公开(公告)号：US11602773B2

公开(公告)日：2023-03-14

申请号：US16578689

申请日：2019-09-23

Applicant: United States Postal Service

Inventor： George Coupar ,  Jeffrey Adin Fox ,  James Whipple ,  Gabriel Difurio

IPC: B65G43/08 ,  B07C3/14 ,  B07C3/12 ,  B65B57/12

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced monitoring and sorting of delivery items, such as packages, which are moved and sorted via a delivery service conveyor device. Conventional systems may employ photocells, which detect interrupted light beams, to identify packages or delivery items along a conveyor path. The present system and method enhances photocell function by adding image detection and analysis to the mail path; and further by modifying the photocell signals to the sorter/conveyor control. The present sensing system is located in the same area on the transport as the photocell, and uses a camera to capture an image of the mail path in the photocell area. The system and method then analyzes a package image to formulate a more accurate item detection signal, based on photocell data and image data, for input to the sorter/conveyor control system.

公开(公告)号：US11911799B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-27

申请号：US18182680

申请日：2023-03-13

Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

Inventor： George Coupar ,  Jeffrey A. Fox ,  James Whipple ,  Gabriel Difurio

IPC: B65G43/08 ,  B07C3/14 ,  B07C3/12 ,  B65B57/12

CPC classification number: B07C3/14 ,  B07C3/12 ,  B65B57/12 ,  B65G43/08 ,  B65G2201/0285 ,  B65G2203/0208 ,  B65G2203/041 ,  B65G2203/044

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced monitoring and sorting of delivery items, such as packages, which are moved and sorted via a delivery service conveyor device. Conventional systems may employ photocells, which detect interrupted light beams, to identify packages or delivery items along a conveyor path. The present system and method enhances photocell function by adding image detection and analysis to the mail path; and further by modifying the photocell signals to the sorter/conveyor control. The present sensing system is located in the same area on the transport as the photocell, and uses a camera to capture an image of the mail path in the photocell area. The system and method then analyze a package image to formulate a more accurate item detection signal, based on photocell data and image data, for input to the sorter/conveyor control system.