Patents by Inventor Robert Lee Martin, JR.

Robert Lee Martin, JR. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11972624
    Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, Jr., Daniel James Thyer, Justin Michael Brown
  • Publication number: 20240124178
    Abstract: A pallet wrapper and imaging system a pallet loaded with containers to calculate a sustainability based upon a type of the pallet and the containers on the pallet. The system also determines the stability of the pallet and containers, a speed at which the pallet and containers can be wrapped, and an amount of stretch film needed to secure the load for transport. After validation by the imaging system (with or without a wrapper), a QC bot assists a QC worker in remedying or checking any detected errors or potential errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, JR., Daniel James Thyer, Vance Asher Weintraub
  • Patent number: 11840271
    Abstract: A pallet sled includes a pair of tines extending forward from a base. A load wheel supports each of the pair of tines. The load wheels are each configured to move away from the respective tine to lift the respective tine upward relative to a support surface on which the load wheel is supported. A processor on the pallet sled records usage of the sled, such as lift cycles, location over time, battery condition, lift height, weight lifted, distance traveled, and the like. A communication circuit may be configured to send data from the pallet sled to a remote server. An identification reader may be configured to read an identification tag of an object supported on the pair of tines, such as an rfid tag on a pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Robert Lee Martin, Jr., Jason Crawford Miller, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski
  • Publication number: 20230360419
    Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, JR., Daniel James Thyer, Justin Michael Brown
  • Patent number: 11787585
    Abstract: A pallet wrapper and imaging system a pallet loaded with containers to calculate a sustainability based upon a type of the pallet and the containers on the pallet. The system also determines the stability of the pallet and containers, a speed at which the pallet and containers can be wrapped, and an amount of stretch film needed to secure the load for transport. After validation by the imaging system (with or without a wrapper), a QC bot assists a QC worker in remedying or checking any detected errors or potential errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, Jr., Daniel James Thyer, Vance Asher Weintraub
  • Patent number: 11783606
    Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, Jr., Daniel James Thyer, Justin Michael Brown
  • Publication number: 20230259951
    Abstract: A roll-out cart warranty processing system includes a mobile device app and a server. The mobile device app prompts a resident to take at least one image of the roll-out cart, particularly any damaged portion(s) of the roll-out cart. The mobile device app then uploads the at least one image to a server. The server analyzes the at least one image to determine whether the roll-out cart is covered by warranty. The server also analyzes the at least one image to determine whether any identifiable damage would be covered by warranty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Vance Asher Weintraub, Robert Lee Martin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230252409
    Abstract: A pallet sled includes a pair of tines extending forward from a base. A camera is mounted on the pallet sled and is configured to record images, such as video, as the pallet sled brings pallets of items from a truck into a store. At least one processor is used to analyze the images from the pallet sled. The images are used to determine inventory levels in the store, conditions of the store, conditions of the pathways of the pallet sled. An accelerometer on the pallet sled detects hard braking and accidents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Lee Martin, JR., Justin Corless, Daniel James Thyer
  • Publication number: 20230159197
    Abstract: Several embodiments of turntable systems for loaded pallets are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first ramp leads up to the turntable and a second ramp leads down from the turntable on the opposite side. In other embodiments, at least two turntables are positioned adjacent one another, optionally with a bridge surface connecting them so that a pallet lift can be driven from one turntable to the other to place one pallet on one turntable and another pallet on the other turntable according to a method disclosed herein. A validation system without a turntable includes a plurality of cameras about a periphery of a platform weight sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, JR., Jason Crawford Miller, Hisham Khalid A. Alshmmasi, Derick Foster, Daniel James Thyer, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski, Joseph E. Popovits, II, Justin Corless
  • Publication number: 20230147974
    Abstract: A pick assist system may include a pallet destacker storing a front column of pallets and a back column of pallets. At least one rfid reader is configured to read an rfid tag on a pallet in or below at least one of the front column of pallets or the back column of pallets. The pick assist system may include a pallet sled including a display indicating a product to be retrieved. The pallet sled may determine that the product has been placed in a center of a pallet on the pallet sled. A method for verifying a pallet may include identifying skus on exterior products in a layer in a stack of products. Based upon that determination, the skus of the interior products may also be determined. For example, it may be determined that the interior products were part of a layer pick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Lee Martin, JR., Peter Douglas Jackson, Steven Stavro, Daniel James Thyer, Justin Michael Brown, Vance Asher Weintraub
  • Publication number: 20230140119
    Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, JR., Daniel James Thyer, Justin Michael Brown
  • Patent number: 11597544
    Abstract: Several embodiments of turntable systems for loaded pallets are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first ramp leads up to the turntable and a second ramp leads down from the turntable on the opposite side. In other embodiments, at least two turntables are positioned adjacent one another, optionally with a bridge surface connecting them so that a pallet lift can be driven from one turntable to the other to place one pallet on one turntable and another pallet on the other turntable according to a method disclosed herein. A validation system without a turntable includes a plurality of cameras about a periphery of a platform weight sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, Jr., Jason Crawford Miller, Hisham Khalid A. Alshmmasi, Derick Foster, Daniel James Thyer, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski, Joseph E. Popovits, II, Justin Corless
  • Publication number: 20230059103
    Abstract: A pallet wrapper and imaging system a pallet loaded with containers to calculate a sustainability based upon a type of the pallet and the containers on the pallet. The system also determines the stability of the pallet and containers, a speed at which the pallet and containers can be wrapped, and an amount of stretch film needed to secure the load for transport. After validation by the imaging system (with or without a wrapper), a QC bot assists a QC worker in remedying or checking any detected errors or potential errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, JR., Daniel James Thyer, Vance Asher Weintraub
  • Publication number: 20220250845
    Abstract: A delivery system generates a pick sheet containing a plurality of SKUs based upon an order. A loaded pallet is imaged to identify the SKUs on the loaded pallet, which are compared to the order prior to the loaded pallet leaving the distribution center. The loaded pallet may be imaged while being wrapped with stretch wrap. At the point of delivery, the loaded pallet may be imaged again and analyzed to compare with the pick sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Lee Martin, JR., Kalpana Mahesh, Rachel Herstad, Georgey John, Hari Durga Tatineni, Rahul Agarwal, Jason Crawford Miller, Ravi Raghunathan, Joseph Melendez, Deanna Petrochilos, Charles Burden
  • Publication number: 20220219846
    Abstract: Several embodiments of turntable systems for loaded pallets are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first ramp leads up to the turntable and a second ramp leads down from the turntable on the opposite side. In other embodiments, at least two turntables are positioned adjacent one another, optionally with a bridge surface connecting them so that a pallet lift can be driven from one turntable to the other to place one pallet on one turntable and another pallet on the other turntable according to a method disclosed herein. A validation system without a turntable includes a plurality of cameras about a periphery of a platform weight sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, JR., Jason Crawford Miller, Hisham Khalid A. Alshmmasi, Derick Foster, Daniel James Thyer, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski, Joseph E. Popovits, II, Justin Corless
  • Patent number: 11383930
    Abstract: A delivery system generates a pick sheet containing a plurality of SKUs based upon an order. A loaded pallet is imaged to identify the SKUs on the loaded pallet, which are compared to the order prior to the loaded pallet leaving the distribution center. The loaded pallet may be imaged while being wrapped with stretch wrap. At the point of delivery, the loaded pallet may be imaged again and analyzed to compare with the pick sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Robert Lee Martin, Jr., Kalpana Mahesh, Rachel Herstad, Georgey John, Hari Durga Tatineni, Rahul Agarwal, Jason Crawford Miller, Ravi Raghunathan, Joseph Melendez, Deanna Petrochilos, Charles Burden
  • Publication number: 20220129836
    Abstract: A delivery system generates a pick sheet containing a plurality of SKUs based upon an order. A loaded pallet is imaged to identify the SKUs on the loaded pallet, which are compared to the order prior to the loaded pallet leaving the distribution center. The loaded pallet may be imaged while being wrapped with stretch wrap. At the point of delivery, the loaded pallet may be imaged again and analyzed to compare with the pick sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jackson, Robert Lee Martin, JR., Daniel James Thyer, Justin Michael Brown
  • Publication number: 20220122029
    Abstract: A pick assist system helps to ensure that each pallet is built accurately. Further, the pick assist system may also help to ensure that the products on each pallet are arranged in a way so that the loaded pallet will be stable and will be efficient to unload. A pallet sled includes a base and a pair of tines extending from the base. The pallet sled further includes a display. At least one processor is programmed to provide a series of instructions on the display indicating a plurality of products to be placed on at least one pallet supported by the tines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Lee Martin, JR., Peter Douglas Jackson, Steven Stavro
  • Publication number: 20220021803
    Abstract: A service verification system includes at least one collection truck including a hopper for receiving material and at least one camera positioned and oriented to image a container to be emptied into the hopper. At least one server receives images from the at least one camera. The collection truck may include an RFID reader configured to read RFID tags on containers to be emptied into the hopper. The server receives identification information from the RFID reader associated with the images from the camera. The images may be triggered upon the reading of the RFID tag, or by activation of a lift arm lifting the container, or manually by a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Crawford Miller, Rahul Agarwal, Robert Lee Martin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210403066
    Abstract: A pallet sled includes a pair of tines extending forward from a base. A load wheel supports each of the pair of tines. The load wheels are each configured to move away from the respective tine to lift the respective tine upward relative to a support surface on which the load wheel is supported. A processor on the pallet sled records usage of the sled, such as lift cycles, location over time, battery condition, lift height, weight lifted, distance traveled, and the like. A communication circuit may be configured to send data from the pallet sled to a remote server. An identification reader may be configured to read an identification tag of an object supported on the pair of tines, such as an rfid tag on a pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Lee Martin, JR., Jason Crawford Miller, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski