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:
Oct. 02, 2012
Filed:
Sep. 24, 2010
Raffaello D'andrea, Ithaca, NY (US);
Peter K. Mansfield, Bellevue, WA (US);
Michael C. Mountz, Cambridge, MA (US);
Dennis Polle, Medford, MA (US);
Patrick R. Dingle, Salem, MA (US);
Raffaello D'Andrea, Ithaca, NY (US);
Peter K. Mansfield, Bellevue, WA (US);
Michael C. Mountz, Cambridge, MA (US);
Dennis Polle, Medford, MA (US);
Patrick R. Dingle, Salem, MA (US);
Kiva Systems, Inc., North Reading, MA (US);
Abstract
A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.