Fulfillment of orders for items using 3D manufacturing on demand

• US 9,672,550 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2013
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Apsley, Linda Knowlton, Bodell, Colin Ian, Danton, Jacob Conrad, Hayden, Scott Randall, Kapila, SaiPrasad, Lessard, Eric, Uhl, Robert Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, WILLIAM J
• Application Number:
  US14/076,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20150052025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/25 Housings, e.g. machine housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2113/10 Additive manufacturing, e.g. 3D printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/10 Geometric CAD
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

Methods and systems can be provided for providing items manufactured on demand to users. A user request for an item can be received. The item can have 3D manufacturing instructions associated therewith. A delivery method for the item can be determined. A manufacturing apparatus can be selected to manufacture the item based on the 3D manufacturing instructions. Instructions can be sent to the manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the item based on the 3D manufacturing instructions. Delivery instructions can be provided for delivering the item according to the delivery method.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

under control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,

providing an electronic marketplace with items for consumption, the electronic marketplace including a network page presenting;

information about a first item;

a first option for consumption of the first item, the first option associated with a first price a first time of delivery and a first delivery method involving manufacturing the first item based on 3D manufacturing instructions by a 3D manufacturing apparatus of a kiosk, wherein the 3D manufacturing instructions are accessible to the electronic marketplace, and wherein the kiosk is configured to receive an order for the first item and store manufactured items within one or more storage units of the kiosk; and

a second option for consumption of the first item, the second option associated with a second price, a second time of delivery, and a second delivery method that excludes manufacturing the first item via the 3D manufacturing apparatus of the kiosk;

in response to receiving a selection of the first option, causing the 3D manufacturing apparatus of the kiosk to manufacture the first item based on the 3D manufacturing instructions;

in response to causing the 3D manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the first item based on the 3D manufacturing instructions, causing delivery of the first item via the storage unit of the kiosk; and

responsive to a selection of the second option, instructing delivery of the first item via the second delivery method.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first price and the second price are different.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first time of delivery and the second time of delivery are different.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein causing the 3D manufacturing device to manufacture the first item based on the 3D manufacturing instructions comprises providing the 3D manufacturing instructions to the 3D manufacturing device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein causing delivery of the first item via the storage unit of the kiosk comprises providing instructions for transporting the manufactured first item to the storage unit of the kiosk.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the kiosk is configured with a plurality of 3D manufacturing apparatus, the plurality of 3D manufacturing apparatus comprises the 3D manufacturing apparatus.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining support capabilities of each of the plurality of 3D manufacturing apparatus; and

selecting the 3D manufacturing apparatus from the plurality of 3D manufacturing apparatus based at least in part on the determined support capabilities of the plurality of 3D manufacturing apparatus.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining a material to be utilized to manufacture the item; and

selecting the 3D manufacturing apparatus from the plurality of 3D manufacturing apparatus based at least in part on the determined material.

9. A computer-implemented method comprising:

providing, by a processing device of a kiosk, access to an electronic marketplace associated with items for purchase;

responsive to a purchase of an item in the electronic marketplace, providing, by the processing device, at least a first delivery option for the item and at least a second delivery option for the item, wherein the first delivery option includes manufacturing the purchased item based on 3D manufacturing instructions for manufacturing the purchased item via a 3D manufacturing apparatus of the kiosk, wherein the second delivery option excludes manufacturing the purchased item via the 3D manufacturing apparatus, and wherein the kiosk is configured to receive indications of purchase and store manufactured items within one or more storage units of the kiosk;

in response to receiving a selection of the first option, causing, by the processing device of the kiosk, the 3D manufacturing apparatus of the kiosk to manufacture the item based on the 3D manufacturing instructions; and

in response to causing the 3D manufacturing apparatus of the kiosk to manufacture the item, causing, by the processing device of the kiosk, the manufactured item to be stored in a storage unit of the kiosk.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the first delivery option is associated with a first cost, wherein the second delivery option is associated with a second cost, and wherein the first cost and the second cost are different.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the first delivery option is associated with a first amount of time, wherein the second delivery option is associated with a second amount of time, and wherein the first amount of time and the second amount of time are different.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein the first delivery option includes providing instructions for transporting said manufactured purchased item to the storage unit of the kiosk.