公开(公告)号：US11346703B1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-31

申请号：US16588886

申请日：2019-09-30

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Dan Beltzer ,  Matthew Ray Desjardien ,  Stavan H. Dholakia ,  Kenneth Edward Doe ,  Sergio Alfredo Phan Lung Li ,  Michael P. Mosman ,  Paul Eugene Munger ,  Nathan Pius O'Neill ,  Andrew James Pierce ,  Robert M. Riggs

IPC: G01G3/14 ,  G01G19/414 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G01G21/22 ,  G01G19/00

Abstract: A platform is supported at four corners by four half-bridge load cells. Adjacent load cells are oppositely polarized. During operation, analog output from a pair of oppositely polarized half-bridge load cells is provided to an instrument amplifier. Analog output from the instrument amplifier is provided to an analog to digital converter to provide digital data. The digital data is then used to determine weight data indicative of a weight as measured by the pair of half-bridge load cells at that time. A set of switching elements, such as a quad bilateral switch controlled by a microcontroller, rapidly switch between pairs of oppositely polarized load cells. The weight data may be used to determine an overall weight change on the platform, such as a pick or a place of an item. Weight data from the four pairs of load cells may be used to determine a change in center of gravity.

公开(公告)号：US11326934B1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-10

申请号：US16864763

申请日：2020-05-01

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Paul Eugene Munger ,  Robert M. Riggs ,  Matthew Ray Desjardien ,  Andrew James Pierce ,  Jacob Drewniak ,  Kenneth Edward Doe

IPC: G01G3/13 ,  G01G21/23 ,  H01M10/46 ,  H02S10/40 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform or other accessory that is supported by one or more piezoelectric transducers. As items are placed on or removed from the accessory, the piezoelectric transducer generates an electric charge that is representative of a change in weight. An amplifier receives the charge and provides output voltage that can be sampled to determine a weight value. In one implementation the platform may be supported by a transducer assembly comprising a frame and a pair of piezoelectric transducers on opposite sides of the frame. Signals from the pair may be used to compensate for environmental effects on the assembly, such as changes in temperature. The piezoelectric transducers and associated circuitry are extremely energy efficient, consuming little electrical power during operation.

公开(公告)号：US11410122B1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-09

申请号：US16779032

申请日：2020-01-31

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Matthew Ray DesJardien ,  Kenneth Edward Doe ,  Dan Beltzer ,  Andrew James Pierce ,  Alexander Eugene Choi ,  Jacob Drewniak ,  Paul Eugene Munger ,  Robert M. Riggs ,  Stavan Dholakia ,  Mike Mosman ,  Sergio Alfredo Phan Lung Li

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  G06K7/14 ,  G06V10/141 ,  G06V20/10 ,  F25D27/00 ,  F25D29/00

Abstract: An impulse strip including a plurality of clips, hooks or other features for attaching items to the impulse strip also includes a plurality of switches associated with each of the clips, hooks or other features. The switches are in communication with illuminators or other indicators that are arranged in an array. When an item is loaded onto the strip, or removed from the strip, a switch may be opened or closed, causing one of the illuminators in the array to be activated or deactivated accordingly. An image captured of the illuminators is processed to determine which of the illuminators is activated and which is deactivated, and an inventory level of the strip may be determined based on the statuses of the respective illuminators corresponding to the clips, the hooks or the other features of the impulse strip.

公开(公告)号：US12159756B1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-03

申请号：US17930657

申请日：2022-09-08

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Andrew James Pierce ,  James Stephanick ,  Joshua Smith ,  Nathan P. O'Neill ,  Robert M. Riggs ,  Sergio Alfredo Phan Lung Li ,  Benjamin Hong Yee ,  Alan Akiyoshi Nonaka ,  Ali Rahimi ,  Graham Cyril Jordan ,  David Bryan Michelman

IPC: H01G5/16 ,  H01G5/015 ,  H01G5/40 ,  H01H36/00

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an array of electrical conductors connected to circuitry that determines data indicative of objects at particular locations based on capacitance at junctions of conductors in the array. The apparatus comprises a first set of conductors arranged on a first substrate and a second set of conductors arranged on a second substrate to form an array. The first and second substrates are separated by an air gap within which the electrical conductors are positioned. Each conductor may be independently addressable, having a proximal end connected to readout electronics and a distal end that is not. The apparatus may be cut, at the ends distal to where the conductors connect to the circuitry, to fit a desired location, such as on a store shelf, while remaining operational.

公开(公告)号：US11927472B1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-12

申请号：US16453677

申请日：2019-06-26

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Matthew Ray DesJardien ,  Chelsea Olson ,  Robert M. Riggs ,  Dan Beltzer ,  Paul Eugene Munger ,  Aaron M. McDaniel ,  Andrew James Pierce ,  Michael Mosman ,  Nathan Pius O'Neill

IPC: G01G19/414 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  H02S40/38

CPC classification number: G01G19/414 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  H02S40/38

Abstract: Modular storage systems include load sensors disposed beneath or in association with platforms. The load sensors are pulse-sampled for signals corresponding to loads at time intervals, rather than continuously, in order to conserve electrical power. An item associated with a transaction is identified based on a change in the loads, as determined from the pulse-sampled signals. The platforms are aligned at horizontal or non-horizontal angles, and photovoltaic power sources with banks of photovoltaic cells are mounted to front edges of the platforms. When a user reaches over one of the photovoltaic cells to access an item on a platform, a level of power or voltage generated by the photovoltaic cell is diminished. The item closest to the photovoltaic cell having the diminished power or voltage, or a customer that accessed the item, may be identified accordingly.

公开(公告)号：US11796378B1

公开(公告)日：2023-10-24

申请号：US17304776

申请日：2021-06-25

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Robert M. Riggs ,  Andrew James Pierce ,  Cody Ryder Volk ,  Alexander Eugene Choi ,  Rafiuddin Arif Ahud ,  Graham Cyril Jordan ,  Paul Eugene Munger ,  Jacob Drewniak

IPC: G01G3/13 ,  G01G19/414 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/087

CPC classification number: G01G3/13 ,  G01G19/4144 ,  G06Q10/087

Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform or other accessory that is supported by one or more transducer assemblies using piezoelectric transducers. In one implementation, a saddle structure provides mechanical support to a platform while transferring force from a load onto a portion to which a pair of piezoelectric transducers are affixed. As a load on the saddle changes, the resulting change in strain on the portion produces signals from the piezoelectric transducers. In another implementation a beam provides mechanical support to a platform or other accessory. A pair of piezoelectric transducers are affixed near a strain concentrator, such as a hole in the beam, produce signals indicative of a change in load on the beam.