Patents by Inventor John C. Spain
John C. Spain 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).
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Patent number: 11892825Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2023Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignees: Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Zhejiang Libiao Robot Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230391554Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Publication number: 20230341843Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, JR.
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Patent number: 11745946Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2023Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Tompkins Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Patent number: 11714401Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignees: Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Zhejiang Libiao Robot Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230202758Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Patent number: 11630448Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, Jr.
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Patent number: 11572233Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Tompkins Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Publication number: 20230002205Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, JR.
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Publication number: 20210188606Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, JR.
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Publication number: 20210139243Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Patent number: 10968087Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Zhejiang Libiao Robot Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, Jr.
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Patent number: 10899542Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Tompkins InternationalInventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Patent number: 10870131Abstract: A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: TOMPKINS INTERNATIONALInventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Publication number: 20190218035Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Publication number: 20190204817Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, JR.
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Publication number: 20190126323Abstract: A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
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Patent number: 10248112Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Tompkins InternationalInventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180264520Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, JR.
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Patent number: 9975148Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Tompkins InternationalInventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, Jr.