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US 11,887,048 B2Granted
Locating, identifying, and shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion including during transit
AssigneeUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc.
InventorJulio Gil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Detecting, locating, identifying, engaging, and/or shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion as well as methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-program products therefor. Embodiments used for shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion may be implemented in stationary environments, and/or in moving, e.g., in-transit, environments, and may be used to transfer, route, and/or organize objects based on their designated destinations. The embodiments may further be implemented in a logistics network, thereby increasing the efficiency and capacity of the logistics network, among other benefits.
Claims20
A system for shifting objects in a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a plurality of object-support structures, each one of the plurality of object-support structures comprising a plurality of support elements, a track-engaging structure, and a wheeled base;
- an object-shifting apparatus comprising an object-detection component and an object-shifting mechanism;
- and
- a shifting mechanism, wherein:
- the shifting mechanism operates, via the track-engaging structure, to move a first object-support structure of the plurality of object-support structures along a track to cause the wheeled base to roll along a surface of an interior of the vehicle to a first location that is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus,
- the shifting mechanism operates, via the track-engaging structure, to move a second object-support structure of the plurality of object-support structures along the track to cause the wheeled base to roll along the surface to a second location that is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus, and
- the object-shifting apparatus operates, once the first object-support structure is at the first location and the second object-support structure is at the second location, to:
- locate and identify, via the object-detection component, an object positioned on a first support element of the plurality of support elements for the first object-support structure,
- shift, based at least in part on locating and identifying the object positioned on the first support element, the object-shifting mechanism to the first support element;
- engage the object positioned on the first support element for the first object-support structure to move the object to the object-shifting mechanism, and
- shift the object-shifting mechanism to a second support element of the plurality of support elements for the second object-support structure, and
- transfer the object from the object-shifting mechanism onto the second support element.
9 more elements
A method for shifting objects inside a vehicle, the method comprising:
- moving, via a shifting mechanism, a first object-support structure to a first location inside the vehicle, wherein the first location is adjacent to an object-shifting apparatus, the first object-support structure comprises a first wheeled base, a first plurality of support elements, and a first coupling structure that couples the first object-support structure to a track of the shifting mechanism, and the shifting mechanism guides the first coupling structure to move the first object-support structure along the track and cause the first wheeled base of the first object-support structure to roll along a surface;
- determining, using at least one object-detection component, an identity of an object positioned on a first support element of the first plurality of support elements for the first object-support structure;
- shifting, based at least in part on determining the identity of the object, an object-shifting mechanism of the object-shifting apparatus to the first support element;
- moving, via the shifting mechanism, a second object-support structure to a second location inside the vehicle, wherein the second location is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus, the second object-support structure comprises a second wheeled base, a second plurality of support elements, and a second coupling structure that couples the second object-support structure to the track of the shifting mechanism, and the shifting mechanism guides the second coupling structure to move the second object-support structure along the track and cause the second wheeled base of the second object-support structure to roll along the surface;
- engaging, using one or more object-engaging components of the object-shifting apparatus, the object positioned on the first support element to move the object to the object-shifting mechanism;
- shifting the object-shifting mechanism to a second support element of the second plurality of support elements for the second object-support structure;
- and
- transferring, via the one or more object-engaging components, the object from the object-shifting mechanism to the second support element.
5 more elements
A system for shifting objects inside a vehicle during transit, the system comprising:
- a plurality of object-support structures, each one of the plurality of object-support structures comprising a plurality of support elements, a track-engaging structure, and a wheeled base;
- a shifting mechanism that comprises a track, is located in the vehicle, and is operable to move a first object-support structure of the plurality of object-support structures to a first location inside the vehicle while the vehicle is in transit by guiding the track-engaging structure for the first object-support structure to move the first object-support structure along the track and cause the wheeled base of the first object-support structure to roll along a surface;
- and
- an object-shifting apparatus adjacent the first location and configured to:
- locate and identify, via an object-detection component, an object positioned on a first support element of the plurality of support elements for the first object-support structure,
- shift, based at least in part on locating and identifying the object positioned on the first support element, an object-shifting mechanism to the first support element;
- engage and shift the object from the first support element to the object-shifting mechanism,
- shift the object-shifting mechanism to a second support element of the plurality of support elements for a second object-support structure of the plurality of object-support structures, and
- engage and shift the object from the object-shifting mechanism to the second support element.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.