Enhanced systems and methods for automated sortation conveyor operation

An automated sortation method comprising:

• running a conveyor of an automated sortation system, the conveyor comprising a deck comprising a plurality of slats, a plurality of shoes each disposed on one of the plurality of slats;
• and
• while running the conveyor:
• a first radio frequency reader receiving a radio frequency signal comprising a unique identification (ID) of each of the plurality of slats traversing an end of the conveyor;
• an optical sensor imaging a package, disposed on the deck, traversing the end of the conveyor;
• programmable logic controller receiving first signal from the first radio frequency reader, the first signal comprising the ID of each of the plurality of slats, receiving a second signal from the optical sensor, the second signal comprising an identification of the package, and identifying one or more slats, of the plurality of slats, on which the package is disposed based on the first signal and the second signal;
• a second radio frequency reader receiving the radio frequency signal comprising the ID of each of the plurality of slats approaching a conveyor output;
• a microcontroller receiving a third signal from the second radio frequency reader, the third signal comprising the ID of each of the plurality of slats, receiving a fourth signal from the programmable logic controller, the fourth signal comprising the IDs of the one or more slats on which the package is disposed;
• and
• the microcontroller controlling a divert switch to divert one or more shoes, corresponding to the one or more slats on which the package is disposed, thereby pushing the package to the conveyor output.

An automated sortation system comprising:

• a conveyor comprising a deck comprising at least one slat/shoe combination comprising a slat, a shoe disposed on the slat, and a radio frequency transceiver secured to one of the slat and the shoe;
• an optical sensor identifying a package, disposed on the slat of the at least one slat/shoe combination, as the package traverses the head end of the conveyor;
• a first read station, disposed at the head end of the conveyor, configured to establish communication with the radio frequency transceiver and thereby receive, as the slat traverses the head end of the conveyor, a radio frequency signal comprising a unique identification (ID) of the slat;
• a second read station, disposed at an approach to a conveyor output, configured to establish communication with the radio frequency transceiver and thereby receive, as the slat approaches the conveyor output, the radio frequency signal comprising the ID of the slat;
• a divert switch configured to divert the shoe of the at least one slat/shoe combination and thereby push the package, disposed on the slat of the at least one slat/shoe combination, to the conveyor output;
• a controller comprising a memory and at least one processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory and thereby control the divert switch to divert the shoe based on a signal from the optical sensor, a signal from the first read station, and a signal from the second read station.