Patents by Inventor Rodney Gallaway
Rodney Gallaway 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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Publication number: 20240104500Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, the system may include a warehouse execution system adapted to generate a picking schedule for picking pick-to-cart and high-density storage items, and an AGV dispatching system adapted to dispatch a cart automated guided vehicle and a modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle based on the picking schedule. The cart automated guided vehicle may be adapted autonomously transport a carton through a pick-to-cart area and to a pick-cell station. The modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle may be adapted to synchronously autonomously transport a modular storage unit containing items to be placed in the cartons from a high-density storage area to the pick-cell station.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Rodney Gallaway
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Publication number: 20240043213Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system with a robot execution system (REX) is described. In an example implementation, a REX may induct, into the hybrid modular storage fetching system, an order identifying items to be fulfilled by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at an order fulfillment facility. The REX may generate at task list including tasks for a first and second AGV, instruct the first AGV to retrieve a first item in the order from a first storage area based on the task list and deliver the first item to a pick-cell station. The REX may also instruct the second AGV to retrieve a second item of the order from a second storage area and deliver the second item to the pick-cell station. The REX may communicate with other components of the hybrid modular storage fetching system to coordinate the paths of the AGVs to fulfill the order.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 11893535Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, the system may include a warehouse execution system adapted to generate a picking schedule for picking pick-to-cart and high-density storage items, and an AGV dispatching system adapted to dispatch a cart automated guided vehicle and a modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle based on the picking schedule. The cart automated guided vehicle may be adapted autonomously transport a carton through a pick-to-cart area and to a pick-cell station. The modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle may be adapted to synchronously autonomously transport a modular storage unit containing items to be placed in the cartons from a high-density storage area to the pick-cell station.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Rodney Gallaway
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Publication number: 20230356948Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, an automated guided vehicle of the hybrid modular storage fetching system includes a drive unit that provides motive force to propel the automated guided vehicle within an operating environment. The automated guided vehicle may also include a container handling mechanism including an extender and a carrying surface, the container handling mechanism having three or more degrees of freedom to move the carrying surface along three or more axes. The container handling mechanism may retrieve an item from a first target shelving unit using the carrying surface and the three or more degrees of freedom and place the item on a second target shelving unit. The automated guided vehicle may also include a power source coupled to provide power to the drive unit and the container handling mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 11702287Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, an automated guided vehicle of the hybrid modular storage fetching system includes a drive unit that provides motive force to propel the automated guided vehicle within an operating environment. The automated guided vehicle may also include a container handling mechanism including an extender and a carrying surface, the container handling mechanism having three or more degrees of freedom to move the carrying surface along three or more axes. The container handling mechanism may retrieve an item from a first target shelving unit using the carrying surface and the three or more degrees of freedom and place the item on a second target shelving unit. The automated guided vehicle may also include a power source coupled to provide power to the drive unit and the container handling mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 11697554Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system with a robot execution system (REX) is described. In an example implementation, a REX may induct, into the hybrid modular storage fetching system, an order identifying items to be fulfilled by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at an order fulfillment facility. The REX may generate at task list including tasks for a first and second AGV, instruct the first AGV to retrieve a first item in the order from a first storage area based on the task list and deliver the first item to a pick-cell station. The REX may also instruct the second AGV to retrieve a second item of the order from a second storage area and deliver the second item to the pick-cell station. The REX may communicate with other components of the hybrid modular storage fetching system to coordinate the paths of the AGVs to fulfill the order.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Publication number: 20230002160Abstract: A computer system for optimizing node and edge selections within a digital graph model accesses a digital graph model of a physical warehouse location. The digital graph model comprises information indicating a location of multiple specific items of inventory among shelves in the physical warehouse location. The computer system identifies a set of orders that each comprise one or more items and an order priority. The computer system then maps each item in each order selected from the set or orders to the multiple nodes within the digital graph model. The computer system identifies a ranking node from the multiple nodes. The computer system then traverses one or more edges that extend from the ranking node to identify a shortest path within the digital graph model to fill a digital model of a picking cart above a packing threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Jeffrey L. Rasmussen, Eric Branch Bulloch, Kevin Bradon Maughan, Andreas Harnesk, Rodney Gallaway
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Patent number: 11465846Abstract: A computer system for optimizing node and edge selections within a digital graph model accesses a digital graph model of a physical warehouse location. The digital graph model comprises information indicating a location of multiple specific items of inventory among shelves in the physical warehouse location. The computer system identifies a set of orders that each comprise one or more items and an order priority. The computer system then maps each item in each order selected from the set or orders to the multiple nodes within the digital graph model. The computer system identifies a ranking node from the multiple nodes. The computer system then traverses one or more edges that extend from the ranking node to identify a shortest path within the digital graph model to fill a digital model of a picking cart above a packing threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: PACKSIZE LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Rasmussen, Eric Branch Bulloch, Kevin Bradon Maughan, Andreas Harnesk, Rodney Gallaway
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Patent number: 11053076Abstract: Technology for optimizing carton induction in an order fulfillment picking system is described. In an example embodiment, a method, implemented using one or more computing devices, may include receiving scan data reflecting status of cartons being conveyed by a conveying system, receiving confirmatory input reflecting pick completion for a subset of the cartons being conveyed by the conveying system, and generating an estimated time of arrival for one or more cartons not yet inducted into the conveying system based on the scan data and the confirmatory input. The method may further include generating a load forecast based on the estimated time of arrival and inducting one or more of the one or more cartons into the conveying system based on the load forecast.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Daniel Jarvis, Rodney Gallaway, Michael Bhaskaran
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Publication number: 20210032029Abstract: A computer system for optimizing node and edge selections within a digital graph model accesses a digital graph model of a physical warehouse location. The digital graph model comprises information indicating a location of multiple specific items of inventory among shelves in the physical warehouse location. The computer system identifies a set of orders that each comprise one or more items and an order priority. The computer system then maps each item in each order selected from the set or orders to the multiple nodes within the digital graph model. The computer system identifies a ranking node from the multiple nodes. The computer system then traverses one or more edges that extend from the ranking node to identify a shortest path within the digital graph model to fill a digital model of a picking cart above a packing threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey L. Rasmussen, Eric Branch Bulloch, Kevin Bradon Maughan, Andreas Harnesk, Rodney Gallaway
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Publication number: 20210012284Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, the system may include a warehouse execution system adapted to generate a picking schedule for picking pick-to-cart and high-density storage items, and an AGV dispatching system adapted to dispatch a cart automated guided vehicle and a modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle based on the picking schedule. The cart automated guided vehicle may be adapted autonomously transport a carton through a pick-to-cart area and to a pick-cell station. The modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle may be adapted to synchronously autonomously transport a modular storage unit containing items to be placed in the cartons from a high-density storage area to the pick-cell station.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Rodney Gallaway
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Publication number: 20210009352Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, an automated guided vehicle of the hybrid modular storage fetching system includes a drive unit that provides motive force to propel the automated guided vehicle within an operating environment. The automated guided vehicle may also include a container handling mechanism including an extender and a carrying surface, the container handling mechanism having three or more degrees of freedom to move the carrying surface along three or more axes. The container handling mechanism may retrieve an item from a first target shelving unit using the carrying surface and the three or more degrees of freedom and place the item on a second target shelving unit. The automated guided vehicle may also include a power source coupled to provide power to the drive unit and the container handling mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 10803420Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, the system may include a warehouse execution system adapted to generate a picking schedule for picking pick-to-cart and high-density storage items, and an AGV dispatching system adapted to dispatch a cart automated guided vehicle and a modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle based on the picking schedule. The cart automated guided vehicle may be adapted autonomously transport a carton through a pick-to-cart area and to a pick-cell station. The modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle may be adapted to synchronously autonomously transport a modular storage unit containing items to be placed in the cartons from a high-density storage area to the pick-cell station.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Rodney Gallaway
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Publication number: 20200198894Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system with a robot execution system (REX) is described. In an example implementation, a REX may induct, into the hybrid modular storage fetching system, an order identifying items to be fulfilled by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at an order fulfillment facility. The REX may generate at task list including tasks for a first and second AGV, instruct the first AGV to retrieve a first item in the order from a first storage area based on the task list and deliver the first item to a pick-cell station. The REX may also instruct the second AGV to retrieve a second item of the order from a second storage area and deliver the second item to the pick-cell station. The REX may communicate with other components of the hybrid modular storage fetching system to coordinate the paths of the AGVs to fulfill the order.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 10683171Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, an automated guided vehicle of the hybrid modular storage fetching system includes a drive unit that provides motive force to propel the automated guided vehicle within an operating environment. The automated guided vehicle may also include a container handling mechanism including an extender and a carrying surface, the container handling mechanism having three or more degrees of freedom to move the carrying surface along three or more axes. The container handling mechanism may retrieve an item from a first target shelving unit using the carrying surface and the three or more degrees of freedom and place the item on a second target shelving unit. The automated guided vehicle may also include a power source coupled to provide power to the drive unit and the container handling mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 10589931Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system with a robot execution system (REX) is described. In an example implementation, a REX may induct, into the hybrid modular storage fetching system, an order identifying items to be fulfilled by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at an order fulfillment facility. The REX may generate at task list including tasks for a first and second AGV, instruct the first AGV to retrieve a first item in the order from a first storage area based on the task list and deliver the first item to a pick-cell station. The REX may also instruct the second AGV to retrieve a second item of the order from a second storage area and deliver the second item to the pick-cell station. The REX may communicate with other components of the hybrid modular storage fetching system to coordinate the paths of the AGVs to fulfill the order.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 10479612Abstract: Technology for optimizing carton induction in an order fulfillment picking system is described. In an example embodiment, a method, implemented using one or more computing devices, may include receiving scan data reflecting status of cartons being conveyed by a conveying system, receiving confirmatory input reflecting pick completion for a subset of the cartons being conveyed by the conveying system, and generating an estimated time of arrival for one or more cartons not yet inducted into the conveying system based on the scan data and the confirmatory input. The method may further include generating a load forecast based on the estimated time of arrival and inducting one or more of the one or more cartons into the conveying system based on the load forecast.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Daniel Jarvis, Rodney Gallaway, Michael Bhaskaran
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Patent number: 10099864Abstract: Technology for optimizing carton induction in an order fulfillment picking system is described. In an example embodiment, a method, implemented using one or more computing devices, may include receiving scan data reflecting status of cartons being conveyed by a conveying system, receiving confirmatory input reflecting pick completion for a subset of the cartons being conveyed by the conveying system, and generating an estimated time of arrival for one or more cartons not yet inducted into the conveying system based on the scan data and the confirmatory input. The method may further include generating a load forecast based on the estimated time of arrival and inducting one or more of the one or more cartons into the conveying system based on the load forecast.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Daniel Jarvis, Rodney Gallaway, Michael Bhaskaran
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Publication number: 20180127211Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system with a robot execution system (REX) is described. In an example implementation, a REX may induct, into the hybrid modular storage fetching system, an order identifying items to be fulfilled by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at an order fulfillment facility. The REX may generate at task list including tasks for a first and second AGV, instruct the first AGV to retrieve a first item in the order from a first storage area based on the task list and deliver the first item to a pick-cell station. The REX may also instruct the second AGV to retrieve a second item of the order from a second storage area and deliver the second item to the pick-cell station. The REX may communicate with other components of the hybrid modular storage fetching system to coordinate the paths of the AGVs to fulfill the order.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan
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Publication number: 20180127212Abstract: A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, an automated guided vehicle of the hybrid modular storage fetching system includes a drive unit that provides motive force to propel the automated guided vehicle within an operating environment. The automated guided vehicle may also include a container handling mechanism including an extender and a carrying surface, the container handling mechanism having three or more degrees of freedom to move the carrying surface along three or more axes. The container handling mechanism may retrieve an item from a first target shelving unit using the carrying surface and the three or more degrees of freedom and place the item on a second target shelving unit. The automated guided vehicle may also include a power source coupled to provide power to the drive unit and the container handling mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Daniel Jarvis, Paolo Gerli Amador, Michael Bhaskaran, Amit Kalra, Rodney Gallaway, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan