Inventory storage and retrieval system and method with guidance for load-handling vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for managing an inventory comprising:
- providing a database storing item identification information for a plurality of respective items and three dimensional storage location for each of the respective items;
transmitting the storage location information and the item identification information to a vehicle having a lifting mechanism operable to selectively handle at least one of the items;
determining a desired position and orientation of the vehicle to provide access to the storage location;
detecting a present ground position of the vehicle;
detecting an orientation of the vehicle;
comparing the present ground position and orientation information to the desired ground position and orientation information;
automatically steering the vehicle along a desired land travel path that can include at least one curved portion so that the present position and orientation matches the desired ground position and orientation information;
detecting a vertical position of the lifting mechanism;
moving the lifting mechanism of the vehicle to a vertical coordinate and horizontal coordinates associated with the storage location; and
updating the database to reflect changes to the item identification information and location information to reflect retrieval or deposit of an item from the storage location.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inventory storage and retrieval system and method are provided for a shipping or storage facility. In an embodiment, the system includes: (a) a mobile computer and radio on a load-handing vehicle; (b) sensors on the vehicle to determine the ground location and orientation of the vehicle; (c) encoders that determine the position of a lifting mechanism relative to a chassis of the vehicle; and (d) a base computer and radio that communicates with the vehicle. The system maintains an inventory database of items and their respective storage locations in three dimensions as a result of the loading activity of the vehicle. The data can be used to guide the vehicle for ground movement generally to a storage location, appropriately orient the vehicle, and then to move the lifting mechanism of the vehicle to deposit or retrieve the item at a particular storage location.
66 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for managing an inventory comprising:
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providing a database storing item identification information for a plurality of respective items and three dimensional storage location for each of the respective items; transmitting the storage location information and the item identification information to a vehicle having a lifting mechanism operable to selectively handle at least one of the items; determining a desired position and orientation of the vehicle to provide access to the storage location; detecting a present ground position of the vehicle; detecting an orientation of the vehicle; comparing the present ground position and orientation information to the desired ground position and orientation information; automatically steering the vehicle along a desired land travel path that can include at least one curved portion so that the present position and orientation matches the desired ground position and orientation information; detecting a vertical position of the lifting mechanism; moving the lifting mechanism of the vehicle to a vertical coordinate and horizontal coordinates associated with the storage location; and updating the database to reflect changes to the item identification information and location information to reflect retrieval or deposit of an item from the storage location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification