Patent ID: 8952284
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: B07C,B65G,G05B

Abstract:
1. A system, comprising: a conveyance mechanism configured to convey a plurality of items; a plurality of sorting stations each comprising a plurality of sorting slots for sorting items of said plurality of items into respective shipments; a control system configured to direct ones of said plurality of items to ones of said plurality of sorting stations via said conveyance mechanism; wherein the control system comprises an item allocation component configured to assign a given item of said plurality of items to a particular sorting station of said plurality of sorting stations, wherein the item allocation component is configured to determine said particular sorting station to which said given item is assigned dependent upon a determined quantity of other items located at said particular sorting station and a determined quantity of other items en route to said particular sorting station; and wherein the control system is configured to direct the given item to said particular sorting station assigned by the item allocation component.