US 11,842,248 B2
Systems and methods for processing objects including space efficient distribution stations and automated output processing
Thomas Wagner, Concord, MA (US); Kevin Ahearn, Nebo, NC (US); John Richard Amend, Jr., Belmont, MA (US); Benjamin Cohen, Somerville, MA (US); Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Pittsburgh, PA (US); William Hartman Fort, Stratham, NH (US); Christopher Geyer, Arlington, MA (US); Victoria Hinchey, Winchester, MA (US); Jennifer Eileen King, Oakmont, PA (US); Thomas Koletschka, Cambridge, MA (US); Michael Cap Koval, Mountain View, CA (US); Kyle Maroney, North Attleboro, MA (US); Matthew T. Mason, Pittsburgh, PA (US); William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Cambridge, MA (US); Gene Temple Price, Cambridge, MA (US); Joseph Romano, Arlington, MA (US); Daniel Smith, Canonsburg, PA (US); Siddhartha Srinivasa, Seattle, WA (US); Prasanna Velagapudi, Pittsburgh, PA (US); and Thomas Allen, Reading, MA (US)
Assigned to Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc., Bedford, MA (US)
Filed by Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc., Bedford, MA (US)
Filed on Aug. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/395,180.
Application 17/395,180 is a continuation of application No. 16/867,127, filed on May 5, 2020, granted, now 11,126,807, issued on Sep. 21, 2021.
Application 16/867,127 is a continuation of application No. 16/543,105, filed on Aug. 16, 2019, granted, now 10,796,116, issued on Oct. 6, 2020.
Application 16/543,105 is a continuation of application No. 15/956,442, filed on Apr. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,438,034, issued on Oct. 8, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/486,783, filed on Apr. 18, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0374367 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06K 7/10 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B07C 5/34 (2006.01); B65G 25/04 (2006.01); B65G 47/12 (2006.01); B65G 47/18 (2006.01); B65G 47/46 (2006.01); B65G 47/96 (2006.01)
CPC G06K 7/10693 (2013.01) [B07C 5/3412 (2013.01); B65G 1/1378 (2013.01); B65G 25/04 (2013.01); B65G 47/12 (2013.01); B65G 47/18 (2013.01); B65G 47/46 (2013.01); B65G 47/962 (2013.01); B65G 2203/041 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated processing system for processing objects, said automated processing system comprising:
an input conveyance system for moving objects from an input area toward a perception system, said input conveyance system including an input conveyor that travels along an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component;
said perception system for receiving objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object;
a primary transport system for receiving the object from the perception system and for providing transport of the object along at least a primary transport vector including a primary transport horizontal direction component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component; and
a diverter system for providing the object in a diverter direction that includes a diverter horizontal direction component that is generally orthogonal to the primary transport horizontal direction component toward one of a plurality of processing locations,
wherein the diverter system provides the object toward one of the plurality of processing locations via one of a plurality of secondary transport systems, each secondary transport system including a reciprocating carriage configured to deliver the object to one of a plurality of processing bins or boxes, each of the plurality of bins or boxes being provided on a bin or box conveyor system that is biased to urge the bins or boxes to one side of the bin or box conveyance system.