In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to control a product distribution conveyor system comprising: a conveyor control circuit; a product feed conveyor system; conveyor lane systems cooperated with the conveyor lane system; routing systems that cause movement of respective products from the feed conveyor system to one of the conveyor lane systems; and a plurality of sensor systems; wherein the conveyor control circuit is further configured to enhance throughput of the at least one feed conveyor system by associating each of the plurality of conveyor lane systems one of a plurality of retail stores such that a total volume of the products is substantially equally distributed over the plurality of conveyor lane systems comprising organizationally subdividing conveyor lane systems to define a plurality of lane subdivisions, and associating each retail store with a respective one of the plurality of lane subdivisions.

Method, device and computer program for managing units of bulk material of an ore mine with a throughput of a few tons of bulk material per minute, wherein a material property of each unit, in particular on a conveyor system, is determined, an entry for each unit containing the respective material property of the unit and the position of each unit are stored in a database, and additional includes at least one (i) determining a transport path downstream for the each unit based on the respective entry in the database, (ii) adapting the subsequent processing of each unit based on the material property of the unit, and creating a virtual model of the repository if a unit is supplied to a repository, where a position of each unit is stored, together with its respective material property, in the database.

Example methods and systems for determining 3D scene geometry by projecting patterns of light onto a scene are provided. In an example method, a first projector may project a first random texture pattern having a first wavelength and a second projector may project a second random texture pattern having a second wavelength. A computing device may receive sensor data that is indicative of an environment as perceived from a first viewpoint of a first optical sensor and a second viewpoint of a second optical sensor. Based on the received sensor data, the computing device may determine corresponding features between sensor data associated with the first viewpoint and sensor data associated with the second viewpoint. And based on the determined corresponding features, the computing device may determine an output including a virtual representation of the environment that includes depth measurements indicative of distances to at least one object.

Example methods and systems for determining 3D scene geometry by projecting patterns of light onto a scene are provided. In an example method, a first projector may project a first random texture pattern having a first wavelength and a second projector may project a second random texture pattern having a second wavelength. A computing device may receive sensor data that is indicative of an environment as perceived from a first viewpoint of a first optical sensor and a second viewpoint of a second optical sensor. Based on the received sensor data, the computing device may determine corresponding features between sensor data associated with the first viewpoint and sensor data associated with the second viewpoint. And based on the determined corresponding features, the computing device may determine an output including a virtual representation of the environment that includes depth measurements indicative of distances to at least one object.

Shipment receiving systems and methods are disclosed. Invoice and store inventory management data is provided to an invoice processor for assigning expected destinations to lanes of a material transporter having and a plurality of outlet lanes that each have an indicator. A scanner determines a case identifier for each case which is routed accordingly. One or more notifications is provided to the indicator of one or more of the plurality of outlet lanes. Received shipment data enables reconciliation of upstream supply change management systems and downstream store inventory systems.

In a picking facility, if both a first picking operation and a second picking operation are performed based on order information, a third container is transported from a housing portion to a second picking portion, a fourth container is transported from the housing portion to the second picking portion, after the second picking operation has been performed, the fourth container in which a target article has been housed by the second picking operation is transported as a second container to a first picking portion, a first container is transported from the housing portion to the first picking portion, and, after the first picking operation has been performed, the second container in which the target articles have been housed by the first picking operation and the second picking operation is transported to a shipping portion.

A parcel transfer system transfers a parcel or a similar article directly between a conveyor and a self-driving vehicle (SDV) while the conveyor and SDV are moving. The conveyor, SDV, or both may be configured to initially transport a parcel in a first direction of travel and then subsequently offload the parcel in a second direction of travel. The SDV is configured to travel alongside of the conveyor in the first direction of travel and either receive the parcel as it is offloaded from the conveyor or offload the parcel onto the conveyor in the second direction of travel. The parcel transfer system further includes a vision and control subsystem, which regulates movement of the SDV and offloading of the parcel from the conveyor or SDV.

A parcel transfer system transfers a parcel or a similar article directly between a conveyor and a self-driving vehicle (SDV) while the conveyor and SDV are moving. The conveyor, SDV, or both may be configured to initially transport a parcel in a first direction of travel and then subsequently offload the parcel in a second direction of travel. The SDV is configured to travel alongside of the conveyor in the first direction of travel and either receive the parcel as it is offloaded from the conveyor or offload the parcel onto the conveyor in the second direction of travel. The parcel transfer system further includes a vision and control subsystem, which regulates movement of the SDV and offloading of the parcel from the conveyor or SDV.

A post compression carton rejection system for receiving cartons in-line from a carton assembly system having a compression conveying section for compressing folded and glued cartons for delivery to a packing system. The post compression carton rejection system comprise a frame adapted to be supported between the compression conveying section and the packing system. An infeed conveyor is mounted to the frame and has an infeed belt for transporting folded and glued cartons from the compression conveying section and an infeed drive for driving the infeed belt. An outfeed conveyor is mounted to the frame between the infeed conveyor and a conveyor exit proximate the packer, in use, and comprises a nose extension conveyor having an outfeed belt including a dump gate controllably retractable at the conveyor exit to selectively dump folded and glued cartons, an outfeed drive for driving the outfeed belt and a dump gate actuator for opening and returning the dump gate. A controller operatively controls the infeed drive, the outfeed drive and the dump gate actuator to selectively create gaps before and after a stream of defective folded and glued cartons and dump the defective folded and glued cartons at the dump gate.

A conveying system, such as a conveying system for material including non-ferrous metals, includes a conveying belt and a stabilizer. The conveying belt includes a conveying surface and is adapted to convey the material on the conveying surface. The stabilizer is configured to apply a stabilizing force onto the material on the conveyor belt such that the material is stabilized while being conveyed. A method of stabilizing material on a conveyor belt includes receiving the material on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt, conveying the material at a conveying speed with the conveyor belt, and applying the stabilizing force onto the material with a stabilizer such that vertical displacement of at least some of the material is dampened and/or minimized at the conveying speed.