A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.

A drop perception system is disclosed that includes an open housing structure having an internal volume, an open top and an open bottom, and a plurality of perception units positioned to capture perception data within the internal volume at a plurality of locations between the open top and the open bottom of the open housing.

A multi-cycle shipment sorting system and a control method thereof. The system comprises: a delivery platform; a delivery device, capable of delivering a plurality of shipment boxes from a delivery entrance to an unloading port, and after unloading, outputting the shipment boxes from a delivery exit, each shipment box having a recognition device mounted thereon; a sorting platform, provided with a sorting entrance, a sorting exit, and a cyclic section, the cyclic section being provided with a loading port; self-navigation trolleys, multiple trolleys being provided, and the trolleys traveling into the platform from the sorting entrance, being ordered by the positions of shipments delivered by the delivery device when passing through the cyclic section, and after loading at the loading port, traveling out of the platform from the sorting exit; a positioning device, used for performing positioning the self-navigation trolleys; and a shipment handling device.

In order to detect a correct sorting and a correct passing of an object through an assigned opening of a plurality of openings, a sorting detection system for detecting a passage of the object through the opening of the plurality of openings is provided. Each opening is assigned to a container. The containers receive the object; at least a first sensor identifies the object and generates an identification signal. A control unit receives the identification signal of the first sensor and assigns the identified object to a container based on the identification signal. At least one second sensor having a field of view directed towards the openings and includes at least one detection surface. The detection surface is located within the respective container at a predetermined distance from an edge of a respective opening, and an object passing the detection surface triggers a detection signal of the second sensor.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.

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.

A sorter including a conveying system to transport items to be sorted. A plurality of lanes are configured to accept the items from the conveying system. A scanner reads information about the items to be sorted. The information including a destination for the item. A controller is in communication with the scanner to receive the destination for the items being sorted and is adapted to open and close selected ones of the plurality of lanes to receive items.

Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.

A drop perception system is disclosed that includes an open housing structure having an internal volume, an open top and an open bottom, and a plurality of perception units positioned to capture perception data within the internal volume at a plurality of locations between the open top and the open bottom of the open housing.