Patents by Inventor James Benjamin Edwards

James Benjamin Edwards 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).

  • Publication number: 20220063042
    Abstract: An automated container cutting system for cutting a container includes a cutting platform and a cutting tool held by the cutting platform. The cutting tool is configured to cut the container. The automated container cutting system includes a force feedback sensor operatively connected to the cutting tool such that the force feedback sensor is configured to measure resistive force exerted on the cutting tool. The automated container cutting system includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to the force feedback sensor. The processor is configured to receive resistive force data from the force feedback sensor. The resistive force data represents resistive force exerted on the cutting tool as the cutting tool pierces a wall of the container. The at least one processor is configured to determine whether the cutting tool has penetrated through the wall of the container using the received resistive force data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul Durkee
  • Publication number: 20220058571
    Abstract: A solution for automated food selection includes: an order processing component operable to receive an order identifying an item; a selection component comprising: a first hyperspectral sensor operable to sense a reflection from the item and produce a sensor output based at least on the reflection; and a picking mechanism; a control component operable to: based at least on identification of the item, select a hyperspectral profile from a set of hyperspectral profiles; compare the sensor output with the selected hyperspectral profile; and based at least on the comparison, determine whether to select the item for fulfillment of the order, wherein the picking mechanism is operable to divert the item to a selection output based at least on a determination to select the item for fulfillment of the order; and a transport component operable to transport the item to an order storage zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Brian C. Roth
  • Publication number: 20210191366
    Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20210097709
    Abstract: Examples provide a system and method for autonomously placing items into non-rigid containers. An image analysis component analyzes image data generated by one or more cameras associated with picked items ready for bagging and/or a non-rigid container, such as, but not limited to, a bag. The image analysis component generates dynamic placement data identifying how much space is available inside the bag, bag tension, and/or contents of the bag. A dynamic placement component generates a per-item assigned placement for a selected item ready for bagging based on a per-bag placement sequence and the dynamic placement data. Instructions, including the per-item assigned placement designating a location within the interior of the non-rigid container to the selected item and an orientation for the selected item after bagging, is sent to at least one robotic device. The robotic device places the selected item into the non-rigid container in accordance with the instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Brian C. Roth
  • Patent number: 10955826
    Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20210081887
    Abstract: Examples provide an item storage cart for verifying correct item placement into containers on the item storage cart. A cart manager component outputs planogram data identifying a location of a selected item. Weight data generated by one or more weight sensors associated with the set of item storage containers is analyzed to verify whether a correct item is placed in a given storage container on the cart and/or verify a selected item is placed into a correct storage container. The cart manager component determines if an unselected item is removed from a storage container and/or if an unselected item is added to a storage container. A notification is output if an incorrect item is added to a cart, an incorrect item is removed from the cart, an item is added to the wrong container or removed from the wrong container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Durkee, Ragen Turner, James Benjamin Edwards, Nicole Morales, Stuart Clark
  • Publication number: 20210055729
    Abstract: Autonomous carriers or totes that include vacuum units are provided. As the totes move or are moved through a warehouse carrying products, they collect debris. The debris can be analyzed at the tote, and actions can be performed based upon the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Brian C. Roth, Paul E. Durkee, James Benjamin Edwards
  • Patent number: 10853764
    Abstract: Examples provide an item storage cart for verifying correct item placement into containers on the item storage cart. A cart manager component outputs planogram data identifying a location of a selected item. Weight data generated by one or more weight sensors associated with the set of item storage containers is analyzed to verify whether a correct item is placed in a given storage container on the cart and/or verify a selected item is placed into a correct storage container. The cart manager component determines if an unselected item is removed from a storage container and/or if an unselected item is added to a storage container. A notification is output if an incorrect item is added to a cart, an incorrect item is removed from the cart, an item is added to the wrong container or removed from the wrong container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Durkee, Ragen Turner, James Benjamin Edwards, Nicole Morales, Stuart Clark
  • Publication number: 20200346351
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for picking up and transferring a variety of different types of merchandise, such as at shopping facilities. In one form, the system includes: a shopping facility with a merchandise order assembly area; an automated retrieval for transporting merchandise to the merchandise order assembly area; an image sensor; at least one robotic device including a plurality of end effectors for picking up merchandise; and a merchandise database identifying surface areas suitable for engagement with end effectors. The system also includes a control circuit that identifies a merchandise item being transported, receives images of the merchandise item and determines its orientation, chooses a surface area of the merchandise item for engagement, selects an end effector to be used to engage the merchandise item, and instructs movement and transfer of the merchandise item by the robotic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20200341453
    Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20200339298
    Abstract: Features are applied to a mathematical model to produce a cutting pattern for opening a container. The cutting pattern specifies which of one or more cutting tools is to be used and the location of where cuts are to be made on the container. The cutting pattern is sent to a container opening machine. The container opening machine is operated and the container cut and opened by the container opening machine according to the cutting pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20200283229
    Abstract: Examples provide a tote conveyance system for autonomously conveying totes from a storage system to a pickup/receiving area via smart container transport carts. The smart container conveyance cart aligns with the induction station on the storage system. The system utilizes actuators to move totes onto the cart from an induction station on the storage system or move totes off the cart into the induction station. Loading or unloading of totes are performed in accordance with priorities assigned based on cold-chain compliance temperature thresholds associated with the contents of the totes, weights of the totes, and destination of totes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Brian C. Roth, Paul Durkee, Ragen Turner
  • Publication number: 20200065748
    Abstract: Examples provide an item storage cart for verifying correct item placement into containers on the item storage cart. A cart manager component outputs planogram data identifying a location of a selected item. Weight data generated by one or more weight sensors associated with the set of item storage containers is analyzed to verify whether a correct item is placed in a given storage container on the cart and/or verify a selected item is placed into a correct storage container. The cart manager component determines if an unselected item is removed from a storage container and/or if an unselected item is added to a storage container. A notification is output if an incorrect item is added to a cart, an incorrect item is removed from the cart, an item is added to the wrong container or removed from the wrong container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Durkee, Ragen Turner, James Benjamin Edwards, Nicole Morales, Stuart Clark