Robotic Item Reorientation for Vision-Guided Label Scanning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Material handling systems face challenges in efficiently reorienting items of varying physical characteristics, such as rigid and flexible items, to ensure proper handling and scanning, particularly when labels or identifiers are not in a visible position.

Innovation Solution

A material handling system incorporating a robotic tool with a repositioning system, including a robotic arm and end effector configurations like flipper tables and vacuum grippers, coupled with a vision system and controller, to identify item characteristics and reorient items to a label-up position for scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional material handling systems use fixed conveyor configurations, then items can be conveyed continuously, but items cannot be reoriented when labels are not in visible position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel scanning capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical conveyor-based reorientation systems with a robotic system that uses vision guidance and controlled mechanical manipulation. The robotic tool with end effector picks items and rotates them to proper orientation, substituting fixed mechanical conveyor configurations with a more flexible robotic manipulation system that achieves label positioning without requiring complex fixed infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables items to be self-serviced for orientation correction. The vision system automatically detects items with labels not in visible position, and the robotic tool automatically picks and reorients these items without human intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to handle reorientation tasks dynamically based on actual item states rather than requiring predetermined fixed configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If robotic tools are deployed to pick and reorient items, then item orientation can be adjusted, but handling speed may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem orientation adjustmentVSAvoidhandling speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vision system performs preliminary detection of item orientation and label position before the robotic tool acts. By identifying items that need reorientation in advance and planning the robotic pickup and rotation actions beforehand, the system minimizes idle time and ensures smooth continuous operation, maintaining high handling speed while achieving proper item orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic tool is designed to perform multiple operations in continuous sequence: vision detection, item pickup, rotation to proper orientation, and placement. This continuous cycle of useful actions without idle transitions maintains high productivity while providing adaptability for orientation adjustment of various items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If items are handled without proper orientation control, then processing speed is maintained, but physical damage may occur during handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidphysical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vision system provides continuous feedback on item orientation and label position, allowing the control system to adjust robotic manipulation forces and motions in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures items are handled with appropriate care for their specific orientation state, preventing physical damage while maintaining processing speed through efficient real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient reorientation and handling of diverse items, ensuring labels are positioned for scanning, improving processing efficiency and reducing physical damage during handling.

Implementation Method 1

The end effector may include a vacuum gripper rotatably engaged to the robotic arm, where the vacuum gripper comprises at least one flexible suction cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS11318620B2Method and system for manipulating items

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a material handling system for manipulating items. The material handling system includes a repositioning system comprising a robotic tool which includes a robotic arm portion and an end effector. The robotic tool is configured to manipulate an item in a first orientation and reorient the item to a second orientation. The material handling system further includes a vision system having one or more sensors positioned within the material handling system. The vision system is configured to generate inputs corresponding to the characteristics of the items. The material handling system may further include a controller executing instructions to cause the material handling system to identify the item in the first orientation, based on the one or more characteristics of the item, initiate, by the repositioning system, picking of the item in the first orientation, and re-orient the item in the second orientation.