Robot queueing in order-fulfillment operations
US9776324B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/01
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for queuing robots destined for a target location in an environment, includes determining if a first robot occupies the target location and if it is determined that the first robot occupies the target location, determining if a second robot destined for the target location has entered a predefined target zone proximate the target location. If the second robot has entered the predefined target zone, the method further includes navigating the second robot to a first queue location and causing the second robot to wait at the first queue location until the first robot no longer occupies the target location. The method also includes navigating the second robot to the target location after the first robot leaves the target location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.