SHOPPING FACILITY ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS THAT EMPLOY VOICE INPUT

摘要

A central computer system receive a voice input comprising a motorized transport unit command from a system user via a particular user interface unit that is associated with a particular motorized transport unit at a shopping facility. In response the central computer system transmits to the user interface unit a motorized transport unit instruction that corresponds to the motorized transport unit command, such that the user interface unit can then provide that motorized transport unit instruction to the motorized transport unit for execution by the motorized transport unit. By one approach these components can interact with one another to facilitate a verbally-based authentication procedure by which the system user is associated with the motorized transport unit.

主权项

1. A shopping facility assistance system comprising:
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; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with 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, and wherein the central computer system is further configured to:
receive a voice input comprising a motorized transport unit command from a system user via a particular one of the user interface units that is associated with a particular one of the motorized transport units;transmit to the particular one of the user interface units a motorized transport unit instruction that corresponds to the motorized transport unit command, such that the particular one of the user interface units can then provide that motorized transport unit instruction to the particular one of the motorized transport units for execution by the particular one of the motorized transport units.