Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Jose Luis De La Rosa

Larry Joe Robb

Justin Stone

Roland J Menassa

Joshua Martin Middleton

Maxim P Hoffman

Eli Douglas Girod

Emily R Parrish

Duncan Pratt

Mohammad Mosa

Jon David DeFant

Robert Thomas Brown

Vatsal Mehta

Stephanie Tomasetta

Ting Xu

Fernando Zumbado

Stanislava Yoshkova Petkova

Molly Nawalinski

Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting defects during the handling and processing of items at a material handling facility. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented at material handling to detect quality defects during processing of items in connection with fulfillment operations that may be designed to receive, store, sort, pick, pack, and ship items. Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a plurality of sensors and a trained machine learning model configured to provide real-time acquisition and analysis of item information to facilitate detection and mitigation of processing quality defects.

Singulation and sortation defect detection

Described are automated systems and methods for the handling and processing of items at material handling facility. The exemplary systems and methods can receive the items from various upstream processes and systems and can process and handle the items so that they can be provided to various downstream processes and systems. The exemplary systems and methods can provide modular systems and methods that can perform automated singulation, sortation, retrieval, and packing of items without any manual handling.

Automated item handling systems and methods

A device for manipulating items for facility operations is described. The device includes a first arm assembly that includes a first arm, a second arm parallel to the first arm, a first shaft disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a first location along the first arm and the second arm, and a first head attachment disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a second location along the first arm and the second arm. The device also includes a first driver coupled to the first shaft and configured to control movement of the first arm assembly about a first axis extending along a length of the first shaft. The device further includes a second driver coupled to first head attachment and configured to control movement of the first head attachment about a second axis extending along a length of the first head attachment.

Flattening and item orientation correction device

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detection of overfilled containers in sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example container capacity detection system for use with an item sortation machine may include a first sensor positioned to detect a remaining capacity of a first container in the item sortation system, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine, using the first sensor, that the remaining capacity of the first container is less than or equal to a first threshold, and to send a signal.

Detection of overfilled containers in sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for camera-based tracking systems for item sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller using first image data from a camera configured to image an aisle of an item sortation machine, a first item disposed on a first shuttle at a first location, where the first shuttle is in motion to a first designated drop off location, determining a first shuttle identifier of the first shuttle, and determining the first designated drop off location using the first shuttle identifier. Example methods may include determining that the first item has fallen onto a floor of the aisle, and determining that the first item was not delivered to the first designated drop off location.

Camera-based tracking systems for item sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for container location flaps with increased degrees of freedom for sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example rotatable flap for use with an item sortation machine may include a first portion having a first frame and a first mesh grid coupled to the first frame, a second portion having a second frame and a second mesh grid coupled to the second frame, and a first coupler configured to couple the second portion to the first portion. The second portion may be configured to rotate from a first position coplanar to the first portion to a second position transverse to the first portion, and the first portion may be coupled to a frame of the item sortation machine and configured to rotate with respect to the frame.

Container location flaps with increased degrees of freedom for sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated sweepers for item sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example item sortation system may include an aisle, a number of chutes accessible from the aisle, a shuttle configured to transport first items from an induction portion of the item sortation system to a first chute of the plurality of chutes, and a robotic sweeping system disposed in the aisle. The robotic sweeping system may be configured to sweep second items on a floor of the aisle to a first end of the item sortation system. The robotic sweeping system may include a motor and a sweeping device.

Automated sweepers for item sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for mesh flaps for container capacity detection in sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example system for use with an item sortation machine may include a rotatable flap comprising a mesh grid coupled to a frame, where the rotatable flap is disposed adjacent to a container of items in the item sortation machine, and a sensor disposed adjacent to the rotatable flap, where the sensor is configured to sense an item protruding out of the container. The mesh grid may have a set of metallic wires that intersect to form the mesh grid, where the set of metallic wires form a geometric pattern.

Mesh flaps for container capacity detection in sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for active safety systems for item sortation equipment. In one embodiment, an example system for an item sortation machine may include a first camera configured to image a first exterior portion of the item sortation machine, memory configured to store computer-executable instructions, and at least one processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to detect a human present at a first location in the first exterior portion, and determine, using the first location, a first portion of an aisle of the item sortation machine to designate a restricted travel zone. Shuttles of the item sortation machine in the restricted travel zone may be prevented from movement. The system may determine that a first shuttle of the item sortation machine is in the restricted travel zone, and may cause the first shuttle to be paused.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Jose Luis De La Rosa