# US 10,501,001 B2 · Sensor systems and methods for monitoring unloading of cargo > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,001 B2 - Document ID: US10501001B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/204,351 - Filed: 2018-11-29 - Published: 2019-03-28 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-10 - Assignees: Walmart Apollo, LLC - Applicants: Walmart Apollo, LLC - Inventors: Nicholaus Adam Jones; Aaron Vasgaard; Robert James Taylor; Matthew Allen Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501001B2 ## CPC - B60P 1/38: forming the main load-transporting element or part thereof {(B60P1/365 takes precedence)} - G01B 11/14: for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00) - G01B 11/22: for measuring depth - G01B 17/00: Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations - G06Q 10/083: Shipping - B65G 67/08: using endless conveyors - B65G 2203/042: Sensors - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract Sensor systems, methods and machine readable medium are provided for a cargo vehicle. A plurality of sensors are arranged about an opening associated with a door through which packages are unloaded from a vehicle or trailer. The plurality of sensors are configured to measure an unpacked depth of the vehicle or trailer. A processor is provided in communication with each of the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to receive measured data generated by the plurality of sensors, determine an empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer based on the measured data as packages are being unpacked from the vehicle or trailer, and generate instructions regarding loading packages in a subsequent vehicle or trailer based on the determined empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor system comprising: a first plurality of sensors arranged about an opening associated with a door through which packages are unloaded from a vehicle or trailer, the first plurality of sensors being configured to measure an unpacked depth of the vehicle or trailer; a conveyer belt system including a second plurality of sensors; and a processor in communication with each of the first plurality of sensors, the second plurality of sensors, a display device, wherein the processor is configured to: receive first measured data generated by the first plurality of sensors; determine an empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer based on the first measured data as packages are being unpacked from the vehicle or trailer; determine a rate of unloading or unpacking based on measured data generated by the second plurality of sensors on the conveyor belt; and generate instructions regarding loading packages in a subsequent vehicle or trailer based on the determined empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of sensors is a distance measuring sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of sensors are disposed at the door in a horizontal array and a vertical array to form a grid arrangement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the door is associated with a loading dock, and the processor is configured to: determine an amount of time spent to move a package from a first location inside of the vehicle or trailer to a second location onto the loading dock. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt has a first end configured to be disposed in the vehicle or trailer and a second end configured to be disposed proximate to the door, the conveyor belt configured to transport a package from the vehicle or trailer through the door. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the second plurality of sensors on the conveyor belt configured to sense location of the package on the belt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a first rate of unloading or unpacking corresponding to the vehicle or trailer based on the empty volume over time; determine a second rate of unloading or unpacking corresponding to the subsequent vehicle or trailer; and compare the first rate and the second rate to determine efficiency of unloading or unpacking the subsequent vehicle or trailer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: detect a safety issue associated with unloading the cargo container based on the first measured data; and generate an alert to provide a warning related to the safety issue. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes at least one sensor configured to oscillate along a length or width of the opening. ### Claim 10 A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving first measured data generated by a first plurality of sensors arranged about an opening associated with a door through which packages are unloaded from a vehicle or trailer, the first plurality of sensors being configured to measure an unpacked depth of the vehicle or trailer; determining an empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer based on the first measured data as packages are being unpacked from the vehicle or trailer; determining a rate of unloading or unpacking based on measured data generated by a second plurality of sensors on a conveyor belt; and generating instructions regarding loading packages in a subsequent vehicle or trailer based on the determined empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein each of the first plurality of sensors is a distance measuring sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the first plurality of sensors are disposed at the door in a horizontal array and a vertical array to form a grid arrangement. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the door is associated with a loading dock, and further comprising: determining an amount of time spent to move a package from a first location inside of the vehicle or trailer to a second location onto the loading dock. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: sensing a location of a package on the conveyor belt has a first end configured to be disposed in the vehicle or trailer and a second end configured to be disposed proximate to the door, the conveyor belt configured to transport packages from the vehicle or trailer through the door. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining a first rate of unloading or unpacking corresponding to the vehicle or trailer based on the empty volume over time; determining a second rate of unloading or unpacking corresponding to the subsequent vehicle or trailer; and comparing the first rate and the second rate to determine efficiency of unloading or unpacking the subsequent vehicle or trailer. ### Claim 16 A sensor system comprising: a sensor arranged about an opening associated with a door through which packages are unloaded from a vehicle or trailer, the sensor being configured to oscillate along the width or length of the opening to measure an unpacked depth of the vehicle or trailer; a processor in communication with the sensor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive first measured data generated by the sensor; determine an empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer based on the first measured data as packages are being unpacked from the vehicle or trailer; and generate instructions regarding loading packages in a subsequent vehicle or trailer based on the determined empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor is configured to oscillate along a bottom, sides, or top of the opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the door is associated with a loading dock, and the processor is configured to: determine an amount of time spent to move a package from a first location inside of the vehicle or trailer to a second location onto the loading dock. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a first rate of unloading or unpacking corresponding to the vehicle or trailer based on the empty volume over time; determine a second rate of unloading or unpacking corresponding to the subsequent vehicle or trailer; and compare the first rate and the second rate to determine efficiency of unloading or unpacking the subsequent vehicle or trailer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to: detect a safety issue associated with unloading the cargo container based on the first measured data; and generate an alert to provide a warning related to the safety issue.