.1 has remained essentially stationary during that activity.
• InFIG. 16 theupper body portion206 of themotorized transport unit102 has rotated clockwise to thereby move its guide member208.1 along its corresponding horizontally-orientedtrack1201 until the guide member208.1 is again in the vertically-orientedtrack901. Thelower body portion204 and its guide member208.2 have remained essentially stationary during that activity.
• InFIG. 17 theupper body portion206 of themotorized transport unit102 again telescopes outwardly/upwardly in order to move theupper body portion206 further away from thelower body portion204 within the cylindrically-shaped chamber. As this occurs thelower body portion204 remains at its previously-attained vertical level due to interaction between its guide member208.2 and the horizontally-orientedtrack1401 that contains that guide member208.2
• So configured, amotorized transport unit102 is able to itself move upwardly within thehousing700 to a desired or otherwise assigned vertical level. The use ofadditional guide members208 can help assure greater stability with respect to such movement. Amotorized transport unit102 can lower itself in thehousing700 by simply reversing the above-described procedure until thelower body portion204 contacts the ground.
• Depending upon the relative sizing of themotorized transport units102 and such ahousing700, for many application settings it will be useful to limit disposing no more than four suchmotorized transport units102 within a givenhousing700, one atop another. Such a limit can help prevent the center of gravity of a loadedhousing700 from being high enough to risk thehousing700 tipping over too easily during use.
• With continued reference toFIG. 6 and with reference as well toFIG. 18, as noted above, atblock601 thecentral computer system106 instructs a plurality ofmotorized transport units102 to enter ahousing700 that is configured as described above.FIG. 18 generally illustrates this loading activity at the area denoted by “A.” These teachings are relatively flexible in these regards. By one approach, all of themotorized transport units102 are loaded into thehousing700 at a shared location. By another approach one or more of themotorized transport units102 is loaded at a different location than one or more of the othermotorized transport units102. The loading area “A” might comprise, for example, a protected area of a parking lot (protected, for example, by fencing or other barriers to avoid interaction with passersby) or an area in a shopping cart bay near the front entrance of a retail shopping facility, to note but two examples in these regards.
• Atblock602 thecentral computer system106 instructs a bottom-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units102.1 to serve as a locomotion mechanism that selectively causes movement of thehousing700 with the plurality ofmotorized transport units102 contained therein. Being in contact with the ground, the bottom-most motorized transport unit102.1 can effect the desired movement by simply itself moving in its ordinary fashion.
• These teachings will accommodate a variety of follow-on actions as desired. By one optional approach, for example, atblock603 thecentral computer system106 causes thehousing700 with the plurality ofmotorized transport units102 contained therein to move into an action area. The area denoted by “B” inFIG. 18 illustrates such movement of thehousing700 towards an action area. An action area is simply an area where one or more of themotorized transport units102 are to be deployed in favor of accomplishing some task. The specific nature, size, and scope of the action area will vary with the application setting. As one illustrative example in these regards, the action area can comprise a part of the parking lot having a number of abandoned shopping carts.
• As thehousing700 moves, and as illustrated atoptional block604, thecentral computer system106 can receive information regarding the external environment to thehousing700 and use that information to further control the selective movement of the housing700 (via, for example, control of the bottom-most motorized transport unit102.1). By one approach that information regarding the external environment is provided by one ormore sensors801 as may comprise a part of thehousing700 itself (as described above). By another approach, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, thecentral computer system106 may receive such information via other sources such as, but not limited to, video cameras for the corresponding retail shopping facility that are located in the parking lot. So configured, and as one illustrative example in these regards, thecentral computer system106 may alter the previously-assigned route for thehousing700 in order to avoid an obstacle that now newly constitutes a part of the external environment for thehousing700.
• Atoptional block605 thecentral computer system106 can cause individual ones of the plurality ofmotorized transport units102 to remove themselves from within thehousing700 and undertake at least one assigned task in the aforementioned action area.FIG. 18 generally illustrates such activity at “C.” In this example, the previously bottom-most of the motorized transport units102.1 has removed itself from thehousing700. The second bottom-most motorized transport unit102.2 then lowered itself as described above and also removed itself from thehousing700. The previously third bottom-most motorized transport unit102.3 is now the current bottom-most motorized transport unit in thehousing700 and can either also remove itself from thehousing700 or can now serve as a means of locomotion for thehousing700. In this particular example it is presumed that this third bottom-most motorized transport unit102.3 also removes itself from thehousing700 in the action area.
• Atoptional block606 thecentral computer system106 causes a last remaining one of the plurality of motorized transport units (102.4 inFIG. 18 as appears in the area denoted by “D”) that is contained in thehousing700 to move thehousing700 outside of the action area. By one approach, for example, thehousing700 may be moved to its original location (or to another location of choice) where a new load ofmotorized transport units102 can be stacked therein. By another approach thehousing700 may remain in or near the action area in order to later retrieve the previously-deployedmotorized transport units102 in order to then move thosemotorized transport units102 to another action area and/or back to the original staging/loading area. Other options can be accommodated as appropriate to the needs of a particular application setting.
• Such ahousing700 can be comprised of relatively inexpensive materials, such as many plastics, aluminum and other metals, various composite materials, and so forth as desired. Thehousing700, lacking any moving mechanical parts and/or motors or the like, is relatively maintenance free and can likely serve in a typical application setting essentially full-time with very little downtime for maintenance being anticipated. By providing an opportunity to more safely movemotorized transport units102 to a given deployment area such ahousing700 can help to ensure less downtime as well for themotorized transport units102 and reduced confusion and unwanted interaction with various persons in the vicinity.
• Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims (15)

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to contain a plurality of motorized transport units in a stacked relationship to one another, an end-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units serving as a locomotion mechanism that selectively causes movement of the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein, wherein the housing includes no active mechanism to draw any of the plurality of motorized transport units into itself.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the end-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units comprises a bottom-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the housing further comprises at least one sensor configured to gather information regarding an external environment to the housing.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the housing further comprises at least one interface configured to transmit the information regarding the external environment.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the housing includes no integral locomotion mechanism by which the housing can move itself.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a central computer system configured to communicate with at least one of the plurality of motorized transport units to thereby control locomotion of the housing via the at least one of the plurality of motorized transport units.

7. A method comprising:

by a central computer system:

instructing a plurality of motorized transport units to enter a housing that is configured to contain the plurality of motorized transport units in a stacked relationship to one another;

instructing an end-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units to serve as a locomotion mechanism that selectively causes movement of the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein.

8. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the end-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units comprises a bottom-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units.

9. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the housing includes no active mechanism to draw any of the plurality of motorized transport units into itself.

10. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the housing further comprises at least one sensor configured to gather information regarding an external environment to the housing.

11. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising:

receiving the information regarding the external environment to the housing and using the information when controlling the selective movement of the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein.

12. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the housing includes no integral locomotion mechanism by which the housing can move itself.

13. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising:

causing the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein to move into an action area.

14. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising:

causing individual ones of the plurality of motorized transport units contained in the housing to remove themselves from within the housing and undertake at least one assigned task in the action area.

15. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising:

causing a last remaining one of the plurality of motorized transport units contained in the housing to move the housing outside of the action area.

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