Robotic Object Singulation With Dynamic Bin Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current object distribution systems are inefficient and costly due to reliance on human labor, mechanical complexity, and the need for a large number of collection bins, which limits throughput and flexibility in handling objects of varying sizes and weights.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that uses robotic arms with sensors and a perception system to singulate objects, identify them via barcode or RFID, and convey them to desired destinations dynamically, reducing the need for multiple bins and increasing efficiency through flexible routing and bin assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If human workers manually sort objects using handheld scanners, then flexibility in handling various objects is maintained, but productivity and labor costs deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical scanning and sorting operations with an automated vision-based identification system and robotic manipulation system. The vision system captures images of objects and their codes, while robotic arms perform the physical sorting, eliminating the need for human workers to manually handle each object while maintaining flexibility through software-based code recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables objects to be automatically identified and sorted without human intervention. The vision system autonomously detects and reads codes on objects, the control system automatically determines destination bins, and robotic arms autonomously transfer objects to correct locations, creating a self-service sorting system that maintains adaptability while dramatically improving productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of collection bins are used to handle diverse objects, then adaptability increases, but device complexity and space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal robotic manipulation system that can handle diverse object types with a single set of robotic arms and vision systems, rather than requiring dedicated sorting mechanisms for each object type. The control system dynamically assigns objects to bins based on real-time identification, allowing the same physical infrastructure to adapt to varying sorting requirements without increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic bin assignment where the mapping between objects and collection bins is not fixed but determined in real-time by the control system based on vision identification. This dynamic approach allows the system to handle diverse object types with a smaller number of bins, as bin assignments can be flexibly changed through software rather than requiring dedicated bins for each object category.
3Measurement precision
If fixed or robot-held code scanners are used, then measurement precision of codes improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed or handheld code scanners with a vision-based imaging system that captures images of objects and their codes. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical positioning of scanners relative to objects, as the vision system can identify codes from various angles and positions through image processing and pattern recognition algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional linear scanning of codes to two-dimensional image capture and analysis. By capturing the entire object and its code in an image, the system gains spatial flexibility and can identify codes regardless of their position, orientation, or angle, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision through advanced image processing techniques.
Data Source
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AI summary
A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system (19) for moving objects (14) to be processed from a source area along a first direction, a detection system (32) for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for redistribution on the conveying system, and a movement redistribution system for redistributing the certain selected objects on the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.