Method and Apparatus for Path Planning and Distance Calculation
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- obtaining a layout model for a managed space, the layout model defining a network of nodes based on a description of permissible pathways indicating discrete areas of the managed space where travel through the managed space is permissible;
receiving a request for a task that requires performing an action at an identified location within the managed space; and
generating a path from a starting location to the identified location based on the layout model.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses enable generation of a managed space layout model defining permissible pathways for travel through the managed space. Each permissible pathway can be defined as a line segment or an edge bounded by coordinate pairs. Items and locations within the managed space are associated with permissible pathways, which association defines how the items/locations can be reached via travel through the managed space. The information can be saved as a network of nodes, which defines the intersection of the permissible pathways and includes information about the pathways. With the layout model, a path can be determined through the managed space to accomplish work in the managed space. The layout data allows a path distance to be calculated for a given work task that involves travel through the managed space.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
-
obtaining a layout model for a managed space, the layout model defining a network of nodes based on a description of permissible pathways indicating discrete areas of the managed space where travel through the managed space is permissible; receiving a request for a task that requires performing an action at an identified location within the managed space; and generating a path from a starting location to the identified location based on the layout model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An article of manufacture comprising a machine readable medium having content stored thereon to provide instructions to cause a machine to perform operations including:
-
obtaining a layout model for a managed space, the layout model defining a network of nodes based on a description of permissible pathways indicating discrete areas of the managed space where travel through the managed space is permissible; receiving a request for a task that requires performing an action at an identified location within the managed space; and generating a path from a starting location to the identified location based on the layout model. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A computer-implemented method comprising:
-
obtaining layout data for a managed space, the layout data including a grid representation of the managed space and structural features of the managed space indicated by coordinates on the grid; defining permissible pathways for the managed space based on the layout data, the permissible pathways indicating areas of the managed space where travel through the managed space is permissible, the permissible pathways represented as line segments bounded by a pair of coordinates; identifying every intersection of permissible pathways with each other; generating a network of nodes for the managed space based on identifying the intersections, each node representing an intersection of permissible pathways; and saving the network of nodes to a storage system as a model for path planning for the managed space. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An article of manufacture comprising a machine readable medium having content stored thereon to provide instructions to cause a machine to perform operations including:
-
obtaining layout data for a managed space, the layout data including a grid representation of the managed space and structural features of the managed space indicated by coordinates on the grid; defining edges that represent permissible pathways for the managed space based on the layout data, the permissible pathways indicating areas of the managed space where travel through the managed space is permissible, the edges being line segments bounded by a pair of coordinates; generating a network of nodes for the managed space where each node represents an end of each edge; and saving the network of nodes to a storage system as a model for path planning for the managed space. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
-
-
26. A warehouse management system comprising:
-
a model generator to define a layout model of an area of a warehouse and save the model to a storage system, the model generator having a layout analyzer to receive layout data for the area, the layout data including a grid representation of the area with structural features of the area indicated by coordinates on the grid; a pathway definition module to define edges in the area, each edge representing a permissible pathway indicating where travel through the area is permissible, the edges being line segments bounded by a pair of coordinates; and a node network generator to generate a network of nodes for the area where each node represents an end of each edge; and a path generator to generate a path from the layout model for a task within the area, the path generator having a layout analyzer to receive the layout model and identify a starting location and a task location within the area; and a path calculator to generate a path from the starting location to the task location based on the edges defined within the layout model. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
-
Specification