Hds Mercury, Inc.

Aravind Durai

Louis H Borders

Richard Oas

Rahul Rao

Thomas Vrenios

Steve Roberts

A system of inventory management is described. It includes at least one container adapted to hold inventory items. A conveyor system is adapted to move the containers to and from pick cells. Each pick cell contains an array of processing locations designed to receive containers and an inventory movement tool such as a robotic arm designed to interact with containers received by the pick cell. The pick cells include at least one buffer shelf for processing items.

Modular inventory handling system and method

A method for the movement of products is described. The method uses a facility that contains warehouse shelves; each shelf has a front, at least one moveable frame which travels to each shelf front to access the containers stored on each shelf. The moveable frame includes a repositionable storage ledge, a lifting device, and a gripping device, along with a ramp for a mobile robot. Mobile Robots exchange payloads between moveable frames and are moved from location to location by the moveable frames.

Mobile robot interactions independent of localization data

A system of exchanging information between machines is described. The system includes multiple communication modules with at least an infrared transmitter and receiver. At least one mobile robot having at least one said communication module. A receiving station communication module includes at least an opposing infrared transmitter and receiver. Each mobile robot identifies itself and communicates its intended tasks to a receiving station by sending a single pulse width encoded message. The encoding of information within the message occurs by the encoded message's timing.

Machine to machine communications

A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform with a transfer mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom of movement. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment mechanisms, and at least one payload transfer ramp. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload.

Multiple degree of freedom mobile robot loader-unloader system and method

A system for movement of products is described. The system uses a facility which contains warehouse shelves, each shelf includes various devices to move products within the shelf. Some rollers on the shelf are active, others passive. Power is transferred to the active rollers from an end of arm tool.

Shelving system and power transfer device

A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform, and a payload release latch. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment rails, a payload transfer ramp, and a latch engagement bar. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload without fully stopping motion.

Mobile robot loader-unloader system and method

A vehicle insert with refrigerated and non refrigerated sections for facilitating product distribution is described which uses a pair of frames defining a vertical member and one or more horizontal members. Several shelves with rollers are attached to the frames. The shelves define a sloped area wherein the lowest point on the shelves is located at a product retrieval point and wherein said insert is wheeled into a vehicle already loaded with product to be delivered.

Vehicle insert and method of vehicle loading and unloading

A method for movement of products is described. The method uses a facility which contains warehouse shelves, each shelf has a front, at least one moveable frame which travels to each shelf front to access the containers stored on each shelf. The moveable frame includes a repositionable storage ledge, a lifting device, and a gripping device. Mobile Robots exchange payloads between moveable frames.

Method of use of a robotic frame and power transfer device

A system for automated management of a high density storage facility which contains shelves having multiple containers with products stored within the containers. The system comprises an autonomous mobile robot and a moveable frame. The moveable frame includes supports, horizontal and vertical members, and storage platforms. The moveable frame includes a gantry, an articulated arm with an end of arm tool, and a lifting device. Some storage shelves within the high-density storage facility include an overhead rail and the moveable frame reversibly connects to the rail and guides the moveable frame, as well as provides power to the moveable frame.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Aravind Durai