IP Library Granted Patent US 11,427,367
Granted Patent B2
US 11,427,367 · App. 16/944,220 · Granted Aug 30, 2022

Method and system for labeling components

Inventors: Marie O'Callaghan (Cork, IE); John Caufield (Cork, IE); Daniel Bradfield (Cork, IE); Martin Buckley (Cork, IE); Craig Conroy (Cork, IE)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
B65C9/40B65C9/46B65C2009/408
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,427,367
App. No.
16/944,220
Granted
Aug 30, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for labeling a component for component serialization. The component labeling is initiated, and a label is printed for the component. A collaborative robot or “cobot” retrieves the printed label and moves the label in place for attachment. Iterative views are performed until a tolerance value of the views is reached and the label is attached to the component. Information on the label and other labels are scanned and entered into an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Claims (35)

1. A computer-implementable method for labeling a component for component serialization and part identification comprising:

initiate labeling of the component when a determination is made that the component is in position;

initiate printing a label specific to the component;

provide instructions to a single cobot to retrieve the label, wherein the single cobot moves the label into a determined location on the component for attaching;

perform iterative closed loop relative views of the cobot and the component, using at least three cameras based on three dimensions, while the single cobot moves with the label, until a tolerance value is reached at which stage the label is attached, wherein a first camera is attached to an arm of the single cobot, a second camera is placed proximate to a carrier of the component, and a third camera is placed in a location to scan the label; and

scan information from the label and any other attached labels for the component serialization in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cobot retrieves the label from underneath an elevated surface.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component is placed in the carrier which is specific to the component.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching one or more other labels.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more other labels are selected from printed label sheets.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising closing a latch by the cobot, wherein a chamfered wheel forces the latch into a correct position.

7. A system comprising:

a processor;

a data bus coupled to the processor; and

a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program code, the non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium being coupled to the data bus, the computer program code interacting with a plurality of computer operations and comprising instructions executable by the processor and configured for:

initiate labeling of the component when a determination is made that the component is in position;

initiate printing a label specific to the component;

provide instructions to a single cobot to retrieve the label, wherein the single cobot moves the label into a determined location on the component for attaching;

perform iterative closed loop relative views of the cobot and the component, using at least three cameras based on three dimensions, while the single cobot moves with the label, until a tolerance value is reached at which stage the label is attached, wherein a first camera is attached to an arm of the single cobot, a second camera is placed proximate to a carrier of the component, and a third camera is placed in a location to scan the label; and

scan information from the label and any other attached labels for the component serialization in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the component is drive unit for a computer system.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the component is placed in the carrier which is specific to the component.

10. The system of claim 7 , further comprising attaching one or more other labels.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more other labels are selected from printed label sheets.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising initiating batch job printing of labels.

13. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer executable instructions configured to:

initiate labeling of the component when a determination is made that the component is in position;

initiate printing a label specific to the component;

provide instructions to a single cobot to retrieve the label, wherein the single cobot moves the label into a determined location on the component for attaching;

perform iterative closed loop relative views of the cobot and the component, using at least three cameras based on three dimensions, while the single cobot moves with the label, until a tolerance value is reached at which stage the label is attached, wherein a first camera is attached to an arm of the single cobot, a second camera is placed proximate to a carrier of the component, and a third camera is placed in a location to scan the label; and

scan information from the label and any other attached labels for the component serialization in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

14. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the component is drive unit for a computer system.

15. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the component is placed in the carrier which is specific to the component.

16. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 further comprising attaching one or more other labels.

17. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the one or more other labels are selected from printed label sheets.

Assignments (9)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2022
From: O'CALLAGHAN, MARIE
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 060325/0915 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053573/0535) Recorded Jun 10, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 060333/0106 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053578/0183) Recorded Jun 10, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 060332/0864 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053574/0221) Recorded Jun 10, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 060333/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 053531 FRAME 0108 Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 058001/0371 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2020
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053578/0183 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2020
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053573/0535 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2020
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053574/0221 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 18, 2020
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 053531/0108 →