Article loading system and method for multilevel sorter

1. A multi-level induction station, comprising:

a plurality of platforms arranged in a vertical stacked configuration fitted within a single floor of a building, each platform forming a continuous planar surface with no openings formed thereon;

a plurality of self-powered and self-guided transport devices operating on the platforms, wherein the transport devices travel in all directions over an entire upper surface of each platform;

an automated lift travelling between the platforms, the lift having an article-carrying surface; and

a control system comprising a processor, the processor configured for:

receiving article data identifying an article positioned on the article-carrying surface of the lift;

determining a destination area for the article based on the article data;

directing the lift to deposit the article onto a transport device operating on a first platform of the plurality of platforms that corresponds with the destination area by manipulating the article-carrying surface of the lift; and

directing the transport device to the destination area.

2. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , further comprising one or more of a: rail system, track system and conveyor system.

3. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , further comprising an information acquisition device for reading the article data from the article positioned on the article-carrying surface of the lift.

4. The multi-level induction station of claim 3 , wherein the article data is received from the information acquisition device.

5. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the multi-level induction station is one or more of: portable, on wheels, modular and reconfigurable.

6. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein more than one article is placed on the article-carrying surface of the lift.

7. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured for directing the lift to an article induction height.

8. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the transport device is in wireless communication with the control system, wherein the transport device travels in all directions across the first platform based on instructions/signals received from the control system.

9. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the lift is configured for movement in three-dimensional space.

10. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured for directing the lift to an induction height, wherein the induction height is set to one of: a default height determined by the processor, and a user-specified height.

11. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the article is manually loaded onto the lift.

12. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the transport device is at an article-receiving position at the first platform prior to the lift depositing the article onto the transport device operating on the first platform.

13. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the multi-level induction station comprises multiple frames positioned proximate to one another.

14. The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the article is delivered to the multi-level induction station by a one of: an automated mobile transport device, a conveyor, and a pick port from an automated storage system.

15. A control system for a multi-level induction station, the control system having a processor configured for:

receiving article data identifying an article positioned on an article-carrying surface of an automated lift, the lift travelling between a plurality of platforms arranged in a vertical stacked configuration fitted within a single floor of a building;

determining a destination area for the article based on the article data;

directing the lift to deposit the article onto a transport device operating on a first platform of the plurality of platforms that corresponds with the destination area by manipulating the article-carrying surface of the lift, wherein the transport devices travel in all directions over an entire upper surface of the first platform, wherein the first platform forms a continuous planar surface with no openings formed thereon; and

directing the transport device to the destination area.

16. The control system of claim 15 , wherein article data is received from an information acquisition device positioned on a frame of the multi-level induction station.

17. A multi-level induction station, comprising:

a plurality of platforms arranged in a vertical stacked configuration fitted within a single floor of a building;

an automated lift travelling between the platforms, the lift having an article-carrying surface;

a plurality of self-powered and self-guided transport devices operating on the platforms, wherein the transport devices travel in all directions over an entire upper surface of each platform; and

a control system comprising a processor, the processor configured for:

receiving article data identifying an article positioned on an article-carrying surface of the lift;

determining a destination area for the article based on the article data;

directing the lift to deposit the article onto a transport device operating on a first platform of the plurality of platforms that corresponds with the destination area by manipulating the article-carrying surface of the lift; and

directing the transport device to the destination area.

18. The multi-level induction station of claim 17 , further comprising one or more of a: rail system, track system and conveyor system.