Hybrid modular storage fetching system

US10589931B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Staples, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Daniel Jarvis · Holiday, US
• Paolo Gerli Amador · Framingham, US
• Michael Bhaskaran · Sherborn, US
• Amit Kalra · Acton, US
• Rodney Gallaway · McRae, US
• Vikranth Gopalakrishnan · Grafton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 5, 2018
• Grant date: Mar 17, 2020
• Expiry date: Feb 28, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05D1/0274
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A hybrid modular storage fetching system with a robot execution system (REX) is described. In an example implementation, a REX may induct, into the hybrid modular storage fetching system, an order identifying items to be fulfilled by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at an order fulfillment facility. The REX may generate at task list including tasks for a first and second AGV, instruct the first AGV to retrieve a first item in the order from a first storage area based on the task list and deliver the first item to a pick-cell station. The REX may also instruct the second AGV to retrieve a second item of the order from a second storage area and deliver the second item to the pick-cell station. The REX may communicate with other components of the hybrid modular storage fetching system to coordinate the paths of the AGVs to fulfill the order.