Some embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatus to enhance safety. In some embodiments, a system comprises: a central computer system comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: communicate positioning routing instructions to the plurality of motorized transport units directing the motorized transport units to one or more external areas of a shopping facility that are exposed to weather conditions; and communicate separate area routing instructions to each of the motorized transport units that when implemented cause the motorized transport units to cooperatively and in concert travel in accordance with the area routing instructions over at least predefined portions of one or more external areas to cause ground treatment systems to address ground level conditions.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and computer-implemented methods for generating a composite image. Consistent with some embodiments, a method includes receiving a first image captured by a camera on a user device and a request for a composite image based on the first image. A database of images is queried based on the first image to identify a second image. The second image is provided to the user device for presentation via an application running on the user device. A selection of one or more image elements from the second image is received via the application running on the user device. The composite image is generated by replacing one or more elements of the first image with the selected one or more elements from the second image, and the composite image is provided to the user device.

An electronic computer-implemented and interactive platform is described, which permits the offer, sale, and distribution of diamonds by sellers to purchasers and, as a result, into the overall diamond marketplace. Each diamond is scanned in order to create a three-dimensional (3D) virtual model that can include images and/or other data that digitally identifies that diamond, providing a fingerprint of the diamond. The purchaser may have highly confidential and proprietary information that specifies the critical details of its manufacturing process for each type of cut of polished diamond, referred to as polished diamond parameters (PDPs). A planning system is used to offload time consuming and computationally expensive planning operations from the manufacturer (or other purchaser), and does so prior to a purchase. The planning system and a matching process are used by the platform to enable the data in each PDP file to be applied to the 3D virtual model of each individual diamond.

A method for delivering a product transportation device to a customer includes detecting, with machine vision, that a customer in a brick-and-mortar store is carrying one or more items without a product transportation device to transport the one or more items. An image is obtained of the customer carrying the one or more items without a product transportation device along with a location of the customer. The image and location are sent to a mobile device of an employee of the brick-and-mortar store. The employee delivers a product transportation device to the customer location and the customer is notified of the delivery of the product transportation device for transportation of the one or more items.

Systems, apparatuses and methods for providing passenger transport are provided. A system for providing passenger transport includes a plurality of passenger carriers, a plurality of motorized transport units each configured to mechanically couple at least one of the plurality of passenger carriers, and a central computer system communicatively coupled to the plurality of motorized transport units. The central computer system being configured to receive a ride request from a customer, instruct a motorized transport unit to travel to a passenger carrier and couple to the passenger carrier, and instruct the motorized transport unit coupled to the passenger carrier to travel to the customer to provide transportation to the customer.

Methods and apparatuses are provided, some apparatuses comprise: a location controller separate from a motorized transport unit, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive communications from the motorized transport unit; a control circuit; a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from the communications, a unique light source identifier of a light source detected by the motorized transport unit, and relative distance information determined by the motorized transport unit through an optical measurement; process the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information relative to a mapping of the shopping facility; and determine, in response to the processing, a location of the motorized transport unit within the shopping facility as a function of the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information.

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.

A delivery device includes an image capture device for generating delivery image data of a delivery at a service address. A processor executes a delivery application to bidirectionally communicate delivery data with the delivery data server via the network interface, wherein the delivery data includes a delivery tracking number and the delivery image data. The delivery data server processes the delivery data to provide a delivery confirmation to a customer at the service address, wherein the delivery confirmation includes the delivery tracking number and the delivery image data.

A beacon device includes a beacon code generator that generates beacon data that uniquely indicates a subscriber. A beacon generator generates a wireless homing beacon that indicates the beacon data. The wireless homing beacon is detectable by the at least one drone delivery device to facilitate a service delivery by the drone delivery device at the location of the beacon device.

Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a browsing request to view an item offered by a first third party retailer. An estimated inventory value for the item at the first third-party retailer is retrieved. The estimated inventory value is maintained using a combination of a history of purchases of the item and a history of inventory values for the item received from one or more third party retailers. A representation of the item as being available for purchase is transmitted to a user device based upon the estimated inventory value for the item. In response to receiving a request to initiate a purchase of the item, a request for a current inventory value for the item is transmitted to a retail server. The purchase of the item is initiated in response to determining the item is available based upon the received current inventory value.