Forecasted robotic drive unit dispatch
First Claim
1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying at least one program that, when executed by at least one computing device, directs the at least one computing device to perform a method comprising:
- determining a plurality of materials handling actions in a queue to be conducted at a materials handling station;
identifying an inventory pod associated with a materials handling action among the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue;
requisitioning a first drive unit for the materials handling action in the queue;
dispatching the first drive unit on a materials handling route to retrieve and return the inventory pod to the materials handling station;
monitoring a status of the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue over time;
forecasting a timeframe for at least one other materials handling action among the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue to occur at the materials handling station based on the status of the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue;
identifying an inventory pod zone for the at least one other materials handling action; and
dispatching a second drive unit on a forecasted route toward the inventory pod zone based on the timeframe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Forecasted drive unit dispatch is described. An inventory pod associated with a materials handling action is identified, and a first drive unit is requisitioned and dispatched to retrieve the inventory pod and return it to a materials handling station. Concurrently, the ongoing status of other materials handling actions are monitored over time. Based on the ongoing status, a timeframe for the completion of another materials handling action is determined. An inventory pod zone associated with the other materials handling action is identified, and a second drive unit is dispatched on a forecasted route toward the inventory pod zone based on the timeframe. Later, the second drive unit is redirected to a particular inventory pod within the inventory pod zone. The second drive unit arrives at the particular inventory pod in less time because it was dispatched on the forecasted route toward the inventory pod zone earlier.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying at least one program that, when executed by at least one computing device, directs the at least one computing device to perform a method comprising:
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determining a plurality of materials handling actions in a queue to be conducted at a materials handling station; identifying an inventory pod associated with a materials handling action among the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue; requisitioning a first drive unit for the materials handling action in the queue; dispatching the first drive unit on a materials handling route to retrieve and return the inventory pod to the materials handling station; monitoring a status of the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue over time; forecasting a timeframe for at least one other materials handling action among the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue to occur at the materials handling station based on the status of the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue; identifying an inventory pod zone for the at least one other materials handling action; and dispatching a second drive unit on a forecasted route toward the inventory pod zone based on the timeframe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method, comprising:
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monitoring, by at least one computing device, a status of a plurality of materials handling actions at a materials handling station over time; forecasting, by the at least one computing device, a timeframe for a materials handling action among the plurality of materials handling actions to occur at the materials handling station based on the status of the plurality of materials handling actions; identifying, by the at least one computing device, an inventory pod zone for the materials handling action; and dispatching, by the at least one computing device, a drive unit on a forecasted route toward the inventory pod zone based on the timeframe. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system, comprising:
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a memory device configured to store computer-readable instructions thereon; and at least one computing device configured, through execution of the computer-readable instructions, to; identify an inventory pod associated with a materials handling action; requisition a first drive unit for the materials handling action; dispatch the first drive unit on a materials handling route to retrieve the inventory pod; forecast a timeframe for at least one other materials handling action to occur based on a status of a plurality of other materials handling actions; and dispatch a second drive unit on a forecasted route based on the timeframe. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification