The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 2023
Filed:
Dec. 12, 2017
Alert Innovation Inc., North Billerica, MA (US);
Matthew W. Coady, Hollis, NH (US);
William J. Fosnight, Windham, NH (US);
Alejandro Sierra, Lowell, MA (US);
David A. Lachance, Waltham, MA (US);
Michael Chesna, Saugus, MA (US);
Patrick Renard, Lunenburg, MA (US);
Chris Dancewicz, Salem, NH (US);
Bryce Germain, Waltham, MA (US);
WALMART APOLLO, LLC, Bentonville, AR (US);
Abstract
A safety system is disclosed for failsafe servicing of areas within an order fulfillment facility. During normal operation, a number of battery-powered robots receive wireless instructions from a management control system (MCS) to transfer items to/from workstations or storage shelves in a multi-level storage structure. The order fulfillment facility may be divided into dynamically configurable service zones. When service is required in a service zone, different safety protocols may be employed based on a determination as to the priority level of service required and/or the estimated length of time service will take. One safety protocol involves physically blocking all access points to a service area with mechanical guards, so that order fulfillment operations may be proceed around the service zone while service is performed.