Apparatuses, components and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping 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.

An active marker apparatus is provided for securely affixing active markers to a wearable article of an object in a performance capture system. The active marker light components coupled to a strand, are inserted into a receptacle to position the active marker light components onto the wearable article. A gap is provided in a chamber between the active marker light component and an interior surface of a protrusion portion of the receptacle. At least a section of the protrusion portion permits light emitted from the active marker light component into the chamber, to diffuse in a manner that allows the light to be easily detected by a camera in the live action scene. Each active marker light component is locked into place in a respective receptacle by one or more channels that receive the strand. A cap fitting may further assist in securing the receptacle to the wearable article and optionally aid in visual detection of the receptacle.

A sealed active marker apparatus of a performance capture system is described to provide protective housing for active marker light components coupled to a strand and attached via a receptacle, to an object, such as via a wearable article, in a live action scene. The receptacle includes a protrusion portion that permits at least one particular wavelength range of light emitted from the enclosed active marker light component, to diffuse in a manner that enables easy detection by a sensor device. A base portion interlocks with a bottom plate of the receptacle to secure the strand within one or more channels. A sealant material coating portions of the apparatus promotes an insulating environment for the active marker light component.

Installation of active markers light components to a wearable article of an object in a performance capture system is provided. The active marker light components are inserted into a receptacle to position the active marker light components onto the wearable article. The active marker light component and a strand to which the active marker light component is coupled, are inserted into the receptacle. The strand may be engaged into a channel in the receptacle. A top portion of the receptacle is introduced through an opening in the wearable article from the inside of the wearable article to the outside and a base portion catches an inner side of the wearable article. A fitting may be rotatably secured around the top portion at the outer side of the wearable article, to press against the base portion through the wearable article. The active markers light components may be removed from the wearable article by rotating the fitting in a counter-direction and guiding the top portion back through the opening.

Provided are embodiments of a position-adaptive lighting system comprising a pantilt adjustable housing enclosing a digital imaging system and a lens module operably connected to a computer-based digital control unit, a lamp, and a position indicator detectable by the digital camera system and the computer-based digital control unit. The position-adaptive lighting system can adjustably direct a light beam to provide illumination of an object to which the position indicator is attached. The system is advantageous for providing a directed light to a surgical site and accommodate the movement of the position indicator on a surgeons hand or instrument.

An aircraft passenger service unit, which is configured for being installed in a passenger cabin of an aircraft. The unit includes at least two near field communication interfaces, wherein each of the at least two near field communication interfaces is configured for a wireless exchange of messages with a corresponding near field communication interface of a neighboring aircraft passenger service unit. The messages include information that identifies the aircraft passenger service unit and the near field communication interface sending the respective message.

A system (100) for communicating a presence of a device via a light source (110) configured to emit light comprising an embedded code is disclosed. The system (100) comprises: a controller (102) comprising: a receiver (106) configured to receive a response signal from a first device (120), which response signal comprises an identifier of the first device (120), and which response signal is indicative of that the embedded code has been detected by the first device (120), and a processor (104) configured to correlate the embedded code with the identifier of the first device (120), such that the embedded code is representative of the identifier of the first device (120).

Some embodiments include apparatuses providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a retail facility, comprising: multiple self-propelled motorized transport units; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system, wherein the central computer system comprises: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed cause the control circuit to: receive an override command, from a worker associated with the retail facility, to cause a first motorized transport unit of the multiple motorized transport units to implement one or more actions; confirm a valid authorization of the worker to override one or more operating limits of the first motorized transport unit; and override the one or more operating limits and communicate one or more instructions to the first motorized transport unit configured to cause the first motorized transport unit to implement the one or more actions in accordance with the override command.

An LED light and communication system is in communication with a broadband over power line communications system. The LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver. The optical transceiver includes a light support having a plurality of light emitting diodes and at least one photodetector attached thereto, and a processor. The processor is in communication with the light emitting diodes and the at least one photodetector. The processor is constructed and arranged to generate a communication signal.

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.