Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
2003-07-10
2004-08-10
Tran, Khoi H. (Department: 3651)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C700S215000, C700S216000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06775588
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a distributed system of intelligent automata: it is in part a light-directed, coupled system to facilitate the retrieval of stock keeping units (SKUs) stored in uniquely identified locations and subsequent placement of these same items into uniquely identified receptacles. More specifically it comprises a system whereby unique location addresses are translated to specific light addresses in a storage facility. Even more specifically, it is a system whereby a single light or lighted character display which is an integral part of an intelligent light assembly is activated at the exact storage location of a specific SKU in response to communication by wired means from a portable computer through a bi-directional, dual transmitter/receiver element then by wireless means to a pick-controller unit that is wired to a plurality of intelligent light assemblies. Each intelligent light assembly represents a unique light address and is positioned at a corresponding unique physical location or address in the storage facility. Still more specifically, it is a system wherein intelligent light assemblies associated with specific storage receptacles are also activated by instructions received from the portable computer through a bi-directional, dual transmitter/receiver element to a put-controller unit thereby indicating the locations (receptacles) and quantity of retrieved items to be placed in the designated receptacles, thereby facilitating batch picking of multiple orders. And yet more specifically, it is a system wherein the portable computer, bi-directional, dual transmitter/receiver element, put-controller unit, and the storage receptacles with associated intelligent light assemblies are all positioned on a mobile retrieval element capable of being propelled throughout the storage facility. A pick-controller unit and intelligent light assemblies and related hardware are stationary units, with each individual light assembly mounted and wired on an individual location in a storage bay.
The invention anticipates a plurality of mobile retrieval units and of storage bays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Filling orders from stored inventory requires at least three steps: locating the precise item in the storage facility, retrieving (or picking) the desired quantity of that item, and storing (or putting) the retrieved items in a designated container or receptacle. The basic steps may apply to a variety of situations in which items must be identified, selected, and distributed or placed in a second location. Frequently this process is generally described in terms of order fulfillment in a warehouse.
Storage in a facility may be viewed as a nested or hierarchical arrangement with bays arranged along aisles and shelves or storage containers located in or on a bay. Thus, the location of a specific item, commonly referred to as a Stock Keeping Unit or SKU, would be an “address” in the storage facility comprising the aisle, the bay along that aisle, and a shelf, bin or container located in the bay. So long as a protocol exists to associate only one SKU with each unique combination of aisle, bay, and shelf, identification of a particular SKU is unnecessary to identify or characterize the item to be picked, since the address of the item is sufficient.
In an exclusively manual system, an employee receives an order for a specific item or group of items. Either by memory, which is subject to error, or by reference to a facility map or plan, the employee must identify the location of the item, go to that location, pick the required quantity of items for the order, and either return to a central shipping point or place them in an appropriate receptacle. This process is repeated until a given order is filled. Multiple opportunities for errors exist, from misreading the storage facility location label, to selecting from an incorrect, but adjacent shelf or other storage receptacle, to picking the wrong quantity of the correct item, or to putting the correct items in an incorrect receptacle for subsequent shipping or order processing. In addition, many separate orders may require the same item, but in an exclusively manual system, batch order picking is most commonly the exception, rather than the rule, resulting in significant inefficiencies associated with repeated trips to pick each order individually.
Technology has advanced beyond the exclusively manual system of pick and put. The evolution of computer technology and related electronic systems has played a significant part in this advancement. U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,339 issued to Hillhouse on Jun. 12, 1973 describes a system that is characteristic of the status of current pick and put technology for many warehouse-like situations.
In the '339 patent, a computer punch-card system is used in which the row by column punch matrix of the card represents the storage location of items, and quantities of the item to be picked may also be encoded. At least one card reader is wired to a computer. When a card is inserted into a card reader positioned on a bay or similar group of discrete storage units, the configuration of punches activates a light system such that the precise location of the item is indicated by an illuminated element, and the quantity to be selected is displayed in a centrally located, lighted display. The system also provides for a put-to-light process with a separate light system wired to individual containers or receptacles. Major deficiencies of this system include the requirement of hard wire communications of the light systems, communications through the card reader to a central computer, and the fact that overall efficiency and performance of the system degrades as the number of lights increases. The system has virtually no fault tolerance: failure of any central component causes the entire system to fail.
Radio communications have been applied to inventory related, selection applications. U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,698 issued to Kusiner, et al. on Mar. 2, 1999 describes a system of radio transmitters positioned throughout a supermarket with mobile receivers positioned on shopping carts commonly used by customers. When a receiver is within a limited range of any specific transmitter, an exclusive link is established whereby the transmitter sends to the receiver a specific advertising message calling attention to a “bargain” product at a specific nearby location. The link is broken as the receiver moves out of range of the local transmitter, but may establish links with other transmitters throughout the facility.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,800 issued to Beard and Bunte on Sep. 26, 2000 discloses and claims a route delivery system utilizing both local area network and wide area network radio frequencies to communicate inventory data between an end delivery point (such as a vending machine) and a stocked delivery vehicle, and between the vehicle and a base office to minimize the number of actual visits a service person must make to deliver the necessary inventory items to a specific end point as well as to simplify routing of the delivery vehicle.
U.S. patent No. 5,505,473 issued to Radcliffe on Apr. 9, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,962, a divisionally related patent issued to Radcliffe on Mar. 2, 1999 describe and claim respectively a computer-based system to facilitate proper placement of articles picked by an attendant from inventory storage shelves and deposited in delivery containers mounted on a cart and a method for the practical utilization of the system. In addition, the system and related method include an optional beacon light system to indicate the location of inventory items to be picked or recovered.
The system of the '473 patent and related method of the '962 patent depend on a single intelligent element or computer that must maintain constant two-way radio communication between a receiver/central control unit mounted on a cart and between the optional beacon system located on storage shelves. A scanner mounted on the cart is used to read codes on either the location or item to be pi
Chapman Stephen R.
Foxfire Technologies, Inc.
Gregory Leigh P.
Tran Khoi H.
LandOfFree
Distributed intelligence, wireless, light-directed pick/put... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Distributed intelligence, wireless, light-directed pick/put..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Distributed intelligence, wireless, light-directed pick/put... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3311245