Granted Patent B2

US 12,722,914 · App. 18/455,776 · Granted Sep 1, 2026

Inventors: Colin Shipley (Bridgeton, MO); Geoff Schreiber (Maryville, IL); Kenneth David Naumann (Maryland Heights, MO)

Assignee: Toyota Automated Logistics Americas, LLC

B65G57/24B25J9/1682B25J9/1687B65G43/08B65G61/00B65G2201/0267B65G2203/0266G05B2219/31042

Abstract

Claims (63)

1 . A system, comprising:

a first palletizer configured to palletize a first set of first items having a first size;

a second palletizer configured to palletize a second set of second items having a second size that is different from the first size;

a database configured to maintain a stacking pattern library containing multiple stacking patterns for the palletizers;

wherein the database is configured to store the stacking patterns in the library as non-dimensional data;

a computer operatively connected to the database;

wherein the computer is configured to change receive first stacking requirements information for the first palletizer;

wherein the computer is configured to receive second stacking requirements information for the second palletizer;

wherein the computer is configured to select the same stacking pattern for the first palletizer and the other second palletizer based on the first stacking requirements information and the second stacking requirements information; and

wherein the first palletizer and the second palletizer are configured to palletize using the same stacking pattern.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the database is configured to maintain unique palletizer identifiers used for identifying individual palletizers.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the palletizer identifiers include internet protocol (IP) addresses of the palletizers.

4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a controller that controls at least the first palletizer; and

wherein the controller is configured to send the first stacking requirements information to the database.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to automatically load the stacking pattern on the first palletizer.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the stacking pattern is loaded on the first palletizer before building of a first pallet.

7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the computer is configured to perform an overhang check for the stacking pattern before sending to the first palletizer.

8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the computer is configured to perform an interference check for the stacking pattern before sending to the first palletizer.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to update the stacking pattern library in the database in real-time.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to maximize objects in an allowed volume for the stacking pattern.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the computer is configured to allow automated pattern reference selection; and

the database is configured to store a reference stacking pattern that is identified by an identifier in the database.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computer is configured to push the reference stacking pattern to a designated palletizer based on receiving the identifier for the stacking pattern from a user.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer is configured to perform an interference check before pushing the reference stacking pattern to the designated palletizer.

14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer is configured to perform an overhang check before pushing the reference stacking pattern to the designated palletizer.

15 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising:

a controller that controls at least the first palletizer;

wherein the controller is configured to transmit dimensional data to the computer;

wherein the computer is configured to select a best match stacking reference pattern from the stacking pattern library in the database;

wherein the computer is configured to send a reference pattern identifier for the best match stacking reference pattern to the controller; and

wherein the controller is configured to transfer palletizing data to the first palletizer based on the reference pattern identifier.

16 . A method, comprising:

receiving a first request for a first palletizer at a database;

storing stacking patterns in the database as non-dimensional data;

wherein the non-dimensional data represents relative characteristics of palletized items rather than absolute units of measure;

selecting a first stacking pattern from the database based on the first request;

sending the first stacking pattern from the database to the first palletizer;

palletizing at the first palletizer using the first stacking pattern;

receiving a second request for a second palletizer at the database;

selecting a second stacking pattern from the database based on the second request;

sending the second stacking pattern from the database to the second palletizer;

palletizing at the second palletizer using the second stacking pattern;

wherein the first stacking pattern and the second stacking pattern are the same; and

wherein the palletizing at the second palletizer includes palletizing objects with a different size than at the first palletizer.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

wherein the first request includes dimensional data; and

selecting the first stacking pattern includes finding one or more patterns that best match the dimensional data.

18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

sending the first request from a controller for the first palletizer to the database;

receiving the first stacking pattern from the database at the controller; and

controlling operation of the first palletizer with the controller based on the first stacking pattern.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

detecting abnormal communication with the controller; and

entering a test mode upon the detecting abnormal communication.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the sending the first stacking pattern includes returning a reference pattern identifier to the controller.

21 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

providing interim and/or final results for the first stacking pattern at a first interface; and

modifying the first stacking pattern based on user input from the interim and/or final results.

22 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

performing a preliminary pattern check of the first stacking pattern; and

performing the preliminary pattern check includes checking for overhang and/or interference in the first stacking pattern.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (21)