Vision sensor infeed system

A system for optimizing flow or improving at least one flow characteristic of a plurality of products along a conveyor, the system comprising:

• a conveyor drive connected with the respect to the conveyor, the conveyor drive configured to modulate the speed of the conveyor;
• a camera positioned relative to the products on the conveyor;
• a processing unit connected with respect to the camera and the conveyor drive, the processing unit defining a zone along the conveyor having a virtual longitudinal and lateral boundary within a section of the conveyor, the processing unit further determining relative product position metrics of the products within the zone and communicating with the conveyor drive to modulate the speed of the conveyor thereby optimizing a relative position of the products within the zone, wherein the relative product position metrics comprise a vector and velocity of each adjacent product adjusted for a size of each product;
• and
• dynamic sidewalls positioned relative to the conveyor, wherein the dynamic sidewalls are adapted to change configuration or zone latitude based on feedback from the processing unit.

A method for optimizing flow or improving at least one flow characteristic of a plurality of products along a conveyor, the method comprising:

• driving a conveyor with a conveyor drive, the conveyor drive adapted to modulate the speed of the conveyor;
• positioning a camera relative to the products on the conveyor;
• counting a group of products within the conveyor;
• assigning a designated lane to the group of products within the conveyor;
• defining a zone along the conveyor with a processing unit connected with respect to the camera and the conveyor drive, the zone having a virtual longitudinal and lateral boundary within a section of the conveyor;
• determining relative product position metrics of the products within the zone with the processing unit, wherein the relative product position metrics comprise a vector and velocity of each adjacent product adjusted for a size of each product;
• and
• communicating with the conveyor drive to modulate the speed of the conveyor thereby optimizing a relative position of the products within the zone.

A method for optimizing flow or improving at least one flow characteristic of a plurality of products along a conveyor, the method comprising:

• driving a conveyor with a conveyor drive, the conveyor drive adapted to modulate the speed of the conveyor;
• positioning a camera relative to the products on the conveyor;
• defining a zone along the conveyor with a processing unit connected with respect to the camera and the conveyor drive, the zone having a virtual longitudinal and lateral boundary within a section of the conveyor;
• determining relative product position metrics of the products within the zone with the processing unit, wherein the relative product position metrics comprise a vector and velocity of each adjacent product adjusted for a size of each product;
• communicating with the conveyor drive to modulate the speed of the conveyor thereby optimizing a relative position of the products within the zone;
• and
• communicating with dynamic sidewalls to optimize flow of the products along the conveyor.