BACKGROUND

Field

This development relates to systems and methods for commanding, controlling, and guiding automated or automated guided vehicles (“AGVs”).

Description of the Related Art

AGVs are useful devices that allow operators to automate tasks particularly in warehouse, delivery center, or mail processing center environments. AGVs can be particularly useful for transferring items or materials from one area to another in a warehouse, a distribution facility, such as a mail processing center, or other facility. Thus, systems and methods for controlling AGVs to allow them to pick up and drop off items at appropriate locations are greatly desired.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the developments relate to a system that has a sensor system that can determine whether an item for transport is at a pick location. The system can have a facility management database that can determine a drop location for the item. The system can have an automated guided vehicle (AGV) computer controller that can request an AGV to pick up the item at the pick location and drop off the item at the drop location if the item is for transport.

In some embodiments, the sensor system can scan the pick location and determine if a target at the pick location is obscured by the item.

In some embodiments, the sensor system can detect and read a computer readable code on the item and determine, based at least in part on the computer readable code, whether the item is for transport.

In some embodiments, the sensor system can generate a notification if the item is not for transport.

In some embodiments, the sensor system can determine if the pick location is occupied by the item based at least in part on a threshold portion of the target being obscured.

In some embodiments, the sensor system is an ultrasonic sensor system.

In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor system determines that a pick location is occupied if an echo indicative of an occupied status is received for at least a predetermined duration of time.

In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor system has an ultrasonic transducer disposed above the pick location.

In some embodiments, the system has a camera system that can detect and read one or more computer readable codes on the item at the pick location to determine whether the item is for transport.

In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor system can generate a notification if the item is not for transport.

In some embodiments, the camera system can communicate detected and read computer readable code on the item to the facility management database to determine the drop location for the item.

In some embodiments, the camera system has a camera having a field of view including at least a portion of the pick area.

In some embodiments, the camera system comprises a camera directed toward an expected location of a tow device to determine whether the item is prepared for towing.

In some embodiments, a method of automating item movement within a facility is disclosed. The method can include scanning a pick location. The method can include determining that the pick location is occupied. The method can include detecting and reading a computer readable code on an item occupying the pick location. The method can include determining a drop location for the item based at least in part on the computer readable code. The method can include requesting an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to pick up the item at the pick location and drop off the item at the drop location.

In some embodiments, determining that the pick location is occupied can include determining if a target at the pick location is obscured.

In some embodiments, determining that the pick location is occupied can include receiving a signal indicative of an occupied status.

In some embodiments, determining that the pick location is occupied can include receiving the signal for at least a predetermined duration of time.

In some embodiments, the method can include detecting, via a camera, a tow device on the item.

In some embodiments, the method can include requesting the AGV once a threshold number of items with the same drop location have been determined.

In some embodiments, the method can include selecting the AGV from a set of AGVs based at least in part on the vicinity of the AGV relative to the pick location.

In some embodiments, the developments relate to a system comprising: a vehicle control computer configured to select a pick location for an item to be picked up by an automated guided vehicle (AGV); mail processing equipment configured to determine an eventual delivery address of an item at the pick location; a facility management database configured to determine a drop location associated with the pick location based at least in part on the eventual delivery address; and an automated guided vehicle controller configured to instruct an automated guided vehicle to pick up an item at the pick location and drop off the item at the drop location.

In some embodiments, the vehicle control computer is configured to select a pick location by scanning a computer readable code associated with a pick location.

In some embodiments, the system can further comprise a route management database configured to store the location and status of each automated guided vehicle of a set of automated guided vehicles and to select an automated guided vehicle to be instructed by the automated guided vehicle controller based at least in part on the selected pick location and the locations and status of the automated guided vehicles.

In some embodiments, the automated guided vehicle is selected at least in part based on the vicinity of the location of each automated guided vehicle to the pick location and the status of each automated guided vehicle includes whether or not the automated guided vehicle is currently transporting an item.

In some embodiments, the developments relate to a system comprising: an optical sensor system configured to determine whether an item for transport is at a pick location; mail processing equipment configured to determine an eventual delivery address of the item at the pick location; a facility management database configured to determine a drop location associated with the pick location based at least in part on the eventual delivery address; and an automated guided vehicle controller configured to instruct an automated guided vehicle to pick up the item at the pick location and drop off the item at the drop location.

In some embodiments, the optical sensor system is configured to: view a pick location from above the pick location; determine if the pick location is obscured by any item; detect a computer readable code on the item; and determine, based at least in part on the machine readable code, whether the item is for transport.

In some embodiments, the optical sensor system is further configured to generate a notification if the item is not for transport.

In some embodiments, the optical sensor system is further configured to determine if the pick location is obscured by an item based at least at part on the proportion of the pick location is obscured.

