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AmazonGranted patentRobots & automationInterest 3/10

Amazon patents station that scans items into storage bins

This filing describes a machine that takes products out of shipping boxes and places them into specific storage bins. It uses multiple cameras and lights to scan the box, the item, and the bin to track exactly where each product goes.

Why it mattersIt improves warehouse efficiency by automating the step of moving items from boxes to bins for storage.

In the filing’s own words

A station is used to induct item(s) into an environment. The station includes a case module configured to receive the item(s), which may be packaged in a box, and sensor(s) configured to scan the box. A camera and lighting module of the station may read the item(s) as they are unpackaged from the box and transferred into one or more totes located on a tote module. The item(s) may be passed over the camera and lighting module and then placed into the tote. Sensor(s) are used to determine which of the one or more totes the item(s) are placed. As the tote(s) become full, the tote(s) may be inducted into the environment for storage, order fulfillment, etc. The station may be used to conveniently remove item(s) from their boxes and place the item(s) into the totes that allow automated storage systems to move the totes throughout the environment.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A station for inducting items into an environment, the station comprising: a case module configured to receive boxes containing one or more items, the case module including a first camera; a camera and lighting module including: a first camera and lighting subassembly having a second camera and a first lighting element, the second camera being oriented in a first direction, a second camera and lighting subassembly having a third camera and a second lighting element, the third camera being oriented in a second direction different than the first direction, a third camera and lighting assembly having a fourth camera and a third lighting element, the fourth camera being oriented in a third direction different than the second direction, and a fourth camera and lighting assembly having a fifth camera and a fourth lighting element, the fifth camera being oriented in a fourth direction different than the third direction, a tote module configured to receive at least a first tote and a second tote in which the one or more items are placed, the tote module including a sixth camera; one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising: receiving, from the first camera, first data associated with a first identifier of a box containing an item, receiving, from at least one of the second camera, the third camera, the fourth camera, or the fifth camera, second data associated with a second identifier of the item, receiving, from the sixth camera, third data associated with a third identifier of a tote, receiving, from the sixth camera, fourth data associated with a placement of the item into the first tote, and associating, based on the fourth data, the item with the first tote.

Facts

Company
Amazon (Amazon Technologies, Inc.)
Official title
Station for inducting item(s) into environment
Patent number
US12745012B1
Application number
18604827
Filed
Mar 14, 2024
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
9
Claims
20

Classified under

H04N 23/90 Electricity & electronicsG06V 10/147 Physics & computingH04N 23/56 Electricity & electronicsG06K 7/1413 Physics & computing

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.