Patent ID: 11941580
Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
Field: nan (nan)
Classification: CPC nan | IPC G

Claim 0:
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.