Patents by Inventor Foster Hinshaw

Foster Hinshaw 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).

  • Patent number: 11939158
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen C Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20230303329
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Robert SULLIVAN, John LERT, Stephen C. TOEBES, Foster HINSHAW, Nathan ULRICH
  • Patent number: 11661279
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SYMBOTIC LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20220356018
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Robert SULLIVAN, John LERT, Stephen C. TOEBES, Foster HINSHAW, Nathan ULRICH
  • Patent number: 11396427
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20220002083
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: John LERT, Stephen C. TOEBES, Robert SULLIVAN, Foster HINSHAW, Nathan ULRICH
  • Patent number: 11124361
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SYMBOTIC LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20200399064
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Patent number: 10759600
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20190177088
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Robert SULLIVAN, John LERT, Stephen C. TOEBES, Foster HINSHAW, Nathan ULRICH
  • Patent number: 10239691
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Patent number: 10207870
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20160236866
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Robert SULLIVAN, John LERT, Stephen C. TOEBES, Foster HINSHAW, Nathan ULRICH
  • Publication number: 20160185526
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20100316468
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: CasePick Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20080276505
    Abstract: A display for a data-appliance cabinet comprises a panel having front and rear surfaces and dimensions matching a front-side portion of a data-appliance cabinet allocated to an absent accessory device, a translucent window through the panel, a light source for illuminating the translucent window via the rear surface of the panel, and means facilitating installation of the backlit display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Foster Hinshaw, John Chiu
  • Publication number: 20080046438
    Abstract: A database appliance in which two or more internetworked data storage units are used to coordinate the storage and retrieval of database records. One or more central database processing units are also associated with the data storage units. A network infrastructure provides the ability for the central database processors and storage processors to communicate as network nodes, with the network infrastructure using a communication protocol. A software application for executing database operations executes in a distributed fashion with portions of the database application executing on at least one central database processor and other portions executing on the data storage processors. At least a portion of the database application is implemented within and/or coordinated by a communication process that is executing the communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Foster Hinshaw, Steven Almy, David Utter, Barry Zane
  • Publication number: 20060129542
    Abstract: A system from processing database queries allows for cost and locale based distribution for execution of database queries. The database queries are executed on execution engines that provide flexible configuration and overlapping functionality. The system reduces various costs, including elapsed time, required to perform database queries. The system provides processing of a database query using a database catalog comprising database table locality information, record locality information and execution engine information. A query optimizer receives the query and accesses the database catalog to create a query execution plan comprising locality-based database operations. A central database operation processor providing a first execution engine executes the query execution plan by performing at least a portion of the locality-based database operations and distributing at least a portion of the locality-based database operations as a subplan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Foster Hinshaw, John Metzger, Barry Zane
  • Publication number: 20050028134
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a system for processing database queries, and more particularly to a method for generating high level language or machine code to implement query execution plans. In one preferred embodiment, the method begins by receiving a subject query, and then forming an execution plan corresponding to the subject query. The execution plan will typically have a sequence of component snippets or pieces and corresponding processes for implementing the pieces. For at least one piece in the plan, the process then (a) generates source code using different code generation techniques as a function of expected runtime processing machine types; and then (b) compiles the generated source code to form machine executable code for implementing the subject query. As a result, the query executed directly as machine executable code thereby avoiding runtime interpretation of the pieces in the execution plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Applicant: Netezza Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Zane, James Ballard, Foster Hinshaw, Premanand Yerabothu
  • Patent number: D590832
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Dataupia Corporation
    Inventors: Foster Hinshaw, John Chiu