Determining payload properties using actuator parameter data
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- instructing a motion controller of a mobile drive unit to move a payload utilizing an actuator;
measuring an operational parameter of the actuator during movement of the payload;
determining a mass of the payload based at least in part on a magnitude of the measurement of the operational parameter, the payload comprises a plurality of items, individual items of the plurality of items having substantially equal mass;
counting the plurality of items based at least in part on the determined mass of the payload; and
instructing the motion controller to optimize a motion of the mobile drive unit while transporting the payload based at least in part on the determined mass of the payload.
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Abstract
Payload properties may be determined utilizing actuator parameter data. A mobile drive unit may transport a payload around a workspace in accordance with one or more safety. To comply with safety policies, a motion controller of the mobile drive unit may limit acceleration and deceleration to safe maximums for given payload characteristics such as payload mass and payload center of gravity. The motion controller may utilize actuators to cause various motions of the mobile drive unit, including motion across a surface, vertical movements of the payload and motion rotating the payload. To ameliorate worst case assumptions about payload characteristics, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a payload characterization module may obtain information about payload characteristics based on measurements of operational parameters of the actuators. Utilizing motor current data provides a relatively inexpensive mechanism for obtaining such information compared to special purpose sensors, enabling widespread adoption.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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instructing a motion controller of a mobile drive unit to move a payload utilizing an actuator; measuring an operational parameter of the actuator during movement of the payload; determining a mass of the payload based at least in part on a magnitude of the measurement of the operational parameter, the payload comprises a plurality of items, individual items of the plurality of items having substantially equal mass; counting the plurality of items based at least in part on the determined mass of the payload; and instructing the motion controller to optimize a motion of the mobile drive unit while transporting the payload based at least in part on the determined mass of the payload. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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instructing a motion controller of a mobile drive unit to move a payload utilizing an actuator; measuring an operational parameter of the actuator during movement of the payload; determining a mass of the payload based at least in part on a magnitude of the measurement of the operational parameter, the payload comprises a plurality of items resulting from a sequence of payload modification operations, the sequence of payload modification operations including an item stowing operation or an item picking operation; determining a mass of an item of the plurality of items based at least in part on a change in the determined mass of the payload between two payload modification operations of the sequence of payload modification operations; and instructing the motion controller to optimize a motion of the mobile drive unit while transporting the payload based at least in part on the determined mass of the payload. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification