US 12,745,012 B1Granted

Station for inducting item(s) into environment

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsTimothy Joseph Jordan, Allan Katz, Christopher James Thomas, Victoria Joy Asman, Briana Robin Jones, Arianne Etta Spaulding, Frank Preiswerk, Michael Robert Bocamazo, Siyao Hu

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Abstract

A station is used to induct item(s) into an environment. The station includes a case module configured to receive the item(s), which may be packaged in a box, and sensor(s) configured to scan the box. A camera and lighting module of the station may read the item(s) as they are unpackaged from the box and transferred into one or more totes located on a tote module. The item(s) may be passed over the camera and lighting module and then placed into the tote. Sensor(s) are used to determine which of the one or more totes the item(s) are placed. As the tote(s) become full, the tote(s) may be inducted into the environment for storage, order fulfillment, etc. The station may be used to conveniently remove item(s) from their boxes and place the item(s) into the totes that allow automated storage systems to move the totes throughout the environment.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A station for inducting items into an environment, the station comprising:

a case module configured to receive boxes containing one or more items, the case module including a first camera;
a camera and lighting module including:
a first camera and lighting subassembly having a second camera and a first lighting element, the second camera being oriented in a first direction,
a second camera and lighting subassembly having a third camera and a second lighting element, the third camera being oriented in a second direction different than the first direction,
a third camera and lighting assembly having a fourth camera and a third lighting element, the fourth camera being oriented in a third direction different than the second direction, and
a fourth camera and lighting assembly having a fifth camera and a fourth lighting element, the fifth camera being oriented in a fourth direction different than the third direction,
a tote module configured to receive at least a first tote and a second tote in which the one or more items are placed, the tote module including a sixth camera;
one or more processors;
and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:
receiving, from the first camera, first data associated with a first identifier of a box containing an item,
receiving, from at least one of the second camera, the third camera, the fourth camera, or the fifth camera, second data associated with a second identifier of the item,
receiving, from the sixth camera, third data associated with a third identifier of a tote,
receiving, from the sixth camera, fourth data associated with a placement of the item into the first tote, and
associating, based on the fourth data, the item with the first tote.

12 more elements

A station comprising:

a platform configured to receive a first container including items;
a housing including:
a first sensor having a first field of view (FoV) for sensing the items once removed from the first container,
a first lighting element associated with the first sensor for at least partially illuminating the first FoV,
a second sensor having a second FoV for sensing the items once removed from the first container, and
a second lighting element associated with the second sensor for at least partially illuminating the second FoV;
a first frame on which second containers are configured to be disposed for receiving the items;
a second frame disposed at least partially over the platform, the housing, and the first frame, the second frame including:
a third sensor configured to sense the first container,
a third lighting element configured to illuminate the first container,
a fourth sensor configured to sense the second containers, and
a fourth lighting element configured to illuminate the second containers;
one or more processors;
and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:
receiving, from the third sensor, first data associated with the first container,
receiving, from at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor, second data associated with an item removed from the first container,
receiving, from the fourth sensor, third data associated with the item being placed into a second container of the second containers, and
associating the item with the second container.

16 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, from a first sensor disposed on a first frame, first data associated with a first container having one or more items, the first container being disposed on a platform, wherein the first frame is disposed at least partially over the platform;
causing, via a display, display of second data associated with the first container;
receiving, from one or more second sensors disposed in a housing, third data associated with an item of the one or more items contained in the first container, the one or more second sensors having one or more fields of view, one or more lighting elements being associated with the one or more second sensors for at least partially illuminating the one or more fields of view;
causing, via the display of the housing, display of third data associated with the item;
receiving, from a third sensor disposed on the first frame, fourth data associated with a second container in which the one or more items are to be placed, the second container being disposed on a second frame;
causing, via a lighting element, output of a first indication associated with a presence of the second container;
receiving, from the third sensor, fifth data associated with a placement of the item into the second container;
associating the item with the second container;
receiving, from the third sensor, sixth data associated with the second container;
and
causing, via the lighting element, output of a second indication associated with an absence of the second container, the second indication being different than the first indication.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/604,827Filed 14 Mar 2024
Granted: 22 Sep 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H04N 23/90
Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof: arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in…
G06V 10/147
Optical characteristics of the device performing the acquisition or on the illumination arrangements: details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses
H04N 23/56
Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof: provided with illuminating means
G06K 7/1413
The method being specifically adapted for the type of code: 1D bar codes