Package tracking systems and methods

A package tracking system, comprising:

• a data acquirer configured to acquire package information associated with a package being removed from a holding area;
• at least one optical sensor disposed in or near the holding area to capture an image of the package being removed from the holding area;
• and
• at least one processor configured to identify a registered location of the package in the holding area in response to the acquired package information, to detect in the image removal of an item from a position in the holding area, to satisfy a criterion between the image and the acquired package information to confirm that the item appearing in the image is the package associated with the acquired package information, and to confirm proper removal of the package from the holding area if the position from which the item is removed and the registered location of the package match, the system further comprising:
• a light source in the holding area, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the light source to produce light at the registered location of the package to guide a person at the holding area to remove the package.

A method of loading of a package into a holding area, the method comprising the steps of:

• acquiring package information associated with a package being placed in the holding area;
• acquiring, by:
• (i) multiple cameras, (ii) at least one camera and at least one depth sensor, or (iii) at least one camera including multiple sensors, three-dimensional (3D) image information of the holding area;
• determining a location in the holding area for placing the package based on the package information associated with the package and the 3D image information of the holding area;
• providing guidance to the location in the holding area for placing the package;
• detecting, by a computer processor, in an image a presence of an item at the location in the holding area, wherein the item appearing in the image is unidentified as the package associated with the acquired package information when the presence of the item is detected;
• identifying the item appearing in the image as the package associated with the acquired package information in response to a comparison between image data acquired from the image of the item and the acquired package information associated with the package satisfying a criterion;
• and
• registering the package as currently being at the location in the holding area where the item appeared in response to the comparison satisfying the criterion.