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Managing throughput for multiple processes in a materials handling facility

  • US 9,129,247 B2
  • Filed: 05/26/2010
  • Issued: 09/08/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computing system, comprising:

  • a memory; and

    one or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein the memory comprises program instructions executable by the one or more processors to implement a process control component configured to;

    generate within the memory a stored model of multiple unit handling processes of a materials handling facility, wherein for each unit handling process the model indicates a measured throughput rate at which that unit handling process processes units, wherein at least some of the multiple unit handling processes are different types of downstream unit handling processes that are downstream from a storage buffer and process units obtained from the storage buffer in order to prepare shipments of units to be shipped from the materials handling facility, wherein at least another one or more of the multiple unit handling processes is an upstream unit handling process that is upstream from the storage buffer and provides units to the storage buffer, wherein the upstream unit handling process provides units that are bound for the different types of downstream unit handling processes, and wherein each unit is bound for a particular one of the different types of downstream unit handling processes;

    based on at least one target output rate that is a goal for the output rate of a given type of downstream unit handling process of the multiple unit handling processes, evaluate the model to generate a particular target throughput rate that is a goal for the respective throughput rate of the upstream unit handling process for units bound for the given type of downstream unit handling process; and

    based on the particular target throughput rate generated for the upstream unit handling process, generate one or more instructions to control the respective throughput rate of units bound for the given type of downstream unit handling process and processed by the upstream unit handling process.

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