SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING MOVEMENT OF MOBILE DRIVE UNITS
First Claim
1. A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace, comprising:
- receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction;
determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment;
determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction;
in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction, transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied; and
in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction, transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace includes receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction. The method further includes determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment and determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction. The method also includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction.
207 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace, comprising:
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receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction; determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment; determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction; in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction, transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied; and in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction, transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace, comprising:
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receiving, at a first mobile drive unit, a command to move in a first direction; initiating, in a first mobile drive unit, movement in the first direction along a path segment; detecting an object located on the path segment in the first direction from the first mobile drive unit; determining whether the object comprises a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction; in response to determining that the object comprises a second mobile drive unit, continuing movement in the first direction; and in response to determining that the object does not comprise a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction, terminating movement in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for transporting inventory items, comprising:
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a plurality of mobile drive units; a plurality of inventory holders; and a management module operable to; receive, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction; determine that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment; determine whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction; in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction, transmit a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied; and in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction, transmit a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for transporting inventory items, comprising:
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a plurality of inventory holders; and a plurality of mobile drive units, wherein at least a first mobile drive unit is operable to; receive a command to move in a first direction; initiate movement in a first direction along a path segment; detect an object located on the path segment in the first direction from the first mobile drive unit; determine whether the object comprises a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction; in response to determining that the object comprises a second mobile drive unit, continue movement in the first direction; and in response to determining that the object does not comprise a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction, terminate movement in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A system for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace, comprising:
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means for receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction; means for determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment; means for determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction; means for, responsive to the determining means determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction, transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied; and means for, responsive to the determining means determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction, transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted.
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34. A system for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace, comprising:
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means for receiving, at a first mobile drive unit, a command to move in a first direction; means for initiating, in a first mobile drive unit, movement in the first direction along a path segment; means for detecting an object located on the path segment in the first direction from the mobile drive unit; means for determining whether the object comprises a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction; means for continuing movement in the first direction in response to determining that the object comprises a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction; and means for terminating movement in the first direction in response to determining that the object does not comprise a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction.
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35. An apparatus for managing mobile drive units, operable to:
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receive, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction; determine that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment; determine whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction; in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction, transmit a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied; and in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction, transmit a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted.
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36. An apparatus for transporting inventory items, operable to:
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receive a command to move in a first direction; initiate movement in a first direction along a path segment; detect an object located on the path segment in the first direction from the first mobile drive unit; determine whether the object comprises a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction; in response to determining that the object comprises a second mobile drive unit, continue movement in the first direction; and in response to determining that the object does not comprise a second mobile drive unit moving in the first direction, terminate movement in the first direction.
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Specification