Item transfer using stackable storage modules

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018201445-A1
Application number	US-201715408207-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 17, 2017
Priority date	Jan 17, 2017
Publication date	Jul 19, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An example process may include receiving a request identifying an action with respect to an item and a modular storage system. The modular storage system may include a plurality of shipping containers accessible from an item transfer facility. The process may also include identifying a particular shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers to fulfill the request. The process may also include identifying, within the particular shipping container, a particular storage module to fulfill the request. The particular storage module may include a particular plurality of storage containers. The process may also include identifying, from among the particular plurality of storage containers, a particular storage container to fulfill the request. The process may also include causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers to move the particular storage container to an access position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
receiving a request for an item stored in a modular storage system, the modular storage system comprising a plurality of shipping containers accessible from an item transfer facility, each shipping container comprising a plurality of stackable storage modules arranged into a plurality of vertical stacks disposed next to one another within an interior of the respective shipping container, each stackable storage module comprising:
a plurality of storage containers;
a frame configured to (i) support the plurality of storage containers and (ii) engage with a first other stackable storage module disposed below the stackable storage module and a second other stackable storage module disposed above the stackable storage module; and
a movement device configured to move the plurality of storage containers with respect to the frame and independent of movement of other storage containers of other stackable storage modules;
identifying a particular shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers in which the item is stored; identifying a particular stackable storage module in the particular shipping container in which the item is stored, the particular stackable storage module comprising a particular plurality of storage containers; identifying a particular storage container of the particular plurality of storage containers in which the item is stored; causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers by a particular movement device to move the particular storage container to an access position; and causing removal of the item by a material handling device and placement of the item by the material handling device at a different location.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the different location is a holder structure coupled to a mobile drive unit; and the method further comprises, after the item has been placed at the different location, causing the mobile drive unit to transport the item in the holder structure within the item transfer facility.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein causing removal of the item and placement of the item comprises causing removal of the particular storage container by the material handling device and placement of the particular storage container by the material handling device at the different location.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the item transfer facility is a building that comprises:
an interior area housing the material handling device; and a plurality of walls surrounding the interior area, at least one wall comprising at least one opening configured to receive at least a portion of the plurality of shipping containers.

5 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
receiving a request identifying an action with respect to an item and a modular storage system, the modular storage system comprising a plurality of shipping containers accessible from an item transfer facility, each shipping container comprising a plurality of storage modules arranged into a plurality of vertical stacks disposed next to one another within an interior of the shipping container, each storage module comprising a plurality of storage containers and being mechanized to move the plurality of storage containers; identifying a particular shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers to fulfill the request; identifying, within the particular shipping container, a particular storage module to fulfill the request, the particular storage module comprising a particular plurality of storage containers; identifying, from among the particular plurality of storage containers, a particular storage container to fulfill the request; and causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers to move the particular storage container to an access position.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein each storage module further comprises:
a frame configured to (i) support the plurality of storage containers and (ii) engage with a first other storage module disposed below the storage module and a second other storage module disposed above the storage module; and a movement device configured to move the plurality of storage containers with respect to the frame and independent of movement of other storage containers of other storage modules.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers comprises causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers by a particular movement device of the particular storage module.

8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , further comprising, after the particular storage container has been moved to the access position, instructing removal of the item from the particular storage container and placement of the item at a different location.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein:
the different location is a holder structure coupled to a mobile drive unit; and the method further comprises, after the item has been placed at the different location, causing the mobile drive unit to transport the item in the holder structure within the item transfer facility.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein:
the different location is a horizontal conveyor surface; and the method further comprises, after the item has been placed at the different location, causing the horizontal conveyor surface to convey the item within the item transfer facility.

11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein instructing removal of the item from the particular storage container and placement of the item at the different location comprises instructing removal of the item from the particular storage container by a robotic manipulator and placement of the item at the different location by the robotic manipulator.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , further comprising, after the particular storage container has been moved to the access position, instructing placement of the item at the particular storage container.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the action comprises:
a storage action resulting in the item being placed in the particular storage container; a retrieval action resulting in the item being removed from the particular storage container; or an inspection action resulting in the item being inspected at the particular storage container.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein each storage module is mechanized to move its respective plurality of storage containers independent of other pluralities of storage containers of other storage modules.

15 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the request is associated with a customer order identifying the item.

16 . A system, comprising:
an item transfer facility comprising a plurality of openings configured to receive a plurality of shipping containers, each shipping container comprising a plurality of storage modules disposed within the respective shipping container, each storage module comprising a plurality of storage containers; a mobile drive unit detachably coupled to a holder structure, the mobile drive unit configured to transport items in the holder structure within the item transfer facility; a robotic manipulator configured to manipulate at least one of the items or storage containers with respect to the plurality of shipping containers and the holder structure; a management sys

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Battles Jon Stuart
• Talda Timothy Alan
• Aalund Martin Peter

Classifications

• B65G1/1373 Primary

  for fulfilling orders in warehouses · CPC title

• G06Q30/0635

  replenishment orders; recurring orders · CPC title

• B65G63/002

  for articles · CPC title

• B65G61/00

  Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G05D1/0287

  involving a plurality of land vehicles, e.g. fleet or convoy travelling (traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/00, particularly anticollision systems G08G1/16) · CPC title