Automated storage warehouse

A product may be stored in a protective container that is surrounded with a fluid. A heat-sensitivity rating for the product may be obtained, and a product energy for the product may be calculated. The calculating may include adjusting the longest dimension of the product based on the heat-sensitivity rating and defining a sphere of enthalpy around the product. The sphere's radius may be equal to the adjusted product dimension and the sphere may be centered at the product center. The calculating may also comprise multiplying the volume of the sphere by the air pressure inside the protective container. An environmental condition within the sphere during a first time period may be forecasted. It may be determined that the product is likely to deteriorate during the first time period based on the product energy and heat-sensitivity rating. The altitude of the protective container may be altered to mitigate this deterioration.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to storage of sensitive goods, more particular aspects relate to predicting and mitigating deterioration of sensitive goods.

Typical solutions for storing sensitive goods utilize expensive environmental-control mechanisms to maintain an environment that mitigates deterioration of sensitive goods. The ability to detect potential deterioration of particular goods in these typical solutions is limited.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can be illustrated by a method comprising storing a product in a protective container. This protective container may be surrounded with a fluid. The method may further comprise obtaining a heat-sensitivity rating for the product and calculating a product energy for the product. This calculating may comprise identifying the longest dimension of the product and adjusting the longest dimension based on the heat-sensitivity rating for the product. The calculating may also comprise defining a sphere of enthalpy around the product. The sphere of enthalpy may have a radius equal to the adjusted product dimension and may be centered at the center of the product. The calculating may also comprise calculating the volume of this sphere of enthalpy, and then multiplying that volume by the air pressure inside the protective container. The method may also include forecasting an environmental condition within the sphere of enthalpy during a first time period. The method may also comprise determining, based on the product energy and the heat-sensitivity rating, that the product is likely to deteriorate during the first time period due to that forecasted environmental condition. The method may also comprise altering the altitude of the protective container to mitigate the deterioration due to the forecasted air temperature.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can be illustrated by an automated warehouse. The automated warehouse may comprise a first product-monitoring system configured to obtain a heat-sensitivity rating for a product and assign a tolerance condition to the product based on the heat-sensitivity rating. The automated warehouse may also comprise a lift mechanism configured to adjust the altitude of the warehouse to comply with the tolerance condition. The automated warehouse may also comprise a first sensor configured to detect deterioration of the product, and a second sensor configured to determine, based on the detected deterioration, that a current condition of the warehouse complies with the tolerance condition. The product-monitoring system may be further configured to adjust the heat-sensitivity rating for the product based on detecting the deterioration and based on the determination that the current condition complies with the tolerance condition.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can be illustrated by an automated submarine warehouse that comprises a flexible hull. The automated submarine warehouse may also comprise a stored product, and a product sensor configured to detect deterioration of the stored product and to determine, based on the type of deterioration detected, the likely cause of the detected deterioration. The automated submarine warehouse may also comprise a pressure tank configured to increase the air pressure of the submarine warehouse in response to the product sensor determining that the likely cause is a temperature below a tolerance condition for the product measured. Finally, the automated warehouse may also comprise a ballast mechanism configured to cause the warehouse to descend to a first depth at which the water pressure equals the increased air pressure of the submarine warehouse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to storage of sensitive goods, more particular aspects relate to predicting and mitigating deterioration of sensitive goods. While the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such applications, various aspects of the disclosure may be appreciated through a discussion of various examples using this context.

Internet shopping has become a large portion of a typical consumer's shopping habits. In spite of this, perishable goods and goods that have sensitive storage conditions (e.g., temperature ranges) have traditionally still been purchased in-person from physical retailers due to the complications and expense of storing and shipping such goods (herein referred to as “sensitive goods”). However, consumer demand for full-service online shopping, including sensitive goods, continues to increase. Unfortunately, traditional storage solutions that support Internet shopping demand typically involve large storage warehouses from which goods are shipped throughout a country, region, or world. Such solutions often are impractical for sensitive goods, as sensitive goods oftentimes must be delivered quickly to limit the amount of time they are outside those sensitive conditions for storage. Further, the expense and complications associated with maintaining those sensitive conditions at large storage warehouses can be prohibitive.

It may be possible to mitigate some of the above issues by utilizing smaller, automated warehouses with smaller shipping ranges, such as airborne warehouses located near densely populated areas. While automated airborne warehouses may enable Internet retailers to reduce shipment times, maintaining sensitive conditions in such airborne warehouses may still be very costly and complicated. This presents a need for a feasible solution to maintaining sensitive conditions in these automated warehouses.

Regardless of where sensitive goods are stored, it may be beneficial to monitor the condition of goods to detect potential deterioration of the goods. Deterioration of a good may include any adverse effects on a good (e.g., spoilage, premature ripening, dehydration, cessation of bacterial culture growth, failed incubation) resulting from storage outside the ideal storage conditions for that good. Deterioration for a particular good may occur, for example, when the conditions in which that good is stored do not correspond to ideal storage conditions for that good. This may be likely, for example, when the temperature at which a manufacturer recommends storing a good (e.g., an uncooked chicken) does not align with the needs of that particular good. In some instances, this may be due to an incorrectly recommended temperature. In other instances, it may be due to a temperature being recommended for a class of goods that have similar, but not the same, storage-condition requirements as the other goods in the class.

Traditionally, potential deterioration of sensitive goods could be detected by human monitors at the physical locations at which those goods were stored and sold. However, recent trends in the demand for the capability to buy sensitive goods from Internet vendors has created a need for larger volumes of sensitive goods to be stored in a condition that is ready for delivery. This may lead to infeasibilities in detecting potential deterioration with human monitors. In some instances, for example, the volumes of sensitive goods are too large to be effectively monitored by a staff of human monitors. Further, in some instances it may be infeasible for human monitors to attend to locations in which goods are stored (e.g., in automated warehouses). Unfortunately, automated systems for monitoring and responding to deterioration are limited.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure present improved systems for automatically maintaining proper storage conditions for sensitive goods. Some embodiments, for example, define an enthalpy sphere surrounding each particular good (e.g., each individual flower or perishable food item) being monitored. This enthalpy sphere may be defined, for each individual good, based on the dimensions of that individual good and a heat-sensitivity rating of the good. The storage conditions within each sphere may be monitored automatically by the system for signs of potential degradation (e.g., wilting) or improper storage conditions (e.g., temperature outside a recommended range). Some embodiments of the present disclosure may also calculate a product energy based on the enthalpy sphere and the current conditions inside the enthalpy sphere (e.g., the temperatures of the air and objects inside the sphere). This product energy may, in some embodiments, be indicative of the total energy within the enthalpy sphere (e.g., the energy of the air and objects within the sphere), and may, in some other embodiments, be indicative of the total energy of the air within the enthalpy sphere. This product energy may then be used to forecast the effect within the sphere of a change in the conditions outside the sphere. For example, the product energy may be used to forecast whether an environmental change in temperature or pressure will cause the conditions within the enthalpy sphere to drift outside a range of acceptable conditions for the particular good inside the sphere.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may also include mitigating potential deterioration by moving a particular good for which potential deterioration is predicted to an environment in which potential deterioration is not predicted. For example, a warehouse monitoring system detects that a particular good is likely to deteriorate may select that good to be relocated to a new environment with conditions that are within the tolerance conditions for the particular good. In some embodiments, this may include relocating the particular good to another warehouse (e.g., a warehouse in the new environment). In some other embodiments, this may include or relocating the warehouse to that new environment. In some embodiments the new environment may be an environment with a different temperature than the original environment, such as an environment at a higher altitude. In other embodiments, the new environment may be an environment with a different pressure than the original environment, such as an environment that is deeper under water.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may develop or update a heat sensitivity rating for a particular product and use that developed or updated heat-sensitivity rating, for example, when defining an enthalpy sphere for the product and the tolerance conditions for the product. For example, a warehouse may automatically develop a heat-sensitivity rating based on the known properties of a product when that product is delivered to the warehouse. The conditions in which the product is to be stored (i.e., the target conditions of the enthalpy sphere, also referred to as the tolerance conditions for the product) may be determined based off that heat-sensitivity rating. If the warehouse monitoring system detects product deterioration in the presence of those conditions, however, the system may update the heat-sensitivity rating of the product as a result.

FIG. 1illustrates a method100of defining an enthalpy sphere for a particular product, in accordance with embodiments. In block102, the longest dimension of a product is identified. For example, if the product were an intact chicken carcass (e.g., to be used for dissection purposes), the distance from the chicken's feet to the chicken's beak may be larger than the distance between any other two points on the chicken in the position in which the chicken is being stored, and thus the dimension spanning the chicken's feet and beak (e.g., the chicken's height, if it were stored in a standing position, or the chicken's length, if it were stored lying down) would be used.

In block104, the longest dimension of the product is altered by the product's heat-sensitivity rating. In some embodiments the heat-sensitivity rating may be a number that is larger than zero and less than or equal to one. The heat-sensitivity rating may be a numerical expression of the sensitivity of the product to various temperature conditions. For example, the product's sensitivity to temperatures above or below the recommended storage temperature (e.g., how quickly the product is likely to deteriorate if exposed to temperatures outside a recommended range). Some products, for instance, may be able to withstand large deviations (e.g., 30 Celsius degrees) outside a given temperature range as long as they are not for extended periods of time (e.g., less than 10 seconds). Those products, however, may be unable to withstand much smaller deviations (e.g., 1 Celsius degree) outside that temperature range if those deviations are above a certain amount of time (e.g., 45 seconds). These tolerances may be expressed by the heat-sensitivity rating.

In some embodiments the heat-sensitivity rating used in block104may be obtained from the source of the particular product. For example, if the particular product is a flower, the florist from which the flower is sourced may calculate and provide the heat-sensitivity rating. In other embodiments the heat-sensitivity rating may be calculated for the product based on known properties of the product (e.g., recommended temperature range for storage, size of product, product category). In some embodiments the heat sensitivity rating used in block104may be an updated heat-sensitivity rating. For example, a particular product's heat-sensitivity rating may be adjusted if that product is stored in storage conditions based on the heat-sensitivity rating, but the product deteriorates in those storage conditions.

In some embodiments, adjusting the longest product dimension in block104may cause the adjusted product dimension to be larger or smaller than the original dimension. For example, in some embodiments the adjustment may involve dividing or multiplying the longest product dimension by the heat-sensitivity rating. In instances in which the heat-sensitivity rating is less than 1.0, dividing the longest dimension by the heat-sensitivity rating would cause the adjusted product dimension to be larger than the original longest product dimension. Multiplying the longest product dimension by this same heat-sensitivity rating, however, would cause the adjusted product dimension to be shorter.

After the adjusted product dimension is calculated, the product center is identified in block106. This product center may be identified in several ways, depending on the embodiment. In some embodiments the center of the identified longest dimension may be used. For example, if the longest dimension of a Christmas goose is from the end of the drumstick to the tip of the neck, the midpoint between the end of the drumstick and tip of the neck may be identified as the product center. In other embodiments, the product's center of mass may be used as the product's center. For example, if the product were an Easter ham, the center of mass of the ham (e.g., near the broad end of the ham) may be used as the product center.

In block108, the adjusted dimension calculated in104is assigned as the radius of the enthalpy sphere. This enthalpy sphere is superimposed over the product in block110, such that the center of the enthalpy sphere is located at the center of the product that was identified in block106.

In some embodiments, an enthalpy sphere, such as the enthalpy sphere defined by method100, may be used to calculate the product energy of a particular product. The product energy of a product may be an expression of the energy of at least a portion of the environment within the enthalpy sphere that surrounds that product. For example, in some embodiments the product energy may be found by multiplying the air pressure inside the enthalpy sphere by the volume of air inside the enthalpy sphere, resulting in the energy of the air inside the sphere. This energy may be expressed as a number of joules, for example. In some embodiments product energy may also include some energy attributed to the product itself, such as the heat of the product (e.g., the temperature of the product multiplied by the amount of joules released by the product per drop in unit temperature). In other embodiments, only the energy of the air inside the sphere may be calculated.

FIG. 2illustrates a method200of calculating the product energy of a product in a sphere of enthalpy, according to some embodiments. In block202, the volume of an enthalpy sphere is calculated. This enthalpy sphere may be defined by any method consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure, such as method100. In block204, the air pressure inside the enthalpy sphere is determined. In some embodiments this air pressure may be obtained by an instrument within the enthalpy sphere, such as a barometer placed near a product within the enthalpy sphere. In other embodiments the air pressure of the environment surrounding the enthalpy sphere may be obtained and attributed to the enthalpy sphere. For example, one or more barometers may be placed throughout a warehouse in which an enthalpy sphere is located. The barometer that is located closest to the center of the enthalpy sphere may be used to determine the air pressure at that point in the warehouse, which may then be attributed to the enthalpy sphere.

After the volume and air pressure of the enthalpy sphere are obtained in blocks202and204respectively, the volume is multiplied by the air pressure, resulting in the energy of the air within the enthalpy sphere. In some embodiments, this energy may be used as the product energy. In some other embodiments, the energy of the product itself (such as the heat energy) may also be calculated and added to the energy of the air.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, products may be stored in automated warehouses that are located near populated areas. For example, these automated warehouses may be designed to fly in the atmosphere near a highly populated area or may be submerged in the ocean or large lake near a coastal city. These warehouses may be equipped with product-monitoring systems that are configured to establish enthalpy spheres and product energies for the products within the warehouses. These product energies may be used by the product-monitoring systems to establish tolerance conditions, such as temperature ranges within which the products are rated to be stored without a significant likelihood of product deterioration. The warehouses may also be equipped with environmental monitoring systems, which may be equipped to monitor the environmental conditions of the warehouse environment (e.g., the temperature of the warehouse as a whole).

FIG. 3illustrates an example illustration of an airborne automated warehouse300consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. Warehouse300is depicted as containing lift mechanisms302and propulsion mechanism304. Lift mechanisms302may be utilized by the warehouse300to ascend, hold altitude, or slow descent in the atmosphere, whereas propulsion mechanism304may be utilized by warehouse300to move laterally. While lift mechanisms302and propulsion mechanisms304are depicted herein as exothermic-reaction thrusters, lift mechanisms302and propulsion mechanisms304may, in some embodiments, take other forms. For example, lift mechanisms302may take the form of wings, rotors, or tanks of lighter-than-air gas (e.g., hydrogen or helium). Propulsion mechanism304, on the other hand, may take the form of a propeller, compressed-air canisters, or an ion-drive mechanism. Further, while two lift mechanisms302and one propulsion mechanism304is illustrated on warehouse300, in some embodiments different numbers of either or both of lift mechanisms302and propulsion mechanism304may be present.

FIG. 3depicts warehouse300with the outer wall partially removed, making the inner wall306of the warehouse visible. Product308is depicted within warehouse300, and is illustrated herein as a flower. The identified center of product308is located at the center of enthalpy sphere310. Enthalpy sphere310may be defined according to any method consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure. Warehouse300may contain one or more sensor312. Sensor312may be part of one or both of a product-monitoring system and an environmental-monitoring system. For example, in some embodiments sensor312may take the form of a thermometer (e.g., an infra-red camera or a laser thermometer) that is configured to monitor the temperature of product308or of the air within enthalpy sphere310. Sensor312may also take the form of an optical camera (e.g., a digital video camera or a digital picture camera) designed to monitor product308for signs of deterioration. While, in this illustration, warehouse300is depicted with one sensor312, in some embodiments multiple sensors312may be present. In some such embodiments each product308may be monitored by one or more sensor312(e.g., by one sensor312that records the temperature of the product, and another sensor312that records images of the product to detect deterioration. In some embodiments sensor312may also be configured to monitor the temperature of the environment within warehouse300or to monitor the temperature of the environment surrounding warehouse300.

In some embodiments, warehouse300may also contain barometer314. Barometer314may be utilized by the environmental-monitoring system to monitor the air pressure within warehouse300. This air pressure may be used, for example, in determining a product energy of product308. In some embodiments more than one barometer314may be present. For example, in some embodiments barometer314may be located next to product308within enthalpy sphere310.

Warehouse300may also contain air filtration mechanism316. Air filtration mechanism316may allow the transfer of air between the inside of warehouse300and the environment outside warehouse300. In some embodiments this transfer of air may be active, such as by powered fans, or passive. By allowing air exchange between warehouse300and the outside environment, the air temperatures between warehouse300and the surrounding environment may equalize. This equalization of temperatures, then may enable the warehouse300to utilize the temperature of the surrounding environment to control the temperature of the air inside the warehouse. For example, if sensor312determines that the air inside warehouse300is too high, or that product300is beginning to deteriorate, warehouse300may utilize lift mechanisms302to ascend to a higher altitude, where the air temperature may be lower. Air may then be exchanged through air filtration mechanism316, cooling the air within warehouse300.

FIG. 4depicts an example illustration of an automated warehouse400that is designed to be submerged underwater, consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. Such a warehouse, for reasons discussed below, may be useful for storing goods that require high temperatures, such as bacterial cultures. Warehouse400features propulsion mechanism402, which may be utilized to move warehouse400laterally. InFIG. 4propulsion mechanism402is depicted as a propeller, but in other embodiments other propulsion mechanisms may be utilized. In some embodiments propulsion mechanism402may also be utilized to cause warehouse400to ascend and descend. In other embodiments, warehouse400may feature mechanisms such as ballasts and further propellers may be utilized to ascend and descend.

FIG. 4depicts warehouse400with the outer wall partially removed, making the inner wall404of the warehouse visible. Product406is depicted within warehouse400, and is illustrated herein as a flower. The identified center of product406is located at the center of enthalpy sphere408. Enthalpy sphere408may be defined according to any method consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure. Warehouse400may contain one or more sensor410. Sensor410may be any type of sensor consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., a visual sensor, temperature sensor, or pressure sensor), and may be utilized to monitor product406or the environment within warehouse400. In some embodiments multiple sensors410may be present. In some embodiments, warehouse400may also contain one or more sensors that are capable of measuring the temperature or pressure, or both, of the water surrounding warehouse400.

In some embodiments, sensor410may be capable of detecting deterioration of product406, and may further be capable to determine the likely cause of that deterioration based on the type of deterioration detected. For example, the product may be a chemical product and the detected deterioration may be that the product has begun reacting (e.g., two separate ingredients of a heterogeneous mixture may begin combining into a solution). In this instance, sensor410may determine that the deterioration is likely caused by the temperature of the environment being above a level at which that reaction would be suppressed. In another instance, the product may be a biological culture (e.g., a living bacterial colony on a growth medium), and the detected deterioration may be that the product has begun to die (e.g., the bacterial colony may shrink). In this instance, sensor410may determine that the deterioration is likely caused by the temperature of the environment being below a level at which that bacteria can survive. Warehouse400contains pressure tank412, which may be capable of releasing air into the environment of warehouse400. As pressure tank412releases air into the environment of warehouse400, the air pressure in warehouse400increases, causing an added force on the inner walls of warehouse400(such as inner wall404). If the air pressure inside warehouse400were increased sufficiently, the temperature of the air inside warehouse400could be increased to levels desired to within the tolerance levels of product406.

If warehouse400featured a hard, inflexible hull, the hull would be capable of absorbing the added force associated with the increased air pressure within warehouse400. However, in some embodiment a flexible hull may be preferred. A flexible hull, for example, may be significantly cheaper, reducing the cost of warehouse400. However, if pressure tank412increases the air pressure inside warehouse400, the flexible hull of warehouse400may deform and potentially rupture. If warehouse400descends to a water depth at which the water pressure on the outside of the flexible hull equals the increased air pressure on the inside of the flexible hull, the flexible hull would not deform. In this way, warehouse400is capable of manipulating the air pressure within warehouse400at the same time as manipulating the depth of warehouse400in order to raise the air temperature within warehouse400without causing the flexible hull to deform.

Warehouse400may also feature air valve414, which may be opened to release air from the cavity of warehouse400into the surrounding water. When air valve414is opened and air is released, the air pressure within warehouse400may drop, causing the air temperature within warehouse400to decrease. At that point warehouse400may ascend within the water to equalize the surrounding water pressure with the air pressure.

Thus, sensor410determines that product406is deteriorating, or that the conditions inside warehouse400are such that product406is likely to deteriorate, warehouse400may either release compressed air from pressure tank412to increase the air pressure within warehouse400(and thus increase the temperature), or open air valve414to release the air from within warehouse400to the surrounding environment and decrease the air pressure within warehouse400(and thus decrease the temperature). In embodiments in which warehouse400features a flexible hull, warehouse400may also ascend and descend to equalize the water pressure and the air pressure as necessary.

FIG. 5illustrates an example method500in which the altitude within a fluid (e.g., water or air) of a warehouse may be controlled to alter the temperature within the warehouse. Method500may be useful, for example, in an airborne warehouse (i.e., a warehouse suspended above ground in a fluid composed of air) that takes advantage of the cold temperatures at high altitudes to keep products at low temperatures. Method500may also be useful in a submarine warehouse (i.e., a warehouse suspended below sea level in a fluid composed of water) that takes advantage of high pressures to increase temperature within the warehouse and in turn to keep products at high temperatures.

In block502, the heat-sensitivity rating of a product is obtained. The heat-sensitivity rating may be obtained by any method consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure. That heat-sensitivity rating may then be used to define an enthalpy sphere for the product, again by any method consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure. That enthalpy sphere may be defined such that it surrounds the product. In block506the product energy of the product is calculated based on the enthalpy sphere. For example, in some embodiments the volume of the enthalpy sphere may be multiplied by the air pressure within the enthalpy sphere. In other embodiments only the volume of air within the enthalpy sphere (i.e., the volume of the enthalpy sphere minus the volume of the product and any objects in the sphere that are not the particular product) may be calculated. Other methods of calculating the product energy that are consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be utilized.

In block508, the air temperature within the enthalpy sphere for a future time period is forecasted. This forecast may be based, for example, on weather data associated with the environment surrounding the warehouse, the current temperature within the warehouse, and heat producing (or absorbing) objects within the warehouse (including the product itself). Once the air temperature is forecasted for the future time period, a product-monitoring system may determine in block510whether the product would be likely to deteriorate during that future time period at that forecasted temperature. In some embodiments this determination may involve simply comparing the forecasted temperature with a temperature range rated for the product. In other embodiments the determination may involve comparing a product's tolerance for changes in temperature (e.g., as part of a heat-sensitivity rating) with the magnitude of the forecasted temperature change, the duration of the forecasted temperature change, or both.

If the product is determined to be unlikely to deteriorate in block510, the product energy is recalculated in block506after a set period of time. In some embodiments this set period of time may be zero or essentially zero, such that the product energy of the product is continually being recalculated. In other embodiments the period of time may depend on the forecasted air temperature. For example, if the air temperature were forecasted to change during the future period, the product energy may be recalculated after that forecasted change.

If, on the other hand, the product is determined to be likely to deteriorate in block510, the altitude within the surrounding fluid of the warehouse containing the product may be adjusted in block512to mitigate that deterioration. The nature of that adjustment may depend in part on the properties of the warehouse in which the product is being stored, the type of fluid by which the warehouse is surrounded, and the type of mitigation detected. For example, if the warehouse is a submarine suspended below the water, the product being stored in the warehouse may require high temperature, and thus to mitigate deterioration of the product, the temperature of the warehouse may need to be increased. The warehouse may increase the temperature by increasing the air pressure inside the warehouse, such as by descending into high-pressure water, releasing air into the warehouse from a pressurized tank, or both. In this example, adjusting the altitude in block512may involve descending into deeper water.

After the altitude is adjusted in block512, the product energy is again determined in block506in the new environmental conditions, and a product monitoring system proceeds to monitor the product based on that new product energy.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure a product's heat-sensitivity rating may be updated based upon detected product deterioration that is not predicted based on that product's current heat-sensitivity rating (e.g., the prediction discussed in method400). This deterioration may be referred to as “unpredicted deterioration.” In some such embodiments, unpredicted deterioration for a particular product in a particular class of products (e.g., a particular orchid in the class of orchids) may be used to update the heat-sensitivity rating of only that particular product, or for all products in that particular class. Further, updating the heat-sensitivity rating for all products in a class may be propagated throughout all warehouses storing that class of product, or may only be applied to the products within the warehouse storing the particular product. Further, in some embodiments, the heat-sensitivity ratings for higher-level classes in which a product falls (e.g., the higher-level class of “flower” for an orchid) may also be adjusted if the heat-sensitivity rating for any product within that higher-level class is adjusted.

FIG. 6illustrates an example method600in which the heat-sensitivity rating of a product stored in an automated warehouse is adjusted based on the detection of unpredicted deterioration. In block602, a heat-sensitivity rating for the product is obtained. This heat-sensitivity rating may be obtained in any method consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure. In block604the enthalpy sphere for the product is defined based on the sensitivity rating, consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure.

Once an enthalpy sphere is defined, tolerance conditions for the product are assigned in block606based, at least in part, on the heat-sensitivity rating. For example, in some embodiments a maximum temperature may be assigned to a product based on the heat sensitivity rating, as well as a maximum amount of time that the product may be below a second temperature that is below the maximum temperature. In block608, the altitude of the automated warehouse may be adjusted based on those tolerance conditions. In some embodiments, this may include forecasting temperatures during a future time period at the warehouse's a current altitude and predicting whether the product is likely to experience deterioration at those temperatures. In those embodiments, if deterioration is not predicted, the altitude may not be adjusted. However, if deterioration is predicted, the altitude of the warehouse may be adjusted such that the conditions inside the warehouse align with the product's tolerance conditions.

In some embodiments, adjusting the altitude in accordance with the product's tolerance conditions may include increasing or decreasing the altitude of an airborne warehouse to take advantage of the air temperatures at the increased or decreased altitudes. In other embodiments, adjusting the altitude in accordance with the product's tolerance conditions may include increasing or decreasing the altitude of a submarine warehouse in the water (i.e., the depth of the submarine warehouse) to take advantage of the higher or lower water pressures at the increased or decreased altitudes.

Once the warehouse is located at an altitude that is forecasted to maintain the tolerance conditions in the warehouse, product-monitoring system or systems within the warehouse observe the conditions within the enthalpy sphere in block610. Specifically, the product may be monitored for signs of deterioration. Product deterioration may include, in some embodiments, signs of dehydration (e.g., wilting), signs of phase changes (e.g., melting, freezing, sublimating), color changes, signs of ripening, and others. The product-monitoring system determines in block612whether product deterioration is detected. If product deterioration is not detected, the product-monitoring system continues to monitor conditions within the enthalpy sphere in block610.

If the product-monitoring system does detect deterioration in block612, an environmental-monitoring system or systems within the warehouse (which, in some embodiments, may be the same as the product-monitoring system or systems) determine in block614whether conditions within the warehouse are still within tolerance conditions for the product. If the environmental-monitoring system determines in block614that conditions within the warehouse are no longer within tolerance conditions, the warehouse adjusts the altitude of the warehouse in block608to bring the conditions of the warehouse to within the tolerance conditions for the product.

If, however, the environmental-monitoring system determines in block614that the conditions within the warehouse are still within the tolerance conditions for the product, and yet the product deteriorated within those conditions, it implies that the tolerance conditions are not correct for the product. Because those tolerance conditions were based on the heat-sensitivity rating obtained in block602, the heat-sensitivity rating is then adjusted in block616to account for the unpredicted deterioration. After the heat-sensitivity rating is adjusted, the enthalpy sphere is defined based on the new heat-sensitivity rating in block604. In some embodiments, method600may be repeated continuously while a product is stored in a warehouse. In those embodiments, this may continuously refine the heat-sensitivity rating of the product, increasing the ability of the warehouse to store that product and similar products for extended periods of time.

FIG. 7depicts the representative major components of an exemplary Computer System701that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The particular components depicted are presented for the purpose of example only and are not necessarily the only such variations. The Computer System701may comprise a Processor710, Memory720, an Input/Output Interface (also referred to herein as I/O or I/O Interface)730, and a Main Bus740. The Main Bus740may provide communication pathways for the other components of the Computer System701. In some embodiments, the Main Bus740may connect to other components such as a specialized digital signal processor (not depicted).

The Processor710of the Computer System701may be comprised of one or more CPUs712. The Processor710may additionally be comprised of one or more memory buffers or caches (not depicted) that provide temporary storage of instructions and data for the CPU712. The CPU712may perform instructions on input provided from the caches or from the Memory720and output the result to caches or the Memory720. The CPU712may be comprised of one or more circuits configured to perform one or methods consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the Computer System701may contain multiple Processors710typical of a relatively large system. In other embodiments, however, the Computer System701may be a single processor with a singular CPU712.

The Memory720of the Computer System701may be comprised of a Memory Controller722and one or more memory modules for temporarily or permanently storing data (not depicted). In some embodiments, the Memory720may comprise a random-access semiconductor memory, storage device, or storage medium (either volatile or non-volatile) for storing data and programs. The Memory Controller722may communicate with the Processor710, facilitating storage and retrieval of information in the memory modules. The Memory Controller722may communicate with the I/O Interface730, facilitating storage and retrieval of input or output in the memory modules. In some embodiments, the memory modules may be dual in-line memory modules.

The I/O Interface730may comprise an I/O Bus750, a Terminal Interface752, a Storage Interface754, an I/O Device Interface756, and a Network Interface758. The I/O Interface730may connect the Main Bus740to the I/O Bus750. The I/O Interface730may direct instructions and data from the Processor710and Memory720to the various interfaces of the I/O Bus750. The I/O Interface730may also direct instructions and data from the various interfaces of the I/O Bus750to the Processor710and Memory720. The various interfaces may comprise the Terminal Interface752, the Storage Interface754, the I/O Device Interface756, and the Network Interface758. In some embodiments, the various interfaces may comprise a subset of the aforementioned interfaces (e.g., an embedded computer system in an industrial application may not include the Terminal Interface752and the Storage Interface754).

Logic modules throughout the Computer System701—including but not limited to the Memory720, the Processor710, and the I/O Interface730—may communicate failures and changes to one or more components to a hypervisor or operating system (not depicted). The hypervisor or the operating system may allocate the various resources available in the Computer System701and track the location of data in Memory720and of processes assigned to various CPUs712. In embodiments that combine or rearrange elements, aspects of the logic modules' capabilities may be combined or redistributed. These variations would be apparent to one skilled in the art.