Abstract: A robotic service device for a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device can be configured for driving to any location on the grid in order to restart malfunctioning robotic load handling devices or to perform maintenance operations or cleaning in situ. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device can include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. A deployable, releasable electrical connecting device is shaped to conform to a charging, powering, or battery component of one or more of the load handling devices.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of transporting devices arranged to transport containers, the containers being stored in stacks arranged in a facility. A facility having pathways arranged in a grid-like structure above stacks, the transporting devices being configured to operate on the grid-like structure. A control unit configured to determine at least one task to be performed by at least one transporting device, wherein the at least one task is determined based on at least one of: transporting device battery condition, transporting device damage, transporting device maintenance issues, and transporting device service issues.

Abstract: A device can determine its position in a communications system. A scalable solution permits multiple devices to be used in one area without detrimental effect on the accuracy or latency of the position determining. The communications system includes a first base station arranged to transmit a first signal to a second base station arranged receive the first signal and transmit a second signal to the first base station in response The first base station is arranged to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal to the second base station in response to the second signal. delay time measuring unit, round trip time measuring unit, a base station timings unit and a calculating unit are used to calculate a first time difference of arrival based on a first round trip time, first delay time, second round trip time and a second delay time.

Abstract: A mechanised container for use in a robotic storage and picking system is described. The container includes a base openable to deposit at least one item from the container in to a further container positioned by a load handling device beneath the first container. Each item can be stored in such mechanised containers in stacks within a robotic storage and picking system.

Abstract: A system for picking items from a containerised storage system is described. The items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework comprising a grid system disposed above the stacks of bins. Robotic devices are disposed on the grid, the devices acting so as to pick containers from the stacks of bins. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items from bins and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for fraud detection such that a large number of events per second of online activity/ordering are effectively reduced to a few cases of fraud by finding patterns in fraudulent orders. According to the present disclosure there is provided a fraud detection unit arranged to communicate with a customer order database, a customer order history database and a fraud statistics database. The fraud detection unit includes a training unit arranged to train a model based on customer order history information in a customer order history database and fraud statistics information in an fraud statistics database and a calculating unit arranged to calculate a probability of an order being fraudulent based on a trained model and customer order information in a customer order database.

Abstract: A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern can include a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. The load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load-handling device includes a container-receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container-receiving space. The load handling device has a footprint that, in use, occupies only a single grid space in the storage system.

Abstract: A robotic cargo handling system and method provides an interchange for moving shipping containers and semi-trailers between trains, between train and road vehicles and between road vehicles. The interchange includes a structure located above a series of railway tracks forming part of a rail network and a series of roads forming part of a road network. Tracks supported by the structure form a grid-like pattern above the transport network tracks and roads. Robotic load handlers operable on the tracks or rails of the grid structure pick up containers from beneath the structure and move the containers to alternative locations-by moving the containers between vehicles located beneath the structure.

Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run to lift containers from the stacks and deposit them at alternative locations in the stacks or at stations where goods may be removed or alternative functions may be undertaken. The containers can provide the following exemplary services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing, and data logging. The provision of these services within individual containers rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency. The containers when removed from the stacks are electrically connected to the load handling device, power being supplied by a power supply within the load handling device.

Abstract: A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern can include a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. The load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load-handling device includes a container-receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container-receiving space. The load handling device has a footprint that, in use, occupies only a single grid space in the storage system.

Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. The containers include liners formed from flame retardant or flame suppressant material. Containers with a liner are used to store ignitable items within the storage system.

Abstract: A communication system for communication between one or more terminal units includes: a communication manager that is configured to define and manage one or more adjustable communication links for efficient bandwidth utilization, wherein the one or more communication links are adjustable by the communication manager adjusting the bandwidth of each of the one or more communication links, the frequency bands utilized by each of the one or more communication links, and the latency for each of the one or more communication links.

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus and method provide recommendations for products which a customer may need to order and/or items which the customer may have forgotten to order. An exemplary recommendation unit can communicate with a product information database, a product similarity database, a customer purchase history database and a customer order database. The recommendation unit includes a determining unit to store a determined similarity of products in the product similarity database, a training unit to train a model based on information about products previously purchased by each customer and information about at least one determined similarity as stored in the product similarity database, a similarity unit to generate at least one product similar to at least one product to be purchased by a customer based on information about a current order of a customer, and a calculating unit to calculate a probability that a customer forgot to add a similar product.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for a webshop such that the products shown to a customer are related to the purchasing habits of the customer. A control unit is arranged to communicate with a product information database, a product category database and a customer purchase history database. The control unit includes a product categorising unit arranged to generate at least one product category based on product information in the product information database and to store the at least one generated product category in the product category database. A calculating unit is arranged to calculate a probability of a customer being an underbuyer/overbuyer of a type of product based on the customer's purchase history stored in the customer purchase history database and the at least one product category from the product category database.

Abstract: A system and method for picking items is disclosed. The system includes a grid-based storage area and an order assembly area. The system includes an array of presentation positions, the presentation positions being configured and adapted so as to present storage containers delivered to the presentation positions so as to enable picking of items contained therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an affordance for an item to be stored in a container such that an easier grasp can be made on an item to be removed from the container. A support is arranged to support at least a portion of the item to be grasped and a grasping device is arranged to be grasped. A storage system having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks forms a grid pattern, a plurality of stacks of containers being located beneath the rails, and arranged such that each stack is located within a footprint of a single grid space. A transporting device is arranged to move in X and/or Y directions, above the stacks. A container can contain at least one item and at least one affordance is installed on the item.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of transporting devices arranged to transport containers stored in stacks arranged in a facility having pathways arranged in a grid-like structure above the stacks, the transporting devices being configured to operate on the grid-like structure. A movement optimisation unit is configured to determine a route of a transporting device from one location on a grid-like structure to another location on the grid-like structure for each transporting device. A reservation unit is configured to reserve a path on the grid-like structure for each transporting device based on the determined route. A clearance unit is configured to provide clearance for each transporting device to traverse a portion of the reserved path.

Abstract: A system for picking items from a containerised storage system is described. The items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework having a grid system disposed above the stacks of bins. Robotic devices are disposed on the grid, the devices acting so as to pick containers from the stacks of bins. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items from bins and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.

Abstract: A parcel sorting system is disclosed having bags located within rigid containers to form nested containers. The bags are configured to enable the bag to conform to an inner surface area of the rigid container. The resultant nested container can provide more efficient packing of packages and parcels for transportation.

Abstract: A robotic service device for a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device can be configured for driving to any location on the grid in order to restart malfunctioning robotic load handling devices or to perform maintenance operations or cleaning in situ. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device can include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. The service device can also be provided with a cleaning device and camera device to enable a condition of a grid and other robotic devices to be monitored.