Particular Charging Or Discharging Apparatus Patents (Class 700/218)
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Patent number: 12243013Abstract: This application relates to a replenishment method and apparatus, a computer device, and a storage medium. The method includes: obtaining a replenishment order, and determining a mapping relationship between goods information of replenishment goods in the replenishment order and a storage space of a put wall, where the mapping relationship is used for instructing to correspondingly place target replenishment goods into a target storage space of the put wall; and determining a target inventory box corresponding to the target replenishment goods placed in the target storage space of the put wall, where the target inventory box is used for loading the target replenishment goods. The use of the method improves the replenishment efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: HAI ROBOTICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Xin Ai, Runfang Yu
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Patent number: 12236735Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a plurality of electronic locks are provided. In an embodiment, a request for opening a door is received and verified. If the request is approved, signals are sent to open the electronic lock that locks the door. If the request is rejected, a message is sent to notify the user of the invalid request.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Luxer CorporationInventor: Arik Seth Levy
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Patent number: 12211733Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a table, a pad holder, an elevating mechanism, and at least three centering mechanisms. The table is for supporting a substrate. The pad holder is for holding a polishing pad for polishing the substrate supported by the table. The elevating mechanism is for elevating the pad holder with respect to the substrate. The at least three centering mechanisms are for pushing the substrate supported by the table in a center direction of the table to position the substrate. The at least three centering mechanisms each include a rotation shaft arranged in a peripheral area of the table and a centering member mounted to the rotation shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: EBARA CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuyuki Takada, Hozumi Yasuda
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Patent number: 12179806Abstract: A method of operating an automated storage and retrieval system includes: a rail system including a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells, a central control unit configured to receive, transmit and process data signals of a plurality of container handling vehicles for handling storage containers of the automated storage and retrieval system.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: AutoStore Technology ASInventors: Jørgen Djuve Heggebø, Ole Alexander Mæhle, Synnøve Matre, Ingvar Fagerland, Ragnar Stuhaug
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Patent number: 12162682Abstract: A storage array system including an open undeterministic transport surface, a navigation array disposed in connection with the transport surface, the navigation array includes a distributed feature, a first waypoint at a first position of the distributed feature, a second waypoint displaced from the first waypoint along the distributed feature and offset with respect to the first waypoint in a direction angled to the distributed feature, and a guided bot, arranged to traverse the transport surface, with a non-holonomic steering system, the guided bot having a bot pose determination system employing sensor data detecting the distributed feature, wherein the guided bot includes a controller configured to generate a substantially smooth curved bot traverse path on the transport surface connecting the first and second waypoints with a predetermined optimal trajectory of the guided bot along the traverse path determined based on a bot dynamic model.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Symbotic LLCInventors: Edward A MacDonald, Forrest Buzan, John F Keating, Juergen D Conrad, Armin Ataei-Esfahani
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Patent number: 12157631Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2023Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 12154045Abstract: A method to operate at least one electronic lock box facility that includes detection of information about at least one lock box unit of a lock box facility of at least one lock box facility in which a shipment associated with a party is to be deposited, by a computing unit, based on a reservation for this lock box facility associated with a party, whereby the reservation information contains lock box type related information that comprises the number of dynamically reserved lock box units of a lock box type, the section of a lock box unit of at least one lock box unit based on the determined, provided information; acquisition of an identifier associated with the shipment to be deposited in the lock box facility by means of detection; and linking of the acquired identifier of the shipment with the selected lock box unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Deutsche Post AGInventors: Marco Krause, Henning Gaudszuhn
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Patent number: 12151894Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: AutoStore Technology ASInventor: Trond Austrheim
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Patent number: 12139334Abstract: An article transport apparatus includes a travel carriage, a mast, a lift, and a transfer machine. The transfer machine includes a holder and a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism is configured to transfer an article between the holder and a storage rack. The article transport apparatus further includes a receiver supported by the lift and configured to receive liquid that has dripped from the article, a collector configured to collect the liquid received by the receiver, and a liquid detector configured to detect the amount of liquid collected in the collector. The receiver is disposed to cover, from below, the entire bottom surface of the article located at a holding position. The collector is connected to the receiver. The receiver includes a receiving surface that faces upward and that is entirely inclined to extend gradually downward toward the collector.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Wataru Kiyokawa
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Patent number: 12118498Abstract: A system for automated goods transportation is provided. The system includes a management system, a vehicle scheduling system, a loading/unloading control device, and autonomous driving control devices provided on respective autonomous vehicles. The management system is configured to manage goods information, generate a transportation plan based on the goods information, and transmit the transportation plan to the vehicle scheduling system. The vehicle scheduling system is configured to generate transportation tasks based on the transportation plan and the transportation statuses of the respective autonomous vehicles, and transmit each of the transportation tasks to the autonomous driving control device of the matching autonomous vehicle. The autonomous driving control device is configured to control the autonomous vehicle to complete transportation in accordance with the transportation task.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: BEIJING TUSEN ZHITU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Nan Wu
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Patent number: 12084288Abstract: A conveyance abnormality prediction system includes an estimation unit that has a learned model having machine learned a relationship between a data set including sensor data outputted, at a time of substrate transport in the past, from each of a plurality of sensors provided on a substrate transport unit and a degree of conveyance abnormality at the time of the substrate transport, estimates a degree of conveyance abnormality at a time of new substrate transport by using, as an input, a data set including sensor data outputted from each of the plurality of sensors at the time of the new substrate transport, and outputs the estimated degree of conveyance abnormality.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: EBARA CORPORATIONInventor: Akira Nakamura
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Patent number: 12071307Abstract: A system and method of order fulfilment is described. The system includes a storage and retrieval system, a transfer system and at least one pick station. The transfer system includes conveyance means disposed between the storage and retrieval system and the pick station such that items delivered to the transfer system from the storage and retrieval system may be conveyed to the pick stations independently of the normal operation of the pick station.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Lars Sverker Lindbo, Matthew Robert Whelan
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Patent number: 12065309Abstract: A robotic service device is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device is capable of driving to any location on the grid order to perform maintenance operations or cleaning. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device may include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. The service device may also be provided with cleaning capability and a camera to enable the condition of the grid and other robotic devices to be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Mark Fryer, Andy Ingram-Tedd, Siddique Shaikh, Sverker Lindbo
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Patent number: 12054368Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and structures for transferring an object between a ship and an offshore structure, comprising a hoisting mechanism arranged on the offshore structure and adapted to attach to the object, at least one range sensing device adapted to provide data relating to a detected distance from a reference point on the offshore structure to the ship, where the system is adapted to receive the data from the at least one range sensing device and to move the hoisting cable in response to the detected distance, and a motion reference unit adapted to provide data relating to a detected motion of the ship independently of the at least one range sensing device, and wherein the system is adapted to move the hoisting cable in response to the detected motion of the ship.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Ørsted Wind Power A/SInventor: Beatrice D'Eufemia
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Automated storage and retrieval system, a method of operating the system and a multi trolley vehicle
Patent number: 12049360Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system that includes a rail system that includes a first set of parallel tracks, arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks, arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system, each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening; and a trolley for transporting the storage containers between the storage columns and at least one deployment area. The first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each grid cell including a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of track.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: AutoStore Technology ASInventors: Jørgen Djuve Heggebø, Trond Austrheim -
Patent number: 12017854Abstract: A handling robot, a material fetching method, a material replenishing or returning method, and an intelligent warehousing system, the handling robot comprises a vertical bracket (19); a pallet (22) for storing a material box; and a handling system installed to the vertical bracket (19), where the pallet (22) is installed to the handling system, and the handling system is used for fetching a material box from one of a warehouse shelf (24) and the pallet (22), storing it onto the other, and/or fetching out a material from a material box stored on the pallet (22). With the configuration of the handling system, a material can be fetched out from a material box stored on the pallet, and after the material is fetched out, the material box is placed back onto the warehouse shelf, such manner of material fetching is flexible, and has high efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: HAI ROBOTICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuqi Chen, Zhe Kong
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Patent number: 12006148Abstract: A stacking storage arrangement having multiple container receiving spaces that are arranged in multiple rows and columns, wherein a loading space in which at least one loading vehicle can be moved is arranged beneath the container receiving spaces. The operation of a stacking storage arrangement of this type is configured to be economical. For this purpose, it is provided that, at least outside of the loading space, the loading vehicle can be moved in a direction which forms any desired angle with a direction that runs parallel to the rows.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Jungheinrich AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jörg Cavelius, Michael Becker, Markus Liebhaber
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Patent number: 12002006Abstract: Systems, methods, computing platforms, and storage media for directing and controlling an autonomous storage unit in an autonomous inventory management system are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may negotiate, by a first controller, a dispatch routine for the storage unit with a transport controller and a second controller, assign a token to the storage unit and the second controller, the token providing an identification signal between the storage unit and the second controller, register a departure event with the first controller, provide a secure connection between the storage unit and the second controller, exchange the token between the storage unit and the second controller, authenticate the secure connection based on exchanging the token, and give the storage unit permission to access a control territory assigned to the second controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Prime Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Eric Rongley
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Patent number: 11970335Abstract: A hanging register storage unit for a bending machine for spacer frames of insulating glass panes includes: a plurality of hanging registers which each have a storage site for a stack of unbent spacer profiles; a storage station having a plurality of receiving sites for in each case one of the hanging registers; a removal station having at least one receiving site for one of the hanging registers; and a conveyor device for transporting hanging registers between the receiving sites of the storage station and the receiving site of the removal station.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Glaston Germany GmbHInventor: Peter Schuler
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Patent number: 11939170Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer program products for article retrieval are provided. An example article retrieval device includes a frame and a pair of loading arms movably attached to the frame that move between a retracted position and an extended position. The device includes an engagement structure movably attached to at least one of the pair of loading arms that moves between a stored position and a deployed position. The device further includes a sensing device coupled with the pair of loading arms and a computing device operably coupled with the pair of loading arms, the at least one engagement structure, and the sensing device. The computing device causes the pair of loading arms to extend from the retracted position to a position proximate a first article and deploys the at least one engagement structure based upon sensor data generated by the sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLCInventors: Anthony Turco, Jarl Nicholas Sebastian
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Patent number: 11926475Abstract: A control system includes: a sway detection unit configured to detect a reference swaying amount that is a swaying amount of a mast at a detection height, which is set to be greater than or equal to a height of a lowermost part of a transfer apparatus when a lift is located at an upper limit of a lifting range; a lifting height acquiring unit configured to acquire lifting height information that indicates a lifting height, which is a height of the lift, at a plurality of points in time; and a transfer control unit configured to control the transfer apparatus. The transfer control unit converts the reference swaying amount detected by the sway detection unit into a lifting height swaying amount that is a swaying amount of the mast at the lifting height indicated by the lifting height information.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Wataru Kiyokawa
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Patent number: 11908712Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus including a plurality of process modules for performing desired processes on a plurality of substrates and a plurality of transfer modules for serially transferring the plurality of substrates to the plurality of process modules is provided. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus comprises a scheduler for calculating a cycle time so that a difference in time required for each of the desired processes is within an allowable time range and generating a transfer plan for the plurality of substrates based on the cycle time, and a transfer controller for controlling the plurality of transfer modules so that the plurality of substrates are serially transferred to the process modules according to the generated transfer plan.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Toshiharu Hirata, Takafumi Matsuhashi, Kunio Takano, Minoru Nagasawa
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Patent number: 11897149Abstract: An apparatus for handling electronic components such as hard disk drives. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a main body defining an interior space with an open front; a drive system that propels and positions the apparatus along horizontal surface; a fan system mounted within the interior space and positioned to blow air down into the interior space; a first gripper apparatus that engages an equipment drawer of an electronics rack; and a second gripper apparatus that grips and removes a target electronic component from a target position located within the equipment drawer, wherein at least a back surface of the main body includes perforations so that sufficient air flow generated by the fan system flows through the perforations to maintain cooling of electronic components in the equipment drawer when the equipment drawer is in the extracted position.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Google LLCInventor: Avinash Panga
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Patent number: 11866260Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing the storage containers in storage columns. The framework structure includes a grid-based rail system arranged above the storage columns with the rail system providing available routes for the container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. Each container handling vehicle includes a first set of wheels configured to move the vehicle along a first lateral direction of the grid-based rail system and a second set of wheels configured to move the vehicle along a second lateral direction of the grid-based rail system. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Autostore Technology ASInventors: Tommy Hatteland, Torgeir Lilleskog, Vegard Syre-Aaker
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Patent number: 11858738Abstract: A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern can include a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. The load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load-handling device includes a container-receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container-receiving space. The load handling device has a footprint that, in use, occupies only a single grid space in the storage system.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Robert Rolf Stadie
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Patent number: 11846935Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a track system including a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, forming a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each grid cell includes a grid opening. A plurality of stacks of storage containers are arranged in storage columns located beneath the track system. Each storage column is located vertically below the grid opening. A plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in the stacks are configured to move laterally on the track system above the storage columns to access the storage containers via the grid openings.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Autostore Technology ASInventors: Trond Austrheim, Ivar Fjeldheim, Ingvar Fagerland
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Patent number: 11826788Abstract: An item sorting system having a tray handling system and a tote handling system. The tray handling system having a tray conveying system, a tray transfer system, and optionally a tray storage region. The tote handling system may have a cubby array, the cubby array having a plurality of cubbies into which a tote may be placed. The system can transfer an item from the tray into the tote, and a method is disclosed for the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: JR Automation Technologies, LLCInventors: Craig Ulrich, Matt Cagle, Ryan Lute, Kyle Christian, Jason Hodgins, Bret Slocum, Marc Walters
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Patent number: 11823932Abstract: A substrate processing system includes manufacturing process equipment including a plurality of process chambers and a control server configured to control the manufacturing process equipment. When a transporting order of semiconductor substrates is transmitted from the control server to the manufacturing process equipment, the control server provides, to the manufacturing process equipment performing an Nth process cycle (where N is a natural number) in a first transporting order, a command to switch to a second transporting order from an N+1th process cycle immediately when a restriction on at least one process chamber, into which insertion of the semiconductor substrate is restricted, is lifted.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Inventors: Eungjin Kim, Pyongil Cho, Hyeonjun Jeon, Kyoungho Kim
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Patent number: 11795755Abstract: A banknote handling system includes an unlocking system. The unlocking system includes a camera, a first mechanical arm to which one or a plurality of keys are affixed, and a controller that determines a position of a keyhole based on an image from the camera, and controls the first arm to insert one of the one or the plurality of keys into the keyhole and turn the inserted key for unlocking. In many examples, the unlocking system is configured to unlock a banknote cashbox.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Inventors: Yoshiaki Uemizo, Takashi Ueda
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Patent number: 11753248Abstract: In a picking facility, if both a first picking operation and a second picking operation are performed based on order information, a third container is transported from a housing portion to a second picking portion, a fourth container is transported from the housing portion to the second picking portion, after the second picking operation has been performed, the fourth container in which a target article has been housed by the second picking operation is transported as a second container to a first picking portion, a first container is transported from the housing portion to the first picking portion, and, after the first picking operation has been performed, the second container in which the target articles have been housed by the first picking operation and the second picking operation is transported to a shipping portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaya Miyamoto, Hiroaki Haruta
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Patent number: 11741422Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for selectively shifting and staging storage structures in a storage space are provided. Systems, methods, and apparatuses for dynamically organizing packages based on a travel route are also provided. In embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored on storage structures located within a vehicle and each storage structure may be provided in a modular assembly. During a delivery operation, the system may determine which parcels are next to be delivered and, either based on predetermined information or dynamic information, may adjust the position of the storage structures within the vehicle using shifting mechanisms and control systems coupled thereto to present the appropriate parcel for retrieval from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Julio Gil, Mallory Freeman
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Patent number: 11718478Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Michael Helsel, Ned Lecky, Avinash Panga, Adam Morton
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Patent number: 11705355Abstract: A substrate transfer system includes a load lock module, an atmospheric transfer module having a first sidewall adjacent to the load lock module and a second sidewall remote from the load lock module, the atmospheric transfer module being connected to the load lock module, and a substrate transfer robot disposed in the atmospheric transfer module. The substrate transfer robot includes a base configured to reciprocate along the first sidewall, a substrate transfer arm disposed on the base, and a flow rectifier surrounding the base, the flow rectifier being configured, upon movement of the base, to create an obliquely downward air flow in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Norihiko Amikura, Toshiaki Toyomaki
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Patent number: 11693403Abstract: Dynamic allocation and coordination of auto-navigating vehicles uses robotic vehicles and centrally dispatched roaming order selectors to create a significantly more efficient, yet flexible, approach to picking goods within a warehouse. Robotic vehicles are configured to be loaded with goods from pick faces to fill orders. Each robotic vehicle follows a route that includes appropriate pick face locations. The robotic vehicles navigate from pick face to pick face where particular goods are located. Order selectors are dynamically and independently dispatched to meet the robotic vehicles at their pick face locations to load goods. Movement of the order selectors is orchestrated to increase efficiency in the order filling process within the warehouse.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SEEGRID CORPORATIONInventor: Brennan Sellner
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Patent number: 11688619Abstract: In a vacuum processing apparatus, a load lock module includes a housing and substrate holding sections, the housing having first substrate transfer ports formed on one of right and left sides thereof and a second substrate transfer port formed on a rear side thereof, and each substrate holding section being configured to hold a substrate on a right or left side in the housing. Further, a normal pressure transfer chamber extends over or under the housing from one of the right and left sides of the housing to the other one thereof so that each first substrate transfer port is opened. The normal pressure transfer chamber includes a stacked transfer region that is a region overlapping the housing. Further, a normal pressure transfer mechanism transfers the substrate between each substrate holding section and a transfer container carried into each of loading/unloading ports via the stacked transfer region.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Shinji Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 11681981Abstract: A computer-implemented system for delivery scheduling from a fulfillment center. The system includes a memory storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations may include maintaining a first data structure representing a fulfillment center, where the data structure has elements representing portions of the fulfillment center the portions are associated with a plurality of physical locations and a cutoff time. The operations may also include maintaining a second data structure including a mapping between physical locations and product identifiers, receiving a request to provide a delivery time estimate, searching the second data structure to identify at least one physical location associated with the requested product, searching the first data structure to determine cutoff times associated with each of the at least one physical location, and returning, responsive to the request, a fast cutoff time selected from the cutoff times.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Coupang Corp.Inventors: Erik Rehn, Hyun Sik Eugene Minh, Yoo Suk Kim
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Patent number: 11659788Abstract: A vehicle automated unloading system may include a fill model and an unloading controller. The fill model is a model of a fill characteristic of a container as a function of variables comprising material unloading times, material unloading rates and material unloading locations. The unloading controller is to (a) determine a current model-based fill characteristic of the container using the dynamic fill model and (b) output control signals to adjust at least one of a material unloading time, a material unloading rate and a material unloading location based upon the current model-based fill characteristic of the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Corwin Marcus Puryk, Stephen Robert Corban, Ryan Robert White, Gregory Matthew Shaver, Shveta Vinayak Dhamankar, John Thomas Evans, Ziping Liu, Chufan Jiang
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Patent number: 11661280Abstract: A container handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a first set of wheels, for moving the vehicle along a first direction on a rail system in the grid; and a second set of wheels, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the rail system in the grid, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. A vehicle body includes walls on all sides and forms a quadrilateral footprint. The footprint is defined by horizontal peripheries in the first and second directions of the vehicle body. The container handling vehicle further includes a first section and a second section arranged side-by-side such that a centre point of a footprint of the first section is arranged off centre relative a centre point of the footprint formed by the vehicle body. The first and second sections are separated by a divider element.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Autostore Technology ASInventor: Trond Austrheim
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Patent number: 11660740Abstract: A flow rack unit for providing stock material units includes at least two rack bays and one control system. Each rack bay has a removal side and a storage side opposite the removal side and is configured to provide the stock material units in a respective bay level arranged next to one another starting in the direction of the storage side. A respective sensor arrangement of the control system is associated with each rack bay. Each sensor arrangement is arranged at the storage side of the associated rack bay and connected to a control unit of the control system via a common data line. The sensor arrangements each include an occupancy sensor configured as a distance sensor. Each occupancy sensor has a measurement zone that is aligned to measure a distance from a rearmost stock material unit stored in the associated rack bay and disposed closest to the occupancy sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: SICK AGInventors: Jürgen Bürger, Matthias Opfolter
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Patent number: 11646215Abstract: A load port apparatus connects a main opening of a wafer transportation container to a frame opening. The apparatus includes an installation unit, a frame unit, a flange clamp unit, and a detection unit. The installation unit includes an installation table configured to install the container and relatively move to the frame opening. The frame unit is upright upward from the installation unit and includes the frame opening. The flange clamp unit includes an engagement section and a drive section. The engagement section is engageable with a flange surrounding an outer circumference of the main opening. The drive section drives the engagement section to carry out an engagement operation and a separation operation. The detection unit detects the engagement operation by the flange clamp unit with classification into a normal engagement operation and an abnormal engagement operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoshi Abe, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Nozomu Kato, Hiroshi Igarashi, Tadamasa Iwamoto
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Patent number: 11624231Abstract: A banknote handling system includes an unlocking system. The unlocking system includes a camera, a first mechanical arm to which one or a plurality of keys are affixed, and a controller that determines a position of a keyhole based on an image from the camera, and controls the first arm to insert one of the one or the plurality of keys into the keyhole and turn the inserted key for unlocking. In many examples, the unlocking system is configured to unlock a banknote cashbox.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Inventors: Yoshiaki Uemizo, Takashi Ueda
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Patent number: 11602857Abstract: A method and system for autonomous picking or put-away of items, totes, or cases within a logistics facility. The system includes a remote server and at least one manipulation robot. The system may further include at least one transport robot. The remote server is configured to communicate with the various robots to send and receive picking data, and the various robots are configured to autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: IAM Robotics, LLCInventors: Thomas Galluzzo, Vladimir Altman, John Cameron, Chris Grill, Mark Renfrew, Yash Manian
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Patent number: 11593764Abstract: A system and method for medication delivery. Information is received indicating a user is scheduled to receive medication. A route between a dispensary storing the medication and a location of the user is determined. The medication is sent in a container from the dispensary to the location utilizing the route.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: DATA VAULT HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Daniel Ranieri, David Bradley
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Patent number: 11570941Abstract: There is provided a component feeding device including multiple component replenishing devices configured to replenish with components having different shapes; multiple stages on which the components replenished from the multiple replenishing devices are scattered, and a control section configured to cause the multiple replenishing devices to replenish the components to the respective stages at an arbitrary timing. There is provided a component feeding method for supplying components, having different shapes and being respectively replenished onto multiple stages from multiple replenishing devices, to a component mounting device with the components being respectively scattered on the multiple stages, wherein amounts of the components is capable of being respectively changed for each of the multiple stages.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: FUJI CORPORATIONInventor: Shinya Terasawa
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Patent number: 11565881Abstract: Autonomous mobile robots include transfer systems that may receive multiple items for delivery to one or more destinations. The transfer systems may be specifically configured to detect and identify items that are placed on loading surfaces, and to independently discharge specific items at selected destinations or to selected recipients. The transfer systems feature loading surfaces that may be defined by a plurality of independently operable conveyors to receive or discharge items, by independently operable floors that allow items to pass therethrough, or by independently operable diverters for detecting and expelling items therefrom. The transfer systems may receive items from, or discharge items to, one or more humans, other robots, or other systems such as conveyors, chutes, robotic arms or other mechanical implements or effectors, and be aligned at any angle or provided at any height, as desired.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tye Michael Brady, Joseph Quinlivan
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Patent number: 11518042Abstract: A robotic assistant includes a wheeled base, a storage unit including drawers, a foldable arm connected to a top of the storage unit and including an end of arm tooling (EOAT) connected to a distal end of the foldable arm, an elevation mechanism positioned on the wheeled base and used to move the storage unit up and down, and a control system that receives command instructions. In response to the command instructions, the control system is configured to move the wheeled base, open or close the one or more drawers, actuate movement of the foldable arm and the EOAT to pick up and place external objects from/to a determined location, and control the storage unit to move up/down.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTDInventors: Chengkun Zhang, Marten Byl, Muhammed Rasid Pac, Raymond Ma, Luis Alfredo Mateos Guzman, Won Suk You, Huan Tan, Youjun Xiong
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Patent number: 11513530Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for coordinating movement of components of a workspace utilizing a controller device. The controller device may operate in a first state. The computing device may be associated with an interaction area having a first access point and a second access point, wherein a light curtain is generated at the first access point. While operating in the first state, access to the interaction area is restricted. The computing device may transition to operating in a second state based at least in part on detecting the first breach, wherein operating in the second state comprises enabling access to the interaction area at the second access point. While operating in the second state, a second breach of the light curtain may be detected and at least one remedial action performed based on the detection.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Seth R. Kaufman, Megan Anne Smith, Ashish Shah
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Patent number: 11503974Abstract: A cleaner performing autonomous traveling includes a main body, a driving unit moving the main body, a battery supplying power to the driving unit, a communication unit performing communication with a charging station to charge the battery, a sensor sensing a signal emitted from the charging station, and a controller controlling the driving unit such that the main body is docked to the charging station on the basis of the signal sensed by the sensor, wherein when the main body starts to move to dock to the charging station, the controller determines a kind of the signal sensed by the sensor and controls the driving unit such that the main body moves along a traveling path corresponding to a circle centered on a predetermined point on the basis of the determined kind of the signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jinwoo Han, Hyunwoong Park
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Patent number: 11498765Abstract: Warehouse automation and methods of controlling material flow can be used to streamline order fulfillment. For example, according to some embodiments described herein, a method includes: causing a first mobile robot to engage with and transport a mobile storage unit to a robotic picking cell, causing a second mobile robot to engage with and transport an outbound container to the robotic picking cell, and causing the picking robot to transfer a sellable unit from the mobile storage unit to the outbound container.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: David Sellner, Kevin Vliet, Arthur Valdez
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Patent number: 11498759Abstract: A rail can include first and transverse channels defined therein. A container can include a rod, a spring, a first plate assembly, and a second plate assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first transverse bearing disposed in the first transverse channel. The second plate assembly can include a second transverse bearing disposed in the second transverse channel. A robotic assembly can include a robotic arm. The robotic arm can include opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween. A processing system including one or more processors can be configured to, via the robotic assembly: align the grip space with the container rod; drive the rod against the spring; allow the spring to relax and thereby separate the first plate assembly from the second plate assembly; position the rod such that the first transverse bearing and the second transverse bearing are simultaneously withdrawn from the first and second transverse channels.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Elias Aljallis, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Ronald S. Kyslinger