Order Filling Patents (Class 700/216)
  • Patent number: 11305650
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a materials handling vehicle configured to navigate along a warehouse environment inventory transit surface, the vehicle including control architecture in communication with a drive mechanism, a materials handling mechanism, a speed zone sensing subsystem configured to provide an indication of whether the vehicle is in a speed zone, and a speed control processor configured to prompt the operator to reduce a vehicle speed of the vehicle to under a speed zone limit when the vehicle speed is approaching or in the speed zone, determine whether the vehicle speed is under the speed zone limit in the speed zone, and apply a speed cap to limit a maximum vehicle speed of the vehicle to a magnitude that is at or below the speed zone limit when the speed control processor has determined that the vehicle speed is under the speed zone limit in the speed zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Kashyap Chandrasekar
  • Patent number: 11292678
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for transporting cargo using smart palettes includes determining receipt of a first cargo onto a platform of a first smart palette at a first distribution hub. The method includes generating one or more signals that control a loading of the first smart palette and the first cargo onto a trailer located at the first distribution hub. The method includes determining a coordination with one or more second smart palettes associated with the trailer to determine a first position inside the trailer for the first smart palette and the first cargo. The method includes generating one or more signals that position the first smart palette and the first cargo at the first position inside the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Haban, Daniel Adam Kanitz
  • Patent number: 11289181
    Abstract: A system comprising a staging area and a packing area. The staging area may include a plurality of staging bins and a shuttle moveable along the plurality of staging bins. A staging bin of the plurality of staging bins may be configured to selectively retain a component of an order therein. Such staging bin may be configured to selectively release the component to the shuttle. The packing area may include a slide, a scanner, and a wrap seal conveyor. The shuttle may be configured to release the component onto the slide, and the scanner may be operable to scan and verify the component during placement of the component onto the wrap seal conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Robert E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11273985
    Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling material flow can be used to streamline order fulfillment. For example, according to some embodiments described herein, takt times of goods-to-person order picking work cell processes are enhanced to expedite order processing. A goods-to-person order picking process involves moving items for an order directly to a work cell of an operator or an automated system. At order processing work cells, one or more items are transferred from origin containers and placed in shipping containers in accordance with customer orders. Work cell redundancy can be utilized to enhance efficiencies of goods-to-person order picking processes in some cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Lisso
  • Patent number: 11267653
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Michael Helsel, Ned Lecky, Avinash Panga, Adam Morton
  • Patent number: 11269338
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and a corresponding method for performing warehouse zoning and further monitoring the zoned warehouse. The apparatus includes circuitry that partitions a workspace into a plurality of zones based on an area of the workspace, and a number of transportation vehicles and a number of item racks that are to be deployed in the workspace. A location of each zone within the workspace is determined based on a location of a first type of station that is disposed outside the workspace. The apparatus determines for each zone, an area of the zone and receives a signal indicating occurrence of an event in one of the zones. Further, the apparatus determines a degree of criticality of the occurred event which indicates whether workspace operation in the zone can be continued, and initiates an operation at a timing that is based on the determined degree of criticality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: GREY ORANGE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Sagar Bose, Naveen Boppana, Gaurav Kejriwal, Rupesh Agarwal, Akash Gupta, Samay Kohli, Wolfgang Kurt Hoeltgen
  • Patent number: 11256259
    Abstract: Systems and methods for contextually mapping zones within a space for regulating robotic navigation within the space include defining, by at least one fiducial marker positioned within the space, a zone within the space, associating a rule with the zone, the rule at least partially dictating operation of one or more robots within the zone, and operating the one or more robots within the zone consistent with the rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Locus Robotics Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Whitaker, Bradley Powers, Michael Charles Johnson, Sean Johnson, Thomas Moore
  • Patent number: 11257036
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing stowing location recommendation, comprising a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a user device associated with a user, a request for a location recommendation for stowing an inbound product, determine a plurality of locations to recommend within a zone, sample, based on a predetermined rule, a number of locations for stowing the inbound product, and display, via the user device, the sampled number of locations to the user for stowing the inbound product. The processor is also configured to receive, from the user device, a selection of a stowing location among the sampled number of locations and modify a database to assign a location identifier associated with the selected stowing location to the inbound product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Coupang Corp.
    Inventors: Ji Eun Kim, Da Young Kim, Hyun Yop Jung, SungWoo Kang, Sun Young Hong
  • Patent number: 11179845
    Abstract: Described in detail herein is an automated fulfilment system including a computing system programmed to receive requests from disparate sources for physical objects disposed at one or more locations in a facility. The computing system can combine the requests, and group the physical objects in the requests based on object types or expected object locations. Autonomous robot devices can receive instructions from the computing system to retrieve a group of the physical objects and deposit the physical objects in storage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Donald High, David Winkle, Brian Gerard McHale, Todd Davenport Mattingly
  • Patent number: 11137765
    Abstract: Examples provide a stackable smart item storage cart. The cart includes a top member with a lip along its outer edge. A set of wheels, a directional wheel locking mechanism, and a set of four side members is connected to a base member. A vertical cavity passes through a center of the main body enclosing a memory, a processor, and a data storage. The cart smart item storage carts are stackable two-carts high with the wheels locked. A set of sensor devices monitor contents of a plurality of item storage bins on the cart. A bin indicator associated with an item storage bin activates to identify a bin and/or indicate a quantity of items to be removed from the bin. A timer device monitors a cart dwell-time. A self-navigation system may return the cart to a temperature-controlled area if the dwell-time exceeds a threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan DeJarnette, Matthew Kelly, Jeffrey Green
  • Patent number: 11117743
    Abstract: A storage array system including an open undeterministic transport surface, a navigation array disposed in connection with the transport surface, the navigation array includes a distributed feature, a first waypoint at a first position of the distributed feature, a second waypoint displaced from the first waypoint along the distributed feature and offset with respect to the first waypoint in a direction angled to the distributed feature, and a guided bot, arranged to traverse the transport surface, with a non-holonomic steering system, the guided bot having a bot pose determination system employing sensor data detecting the distributed feature, wherein the guided bot includes a controller configured to generate a substantially smooth curved bot traverse path on the transport surface connecting the first and second waypoints with a predetermined optimal trajectory of the guided bot along the traverse path determined based on a bot dynamic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Edward A MacDonald, Forrest Buzan, John F. Keating, Juergen D. Conrad, Armin Ataei-Esfahani
  • Patent number: 11104517
    Abstract: Robotic automation and methods described herein can be used to enhance the efficiencies of order fulfillment and inventory stowage processes. For example, this document describes the integration of elevated pathways that are dedicated for mobile robots to use in conjunction with a human-operated order picker lift to transport items for order fulfillment processes in an efficient manner. In some embodiments, the elevated pathways for the mobile robots can be at least partially integrated into storage systems such as pallet racking. The described systems and methods allow the elimination of human labor particularly related to transporting saleable goods and similar items. Mobile robots take over many of the tasks related to transporting the picked items. Accordingly, the efficiency of the human order picker, as measured by the number of line items picked per hour for example, is greatly enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lisso, Gervasio Mutarelli, Thomas Gardner, Poojesh Wagle
  • Patent number: 11078019
    Abstract: A method for assigning orders to a plurality of robots fulfilling orders in a warehouse with the assistance of a plurality of operators. The method includes providing a first robot of the plurality of robots to a be assigned an order set, including one or more orders to be fulfilled and assessing the locations of at least one of the plurality of robots or at least one of the plurality of operators in the warehouse. The method also includes selecting an anchor location in the warehouse and generating an order set for the first robot correlated to the anchor location in the warehouse. The method also includes assigning the order set to the first robot for fulfillment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Locus Robotics Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Johnson, Bruce Welty, Sean Johnson, Luis Jaquez
  • Patent number: 11065180
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for identifying medicines, comprising a first measurement device for identifying, from the top, at least one first medicine deposited in a compartment of a pill box and analysing at least one identifying characteristic of the first medicine; and a second measurement device for identifying, from the bottom, at least one second medicine deposited in the compartment of said pill box and analysing at least one identifying characteristic of the second medicine. The system comprises a device for comparing the characteristic of the first medicine and the characteristic of the second medicine, for determining at least one validated medicine and comparing the characteristic of the validated medicine with medicine signature characteristics. The system also comprises a validation device for obtaining an identified content for the compartment and comparing the identified content with a prescription. Methods for identifying and validating medicines are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Matthieu Grosfils
  • Patent number: 11059674
    Abstract: A method for sequencing loads in an automated load-distribution system having k sources with k?2; at least one destination; k FIFO-type source buffer devices, each receiving loads from one of the k sources; a collector collecting the loads coming from the k source buffer devices and transporting them to the at least one destination. The collector has k successive nodes each collecting the loads coming from one of the source buffer devices. The control system processes customer orders listing loads for a given destination and being associated with a sequential order number of destination. The control system: builds a collection list containing n loads to be collected and reducing a disorder of the n loads relative to a rising order of the sequential order numbers of destination; and controlling the collector and the source buffer devices to collect loads on the collector in compliance with the collection list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: SAVOYE, UNIVERSITE DE TECHNOLOGIE DE COMPIEGNE
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Collin, Blandine Vacher, Antoine Jouglet, Dritan Nace
  • Patent number: 11053075
    Abstract: An inventory system can include a workspace in which is defined different areas and different stations at which tasks can be performed. A receipt receptacle received from a shipping vehicle can be moved to a rack without separating items from the receipt vehicle. A mobile drive unit can move the rack to an area on the workspace depending on information known about the items. Items from the receipt receptacle can be removed from the receipt receptacle and placed in inventory holders for movement or storage or in other receptacles for performance of other tasks such as order processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cordell Mountz, John Joseph Enright, Joseph W. Durham, Michael Harrison Decker, Jonathan Harris Schechter, Peter R. Wurman, Eryk Brian Nice
  • Patent number: 11042833
    Abstract: An electronic parcel locker system for shipments delivery and pick-up, comprising at least one electronic parcel locker having compartments for storing shipments, the electronic parcel locker system further comprising a RFID area system comprising a RFID reader and at least one antenna for reading tags affixed onto shipments to be deposited in the compartments of the at least one electronic parcel locker and at least one RFID compartment system integrated in each of the compartments for reading tags affixed onto shipments deposited in the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: QUADIENT TECHNOLOGIES FRANCE
    Inventors: Guy Venture, Jean-Baptiste Pantaloni, Bruno Rostaing
  • Patent number: 11027920
    Abstract: Provided is a rack management system, including a processor and a storage unit. The storage unit stores information indicating positions of sections included in an area in which storage racks that store articles can be arranged. One of the storage racks can be arranged in each of the sections. At least one of the sections is surrounded by other adjacent sections without an aisle to convey the storage racks therebetween. The processor classifies the sections into sections assigned ranks indicating a degree of efficiency of an operation to convey the storage racks placed therein to a predetermined working area, and one or more empty sections into which, if there is a need to move one or more other storage racks in order to convey a storage rack placed in a given section, the other storage racks that were moved are placed, and outputs results of the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI TRANSPORT SYSTEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshimoto, Yoriko Kazama, Junichi Kimura, Ryota Kamoshida, Emi Takahashi, Haruka Terai
  • Patent number: 11014745
    Abstract: The picking system according to the present invention for executing operation assistance corresponding to an operation target relating to physical distribution receives an order designating a specific article, retrieves a first storage position at which the specific article is stored from shelf stock information, generates operation instruction data relating to a specific operation target for instructing to move the specific article from the first storage position to a second storage position, refers to operation station information and accesses the first storage position, retrieves a specific operation station capable of performing the specific operation target, transmits the operation instruction data to a terminal of the specific operation station, and transmits, to a movement device, conveyance instruction data instructing to convey a conveyance rack to the specific operation station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi Transport System, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoriko Kazama, Junichi Kimura, Emi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11008167
    Abstract: Robotic automation and methods described herein can be used to enhance the efficiencies of order fulfillment and inventory stowage processes. For example, this document describes the use of mobile robots in conjunction with a human order picker to pick and transport items for order fulfillment processes in an efficient manner. The described systems and methods allow the elimination of human labor particularly related to transporting saleable goods and similar items. Mobile robots take over many of the tasks related to transporting the picked items. Accordingly, the efficiency of the human order picker, as measured by the number of line items picked per hour for example, is greatly enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lisso, Gervasio Mutarelli
  • Patent number: 10987279
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manually filling a prescription order. A manual fill device may be incorporated into a manual fill center of a pharmacy operated by one or more pharmacists and/or pharmacist technicians to manually fill certain prescription containers. The manual fill device may include a control unit which may operate at the direction of the order processing device. The manual fill device may also include a distribution section automating distribution of containers for manual fulfillment, and a manual section in which a pharmacist may utilize available pharmaceuticals to manually fill orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategie Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
  • Patent number: 10984375
    Abstract: A workstation is disclosed for transferring objects between containers such as product and order totes in an order fulfillment system. The workstation may include an object pick system, for example including a measuring array or a machine vision system, which directs and monitors the transfer of objects between the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Alert Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight, Devin Lert, Stephen Akiki
  • Patent number: 10943210
    Abstract: Example methods and systems enable rearrangement of a warehouse to an optimal layout determined according to customizable goals. An example method includes receiving, at a warehouse management system (WMS), information of a warehouse and items of the warehouse, identifying an item shipment expectation including new items expected to be received at the warehouse at a future date and items present at the warehouse marked for delivery at the future date, determining an optimal layout of the items of the warehouse at a present date based on the item shipment expectation, determining an amount of time to rearrange the items, by one or more of robotic devices rearranging the items, to the optimal layout based on a time measurement for robotic devices to perform tasks, and determining to rearrange the items of the warehouse based on the amount of time to rearrange the items being less than a threshold amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hance, Daniel Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10919701
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of automated mobile robots within automated mobile robot storage and retrieval system is provided, which repurposes one or more automated mobile robots operating within the automated inventory management system to perform a plurality of tasks across multiple different areas of an automated store. The same mobile robot is enabled to move horizontally and vertically in a multi-level storage structure, operate in an order fulfillment mode retrieving order totes from an automated fulfillment section and delivering the order totes to the delivery section, operate in a replenishment mode receiving eaches of goods and depositing the eaches of goods in designated storage totes, and operate in a delivery mode receiving delivery bundles and transporting the delivery bundles to designated locations at the transfer station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Alert Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight, Matthew W. Coady
  • Patent number: 10913604
    Abstract: A method for queuing robots destined for one or more processing stations in an environment includes determining when each robot of a plurality of robots destined for the one or more processing stations have entered a predefined target zone proximate the one or more processing stations. The method also includes assigning each of the robots to one of a plurality of queue positions based on an assigned priority and directing each of the robots from its assigned queue position to a processing position of one of the processing stations. Each of the processing stations includes at least two processing positions for a like number of robots to occupy for processing by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Kaitlin Margaret Gallagher, Sean Johnson, Michael Charles Johnson, Luis Jaquez
  • Patent number: 10894664
    Abstract: Autonomous mobile robots include transfer systems that may receive multiple items for delivery to one or more destinations. The transfer systems may be specifically configured to detect and identify items that are placed on loading surfaces, and to independently discharge specific items at selected destinations or to selected recipients. The transfer systems feature loading surfaces that may be defined by a plurality of independently operable conveyors to receive or discharge items, by independently operable floors that allow items to pass therethrough, or by independently operable diverters for detecting and expelling items therefrom. The transfer systems may receive items from, or discharge items to, one or more humans, other robots, or other systems such as conveyors, chutes, robotic arms or other mechanical implements or effectors, and be aligned at any angle or provided at any height, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tye Michael Brady, Joseph Quinlivan
  • Patent number: 10884097
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a presence of an object in a volume of space can include a controller and a first electrical device coupled to the controller, where the first electrical device is disposed in the volume of space and includes a first receiver, where the first receiver has a first communication range. The system can also include an object having a beacon having an object communication range, where the beacon sends multiple signals that are received by the first receiver when the object communication range overlaps with the first communication range, where each signal includes an identification of the object. The controller can determine a first point in time when none of the signals is received, where the controller determines at the first point in time that the object is removed from a first location defined by the first communication range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Peyton Riley
  • Patent number: 10885551
    Abstract: A system and associated methods for enabling a tenant of a multi-tenant platform to customize the promotional functions of the tenant's eCommerce website which is hosted on the multi-tenant platform. The promotional offer(s) may be configured to suit the tenant's short term and/or long term business needs, such as to encourage purchase of a particular product or service at a particular time, to encourage a purchase in response to a particular business event or situation, to encourage a purchase in response to a particular action or lack of action by the consumer, to encourage a purchase in response to a particular inventory level or revenue amount of the tenant, to encourage a purchase in response to determining that the consumer was the object of a sales pitch from one of the tenant's salespeople, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NETSUITE INC.
    Inventors: Alfredo Dimaunahan, Donnabelle Embuscado, Yukte Oberoi, Sean Kennedy, Brad Stoutimore
  • Patent number: 10878374
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for utilizing multi-functional storage containers to store items within a facility. An indication may be received that an item is to be stored within some storage container within the facility. The storage container may be a multi-functional storage container configured with a first set of storage compartments designated for items that are to be manually placed and a second set of storage compartments designated for items that are to be robotically placed. A placement method (e.g., robotic or manual) may be determined for the item and a storage component of the storage container selected based at least in part on the determined placement method. Once the storage component is selected, instructions may be provided to a robotic device (for robotic placement) or a computing device (for manual placement) instructing that the item be placed at the selected storage component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jane Shi
  • Patent number: 10870538
    Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of an object associated with an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring the object from a plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, wherein the programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The processing system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 10824970
    Abstract: A pick rate planning system is utilized to determine pick rates needed for the picking of items in a materials handling facility. Critical pull times (“CPTs”) are determined which indicate times by which items must be picked from inventory. A picking capacity of the materials handling facility is determined and pick rates are allocated as corresponding to regions of the picking capacity that are associated with the CPTs. As part of the allocating of the pick rates, regions of the picking capacity may have portions that result in a level filling of the picking capacity that minimizes spikes and other undesirable fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Lehmann, Udit Madan
  • Patent number: 10809706
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Edward Hoffman, Michael Cordell Mountz
  • Patent number: 10807795
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a bin conveyance system for moving selected storage bins to a storage bin processing location, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin processing location for receiving a selected storage bin from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a plurality of destination bins in communication with the bin conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin from a destination bin processing location that is proximate the programmable motion device to the plurality of destination bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 10769743
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, a device and a non-transitory computer storage medium for processing clothes information. The method includes: acquiring a number of wearing times for each piece of clothes in a clothes library within a preset time period, where the clothes library comprises a collection of information on clothes worn that is captured using a dressing mirror, and the number of wearing times is a counted number of times for each piece of clothes worn; determining clothes to be handled from the clothes according to the number of wearing times for each piece of clothes; and generating first prompt information for prompting to handle the clothes to be handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuan Ma, Dian Fan
  • Patent number: 10733432
    Abstract: A computer system for recycling value instruments in an automated teller machine has a memory storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the system to receive an image of a value instrument obtained by an automated teller machine for deposit. The image of the value instrument is analyzed to determine its condition. Then, based on the condition of the value instrument, it may be determined that the value instrument is suitable for recycling to fulfill withdrawals. Upon determining that the value instrument is suitable for recycling to fulfill withdrawals, recycling of the value instrument by the automated teller machine is initiated and an indication reflecting the recycling is generated so as to influence when a next servicing of the automated teller machine will occur. Related methods and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Toronto-Dominion Bank
    Inventors: A Warren Pratten, Randall Walton Martin, Martin Albert Lozon, Graham Allan Anderson, Ratnadeep Bhadra, James Kenneth McCrae, Dino Paul D'Agostino
  • Patent number: 10646991
    Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Victoria Hinchey, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 10625941
    Abstract: Described in detail herein is an automated fulfillment system including a computing system programmed to receive requests from disparate sources for physical objects disposed at one or more locations in a facility. The computing system can combine the requests, and group the physical objects in the requests based on object types or expected object locations. Autonomous robot devices can receive instructions from the computing system to retrieve a group of the physical objects and deposit the physical objects in storage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Donald High, David Winkle, Brian Gerard McHale, Todd Davenport Mattingly
  • Patent number: 10618736
    Abstract: An order-picking method includes autonomously routing a plurality of mobile robotic units in an order fulfillment facility and picking articles to or putting articles from the robotic units in the order fulfillment facility. A material-handling robotic unit that is adapted for use in an order fulfillment facility includes an autonomous mobile vehicle base and a plurality of article receptacles positioned on the base. A visual indicator associated with the receptacle facilitates picking articles to or putting articles from the robotic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Michael S. Khodl, David M. Berghorn, Todd S. Hunter
  • Patent number: 10600100
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for store management. A system for store management comprises: a storage system in a backroom area, a conveyor system, a return sensor system, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: receive an interact request from a customer via a user interface device in a showroom area, cause the conveyor system to retrieve one or more items from the storage system and transport the one or more items to the item interaction area based on the interact request, receive a return request, cause the return sensor system to collect data from the at least one item, determine whether to accept the return request based on the data collected by the return sensor system, and cause the conveyor system to retrieve the at least one item from the customer and make the at least one item available for another customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Todd D. Mattingly, Nicholas Ray Antel, Robert J. Taylor, John J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10583803
    Abstract: An autonomous robot vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a land vehicle conveyance system, a sensor system configured to capture information including surrounding environment information and/or vehicle subsystem information, a communication system configured to communicate with a remote human operator management system, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the autonomous robot land vehicle to, autonomously, determine based on the captured information to request a remote human operator, and communicate a request to the remote human operator management system for a remote human operator to assume control of the land vehicle conveyance system, where the request includes at least a portion of the captured information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Yi Shen, Calvin Giroud, Qunyan Pu
  • Patent number: 10504055
    Abstract: Example methods and systems enable rearrangement of a warehouse to an optimal layout determined according to customizable goals. An example method includes receiving, at a warehouse management system (WMS), information of a warehouse and items of the warehouse, identifying an item shipment expectation including new items expected to be received at the warehouse at a future date and items present at the warehouse marked for delivery at the future date, determining an optimal layout of the items of the warehouse at a present date based on the item shipment expectation, determining an amount of time to rearrange the items, by one or more of robotic devices rearranging the items, to the optimal layout based on a time measurement for robotic devices to perform tasks, and determining to rearrange the items of the warehouse based on the amount of time to rearrange the items being less than a threshold amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Hance, Daniel Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10489740
    Abstract: A method of reallocating inventory in a fulfillment network is disclosed herein. The fulfillment network can include a plurality of distribution centers. An allocation plan can be created in a one of a variety of different manners, where the allocation plan involves allocating an item to one or more distribution centers in the fulfillment network. Thereafter, the allocation plan can be analyzed for feasibility. If the allocation plan is not feasible, each distribution center in the allocation plan can be analyzed to determine if using the distribution center is feasible. If the distribution center cannot be used, another distribution in the same cluster of distribution centers is examined for feasibility. This process is repeated for each distribution center in the allocation plan. Once an alternative allocation plan has been developed in this manner, items can be allocated. Existing inventory can be taken into account in the allocation plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Rishabh Kothari, Arash Asadi-Shahmirzadi, Vvs Varaprasad Nagalla, Zhiwei Qin
  • Patent number: 10450138
    Abstract: Containers can be exchanged between container holders and container shuttles using an inventory conveyance system within a workspace. The container holders are configured to hold one or more containers having consolidated inventory items in high density storage. The container shuttles are also configured to hold one or more containers for performing other operations with respect to inventory items in the one or more containers. The containers are configured to hold inventory items while the inventory items move for various operations throughout the workspace and while the inventory items are stowed in high density storage in the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamas Pikler, Fei Hoai Lee, Jeremiah Brazeau, Jon Stuart Battles, Martin Peter Aalund, Jayson Michael Jochim, Gregory Karl Lisso, Samuel Christopher Uhlman
  • Patent number: 10414381
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optimizing the use and the income generated a service station or other service locations where different service related fluids are used by service providers and retail users, and more specifically to the coordination at both retail and an associated services station of fluids like window washing fluids using a multiple wall mounting dispensers. Also part of the system are HTML based tools for the management of the fluids and the management of information between the service station operators, the clients, and the service provider in charge of maintaining the system. Also included are methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hightech Solutions NYC, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley E. Parker, Peter Anthony Milazzo
  • Patent number: 10395152
    Abstract: A transfer rack on one floor of an inventory system can receive multiple containers each carrying an inventory item designated for an operation on a different floor of the inventory system. A vertical lift can move the transfer rack carrying the multiple containers from the one floor to the different floor. On the different floor, the multiple containers may be swapped for different multiple containers each carrying an inventory item designated for an operation on the one floor. The vertical lift may return the transfer rack carrying the different multiple containers to the one floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Durham, Scott Dresser, John Gregory Longtine, Diane Grieselhuber Mills, Parris S. Wellman, Steven Augustine Wilson
  • Patent number: 10379959
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for storing and retrieving data storage devices of a data storage system are disclosed. In some embodiments, inventory holders are used to store data storage devices used by a data storage system. When data is to be transacted with the data storage devices, mobile drive units locate appropriate inventory holders and transport them to a device reading station, where an appropriate device retrieval unit transacts the data. After the data has been transacted, the data storage devices are returned to the appropriate inventory holders, and the inventory holders are placed by the mobile drive units in locations where they may be accessed in response to further data transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Franklin, James Raymond Allard, Samuel Rubin Barrett, Jeremiah Brazeau, Jeffrey Allen Dzado, James Caleb Kirschner, David Levy, Brent James Lutz, Andrew Brenden Tinka, Colin Laird Lazier
  • Patent number: 10377489
    Abstract: A device for transporting two or more articles to two or more locations comprising: one or more holding units for carrying the two or more articles one or more orifices for loading and/or delivering the articles a controlling unit for directing the movement and operations of the device a flying attachment for transporting the device through air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Angad Singh Sawhney
  • Patent number: 10364099
    Abstract: Disclosed inventory systems, methods, and devices can be used to retrieve and transport resources from one location to another. Specifically, a vertically mobile drive unit including a vertical element retention mechanism can be controlled by a management component to retrieve a resource, transport the resource from one floor to a different floor in an inventory system, and deposit the resource at a destination. The vertically mobile drive unit can transit vertically along a vertically disposed element in an inventory system, such as a structural pole or column. The vertically mobile drive unit can ascend to or descend from an upper level by passing through an opening made by a movable panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremiah David Brazeau
  • Patent number: 10360084
    Abstract: A system and method according to which history events, such as airline flight or crew history events, are logged and searched. In one embodiment, sequenced information is obtained from one or more applications. In one embodiment, a user can input a single query and obtain sequenced information from new and legacy applications using the single query. In some embodiments, audit trail-like tracking of changes made to airline information is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes: a message handling system adapted to transform an event message; a message processor adapted to receive the event message and parse the event message; a database to which history data of the event message is persisted; and a query processor adapted to read airline flight or crew history event data in response to a query request, the airline flight or crew history event data comprising the history data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Hawkins, Andrea Denise Wagner, Cary Andreas Castle
  • Patent number: 10301113
    Abstract: A method of filling orders and order fulfillment system includes storing inventory receptacles in an automated warehouse, some having a plurality of different types of inventory items. A queue of orders is maintained in a computer system, each including at least one inventory item. Each order is selected from the queue and assigned to a pick station. The computer system retrieves inventory receptacle(s) from the automated warehouse for the selected order and supplies the receptacle(s) to the pick station. The computer system identifies to an operator which inventory item is to be segregated with the selected order in at least one put receptacle. One or more of the put receptacles receives inventory items for at least one individual order and is directed to a secondary order processing station where items are separated into individual orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Criston S. Stevens, Martin E. Schubilske