Method and system for transporting inventory items
First Claim
1. A method for transporting inventory items, comprising:
- moving to a starting location associated with an inventory holder;
docking with the inventory holder;
moving towards a destination location;
while moving towards the destination location, determining a location of the inventory holder;
calculating a difference between the determined location of the inventory holder and an anticipated location of the inventory holder;
determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance; and
in response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance;
undocking from the inventory holder;
determining a correction value based on the difference, wherein the correction value indicates at least one of a direction and a distance;
moving based on the correction value;
docking with the inventory holder; and
moving towards the destination location.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.
214 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for transporting inventory items, comprising:
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moving to a starting location associated with an inventory holder; docking with the inventory holder; moving towards a destination location; while moving towards the destination location, determining a location of the inventory holder; calculating a difference between the determined location of the inventory holder and an anticipated location of the inventory holder; determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance; and in response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance; undocking from the inventory holder; determining a correction value based on the difference, wherein the correction value indicates at least one of a direction and a distance; moving based on the correction value; docking with the inventory holder; and moving towards the destination location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a drive module operable to propel the apparatus towards a destination; a docking actuator operable to facilitate docking with an inventory holder; a control module operable to; cause the apparatus to move to a starting location associated with an inventory holder; cause the apparatus to dock with the inventory holder; cause the apparatus to move towards a destination location; while moving towards the destination location, determine a location of the inventory holder; calculate a difference between the determined location of the inventory holder and an anticipated location of the inventory holder; determine whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance; and in response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance; cause the apparatus to undock from the inventory holder; determine a correction value based on the difference, wherein the correction value indicates at least one of a direction and a distance; cause the apparatus to move based on the correction value; cause the apparatus to dock with the inventory holder; and cause the apparatus to move towards the destination location. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for storing inventory items, comprising:
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an inventory holder operable to store inventory items; and a mobile drive unit operable to; move to a starting location associated with an inventory holder; dock with the inventory holder; move towards a destination location; while moving towards the destination location, determine a location of the inventory holder; calculate a difference between the determined location of the inventory holder and an anticipated location of the inventory holder; determine whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance; and in response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance; undock from the inventory holder; determine a correction value based on the difference, wherein the correction value indicates at least one of a direction and a distance; move based on the correction value; dock with the inventory holder; and move towards the destination location. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification