Systems, devices, and methods for performing optimized picking and placing operations in a manner to minimize void space
Provided herein is a system for implementing a series of optimized picking and placing operations in a manner so as to minimize void space when packing a conveyance with parcels. The system may include one or more of an automated intelligent translation platform or motorized intelligent base member, an extendable and retractable injection platform, an automated positioning element that may be moveably coupled to the translation platform, base member, or injection platform, and an automated gripping instrument. One or more of the translation platform, intelligent base, and injection platform for moving the positioning element proximate a parcel to be picked and placed, and the gripper instrument for picking up the parcel for placement, in accordance with a generated placement model that minimized void space. A system server for generating the placement model may also be included.
1 . A system for implementing a series of optimized picking and placing operations in a manner so as to minimize void space when packing a conveyance with parcels, the system comprising:
an automated intelligent translation platform having a plurality of sets of horizontally extended frame members that define a perimeter portion that forms a base member, the base member including at least one wheel that is coupled to an associated motor so as to form an automated wheel unit, and a side member defined by at least one vertically extended side support, the side member being coupled to the base member, the base member including an associated first computing device and first communications module in communication with each of the automated wheel unit, the first computing device configured for receiving a first set of instructions as to directing one or more movements of the at least one automated wheel units in accordance with the received first set of instructions so as to direct the movements of the automated intelligent translation platform;
an automated positioning element moveably coupled to the side member of the intelligent translation platform, the automated positioning element including one or more robotic arms having a motor associated with a controller, each controller being further associated with a second communications module in further communication with a second computing device for receiving a second set of instructions so as to direct one or more movements of the arm in accordance with the received second set of instructions so as to direct the movements of the arm segments of the robotic arm;
one or more automated gripping instruments being movably coupled to a segment of respective robotic arms, the automated gripper comprising a plurality of extended elements each being moveably coupled with a flipper unit that is capable of being extended away from or retracted toward the extended elements by a force being applied thereto, each flipper being individually and independently controllable so as to contact and grasp an object to be picked up and placed in accordance with a third set of instructions received by a third communications module coupled with the third computing device; and
a system server, the system server being coupled with the first, second, and third computing devices, and being configured for generating a picking and placing model by which parcels to be picked and placed within a conveyance may be done so in a manner that minimizes void space, the model defining a plurality of operations to be performed by each of the automated intelligent translation platform, automated positioning element, and automated gripping instrument so as to implement the picking and placing model, and the system server further configured for generating and communicating via an associated fourth communications module, the first, second, and third sets of instructions of the generated picking and placing model, each set of instructions setting forth at least one of the plurality of operations to be performed.
2 . The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the picking and placing model is a result of solving an on-line or off-line bin packing problem.
3 . The system in accordance with claim 2 , wherein one or more of the automated intelligent translation platform, automated positioning element, and automated gripping instrument further includes one or more of an image capturing device and a sensor module for collecting captured data, and the picking and placing model is based at least partially on an analysis by the system server of the captured data.
4 . The system in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the automated positioning element comprises a plurality of robotic arms each coupled to a respective automatic gripping instrument, and the server system solves an online or offline bin packing problem for each robotic arm and each automated gripping instrument substantially simultaneously in generating the picking and placing model.
5 . The system in accordance with claim 4 , wherein each flipper of each automatic gripping instrument is automated via a pneumatic force being applied to a proximal portion of the flipper.
6 . The system in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the captured data further includes image and distance data defining one or more spaces into which a parcel may be fitted, and the picking and placing model is based at least partially on an analysis by the system server of captured available space related data.
7 . The system in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the picking and placing model is a result of solving an on-line problem in substantially real-time.
8 . A system for implementing a series of optimized picking and placing operations in a manner so as to minimize void space when packing a conveyance with parcels, the system comprising:
a motorized intelligent base having at least one wheel that is coupled to an associated motor and controller so as to from an automated wheel unit, the intelligent base including an associated first computing device and first communications module in communication with each controller of the wheel unit, the first computing device configured for receiving a first set of instructions as to directing one or more movements of each wheel unit in accordance with the received first set of instructions so as to direct the movements of the motorized intelligent base;
an extendable and retractable injection platform having a housing for retaining a set of extendable segments that are configured for being moved into stacked alignment with one another so as to be fitted within the housing, in a retracted form, and further being moved away from one another into extended alignment with one another, in an extended form, the injection platform having a liftable and rotational connection element coupling the injection platform to the motorized intelligent base, and further including a second computing device coupled to a communications module and a first and second injection controller, the communications module for receiving a second set of instructions, the first injection controller being associated with a first motor for effectuating the lifting and rotating of the injection platform, and the second controller being associated with a second motor for extending a top portion of the housing away from the intelligent base, in accordance with the received second set of instructions;
an automated positioning element moveably and rotatably coupled to the housing of the extendable and retractable injection platform, the automated positioning element including one or more robotic arms coupled to a motor associated with a controller, each controller being further associated with a third communications module in further communication with a third computing device, the third computing device configured for receiving a third set of instructions as to directing one or more movements of the arms in accordance with the received third set of instructions so as to direct the movements of the robotic arm;
one or more automated gripping instruments being movably coupled to respective one or more robotic arms, the automated gripper comprising a flipper unit, each flipper being individually and independently controllable by an associated fourth computing device so as to contact and grasp an object to be picked up and placed in accordance with a fourth set of instructions received by a fourth communications module coupled with the fourth computing device;
a system server, the system server being coupled with respective computing devices, and being configured for generating a picking and placing model by which parcels to be picked and placed within a conveyance may be done so in a manner that minimizes void space, the system server further being configured for generating and communicating via an associated fifth communications module, the respective sets of instructions from the generated picking and placing model, each set of instructions setting forth at least one of the plurality of operations to be performed.
9 . The system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the picking and placing model is a result of solving an on-line or off-line bin packing problem.
10 . The system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein one or more of the motorized intelligent base, extendable and retractable injection platform, automated positioning element, and automated gripping instrument further includes one or more of an image capturing device and a sensor module for collecting captured data, and the picking and placing model is based at least partially on an analysis by the system server of the captured data.
11 . The system in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the automated positioning element comprises a plurality of robotic arms each coupled to a respective automatic gripping instrument, and the server system solves an online or offline bin packing problem for each robotic arm and each automated gripping instrument substantially simultaneously in generating the picking and placing model.
12 . The system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein each flipper of each automatic gripping instrument is automated via a pneumatic force being applied to a proximal portion of the flipper.
13 . The system in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the captured data further includes image and distance data defining one or more spaces into which a parcel may be fitted, and the picking and placing model is based at least partially on an analysis by the system server of captured available space related data.
14 . The system in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the picking and placing model is a result of solving an on-line problem in substantially real-time.
15 . A system for implementing a series of optimized picking and placing operations in a manner so as to minimize void space when packing a conveyance with parcels, the system comprising:
an automated positioning element including a vertical support member to which one or more robotic arms are moveably coupled, the robotic arm being defined by a plurality of arm segments coupled to one another by a moveable joint element, each joint element being coupled to a motor associated with a controller, each controller being further associated with a first communications module in further communication with a first computing device, the first computing device being configured for receiving a first set of instructions as to directing one or more movements of the arm segments in accordance with the received first set of instructions so as to direct the movements of the arm segments of the robotic arm;
one or more automated gripping instrument being movably coupled to a distal portion of a distal arm segment of respective one or more robotic arms, the automated gripper comprising a plurality of arm segments, each arm segment being moveably coupled with a flipper unit, each flipper unit being individually and independently controllable by an associated second computing device so as to contact and grasp an object to be picked up and placed in accordance with a second set of instructions received by a second communications module coupled with the second computing device; and
a system server, the system server being coupled with the first and second computing devices, and being configured for generating a picking and placing model by which parcels to be picked and placed may be done so in a manner that minimizes void space, the model defining a plurality of operations to be performed by each of the automated positioning element and automated gripping instrument so as to implement the picking and placing model, and the system server further being configured for generating and communicating via an associated third communications module, the first and second sets of instructions from the generated picking and placing model, each set of instructions setting forth at least one of the plurality of operations to be performed.
16 . The system in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the picking and placing model is a result of solving an on-line or off-line bin packing problem.
17 . The system in accordance with claim 16 , wherein one or more of the motorized intelligent base, automated positioning element, and automated gripping instrument further includes one or more of an image capturing device and a sensor module for collecting captured data, and the picking and placing model is based at least partially on an analysis by the system server of the captured data.
18 . The system in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the automated positioning element comprises a plurality of robotic arms, and the server system solves an online or offline bin packing problem for each robotic arm substantially simultaneously in generating the picking and placing model.
19 . The system in accordance with claim 18 , wherein the automated positioning element comprises a plurality of robotic arms each coupled to a respective automatic gripping instrument, and the server system solves an online or offline bin packing problem for each robotic arm and each automated gripping instrument substantially simultaneously in generating the picking and placing model.
20 . The system in accordance with claim 19 , wherein the picking and placing model is a result of solving an on-line problem in substantially real-time.