US 9,771,222 B2 · Vision based conveyor package flow management system

Abstract

A camera based vision system that recognizes and maximizes belt area utilization. A plurality of cameras are positioned at flow entry points of feed conveyors and at the singulator. The control algorithm recognizes individual items area, the rate at which individual objects are passing, and the area utilization of the collector belt. The video camera and computer based conveyor package management system monitor and control the number and size of the packages present on the infeed conveyors, collector conveyor, singulator conveyor and sorting conveyor in a package handling system wherein the camera data is used to measure the available area or space on the conveyors to maintain a desired density of packages on selected conveyor(s). The conveyor speed is controlled as a function of occupancy on a collector or just prior to a singulator or receiver.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method of managing bulk parcel flow with a vision management system, comprising the steps of:

selecting a transition zone between a feed conveyor and a receiving conveyor each one having independent drive means;
selecting a camera field of view of said selected transition zone;
setting said feeding conveyor speed to achieve a desired conveyor area utilization on a down stream receiving conveyor according to the formula V2=V1×2×(DO %)/(RCO %+FCO %) where V is volume, DO is Desired Occupancy, RCO is Receiving Conveyor Occupancy, and FCO is Feeding Conveyor Occupancy;
determining a percentage of said feed conveyor occupancy defined zone;
determining a percentage of said receiving conveyor occupancy defined zone;
selecting a percentage of a desired occupancy of said receiving conveyor after a merger of said parcels from said feeding conveyor to said receiving conveyor;
selecting a conveyor area including a desired occupancy zone at a selected position;
and
feeding said parcels from said feed conveyor to said receiving conveyor occupancy defined zone at a selected rate;
conveying said parcels toward said desired occupancy zone of said conveyor area at a selected position;
and
merging said parcels at said conveyor area of said transition section between said feed conveyor and said receiving conveyor.

9 more elements

A method of managing bulk package conveyor flow with a vision management system, comprising the steps of:

selecting a transition zone between a feed conveyor and a receiving conveyor each one having independent drive means;
selecting a camera field of view of said selected transition zone;
setting a speed or movement of said feed conveyor, said receiving conveyor, or both said feed conveyor and said receiving conveyor to achieve a desired conveyor area utilization on a down stream receiving conveyor according to the formula V2=V1×2×(DO %)/(RCO %+FCO %) where V is volume, DO is Desired Occupancy, RCO is Receiving Conveyor Occupancy, and FCO is Feeding Conveyor Occupancy;
determining a percentage of said feed conveyor occupancy defined zone;
determining a percentage of said receiving conveyor occupancy defined zone;
selecting a percentage of a desired occupancy of said receiving conveyor after a merger of said packages from said feeding conveyor to said receiving conveyor;
selecting a conveyor area including a desired occupancy zone at a selected position;
feeding said packages from said feed conveyor to said receiving conveyor occupancy defined zone at a selected rate;
conveying said packages toward said desired occupancy zone of said conveyor area at a selected position;
and
merging said packages at said conveyor area of said transition section between said feed conveyor and said receiving conveyor.

8 more elements

A vision based bulk package conveyor flow management system, comprising:

a feed conveyor and a receiving conveyor each one having independent drive means;
a transition zone between said feed conveyor and said receiving conveyor;
at least one camera providing a selected field of view of said selected transition zone, a selected occupancy zone, or said selected transition zone and said selected occupancy zone;
said feed conveyor, said receiver conveyor, or both said feed conveyor and said receiver conveyor conveying at a selected speed or time to achieve a desired conveyor area utilization on a down stream receiving conveyor according to the formula V2=V1×2×(DO %)/(RCO %+FCO %) where V is volume, DO is Desired Occupancy, RCO is Receiving Conveyor Occupancy, and FCO is Feeding Conveyor Occupancy;
said feed conveyor having a selected occupancy defined zone;
said receiving conveyor having a selected occupancy defined zone;
a transition section between said feed conveyor and said receiving conveyor for merging a plurality of packages from one to the other;
said selected transition section including a percentage of the desired occupancy of said receiving conveyor after the merger of said packages from said feed conveyor to said receiving conveyor;
a conveyor area including a desired occupancy zone at a selected position;
and
a computer for controlling said conveyor speed and movement based upon signals received from said cameras identifying gaps between said packages on said receiving conveyor of sufficient space for insertion of an additional package from said feeding conveyor.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vision based conveyor package flow management system

Life of this patent

Vision based conveyor package flow management system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21