US 11,927,472 B1Granted

Modular storage systems

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsMatthew Ray DesJardien, Chelsea Olson, Robert M. Riggs, Dan Beltzer, Paul Eugene Munger, Aaron M. McDaniel, Andrew James Pierce, Michael Mosman, Nathan Pius O'Neill

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Abstract

Modular storage systems include load sensors disposed beneath or in association with platforms. The load sensors are pulse-sampled for signals corresponding to loads at time intervals, rather than continuously, in order to conserve electrical power. An item associated with a transaction is identified based on a change in the loads, as determined from the pulse-sampled signals. The platforms are aligned at horizontal or non-horizontal angles, and photovoltaic power sources with banks of photovoltaic cells are mounted to front edges of the platforms. When a user reaches over one of the photovoltaic cells to access an item on a platform, a level of power or voltage generated by the photovoltaic cell is diminished. The item closest to the photovoltaic cell having the diminished power or voltage, or a customer that accessed the item, may be identified accordingly.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A materials handling facility comprising:

a computer system;
a light source;
a table;
and
a storage system resting on an upper surface of the table, wherein the storage system comprises:
a platform having a plurality of items thereon;
a plurality of load sensors disposed between an underside of the platform and the upper surface of the table, wherein each of the plurality of load sensors comprises:
a battery;
a load cell configured to generate load signals corresponding to a load supplied to the load cell;
and
a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the load signals to the computer system;
and
a photovoltaic power source provided at a front edge of the platform, wherein the photovoltaic power source comprises a housing and at least a first photovoltaic cell disposed in an upper surface of the housing, wherein the photovoltaic power source is configured to absorb light energy from at least the light source and to generate electrical energy from the light energy, and wherein the photovoltaic power source is electrically coupled to the batteries of each of the plurality of load sensors,
wherein the computer system is programmed with one or more sets of instructions that, when executed, cause the computer system to at least:
receive, from each of the plurality of load sensors, load signals corresponding to the loads supplied to the load cells;
determine, based at least in part on at least two of the load signals, a change in load on the platform;
identify at least one item from the plurality of items associated with the change in load on the platform;
and
store an indication of at least one transaction associated with the at least one item.

16 more elements

A method comprising:

configuring a first load sensor to transmit load signals for a first duration and in accordance with a first interval;
receiving, from the first load sensor, a first load signal, wherein the first load signal indicates a force applied to the first load sensor by a first platform at a first time and wherein the first load signal is transmitted by the first load sensor for the first duration;
receiving, from the first load sensor, a second load signal, wherein the second load signal indicates a force applied to the first load sensor by the first platform at a second time, wherein the second load signal is transmitted by the first load sensor for the first duration, and wherein a time between the first time and the second time is the first interval;
detecting a variation in loading on the first platform based at least in part on the first load signal and the second load signal;
in response to detecting the variation in the loading on the first platform,
configuring the first load sensor to transmit load signals for a second duration and in accordance with a second interval, wherein at least one of the second duration is longer than the first duration, or the second interval is shorter than the first interval;
receiving, from the first load sensor, a third load signal, wherein the third load signal indicates a force applied to the first load sensor by the first platform at a third time, wherein the first load signal is transmitted by the first load sensor for the second duration;
receiving, from the first load sensor, a fourth load signal, wherein the fourth load signal indicates a force applied to the first load sensor by the first platform at a fourth time, wherein the fourth load signal is transmitted by the first load sensor for the second duration, and wherein a time between the third time and the fourth time is the second interval;
identifying a first item based at least in part on the third load signal and the fourth load signal;
and
storing information regarding a transaction involving the first item in at least one data store.

8 more elements

A storage system comprising:

a computer system;
a platform having an upper surface for accommodating items thereon;
a photovoltaic power source mounted to a front edge of the platform, wherein the photovoltaic power source comprises:
a housing;
and
a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed in an upper surface of the housing;
and
a plurality of load sensors disposed between a lower surface of the platform and an upper surface of an inventory location, wherein each of the plurality of load sensors comprises:
a battery electrically coupled to the photovoltaic power source;
a load cell configured to generate load signals corresponding to a load supplied to the load cell;
and
a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the load signals to the computer system.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/453,677Filed 26 Jun 2019
Granted: 12 Mar 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G01G 19/414
Using electromechanical or electronic computing means: using electronic computing means only
G01G 19/42
With provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight: for counting by weighing
G01G 23/007
Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus: integrated arrangements for generating electrical power, e.g. solar cells
G06Q 30/0283
Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising: price estimation or determination