System and computer-implemented method for facilitating transfers of product containers between a station and an autonomous machine
US10433477B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB67D2007/0461
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control system is operable to control an autonomous machine for autonomously applying one or more products to a jobsite in accordance with a set of operation instructions. The products are stored in one or more interchangeable containers which are initially located on a station. The control system broadly includes an alignment sensor and a machine processor. The alignment sensor is configured to sense and generate alignment data regarding a relative position of the station and a particular container that contains a particular product. The machine processor is configured to align the autonomous machine with the station and the particular container based on the alignment data from the alignment sensor, and transfer the particular container from the station to the autonomous machine; move the autonomous machine over the jobsite and apply the particular product from the particular container in accordance with the set of operation instructions; and align the autonomous machine with the station based on the alignment data from the alignment sensor, and transfer the particular container from the autonomous machine to the station.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.