Abstract: Robot includes a propulsion system configured to transport the robot and a controller in communication with the propulsion system. A material handler is carried by the robot and configured for depositing articles into one or more destination containers. The material handler has a tilt tray having sections that are configured for tilting in any number of directions relative to a vertical of the robot. Each section of the tilt tray may include a respective conveyor that moves articles at variable speed.

Abstract: Method of sorting articles to a plurality of delivery routes includes sequencing a plurality of delivery stops within each of a plurality of routes based on a predefined criterion, and, depositing articles associated with a first delivery stop of each route in a first sequence container. The method also includes transferring articles from the first sequence container to a respective route container of a plurality of route containers, each route container associated with a route, depositing articles associated with a second delivery stop of each route in a second sequence container, and, transferring articles from the second sequence container to the respective route container of the plurality of route containers. Transferring articles from the second sequence container commences after completion of transferring articles from the first sequence container.

Abstract: Method of transporting an article with a computer controlled transport vehicle to a destination includes transporting an article carried by a computer controlled transport vehicle to a destination, wherein a tray, belt, or carrier attached to the computer controlled transport vehicle engages the article. The method further includes determining a characteristic for the article. The method furthermore includes manipulating the tray, belt, or carrier from a first position to a second position to deposit the article at the destination, wherein the manipulation of the tray, belt, or carrier is adjusted based on the characteristic determined for the article to adjust a deposit characteristic of the article.

Abstract: System for use in directing a sorting operation includes receptacles configured for receiving articles therein, and a sleeve removably attached to each receptacle such that an upper portion of the sleeve extending upward above a top rim of the receptacle and defining an opening that permits access to the receiving space of the receptacle; and automated transport devices for transporting and depositing articles into the receptacles. The system configured to: assign a first count of articles to a receptacle such that the first count of articles overfills the receptacle and direct the transport devices to transport and deposit the first count of articles into the receptacle after the sleeve is removably attached over a top region of the receptacle.

Abstract: Order fulfillment system comprises an order sortation system and an article storage and retrieval system positioned directly above the order sortation system. A controller is configured to: receive an order; direct a retrieval mechanism to move a storage bin containing a first article required for the order to an output station; determine a first destination receptacle among a plurality of destination receptacles to deliver, with a computer controlled vehicle, the first article based on a destination determined for the first article; direct collecting, at the output station, of the first article from the storage bin; direct the computer controlled vehicle to transport the first article received at the output station to the first receptacle.

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.

Abstract: Robot includes a propulsion system configured to transport the robot and a controller in communication with the propulsion system. A material handler is carried by the robot and configured for depositing articles into one or more destination containers. The material handler has a tilt tray having sections that are configured for tilting in any number of directions relative to a vertical of the robot. Each section of the tilt tray may include a respective conveyor that moves articles at variable speed.

Abstract: Improved security checkpoint includes a security scanning system having multiple personal item intake locations, a security scanner, multiple personal item retrieval locations, and a plurality of computer-controlled vehicles for transporting personal items between the personal item intake locations, the security scanner, and the personal item retrieval locations. Personal items are placed into a tote by an individual, and the computer-controlled vehicles collect the totes containing the personal items, transport the tote to an available security scanner, deposit the tote at the security scanner, and then transport the tote either to a retrieval location or secondary screening location after the personal item has been screened.

Abstract: Method of sorting articles to a plurality of delivery routes includes sequencing a plurality of delivery stops within each of a plurality of routes based on a predefined criterion, and, depositing articles associated with a first delivery stop of each route in a first sequence container. The method also includes transferring articles from the first sequence container to a respective route container of a plurality of route containers, each route container associated with a route, depositing articles associated with a second delivery stop of each route in a second sequence container, and, transferring articles from the second sequence container to the respective route container of the plurality of route containers. Transferring articles from the second sequence container commences after completion of transferring articles from the first sequence container.

Abstract: System is configured to receive article information corresponding to articles to be transported by computer-controlled vehicles, the articles comprising a first article and a second article, each having a maximum article dimension. System is also configured to assign travel routes about a grid comprising grid cells for the vehicles to travel thereon. The travel route of a first vehicle carrying the first article includes a turning maneuver at a first grid cell. System is configured to control the turning maneuver of the first vehicle in the first grid cell such that there is no contact between the first article carried on the first vehicle with a second article carried on a second vehicle present in a second grid cell that is adjacent to the first grid cell when the first vehicle is undertaking the turning maneuver.

Abstract: System for use in directing a sorting operation comprises a server, a receptacle logical destination identification (ID) assignment engine, a plurality of receptacles, and an automated transport device for transporting and depositing articles into the receptacles. The system is configured to: assign a first logical destination ID to a first receptacle; and direct an automated transport device to transport and deposit a first article into the first receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID. The system is further configured to: determine that the first receptacle is full; re-assign the first logical destination ID to a second receptacle; and re-direct the automated transport device to transport and deposit the first article into the second receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID.

Abstract: Chamber bank for use in a sorting operation includes chambers for receiving a receptacle therein. Each chamber is defined by a floor, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall that together define a receiving space for a receptacle. At least one of the left and right wall is taller than the corresponding abutting side wall of the receptacle received therein. A system assigns a first number of articles occupying a first volume to the receptacle such that the first number of articles overfills the receptacle when all of the first number of articles are deposited thereinto.

Abstract: System includes a server comprising a receptacle exchange engine, a receptacle, a shelf comprising a plurality of storage locations, and a frame positioned adjacent the shelf. The frame includes a lift traveling about a vertical rail. The vertical rail translating horizontally about two guide tracks arranged parallel to one another. The lift is configured for transferring the receptacle to a storage location of the shelf. System is configured to: determine that the receptacle containing one or more sorted articles is ready to be transferred and direct the lift to transfer the receptacle from an article receiving position to one of: (a) a storage location of the shelf, and (b) a position about a receptacle transport device.

Abstract: Improved security checkpoint includes a security scanning system having multiple personal item intake locations, a security scanner, multiple personal item retrieval locations, and a plurality of computer-controlled vehicles for transporting personal items between the personal item intake locations, the security scanner, and the personal item retrieval locations. Personal items are placed into a tote by an individual, and the computer-controlled vehicles collect the totes containing the personal items, transport the tote to an available security scanner, deposit the tote at the security scanner, and then transport the tote either to a retrieval location or secondary screening location after the personal item has been screened.

Abstract: System for use in directing a sorting operation comprises a server, a receptacle logical destination identification (ID) assignment engine, a plurality of receptacles, and an automated transport device for transporting and depositing articles into the receptacles. The system is configured to: assign a first logical destination ID to a first receptacle; and direct an automated transport device to transport and deposit a first article into the first receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID. The system is further configured to: determine that the first receptacle is full; re-assign the first logical destination ID to a second receptacle; and re-direct the automated transport device to transport and deposit the first article into the second receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID.

Abstract: System is configured to receive article information corresponding to articles to be transported by computer-controlled vehicles, the articles comprising a first article and a second article, each having a maximum article dimension. System is also configured to assign travel routes about a grid comprising grid cells for the vehicles to travel thereon. The travel route of a first vehicle carrying the first article includes a turning maneuver at a first grid cell. System is configured to control the turning maneuver of the first vehicle in the first grid cell such that there is no contact between the first article carried on the first vehicle with a second article carried on a second vehicle present in a second grid cell that is adjacent to the first grid cell when the first vehicle is undertaking the turning maneuver.

Abstract: Chamber bank for use in a sorting operation includes chambers for receiving a receptacle therein. Each chamber is defined by a floor, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall that together define a receiving space for a receptacle. At least one of the left and right wall is taller than the corresponding abutting side wall of the receptacle received therein. A system assigns a first number of articles occupying a first volume to the receptacle such that the first number of articles overfills the receptacle when all of the first number of articles are deposited thereinto.

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.

Abstract: A multi-level induction station is disclosed. The multi-level induction station includes multiple sorting levels arranged in a vertical stacked configuration; a vertically traveling automated lift that carries articles vertically between the sorting levels along a frame positioned proximate to the multiple sorting levels; an information acquisition device positioned to read information from an article on the lift; multiple transport devices positioned on the sorting levels to receive the articles; and a control system that directs the multi-level induction station to determine a destination for an article and direct the lift to a platform where a transport device is at an article-receiving position at the sorting level to receive the article.

Abstract: System includes an article supply location that includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container, and one or more removal devices that transport the container to a location of further processing. System further includes a control system configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container, deposit the article in the destination container, and transport the destination container to a location for further processing by manipulation of the removal device.