US 11,892,825 B2
Parcel and article sorting system and method
Jianqiang Zhu, Hangzhou (CN); Juejing Xu, Hangzhou (CN); John C. Spain, Raleigh, NC (US); Michael C. Futch, Raleigh, NC (US); James M. Serstad, Raleigh, NC (US); Richard C. Kaminska, III, Raleigh, NC (US); and Selden W. McKnight, Jr., Raleigh, NC (US)
Assigned to Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Orlando, FL (US); and Zhejiang Libiao Robot Co., Ltd., Zhejiang (CN)
Filed by Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Orlando, FL (US); and Zhejiang Libiao Robot Co., Ltd., Zhejiang OT (CN)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/344,350.
Application 18/344,350 is a continuation of application No. 17/930,519, filed on Sep. 8, 2022, granted, now 11,714,401.
Application 17/930,519 is a continuation of application No. 17/190,812, filed on Mar. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,630,448, issued on Apr. 18, 2023.
Application 17/190,812 is a continuation of application No. 16/353,250, filed on Mar. 14, 2019, granted, now 10,968,087, issued on Apr. 6, 2021.
Application 16/353,250 is a continuation of application No. 15/984,757, filed on May 21, 2018, granted, now 10,248,112, issued on Apr. 2, 2019.
Application 15/984,757 is a continuation of application No. 15/455,094, filed on Mar. 9, 2017, granted, now 9,975,148, issued on May 22, 2018.
Application 15/455,094 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/CN2016/090684, filed on Jul. 20, 2016.
Claims priority of application No. 201510433995.5 (CN), filed on Jul. 22, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0341843 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. G05B 19/418 (2006.01); B07C 3/00 (2006.01); B07C 3/02 (2006.01); B07C 3/06 (2006.01); B07C 3/08 (2006.01); B07C 3/14 (2006.01); B07C 3/18 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B65G 1/06 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B66F 9/06 (2006.01); G06Q 10/08 (2023.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); G05D 1/02 (2020.01); G06Q 50/30 (2012.01)
CPC G05B 19/41895 (2013.01) [B07C 3/008 (2013.01); B07C 3/02 (2013.01); B07C 3/06 (2013.01); B07C 3/08 (2013.01); B07C 3/14 (2013.01); B07C 3/18 (2013.01); B65G 1/0492 (2013.01); B65G 1/06 (2013.01); B65G 1/065 (2013.01); B65G 1/137 (2013.01); B65G 1/1373 (2013.01); B66F 9/063 (2013.01); G05D 1/0291 (2013.01); G06Q 10/08 (2013.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01); B07C 2301/00 (2013.01); B65G 1/0464 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0285 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0216 (2013.01); B65G 2203/044 (2013.01); B65G 2209/02 (2013.01); G06Q 50/30 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
an article supply location;
a destination container;
a computer-controlled transport vehicle;
a transfer device configured for transferring the destination container to a location for unloading the article present in the destination container;
a control system configured to:
determine a destination container to deposit an article from the article supply location;
direct the transport vehicle to transport the article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the transport vehicle from a first position to a second position for deposit of the article in the destination container;
direct the transfer device to transfer the destination container to a location for unloading the article in the destination container.
 
11. A system comprising:
a destination container;
an article delivery device;
a transfer device configured for transferring the destination container to a location for unloading the article present in the destination container;
a control system configured to:
determine a destination container is ready for transfer after the article delivery device has delivered an article to the destination container;
direct the transfer device to transfer the destination container to a location for unloading the article in the destination container.
 
17. A system comprising:
an article supply location;
an article delivery device;
an article deposition mechanism configured for loading an article about the article delivery device;
a destination container; and
a transfer device configured for transferring the destination container to a location for unloading the article present in the destination container;
a control system configured to:
determine a destination container to deposit an article from the article supply location;
direct the article delivery device to deposit the article in the destination container;
direct the transfer device to transfer the destination container to a location for unloading the article in the destination container.