A method of sorting articles to be prepared into delivery rounds by means of at least first and second sorters (T1, T2), which method consists in distributing (St10) said articles between said sorters, in performing (St20) a first sorting pass (P1) for sorting the articles in parallel on the first sorter and on the second sorter, in retrieving (St30) first groups (G1) of articles at first sorting outlets (S1) of the first and second sorters, in bringing said first groups to the inlet (E) of the first sorter (T1), in retrieving (St30) second groups (G2) of articles at second sorting outlets (S2) of the first sorter and of the second sorter, in bringing said second groups to the inlet (E) of the second sorter (T2), and then in performing (St40) successive sorting passes (P2, P3) in parallel on the first sorter and on the second sorter until the preparation of the articles into delivery rounds is complete.

A parcel sorting system and related process. The parcel sorting system includes a parcel sorter, a plurality of shuttles, and a control system. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to assign a first sorting destination to a first output of a plurality of outputs. A first container is positioned to receive parcels sorted to the first output. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to sort parcels corresponding to the first sorting destination to the first output and deposit the parcels into the first container; when the first container has reached a target capacity, remove the full first container using a first shuttle; and position a third container to receive parcels sorted to the first output using a second shuttle.

There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

A method of processing objects is disclosed using a programmable motion device. The method includes the steps of acquiring an object from a plurality of mixed objects at an input area, perceiving identifying indicia in connection with the object, assigning an intermediate station to a destination location for the object responsive to the identifying indicia in connection with the object, and moving the acquired object toward the intermediate station.

A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device. The programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location is associated with the identifying indicia and the identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.

A method of processing objects is disclosed using a programmable motion device. The method includes the steps of acquiring an object from a plurality of mixed objects at an input area, perceiving identifying indicia in connection with the object, assigning an intermediate station to a destination location for the object responsive to the identifying indicia in connection with the object, and moving the acquired object toward the intermediate station.

A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device. The programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location is associated with the identifying indicia and the identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.

System for use in directing a sorting operation comprises a server, a receptacle logical destination identification (ID) assignment engine, a plurality of receptacles, and an automated transport device for transporting and depositing articles into the receptacles. The system is configured to: assign a first logical destination ID to a first receptacle; and direct an automated transport device to transport and deposit a first article into the first receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID. The system is further configured to: determine that the first receptacle is full; re-assign the first logical destination ID to a second receptacle; and re-direct the automated transport device to transport and deposit the first article into the second receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID.

There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.