Platform detection

A system for transporting platforms through a platform sorting facility, the system comprising:

• a conveyor means;
• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory storing an algorithm, the algorithm, which when executed by the one or more processors, is configured to determine at least one property of a platform based on one or more features of the platform, wherein the one or more features of the platform comprise at least one between a make, a size, a shape, a material, or a color of the platform;
• wherein the system is configured to:
• receive a first platform at an initial position on the conveyor means;
• perform the following steps in respect of the first platform:
• a) obtain image data representing the first platform,
• b) process the image data using the algorithm,
• c) obtain, from the algorithm, data indicating the at least one property of the first platform,
• d) determine a single location to which the first platform is to be transported based on the data indicating the at least one property of the first platform, the single location being selected from a plurality of locations, wherein:
• (i.) each of the plurality of locations corresponds to the location of a stacker in the platform sorting facility,
• (ii.) each stacker is associated with a different at least one of the make, the size, the shape, the material, or the color of platforms to be received by the stacker, and
• (iii.) the single location is the location of a stacker in which the first platform is to be stacked;
• and
• e) transport, using the conveyor means, the first platform to the single location to which the first platform is to be transported;
• receive a second platform at the initial position on the conveyor means;
• and
• repeat steps a) to e) in respect of the second platform,
• wherein the first and second platforms each comprise a pallet or dolly.

A method for transporting platforms through a platform sorting facility, the method comprising:

• receiving a first platform at an initial position on a conveyor means;
• performing the following steps in respect of the first platform:
• a) obtaining image data representing the first platform;
• b) processing the image data using an algorithm, the algorithm configured to determine at least one property of the first platform, the at least one property being at least one of:
• (i.) whether the first platform is plastic or wood,
• (ii.) whether the first platform is wheeled or non-wheeled,
• (iii.) whether the first platform is a half pallet or a full pallet,
• (iv.) a color of the pallet, or
• (iv.) an owner of the pallet,
• c) obtaining, from the algorithm, data indicating the at least one property of the first platform;
• d) determining, based on the data indicating the at least one property of the first platform, a single location, selected from a plurality of locations, to which the first platform is to be transported, wherein:
• (i.) each of the plurality of locations corresponds to the location of a stacker in the platform sorting facility,
• (ii.) each stacker is associated with at least one of:
• plastic platforms, wood platforms, wheeled platforms, non-wheeled platforms, half pallets, full pallets, a color of the platforms, or a specific owner of the platforms to be stacked on the respective stacker, and
• (iii.) the single location is the location of a stacker in which the first platform is to be stacked;
• and
• e) transporting, using the conveyor means, the first platform to the determined location to which the first platform is to be transported;
• receiving a second platform at the initial position on the conveyor means;
• and
• repeating steps a) to e) in respect of the second platform,
• wherein the first and second platforms each comprise a pallet or dolly.