US 11,911,797 B1Granted

Systems and methods for multi-path package sortation

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsRajeev Dwivedi, Kaushal Bharatkumar Mehta, Ameya Abhyankar

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for multi-path sorting systems that facilitate package sorting for delivery and near-real time changes to sortation for rerouting of the packages. The package sorting system may include conventional conveyor systems that deliver packages to multi-path conveyors (e.g., multi-path conveyor belts) that may cause the package to be moved in multiple directions to ultimately deposit a package onto an output conveyor system for delivery to a downstream location (e.g., packaging station, sorting station, etc.). The input conveyors may include a sensor for determining information about the package (e.g., destination address, order information, etc.) which may be used to determine the optimal downstream route for the package, which may be adjusted as conditions change.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for multi-path sortation of packages, the method comprising:

determining, by a controller, a packaging route based on a destination address corresponding to a first item identifier;
associating a first item identifier with a destination address and the packaging route in a database;
determining a packaging message corresponding to the first item identifier or packaging route;
determining an updated packaging route for the first item identifier based on the packaging message;
associating the updated packaging route with the first item identifier in the database;
causing a first conveyor to convey a first package toward a first scanner device, the first package having a label indicative of the destination address and the first item identifier;
causing the scanner device to scan the label to generate a signal representative of the label;
determining that the signal corresponds to the first item identifier;
determining that the first item identifier corresponds to the updated packaging route associated with the first item identifier in the database;
determining that the packaging route includes use of a second conveyor;
causing the first conveyor to convey the package to a first multi-path conveyor system having a first conveyor portion adjacent to a second conveyor portion, the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion configured to move in a first direction;
causing the first multi-path conveyor system to route the package to the second conveyor, the first multi-path conveyor system adapted to move the first conveyor portion independently from the second conveyor portion in the first direction to selectively move a package in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and adapted to receive packages from the first conveyor and a third conveyor and to selectively deposit the packages onto the second conveyor, a fourth conveyor, and a second multi-path conveyor system;
and
causing the second conveyor to convey the package to a packaging station for outbound shipment.

11 more elements

A method comprising:

causing, by a controller, a first conveyor to convey a package toward a scanner device, the package having package information on an outer surface of the package;
causing the scanner device to scan the package information;
determining a packaging route for the package based on package information, the packaging route associated with a second conveyor;
causing the first conveyor to convey the package to a first multi-path conveyor system having a first conveyor portion adjacent to a second conveyor portion, the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion configured to move in a first direction;
and
causing the first multi-path conveyor system to route the package to the second conveyor, the first multi-path conveyor system adapted to:
move the first conveyor portion independently from the second conveyor portion in the first direction to selectively move packages in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
and
receive the packages from the first conveyor and a third conveyor, and selectively deposit the packages onto the second conveyor, a fourth conveyor, and a second multi-path conveyor system.

6 more elements

A system comprising:

memory configured to store computer-executable instructions, and
at least one computer processor configured to access memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
cause, by a controller, a first conveyor to convey a package toward a scanner device, the package having package information on an outer surface of the package;
cause the scanner device to scan the package information;
determine a packaging route for the package based on package information, the packaging route associated with a second conveyor;
cause the first conveyor to convey the package to a first multi-path conveyor system having a first conveyor portion adjacent to a second conveyor portion, the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion configured to move in a first direction;
and
cause the first multi-path conveyor system to route the package to the second conveyor, the first multi-path conveyor system adapted to:
move the first conveyor portion independently from the second conveyor portion in the first direction to selectively move packages in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
and
receive the packages from the first conveyor and a third conveyor, and selectively deposit the packages onto the second conveyor, a fourth conveyor, and a second multi-path conveyor system.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/954,743Filed 28 Sep 2022
Granted: 27 Feb 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B07C 3/08
Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution: using arrangements of conveyors
B07C 5/36
Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or…:…
B07C 3/14
Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination: using light-responsive detecting means
B07C 3/18
Sorting according to destination: devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks