Patent ID: 11887048
Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. A system for shifting objects in a vehicle, the system comprising:
a plurality of object-support structures, each one of the plurality of object-support structures comprising a plurality of support elements, a track-engaging structure, and a wheeled base;
an object-shifting apparatus comprising an object-detection component and an object-shifting mechanism; and
a shifting mechanism, wherein:
the shifting mechanism operates, via the track-engaging structure, to move a first object-support structure of the plurality of object-support structures along a track to cause the wheeled base to roll along a surface of an interior of the vehicle to a first location that is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus,
the shifting mechanism operates, via the track-engaging structure, to move a second object-support structure of the plurality of object-support structures along the track to cause the wheeled base to roll along the surface to a second location that is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus, and
the object-shifting apparatus operates, once the first object-support structure is at the first location and the second object-support structure is at the second location, to:
locate and identify, via the object-detection component, an object positioned on a first support element of the plurality of support elements for the first object-support structure,
shift, based at least in part on locating and identifying the object positioned on the first support element, the object-shifting mechanism to the first support element;
engage the object positioned on the first support element for the first object-support structure to move the object to the object-shifting mechanism, and
shift the object-shifting mechanism to a second support element of the plurality of support elements for the second object-support structure, and
transfer the object from the object-shifting mechanism onto the second support element.