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

Claim 7:
8. A method for shifting objects inside a vehicle, the method comprising:
moving, via a shifting mechanism, a first object-support structure to a first location inside the vehicle, wherein the first location is adjacent to an object-shifting apparatus, the first object-support structure comprises a first wheeled base, a first plurality of support elements, and a first coupling structure that couples the first object-support structure to a track of the shifting mechanism, and the shifting mechanism guides the first coupling structure to move the first object-support structure along the track and cause the first wheeled base of the first object-support structure to roll along a surface;
determining, using at least one object-detection component, an identity of an object positioned on a first support element of the first plurality of support elements for the first object-support structure;
shifting, based at least in part on determining the identity of the object, an object-shifting mechanism of the object-shifting apparatus to the first support element;
moving, via the shifting mechanism, a second object-support structure to a second location inside the vehicle, wherein the second location is adjacent to the object-shifting apparatus, the second object-support structure comprises a second wheeled base, a second plurality of support elements, and a second coupling structure that couples the second object-support structure to the track of the shifting mechanism, and the shifting mechanism guides the second coupling structure to move the second object-support structure along the track and cause the second wheeled base of the second object-support structure to roll along the surface;
engaging, using one or more object-engaging components of the object-shifting apparatus, the object positioned on the first support element to move the object to the object-shifting mechanism;
shifting the object-shifting mechanism to a second support element of the second plurality of support elements for the second object-support structure; and
transferring, via the one or more object-engaging components, the object from the object-shifting mechanism to the second support element.