Abstract: A computer system receives an image of a package in the computer system, wherein the image includes at least one face of the package. The computer system may determine a normal vector of each of the at least one face of the package in the image. The computer system determines a SKU associated with the package based upon the normal vector and the image. The computer system compares the determined SKU with at least one of a plurality of desired SKUs. In other embodiments various embodiments of validation systems are described. An autonomous mobile robot that can be used with a validation system is also described.

Abstract: A delivery portal, which may be at a loading dock, includes a sensor configured to detect a pallet, platform or stack of goods as it passes through the portal. A computer is programmed to receive information from the sensor and to identify the pallet based upon the information. The computer is further programmed to compare the identified pallet to a database to determine if the identified pallet should be passing through the portal. For example, the computer determines whether the pallet is being loaded onto the wrong truck or onto the right truck but in the wrong sequence. The sensor for detecting the pallet may be an RFID sensor reading an RFID tag on the pallets. The portal may be a loading dock. The database may indicate a sequence for loading a plurality of pallets including the identified pallet onto a truck at the loading dock.

Abstract: A pallet loading and validation system provides several features that are particularly beneficial in the context of a conveyor product distribution system, such as a pallet loading system, although some features are not exclusive to a conveyor system. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for identifying a SKU of a package using a computer system having at least one processor, the method including: (a) taking at least one image of a package on a conveyor; (b) receiving the at least one image in the computer system; and (c) based upon the at least one image, the computer system determining a SKU associated with the package.

Abstract: A delivery portal, which may be at a loading dock, includes a sensor configured to detect a pallet, platform or stack of goods as it passes through the portal. A computer is programmed to receive information from the sensor and to identify the pallet based upon the information. The computer is further programmed to compare the identified pallet to a database to determine if the identified pallet should be passing through the portal. For example, the computer determines whether the pallet is being loaded onto the wrong truck or onto the right truck but in the wrong sequence. The sensor for detecting the pallet may be an RFID sensor reading an RFID tag on the pallets. The portal may be a loading dock. The database may indicate a sequence for loading a plurality of pallets including the identified pallet onto a truck at the loading dock.

Abstract: A pallet loading and validation system provides several features that are particularly beneficial in the context of a conveyor product distribution system, such as a pallet loading system, although some features are not exclusive to a conveyor system. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for identifying a SKU of a package using a computer system having at least one processor, the method including: (a) taking at least one image of a package on a conveyor; (b) receiving the at least one image in the computer system; and (c) based upon the at least one image, the computer system determining a SKU associated with the package.

Abstract: A pallet loading and validation system provides several features that are particularly beneficial in the context of a conveyor product distribution system, such as a pallet loading system, although some features are not exclusive to a conveyor system. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for identifying a SKU of a package using a computer system having at least one processor, the method including: (a) taking at least one image of a package on a conveyor; (b) receiving the at least one image in the computer system; and (c) based upon the at least one image, the computer system determining a SKU associated with the package.

Abstract: A computer system for validating trays loaded with products receives at least one image of products in at least one tray of a plurality of trays in an imaging area. A type of the products in the at least one tray is determined based upon the at least one image. The type of products in the at least one tray is compared to at least one order. A confirmation or error is indicated based upon the comparison. In some examples, the products are bakery products of different types loaded in plastic, stackable bakery trays. In one example method, a plurality of stacks of loaded bakery trays are imaged from a front or rear of the trays. In another example method, the plurality of stacks are imaged from overhead as the trays are loaded onto the stacks.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a plurality of conveying surfaces spaced apart from one another. An upper floor between the plurality of conveying surfaces has an uppermost surface that is lower than an uppermost surface of the plurality of conveying surfaces and higher than a returning portion of the plurality of conveying surfaces. This permits the conveyor system to be used with nestable pallets and base board pallets. The conveyor system may be part of a pallet wrapping system having an infeed conveyor and an outfeed conveyor for receiving loaded pallets from tines of material handling equipment and for transferring wrapped loaded pallets to tines of material handling equipment.

Abstract: A pallet lift includes a base and at least one platform for supporting an object thereon. The at least one platform extends forward of the base. A plurality of load wheels are below the at least one platform and configured to move toward and away from the platform to selectively lower and raise the platform. A plurality of load motors are each configured to drive one of the plurality of load wheels. At least one rear wheel is positioned below the base. At least one processor is programmed to control the plurality of load motors to provide differential steering to the pallet lift.

Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.

Abstract: A lift includes a platform having a plurality of rollers for supporting a load thereon. A plurality of wheels support the platform. A build platform may include a platform having a plurality of rollers for supporting a load thereon. The rollers of the build platform may be driven by the rollers of the lift.

Abstract: A pallet wrapper and imaging system a pallet loaded with containers to calculate a sustainability based upon a type of the pallet and the containers on the pallet. The system also determines the stability of the pallet and containers, a speed at which the pallet and containers can be wrapped, and an amount of stretch film needed to secure the load for transport. After validation by the imaging system (with or without a wrapper), a QC bot assists a QC worker in remedying or checking any detected errors or potential errors.

Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.

Abstract: A pallet wrapper and imaging system a pallet loaded with containers to calculate a sustainability based upon a type of the pallet and the containers on the pallet. The system also determines the stability of the pallet and containers, a speed at which the pallet and containers can be wrapped, and an amount of stretch film needed to secure the load for transport. After validation by the imaging system (with or without a wrapper), a QC bot assists a QC worker in remedying or checking any detected errors or potential errors.

Abstract: A delivery portal, which may be at a loading dock, includes a sensor configured to detect a pallet, platform or stack of goods as it passes through the portal. A computer is programmed to receive information from the sensor and to identify the pallet based upon the information. The computer is further programmed to compare the identified pallet to a database to determine if the identified pallet should be passing through the portal. For example, the computer determines whether the pallet is being loaded onto the wrong truck or onto the right truck but in the wrong sequence. The sensor for detecting the pallet may be an RFID sensor reading an RFID tag on the pallets. The portal may be a loading dock. The database may indicate a sequence for loading a plurality of pallets including the identified pallet onto a truck at the loading dock.

Abstract: A delivery portal, which may be at a loading dock, includes a sensor configured to detect a pallet, platform or stack of goods as it passes through the portal. A computer is programmed to receive information from the sensor and to identify the pallet based upon the information. The computer is further programmed to compare the identified pallet to a database to determine if the identified pallet should be passing through the portal. For example, the computer determines whether the pallet is being loaded onto the wrong truck or onto the right truck but in the wrong sequence. The sensor for detecting the pallet may be an RFID sensor reading an RFID tag on the pallets. The portal may be a loading dock. The database may indicate a sequence for loading a plurality of pallets including the identified pallet onto a truck at the loading dock.

Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.

Abstract: A pallet wrapper and imaging system a pallet loaded with containers to calculate a sustainability based upon a type of the pallet and the containers on the pallet. The system also determines the stability of the pallet and containers, a speed at which the pallet and containers can be wrapped, and an amount of stretch film needed to secure the load for transport. After validation by the imaging system (with or without a wrapper), a QC bot assists a QC worker in remedying or checking any detected errors or potential errors.

Abstract: A delivery system may include a pallet wrapper system having a turntable, a camera directed toward an area above the turntable, and a stretch wrap dispenser adjacent the turntable. A computer receives images from the camera of multiple sides of a pallet loaded with packages on the turntable. The computer stitches images from different sides of the stack of packages that correspond to the same package. At least one machine learning model may be used to infer SKUs of each package. Optical character recognition may be performed in parallel on the images. The determination of the SKU of each package may be based upon the inferred SKUs and on the OCR.

Abstract: A mobile camera unit includes a base having a plurality of wheels. A support extends upward from the base. At least one camera mounted to the support. At least one processor is configured to collect images from the at least one camera. A communication circuit is configured to transmit the images. The mobile camera unit may be used to capture images of a plurality of products on a pallet or other platform. The images are transmitted to a server to identify SKUs associated with the products and to compare the identified SKUs with an order or pick list.