IP Library Granted Patent US 12,559,312
Granted Patent B2
US 12,559,312 · App. 18/898,563 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for movement of rectangular prisms using data graph matrix

Inventors: Mohammad Lotfollahi Sohi (Houston, TX); Reza Katebi (Decatur, GA)
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
B65G1/0478B65G1/10B65G1/12B65G1/137B65G1/1373
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,559,312
App. No.
18/898,563
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for movement of rectangular prisms in a multi-dimensional space are provided.

Claims (63)

1 . A computer-implemented method for managing movements of one or more rectangular prisms within a modular superstructure comprising:

receiving, by a superstructure controller, first configuration data representing the modular superstructure and second configuration data representing current locations of the one or more rectangular prisms in the modular superstructure;

generating, by the superstructure controller, a data graph matrix that is associated with the modular superstructure and comprises a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges based at least in part on the first configuration data;

configuring, by the superstructure controller, at least one data property for at least one node of the plurality of nodes based at least in part on the second configuration data;

computing, by the superstructure controller, at least one movement path to transport a rectangular prism based on the data graph matrix;

generating, by the superstructure controller, one or more tote plans based on the at least one movement path to move the one or more rectangular prisms within the modular superstructure, wherein the one or more tote plans comprise one or more movement instructions;

causing, by the superstructure controller, one or more smart racks to move the one or more rectangular prisms from a current location to an egress point within the modular superstructure based on the one or more tote plans;

generating, by the superstructure controller, an emulation of the modular superstructure based on the movement of the one or more rectangular prisms within the modular superstructure to generate simulated data; and

adjusting, by the superstructure controller, the at least one movement path based on the simulated data.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein, prior to computing the at least one movement path, the computer-implemented method further comprises:

receiving at least one query representing a request to transport the one or more rectangular prisms via the modular superstructure from the current location to the egress point, wherein the at least one movement path represents a set of rack operations for transporting the one or more rectangular prisms.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 2 further comprising:

in response to determining that a current location of the rectangular prism is not equivalent to the egress point, identifying a lowest resistance peer node for a current node associated with the current location, wherein the lowest resistance peer node comprises a second node of the plurality of nodes that is (1) connected to the current node by at least a first edge of the plurality of edges, and (2) determined to be along a lowest resistance movement path from the current location to the egress point.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising:

determining that the lowest resistance peer node is empty; and

generating data representing a swap of the rectangular prism to an updated location corresponding to the lowest resistance peer node.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising:

determining that the lowest resistance peer node is filled;

identifying a closest empty node connected to the lowest resistance peer node and a second movement path that clears the lowest resistance peer node using the second movement path; and

generating data representing a swap of the rectangular prism to an updated location corresponding to the lowest resistance peer node after clearing the lowest resistance peer node.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one data property represents state data of the plurality of nodes, wherein the state data is indicative of at least one of an empty state or an occupied state.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first configuration data comprises at least one of a height, a width, or a depth of the modular superstructure.

8 . An apparatus for managing movements of one or more rectangular prisms within a modular superstructure comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory comprising program code, the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

receive first configuration data representing the modular superstructure and second configuration data representing current locations of the one or more rectangular prisms in the modular superstructure;

generate a data graph matrix that is associated with the modular superstructure and comprises a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges based at least in part on the first configuration data;

configure at least one data property for at least one node of the plurality of nodes based at least in part on the second configuration data;

compute at least one movement path to transport a rectangular prism based on the data graph matrix;

generate one or more tote plans based on the at least one movement path to move the one or more rectangular prisms within the modular superstructure, wherein the one or more tote plans comprise one or more movement instructions;

cause one or more smart racks to move the one or more rectangular prisms from a current location to an egress point within the modular superstructure based on the one or more tote plans;

generate an emulation of the modular superstructure based on the movement of the one or more rectangular prisms within the modular superstructure to generate simulated data; and

adjust the at least one movement path based on the simulated data.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein, prior to computing the at least one movement path, the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive at least one query representing a request to transport the one or more rectangular prisms via the modular superstructure from the current location to the egress point, wherein the at least one movement path represents a set of rack operations for transporting the one or more rectangular prisms.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

in response to determining that a current location of the rectangular prism is not equivalent to the egress point, identifying a lowest resistance peer node for a current node associated with the current position, wherein the lowest resistance peer node comprises a second node of the plurality of nodes that is (1) connected to the current node by at least a first edge of the plurality of edges, and (2) determined to be along a lowest resistance movement path from the current location to the egress point.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine that the lowest resistance peer node is empty; and

generate data representing a swap of the rectangular prism to an updated location corresponding to the lowest resistance peer node.

12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine that the lowest resistance peer node is filled;

identify a closest empty node connected to the lowest resistance peer node and a second movement path that clears the lowest resistance peer node using the second movement path; and

generate data representing a swap of the rectangular prism to an updated location corresponding to the lowest resistance peer node after clearing the lowest resistance peer node.

13 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one data property represents state data of the plurality of nodes, wherein the state data is indicative of at least one of an empty state or an occupied state.

14 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first configuration data comprises at least one of a height, a width, or a depth of the modular superstructure.

15 . A computer program product for managing movements of one or more rectangular prisms within a modular superstructure comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising an executable portion configured to:

receive first configuration data representing the modular superstructure and second configuration data representing current locations of the one or more rectangular prisms in the modular superstructure;

generate a data graph matrix that is associated with the modular superstructure and comprises a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges based at least in part on the first configuration data;

configure at least one data property for at least one node of the plurality of nodes based at least in part on the second configuration data;

compute at least one movement path to transport a rectangular prism based on the data graph matrix;

generate one or more tote plans based on the at least one movement path to move the one or more rectangular prisms within the modular superstructure, wherein the one or more tote plans comprise one or more movement instructions;

cause one or more smart racks to move the one or more rectangular prisms from a current location to an egress point within the modular superstructure based on the one or more tote plans;

generate an emulation of the modular superstructure based on the movement of the one or more rectangular prisms within the modular superstructure to generate simulated data; and

adjust the at least one movement path based on the simulated data.

16 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein, prior to computing the at least one movement path, the computer-readable program code portions comprise the executable portion configured to receive at least one query representing a request to transport the one or more rectangular prisms via the modular superstructure from the current location to the egress point, wherein the at least one movement path represents a set of rack operations for transporting the one or more rectangular prisms.

17 . The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the computer-readable program code portions comprise the executable portion configured to:

in response to determining that a current location of the rectangular prism is not equivalent to the egress point, identifying a lowest resistance peer node for a current node associated with the current location, wherein the lowest resistance peer node comprises a second node of the plurality of nodes that is (1) connected to the current node by at least a first edge of the plurality of edges, and (2) determined to be along a lowest resistance movement path from the current location to the egress point.

18 . The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the computer-readable program code portions comprise the executable portion configured to:

determine that the lowest resistance peer node is empty; and

generate data representing a swap of the rectangular prism to an updated location corresponding to the lowest resistance peer node.

19 . The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the computer-readable program code portions comprise the executable portion configured to:

determine that the lowest resistance peer node is filled;

identify a closest empty node connected to the lowest resistance peer node and a second movement path that clears the lowest resistance peer node using the second movement path; and

generate data representing a swap of the rectangular prism to an updated location corresponding to the lowest resistance peer node after clearing the lowest resistance peer node.

20 . The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the at least one data property represents state data of the plurality of nodes, wherein the state data is indicative of at least one of an empty state or an occupied state.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 29, 2026
From: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC; TRANSNORM SYSTEM INC.; HILMOT, LLC; TREW, LLC; UNITED SORTATION SOLUTIONS LLC; TECH KING OPERATIONS, LLC
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 076077/0385 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2026
From: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 074760/0310 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2024
From: LOTFOLLAHI SOHI, MOHAMMAD; KATEBI, REZA
To: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 068725/0127 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18796132 · Aug 6, 2024
Continuation PCTUS2023012328 · Feb 3, 2023
Provisional Application 63267629 · Feb 7, 2022
Related Publication 20250019167A1 · Jan 16, 2025
References Cited (54)
US 3860130A · Frangos · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 9796527B1 · Kaukl · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 10850959B2 · Goetz · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20080211358A1 · Borgwarth et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20190375590A1 · Gravelle et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20210130094A1 · Ingram-Tedd et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220397404A1 · Franey et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230084906A1 · Karri et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230264897A1 · Stadie et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
CA 3097226A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
FR 3097852A1 · 2021 [cited by examiner]
FR 3139809A1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020210126830A · 2021 [cited by applicant]
MY 200203 · 2023 [cited by applicant]
WO 2010118412A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 2015185628A2 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2017186825A1 · 2017 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2019068775A1 · 2019 [cited by examiner]
WO 2019232651A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020011628A1 · 2020 [cited by examiner]
WO 2020260639A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021099474A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021197941A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2022013365A1 · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO 2022049101A1 · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2024239096A1 · 2024 [cited by examiner]
FR3097852 specification with paragraph numbers (EN) (Year: 2021). [cited by examiner]
IPEA/409—International Preliminary Report on Patentability Mailed on Aug. 22, 2024 for WO Application No. PCT/US23/012328, 14 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Outgoing—ISA/210—International Search Report Mailed on Feb. 27, 2024 for WO Application No. PCT/US23/030875, 24 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Outgoing—ISA/210—International Search Report Mailed on Jul. 23, 2023 for WO Application No. PCT/US23/012328, 6 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Outgoing Written Opinion of the ISA Mailed on Feb. 29, 2024 for WO Application No. PCT/US23/030875, 11 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Outgoing Written Opinion of the ISA Mailed on Jul. 23, 2023 for WO Application No. PCT/US23/012328, 12 page(s). [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 18/796,132, filed Aug. 6, 2024. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Rejection Mailed on Nov. 14, 2024 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,557, 12 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Rejection Mailed on Oct. 23, 2024 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/796,132, 8 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Rejection Mailed on Nov. 26, 2024 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,248, 25 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Rejection Mailed on Dec. 12, 2024 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,566, 21 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on Feb. 12, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/796,132, 9 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Rejection Mailed on Dec. 26, 2024 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,569, 9 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Rejection Mailed on Jan. 22, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,577, 16 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Examiner Interview Summary Record (PTOL-413) Mailed on Apr. 2, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,248, 1 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Final Rejection Mailed on Apr. 17, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,566, 19 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Final Rejection Mailed on Mar. 21, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,557, 15 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on Apr. 2, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,248, 13 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on Apr. 23, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,569, 10 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on May 14, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,248, 6 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on May 19, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,569, 2 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Office Action Appendix Mailed on Apr. 2, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,248, 6 page(s). [cited by applicant]
IPEA/409p—International Preliminary Report on Patentability Mailed on Mar. 6, 2025 for WO Application No. PCT/US23/030875, 13 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on May 20, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,577, 9 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on May 30, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,248, 2 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on Jul. 16, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,557, 10 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Rejection Mailed on Oct. 16, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,566, 17 page(s). [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due (PTOL-85) Mailed on Oct. 31, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/898,557, 2 page(s). [cited by applicant]