AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated guided vehicle (AGV) system, comprising:
- a. one or more AGVs;
b. a control system onboard the AGV, said control system comprising;
a computer processor;
a memory unit;
a communications device utilizing wireless input/output (“
I/O”
) for receiving and sending communications, including task(s) and instruction(s) to be performed to the AGV;
a routing system for determining travel routes for the AGV to perform the required task; and
a navigation system to direct the AGV along the determined travel route while avoiding other AGVs and impediments along the travel route; and
c. a facility communications unit comprising utilizing wireless I/O to provide instructions to AGVs for tasks to be performed by the AGVs, and also to receive instructions or information from the AGVs regarding the tasks being performed by the AGVs.
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Abstract
AGVs receive instructions regarding tasks to be performed via localized wireless I/O communication devices (604) onboard the AGVs from localized wireless communications units (600) positioned about the facility, for example, at conveyors (202). The wireless communications units (600) utilize I/O devices (604) which have a limited range so as to be truly localized in their operation. The AGVs have a sophisticated onboard control system (130) that includes a destination determination system (140), a routing system (142), a navigation system (144), and a crash avoidance system.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An automated guided vehicle (AGV) system, comprising:
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a. one or more AGVs; b. a control system onboard the AGV, said control system comprising; a computer processor; a memory unit; a communications device utilizing wireless input/output (“
I/O”
) for receiving and sending communications, including task(s) and instruction(s) to be performed to the AGV;a routing system for determining travel routes for the AGV to perform the required task; and a navigation system to direct the AGV along the determined travel route while avoiding other AGVs and impediments along the travel route; and c. a facility communications unit comprising utilizing wireless I/O to provide instructions to AGVs for tasks to be performed by the AGVs, and also to receive instructions or information from the AGVs regarding the tasks being performed by the AGVs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27)
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14. A method of operating a materials handling system at a facility utilizing one or more automated guided vehicles (AGVs), the method comprising:
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using facility based wireless I/O communications units to communicate to the AGVs instructions for tasks to be performed by the AGVs, said AGVs fitted with wireless I/O communication devices; receiving the task instructions by the AGV through the AGV'"'"'s wireless I/O communications devices; using a route determination system onboard the AGV to determine a travel route for the AGV if the AGV is required to travel to one or more locations to perform the assigned task; using a navigation system onboard the AGV during travel to the one or more required locations via the determined route and avoiding other AGVs or other impediments along the determined route; and communicating via the wireless I/O communication unit the completion of the assigned task. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification