IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,280,948
Granted Patent B2
US 12,280,948 · App. 17/193,380 · Granted Apr 22, 2025

Systems and methods for providing order fulfillment using a spiral tower system

Inventors: Prasanna Velagapudi (Pittsburgh, PA); Joseph Romano (Arlington, MA); Christopher Geyer (Arlington, MA); Guoming Alex Long (Wexford, PA); Thomas Allen (Reading, MA); Christopher Buck (Stow, MA)
Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
B65G1/0485B65G1/1371B65G21/18B65G41/005B65G47/57B65G47/64B65G2203/0208B65G2203/04
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,280,948
App. No.
17/193,380
Granted
Apr 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed that includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed, the plurality of bins being provided on a conveyance system, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, the programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within at least one of the plurality of bins in an input area of the conveyance system, a perception system for providing perception data regarding a selected object that is presented to the perception system by the programmable motion device, and a routing conveyance system including a routing conveyor for receiving the selected object, and for moving the selected object in each of vertical and rotational directions toward a destination container responsive to the perception data.

Claims (48)

1. A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects, said storage, retrieval and processing system comprising:

a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed, said plurality of bins being provided on an input conveyance system;

a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects from within at least one of the plurality of bins at an input area of the input conveyance system;

a perception system that includes a plurality of cameras for providing perception data regarding a selected object that is presented to the perception system by the programmable motion device; and

a routing conveyance system including a routing conveyor unit mounted on a guide pole, wherein the routing conveyor unit receives the selected object and moves the selected object in each of vertical and rotational directions along the guide pole toward a destination container provided on a helical destination location conveyor responsive to the perception data.

2. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the destination container is provided among a plurality of destination containers that are provided on the helical destination location conveyor.

3. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the routing conveyor unit includes a plurality of second conveyor sections that extend from a first conveyor section that is mounted on the guide pole.

4. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a helically-shaped output conveyor adjacent to the helical destination location conveyor, wherein the routing conveyor unit includes a push plate for pushing completed destination containers from the helical destination location conveyor onto the helically-shaped output conveyor.

5. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the helically-shaped output conveyor moves the completed destination containers toward an output station conveyor.

6. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the helical destination location conveyor is positioned radially inwardly of the helically-shaped output conveyor for removing the completed destination containers.

7. A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects, said storage, retrieval and processing system comprising:

a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed, said plurality of bins being provided on an input conveyance system;

a routing conveyance system including a routing conveyor unit mounted on a guide pole; and

a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects from within at least one of the plurality of bins to an input area of the input conveyance system,

wherein the routing conveyor unit receives a selected object from the programmable motion device and moves the selected object vertically along the guide pole toward a destination container provided on a helical destination location conveyor.

8. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the destination container is provided among a plurality of destination containers that are provided on the helical destination location conveyor.

9. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the routing conveyor unit is rotationally movable around the guide pole.

10. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the routing conveyor unit includes a plurality of second conveyor sections that extend from a first conveyor section that is mounted on the guide pole.

11. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising a helically-shaped output conveyor adjacent to the helical destination location conveyor, wherein the routing conveyor unit includes a push plate for pushing completed destination containers from the helical destination location conveyor onto the helically-shaped output conveyor.

12. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the helical destination location conveyor is positioned radially inwardly of the helically-shaped output conveyor for removing the completed destination containers.

13. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the helically-shaped output conveyor moves the completed destination containers toward an output station conveyor.

14. A method of providing storage, retrieval and processing of objects, said method comprising:

providing on an input conveyance system a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed;

grasping and moving a selected object from within at least one of the plurality of bins in an input area of the input conveyance system using an end effector of a programmable motion device;

providing perception data by an object perception unit regarding the selected object that is presented to the object perception unit by the programmable motion device; and

routing the selected object by a routing conveyor unit mounted on a guide pole toward a destination container responsive to the perception data, said destination container being provided among a plurality of destination containers on a helical destination location conveyor, wherein routing the selected object by the routing conveyor unit includes moving the routing conveyor unit along the guide pole in a vertical direction.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein routing the selected object by the routing conveyor unit further includes rotating the routing conveyor unit around the guide pole.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the method further includes removing completed destination containers using a helically-shaped output conveyor for moving completed destination containers toward an output station conveyor.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the helical destination location conveyor is positioned radially inwardly of the helically-shaped output conveyor for removing the completed destination containers.

18. A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects, said storage, retrieval and processing system comprising:

a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed, said plurality of bins being provided on an input conveyance system;

a routing conveyance system including a routing conveyor unit mounted on a guide pole; and

a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects from within at least one of the plurality of bins at an input area of the input conveyance system,

wherein the routing conveyor unit receives a selected object from the programmable motion device and moves the selected object rotationally around the guide pole toward a destination container provided on a helical destination location conveyor.

19. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the destination container is provided among a plurality of destination containers that are provided on the helical destination location conveyor.

20. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the routing conveyor unit is further movable vertically along the guide pole.

21. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the routing conveyor unit includes a plurality of second conveyor sections that extend from a first conveyor section that is mounted on the guide pole.

22. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising a helically-shaped output conveyor adjacent to the helical destination location conveyor, wherein the routing conveyor unit includes a push plate for pushing completed destination containers from the helical destination location conveyor onto the helically-shaped output conveyor.

23. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the helical destination location conveyor is positioned radially inwardly of the helically-shaped output conveyor for removing the completed destination containers.

24. The storage, retrieval and processing system as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the helically-shaped output conveyor moves the completed destination containers toward an output station conveyor.

25. A method of providing storage, retrieval and processing of objects, said method comprising:

providing on an input conveyance system a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed;

grasping and moving a selected object from within at least one of the plurality of bins in an input area of the input conveyance system using an end effector of a programmable motion device;

providing perception data by an object perception unit regarding the selected object that is presented to the object perception unit by the programmable motion device; and

routing the selected object by a routing conveyor unit mounted on a guide pole toward a destination container responsive to the perception data, said destination container being provided among a plurality of destination containers on a helical destination location conveyor, wherein routing the selected object includes moving the routing conveyor unit around the guide pole in a rotational direction.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25 , wherein routing the selected object by the routing conveyor unit further includes moving the routing conveyor unit vertically along the guide pole.

27. The method as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the method further includes removing completed destination containers using a helically-shaped output conveyor for moving completed destination containers toward an output station conveyor.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the helical destination location conveyor is positioned radially inwardly of the helically-shaped output conveyor for removing the completed destination containers.

Assignments (2)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 1, 2022
From: BERKSHIRE GREY, INC.; BERKSHIRE GREY OPERATING COMPANY, INC.
To: BERKSHIRE GREY OPERATING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058947/0548 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2021
From: VELAGAPUDI, PRASANNA; ROMANO, JOSEPH; GEYER, CHRISTOPHER; LONG, GUOMING ALEX; ALLEN, THOMAS; BUCK, CHRISTOPHER
To: BERKSHIRE GREY, INC.
Reel/Frame 055887/0951 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62986399 · Mar 6, 2020
Related Publication 20210276798A1 · Sep 9, 2021
References Cited (234)
US 4542808A · Lloyd, Jr. et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4622875A · Emery et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4678390A · Bonneton et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4722653A · Williams et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4815582A · Canziani · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4846335A · Hartlepp · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4895242A · Michel · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5190162A · Harlepp · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5271703A · Lindqvist et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5595263A · Pignataro · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5647473A · Miller et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5794789A · Payson et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5875434A · Matsuoka et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6006946A · Williams et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6076023A · Sato · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6189702B1 · Bonnet · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6208908B1 · Boyd et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6246023B1 · Kugle · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6377867B1 · Bradley et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6505093B1 · Thatcher et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6513641B1 · Affaticati et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6688459B1 · Bonham et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6705528B2 · Good et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6762382B1 · Danelski · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7861844B2 · Hayduchok et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8718814B1 · Clark et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8776694B2 · Rosenwinkel et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8798784B1 · Clark et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8851272B1 · Hill · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9020632B2 · Naylor · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9272845B2 · Honkanen et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9364865B2 · Kim · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9481518B2 · Neiser · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9694977B2 · Aprea et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9937532B2 · Wagner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9975148B2 · Zhu et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10007827B2 · Wagner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10029865B1 · McCalib, Jr. et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10086998B1 · Tilekar et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10438034B2 · Wagner et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10518974B2 · Lee et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10577180B1 · Mehta et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10596696B2 · Wagner et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10632610B2 · Wagner et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10649445B2 · Wagner et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10730077B2 · Wagner et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10843333B2 · Wagner et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10894674B2 · Wagner et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 10906740B2 · Wagner et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11020770B1 · Tilekar et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11338999B2 · Hu · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11472633B2 · Wagner et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20020091801A1 · Lewin et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020179400A1 · Dersham et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020179502A1 · Cerutti et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20050002762A1 · Gambarelli et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060045672A1 · Maynard et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20080181753A1 · Bastian et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090129902A1 · Schafer · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100036675A1 · Schäfer · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100096243A1 · Balk · 2010 [cited by examiner]
US 20100300842A1 · Bastian, II et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100316469A1 · Lert et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110056806A1 · Johnson · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20110144798A1 · Freudelsperger · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110262253A1 · Krizmanic et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120128454A1 · Hayduchok et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120177465A1 · Koholka · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120328397A1 · Yamashita · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130051696A1 · Garrett et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140031972A1 · DeWitt et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140056672A1 · Mathys et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140086714A1 · Malik · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140142746A1 · Vegh et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140212257A1 · Yamashita · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140244026A1 · Neiser · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140277692A1 · Buzan et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140277693A1 · Naylor · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140288696A1 · Lert · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150098775A1 · Razumov · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150294260A1 · Napoli · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160107848A1 · Baker · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160122135A1 · Bastian, II · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160221757A1 · DeWitt et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160355337A1 · Lert et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170015502A1 · Engel et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170043953A1 · Battles et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170057756A1 · Dugat et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170136632A1 · Wagner et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170267452A1 · Goren et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170330135A1 · Taylor et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170349385A1 · Maroni et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180037410A1 · DeWitt · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180057264A1 · Wicks et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180075402A1 · Stadie et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180085788A1 · Engel · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180105363A1 · Lisso · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20180208397A1 · Schack et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180251302A1 · Valinsky et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180265311A1 · Wagner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180273296A1 · Wagner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180273298A1 · Wagner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180282066A1 · Wagner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180290830A1 · Valinsky et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180327198A1 · Wagner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180354719A1 · Hoffman · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190218033A1 · Muttathil et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190329979A1 · Wicks et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200005005A1 · Wagner et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200016746A1 · Yap et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200039745A1 · Khodl et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200152259A1 · DeWitt et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200265380A1 · Dubois et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200302390A1 · Elazary et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200407178A1 · Battles et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210039140A1 · Geyer et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210039881A1 · Zhu et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210039887A1 · Zhu et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210047117A1 · Stevens et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210047118A1 · Stevens et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210178826A1 · Lutz et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210276796A1 · Long · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210276797A1 · Velagapudi et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210276799A1 · Velagapudi et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220234825A1 · Krishnamoorthy et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220284393A1 · Ai et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220356017A1 · Romano et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230077893A1 · Gebhardt et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230112778A1 · O'Hern et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230119061A1 · Halamka et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230137545A1 · Austrheim · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230150770A1 · Sebastian · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230219767A1 · Demir et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230249914A1 · Fosnight et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230271785A1 · Gravelle et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230331475A1 · Yamashita · 2023 [cited by applicant]
CA 3043018A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CA 3057334A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 102001506A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
CN 102264602A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
CN 103332426A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
CN 104169196A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CN 104859990A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
CN 104925440A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
CN 205257168U · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 105858042A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 205820147U · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 104495181B · 2017 [cited by applicant]
CN 206456846U · 2017 [cited by applicant]
CN 107635896A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 107720072A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 108146948A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 108700869A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 109081027A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 110062740A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 110325462A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 209506761U · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 110431097A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 110461734A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 110462657A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 209720654U · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 110662707A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 110691742A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 110740954A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 110803439A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 115210152A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
CN 115243987A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
CN 115243988A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
CN 117255718A · 2023 [cited by applicant]
CN 118139798A · 2024 [cited by applicant]
DE 102004014378A1 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
DE 102008046325A1 · 2010 [cited by examiner]
EP 1151942A2 · 2001 [cited by applicant]
EP 2818433A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
EP 3354598A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
EP 3572355A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
EP 4114766A2 · 2023 [cited by applicant]
EP 4114767A1 · 2023 [cited by applicant]
EP 4114768A1 · 2023 [cited by applicant]
EP 4114769A1 · 2023 [cited by applicant]
EP 4334045A2 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
TW 201300298A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2007009136A1 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009089159A2 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010040809A1 · 2010 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2011012611A1 · 2011 [cited by examiner]
WO 2014080041A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO 2012106744A1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016105201A2 · 2016 [cited by examiner]
WO 2017123678A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2018175466A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021026359A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021178819A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021178830A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2022236038A2 · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO 2023064465A1 · 2023 [cited by applicant]
Annex to Form PCT/ISA/206, Communication Relating to the Results of the Partial International Search issued by the European Patent Office, as the International Searching Authority, in related International Application N… [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC issued by the European Patent Office in related European Patent Application No. 21714592.9 on Oct. 13, 2022, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC issued by the European Patent Office in related European Patent Application No. 21714588.7 on Oct. 13, 2022, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC issued by the European Patent Office in related European Patent Application No. 21714590.3 on Oct. 13, 2022, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC issued by the European Patent Office in related European Patent Application No. 21715372.5 on Oct. 13, 2022, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, or the Declaration, and the International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority (the Eur… [cited by applicant]
Notice of First Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Office in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018333.5 on Mar. 31, 2023, 32 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice of First Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Office in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018436.1 on Mar. 31, 2023, 17 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice on the First Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration, in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018364.0 on Mar. 30, 2023, 23 pag… [cited by applicant]
Notice on the First Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration, in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018310.4 on Mar. 30, 2023, 21 pag… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, the European Patent Office, issued in related International Application No. PCT/US2022/046561 on Feb. 13, 2023, 13 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority issued by the European Patent Office in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021133 on Jun. 21, 2021, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
Annex to Form PCT/ISA/206, Communication Relating to the Results of the Partial International Search and Provisional Opinion Accompanying the Partial Search Result issued by the International Searching Authority, the Eu… [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued by the International Bureau of WIPO in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021118 on Sep. 6, 2022, 9 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued by the International Bureau of WIPO in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021133 on Sep. 6, 2022, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued by the International Bureau of WIPO in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021140 on Sep. 15, 2022, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued by the International Bureau of WIPO in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021128 on Sep. 6, 2022, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued by the International Searching Authority (the European Patent Office) in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021140 on Sep. 3, 2021, 16 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued by the International Searching Authority (the European Patent Office) in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021128 on Jun. 21, 2021, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, the European Patent Office, issued in related International Application No. PCT/US2021/021118 on Jul. 16, 2021, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC issued by the European Patent Office in related European Patent Application No. 22727547.6 on Dec. 14, 2023, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Examiner's Report issued by the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (Canadian Intellectual Property Office) in related Canadian Patent Application No. 3,174,544 on Nov. 6, 2023, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Examiner's Report issued by the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (Canadian Intellectual Property Office) in related Canadian Patent Application No. 3,174,546 on Nov. 7, 2023, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Examiner's Report issued by the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (Canadian Intellectual Property Office) in related Canadian Patent Application No. 3,174,543 on Nov. 6, 2023, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Examiner's Report issued by the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (Canadian Intellectual Property Office) in related Canadian Patent Application No. 3,174,552 on Nov. 29, 2023, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued by the International Bureau of WIPO in related International application No. PCT/US2022/028047 on Oct. 24, 2023, 14 pages. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/193,378, on Aug. 4, 2023, 26 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice on the Second Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018310.4 on Oct. 11, 2023, 24 pag… [cited by applicant]
Notice on the Second Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018333.5 on Oct. 12, 2023, 35 pag… [cited by applicant]
Notice on the Second Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018364.0 on Oct. 11, 2023, 19 pag… [cited by applicant]
Chinese Thesis of Zhang et al., Warehouse Management Practices, Aviation Industry Press, Jan. 2012, pp. 56-59, 15 pages including the English translation prepared by Shanghai Patent & Trademark Law Office, LLC. [cited by applicant]
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC issued by the European Patent Office in related European Patent Application No. 22809552.7 on May 22, 2024, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued by the International Bureau of WIPO in related international application No. PCT/US2022/046561 on Apr. 16, 2024, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/193,377 on Mar. 21, 2024, 44 pages. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/193,384 on Apr. 5, 2024, 38 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Third Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018310.4 on Apr. 17, 22 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Third Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018333.5 on Apr. 17, 31 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Third Office Action, along with its English translation, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration in related Chinese Patent Application No. 202180018364.0 on Apr. 17, 2024, 24 pages. [cited by applicant]