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.

1 . An automated vehicle storage and retrieval system comprising: 
 a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage area having a plurality of storage compartments in a grid orientation disposed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis;    a lift adapted for selective orientation along each of the vertical and horizontal axes;    at least one vehicle transfer area adapted for transfer of vehicles between an exterior transit way and the lift;    means adapted for receiving identification data uniquely assigned to each of a plurality of associated vehicles in accordance with access thereof to the vehicle transfer area;    horological data acquisition means adapted for receiving horological data;    means adapted for calculating frequency data associate with each of the plurality of vehicles in accordance with identification data and horological data, the frequency data being representative of a frequency of access of each of the plurality of associated vehicles to the vehicle transfer area;    storage means adapted for storing frequency data associated with each of the plurality of vehicles; and    transport control means adapted for transporting each of the plurality vehicles via the lift to a selected one of the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with frequency data associated therewith.    
   
   
       2 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 1 , wherein the horological data includes at least one of time, date and duration data relative to access of each of the plurality of vehicles to the vehicle transfer area.  
   
   
       3 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 means adapted for storing location data uniquely associated with each of the plurality of storage compartments, which location data is representative of a separation of each storage compartment relative to each at least one vehicle transfer area; and    wherein the transport control means includes means adapted for selecting one of the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with relative frequency data associated with the plurality of associated vehicles and the location data, such that vehicles with a relatively high frequency of access are positioned more proximate to the at least one vehicle transfer area relative to vehicles having a lower frequency of access thereto.    
   
   
       4 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 means adapted for acquiring access data representative of at least one of a past vehicle access pattern and scheduled vehicle access time; and    repositioning means adapted for repositioning vehicles among the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with the access data such that selected vehicles are repositioned more proximate to the at least one vehicle transfer area.    
   
   
       5 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 4  wherein the repositioning means includes means adapted to reposition the vehicles in accordance with at least one of a selected time and a selected day.  
   
   
       6 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 4  wherein the repositioning means includes means adapted to reposition the vehicles in accordance with a charge associated with storage of the associated vehicles.  
   
   
       7 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 1 , further comprising means adapted for receiving electronic payment data corresponding to a storage of an associated vehicle in the selected one of the plurality of storage compartments.  
   
   
       8 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 7 , further comprising means adapted for receiving the electronic payment data wirelessly.  
   
   
       9 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 1 , further comprising communications means adapted to visually communicate data representative of a charge associated with storage of an associated vehicle, wherein the charge is based upon the occupancy of the storage compartments.  
   
   
       10 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more vehicles having the same height are stored in corresponding storage compartments disposed along the same horizontal axis.  
   
   
       11 . An automated vehicle storage and retrieval method for use in a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage area having a plurality of storage compartments in a grid orientation disposed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and a lift adapted for selective orientation along each of the vertical and horizontal axes, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving identification data uniquely assigned to each of a plurality of associated vehicles in accordance with access thereof to at least one vehicle transfer area, wherein the at least one vehicle transfer area is adapted for the transfer of vehicles between an exterior transit way and a lift;    receiving horological data;    calculating frequency data associated with each of the plurality of vehicles in accordance with the identification data and the horological data, the frequency data being representative of a frequency of access of each of the plurality of associated vehicles to the at least one vehicle transfer area;    storing frequency data associated with each of the plurality of vehicles; and    transporting each of the plurality of vehicles via the lift to a selected one of the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with the frequency data associated therewith.    
   
   
       12 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 11 , wherein the horological data includes at least one of time, date and duration data relative to access of each of the plurality of vehicles to the vehicle transfer area.  
   
   
       13 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 storing location data uniquely associated with each of the plurality of storage compartments, which location data is representative of a separation of each storage compartment relative to each at least one vehicle transfer area; and    selecting one of the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with relative frequency data associated with the plurality of associated vehicles and the location data, such that vehicles with a relatively high frequency of access are positioned more proximate to the at least one vehicle transfer area relative to vehicles having a lower frequency of access thereto.    
   
   
       14 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 acquiring access data representative of at least one of a past vehicle access pattern and scheduled vehicle access time; and    repositioning vehicles among the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with the access data such that selected vehicles are repositioned more proximate to the at least one vehicle transfer area.    
   
   
       15 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of repositioning the vehicles in accordance with at least one of a selected time and a selected day.  
   
   
       16 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of repositioning the vehicles in accordance with a charge associated with storage of the associated vehicles.  
   
   
       17 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of receiving electronic payment data corresponding to a storage of an associated vehicle in the selected one of the plurality of storage compartments.  
   
   
       18 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of receiving the electronic payment data wirelessly.  
   
   
       19 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of visually communicating data representative of a charge associated with storage of an associated vehicle, wherein the charge is based upon the occupancy of the storage compartments.  
   
   
       20 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of storing one or more vehicles having the same height in corresponding storage compartments disposed along the same horizontal axis.  
   
   
       21 . An automated vehicle storage and retrieval system comprising: 
 a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage area having a plurality of storage compartments in a grid orientation disposed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis;    a lift adapted for selective orientation along each of the vertical and horizontal axes;    at least one vehicle transfer area adapted for transfer of vehicles between an exterior transit way and the lift;    storage means adapted for storing identification data uniquely assigned to each of a plurality of associated vehicles;    transport control means adapted for transporting vehicles received into the at least one transfer area to a selected one of the plurality of storage compartments; and    communication means adapted for communication of status data representative of storage compartment status with each of the plurality of vehicles in accordance with identification data retrieved from the storage means.    
   
   
       22 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 21 , wherein the status data includes reservation data associated with a reservation of a storage compartment in accordance with a request received from a vehicle.  
   
   
       23 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 21 , wherein the status data includes data representative of available storage compartments.  
   
   
       24 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 23 , wherein the status data includes reservation data associated with a reservation of a storage compartment in accordance with a request received from a vehicle.  
   
   
       25 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 24 , further comprising means adapted for communicating position information with each of the plurality of associated vehicles, which position information generates customized routing from each associated vehicle to the at least one transfer area.  
   
   
       26 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 21 , wherein the transport control means includes means adapted for transporting vehicles received into the at least one transfer area to a selected one of the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with preselected priority data corresponding to identification data.  
   
   
       27 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 21 , further comprising means adapted for receiving electronic payment data corresponding to a storage of an associated vehicle in the selected one of the plurality of storage compartments.  
   
   
       28 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 28 , further comprising means adapted for receiving the electronic payment data wirelessly.  
   
   
       29 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 21 , further comprising communications means adapted to visually communicate data representative of a charge associated with storage of an associated vehicle, wherein the charge is based upon the occupancy of the storage compartments.  
   
   
       30 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 21 , wherein one or more vehicles having the same height are stored in corresponding storage compartments disposed along the same horizontal axis.  
   
   
       31 . A method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval for use in a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage area having a plurality of storage compartments in a grid orientation disposed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and a lift adapted for selective orientation along each of the vertical and horizontal axes, comprising the steps of: 
 storing identification data uniquely assigned to each of a plurality of associated vehicles;    transporting vehicles received into at least one transfer area to a selected one of the plurality of storage compartments, wherein the at least one vehicle transfer area is adapted for the transfer of vehicles between an exterior transit way and the lift; and    communicating status data representative of storage compartment status with each of the plurality of vehicles in accordance with identification data retrieved from the storage means.    
   
   
       32 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 32 , wherein the status data includes reservation data associated with a reservation of a storage compartment in accordance with a request received from a vehicle.  
   
   
       33 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 32 , wherein the status data includes data representative of available storage compartments.  
   
   
       34 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 34 , wherein the status data includes reservation data associated with a reservation of a storage compartment in accordance with a request received from a vehicle.  
   
   
       35 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 35 , further comprising the step of communicating position information with each of the plurality of associated vehicles, which position information generates customized routing from each associated vehicle to the at least one transfer area.  
   
   
       36 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of transporting vehicles received into the at least one transfer area to a selected one of the plurality of storage compartments in accordance with preselected priority data corresponding to identification data.  
   
   
       37 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of receiving electronic payment data corresponding to a storage of an associated vehicle in the selected one of the plurality of storage compartments.  
   
   
       38 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 38 , further comprising the step of receiving the electronic payment data wirelessly.  
   
   
       39 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of visually communicating data representative of a charge associated with storage of an associated vehicle, wherein the charge is based upon the occupancy of the storage compartments.  
   
   
       40 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of storing one or more vehicles having the same height in corresponding storage compartments disposed along the same horizontal axis.  
   
   
       41 . An automated vehicle storage and retrieval system comprising: 
 a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage area having a plurality of storage compartments in a grid orientation disposed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis;    a lift adapted for selective orientation along each of the vertical and horizontal axes;    at least one vehicle transfer area adapted for transfer of vehicles between an exterior transit way and the lift;    storage means adapted for storing identification data uniquely assigned to each of a plurality of associated vehicles;    transport control means adapted for transporting vehicles received into the at least one transfer area to a selected one of the plurality of storage areas;    means adapted for receiving a vehicle retrieval request;    at least one vehicle access area adapted for receiving vehicles retrieved from a storage compartment, which at least one vehicle access area is accessible to vehicle ingress and egress solely via the transport control means; and    the transport means including means adapted for retrieving at least one selected vehicle from a corresponding storage compartment to the a vehicle access area in accordance with a received vehicle retrieval request.    
   
   
       42 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 42 , further comprising means adapted for assessing an access charge in accordance with a received vehicle access request.  
   
   
       43 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one vehicle access area includes vehicle maintenance equipment.  
   
   
       44 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 35 , wherein the vehicle maintenance equipment includes vehicle cleaning equipment.  
   
   
       45 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 42 , further comprising means adapted to transport parcels to the at least one vehicle access area for transfer to a vehicle disposed therein.  
   
   
       46 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 42 , further comprising means adapted for receiving electronic payment data corresponding to a storage of an associated vehicle in the selected one of the plurality of storage compartments.  
   
   
       47 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 38 , further comprising means adapted for receiving the electronic payment data wirelessly.  
   
   
       48 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 42 , further comprising communications means adapted to visually communicate data representative of a charge associated with storage of an associated vehicle, wherein the charge is based upon the occupancy of the storage compartments.  
   
   
       49 . The automated vehicle storage and retrieval system of  claim 42 , wherein one or more vehicles having the same height are stored in corresponding storage compartments disposed along the same horizontal axis.  
   
   
       50 . A method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval for use in a two-dimensional, vertically oriented storage area having a plurality of storage compartments in a grid orientation disposed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and a lift adapted for selective orientation along each of the vertical and horizontal axes, comprising the steps of: 
 storing identification data uniquely assigned to each of a plurality of associated vehicles;    transporting vehicles received into at least one transfer area to a selected one of the plurality of storage areas, wherein the at least one vehicle transfer area adapted for transfer of vehicles between an exterior transit way and the lift;    receiving a vehicle retrieval request;    receiving vehicles retrieved from a storage compartment into at least one vehicle access area, wherein the at least one vehicle access area is accessible to vehicle ingress and egress solely via the transporting step; and    retrieving at least one selected vehicle from a corresponding storage compartment to the a vehicle access area in accordance with a received vehicle retrieval request.    
   
   
       51 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of assessing an access charge in accordance with a received vehicle access request.  
   
   
       52 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one vehicle access area includes vehicle maintenance equipment.  
   
   
       53 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one vehicle access area includes vehicle cleaning equipment.  
   
   
       54 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of transporting parcels to the at least one vehicle access area for transfer to a vehicle disposed therein.  
   
   
       55 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of receiving electronic payment data corresponding to a storage of an associated vehicle in the selected one of the plurality of storage compartments.  
   
   
       56 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 56 , further comprising the step of receiving the electronic payment data wirelessly.  
   
   
       57 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of visually communicating data representative of a charge associated with storage of an associated vehicle, wherein the charge is based upon the occupancy of the storage compartments.  
   
   
       58 . The method for automated vehicle storage and retrieval of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of storing one or more vehicles having the same height in corresponding storage compartments disposed along the same horizontal axis.