Abstract: There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

Abstract: A disclosed system for transport asset monitoring, for example monitoring truck trailer unloading progress at large retail locations, includes an artificial intelligence (AI) solution for managing operations at a facility. The AI solution analyzes current load percentage and other data to predict availability for moving the transport asset and ability to accept a new incoming transport asset. Predictions of availability can reduce response times, resulting in higher utilization rates for assets, thereby improving efficiency. An exemplary system includes a sensor configured to sense operation progress parameter data for a transport asset; and logic to receive the operation progress parameter data from the sensor; determine, using the AI solution and based at least on the operation progress parameter data, a predicted milestone parameter; and report the predicted milestone parameter to a remote node.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for assembling merchandise ordered by customers. In one form, the system may include: a merchandise order interface for receiving orders placed by customers; a retailer facility with shelving locations corresponding to categories of merchandise items; and a merchandise database containing records of the merchandise categories at the retailer facility and identifying a group of difficult-to-pick merchandise categories, including items stored in locked cases and in non-public areas of the retailer facility.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for use in arranging merchandise at shelving locations of retailer facilities. In one form, the system may include: a retailer facility with shelving locations for merchandise; a planogram or merchandise database indicating the correspondence of shelving locations to categories of merchandise items; and a pick database containing a first-time pick metric corresponding to each shelving location, the first-time pick metric indicating the frequency of locating the merchandise type at the shelving location. The system may also include a control circuit that determines a set of categories of merchandise items with low first-time pick metrics, determines a subset including certain core merchandise categories and including merchandise categories with the highest sales data, and transmits a notification regarding the subset of categories.

Abstract: A disclosed system for transport asset monitoring, for example monitoring truck trailer unloading progress at large retail locations, includes an artificial intelligence (AI) solution for managing operations at a facility. The AI solution analyzes current load percentage and other data to predict availability for moving the transport asset and ability to accept a new incoming transport asset. Predictions of availability can reduce response times, resulting in higher utilization rates for assets, thereby improving efficiency. An exemplary system includes a sensor configured to sense operation progress parameter data for a transport asset; and logic to receive the operation progress parameter data from the sensor; determine, using the AI solution and based at least on the operation progress parameter data, a predicted milestone parameter; and report the predicted milestone parameter to a remote node.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

Abstract: A folding wing for a conveyor is disclosed that can extend to facilitate sorting of items and providing additional space for docking locations. A first and second section each have a conveyor surface; and are coupled with a reverse-knee joint such that, in a folded configuration the conveyor surface of the first section and the conveyor surface of the second section are adjacent, and in an unfolded configuration, the first section conveyor surface and the second section conveyor surface form a contiguous conveyor surface. In some examples, the frame may be made of aluminum, and the rollers made of PVC, in order to reduce weight. In some examples, the folding section may measure approximately two feet by two feet. The folding assembly may drop down for even more space savings, when not in use, and be supported in an extended configuration with a second reverse knee joint.

Abstract: A disclosed system for transporting items to destination locations, for example automatically placing stacked products at selected locations within a large retail facility, includes a conveyor assembly, an item identifier, a robotic arm with a plurality of end effectors, and a sorter component operable to select one of the plurality of end effectors and remove items selected for diversion from the conveyor assembly with the robotic arm. The sorter component stacks the removed items, and the stacked items are transported to a selected location within the retail facility, for example using an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV).

Abstract: A disclosed system for transport asset monitoring, for example monitoring truck trailer unloading progress at large retail locations, includes an artificial intelligence (AI) solution for managing operations at a facility. The AI solution analyzes current load percentage and other data to predict availability for moving the transport asset and ability to accept a new incoming transport asset. Predictions of availability can reduce response times, resulting in higher utilization rates for assets, thereby improving efficiency. An exemplary system includes a sensor configured to sense operation progress parameter data for a transport asset; and logic to receive the operation progress parameter data from the sensor; determine, using the AI solution and based at least on the operation progress parameter data, a predicted milestone parameter; and report the predicted milestone parameter to a remote node.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

Abstract: A folding wing for a conveyor is disclosed that can extend to facilitate sorting of items and providing additional space for docking locations. A first and second section each have a conveyor surface; and are coupled with a reverse-knee joint such that, in a folded configuration the conveyor surface of the first section and the conveyor surface of the second section are adjacent, and in an unfolded configuration, the first section conveyor surface and the second section conveyor surface form a contiguous conveyor surface. In some examples, the frame may be made of aluminum, and the rollers made of PVC, in order to reduce weight. In some examples, the folding section may measure approximately two feet by two feet. The folding assembly may drop down for even more space savings, when not in use, and be supported in an extended configuration with a second reverse knee joint.

Abstract: Example item alignment tools for aligning items on a shelf are described. The item alignment tools include an elongated planar body defining a proximal end, a distal end, a bottom straight edge, a top edge, and first and second opposing sides extending between the bottom straight edge and the top edge. The item alignment tools include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the elongated planar body. The item alignment tools include a wrap positioned over and covering at least a portion of the bottom straight edge of the elongated planar body to provide a protective layer for sliding along a surface of a shelf to facilitate alignment of items on the shelf.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an automated marking system. The autonomous robot device can locate and identify one or more cases stored in at least one of a plurality of bins in the first location of the facility, wherein each case containing a set of like physical objects. The autonomous robot device can transmit identifying information of the at least one of the one or more cases to the computing system. The computing system can determine a priority for a quantity of the first set of like physical objects to be moved from the at least one of the one or more cases to the second location of the facility. The computing system can instruct the at least one autonomous robot device to mark the at least one of the one or more cases with an identifying mark denoting the determined priority.

Abstract: A tiered storage system which sits atop a gondola shelf. The tiered storage system is made of a support structure having gondola shelf connectors, the gondola shelf connectors configured to removeably attach the support structure to the gondola shelf, and two or more tiers mounted on the support structure, each tier including a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, the horizontal plane being substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane. The tiered storage system can be configured with pegs or other organizational tools for helping arrange items such that surplus items being stored on the tiered storage system can be visible to customers or associates in a store aisle.

Abstract: An interchangeable modular shelf system, where a modular shelf framework is made of two support arms and two longitudinal members in a hollow rectangular shape. Onto this modular framework distinct types of display components may be attached, such that a single modular framework may contain a basket and a shelf. The modular framework can be attached to a vertical plane of the gondola rack, and can then be used for easily changing the type of display component attached, or for modifying the arrangement of the display components as necessary.

Abstract: Example item alignment tools for aligning items on a shelf are described. The item alignment tools include an elongated planar body defining a proximal end, a distal end, a bottom straight edge, a top edge, and first and second opposing sides extending between the bottom straight edge and the top edge. The item alignment tools include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the elongated planar body. The item alignment tools include a wrap positioned over and covering at least a portion of the bottom straight edge of the elongated planar body to provide a protective layer for sliding along a surface of a shelf to facilitate alignment of items on the shelf.

Abstract: A tiered storage system which sits atop a gondola shelf. The tiered storage system is made of a support structure having gondola shelf connectors, the gondola shelf connectors configured to removeably attach the support structure to the gondola shelf, and two or more tiers mounted on the support structure, each tier including a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, the horizontal plane being substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane. The tiered storage system can be configured with pegs or other organizational tools for helping arrange items such that surplus items being stored on the tiered storage system can be visible to customers or associates in a store aisle.

Abstract: An interchangeable modular shelf system, where a modular shelf framework is made of two support arms and two longitudinal members in a hollow rectangular shape. Onto this modular framework distinct types of display components may be attached, such that a single modular framework may contain a basket and a shelf. The modular framework can be attached to a vertical plane of the gondola rack, and can then be used for easily changing the type of display component attached, or for modifying the arrangement of the display components as necessary.