Joseph A Durham

US Patent:

20190233212, Aug 1, 2019

Filed:

Apr 11, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/381978

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
John Joseph Enright - Somerville MA, US
Joseph W. Durham - Somerville MA, US
Michael Harrison Decker - Concord MA, US
Jonathan Harris Schechter - Cambrigde MA, US
Peter R. Wurman - Acton MA, US
Eryk Brian Nice - Medford MA, US

International Classification:

B65G 1/137
G06Q 10/08

Abstract:

An inventory system can include a workspace in which is defined different areas and different stations at which tasks can be performed. A receipt receptacle received from a shipping vehicle can be moved to a rack without separating items from the receipt vehicle. A mobile drive unit can move the rack to an area on the workspace depending on information known about the items. Items from the receipt receptacle can be removed from the receipt receptacle and placed in inventory holders for movement or storage or in other receptacles for performance of other tasks such as order processing.

US Patent:

20180072499, Mar 15, 2018

Filed:

Oct 23, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/791332

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
John Joseph Enright - Somerville MA, US
Joseph W. Durham - Somerville MA, US
Michael Harrison Decker - Concord MA, US
Jonathan Harris Schechter - Cambridge MA, US
Peter R. Wurman - Acton MA, US
Eryk Brian Nice - Medford MA, US

International Classification:

B65G 1/137
G06Q 10/08

Abstract:

An inventory system can include multiple floors. The system can assign operations involving inventory items to a floor based on information about the floor, other floors, the operations, and/or the inventory items. In one example, the system may assign an order to be assembled on a floor based on the floor containing items for the order. Items may be moved to the floor from other floors to complete the order. In another example, a receipt receptacle received from a shipping vehicle can be moved to a rack without separating inventory items from the receipt vehicle. A mobile drive unit can move the rack to a floor based on information known about the inventory items matching criteria about the floor.

US Patent:

20160145044, May 26, 2016

Filed:

Nov 24, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/552309

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Jonathan Harris Schechter - Cambridge MA, US
John Joseph Enright - Somerville MA, US
Joseph W. Durham - Somerville MA, US
Ibolya Horvath - Malden MA, US
Eryk Brian Nice - Medford MA, US
Michael Harrison Decker - Concord MA, US
Peter R. Wurman - Acton MA, US
Robert Raymond Ambrogi - Manchester NH, US
Timothy Aaron Bragg - Woburn MA, US

International Classification:

B65G 1/137
G05B 15/02

Abstract:

An inventory system can receive a receipt receptacle from a shipping vehicle. The receipt receptacle can be moved to a case shuttle without separating or sorting inventory items in the receipt receptacle. A mobile drive unit can move the case shuttle to a receiving station, where the receipt receptacle can be removed and where the inventory items can be stowed in a pickable inventory holder. A mobile drive unit can move the pickable inventory holder to an order-compiling station, where inventory items can be picked from the inventory holder into order receptacles. A mobile drive unit can move an order shuttle carrying order receptacles with completed orders to a shipping station, where the completed order receptacles can be transferred to a shipping vehicle.

US Patent:

20160145045, May 26, 2016

Filed:

Nov 24, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/552334

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
John Joseph Enright - Somerville MA, US
Joseph W. Durham - Somerville MA, US
Michael Harrison Decker - Concord MA, US
Jonathan Harris Schechter - Cambridge MA, US
Peter R. Wurman - Acton MA, US
Eryk Brian Nice - Medford MA, US

International Classification:

B65G 1/137
G05D 1/02
G06Q 10/08

Abstract:

An inventory system can include multiple floors. The system can assign operations involving inventory items to a floor based on information about the floor, other floors, the operations, and/or the inventory items. In one example, the system may assign an order to be assembled on a floor based on the floor containing items for the order. Items may be moved to the floor from other floors to complete the order. In another example, a receipt receptacle received from a shipping vehicle can be moved to a rack without separating inventory items from the receipt vehicle. A mobile drive unit can move the rack to a floor based on information known about the inventory items matching criteria about the floor.

US Patent:

20140100715, Apr 10, 2014

Filed:

Oct 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/644591

Inventors:

Amazon Technologies, Inc. - , US
Peter R. Wurman - Acton MA, US
Steven A. Wilson - Boston MA, US
Caroline F. Mallary - Reading MA, US
Zhouzhou Peng - Acton MA, US
Joseph W. Durham - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Amazon Technologies, Inc. - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 2, 901 1

Abstract:

A system includes a inventory pier and a mobile drive unit. The inventory pier includes a first side and a second side. The first side includes defined areas at which inventory holders are designated to be stationed. The inventory pier is operable to receive inventory items from at least one of the inventory holders at least one of the defined areas. The mobile drive unit is operable to transport an order holder along the second side of the inventory pier, wherein the order holder is operable to receive an inventory item from the inventory pier at a location along the second side of the inventory pier.

US Patent:

20140100998, Apr 10, 2014

Filed:

Oct 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/644646

Inventors:

Amazon Technologies, Inc. - , US
Peter R. Wurman - Acton MA, US
Steven A. Wilson - Boston MA, US
Caroline F. Mallary - Reading MA, US
Zhouzhou Peng - Acton MA, US
Joseph W. Durham - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Amazon Technologies, Inc. - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08

US Classification:

705 28

Abstract:

A system includes an inventory pier, a mobile drive unit, and a management module. The inventory pier includes a defined area arranged to station an inventory holder. The inventory holder stores an inventory item. The mobile drive unit is operable to transport an order holder. The management module is operable to calculate a metric associated with demand for the inventory item. Based at least in part upon the metric, the management module is operable to select, from a plurality of inventory holders, the inventory holder storing the inventory item to be stationed at the defined area of the inventory pier. The management module is further operable to receive an order for the inventory item and instruct the mobile drive unit to transport the order holder to the inventory pier. The order holder is operable to receive the inventory item from the inventory holder proximate to the defined area.

US Patent:

20140100999, Apr 10, 2014

Filed:

Oct 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/644679

Inventors:

- Reno NV, US
Peter R. Wurman - Acton MA, US
Steven A. Wilson - Boston MA, US
Caroline F. Mallary - Reading MA, US
Zhouzhou Peng - Acton MA, US
Joseph W. Durham - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Amazon Technologies, Inc. - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08

US Classification:

705 28

Abstract:

A method for fulfilling orders at an inventory pier includes receiving orders. The orders are examined to identify an inventory item stored by an inventory holder stationed at an inventory pier. A first order is grouped with a second order based at least in part upon determining that the first order and the second order include requests for the inventory item. A first container associated with the first order and a second container associated with the second order are arranged on an order holder at an induction station. The first container and the second container are operable to receive the inventory item. The mobile drive unit is instructed to transport the order holder from the induction station to the inventory pier. The order holder receives the inventory item from the inventory pier at a location opposite to the inventory holder.