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.

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 sorting moving objects is disclosed. The system comprises a light source, an image capturing device, a controlling and processing device, and an object sorting device. Particularly, the controlling and processing device is configured to decide a first setting parameter so as to apply a parameter adjustment to the light source, and is also configured to decide a second setting parameter so as to apply an parameter adjustment to the image capturing device. After deciding an object classifier based on the first setting parameter, the second setting parameter, and object images received from the image capturing device, the object sorting device is controlled to apply an object sorting process to the of objects that are delivered by the belt conveyor, thereby sorting the objects into at least two object group consisting of a normal object group and a defective object group.

Images depicting items in a waste flow on a conveyor belt are provided to two analysis systems. The first system processes images to decode digital watermark payload data found on certain of the items (e.g., plastic containers). This payload data is used to look up corresponding attribute metadata for the items in a database, such as the type of plastic in each item, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. The second analysis system can be a spectroscopy system that determines the type of plastic in each item by its absorption characteristics. When the two systems conflict in identifying the plastic type, a sorting logic processor applies a rule set to arbitrate the conflict and determine which plastic type is most likely. The item is then sorted into one of several different bins depending on a combination of the final plastic identification, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

The present invention relates to a parcel sorting system which is operated using two separate tracks so as to distinguish between concentrated population areas and other areas, and feed and sort only parcels destined for a corresponding area, whereby parcel sorting can be efficiently performed, and the system can be efficiently constructed while occupying a small area.

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.

The disclosure relates to a method for operating a transport apparatus with a storage apparatus and to a corresponding transport apparatus with a storage apparatus. The method includes the following steps, providing the transport apparatus (1) with the storage apparatus (2) for storing transport units (3), including a plurality of transport units (3), a plurality of storage conveyors (4), and a feeding conveyor (5) to the storage conveyors. Furthermore, the transport apparatus includes an optical sensor (7) arranged at the feeding conveyor (5) and an evaluation electronics (8) connected to the optical sensor. The method also includes determining measurement data with the optical sensor (7) from a transport unit (3) moving past the optical sensor (7), and processing the measurement data obtained from the optical sensor (7) with the evaluation electronics (8) in order to determine the spatial extent in at least one dimension of the transport unit (3) moving past; and selecting a storage conveyor (4) for storing the transport unit (3) moving past on the basis of the determined spatial extent of the transport unit (3) moving past.

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.

An article sorting control apparatus includes a memory, a processor, and a communication interface. The memory stores sorting destination management information including reference conveyance route information, fixed sorting destination information, and dynamic sorting destination information. The processor selects a first diverging control signal or a second diverging control signal. The communication interface transmits the first or the second diverging control signal to an article sorting apparatus.

A vertical sorter having a track with at least two straight portions and at least two curved portions is disclosed. A linear motor primary coil is mounted on the at least two straight portions, and two adjacent straight potions are connected by at least one curved portion. Supply tables are disposed at ends of the at least two straight portions respectively and used for providing goods to each straight portion; chutes are disposed along two sides of the at least two straight portions and used for transporting the goods on each straight portion to corresponding areas; a sorting trolley is used for conveying the goods on the supply table to a corresponding chute; and a secondary magnet is mounted on the sorting trolley, wherein the linear motor primary coil and the secondary magnet cooperate to drive the sorting trolley to move along the track.