Dispensable Unit Retrieval With Adaptive Blind Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved techniques to retrieve and manage dispensable units of varying sizes, orientations, textures, and weights, as well as to detect their properties for efficient dispensing and notification systems to prevent misuse or hazards.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a pick-and-place retrieval robot with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts, optical sensors, weight measurement devices, and networked notification systems to identify and manage dispensable units, enabling blind retrievals and scheduling updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pick-and-place retrieval robot uses a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts with fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns, then retrieval efficiency is improved, but the ability to adapt to dispensable units of arbitrary size, orientation, texture, and weight deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the retrieval pattern based on feedback from each retrieval attempt. The controller modifies subsequent retrieval patterns according to the outcomes of previous attempts, transforming a static predetermined sequence into a dynamic adaptive process that responds to actual dispensable unit characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller receives information about the results of each retrieval attempt and uses this feedback to adjust future retrieval patterns. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to varying dispensable unit characteristics while maintaining improved retrieval efficiency
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors and weight measurement devices are used to identify dispensable units, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional identification approach where optical sensors detect visual properties and weight measurement devices detect mass properties, with both types of sensors integrated into a single unified identification system that handles multiple dispensable unit characteristics through common processing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines optical sensing and weight measurement capabilities into an integrated identification system. By merging these different sensing modalities and processing them through a unified controller, the system achieves comprehensive detection precision while reducing overall complexity compared to separate independent systems
3Reliability
If a networked notification system is implemented for alerting users and remote resources, then reliability of hazard detection is improved, but loss of time in notification transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes networked notification connections and prepares notification pathways in advance before hazards occur. By pre-configuring communication channels and having notification templates ready, the system can quickly transmit alerts when hazards are detected, reducing actual notification transmission time while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The networked notification system maintains continuous monitoring and ready-state communication channels. Rather than establishing connections only when needed, the system keeps notification pathways active and responsive, enabling immediate hazard reporting without interruption or delay while ensuring reliable delivery through persistent network connectivity
Data Source
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AI summary
A device enables management of dispensable units by supporting retrieval of dispensable units from a container. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through a weight measurement device. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern.