Shopping facility assistance system and method to retrieve in-store abandoned mobile item containers
US10071893B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/01
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A central computer system identifies a mobile item container in a retail shopping facility as being abandoned. The central computer system then directs a motorized transport unit through the retail shopping facility to the abandoned mobile item container and causes that motorized transport unit to physically attach to the abandoned mobile item container. The central computer system then directs that motorized transport unit through the retail shopping facility with the attached abandoned mobile item container to a specified destination within the retail shopping facility. Abandonment can be determined as a function, at least in part, of determining that the mobile item container is both stationary and unattended for at least a predetermined amount of time. By one approach the central computer system can use different predetermined amounts of time when assessing abandonment depending upon where in the retail shopping facility the mobile item containers are located.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.