Patents by Inventor Kevin Ahearn

Kevin Ahearn 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: 20250128429
    Abstract: An end effector system is disclosed for a robotic system that includes a primary acquisition system that includes a primary end effector, and a secondary retention system that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the primary acquisition system, wherein at least a portion of the primary acquisition system may be drawn up within at least a portion of the secondary retention system such that the primary end effector system may be used to select an object from a plurality of objects, and the secondary retention system may be used to secure the object for rapid transport to an output destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, Christopher GEYER, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20250128880
    Abstract: A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, JR., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Carlton Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 12282321
    Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device. The programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location is associated with the identifying indicia and the identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon Mcmahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 12258223
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Victoria Hinchey, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Publication number: 20250091817
    Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed that includes a distribution system for distributing a plurality of objects among a plurality of containers, an output conveyance system for receiving a plurality of completed containers, and a container discharge system for emptying any contents of a container of the plurality of completed containers into a destination location, the container discharge system including a discharge conveyor section in which the container is suspended and moved in a conveyor direction while permitting a bottom of the container to drop open to discharge any contents of the container into the destination location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Jeffrey KITTREDGE, Abhishek KALURI, Mitchell GUILLAUME, Jennifer Eileen KING, Kirsten WANG, Charles BAPTISTA, Kevin AHEARN
  • Publication number: 20250091807
    Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed that includes a first support structure for supporting a plurality of containers that are positioned to receive a plurality of objects, a second support structure for receiving any of the plurality of containers when each of the plurality of containers is ready to be discharged from the first support structure, and an automated mobile transfer unit for selectively transferring a selected container from the first support structure to the second support structure, said automated mobile transfer unit including a mobile chassis unit for moving the at least one automated mobile transfer unit in a first direction among the first support structure and the second support structure, and a payload transfer system supported by the mobile chassis unit and adapted to transfer a selected container of the plurality of containers from the first support structure to the second support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Jeffrey KITTREDGE, Abhishek KALURI, Mitchell GUILLAUME, Jennifer Eileen KING, Kirsten WANG, Charles BAPTISTA, Kevin AHEARN
  • Patent number: 12252340
    Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, each of the actuatable carriers being instructed at any time to move a limited number of track section only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 12251829
    Abstract: A method of processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an input conveyance system by which input bins of objects may be provided to a processing station that includes the programmable motion device that includes an end effector, perceiving at the processing station identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects at an input area of the input conveyance system, grasping the an acquired object using the end effector, moving the acquired object toward an identified processing container using the programmable motion device, the identified processing container being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing container being provided as one of a plurality of processing containers at the processing station, and providing an output conveyance system in communication with the processing station, by which processing containers that contain processed objects may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Christopher Geyer, Victoria Hinchey, Thomas Koletschka, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Publication number: 20250042029
    Abstract: A processing system is disclosed for providing processing of objects that include a programmable motion device including an end effector, a perception system for recognizing any of the identity, location, and orientation of an object presented in a plurality of objects at an input location, a grasp acquisition system for acquiring the object using the end effector to permit the object to be moved from the plurality of objects to one of a plurality of destination bins, and a motion planning system for determining a changing portion of a trajectory path of the end effector from the object to a base location proximate to the input location, and
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, Christopher GEYER, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20250042656
    Abstract: A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, JR., Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph RAMANDO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20250033876
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a bin conveyance system for moving selected storage bins to a storage bin processing location, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin processing location for receiving a selected storage bin from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a plurality of destination bins in communication with the bin conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin from a destination bin processing location that is proximate the programmable motion device to the plurality of destination bins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON_HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20250026569
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Patent number: 12195274
    Abstract: An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a base structure of a carrier on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels mounted to at least two motors to provide at least two wheel assemblies, the at least two wheel assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Publication number: 20250010460
    Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, JR., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Victoria Hinchey, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Carlton Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Publication number: 20250001457
    Abstract: A method of processing objects is disclosed using a programmable motion device. The method includes the steps of acquiring an object from a plurality of mixed objects at an input area, perceiving identifying indicia in connection with the object, assigning an intermediate station to a destination location for the object responsive to the identifying indicia in connection with the object, and moving the acquired object toward the intermediate station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, Christoper GEYER, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Patent number: 12180014
    Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed for unloading objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes an engagement system including a truck entry portion for entering the trailer and for indiscriminately engaging unidentified objects within the trailer, and a conveyance system for conveying objects engaged by the engagement system toward an unloading portion of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Christopher Geyer, Thomas Koletschka, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 12180005
    Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of an object associated with an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring the object from a plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, wherein the programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The processing system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 12180011
    Abstract: A semi-autonomous processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The semi-autonomous processing system includes an input conveyance system for moving objects to a presentation area, a perception system including perception units that are directed toward a detection area for providing perception data regarding an object in the presentation area, at least two transport systems, each of which is adapted to receive the object and move the object in either of reciprocal directions, and a manual workstation area between the perception area the at least two transport systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Thomas Allen, William Hartman Fort, Kyle Maroney, Samuel Naseef, Andrew Gauthier, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi
  • Publication number: 20240424667
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins, a plurality of destination bins, and a processing programmable motion device. The plurality of storage bins provides storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins are in communication with a gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving selected bins to a bin processing location. The plurality of destination bins are in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin to the processing location. The processing programmable motion device is at the processing location and is in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system. The processing programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin and depositing the selected object in the selected destination bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, JR., Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Patent number: 12168577
    Abstract: A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be sorted from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for removal from the conveying system, and a removal system for removing the certain selected objects from the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Christopher Geyer, Thomas Koletschka, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen