Abstract: A method for facilitating operations in storage facilities. A server receives a service request for performing a first operation in the storage facility. The server identifies a first storage unit based on the service request. The server identifies an operation zone of the first storage unit for performing the first operation. The server determines an ergonomic score for each operator for performing the first operation based on characteristics of the operation zone and the fatigue level of the corresponding operator. The server allocates the first storage unit to a first operator for performing the first operation, based on the determined ergonomic scores, thereby ensuring an increased throughput of the storage facility.

Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method for controlling movement of a vehicle along a transportation path. The method includes receiving, by circuitry of an information processing apparatus, first marker information that is generated based on a first marker being detected by the vehicle, wherein the first marker being one of a plurality of markers located at predetermined positions. The circuitry further determines a second marker of the plurality of markers to which the vehicle is to be moved from the first marker and thereafter generates first control information to control movement of the vehicle from the first marker to the second marker based on the first marker information and pre-determined navigation information associated with the first marker, wherein the predetermined navigation information indicates the location of the second marker relative to the first marker. The circuitry further transmits the first control system station information to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for facilitating operations in storage facilities. A server receives a service request for performing a first operation in the storage facility. The server identifies a first storage unit based on the service request. The server identifies an operation zone of the first storage unit for performing the first operation. The server determines an ergonomic score for each operator for performing the first operation based on characteristics of the operation zone and the fatigue level of the corresponding operator. The server allocates the first storage unit to a first operator for performing the first operation, based on the determined ergonomic scores, thereby ensuring an increased throughput of the storage facility.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method for selecting a storage location for an item. The method includes obtaining order information for a plurality of previously fulfilled orders, wherein each order includes at least one item. Based on the obtained order information, one or a combination of an affinity value of the item and a popularity value of the item are computed. The method determines available storage locations in a plurality of storage racks, each rack including at least one shelf. Further, the method computes for each available storage location, one or a combination of an affinity score and a popularity score of the storage rack with respect to the item. The method selects the storage location from the available storage locations based on at least one of the calculated affinity score and the calculated popularity score, and instructs a vehicle to store the item at the selected storage location.

Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method of fulfilling an order. The method includes: determining, by circuitry of an information processing apparatus, the order to be processed; selecting an operator station where the order will be fulfilled, a rack that includes an item required to fulfill the order, and a vehicle to transport the rack to the operator station; transmitting at least a portion of a transportation path to the selected vehicle; and monitoring locations of the selected vehicle along the transportation path based on marker information received for each marker of a plurality of markers that is detected by the selected vehicle, wherein the plurality of markers is located at predetermined positions.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method for selecting a storage location for an item. The method includes obtaining order information for a plurality of previously fulfilled orders, wherein each order includes at least one item. Based on the obtained order information, one or a combination of an affinity value of the item and a popularity value of the item are computed. The method determines available storage locations in a plurality of storage racks, each rack including at least one shelf. Further, the method computes for each available storage location, one or a combination of an affinity score and a popularity score of the storage rack with respect to the item. The method selects the storage location from the available storage locations based on at least one of the calculated affinity score and the calculated popularity score, and instructs a vehicle to store the item at the selected storage location.

Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method for path correction of a vehicle travelling from a first marker to a second marker. The method includes the steps of: computing, by circuitry of an information processing apparatus, an offset in a location of the vehicle with respect to the first marker; dividing a distance between the first maker and the second marker into a predetermined number of segments; computing a speed profile of the vehicle based on the distance between the first marker and the second marker; generating a compensation curve based on the computed offset and a plurality of interpolation points; and modifying, upon each segment being traversed by the vehicle, the speed profile of the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method for path correction of a vehicle travelling from a first marker to a second marker. The method includes the steps of: computing, by circuitry of an information processing apparatus, an offset in a location of the vehicle with respect to the first marker; dividing a distance between the first maker and the second marker into a predetermined number of segments; computing a speed profile of the vehicle based on the distance between the first marker and the second marker; generating a compensation curve based on the computed offset and a plurality of interpolation points; and modifying, upon each segment being traversed by the vehicle, the speed profile of the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method for controlling movement of a vehicle along a transportation path. The method includes receiving, by circuitry of an information processing apparatus, first marker information that is generated based on a first marker being detected by the vehicle, wherein the first marker being one of a plurality of markers located at predetermined positions. The circuitry further determines a second marker of the plurality of markers to which the vehicle is to be moved from the first marker and thereafter generates first control information to control movement of the vehicle from the first marker to the second marker based on the first marker information and pre-determined navigation information associated with the first marker, wherein the predetermined navigation information indicates the location of the second marker relative to the first marker. The circuitry further transmits the first control system station information to the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method of fulfilling an order. The method includes: determining, by circuitry of an information processing apparatus, the order to be processed; selecting an operator station where the order will be fulfilled, a rack that includes an item required to fulfill the order, and a vehicle to transport the rack to the operator station; transmitting at least a portion of a transportation path to the selected vehicle; and monitoring locations of the selected vehicle along the transportation path based on marker information received for each marker of a plurality of markers that is detected by the selected vehicle, wherein the plurality of markers is located at predetermined positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure refer to an article collation system and method for collating articles where ‘article’ may indicate an object, thing, item, unit, piece of merchandise, commodity, product, good or an entity synonymous with the definition provided. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an article collation system comprises at least one identifier associated with each article where one or more attributes are associated with each identifier. Further, the system comprises one or more transporters for moving each article along a common path to one of a plurality of collection points, where a plurality of diverters are associated with one or more said transporters for routing each article to said collection point, and a controller dynamically adapting operation of said transporters and said diverters to fulfill user requirements considering the attributes of each article and optimizing the system functions based on instantaneous load conditions.