×

Sensor controlled drive unit ingress and egress

  • US 10,409,281 B1
  • Filed: 06/09/2017
  • Issued: 09/10/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An inventory management system, comprising:

  • a drive unit operable to move items within a material handling system, the drive unit comprising;

    a drive element configured to move the drive unit within the material handling system; and

    an identification element associated with the drive unit;

    a monitoring system configured to track at least one of ingress and egress of the drive unit in relation to the material handling system, the monitoring system comprising;

    a first sensor configured to sense passage of the drive unit; and

    an identification sensor for sensing the identification element of the drive unit; and

    a controller comprising a processor and memory containing executable instructions that, when processed by the processor, cause the controller to;

    maintain a virtual representation of the material handling system indicative of at least a first location of the drive unit;

    detect, via the first sensor, that the drive unit has exited the material handling system;

    identify the drive unit via the identification sensor; and

    in response to detecting by the first sensor that the drive unit has exited the material handling system, update the virtual representation to indicate that the identified drive unit has exited the material handling system.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×