Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated mobile matrix bins
A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, wherein the programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing bin, and the identified processing bin is associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing bins, and a delivery system for bringing the identified processing bin toward the object, where the delivery system includes a carrier for carrying the identified processing bin toward the object.
1. An object processing system comprising:
a processing station adjacent an in-feed conveyor on an input side thereof, the processing station including a perception unit that perceives identifying indicia representative of an identity of an object among a plurality of objects received from the in-feed conveyor;
a track system in the form of an array, a portion of the track system being adjacent the processing station on a processing side thereof that is opposite the input side; and
a plurality of automated carriers that move along the track system carrying a plurality of processing bins to and from the processing station, and being adapted for movement in two mutually orthogonal directions on the track system,
wherein the processing station further comprises an articulated arm having an end effector that acquires the object from among the plurality of objects at an input area of the processing station and deposits the object into an identified processing bin moved along the track system to the processing station by one of the plurality of automated carriers, said identified processing bin being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing bin being provided as one of the plurality of processing bins on the plurality of automated carriers.
2. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of objects is provided in an input bin that is one of a plurality of input bins, each including a further plurality of objects.
3. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an assignment of a manifest for each processing bin is dynamically assigned.
4. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processing station is provided as one of a plurality of processing stations that are each in communication with the in-feed conveyor.
5. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track system includes a continuous grid formed of rows and columns of track sections in two mutually orthogonal directions that cross one another.
6. The object processing system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of automated carriers includes illumination sources and sensors for guiding each respective automated carrier along the track sections.
7. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track system includes a plurality of intermittently disposed raised track sections that are spaced apart from one another on a platform.
8. The object processing system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the plurality of automated carriers each includes a plurality of wheel assemblies that are pivotally mounted, the automated carrier being configured to move in a first direction from any track section to an adjacent track section when the plurality of wheel assemblies are rotated to a first pivot position and move in a second direction from any track section when the wheel assemblies are rotated to a second pivot position, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.
9. An object processing system comprising:
a programmable motion device adjacent an in-feed conveyor on an input side thereof,
a perception unit proximate the programmable motion device that perceives identifying indicia representative of an identity of an object among a plurality of objects received from the in-feed conveyor;
a track system in the form of an array, a portion of the track system being adjacent the processing station on a processing side thereof that is opposite the input side;
a plurality of automated carriers that move along the track system carrying a plurality of processing bins to and from the processing station, and being adapted for movement in two mutually orthogonal directions on the track system and
an articulated arm that includes an end effector that acquires the object from among the plurality of objects at an input area and deposits the object into an identified processing bin moved along the track system to the programmable motion device by one of the plurality of automated carriers, said identified processing bin being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing bin being provided as one of the plurality of processing bins on the plurality of automated carriers.
10. The object processing system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of objects is provided in an input bin that is one of a plurality of input bins, each including a further plurality of objects.
11. The object processing system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein an assignment of a manifest for each processing bin is dynamically assigned.
12. The object processing system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the processing station is provided as one of a plurality of processing stations that are each in communication with the in-feed conveyor.
13. The object processing system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the track system includes a continuous grid formed of rows and columns of track sections in two mutually orthogonal directions that cross one another.
14. The object processing system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of automated carriers includes illumination sources and sensors for guiding each respective automated carrier along the track sections.
15. The object processing system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the track system includes a plurality of intermittently disposed raised track sections that are spaced apart from one another on a platform.
16. The object processing system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the plurality of automated carriers each includes a plurality of wheel assemblies that are pivotally mounted, the automated carrier being configured to move in a first direction from any track section to an adjacent track section when the plurality of wheel assemblies are rotated to a first pivot position and move in a second direction from any track section when the wheel assemblies are rotated to a second pivot position, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.
17. A method of processing objects, said method comprising:
receiving a plurality of objects on the in-feed conveyor;
perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of an object among a plurality of objects received on the in-feed conveyor;
identifying one of a plurality of processing bins associated with the identifying indicia to receive the object;
moving an automated carrier of a plurality of automated carriers that carries the identified processing bin along a track system in the form of an array to a processing station, wherein the track system permits movement of the plurality of automated carriers in each of two mutually orthogonal directions;
acquiring the object from the plurality of objects at an input area of the processing station using an end effector of an articulated arm;
depositing the object into the identified processing bin using the end effector of the articulated arm; and
moving the automated carrier along the track system away from the processing station to carry the identified processing bin to an output conveyor.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the plurality of objects is provided in an input bin that is one of a plurality of input bins, each including a further plurality of objects.
19. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the method further includes dynamically assigning a manifest for each processing bin.
20. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the method further includes providing an empty processing bin through a process bin exchanger to any of the plurality of other automated carriers.
21. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the processing station is one of a plurality of processing systems that are each in communication with the in-feed conveyor.
22. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the track system includes a continuous grid formed of rows and columns of track sections in two mutually orthogonal directions that cross one another.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the method further includes guiding each respective automated carrier along the track sections using illumination sources and sensors on each of the plurality of automated carriers.
24. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the track system includes a plurality of intermittently disposed raised track sections that are spaced apart from one another on a platform.
25. The method as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the plurality of automated carriers each includes a plurality of wheel assemblies that are pivotally mounted, each automated carrier being configured to move in a first direction from any track section to an adjacent track section when the plurality of wheel assemblies are rotated to a first pivot position and move in a second direction from any track section when the wheel assemblies are rotated to a second pivot position, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.