Patents Assigned to OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
  • OBJECT STORAGE, HANDLING, AND RETRIEVING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20200407160
    Abstract: An object handling and retrieving system and method are described. A storage system is described suitable for storing multiple product lines in an automated warehouse environment. The storage system includes a plurality of load handling devices disposed above a frame and independently moveable to access different stacks. The load handling device can retrieve and transport a target container to a sequencing and temporary storage portion having a sorting frame for taking delivery of the target container and moving it to an output port of the sorting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew John INGRAM-TEDD, Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO, Pawel KAROLINCZAK
  • Robotic gripping device system and method
    Patent number: 10875175
    Abstract: A robotic gripping device, system and method are disclosed. The robotic device includes an end effector having at least one finger, the fingers being configured for manipulating objects in the vicinity of the device under computer control. The device is configured for manipulating objects of varying sizes, dimensions and positions with reference to the device, without requiring information as to the precise location of the object with reference to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham Deacon
  • Transporting Device Position Determining Apparatus and Method
    Publication number: 20200399060
    Abstract: A control unit is provided to improve positioning of transporting devices to thereby allow transporting devices to be driven at faster speeds and/or accelerations with minimal positional errors allowing for a reduction in the spacing between transporting devices. A control unit is arranged to control movement of at least one transporting device for containers stored in a facility having a plurality of pathways arranged in cells so as to form a grid-like structure above the stacks which extends in a first direction and in a second direction. The control unit includes a receiving unit arranged to receive information from a first sensor mounted on the at least one transporting device, and a calculating unit arranged to calculate a position of the at least one transporting device based on the receiPved information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Matthew WHELAN, David SHARP, David BROWN
  • ROBOTIC CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE AND HANDLING METHOD
    Publication number: 20200391942
    Abstract: A system and method for handling shipping containers is described. The container handling system comprises a crane, the crane comprising crane load handling devices. The container handling system further comprises conveyance means, the conveyance means further comprising transversal load handling devices. The system further comprises storage and sortation means for storing the containers in a series of stacks disposed beneath a grid, the grid comprising a series of load handling devices operable thereon. The crane load handling device removes a container from a ship, transports it to transversal load handling means operable on a conveyor. The container is moved on the conveyor to a transfer point where it is collected by a robotic load handling device for transport to the storage and sortation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Pawel Karolinczak, Matthew Whelan
  • VENDING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY VENDING
    Publication number: 20200387867
    Abstract: An automated vending system includes a physical item storage unit, and a plurality of land-based transportation mechanisms, or vehicles, arranged to store a predicted number and assortment of items to vend. A processing resource can communicate with the plurality of transportation vehicles, and is arranged to support a machine learning module. A plurality of data sources is arranged to provide data to the machine learning module to determine a plurality of respective actions for the plurality of transportation vehicles. The processing resource can communicate respective control instructions to the plurality of transportation vehicles. A selected transportation mechanism which receives the control instruction can operate in response to the control instruction in order to convey the item to a determined vending location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventor: Paul CLARKE
  • ROBOTIC PARKING DEVICE AND HANDLING METHOD
    Publication number: 20200361707
    Abstract: An exemplary robotic parking device of the present disclosure includes a number of stacks of containers. The stacks being positioned within a frame structure including uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks. The grid having substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Cars or vehicles are positioned in containers and are moved into and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The cars are put into the grid at entry points that may be positioned at points under the stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO, Andrew John INGRAM-TEDD, Pawel KAROLINCZAK, Matthew WHELAN
  • A CONTROLLER AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING DEVICES
    Publication number: 20200363819
    Abstract: A controller is provided to control movement of transporting devices. Embodiments limit the loads imparted on a grid of pathways structure of transporting devices to prevent non-safety-critical damage from excess loads and/or fatigue. A controller is arranged to control movement of transporting devices arranged to transport containers stored in a facility. The facility includes pathways arranged in cells to form a grid-like structure which extends in first and second directions. A route determination unit determines a route from one location to another, and a clearance unit to provide clearance for each transporting device to traverse a portion of the determined route. A constraint area determination unit determines constraint areas based on the grid-like structure and a calculation unit calculates a constraint limit in each constraint area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Robert STADIE, Matthew WHELAN, Gareth SIRET
  • Robotic service device and handling method
    Patent number: 10836577
    Abstract: A robotic service device is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device is capable of driving to any location on the grid order to perform maintenance operations or cleaning. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device may include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. The service device may also be provided with cleaning capability and a camera to enable the condition of the grid and other robotic devices to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Fryer, Andy Ingram-Tedd, Siddique Shaikh, Sverker Lindbo
  • GRASPING AFFORDANCE FOR USE IN A ROBOT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200353628
    Abstract: An affordance is disclosed which allows a robot system to pick an expanded range of items using a single type of end effector, without requiring the use of different end effectors. The affordance includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is arranged to be grasped by an end effector of the robot system and the second layer is arranged to adhere to the item. A system having an affordance and a robot system with an end effector arranged to grasp at least one item from storage by way of the affordance is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Duncan RUSSELL, Panagiotis SOTIROPOULOS
  • ROBOTIC PICKING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES
    Publication number: 20200354147
    Abstract: A robotic picking device for picking items 28 from a containerised storage system is described. The items 28 are stored in storage bins 10 in stacks 12 within a framework 14 comprising a grid system 22 disposed above the stacks 12 of bins 10. Robotic picking devices are disposed on the grid 22, the devices acting so as to pick containers from the stacks 12 of bins 10. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items 28 from bins 10 and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO, Andrew John INGRAM-TEDD, Alexander James Badenoch HARVEY
  • Apparatus for retrieving units from a storage system
    Patent number: 10829302
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Robert Rolf Stadie, Matthew Robert Whelan, Christopher Richard James Brett
  • Object storage, handling, and retrieving system and method
    Patent number: 10822166
    Abstract: An object handling and retrieving system and method are described. A storage system is described suitable for storing multiple product lines in an automated warehouse environment. The storage system includes a plurality of load handling devices disposed above a frame and independently moveable to access different stacks. The load handling device can retrieve and transport a target container to a sequencing and temporary storage portion having a sorting frame for taking delivery of the target container and moving it to an output port of the sorting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Pawel Karolinczak
  • Storage systems and methods
    Patent number: 10822167
    Abstract: A storage system having crash barriers is described. The crash barriers are mounted on separate structures, the structures being mounted adjacent the storage system. The separate structures include tracks such that robotic load handling devices operating on the storage system may over run without causing damage to the main part of the storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Martyn Lee Bates, Jaroslaw Malinowski
  • Order filling system
    Patent number: 10824991
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-executable coded instruction sets for the fully- and/or partly automated handling of goods are disclosed. In particular, the disclosure provides improvements in the handling of goods in fulfillment of orders for items of mixed sizes, weights, and other dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo
  • Method, medium, and system for ordering using a wearable device
    Patent number: 10817924
    Abstract: A grocery ordering system is disclosed in which a customer can place an order for delivery in a single click or touch. The system can be configured to run on a device with limited screen size such as a watch or a small-screened handheld device. As the screen size of the device may be limited the order can be placed and the delivery time and day allocated in as few screens or menus as possible. A customer can place an order in a single step, as the customer's previous orders and delivery slots are used to allocate an order and delivery time based on a preferred list of goods to order and a likely acceptable delivery slot. The delivery slot is calculated to allow sufficient time for the customer to amend their order on a device with a larger screen size or improved processing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Clifford Bailey, Tamique Weekes, James Dimmock, Kim Mann, Tomos Brennan
  • Transporting Device, Storage System and Method of Relocating a Transporting Device
    Publication number: 20200324971
    Abstract: A storage system as disclosed can maximize storage capacity whilst remaining scalable. A transporting device is arranged to form a cluster with a reconfigurable physical topology. A transporting device can cooperate with a portion of a surface, and with at least one other transporting device in a cluster with a reconfigurable physical topology. An item receiving space and a relocating unit permit relocation of the transporting device within the cluster by way of interaction with the portion of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew John INGRAM-TEDD, David SHARP, Joseph ZAMMIT, Ben THOMAS, Sean CLARK, Graham DEACON
  • Communication system for allocating resources to low bandwidth and high bandwidth communication links
    Patent number: 10805933
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Richard Stephens, Fraser Murray Edwards, Montague Fraser Barlow, Adam Nikolai Green, David Sharp
  • APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING UNITS FROM A STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200307908
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO, Robert Rolf STADIE, Matthew Robert Whelan, Christopher Richard James Brett
  • Trolley
    Patent number: D903218
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ashley Heck, Megan Godwin, Arash Sepahi
  • Trolley
    Patent number: D903219
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ashley Heck, Megan Godwin, Arash Sepahi