Patents by Inventor David C. Koehler

David C. Koehler 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).

  • Maneuvering a mobile drive unit
    Patent number: 9511934
    Abstract: A method of rotating an inventory holder includes moving an inventory holder towards a rotation area along a straight segment of a path with a first face of the inventory holder facing a first direction. The rotation area includes a portion of a workspace designated for rotation of inventory holders. The method further includes moving the inventory holder into the rotation area along a first arced segment with an orientation of the first face perpendicular to the first arced segment. The method additionally includes executing a rotation maneuver within the rotation area and moving the inventory holder out of the rotation area along a second arced segment with a second face facing the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Edward Hoffman, David C. Koehler, Michael Cordell Mountz
  • MANEUVERING A MOBILE DRIVE UNIT
    Publication number: 20140195040
    Abstract: A method of rotating an inventory holder includes moving an inventory holder towards a rotation area along a straight segment of a path with a first face of the inventory holder facing a first direction. The rotation area includes a portion of a workspace designated for rotation of inventory holders. The method further includes moving the inventory holder into the rotation area along a first arced segment with an orientation of the first face perpendicular to the first arced segment. The method additionally includes executing a rotation maneuver within the rotation area and moving the inventory holder out of the rotation area along a second arced segment with a second face facing the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Edward Hoffman, David C. Koehler, Michael Cordell Mountz
  • System and method for maneuvering a mobile drive unit
    Patent number: 8649899
    Abstract: A method of rotating an inventory holder includes moving an inventory holder towards a rotation area along a straight segment of a path with a first face of the inventory holder facing a first direction. The rotation area includes a portion of a workspace designated for rotation of inventory holders. The method further includes moving the inventory holder into the rotation area along a first arced segment with an orientation of the first face perpendicular to the first arced segment. The method additionally includes executing a rotation maneuver within the rotation area and moving the inventory holder out of the rotation area along a second arced segment with a second face facing the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew E. Hoffman, David C. Koehler, Michael C. Mountz
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANEUVERING A MOBILE DRIVE UNIT
    Publication number: 20070290040
    Abstract: A method of rotating an inventory holder includes moving an inventory holder towards a rotation area along a straight segment of a path with a first face of the inventory holder facing a first direction. The rotation area includes a portion of a workspace designated for rotation of inventory holders. The method further includes moving the inventory holder into the rotation area along a first arced segment with an orientation of the first face perpendicular to the first arced segment. The method additionally includes executing a rotation maneuver within the rotation area and moving the inventory holder out of the rotation area along a second arced segment with a second face facing the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew E. Hoffman, David C. Koehler, Michael C. Mountz