公开(公告)号：US20180082162A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-22

申请号：US15268414

申请日：2016-09-16

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Joseph W. Durham ,  Scott Dresser ,  John Gregory Longtine ,  Diane Grieselhuber Mills ,  Parris S. Wellman ,  Steven Augustine Wilson

IPC: G06K17/00 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06Q10/08

CPC classification number: G06K17/0025 ,  B65G1/1375 ,  G05B19/41895 ,  G05D2201/0216 ,  G06K7/10009 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  Y02P90/60

Abstract: A transfer rack on one floor of an inventory system can receive multiple containers each carrying an inventory item designated for an operation on a different floor of the inventory system. A vertical lift can move the transfer rack carrying the multiple containers from the one floor to the different floor. On the different floor, the multiple containers may be swapped for different multiple containers each carrying an inventory item designated for an operation on the one floor. The vertical lift may return the transfer rack carrying the different multiple containers to the one floor.

公开(公告)号：US10649446B2

公开(公告)日：2020-05-12

申请号：US15967359

申请日：2018-04-30

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brandon William Porter ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  William George Bowes ,  David Henry Clark ,  Scott Dresser

IPC: G05B19/418 ,  G05D1/02 ,  B65G1/06 ,  B65G1/04 ,  G05B19/402 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a conveyance system (e.g., a conveyor belt, tilt plane, robotic arm) of a mobile drive unit (MDU) independent of the MDU's navigation system. The MDU may be configured to obtain, convey, and deliver items within the workspace. Navigation information related to navigating the MDU within a workspace may be obtained. Operations of a navigational system of the MDU may be performed to move the MDU to various locations within the workspace in accordance with the navigation information. Conveyance information related to physically obtaining and/or delivering an item within the workspace may be obtained by the MDU (e.g., via conveyance-related fiducial markers and/or sensors of the MDU). At least one operation of a conveyance system of the MDU may be executed which may cause the item to be physically relocated based at least in part on the conveyance information.

公开(公告)号：US10029851B1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-24

申请号：US15268377

申请日：2016-09-16

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Joseph W. Durham ,  Scott Dresser ,  John Gregory Longtine ,  Diane Grieselhuber Mills ,  Parris S. Wellman ,  Steven Augustine Wilson

IPC: B65G1/137 ,  B65G1/04 ,  B65G1/10

Abstract: Item information such as an identity or arrangement of a selected inventory item of an inventory system can be determined. A classification of the selected inventory item can be obtained based at least in part on the item information. The selected inventory item can be routed based at least in part on the classification of the selected inventory item. For example, the selected inventory item may be routed for manual handling if the classification of the selected inventory item indicates that the selected inventory item is designated for an operation to be performed relative to the selected inventory item by a human operator. Alternatively, the selected inventory item may be routed for automated handling if the classification of the selected inventory item indicates that the selected inventory item is designated for an operation to be performed relative to the selected inventory item by a robotic manipulator.

公开(公告)号：US20190332096A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-31

申请号：US15967359

申请日：2018-04-30

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brandon William Porter ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  William George Bowes ,  David Henry Clark ,  Scott Dresser

IPC: G05B19/418 ,  G05B19/402 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a conveyance system (e.g., a conveyor belt, tilt plane, robotic arm) of a mobile drive unit (MDU) independent of the MDU's navigation system. The MDU may be configured to obtain, convey, and deliver items within the workspace. Navigation information related to navigating the MDU within a workspace may be obtained. Operations of a navigational system of the MDU may be performed to move the MDU to various locations within the workspace in accordance with the navigation information. Conveyance information related to physically obtaining and/or delivering an item within the workspace may be obtained by the MDU (e.g., via conveyance-related fiducial markers and/or sensors of the MDU). At least one operation of a conveyance system of the MDU may be executed which may cause the item to be physically relocated based at least in part on the conveyance information.

公开(公告)号：US10395152B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-27

申请号：US15268414

申请日：2016-09-16

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Joseph W. Durham ,  Scott Dresser ,  John Gregory Longtine ,  Diane Grieselhuber Mills ,  Parris S. Wellman ,  Steven Augustine Wilson

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  G06K17/00 ,  G06K7/10 ,  B65G1/137 ,  G05B19/418

Abstract: A transfer rack on one floor of an inventory system can receive multiple containers each carrying an inventory item designated for an operation on a different floor of the inventory system. A vertical lift can move the transfer rack carrying the multiple containers from the one floor to the different floor. On the different floor, the multiple containers may be swapped for different multiple containers each carrying an inventory item designated for an operation on the one floor. The vertical lift may return the transfer rack carrying the different multiple containers to the one floor.