A method of sorting baggage at an airport, the method comprising: acquiring a digital image of an identification label for identifying a piece of baggage, the label including an identification code designed to correspond to a set of items of data from a first database compiled as the baggage is being checked in; the method further comprising the following steps: retrieving information that is printed on the label from the image; comparing the information with data that is recorded in a local second database at the airport before the label is printed, the second database being distinct from the first database, the data from the second database being representative of a list of flights to or from the airport; and, in response to a match being detected, transmitting data representative of a flight number corresponding to the piece of baggage to a conveyor system.

A method of sorting baggage at an airport, the method comprising: acquiring a digital image of an identification label for identifying a piece of baggage, the label including an identification code designed to correspond to a set of items of data from a first database compiled as the baggage is being checked in; the method further comprising the following steps: retrieving information that is printed on the label from the image; comparing the information with data that is recorded in a local second database at the airport before the label is printed, the second database being distinct from the first database, the data from the second database being representative of a list of flights to or from the airport; and, in response to a match being detected, transmitting data representative of a flight number corresponding to the piece of baggage to a conveyor system.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be sorted from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for removal from the conveying system, and a removal system for removing the certain selected objects from the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be sorted from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for removal from the conveying system, and a removal system for removing the certain selected objects from the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

A parcel handling and tracking system allows an all-around scanning of identifying features thanks to a scanning window, where the parcels are configured to sit at the scanning window on a resting surface of the parcel itself. The scanning window is light permeable to allow reading of the identifying features at the resting surface, possibly together with other identifying features at surfaces of the parcel other than the resting surface.

Apparatus for moving articles and sorting them between one or more destination stations (S1, S2, S3), comprising at least one hooking member (11), configured to accommodate hanging, or hooked, hooking means (15) bearing the articles to be sorted, and on which one or more hooking sectors (17; 17a, 17b, 17c) are defined, and a movement member (12), configured to move the articles. The apparatus also comprises a sorting device (13; 13a, 13b, 13c), configured to selectively assume at least two operating conditions in a manner that is coordinated with the movement of the hooking sectors (17; 17a, 17b, 17c).

A communication device includes a communicator that communicates with an RF tag in a non-contact manner, a communication unit that exchanges data with a host device, and a controller that controls the communicator and the communication unit. Every time the communicator sequentially reads data from the RF tag that passes a communication-feasible region near the communicator at regular time intervals or irregular time intervals, the controller updates first data to be exchanged with the host device by the communication unit so as to include the read data. Also, the controller updates second data to be exchanged with the host device by the communication unit to a value different from a previous value in association with timing with which the first data is updated.

A communication device includes a communicator that communicates with an RF tag in a non-contact manner, a communication unit that exchanges data with a host device, and a controller that controls the communicator and the communication unit. Every time the communicator sequentially reads data from the RF tag that passes a communication-feasible region near the communicator at regular time intervals or irregular time intervals, the controller updates first data to be exchanged with the host device by the communication unit so as to include the read data. Also, the controller updates second data to be exchanged with the host device by the communication unit to a value different from a previous value in association with timing with which the first data is updated.

Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer program products are disclosed for container transportation. An example system includes a conveyor network that includes a plurality of conveyors and each conveyor supports one or more containers thereon. Each conveyor defines a conveyor length and a conveyor operating speed. The system further includes a computing device operably coupled to the conveyor network. The computing device receives a starting location and a destination location of a first container within the conveyor network and receives an operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The computing device determines a first travel path for the first container between the starting location and the destination location based upon the conveyor length, the conveyor operating speed, and the operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The first travel path minimizes a total travel time for the first container between the starting location and the destination location.

A system for transporting merchandise returned by a customer from a customer service area or a retail store to a back storage area of a retail store comprises a customer facing device for use by a retail store customer to enter return merchandise data; a scanning device for identifying the returned merchandise; and at least one conveyor belt at the retail store for transporting the returned merchandise from the customer service area to the back storage area.