Abstract: A parcel sorter system and method. A process performed by a parcel sorter system includes receiving sorting information of a first parcel. The process includes identifying a first destination pallet corresponding to the sorting information. The first destination pallet is associated with a first carousel and a first destination chute. The process includes transporting the first parcel toward the first destination chute. The process includes, while transporting the parcel toward the first destination chute, operating the first carousel to move the first destination pallet proximate to the first destination chute. The process includes delivering the first parcel at the first destination chute for placement on the first destination pallet.

Abstract: A parcel sorting system and method. A process performed by a parcel sorting system includes receiving sorting information of a first parcel. The process includes determining a sorting destination corresponding to the sorting information. The process includes determining a sorting instruction corresponding to the sorting destination and the first parcel. The process includes transporting the first parcel on a conveying surface. The process includes, while transporting the parcel on the conveying surface, displaying the corresponding sorting instruction on a scrolling marquee display at a location proximate to the first parcel. The process includes, when it is detected that the first parcel has been removed from the conveying surface, the ceasing displaying the corresponding sorting instruction.

Abstract: A parcel sorter system and method. A process performed by a parcel sorter system includes receiving sorting information of a first parcel. The process includes identifying a first destination pallet corresponding to the sorting information. The first destination pallet is associated with a first pallet carousel and a first destination chute. The process includes transporting the first parcel toward the first destination chute. The process includes, while transporting the parcel toward the first destination chute, operating the first pallet carousel to move the first destination pallet proximate to the first destination chute. The process includes delivering the first parcel at the first destination chute for placement on the first destination pallet.

Abstract: A system for automatic unloading of articles from a container or trailer comprising a control system comprising at least one processor configured via computer executable instructions to perform automated unloading operations utilizing a plurality of unloading apparatuses, generate, on a display, an identification for each of the plurality of unloading apparatuses, generate, on the display, an identification of an operating status for each of the plurality of unloading apparatuses, monitor the automated unloading operations, automatically detect an exception of an automated unloading operation performed by an unloading apparatus, halt the automated unloading operation based on a detected exception, and modify, on the display, the identification of the operation status of the unloading apparatus indicating that the automated unloading operation has halted.

Abstract: An automated unloader system and method. A process performed by an automatic unloader system includes performing an automatic unloading operation of parcels from a container. The process includes monitoring the automatic unloading operation using a plurality of sensors. The process includes automatically detecting an exception based on current sensor data and a knowledge base storing past sensor data. The process includes automatically resolving the exception using the knowledgebase and using resolution knowledge generated from a previous manual resolution by an operator of a corresponding type of exception.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a parcel transport configured to receive a flow of parcels, and transport the flow of parcels at a rate greater than a processing capacity of a downstream processing device. The parcel processing system includes a diverter configured to divert individual parcels from the flow of parcels to be recirculated. The parcel processing system includes the downstream processing device configured to process the remaining flow of parcels. The parcel processing system includes a control system configured to cause the diverter to divert the individual parcels from the flow of parcels until the remaining flow of parcels is not greater than the processing capacity of a downstream processing device.

Abstract: A system for alignment of a container or trailer to dock equipment includes a vision system for providing visual representations of a section of a container or trailer, an automated unloading apparatus for moving into an interior of the container or trailer, and a control system operably coupled to the vision system, the control system comprising a processor configured via computer executable instructions to receive the visual representations of the section of the container or trailer, interpret the visual representations of the section of the container or trailer, and output control commands for alignment of the container or trailer and/or the automated unloading apparatus. Further, a method for aligning a trailer or container to dock equipment is provided.

Abstract: A diverter system includes a conveyor belt with a horizontal belt surface, a diverter arm comprising a diverter belt with a vertical diverting belt surface, the diverter arm being operated by an actuator assembly, a sensing device for monitoring a speed of the vertical diverting belt surface, and a control unit operably coupled to the sensing device, wherein the control unit adjusts the speed of the vertical diverting belt surface according to a predefined ratio of speed between the horizontal belt surface and the vertical diverting belt surface.

Abstract: A parcel sorting system and related process. The parcel sorting system includes a parcel sorter, a plurality of shuttles, and a control system. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to assign a first sorting destination to a first output of a plurality of outputs. A first container is positioned to receive parcels sorted to the first output. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to sort parcels corresponding to the first sorting destination to the first output and deposit the parcels into the first container; when the first container has reached a target capacity, remove the full first container using a first shuttle; and position a third container to receive parcels sorted to the first output using a second shuttle.

Abstract: A diverter system includes a conveyor belt with a horizontal belt surface, a diverter arm comprising a diverter belt with a vertical diverting belt surface, the diverter arm being operated by an actuator assembly, a sensing device for monitoring a speed of the vertical diverting belt surface, and a control unit operably coupled to the sensing device, wherein the control unit adjusts the speed of the vertical diverting belt surface according to a predefined ratio of speed between the horizontal belt surface and the vertical diverting belt surface.

Abstract: A diverter system includes a diverter arm, an actuator assembly for operating the diverter arm, a position sensor for monitoring a motion signature of the diverter arm, and a control unit operably coupled to the position sensor and configured to evaluate the motion signature of the diverter arm.

Abstract: A system for sorting and delivering packages to one of a plurality of loading points includes a first movable cart positioned adjacent a first conveyor in a receiving position to receive packages from the first conveyor, a second movable cart positioned in a staging position, the second movable cart being empty, and a vehicle selectively engageable with the second movable cart to move the second movable cart from the staging position to the receiving position while simultaneously abutting and displacing the first movable cart from the receiving position to a transfer position.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a parcel singulation transport configured to transport a stream of singulated parcels. The parcel processing system includes a parcel sorter configured to sort individual parcels in the stream of singulated parcels into a plurality of buffers. Multiple buffers comprise a set of buffers corresponding to a single load builder, and each buffer accumulates and buffers sorted parcels before transfer to the load builder. The parcel processing system includes a parcel flow merge configured to selectively receive buffered parcels from each of the buffers in the set and feed the received parcels to the load builder. The parcel processing system includes the load builder, configured to receive the parcels from the parcel flow merge and build successive stacks of parcels on a parcel pallet.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a parcel transport configured to receive a flow of parcels, and transport the flow of parcels at a rate greater than a processing capacity of a downstream processing device. The parcel processing system includes a diverter configured to divert individual parcels from the flow of parcels to be recirculated. The parcel processing system includes the downstream processing device configured to process the remaining flow of parcels. The parcel processing system includes a control system configured to cause the diverter to divert the individual parcels from the flow of parcels until the remaining flow of parcels is not greater than the processing capacity of a downstream processing device.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a parcel singulation transport configured to transport a stream of singulated parcels. The parcel processing system includes a parcel sorter configured to sort individual parcels in the stream of singulated parcels into a plurality of buffers. Multiple buffers comprise a set of buffers corresponding to a single load builder, and each buffer accumulates and buffers sorted parcels before transfer to the load builder. The parcel processing system includes a parcel flow merge configured to selectively receive buffered parcels from each of the buffers in the set and feed the received parcels to the load builder. The parcel processing system includes the load builder, configured to receive the parcels from the parcel flow merge and build successive stacks of parcels on a parcel pallet.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a boom conveyor section configured to extend into a loading area, transport parcels into the loading area, and adjust a height of a discharge end of the boom conveyor section. The parcel processing system includes a sensor pod configured to scan the loading area into which the parcels can be placed. The parcel processing system includes a control system configured to determine a placement of the one or more parcels in the loading area, arrange the one or more parcels on the boom conveyor section according to the determined placement, control the boom conveyor section to transport one or more parcels into the loading area, control the height of the discharge end of the boom conveyor section, and place the one or more parcels into the loading area in the determined placement.

Abstract: A parcel processing system and method. A method includes receiving a plurality of items to be sorted. The method includes receiving a plurality of parcels by a parcel processing apparatus and producing parcel data corresponding to each of the parcels, the parcel data including physical dimensions and a weight for each parcel. The method includes designing a virtual stack of the plurality of parcels to occupy a working volume according to the parcel data by a volumetric modeling engine. The method includes building a physical stack of the parcels that corresponds to the virtual stack by a working volume builder, wherein the physical stack is thereafter transferred into the working volume in a container.

Abstract: A mail processing system and method. A method includes receiving a mailing manifest that includes mailpiece identifiers. Each mailpiece identifier corresponds to an individual mailpiece in a group of mailpieces, and the mailing manifest includes a mailer identification that identifies the mailer of the group of mailpieces. The method includes processing the group of mailpieces and tracking the status of each of the mailpieces. The method includes updating the status of the mailpiece identifiers on the mailing manifest according to the tracking, and producing mail processing data. The method includes analyzing and storing the mail processing data.

Abstract: A method and system is described for determining the physical weights of flat articles being sorted without actually weighing the articles. Such a method includes the steps of; receiving volume information for individual flat articles from sensors, comparing that resultant data to classifiers stored in computer memory, and assigning a weight value associated to the physical flat article.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for determining authorship of a handwritten document for which the authorship is not known. A method includes scanning a document to produce a high-quality scanned image of the document, and identifying stylus information corresponding to the document. The method includes identifying authorship information corresponding to the document, and determining an authorship of the document based on the stylus information and the authorship information. In some cases, content analysis of the document is also performed and used to determine authorship.