Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to one or more particles that move within a container in response to a magnetic field. A measurement circuit is configured to output an indication of the magnetic field based on position of the one or more particles.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to particles that can move in response to a magnetic field. A system can include a container, particles within the container, and a magnetic structure integrated with the container. The magnetic structure can magnetically interact with both an external magnetic field and the particles. Related methods are disclosed including magnetic field detection methods based on detection of particles within a container.

Abstract: The present disclosure is for systems and methods for providing observational support. The invention comprises an observational support system which generally operates as a supplemental system to an existing automated decision support system, such as a primary vision system for robotic picking operations. The observational support system provides an auxiliary sensor module which is operable to obtain data associated with a pick scene independently of the primary vision system and provide the data to an intervention system for further review and processing. The observational support system is generally called upon in situations where the primary vision system fails or encounters circumstances it cannot handle in a timely manner. The observational support system in combination with the intervention system provides supplemental assistance in these circumstances so that robotic picking operations can continue more readily.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may generate a binary intermediate mask model from 2D image data and 3D data obtained from a background image and a component image. Because the intermediate mask model is binary, erosion and dilation (e.g., 2D data processing) may be used to remove noise from the intermediate mask model. The augmented intermediate mask model with any erroneous and/or missing data corrected, may be applied to the second aligned model. The pixels in the second aligned model that correspond to pixels in the augmented intermediate mask model that are assigned a value of 1 may be identified as foreground pixels. Then, the vision system may generate foreground object data using the 2D image data and the 3D data in the foreground pixels from the second aligned model.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may maintain an first dataset configured to select pick points for objects. The apparatus may receive, from a user device, a user dataset including a user selected pick point associated with at least one object and a first image of the at least one first object. The apparatus may generate a second dataset based at least in part on the first dataset and the user dataset. The apparatus may receive a second image of a second object. The apparatus may select a pick point for the second object using the second dataset and the second image of the second object. The apparatus may send information associated with the pick point selected for the second object to a robotics device for picking up the second object.

Abstract: A package scanning conveyance system that integrates a first two-dimensional image with at least a second two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional point clouds to calculate or estimate a package's physical properties, and/or determine if there are two or more packages in a pile. The captured imaging data is transformed by the inventive system to provide real-time feedback to a human operator to enable the operator to maintain an understanding of the system's performance. The imaging data may also be used to perform quality-checks on other parts of the package delivery and conveyance systems and document the condition of packages that have passed through the system.

Abstract: A demountable tank, and method of constructing same, having a plurality of precast wall panels retained by a cable tensioning system to form a continuous, preferably circular, wall. The tank can be easily assembled at a site with prefabricated parts and easily deconstructed when no longer needed. The shape of the precast wall panels in conjunction with the cable tensioning system means no additional frame or supports are required.

Abstract: A vision system and control system for a robotic pack station is disclosed. Robotic pack stations typically include a work cell, which enables the transfer of items from a tote or a bin to a container. The work cell may include one or more of the following: a robotic arm, a vision system, a control system, a conveyor, and a pack platform. The vision system and control system of the present invention identify items and provide instructions to the robotic arm to pick and/or place items in a bin or a tote.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may maintain an first dataset configured to select pick points for objects. The apparatus may receive, from a user device, a user dataset including a user selected pick point associated with at least one object and a first image of the at least one first object. The apparatus may generate a second dataset based at least in part on the first dataset and the user dataset. The apparatus may receive a second image of a second object. The apparatus may select a pick point for the second object using the second dataset and the second image of the second object. The apparatus may send information associated with the pick point selected for the second object to a robotics device for picking up the second object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for accounting for edge cases (i.e. tail data) in automated decision making systems, for example automated robotic picking systems. The systems and methods provide for retraining machine learning (ML) models so that the edge cases can be handled in a manner that requires less (or no) human intervention. The disclosed systems and methods create updated ML models, replacement ML models, and/or supplementary ML models that can provide better performance (e.g. improved automated robotic picking) when edge cases are encountered. Furthermore, the present inventions disclose systems and methods for obtaining training data faster and in a more cost effective manner, which enables the systems and methods disclosed herein to update models at a faster rate, thereby enabling broader, system-wide handling of edge cases in a more effective and efficient manner.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may maintain an first dataset configured to select pick points for objects. The apparatus may receive, from a user device, a user dataset including a user selected pick point associated with at least one object and a first image of the at least one first object. The apparatus may generate a second dataset based at least in part on the first dataset and the user dataset. The apparatus may receive a second image of a second object. The apparatus may select a pick point for the second object using the second dataset and the second image of the second object. The apparatus may send information associated with the pick point selected for the second object to a robotics device for picking up the second object.

Abstract: Described are approaches for assigning intervention requests from robots, robotic systems, and/or other smart systems to resources (e.g., human technicians, trained systems) in order to optimize system performance along a variety of different selection criteria specifying various performant dimensions, including, but not limited to improving system efficiency, reducing robot and/or robotics systems idle time, reducing technician idle time, improving triage outcomes, reducing data processing loads, maintaining client confidentiality that may be associated with one or more robotic picking systems.

Abstract: A package scanning conveyance system that integrates a first two-dimensional image with at least a second two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional point clouds to calculate or estimate a package's physical properties, and/or determine if there are two or more packages in a pile. The captured imaging data is transformed by the inventive system to provide real-time feedback to a human operator to enable the operator to maintain an understanding of the system's performance. The imaging data may also be used to perform quality-checks on other parts of the package delivery and conveyance systems and document the condition of packages that have passed through the system.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may maintain an first dataset configured to select pick points for objects. The apparatus may receive, from a user device, a user dataset including a user selected pick point associated with at least one object and a first image of the at least one first object. The apparatus may generate a second dataset based at least in part on the first dataset and the user dataset. The apparatus may receive a second image of a second object. The apparatus may select a pick point for the second object using the second dataset and the second image of the second object. The apparatus may send information associated with the pick point selected for the second object to a robotics device for picking up the second object.

Abstract: A package scanning conveyance system that integrates a first two-dimensional image with at least a second two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional point clouds to calculate or estimate a package's physical properties, and/or determine if there are two or more packages in a pile. The captured imaging data is transformed by the inventive system to provide real-time feedback to a human operator to enable the operator to maintain an understanding of the system's performance. The imaging data may also be used to perform quality-checks on other parts of the package delivery and conveyance systems and document the condition of packages that have passed through the system.

Abstract: A package scanning conveyance system that integrates a first two-dimensional image with at least a second two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional point clouds to calculate or estimate a package's physical properties, and/or determine if there are two or more packages in a pile. The captured imaging data is transformed by the inventive system to provide real-time feedback to a human operator to enable the operator to maintain an understanding of the system's performance. The imaging data may also be used to perform quality-checks on other parts of the package delivery and conveyance systems and document the condition of packages that have passed through the system.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may maintain an first dataset configured to select pick points for objects. The apparatus may receive, from a user device, a user dataset including a user selected pick point associated with at least one object and a first image of the at least one first object. The apparatus may generate a second dataset based at least in part on the first dataset and the user dataset. The apparatus may receive a second image of a second object. The apparatus may select a pick point for the second object using the second dataset and the second image of the second object. The apparatus may send information associated with the pick point selected for the second object to a robotics device for picking up the second object.

Abstract: An absorbing device is configured to fit into standard vehicle cup holders. These configurations may include an absorbing body with a breakable connection disposed in the absorbing body. The breakable connection may circumscribe a removeable area of the absorbing body that is small than the absorbing body in its entirety. In one implementation, the breakable connection permits the area to remove from the absorbing body while leaving the absorbing body intact.

Abstract: Implementations are provided for scalable cloud backup. A coordinator process can manage worker processes on nodes to package file system data that is targeted for cloud backup into node local upload objects. File data can be arranged into distinct block offsets of the node local upload object. A set of metadata tables can be generated that characterize each file that is backed up as well as file block location information for each data block. The node local upload objects can be uploaded to a cloud service provider. The set of metadata tables generated by the worker process can be coalesced into a global set of metadata tables that describe the data that has been backed up. In one implementation, after an initial cloud backup has occurred, a snapshot service of the file system can be used to incrementally backup blocks of the file that have been changed.