System and method for positioning a mobile drive unit
AssigneeKiva Systems, Inc.
InventorsAndrew E. Hoffman, Michael T. Barbehenn, Michael C. Mountz, Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
A system for transporting inventory items, comprising:
- a mobile drive unit operable to transport at least one of a plurality of inventory holders;
- and
- a management module operable to:
- determine an assignment state of a mobile drive unit;
- in response to determining that the mobile drive unit is not currently completing a task, select a waiting location for the mobile drive unit based on the assignment state of the mobile drive unit and based on a traffic level associated with the waiting location, the traffic level based at least in part on a frequency with which the waiting location is included as part of a plurality of paths generated by the management module and associated with other mobile drive units;
- and
- transmit information to the mobile drive unit identifying the selected waiting location.
A method for transporting inventory items, comprising:
- determining an assignment state of a mobile drive unit;
- in response to determining that the mobile drive unit is not currently completing a task, selecting a waiting location for the mobile drive unit based on the assignment state of the mobile drive unit and based on a traffic level associated with the waiting location, the traffic level based at least in part on a frequency with which the waiting location is included as part of a plurality of paths generated by the management module and associated with other mobile drive units;
- and
- transmitting information to the mobile drive unit identifying the selected waiting location.
A management module operable to:
- determining an assignment state of a mobile drive unit;
- in response to determining that the mobile drive unit is not currently completing a task, select a waiting location for the mobile drive unit based on the assignment state of the mobile drive unit and based on a traffic level associated with the waiting location, the traffic level based at least in part on a frequency with which the waiting location is included as part of a plurality of paths generated by the management module and associated with other mobile drive units;
- and
- transmit information to the mobile drive unit identifying the selected waiting location.
A system for transporting inventory items, comprising:
- means for determining an assignment state of a mobile drive unit;
- means for selecting, in response to determining that the mobile drive unit is not currently completing a task, selecting a waiting location for the mobile drive unit based on the assignment state of the mobile drive unit and based on a traffic level associated with the waiting location, the traffic level based at least in part on a frequency with which the waiting location is included as part of a plurality of paths generated by the management module and associated with other mobile drive units;
- and
- means for transmitting information to the mobile drive unit identifying the selected waiting location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.