Patent · US Active

System and method for positioning a mobile drive unit

US8220710B2 · kind B2 · utility

97Cited by

41References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Kiva Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

Andrew E. Hoffman · Arlington, US
Michael T. Barbehenn · North Reading, US
Michael C. Mountz · Lexington, US
Peter R. Wurman · Acton, US
Raffaello D'Andrea · Ithaca, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 19, 2006
Grant date	Jul 17, 2012
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Aug 30, 2028

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG05B2219/31006
WIPO fieldControl
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for transporting inventory items includes determining an assignment state of a mobile drive unit. The method also includes selecting a location for the mobile drive unit based on the assignment state of the mobile drive unit, in response to determining that the mobile drive unit is not currently completing a task. The method further includes transmitting information to the mobile drive unit identifying the selected location.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.