Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling movement of transporting devices
OwnerRobert Stadie, Matthew Whelan +1inventors
InventorsRobert Stadie, Matthew Whelan, Christopher Brett
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Abstract
A system and method for controlling movement of transporting devices arranged to transport containers, the containers being stored in stacks arranged in a facility. A facility having pathways arranged in a grid-like structure above stacks, the transporting devices being configured to operate on the grid-like structure. A control unit configured to determine at least one task to be performed by at least one transporting device, wherein the at least one task is determined based on at least one of: transporting device battery condition, transporting device damage, transporting device maintenance issues, and transporting device service issues.
Claims20
A system for controlling movement of at least one transporting device arranged to transport at least one container, the system comprising:
- one or more processors configured to:
- determine a plurality of paths for a plurality of transporting devices to travel on pathways of a facility, the plurality of paths comprising a first path for travel by a first transporting device of the plurality of transporting devices to an ending point of the first path,
- wherein the pathways form a grid frame above a plurality of containers arranged within the facility, the pathways comprising a first set of parallel rails extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction in a substantially horizontal plane,
- wherein the plurality of transporting devices are configured to move laterally in the first direction and the second direction on the pathways, at least some of the plurality of transporting devices being configured to transport the plurality of containers;
- and
- generate a command for the first transporting device to travel to a position on the grid frame;
- and
- a memory device configured to store the command,
- wherein at least one transporting device is configured to winch a container for internal stowage at least partially in the at least one transporting device.
A method for controlling movement of at least one transporting device arranged to transport at least one container, the method comprising:
- determining, by one or more processors, a plurality of paths for a plurality of transporting devices to travel on pathways of a facility, the plurality of paths comprising a first path for travel by a first transporting device of the plurality of transporting devices to an ending point of the first path,
- wherein the pathways form a grid frame above a plurality of containers arranged within the facility, the pathways comprising a first set of parallel rails extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction in a substantially horizontal plane, and
- wherein the plurality of transporting devices are configured to move laterally in the first direction and the second direction on the pathways, at least some of the plurality of transporting devices being configured to transport the plurality of containers;
- generating, by one or more processors, a command for the first transporting device to travel to a position on the grid frame;
- storing the command in a memory device;
- and
- generating, by one or more processors, another command for at least one transporting device to winch a container for internal stowage at least partially in the at least one transporting device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.