Perception systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects
A drop perception system is disclosed that includes an open housing structure having an internal volume, an open top and an open bottom, and a plurality of perception units positioned to capture perception data within the internal volume at a plurality of locations between the open top and the open bottom of the open housing.
1. A method of processing objects, said method comprising the steps of:
dropping an object into a perception system;
providing at least one mirror within the perception system;
directing illumination from the object toward the at least one mirror as the object falls through the perception system;
reflecting illumination from the object by the at least one mirror toward at least one perception unit;
capturing perception data associated with the reflected illumination using the perception unit; and
identifying unique indicia on the object responsive to the captured perception data prior to the object falling through the open bottom of the perception system.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the perception unit includes a camera and wherein the perception data includes image data.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the perception unit includes a scanner and the perception data includes scanner data.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the scanner is a radio frequency ID scanner.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the scanner is a barcode scanner.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the scanner is a laser reflectivity scanner.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the perception system further includes a plurality of mirrors, each of which directs illumination toward one or a plurality of perception units.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the perception system further includes a plurality of illumination sources that encircle the perception unit.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the plurality of illumination sources include a plurality of LEDs.
10. A method of processing objects, said method comprising the steps of:
dropping an object into a perception system;
directing illumination from the object toward a first mirror within the perception system as the object falls through the perception system;
reflecting illumination from the object by the first mirror toward a first perception unit;
capturing perception data associated with the object using the first perception unit;
directing illumination from the object toward a second mirror within the perception system as the object falls through the perception system;
reflecting illumination from the object by the second mirror toward a second perception unit;
capturing perception data associated with the object using the second perception unit; and
identifying unique indicia on the object responsive, at least in part, to the captured first and second perception data.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the captured first perception data is associated with a first portion of a path through which the object falls, and the second perception data is associated with a second portion of the path through which the object falls.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the path is proximate an open top of the perception system, and wherein the second portion of the path is proximate an open bottom of the perception system.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second perception unit includes a camera and wherein the perception data includes image data.
14. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second perception unit includes a scanner and the perception data includes scanner data.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the scanner is a radio frequency ID scanner.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the scanner is a barcode scanner.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the scanner is a laser reflectivity scanner.
18. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the perception system further includes a plurality of illumination sources within the perception system.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the plurality of illumination sources encircle the perception unit.
20. A drop processing system for processing objects, said drop processing system comprising:
an open top through which an object may be dropped into a perception system;
at least one upper mirror within the perception system proximate the open top, said at least one upper mirror for directing illumination from the object toward a first perception unit as the object falls through the perception system, said first perception unit for capturing first perception data;
an open bottom through which the object may fall from the perception system;
at least one lower mirror within the perception system proximate the open bottom, said at least one lower mirror for directing illumination from the object toward a second perception unit as the object falls through the perception system, said second perception unit for capturing second perception data; and
identifying means for identifying unique indicia on the object responsive to the captured first perception data and the captured second perception data.
21. The drop processing system as claimed in claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second perception unit includes a camera and wherein the perception data includes image data.
22. The drop processing system as claimed in claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second perception unit includes a scanner and the perception data includes scanner data.
23. The drop processing system as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the scanner is a radio frequency ID scanner.
24. The drop processing system as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the scanner is a barcode scanner.
25. The drop processing system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the scanner is a laser reflectivity scanner.