Material handling method using autonomous mobile drive units and movable inventory trays
First Claim
1. A method for managing items of inventory in a warehouse comprising:
- sending a request signal from a computer, the request signal specifying an item of inventory;
receiving the request signal by a mobile drive unit (MDU), the MDU responding to the request signal by;
determining a location of a movable inventory pod (MIP) that contains the item of inventory;
energizing a drive mechanism of the MDU to move the MDU to the location of the MIP;
docking the MDU to the MIP;
energizing the drive mechanism of the MDU to transport the MIP to a station of the warehouse.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inventory system includes a plurality of mobile drive units with a processor control and with a positioning system that enables the mobile drive units to navigate a factory floor. The mobile drive units interface with a material handling system to receive order requests and deliver inventory items to pack stations located on the factory floor. The inventory items are stored in trays stacked into movable inventory pods, which may be transported by the mobile drive units throughout the factory floor. The mobile drive units dock and undock with the movable inventory pods using a docking mechanism. The movable inventory pods are stored in a virtual storage grid when they are not being transported by the mobile drive units. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method for managing items of inventory in a warehouse comprising:
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sending a request signal from a computer, the request signal specifying an item of inventory;
receiving the request signal by a mobile drive unit (MDU), the MDU responding to the request signal by;
determining a location of a movable inventory pod (MIP) that contains the item of inventory;
energizing a drive mechanism of the MDU to move the MDU to the location of the MIP;
docking the MDU to the MIP;
energizing the drive mechanism of the MDU to transport the MIP to a station of the warehouse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computerized method for managing items of inventory in a warehouse comprising:
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transmitting a request signal from a computer, the request signal specifying an order for an item of inventory;
receiving the request signal by a plurality of mobile drive units (MDUs) located in the warehouse, each of the MDUs including a processor coupled to a random-access memory (RAM) that stores position coordinates of a plurality of movable inventory pods (MIPs) and a list of inventory items contained in each of the MIPs;
selecting a particular MDU to fulfill the order;
driving the MDU to the location of a MIP that contains the item of inventory;
docking the particular MDU with the MIP;
driving the particular MDU to transport the MIP to a pack station. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for managing items of inventory in a warehouse comprising:
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sending a request signal from a Material Handling System (MHS) to a computer at a pack station in a warehouse, the request signal specifying an item of inventory;
receiving the request signal by a plurality of mobile drive units (MDUs) located in the warehouse, each of the MDUs including a processor coupled to a random access memory (RAM) that stores position coordinates of a plurality of movable inventory prods (MIPs) and a list of inventory items contained in each of the MIPs;
determining by each of the MDUs an estimated time duration to transport a MIP containing the item specified in the request signal;
selecting by the computer at the pack station a MDU to fulfill the order based on the shortest estimated time duration;
driving the MDU to the location of a MIP that contains the item of inventory;
docking the MDU with the MIP;
driving the MDU to transport the MIP to a pack station. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A computer-implemented method for managing items of inventory in a warehouse comprising:
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transmitting position coordinates of one or more movable inventory pods (MIPs) and one or more mobile drive units (MDUs) to a computer;
receiving, by the computer, an order request for an item of inventory;
selecting, by the computer, a particular MDU to fulfill the order request;
transmitting the order request to the particular MDU;
docking the particular MDU to an MIP containing the item of inventory; and
moving, by self-power of the particular MDU, the MIP to a pack station located in the warehouse. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification