Systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems

Abstract

An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of processing objects comprising:
 providing a plurality of remotely controllable carriers for automated movement about a work area, each remotely controllable carrier including a plurality of raised bin supports, each raised bin support including a bin support surface, each of the plurality of raised bin supports being mutually separated from one another by at least one recessed surface that is lower than each bin support surface;   providing a fixed rack unit including a plurality of protrusions, each recessed surface of each remotely controllable carrier being low enough to accommodate and receive a protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit as the remotely controllable carrier is driven under the fixed rack unit; and   actuating an elevation system to elevate at least a portion of the bin support surface to facilitate at least one of
 loading an object from the plurality of raised bin supports onto the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit while the remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit; and 
 unloading the object from the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit to the plurality of raised bin supports while the remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit. 
   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein each remotely controllable carrier includes a plurality of powered wheels that are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the at least one remotely controllable carrier. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein each remotely controllable carrier is movable in two mutually orthogonal directions. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising providing a processing programmable motion device with an articulated arm, and wherein the articulated arm is positioned adjacent a portion of an array of track sections on which the plurality of remotely controllable carriers are movable by automated movement. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein one or more track sections among the array of track sections are provided in a generally square shape. 
     
     
         33 . A method of processing objects comprising:
 providing an array of location codes about a work area;   providing a fixed rack unit including a plurality of protrusions extending over at least a portion of the work area;   providing at least one remotely controllable carrier for automated movement among the location codes towards the fixed rack unit, the at least one remotely controllable carrier including a plurality of raised bin supports, each raised bin support including a bin support surface, each of the plurality of raised bin supports being mutually separated from one another by at least one recessed surface that is lower than each bin support surface, each recessed surface being low enough to accommodate and receive a protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit as the at least one remotely controllable carrier is driven under the fixed rack unit; and   actuating an elevation system for elevating at least a portion of the bin support surface to facilitate at least one of:
 loading an object from the plurality of raised bin supports onto the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit while the at least one remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit; and unloading the object from the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit to the plurality of raised bin supports while the at least one remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit. 
   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one remotely controllable carrier includes a plurality of powered wheels that are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the at least one remotely controllable carrier. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one remotely controllable carrier is movable in two mutually orthogonal directions. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising providing a processing programmable motion device with an articulated arm, and wherein the articulated arm is positioned adjacent a portion of the array of track sections. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the location codes are provided in a generally square shape. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the method includes providing a plurality of storage bins for providing storage of objects pre-processing, and a plurality of destination bins containing processed objects. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the destination bins are shipping boxes. 
     
     
         40 . An object processing system comprising:
 a plurality of remotely controllable carriers for automated movement about a work area, each remotely controllable carrier including a plurality of raised bin supports, each raised bin support including a bin support surface, each of the plurality of raised bin supports being mutually separated from one another by at least one recessed surface that is lower than each bin support surface;   a fixed rack unit including a plurality of protrusions, each recessed surface of each remotely controllable carrier being low enough to accommodate and receive a protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit as the remotely controllable carrier is driven under the fixed rack unit; and   an actuatable elevation system for elevating at least a portion of the bin support surface to facilitate at least one of
 loading an object from the plurality of raised bin supports onto the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit while the remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit; and 
 unloading the object from the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit to the plurality of raised bin supports while the remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit. 
   
     
     
         41 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein each remotely controllable carrier includes a plurality of powered wheels that are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the at least one remotely controllable carrier. 
     
     
         42 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein each remotely controllable carrier is movable in two mutually orthogonal directions. 
     
     
         43 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 40 , further comprising a processing programmable motion device with an articulated arm, and wherein the articulated arm is positioned adjacent a portion of an array of track sections on which the plurality of remotely controllable carriers are movable by automated movement. 
     
     
         44 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein one or more track sections among the array of track sections are provided in a generally square shape. 
     
     
         45 . An object processing system comprising:
 an array of location codes provided in a work area;   a fixed rack unit including a plurality of protrusions extending over at least a portion of the work area;   at least one remotely controllable carrier for automated movement allocation codes in the work area towards the fixed rack unit, the at least one remotely controllable carrier including a plurality of raised bin supports, each raised bin support including a bin support surface, each of the plurality of raised bin supports being mutually separated from one another by at least one recessed surface that is lower than each bin support surface, each recessed surface being low enough to accommodate and receive a protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit as the at least one remotely controllable carrier is driven under the fixed rack unit; and   an actuatable elevation system for elevating at least a portion of the bin support surface to facilitate at least one of:
 loading an object from the plurality of raised bin supports onto the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit while the at least one remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit; and unloading the object from the plurality of protrusions of the fixed rack unit to the plurality of raised bin supports while the at least one remotely controllable carrier is moved under the fixed rack unit. 
   
     
     
         46 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the at least one remotely controllable carrier includes a plurality of powered wheels that are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the at least one remotely controllable carrier. 
     
     
         47 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the at least one remotely controllable carrier is movable in two mutually orthogonal directions. 
     
     
         48 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 45 , further comprising a processing programmable motion device with an articulated arm, and wherein the articulated arm is positioned adjacent a portion of the array of track sections. 
     
     
         49 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein location codes are provided in a generally square shape. 
     
     
         50 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the system includes a plurality of storage bins for providing storage of objects pre-processing, and a plurality of destination bins containing processed objects. 
     
     
         51 . The object processing system as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the destination bins are shipping boxes.