INFERENTIAL LOAD TRACKING

摘要

Methods and apparatus for tracking the location of one or more unit loads in a coordinate space in a facility, comprising an integrated system that identifies a load by communicating with a host computer, determines the position of the load in the coordinate space, and stores the position and load identity in a Load Map. A mobile subsystem on each conveying vehicle identifies the location and orientation of that vehicle using a position/orientation sensor, confirms acquisition of the load, and communicates the information to a fixed-base subsystem when the load is deposited on an automated conveying device. A conveyor controller tracks the load as it is conveyed on the automated conveying device and identifies the load to a subsequent conveying vehicle based upon its position on the conveying device. Loads that are not initially identified are assigned a pseudo-identification for tracking until they can be positively identified.