Systems and methods for underfloor storage and retrieval

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12065311-B2
Application number	US-202117171410-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 9, 2021
Priority date	Feb 9, 2021
Publication date	Aug 20, 2024
Grant date	Aug 20, 2024

Abstract

Systems and methods for under-floor storage include a robotic retrieval system. The robotic retrieval system includes a robot disposed under an upper floor. The robot may retrieve and deposit objects in a space under the upper floor. A portal provides access to the space from above the upper floor. Objects are stored in locations within the space. The robot selectively locates and retrieves the objects.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for under-floor storage, comprising:
a portal comprising a platform configured to receive one or more objects, wherein the portal operatively provides access to a space defined under an upper floor;
a robotic retrieval system comprising a robot, wherein the robot includes an arm for grasping the one or more objects and at least one image capturing device, and wherein the robot is configured to:
retrieve the one or more objects from one or more locations within the space;
deposit the one or more objects in the one or more locations within the space;
in response to user input requesting storage of a target object from the one or more objects, determine a target location in which to deposit the target object using the at least one image capturing device; and
store the target location and an identifier that identifies the target object in memory.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic retrieval system further comprises a track disposed under the upper floor, wherein the robot operatively traverses the track to retrieve or deposit the one or more objects.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robot includes at least one rotating member or appendage, and wherein the at least one rotating member or appendage are operatively configured to allow the robot to travel on a lower floor generally parallel to the upper floor.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image capturing device determines an identification of the one or more objects based on at least one of an image of the one or more objects or an identification token located on the one or more objects.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic retrieval system retrieves an object from the one or more objects in response to a user request.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic retrieval system retrieves an object from the one or more objects in response to a triggering event, wherein the triggering event comprises at least one of a weather parameter meeting a criteria, an event, a holiday, or an alarm.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic retrieval system determines the target location in which to deposit the target object based at least in part on dimensions of the target object and dimensions of the target location.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the robotic retrieval system further determines the target location in which to deposit the target object based further in part on dimensions of one or more pathways formed within the space.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic retrieval system determines the target location in which to deposit the target object based at least in part on a frequency of retrieval and storage of the target object and proximity of the target location to the portal.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic retrieval system further includes at least one display device that generates notifications identifying the one or more objects stored within the space.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic retrieval system further includes a charging station, and wherein the robot includes a rechargeable battery that is operatively recharged by the charging station.

12. A method comprising:
receiving an object at a portal for storage under an upper floor;
determining a target location in a space defined below the upper floor in which to store the object using one or more image capturing devices;
grasping, by a robotic retrieval system, the object from the portal; and
delivering, by the robotic retrieval system, the object to the target location in the space.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising
receiving, from a control panel or user device, user input requesting retrieval of the object; and
in response to the user input, retrieving the object from the target location.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
detecting a triggering event using one or more processors; and
in response to detecting the triggering event, retrieving the object from the target location.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the triggering event comprises at least one of a weather parameter meeting a criteria, an event, a holiday, or an alarm.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
calculating, using one or more processors, a probability of that a user will request retrieval of the object based on a weighted model of a history associated with the user; and
in response to the probability meeting a threshold probability, retrieving the object from the target location.

17. A system for under-floor storage, comprising:
a portal comprising a platform configured to receive one or more objects, and wherein the platform operatively translates about an axis to raise at or above an upper floor or lower below the upper floor;
a robotic retrieval system comprising a track disposed beneath the upper floor, and a robot operatively connected to the track and configured to traverse the track to retrieve or deposit one or more objects within a space below the upper floor, and
wherein the robot includes an arm for grasping and releasing the one or more objects in one or more locations.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the portal is operatively formed within a portion of the upper floor such that the portion of the upper floor is movable.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the portal is operatively formed within furniture.

20. The system of claim 7 , wherein the portal is operatively formed within a closet of a structure.

Assignees

• Toyota Res Inst Inc

Inventors

• Paepcke Stephanie
• Tsui Katherine

Classifications

• B66F9/063

  Automatically guided · CPC title

• B65G2203/0216

  Codes or marks on the article · CPC title

• B65G2203/0208

  relating to the transported articles · CPC title

• B65G2203/041

  Camera · CPC title

• B65G1/0464

  with access from above · CPC title