Abstract: A robotic object handling system and robotic load handling device for operation thereon is disclosed. The object handling system includes a number of robotic load handling devices operational on a grid-like structure, the structure having sets of parallel tracks, disposed above a hive of stacked bins. The bins contain inventory items to be picked by the system. Load handling devices capable of carrying multiple bins of a single grid-spacing size or single bins of a multiple grid spacings are operational on the grid and retrieve and transport bins under the control of a computerised order picking utility.

Abstract: A robotic object handling system and robotic load handling device for operation thereon is disclosed. The object handling system includes a number of robotic load handling devices operational on a grid-like structure, the structure having sets of parallel tracks, disposed above a hive of stacked bins. The bins contain inventory items to be picked by the system. Load handling devices capable of carrying multiple bins of a single grid-spacing size or single bins of a multiple grid spacings are operational on the grid and retrieve and transport bins under the control of a computerised order picking utility.

Abstract: A robotic object handling system and robotic load handling device for operation thereon is disclosed. The object handling system includes a number of robotic load handling devices operational on a grid-like structure, the structure having sets of parallel tracks, disposed above a hive of stacked bins. The bins contain inventory items to be picked by the system. Load handling devices capable of carrying multiple bins of a single grid-spacing size or single bins of a multiple grid spacings are operational on the grid and retrieve and transport bins under the control of a computerised order picking utility.

Abstract: A robotic object handling system and robotic load handling device for operation thereon is disclosed. The object handling system includes a number of robotic load handling devices operational on a grid-like structure, the structure having sets of parallel tracks, disposed above a hive of stacked bins. The bins contain inventory items to be picked by the system. Load handling devices capable of carrying multiple bins of a single grid-spacing size or single bins of a multiple grid spacings are operational on the grid and retrieve and transport bins under the control of a computerised order picking utility.

Abstract: A system and method of order fulfilment is described. The system includes a storage and retrieval system, a transfer system and at least one pick station. The transfer system includes conveyance means disposed between the storage and retrieval system and the pick station such that items delivered to the transfer system from the storage and retrieval system may be conveyed to the pick stations independently of the normal operation of the pick station.

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.

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.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed of operating a plurality of fulfillment centres, including a large fulfillment centre and a small fulfillment centre, each of the fulfillment centres being configured to fulfil customer orders. A first product and a second product are received at the large fulfillment centre. Desired quantities of the first and second products are picked at the large fulfillment centre for packing into a container, wherein the desired quantities include at least one of: quantities ordered by at least one customer to be fulfilled at the large fulfillment centre or the small fulfillment centre, and quantities predicted to be ordered by at least one customer and to be fulfilled at the small fulfillment centre.

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.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed of operating a plurality of fulfillment centres, including a large fulfillment centre and a small fulfillment centre, each of the fulfillment centres being configured to fulfil customer orders. A first product and a second product are received at the large fulfillment centre. Desired quantities of the first and second products are picked at the large fulfillment centre for packing into a container, wherein the desired quantities include at least one of: quantities ordered by at least one customer to be fulfilled at the large fulfillment centre or the small fulfillment centre, and quantities predicted to be ordered by at least one customer and to be fulfilled at the small fulfillment centre.

Abstract: A system for managing shipment containers includes a storage and retrieval system and at least one processor. The storage-and-retrieval system includes a framework defining a plurality of adjacent stacks capable of receiving a plurality of stackable containers, each stackable container suitable for containing a shipment container; and plural robotic pickers/load handlers configured to retrieve selected stackable containers from the framework for sortation and/or dispatch. The at least one processor is configured to: receive or access destination address information for each of the plurality of shipment containers entering the system; select a subset of the plurality of shipment containers for dispatch based on shipment container information, and generate signals for instructing at least one robotic picker to retrieve the selected shipment containers for dispatch.

Abstract: A robotic object handling system and robotic load handling device for operation thereon is disclosed. The object handling system includes a number of robotic load handling devices operational on a grid-like structure, the structure having sets of parallel tracks, disposed above a hive of stacked bins. The bins contain inventory items to be picked by the system. Load handling devices capable of carrying multiple bins of a single grid-spacing size or single bins of a multiple grid spacings are operational on the grid and retrieve and transport bins under the control of a computerised order picking utility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the transferring of information on the Internet, comprising: means (40) for storing information, corresponding to information provided at an Internet content provider (60), at respective alternative addresses of said storing means; means (20) for intercepting an information request from an Internet user directed to an Internet content provider; means for determining whether or not the intercepted request is directed to an information content provider having an associated alternative address on said storing means (40); and means for directing the request to said alternative address if such an alternate address exists.

Abstract: The present invention releates to the transferring of information on the Internet, comprising: means (40) for storing information, corresponding to information provided at an Internet content provider (60), at respective alternative addresses of said storing means; means (20) for intercepting an information request from an Internet user directed to an Internet content provider; means for determining whether or not the intercepted request is directed to an information content provider having an associated alternative address on said storing means (40); and means for directing the request to said alternative address if such an alternate address exists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the transferring of information on the Internet, comprising: means (40) for storing information, corresponding to information provided at an Internet content provider (60), at respective alternative addresses of said storing means; means (20) for intercepting an information request from an Internet user directed to an Internet content provider; means for determining whether or not the intercepted request is directed to an information content provider having an associated alternative address on said storing means (40); and means for directing the request to said alternative address if such an alternative address exists.