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US 12,734,554 B2Granted
Multi-system single footprint sorter using robots with sort verification
AssigneeTompkins Robotics, Inc.
InventorsJames M. Serstad, Michael C. Futch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Multi-function sorting system for use in a sorting operation includes a server, a sortation engine, and first and second function sorting systems. First function sorting system for sorting articles includes first function vehicles traversing a first function platform for transporting and depositing first function articles into first sort receptacles. Second function sorting system for sorting articles includes second function vehicles traversing a second function platform spaced apart from the first function platform for transporting and depositing second function articles into second sort receptacles. The second function platform is arranged above the first function platform in a vertical stacked configuration.
Claims19
A sorting system comprising:
- a first function sorting system comprising first function vehicles traversing a first function platform for transporting and depositing first function articles into first sort receptacle;
- a second function sorting system comprising second function vehicles different from the first function vehicles traversing a second function platform spaced apart from the first function platform for transporting and depositing second function articles different from the first function articles into second sort receptacles different from the first function sort receptacles,
- wherein an output of one of the first function sorting system and the second function sorting system is provided as an input to the other of the first function sorting system and the second function sorting system.
A sorting system comprising:
- a first function sorting system comprising first function vehicles traversing a first function platform for transporting and depositing first function articles into first sort receptacle;
- a second function sorting system comprising second function vehicles different from the first function vehicles traversing a second function platform spaced apart from the first function platform for transporting and depositing second function articles different from the first function articles into second sort receptacles different from the first function sort receptacles,
- wherein one of the first function platform and the second function platform is configured for order consolidation, and the other of the first function platform and the second function platform is configured for consolidating for parcel sortation.
A sorting system comprising:
- a first function sorting system comprising first function vehicles traversing a first function platform for transporting and depositing first function articles into first sort receptacle;
- a second function sorting system comprising second function vehicles different from the first function vehicles traversing a second function platform spaced apart from the first function platform for transporting and depositing second function articles different from the first function articles into second sort receptacles different from the first function sort receptacles,
- wherein an output of the first function sorting system is provided as an input to a lift for delivery to the second function sorting system configured for ecommerce order fulfillment.
A system for use in directing a medication sorting operation, comprising:
- a server comprising a memory, a processor, and a prescription verification engine,
- a plurality of prescription computer-controlled transport vehicles traversing a first platform for transporting and depositing prescription drug containers into prescription receptacles;
- first and second prescription information acquisition devices electronically coupled to the server;
- wherein the system configured to:
- acquire, by the first prescription information acquisition device, a first prescription information from a tag coupled to the prescription drug container;
- receive, at the server, the first prescription information acquired by the first prescription information acquisition device;
- determine, by the server, a prescription receptacle among a plurality of prescription receptacles for the prescription computer-controlled transport vehicle to transport and deposit the prescription drug container thereto based on the first prescription information;
- acquire, by the second prescription information acquisition device, a second prescription information from the tag coupled to the prescription drug container;
- receive, at the server, the second prescription information acquired by the second prescription information acquisition device;
- compare, by the prescription verification engine, the first prescription information against the second prescription information;
- direct, by the server, the prescription computer-controlled transport vehicle to deposit the prescription drug container into the prescription receptacle based on the comparison.
8 more elements
A method of directing a medication sorting operation, comprising:
- acquiring, by a first prescription information acquisition device, of a first prescription information from a tag coupled to a prescription drug container;
- receiving, at a server, of the first prescription information acquired by the first prescription information acquisition device;
- determining, by the server, of a prescription receptacle among a plurality of prescription receptacles for a prescription computer-controlled transport vehicle to transport and deposit the prescription drug container thereto based on the first prescription information;
- acquiring, by a second prescription information acquisition device, of a second prescription information from the tag coupled to the prescription drug container;
- receiving, at the server, of the second prescription information acquired by the second prescription information acquisition device;
- comparing, by a prescription verification engine in communication with the server, of the first prescription information against the second prescription information;
- directing, by the server, of the prescription computer-controlled transport vehicle to deposit the prescription drug container into the prescription receptacle based on the comparison.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.