ROUTING OF AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLES

摘要

A system for controlling the travel path of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) from a first location to a second location includes assigning a virtual penalty for impediments in the potential travel path of the AGV, for each turn required to be made by the AGV in the potential travel path, and for transfers from one elevator to another. The determined virtual penalties are factored in determining the most expeditious travel path from the first location to the second location. The virtual penalty may be a virtual distance penalty or a virtual time penalty composed of one or more of the distance of alternative travel paths available to avoid the impediment(s), the time required to remove or move the impediment(s), or the time required to wait for the impediment(s) to be removed.

主权项

1. A system for controlling the travel path of an automated guided vehicle from a first location to a second location, comprising:
(a) assigning a virtual penalty for at least one of the following: impediments in the potential travel path of the automated guided vehicle; for each turn required to be made by the automated guided vehicle in the potential travel path; and for transfers from one elevator to another; and (b) taking into consideration the assigned virtual penalties in determining the most expeditious travel path from the first location to the second location.