Patents by Inventor Michael T. Barbehenn
Michael T. Barbehenn 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).
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Patent number: 9346620Abstract: A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The system also includes a first inventory holder, a second inventory holder, and a third inventory holder. An inventory station includes a first location and a second location and the inventory station operable to receive a first inventory item from the first inventory holder at the first location. The first inventory holder is transported by the first mobile drive unit. The inventory station is also operable to receive a second inventory item from the second inventory holder at the first location. The second inventory holder is transported by the second mobile drive unit. The inventory station is also operable to receive a third inventory item from the third inventory holder at the second location. The third inventory holder is fixed at the second location while the inventory station receives the first inventory item and the second inventory item.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel T. Brunner, Michael C. Mountz, Michael T. Barbehenn, Peter R. Wurman, William J. Watt, Eryk B. Nice
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Patent number: 9317034Abstract: A method for inventory management includes deploying a first mobile drive unit having first dimensions and deploying a second mobile drive unit having second dimensions, the first and second dimensions being different. The first and second mobile drive units are operable to transport inventory items to a plurality of inventory stations in the same workspace.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew E. Hoffman, Michael C. Mountz, Michael T. Barbehenn, James R. Allard, Matthew E. Kimmel, Fabrizio Santini, Michael H. Decker, Raffaello D'Andrea, Peter R. Wurman
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Patent number: 9280157Abstract: Disclosed herein is a human transport device and associated system to transport a user within an active workspace. The human transport device may include a platform to support a user, an enclosure coupled to the platform to surround the user, a drive subsystem to power the human transport device, and a control unit to control the movement of the human transport device in coordination with active mobile drive units moving within the workspace. A system implementing one or more human transport devices may include a management module to direct the movement of the one or more human transport devices and designate one or more areas within the workspace as protected areas. Unauthorized objects may be prohibited from entering the protected areas while the human transport device may be allowed within the protected areas.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Michael T. Barbehenn, Matthew David Verminski, Michael Cordell Mountz, Dennis Polic, Andrew Edward Hoffman, James Raymond Allard, Eryk Brian Nice
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Publication number: 20160062345Abstract: Techniques for making a physical area safe for a human to enter when mobile drive units (e.g., robots) are operating in the physical area are described. A management device may send an activity message to the mobile drive units instructing the mobile drive units to perform a set of activities. If a human is detected in the physical area, the management device may stop sending the activity command. If the mobile drive units do not receive the activity command, the mobile drive units may stop performing the set of activities. After the management device determines that the human has left the physical area, the management device may resume sending the activity message.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Andrew Stubbs, Matthew David Verminski, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Brenden Tinka, Peter K. Mansfield, Peter R. Wurman
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Patent number: 9090400Abstract: A method for fulfilling requests in an inventory system includes receiving a request indicating an activity to be completed. The method also includes selecting a holder to fulfill the request and an inventory station at which to fulfill the request. The inventory station is associated with a queue that includes a plurality of queue spaces. The method further includes moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station. Additionally, the method also includes determining that a trigger event has occurred and, in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Daniel T. Brunner, Michael T. Barbehenn
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Patent number: 9087314Abstract: A system for transporting inventory items includes a mobile drive unit, a management module, and a plurality of inventory holders. The management module is operable to determine a capability state of the mobile drive unit, select a location for the mobile drive unit based on the capability state of the mobile drive unit, and transmit information to the mobile drive unit identifying the selected location.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew E. Hoffman, Michael T. Barbehenn, Michael C. Mountz, Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea
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Publication number: 20150151912Abstract: In an infrastructure that uses a mobile order fulfillment system, robotic drive units may be dispatched and instructed to bring inventory holders to a workstation where at least one of the inventory holders is packed and prepared for shipment. The robotic drive units are then instructed to move the prepared inventory holder to a transport vehicle such as a truck. Fiducial marks may be removably placed within the transport vehicle to aid navigation of the robotic drive units. At a destination facility, additional robotic drive units may be instructed to move the inventory holders from the truck and place the inventory holders at appropriate storage locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2015Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Michael Cordell Mountz, Oleksandr Glazkov, Timothy Aaron Bragg, Matthew David Verminski, Jeremiah David Brazeau, Peter R. Wurman, John W. Cullen, Michael T. Barbehenn
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Publication number: 20150088302Abstract: In an infrastructure that uses a mobile order fulfillment system, robotic drive units may be dispatched and instructed to bring inventory holders to a workstation where at least one of the inventory holders is packed and prepared for shipment. The robotic drive units are then instructed to move the prepared inventory holder to a transport vehicle such as a truck. Fiducial marks may be removably placed within the transport vehicle to aid navigation of the robotic drive units. At a destination facility, additional robotic drive units may be instructed to move the inventory holders from the truck and place the inventory holders at appropriate storage locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cordell Mountz, Oleksandr Glazkov, Timothy Aaron Bragg, Matthew David Verminski, Jeremiah David Brazeau, Peter R. Wurman, John W. Cullen, Michael T. Barbehenn
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Publication number: 20150066283Abstract: Disclosed herein is a human transport device and associated system to transport a user within an active workspace. The human transport device may include a platform to support a user, an enclosure coupled to the platform to surround the user, a drive subsystem to power the human transport device, and a control unit to control the movement of the human transport device in coordination with active mobile drive units moving within the workspace. A system implementing one or more human transport devices may include a management module to direct the movement of the one or more human transport devices and designate one or more areas within the workspace as protected areas. Unauthorized objects may be prohibited from entering the protected areas while the human transport device may be allowed within the protected areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Michael T. Barbehenn, Matthew David Verminski, Michael Cordell Mountz, Dennis Polic, Andrew Edward Hoffman, James Raymond Allard, Eryk Brian Nice
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Patent number: 8972045Abstract: In an infrastructure that uses a mobile order fulfillment system, robotic drive units may be dispatched and instructed to bring inventory holders to a workstation where at least one of the inventory holders is packed and prepared for shipment. The robotic drive units are then instructed to move the prepared inventory holder to a transport vehicle such as a truck. Fiducial marks may be removably placed within the transport vehicle to aid navigation of the robotic drive units. At a destination facility, additional robotic drive units may be instructed to move the inventory holders from the truck and place the inventory holders at appropriate storage locations.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cordell Mountz, Oleksandr Glazkov, Timothy Aaron Bragg, Matthew David Verminski, Jeremiah David Brazeau, Peter R. Wurman, John W. Cullen, Michael T. Barbehenn
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Patent number: 8930133Abstract: A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder has a frame with device openings. The mobile drive unit is operable to dock with an inventory holder and undock with an inventory holder. When undocked from an inventory holder, the mobile drive unit is further operable to traverse a path from a first location to a second location. The path passes through at least a first device opening of the inventory holder such that the mobile drive unit passes beneath the inventory holder while moving along the path.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Edward Hoffman, Michael Cordell Mountz
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Publication number: 20140350831Abstract: A method for inventory management includes deploying a first mobile drive unit having first dimensions and deploying a second mobile drive unit having second dimensions, the first and second dimensions being different. The first and second mobile drive units are operable to transport inventory items to a plurality of inventory stations in the same workspace.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Andrew E. Hoffman, Michael C. Mountz, Michael T. Barbehenn, James R. Allard, Matthew E. Kimmel, Fabrizio Santini, Michael H. Decker, Raffaello D'Andrea, Peter R. Wurman
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Publication number: 20140330426Abstract: A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The system also includes a first inventory holder, a second inventory holder, and a third inventory holder. An inventory station includes a first location and a second location and the inventory station operable to receive a first inventory item from the first inventory holder at the first location. The first inventory holder is transported by the first mobile drive unit. The inventory station is also operable to receive a second inventory item from the second inventory holder at the first location. The second inventory holder is transported by the second mobile drive unit. The inventory station is also operable to receive a third inventory item from the third inventory holder at the second location. The third inventory holder is fixed at the second location while the inventory station receives the first inventory item and the second inventory item.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Daniel T. Brunner, Michael C. Mountz, Michael T. Barbehenn, Peter R. Wurman, William J. Watt, Eryk B. Nice
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Patent number: 8831984Abstract: A method for inventory management includes deploying a first mobile drive unit having first dimensions and deploying a second mobile drive unit having second dimensions, the first and second dimensions being different. The first and second mobile drive units are operable to transport inventory items to a plurality of inventory stations in the same workspace.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew E. Hoffman, Michael C. Mountz, Michael T. Barbehenn, James R. Allard, Matthew E. Kimmel, Fabrizio Santini, Michael H. Decker, Raffaello D'Andrea, Peter R. Wurman
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Publication number: 20140236413Abstract: A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace includes receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction. The method further includes determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment and determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction. The method also includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raffaello D'Andrea, Peter R. Wurman, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew E. Hoffman, Michael C. Mountz
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Patent number: 8805573Abstract: A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The system also includes a first inventory holder, a second inventory holder, and a third inventory holder. An inventory station includes a first location and a second location and the inventory station operable to receive a first inventory item from the first inventory holder at the first location. The first inventory holder transported by the first mobile drive unit. The inventory station also operable to receive a second inventory item from the second inventory holder at the first location. The second inventory holder transported by the second mobile drive unit. The inventory station also operable to receive a third inventory item from the third inventory holder at the second location. The third inventory holder is fixed at the second location while the inventory station receives the first and second inventory item.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel T. Brunner, Michael C. Mountz, Michael T. Barbehenn, Peter R. Wurman, William J. Watt, Eryk B. Nice
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Publication number: 20140195040Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Edward Hoffman, David C. Koehler, Michael Cordell Mountz
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Publication number: 20140135977Abstract: A method for fulfilling requests in an inventory system includes receiving a request indicating an activity to be completed. The method also includes selecting a holder to fulfill the request and an inventory station at which to fulfill the request. The inventory station is associated with a queue that includes a plurality of queue spaces. The method further includes moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station. Additionally, the method also includes determining that a trigger event has occurred and, in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Daniel T. Brunner, Michael T. Barbehenn
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Publication number: 20140100690Abstract: A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Edward Hoffman, Michael Cordell Mountz
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Patent number: 8649899Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew E. Hoffman, David C. Koehler, Michael C. Mountz