A system and method for automated goods storage and retrieval

Abstract

A system and method for automated storage and retrieval that employs a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage with storage areas arranged in a grid along a horizontal axis, a lift for access to one or more floors of the storage, and a vehicle transfer area for transfer of vehicles between an exterior transit way and the lift. Unique identification data is assigned to each vehicle upon access to the vehicle transfer area. Next, horological data is acquired corresponding to the identification data. Frequency data is calculated based on the identification data and the horological data, corresponding to the frequency of vehicle ingress and egress. The frequency data is stored in association with the identification data for later use. The vehicle is then transported to a storage area based on the frequency data, with vehicles having a higher frequency of ingress and egress stored in close proximity to the vehicle transfer area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Automated mechanical parking garage systems have been employed since the late 1950's. Early automated parking garages used crane systems, conveyors, hydraulics and pneumatics to transport and store vehicles within a parking structure. Recently, more advanced systems have been developed which include computer-controlled, specialized equipment for carrying vehicles to assigned parking spaces in much the same way that computerized assembly lines or warehouses store and retrieve miscellaneous goods. [0002] Since the early 1980's, many computer-based systems have employed a graphical user interface (GUI) to present information to and receive input from a user or operator. In many cases, such a GUI is little more than an alternative expression of a traditional interface. For example, certain operating systems employ the GUI to collect and display substantially the same information as traditional text-based operating systems (where a GUI is defined as any...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] In accordance with the subject application, there is provided an automated vehicle storage and retrieval system. The system includes a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage area with a plurality of storage compartments oriented in a grid disposed along the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. The system also includes a lift for selective orientation along each axis and at least one vehicle transfer area configured to transfer vehicles between an exterior transit way and the lift. The system also employs receiving means configured to receive identification data that is uniquely assigned to each vehicle associated with access to the vehicle transfer area. Acquisition means are also employed by the system to acquire horological data. The system further comprises calculating means adapted to calculate frequency data associated with each vehicle in accordance with the identification data and the horological data, the frequency data representing the frequency of access to the vehicle transfer area corresponding to each vehicle. In addition, the system includes storage means configured to store the frequency data of each associated vehicle and transport control means configured to transport vehicles via the lift to a selected storage area in accordance with the frequency data associated with the particular vehicle.

[0014] In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the horological data includ

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, there are no user interfaces, graphical or otherwise, which present the status of the components in an automated parking and storage system in an intuitive and unambiguous way suitable for a novice operator.

Unfortunately, these drivers are required to locate a parking location on each entrance into the parking facility, resulting in a parking location that is progressively further from the entrance/exit than the driver's previous parking location.

This problem is compounded in an automated facility, wherein the cars are loaded in a first come/first served manner.

Reserved parking has been used in common parking garages, but this method has several drawbacks, most commonly the parking space reserved for th

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