Automated materials handling facility

US9600798B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Jon Stuart Battles · North Bend, US
• Jayson Michael Jochim · Seattle, US
• Martin Peter Aalund · Seattle, US
• Ned Lecky · Bellevue, US
• Samuel Gardner Garrett · Seattle, US
• Paul Roy Raines, Jr. · Seattle, US
• Kaushik Mani · Seattle, US
• Yan Yan · Shanghai, CN
• David Henry Clark · Seattle, US
• John Tan · Vancouver, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 17, 2015
• Grant date: Mar 21, 2017
• Expiry date: Sep 17, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/083
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for an automated materials handling facility. The automated materials handling facility uses a series of automated devices, such as automated guidance vehicles, mobile drive units, robotic arms, automated sorters, etc., to facilitate item receive, stow, pick, shipping and other aspects of materials handling. The automated devices are controlled by a materials handling control system that sends instructions to the various devices to coordinate operation of those devices and to coordinate flow of items through the materials handling system.