Modular package sorting system

A modular package sorting system, comprising:

• a plurality of sort modules configured to convey a package to one of a plurality of sortation points corresponding to a sort point destination of the package;
• and
• a distributed control architecture comprising a plurality of controllers, each of the plurality of controllers being associated with one sort module in the plurality of sort modules,
• wherein each of the plurality of controllers is configured to communicate with one or more other controllers in the plurality of controllers and to determine whether to convey the package from the associated one sort module to a subsequent sort module or to a sortation point associated with the one sort module, based on the sort point destination for the package, and
• wherein each of the plurality of controllers is capable of controlling its respective sort module,
• further comprising an induction subsystem configured to initially receive the package and transport it to the plurality of sort modules,
• wherein the induction subsystem is configured not to transport the package to the plurality of sort modules until information is successfully read from a label of the package,
• wherein the induction subsystem is configured to obtain information regarding the received package, to determine the sort point destination for the received package based on the obtained information, and to transmit the sort point destination to the plurality of sort modules,
• further comprising a sorter control computer configured to determine the sort point destination based on the information regarding the received package,
• wherein the sorter control computer is configured to take away control of two or more of the sort modules from the controllers and run the two or more sort modules together to purge the two or more sort modules of packages, responsive to a jam being detected and/or to user input.

A modular package sorting system, comprising:

• a plurality of sort modules configured to convey a package to one of a plurality of sortation points corresponding to a sort point destination of the package and comprising a plurality of controllers, each of the plurality of controllers being associated with one sort module in the plurality of sort modules,
• wherein each of the plurality of controllers is configured to communicate with one or more other controllers in the plurality of controllers and to determine whether to convey the package from the associated one sort module to a subsequent sort module or to a sortation point associated with the one sort module, based on the sort point destination for the package, and
• wherein each of the plurality of controllers is configured to receive a request for a first ready message, transmit the first ready message when the corresponding sort module is determined to be empty, determine whether a package received on the corresponding sort module is to be discharged to a right or left sort direction or transported to another sort module, and when the package received on the corresponding sort module is to be transported to another sort module, sending a request for a second ready message to the controller corresponding to the another sort module, receiving the second ready message from the controller corresponding to the another sort module, and sending the package received on the corresponding sort module to the another sort module, responsive to receipt of the second ready message from the controller corresponding to the another sort module.