US 11,941,580 B2
Locating, identifying, and shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion including during transit
Julio Gil, Veldhoven (NL)
Assigned to United Parcel Service of America, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC., Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Oct. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/083,100.
Prior Publication US 2022/0129833 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); G06K 7/10 (2006.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01); G06K 19/06 (2006.01); G06K 19/07 (2006.01); G06Q 10/083 (2023.01); G06Q 10/0833 (2023.01)
CPC G06Q 10/087 (2013.01) [G06K 7/10366 (2013.01); G06K 7/1413 (2013.01); G06K 19/06028 (2013.01); G06K 19/0723 (2013.01); G06Q 10/083 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer-implemented method for directing shifting of objects in a vehicle, the method comprising:
directing a shifting mechanism to move a first object-support structure of a plurality of object-support structures along a track to a first location in the vehicle, wherein an object-shifting apparatus operates inside the vehicle, each of the plurality of object-support structures comprises a plurality of support elements, a wheeled base, and a coupling mechanism that is physically coupled to the track, the first location is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus, and the shifting mechanism guides the coupling mechanism of the first object-support structure to move the first object-support structure along the track and cause the wheeled base of the first object-support structure to roll along a surface of an interior of the vehicle;
receiving, from the object-shifting apparatus, identifying data associated with an object positioned on the first object-support structure;
determining a designated destination of the object based at least in part on the identifying data;
based on an ultimate destination of the object in a logistics network, directing the shifting mechanism to move a second object-support structure of the plurality of object-support structures to a second location in the vehicle, wherein the second location is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus, and the shifting mechanism guides the coupling mechanism of the second object-support structure to move the second object-support structure along the track and cause the wheeled base of the second object-support structure to roll along the surface; and
directing the object-shifting apparatus to transfer the object from the first object-support structure to the second object-support structure by:
locating and identifying, via an object-detection component, the object positioned on a first support element of the plurality of support elements for the first object-support structure;
shifting, based at least in part on locating and identifying the object positioned on the first support element, an object-shifting mechanism to the first support element;
engaging the object positioned on the first support element for the first object-support structure to move the object to the object-shifting mechanism;
shifting the object-shifting mechanism to a second support element of the plurality of support elements for the second object-support structure; and
transferring the object from the object-shifting mechanism onto the second support element.