Inventory storage and retrieval system and method with guidance for load-handling vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for maintaining an inventory of multiple items in a facility in which a load-handling vehicle has a chassis maneuverable on a ground and a lifting device that is movable relative to the chassis, the vehicle being operable to move a selected one or more of the items from one storage location to another storage location, the system comprising:
- means for storing a database reflecting a storage location relative to three-dimensional coordinates and item identification information for each of the items;
means for determining a desired position and orientation of the vehicle to provide access to the storage location corresponding to a selected one of the items;
means for detecting a present orientation and location of the chassis of the vehicle relative to the three dimensional coordinates;
means for maneuvering the vehicle so that the present position and orientation matches the desired position and orientation information;
means for detecting a position of the lifting device relative to the chassis;
means for determining a position of the lifting device relative to the three-dimensional coordinates based on the three-dimensional position of the chassis and the position of the lifting device relative to the chassis; and
means for updating the database to set the three-dimensional storage location of the item as the three-dimensional location of the lifting device when the lifting device unlatches the item.
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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.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for maintaining an inventory of multiple items in a facility in which a load-handling vehicle has a chassis maneuverable on a ground and a lifting device that is movable relative to the chassis, the vehicle being operable to move a selected one or more of the items from one storage location to another storage location, the system comprising:
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means for storing a database reflecting a storage location relative to three-dimensional coordinates and item identification information for each of the items; means for determining a desired position and orientation of the vehicle to provide access to the storage location corresponding to a selected one of the items; means for detecting a present orientation and location of the chassis of the vehicle relative to the three dimensional coordinates; means for maneuvering the vehicle so that the present position and orientation matches the desired position and orientation information; means for detecting a position of the lifting device relative to the chassis; means for determining a position of the lifting device relative to the three-dimensional coordinates based on the three-dimensional position of the chassis and the position of the lifting device relative to the chassis; and means for updating the database to set the three-dimensional storage location of the item as the three-dimensional location of the lifting device when the lifting device unlatches the item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification