Patents by Inventor Dennis Polle

Dennis Polle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and system for transporting inventory items
    Patent number: 8280546
    Abstract: A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kiva Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaello D'Andrea, Peter K. Mansfield, Michael C. Mountz, Dennis Polle, Patrick R. Dingle