A pharmaceutical storage box to be stored in a pharmaceutical refrigerator and managed by a controller, the pharmaceutical storage box includes: a storage portion to store a pharmaceutical, the pharmaceutical having an IC tag attached thereto; and an antenna configured to receive information of the IC tag.

A securable vertical toolbox includes a vertically disposed frame, a plurality of wheels for transporting the vertically disposed frame, and a plurality of support panels configured to extend horizontally from the vertically disposed frame, each of the support panels including a peg board configured to support tool supporting fixtures. The securable vertical toolbox further includes an enclosure including a rear panel, a top panel, and two doors configured to surround the vertically disposed frame when the plurality of support panels are retracted into the vertically disposed frame and the two doors are secured, each of the two doors including a first panel configured to cover a side portion of the vertically disposed frame and a second panel configured to cover a front portion of the vertically disposed frame.

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.

Systems and methods of the invention relate to managing an inventory of items within a storage container. A storage container can house one or more items for distribution among one or more users such as, for instance, employees. The storage container discussed herein provides authentication of a user, tracking of the inventory each user removes or returns, video/image capture of user during access of the storage container, wireless tracking of items housed within the storage container, among others. The storage container can provide flame retardant protection and/or electrical isolation to one or more items located within the storage container.

An automated transporting, storage and retrieval system is provided and includes a control center, and an automated guided mobile unit, a picking spot and a delivery spot in an area; the automated guided mobile unit is connected to the control center; plural storage and retrieval shelves deployed within the area with one of them located on the picking spot containing an inventory item; the control center is configured to: transmit a task command including the inventory item and the delivery spot to the automated guided mobile unit; the automated guided mobile unit is configured to: determine whether it is engaged with the shelf; if yes, the automated guided mobile unit receives the task command and approaches the shelf located on the picking spot to retrieve the inventory item to deliver it to the delivery spot; if no, the automated guided mobile unit approaches one of the shelves and engages therewith.

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.

A shelf (100) for use in electronic reading applications includes a printed circuit board (PCB) (102) and a shelf member (110). The PCB carries a plurality of electronic components (104) which define a circuit board topography having relief features standing proud of a surface (106) of the PCB. The shelf member (110) has a first side (112) and an opposed, second side (114). The second side of the shelf member has recesses (116) corresponding to a negative of the circuit board topography, and the surface (106) of the PCB is attached to the second side (114) of the shelf member so that the electronic components (104) are received within the recesses (116) of the shelf member (110).

The present disclosure is generally directed to methods of tracking stocked inventory, such as products or other items stocked on a store shelf or other storage space. The disclosure is also directed to devices and systems that may be utilized to carry out such methods.

An automated dispensing system that releases a selected quantity of an edible or non-edible bulk product is provided. Using a digital interface or a dispense button, consumers select a specified amount of bulk product to be dispensed (by weight, mass, or cost). The product is then dispensed into a receptacle container and the system calculates the quantity and corresponding cost that was dispensed into the receptacle container. Using an identification key system, consumers can activate the automatic dispensing system. The identification key may be used to track and store the user's dispensed bulk products. This information may be uploaded to a database that is later called upon at the time of checkout to tabulate the users total cost of dispensed bulk products. The system can also update an inventory database of the bulk products.

Some embodiments provide a system comprising: multiple self-propelled motorized transport units; a wireless communication network; and a central computer comprising: a transceiver, a control circuit and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: receive a request from a customer requesting location information for a requested item; identify the requested item is a category of items, and identify category location information; communicate routing instructions to the motorized transport unit based on the category location information causing the motorized transport unit to initiate physical movement; and communicate to the motorized transport unit a species clarification inquiry instruction configured to cause the motorized transport unit, while implementing routing instructions to move toward the category location, to present a clarification inquiry to the customer seeking clarification in narrowing the identified category to one or more products categorized within the identified category.