Extendible Conveyor and Parcel Handling System

• US 20140326580A1
• Filed: 05/02/2014
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korber S.C. Llc
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Carpenter, Michael D., Pippin, James M., Gilb, Jeffrey Eugene
• Granted Patent: US 9,085,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/571
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 21/14 to allow adjustment of length or configuration of load-carrier or traction element varying speed of conveyance by adjusting configuration of load-carrier B65G23/00; tensioning arrangements for belt or chain B65G23/44
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/044 Optical
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/08 using endless conveyors

Abstract

An extendable boom conveyor system having a first boom element, a controller, an input device, and a second boom element. The controller, using the input device, can adjust the position of the first boom element to maintain a distance relative to a user. A method performed by an extendible conveyor system can include detecting a position of a user using the input device, moving the first boom element to a position relative to the position of the user, detecting a user input using the input device, moving the first boom element to a new position according to the user input, and transporting parcels loaded by the user on the conveying surfaces.

Claims

1. An extendable boom conveyor system comprising:

a first boom element;

a controller;

an input device; and

a second boom element, wherein the controller, using the input device, adjusts the position of the first boom element to maintain a distance relative to a user.

2. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the input device includes an optical sensor that detects a position of the user.

3. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects a hands-free user input using optical or audio sensors of the input device.

4. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the controller also adjusts the position of the second boom element to maintain a position relative to the first boom element.

5. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the controller continues to dynamically adjust the position of the first boom element to maintain a distance relative to a user as the user unloads parcels from a container.

6. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the extendable boom conveyor system also performs a skeletal tracking process.

7. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the position of the first boom element according to an audio user input detected by the input device.

8. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the position of the first boom element according to a gesture user input detected by the input device.

9. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the position of the first boom element according to a procedural interpretation of inputs detected by the input device.

10. The extendable boom conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the controller uses an accelerometer to detect oscillation in an end of the first boom element.

11. A method performed by an extendible conveyor system having a first boom element, a second boom element, an input device, and conveying surfaces on the first boom element and the second boom element, comprising:

detecting a position of a user using the input device;

moving the first boom element to a position relative to the position of the user;

detecting a user input using the input device;

moving the first boom element to a new position according to the user input; and

transporting parcels loaded by the user on the conveying surfaces.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the input device includes an optical sensor.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the user input is a hands-free user input detected using optical or audio sensors of the input device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the extendible conveyor system also adjusts the position of the second boom element to maintain a position relative to the first boom element.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the extendible conveyor system continues to dynamically move the first boom element to maintain a distance relative to a user as the user unloads parcels from a container.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the extendable boom conveyor system also performs a skeletal tracking process.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the user input is an audio user input detected by the input device.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the user input is a gesture user input detected by the input device.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the extendible conveyor system adjusts the position of the first boom element according to a procedural interpretation of inputs detected by the input device.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the extendible conveyor system detects oscillation in an end of the first boom element using an accelerometer.