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Modular automated inventory sorting and retrieving

  • US 10,217,074 B1
  • Filed: 08/29/2017
  • Issued: 02/26/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An inventory management system, comprising:

  • a workspace;

    a plurality of drive units operable to navigate the workspace; and

    a plurality of inventory holders capable of supporting inventory thereon and capable of being transported by the one or more drive units;

    a drive unit-navigable grid in the workspace and defining areas where the drive units can navigate;

    a modular sorting station comprising;

    a frame defining a first inbound bay and a first outbound bay, wherein each bay is sized to accommodate a drive unit of the one or more drive units with a supported inventory holder containing inventory, and wherein each bay is aligned with the drive unit-navigable grid;

    a sensor connected with the modular sorting station and operable to identify the inventory;

    a unique identifier associated with the modular sorting station; and

    a robotic grasper operable to grasp inventory from the inbound bay and release the inventory at the outbound bay;

    wherein the robotic grasper further comprises at least two robotic arms mounted to respective gantries above the inbound and outbound bays defined by the frame anda management component configured with executable instructions, in order to, at least;

    maintain a virtual representation of the workspace including a first grid position associated with the unique identifier of the modular sorting station;

    receive information relating to an inventory item in the inventory system;

    instruct a first drive unit of the one or more drive units to retrieve a first inventory holder containing the inventory item;

    instruct the first drive unit to transport the first inventory holder to the inbound bay of the modular sorting station based on the grid position associated with the unique identifier of the modular sorting station;

    sense, via the sensor, the inventory item in the first inventory holder; and

    cause the robotic grasper to move the inventory item from the first inventory holder to the outbound bay of the modular sorting station.

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