Mobile sorter platforms and method for sorting articles
A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.
1. A platform assembly for use with sorting articles, the platform assembly comprising:
a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles, each marker comprising one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker, and
a container positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers,
wherein the platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition,
wherein, in operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.
2. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first panel defines two partial sections that are pivotably engaged when the platform assembly is in the extended position.
3. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the container is one of a bag or a box.
4. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein an imaging device, RFID reader or a scanner interacts with an identifier on the article.
5. The platform assembly of claim 1 , comprising a second panel, wherein the first panel is elevated compared to the second panel.
6. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises an imaging device, RFID reader or a scanner.
7. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the container is associated with a delivery hub, delivery route, a zip code or other geographic identifier, wherein the delivery hub, delivery route, zip code or other geographic identifier is associated with a plurality of parcels.
8. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the container is associated with a retail or online order.
9. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein the track includes a grid.
10. The platform assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one marker comprises an RFID tag and a magnetic array, the magnetic array comprising one or more magnetic bars, wherein the magnetic bars extend from a periphery of an RFID tag to form a magnetic field that produces a magnetic signature.
11. The platform assembly of claim 10 , wherein at least one magnetic bar is of an opposite magnetic polarity as the other magnetic bars, or at least one side of the periphery of the RFID tag lacks a magnetic bar.
12. The platform assembly of claim 10 , wherein the RFID tag is configured to provide a location of the marker, and a magnetic force is configured to provide an orientation of the marker, wherein the magnetic force corresponds to the magnetic field that produces the magnetic signature.
13. A system for use with sorting articles, the system comprising:
a platform assembly comprising a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles, each marker comprising one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker, wherein the platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition, and a container positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers, and
a control system configured to:
determine a location and an orientation of a marker;
determine an identity of an article carried by the vehicle based on an identifier on the article; and
communicate over a network with the vehicle to direct the vehicle to deposit the article carried thereon into a container associated with the marker and the article.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the control system is configured to:
sort articles from a batched order comprising a plurality of orders, and
communicate over a network with the vehicle to direct the vehicle to deposit articles associated with a single order into the container associated with the marker.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the control system is configured to inform a user to remove the container associated with the marker after deposit of all articles associated with an order.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first panel defines two partial sections that are pivotably engaged when the platform assembly is in the extended position.
17. A method for sorting articles, the method comprising:
determining, by a controller, a location and an orientation of a marker formed on a first panel of a platform assembly, the first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles, each marker comprising one or more magnetic characteristics for determining the orientation of the marker, wherein the platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition,
determining, by the controller, an identity of an article carried by the vehicle based on an identifier on the article;
communicating over a network, by the controller, with the vehicle to direct the vehicle to deposit the article carried thereon into a container associated with the marker and the article, the container positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
sorting articles, by the controller, from a batched order comprising a plurality of orders, and
communicating over a network, by the controller, with the vehicle to direct the vehicle to deposit articles associated with a single order into the container associated with the marker.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
informing a user, by the controller, to remove the container associated with the marker after deposit of the article.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first panel defines two partial sections that are pivotably engaged when the platform assembly is in the extended position.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the container is one of a bag or a box.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein an imaging device, RFID reader or a scanner interacts with an identifier on the article.
23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the panel comprises a second panel, wherein the first panel is elevated compared to the second panel.
24. The method of claim 17 , wherein the vehicle comprises an imaging device, RFID reader or a scanner.
25. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least one marker comprises an RFID tag and a magnetic array, the magnetic array comprising one or more magnetic bars, wherein the magnetic bars extend from a periphery of an RFID tag to form a magnetic field that produces a magnetic signature.