Sensor controlled drive unit ingress and egress
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system for automated detection of egress or ingress of a drive unit between first and second spaces in an inventory system includes a path for conveying the drive unit between the first and second spaces that defines an intermediate space between the two spaces. A sensor is configured to detect passage of the drive unit between the first space and the intermediate space, and an identification sensor is arranged to read an identifier of the drive unit. In combination with an inventory management system, the monitoring system can be used to update and maintain accuracy of a virtual representation of a physical inventory space that employs automated drive units or shuttles.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An inventory management system, comprising:
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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 Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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maintaining a virtual representation of a material handling system including information concerning a location of a drive unit in the material handling system; causing the drive unit to transit to a monitoring system positioned at a location for egress or ingress with respect to the material handling system, the location defining a path between the material handling system and an exterior space different from the material handling system; causing the drive unit to exit the material handling system at the location for egress or ingress; detecting, via a first sensor, that the drive unit has exited the material handling system; detecting, via an identification sensor, an identifier associated with the drive unit; determining a specific identify of the drive unit based on the identifier; and updating the virtual representation of the material handling system to indicate that the identified drive unit has exited the material handling system in response to detecting that the drive unit has exited the material handling system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A monitoring system for automated detection of egress or ingress of a drive unit between first and second spaces in an inventory system, the monitoring system comprising:
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a first sensor for sensing passage of the drive unit from the first space to a path, the path being bounded on two sides and defining an intermediate space sized to contain the drive unit; an identification sensor arranged to scan the intermediate space and operable to read an identifier of the drive unit when the drive unit is positioned in the intermediate space; and a controller comprising a processor and memory containing executable instructions that, when processed by the processor, cause the controller to maintain information pertaining to the identifier of the drive unit and passage of the drive unit through the monitoring system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification