Systems and methods for loading totes using hydraulic lifts

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to loading totes. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for loading totes on shelves of racks secured inside a delivery truck including: a plurality of hydraulic lifts. Each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts comprises: a hydraulic system; a top surface; a stop mechanism; and at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor; and a control circuit configured to: access a multi-dimensional positional matrix; determine a physical location associated with a tote based at least on the multi-dimensional positional matrix and a tote identifier; determine a particular hydraulic lift of the plurality of hydraulic lifts based on the physical location; activate the stop mechanism to position the tote on the top surface of the particular hydraulic lift; and operate the hydraulic system to move the tote to a height of a shelf of a rack based on the physical location.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to loading racks of delivery vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Generally, products are shipped from a distribution center or a retail store. As such, at a loading dock is where these products start their journey to their respective delivery destinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for loading totes on shelves of racks secured inside a delivery truck including a loading apparatus. The loading apparatus includes: a plurality of hydraulic lifts. Each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts may be operably coupled to and works collectively with other one of the plurality of hydraulic lifts. By one approach, each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts includes: a hydraulic system configured to move a tote of the plurality of totes relative to a rack secured inside a delivery truck. By another approach, the hydraulic lift may include a top surface coupled to the hydraulic system. In one configuration, the top surface may be adapted to provide a surface for the tote. By another approach, the hydraulic lift may include a stop mechanism to hold the tote in-place and/or stop the tote within the top surface. In one configuration, the hydraulic lift may include at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor cooperated with at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor of the rack to provide an indication of an alignment of the rack with the hydraulic lift.

In some embodiments, the loading apparatus may include a control circuit operably coupled with the plurality of hydraulic lifts. In one configuration, the control circuit may access a multi-dimensional positional matrix from a memory. By one approach, elements of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may correspond to predetermined physical locations of the plurality of totes within the rack. By another approach, each element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may include a lift identifier, a rack identifier, and a shelf identifier. In another configuration, the control circuit may determine a physical location associated with the tote based at least on the multi-dimensional positional matrix and a tote identifier of the tote, In another configuration, the control circuit may determine a particular hydraulic lift of the plurality of hydraulic lifts based on the physical location. By one approach, the lift identifier of an element corresponding to the physical location is associated with the particular hydraulic lift. In yet another configuration, the control circuit may activate the stop mechanism to position the tote on the top surface of the particular hydraulic lift. In yet another configuration, the control circuit may operate the hydraulic system to move the tote to a height of a shelf of the rack based on the physical location. By one approach, the shelf identifier of the element may be associated with the shelf.

In some embodiments, a system for loading totes on shelves of racks secured inside a delivery truck may include a plurality of hydraulic lifts. By one approach, each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts may include a hydraulic system configured to move a tote of one or more totes relative to a first height of a rack secured inside a delivery truck. In one configuration, the hydraulic lift may include a top surface coupled to the hydraulic system. The top surface may be adapted to provide a surface for the tote. In another configuration, the hydraulic lift may include a stop mechanism to position the tote upon the top surface. In yet another configuration, the hydraulic lift may include at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor cooperated with at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor of the rack to provide an indication of an alignment of the rack with the hydraulic lift.

By another approach, the system may include a conveyor having at least one tote identifier reader. In one configuration, the conveyor may move the one or more totes towards the plurality of hydraulic lifts. By yet another approach, the system may include a control circuit coupled to the conveyor and the plurality of hydraulic lifts. In one configuration, the control circuit may identify the tote based on a tote identifier associated with the tote. For example, the tote identifier may be read by the at least one tote identifier reader while the tote moves across the conveyor. In another configuration, the control circuit may access a multi-dimensional positional matrix from a memory to determine a physical location associated with the tote identifier. In one implementation, elements of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may correspond to predetermined physical locations of the plurality of totes within the rack. In another implementation, each element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may include a lift identifier, a rack identifier, and a shelf identifier. In one configuration, the control circuit may activate the stop mechanism of a particular hydraulic lift of the plurality of hydraulic lifts to position the tote on the top surface of the particular hydraulic lift. By one approach, the particular hydraulic lift may be associated with the lift identifier of an element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix corresponding to the physical location. By another approach, the control circuit may activate the hydraulic system to raise the top surface of the hydraulic lift to a second height of a shelf of the rack based on the physical location. In one configuration, the shelf identifier of the element may be associated with the shelf.

In some embodiments, a method of loading totes onto a plurality of shelves of a plurality of racks inside a delivery vehicle using a plurality of lifts may include accessing a multi-dimensional positional matrix from a memory. In one configuration, elements of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may correspond to predetermined physical locations of a plurality of totes within a rack secured inside a delivery vehicle. In another configuration, each element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may include a lift identifier, a rack identifier, and a shelf identifier. By one approach, the method may include determining a physical location associated with the tote based at least on the multi-dimensional positional matrix and a tote identifier of the tote. By another approach, the method may include determining a particular hydraulic lift of a plurality of hydraulic lifts based on the physical location. In one implementation, the lift identifier of an element corresponding to the physical location may be associated with the particular hydraulic lift. In another implementation, the method may include activating a stop mechanism of the particular hydraulic lift to position the tote on a top surface of the particular hydraulic lift. In yet another implementation, the method may include operating a hydraulic system of the particular hydraulic lift to move the tote to a height of a shelf of the rack based on the physical location. By one approach, the shelf identifier of an element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix corresponding to the physical location may be associated with the shelf.

As such, apparatuses, systems, and/or methods described herein provide for loading totes on shelves of racks secured inside at least one cargo area of a delivery vehicle (e.g., truck, van, semi-trailer truck, and other such vehicles). In one example, the delivery vehicle includes a locomotion system that moves the delivery truck towards a delivery destination. By one approach, the locomotion system may include transmission system components, engine, and driving wheels. In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and/or methods described herein may be applicable to shelves of racks other than those secured inside the delivery truck. Nevertheless, the apparatuses, systems, and/or methods described herein for loading totes on shelves of racks provides for at least an improvement on loading of totes and/or products in a delivery truck. The improvement provides faster loading time, reduction on use of manual labor, increased accuracy, enhanced verification, reduction of workplace injuries, efficient use of available resource, among other effects of automating loading of totes on shelves of racks.

To illustrate,FIGS. 1 through 5are described below.FIG. 1andFIG. 2are described concurrently to facilitate describing elements in each of the figures.FIG. 1illustrates a simplified schematic illustration of an exemplary lift and loading system100for loading totes112on shelves of racks secured inside at least one cargo area of a delivery vehicle in accordance with some embodiments. By one approach, the totes112may comprise a box, a container, and a bag, among other types of container adapted to carry one or more retail items.FIG. 2illustrates a simplified block diagram of the lift and loading system100in accordance with some embodiments. The system100includes a plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. Each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106is operably coupled to and works collectively with at least another one of the plurality of hydraulic lifts. By one approach, a control circuit202is configured to cause the addition at least one additional hydraulic lift and configure the at least one additional hydraulic lift to work collectively with the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. For example, prior to the addition and configuration, the at least one additional hydraulic lift is a hydraulic lift that is not working cooperatively and/or collectively with the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. As such, the at least one additional hydraulic lift is not part of the collective plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106that are working cooperatively and/or collectively to automatically load totes112into a delivery truck110, but can be cooperated with one or more hydraulic lifts. Further, the control circuit can be configured to direct the removal of one or more of the hydraulic lifts from the cooperation of hydraulic lifts.

By one approach, to add the at least one additional hydraulic lift to the collective plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106, the control circuit202may transmit and/or broadcast a control signal. By one approach, in response to receiving the control signal via a transceiver of the at least one additional hydraulic lift, the at least one additional hydraulic lift may send a response signal to the control circuit202indicating that the at least one additional hydraulic lift is within a threshold distance from a transceiver associated with the control circuit202. Alternatively or in addition to, the at least one additional hydraulic lift may send the response signal when the at least one additional hydraulic lift is aligned with the rack108. As such, the response signal may indicate to the control circuit202that the at least one additional hydraulic lift has been added to the collective plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. In one configuration, when, after a period of time after transmitting and/or broadcasting the control signal, the control circuit202has not received the response signal from the at least one additional hydraulic lift, the control circuit202may determine that there is not an additional hydraulic lift to be added to the collective plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106.

By one approach, each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106may include a plurality of wheels and a transport system. In one configuration, the transport system in cooperation with the plurality of wheels may transport the hydraulic lift towards and/or in alignment with the rack108. In another configuration, each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106may be manually maneuvered, in cooperation with the plurality of wheels and the transport system, by a user towards and/or in alignment with the rack108.

Each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106may include a hydraulic system226. Upon activation, the hydraulic system226elevates the top surface216to move one or more totes112to one of multiple different heights that each correspond with a different shelf of a rack system108fixed within the delivery vehicle110. By one approach, the hydraulic system226of the first hydraulic lift102may be activated by a foot pedal228. In one configuration, a user may depress the foot pedal228to activate the hydraulic system226to manually raise and/or lower the top surface216. In one example, the foot pedal228may be used when manual control and/or operation of the hydraulic lift is desired by the user and/or at a time when automatic control and/or operation of the hydraulic lift by the control circuit202is not possible (e.g., malfunction of the control circuit202, loss of communication between the control circuit202and one of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106, among other scenarios where manual operation and/or control of the hydraulic lift is a redundant option for controlling and/or operating one or more of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106).

By another approach, the control circuit202may operate, control, and/or activate the hydraulic system226. For example, to operate, control, and/or activate the hydraulic system226, the control circuit202may provide control signal to the hydraulic system226indicating positional data associated with a particular shelf based on a multi-dimensional positional matrix206. In one configuration, the first hydraulic lift102may include a top surface216that may be coupled to the hydraulic system226. The top surface216adapted to provide a surface for the tote112. By another approach, the top surface216may include a plurality of rollers218(among other types of mechanism adapted to facilitate movement of the tote112from and/or across the top surface216to another top surface of a subsequent hydraulic lift) adapted to horizontally move the tote112relative to the top surface216. In one configuration, each of the plurality of rollers218of the top surface216may be substantially a quarter (¼) inch apart from one another. In another configuration, each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106when placed proximate a distance threshold with another one of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106may enable the tote112to move across from one hydraulic lift to another hydraulic lift without using an additional conveyor118. In another configuration, the additional conveyor118may be adapted to work cooperatively with the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106to facilitate the tote's movement across the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. In yet another configuration, the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106may comprise scissor lifts and/or post lifts, among other types of lifts. In yet another configuration, the top surface216may be portably detachable from the hydraulic system226and replaceable with another top surface. For example, the top surface216may include a frame and a set of rollers secured with the frame. By one approach, the frame may include one or more mountings (e.g., posts, apertures, latches, etc.) that mate with one or more corresponding mountings on the hydraulic lift. In some embodiments, the frame can be constructed of plastic, aluminum and/or other relatively light weight material while providing sufficient support for the rollers to support at least a threshold weight of the tote112. In one configuration, the top surface216may include at least one motor communicatively coupled to the control circuit202. In one example, the at least one motor may cause rolling of the set of rollers.

By one approach, the first hydraulic lift102may include a stop mechanism224. The stop mechanism224may position the tote112upon the top surface216. By one approach, the stop mechanism224may include a surface capable of stopping the movement of the tote112across the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. In one configuration, the stop mechanism224may include a stop mechanism motor that may be activated by the control circuit202to raise and/or lower the surface capable of stopping the movement of the tote112based on the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. Each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106may include the stop mechanism224. In one configuration, the stop mechanism224may be movably secured to one side of the first hydraulic lift102. In a non-limiting example, the stop mechanism224may be movably secured to a first-side end of the top surface216proximate to the second hydraulic lift104. As such, when the stop mechanism224is activated by the control circuit202, the surface capable of stopping the movement of the tote112may extend above a surface of the top surface216to stop movement of the tote112towards the second hydraulic lift104. Alternatively or in addition to, the control circuit202may deactivate the stop mechanism224by lowering the surface capable of stopping the movement of the tote112below the surface of the top surface216. In response, the tote112may freely move once again towards the second hydraulic lift104. By one approach, the set of rollers may be kept on rolling while the tote112is held in-place by the stop mechanism224. Thus, when the stop mechanism224is lowered below the surface of the top surface216, the tote112may freely move towards the second hydraulic lift104. By another approach, once the stop mechanism224is lowered below the surface of the top surface216, the control circuit202may send an activate signal to the at least one motor to cause the set of rollers to roll, thus, moving the tote112towards the second hydraulic lift104.

By another approach, the control circuit202may determine that the tote112has been loaded onto one of a shelf of the plurality of racks108based on an absence of weight on the top surface216. As such, the top surface216of the first hydraulic lift102may include at least one weight sensor configured to provide weight data to the control circuit202. In one configuration, the control circuit202may send trigger signal to the at least one weight sensor to provide the weight data. In another configuration, the control circuit202may determine when to receive the weight data from the at least one weight sensor.

By another approach, the control circuit202may receive tote detect data from at least one of sensor(s)212of the rack108when the tote112is loaded onto the shelf of the rack108. In one implementation, the control circuit202may communicatively couple to the sensor(s)212. In another implementation, one or more of the sensor(s)212are secured inside each shelf of the rack108. Alternatively or in addition to, the sensor(s)212may be dispersed in each shelf of the rack108. By one approach, the sensor(s)212of the rack108may periodically provide sensor data. In such configuration, the control circuit202may determine, based on the sensor data provided by the sensor(s)212, whether a tote has been loaded on the shelf. In another configuration, the sensor data from the sensor(s)212may be provided to the control circuit202by a second control circuit and/or a main control circuit associated with the rack108. In such a configuration, the second control circuit and/or the main control circuit may be separate and/or distinct from the control circuit202. By another approach, the control circuit202may determine whether the shelf of the rack108is empty based on the tote detect data of the sensor(s)212.

In some embodiments, the first hydraulic lift102may include at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222cooperated with at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210of the rack108. In such an embodiment, at least one of the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222or at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210may include a sensor, an alignment indicator, and/or a sound emitter. The sensor may comprise an optical sensor, radio frequency (RF) sensor, among other type of sensors capable of providing visual clues to a user when aligning the rack108with the first hydraulic lift102. As such, the control circuit202may perform data processing of sensor data received from at least one of the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222or at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210to determine alignment of the rack108with the hydraulic lift. By one approach, the control circuit202may activate the alignment indicator and/or the sound emitter based on the processed sensor data. In one implementation, the alignment indicator and/or the sound emitter may be proximate to the sensor. In another implementation, the alignment indicator and/or the sound emitter may be placed in an area visible to a user and/or within hearing distance to the user, respectively.

By one approach, the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222and/or the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210may provide an indication to the control circuit202and/or the user of an alignment of the rack108with the first hydraulic lift102. For example, when the first hydraulic lift102is being aligned with the rack108, one of the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210of the rack108and/or the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222of the first hydraulic lift102may turn to a particular color (e.g., green) when the rack108is aligned with the first hydraulic lift102. Alternatively or in addition to, the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210and/or the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222may turn another particular color (e.g., red) when the rack108is not aligned with the first hydraulic lift102. Alternatively or in addition to, the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210and/or the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222may not turn to another color when the rack108is not aligned with the first hydraulic lift102. By another approach, the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210and/or the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222may not turn to another color when the rack108is aligned with the first hydraulic lift102. By yet another approach, the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210and/or the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222may turn to a different color and/or shade of color based on how much aligned the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210relative to the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222. Alternatively or in addition to, instead of changing color, the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210and/or the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222may emit a varying sound and/or loudness of sound based on how much aligned the at least one corresponding lift-to-rack alignment sensor210relative to the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222.

In another configuration, the control circuit202may determine rack alignment marks on the rack108based on sensor data received from the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222. By one approach, the control circuit202may perform data processing to determine whether the hydraulic lift is aligned with the rack108based on the sensor data of the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222. By another approach, the control circuit202may continually receive the sensor data and operate the transport system of the hydraulic lift to align the hydraulic lift with the rack108based on the sensor data. In some embodiments, the rack108may include one or more shelf alignment marks on each shelf of the rack108. Similarly, the control circuit202may perform data processing of sensor data received from the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222. By one approach, the control circuit202may determine whether the top surface216is aligned with a shelf of the rack108based on the sensor data received from the at least one lift-to-rack alignment sensor222. As such, the control circuit202may continually receive the sensor data and operate the hydraulic system226to align the top surface216with the shelf of the rack108.

In yet another configuration, the first hydraulic lift102may include a tilting mechanism220. By one approach, the tilting mechanism220may have a pivoting structure that is coupled to the top surface216to tilt the top surface216to load the tote112onto the shelf of the rack108. In one configuration, the control circuit202may operate and/or control the tilting mechanism220. In another configuration, the tilting mechanism220may include a motor adapted to move the pivoting structure based on a trigger signal from the control circuit202. The trigger signal may indicate to the tilting mechanism220to tilt the top surface216forward and/or towards a shelf proximately across the top surface216.

In some embodiments, the system100may include the rack108. By one approach, the rack108may be secured inside the delivery truck110. In one configuration, the rack108includes a plurality of ledges214that are vertically distributed along a first height of the rack108to form a plurality of shelves. By one approach, each of the plurality of ledges214may be movable along the first height of the rack108. By another approach, each shelf of the plurality of shelves may have a volume to store one or more totes112. In another configuration, the rack108may include a second hydraulic system208that may be coupled to a control circuit202and the plurality of ledges214. In one implementation, the control circuit202may command and/or operate the second hydraulic system208to separately and/or vertically move each of the plurality of ledges214. In another implementation, the control circuit202may command, operate, and/or disengage the second hydraulic system208to collapse a particular shelf by lowering a top ledge of the plurality of ledges214of the particular shelf onto a bottom ledge of the plurality of ledges214of the particular shelf in response to a determination by the control circuit202that the particular shelf is empty. In another implementation, the second hydraulic system208may lock in response a determination that the particular shelf is not empty.

By one approach, the second hydraulic system208may be controlled and/or operable by the control circuit202, the second control circuit and/or the main control circuit associated with the rack108. By another approach, the rack108may include one or more buttons configured to enable a user to manually control and/or operate the second hydraulic system208. In one example, a user may, for example, depress, slide and/or switch the one or more buttons to manually control and/or operate the second hydraulic system208. In another example, each shelf of the rack108may be associated with at least one of the one or more buttons. As such, the at least one of the one or more buttons may control and/or operate a corresponding shelf of the rack108.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of ledges214of the rack108may include a shelf sensor including a shelf identifier particular to the shelf. As such, the first hydraulic102may include a shelf sensor reader configured to read the shelf identifier. In one example, the top surface216may include the shelf sensor reader. Thus, based on the shelf identifier read by the shelf sensor, the control circuit202may control and/or operate the hydraulic system226to stop moving when the shelf identifier read by the shelf sensor matches the shelf identifier associated with the tote112in the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. Alternatively or in addition to, the control circuit202may control and/or operate the hydraulic system226to continue moving when the shelf identifier read by the shelf sensor does not match the shelf identifier associated with the tote112in the multi-dimensional positional matrix206.

By one approach, the control circuit202may be operably coupled with the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106via a communication network230. In one example, the communication network230may comprise wired and/or wireless network, among other communication protocols that may be used to provide wired and/or wireless connectivity between two or more devices (e.g., the first hydraulic lift102and the control circuit202, etc.). In another example, the communication network230may comprise one or more communication networks. Each one of the one or more communication networks may be based on the same and/or different communication protocols.

In one configuration, the control circuit202may access the multi-dimensional positional matrix206from a memory204. In one example, the memory204may comprise volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, a local database, a cloud-based database, among other type of devices that may store the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. Alternatively or in addition to, the main control circuit distinct from the control circuit202may provide the multi-dimensional positional matrix206to the control circuit202. By one approach, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may be based on information associated with at least one inventory system and/or distribution system of a retailer and/or a distribution center, and/or order requests from a plurality of customers. By another approach, an associate of the retailer may provide data usable to initiate creation, modification, and/or update of the multi-dimensional positional matrix206via the main control circuit and/or the control circuit202. In an example, the main control circuit and/or the control circuit202may be coupled to a display device configured to receive physical input from the associate to initiate creation, modification, and/or update of the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. In response, for example, the main control circuit may provide the multi-dimensional positional matrix206to the control circuit202. By one approach, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may be stored at the memory204for a period of time.

In one configuration, elements of the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may correspond to predetermined physical locations of the plurality of totes112within the rack108. For example, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include the predetermined physical locations of the plurality of totes112that are assigned to a loading dock120. In such an example, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may also include positional information and/or physical location regarding which ones of the plurality of totes112are assigned to which delivery trucks positioned to receive totes at the loading dock120, as well as within which rack the tote is to be placed, on which shelf the tote is to be placed and at which location along the shelf the tote is to be placed. In some embodiments, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206is a three-dimensional matrix corresponding to different available positions within a delivery vehicle (e.g., the delivery truck110) in which a tote may be positioned (e.g., rack3, shelf2, tote position5, etc.).

As such, each element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may at least include a lift identifier, a rack identifier, and a shelf identifier. In one configuration, the lift identifier may correspond to a particular lift of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. For example, the control circuit202may determine that the first hydraulic lift102correspond to the lift identifier. Thus, the control circuit202may determine a particular hydraulic lift of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106based on the predetermined physical location. The lift identifier of an element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may correspond to a physical location associated with the particular hydraulic lift. By one approach, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include association of which collective set of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106is associated with a particular delivery truck110. Thus, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include a plurality of associations of hydraulic lifts with racks secured inside the delivery truck110. By another approach, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include positional order of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106relative to a conveyor116and/or relative to positional order of the plurality of racks108. For example, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include an indication of a particular order of sequence that the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106are lined up relative to the plurality of racks108secured inside the delivery truck110. In an illustrative non-limiting example, relative to the conveyor116, the first hydraulic lift102may be associated with a first rack of the plurality of racks108, the second hydraulic lift104may be associated with a second rack of the plurality of racks108, and/or the Nth hydraulic lift106may be associated with a third rack of the plurality of racks108in accordance with the plurality of associations in the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. As such, in some implementations, each hydraulic lift is positioned to align with one of the racks within the delivery vehicle.

In some embodiments, the system100may include the conveyor116having at least one tote identifier reader114. By one approach, the conveyor116may read tote identifiers of the one or more totes112via the at least one tote identifier reader114as the one or more totes112are prepared to be placed on the conveyor, moves across the conveyor116towards the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106, passes one or more readers positioned along the conveyor and/or on one or more hydraulic lifts. By another approach, the control circuit202may communicatively couple to the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106, the rack108, the memory204, the conveyor116, and/or the tote identifier reader114via the communication network230. In one example, a tote identifier may correspond to a UPC barcode, RFID tags, text, among other types of identifier capable of providing a particular identification to an item (e.g., the tote112). Similarly, the one or more identifier readers114may be bar code readers, RFID tag readers, cameras and image processing, and/or other such readers to identify the tote and/or one or more products within the tote.

In another configuration, the rack identifier may correspond to a particular rack secured inside the delivery truck110. In one example, the control circuit202may determine the positional order of the plurality of racks108based on the particular delivery truck110. In another example, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include association of the positional order of the plurality of racks108with each of the plurality of delivery trucks110. In yet another example, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include a plurality of associations of hydraulic lifts and/or racks with delivery trucks. By one approach, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may be updated based on changes to one or more associations in the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. For example, the control circuit202may determine that the delivery truck110is at the loading dock120based on input from an associate and/or detection of a particular truck identifier (e.g., license plate). In one configuration, the control circuit202may determine a particular collective set of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106and/or positional arrangement of each of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106relative to the plurality of racks108. By one approach, the particular collective set and/or the positional arrangement may be based on sequence and/or order of receipt, by the control circuit202, of the response signal indicating addition of a hydraulic lift to the particular collective set.

In another configuration, the shelf identifier may correspond to a particular shelf of the particular rack. By one approach, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include association of each one of a plurality of shelf identifiers with each one of the plurality of racks108. As such, the control circuit202may determine which particular shelf is associated with a particular rack and/or a particular position of the particular shelf relative to other shelves in the particular rack based on the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. As such, the multi-dimensional positional matrix206may include physical locations and/or positional information that the control circuit202may use to facilitate and/or efficiently load the plurality of totes112to the plurality of delivery trucks110for delivery to a plurality of destinations associated with each products stored in the plurality of totes112.

In another configuration, based at least on the multi-dimensional positional matrix206and a tote identifier of the tote112, the control circuit202may determine a physical storage location of the tote112in the delivery truck110. For example, the control circuit202may access the memory204and determine a loading information for the tote112based at least on the multi-dimensional positional matrix206and a tote identifier of the tote112. By one approach, the control circuit202may access the multi-dimensional positional matrix206to determine a lift identifier, a rack identifier, and a shelf identifier associated with the tote identifier of the tote112. By another approach, the loading information of the tote112may be based on a loading sequence of the tote on the conveyor116. In such an approach, a first of tote of the plurality of totes112may be initially loaded onto a bottom-most shelf of farthest rack of the plurality of racks108relative to the conveyor116. As such, the totes112may be sequentially loaded starting at the bottom shelf of the rack108to the top-most shelf of the rack108. Thus, based on the association of racks, shelves, hydraulic lifts, tote identifiers, and/or delivery trucks in the multi-dimensional positional matrix206, the control circuit202may determine when to activate the stop mechanism224to position one or more totes112on the top surface216of one of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106. Alternatively or in addition to, the top surface216may include grooves adapted to keep the totes's112horizontal orientation aligned relative to the top surface216(e.g., the grooves keep the totes112from being turned and/or oriented in a way that may keep the tote112from being loaded onto a shelf).

For example, the control circuit202may activate the stop mechanism224to position the tote112on the top surface216of the first hydraulic lift102. By one approach, the control circuit202may operate the hydraulic system226to move the tote112to a height of a shelf of the rack108based, in part, on information of the physical location of the tote112in accordance with the multi-dimensional positional matrix206. For example, the shelf identifier may be one element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix that corresponds to a physical location associated with a shelf assigned to the tote112.

In an illustrative non-limiting example, as the tote112moves across the conveyor116, at least one of the tote identifier reader114secured, for example, by the conveyor116, reads the tote identifier associated with the tote112. As such, the control circuit202may identify the tote112based on the read tote identifier. By one approach, the control circuit202may identify that the tote112may be loaded on a particular hydraulic lift (e.g., an Nth hydraulic lift106) of the plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106based on the multi-dimensional positional matrix206and the tote identifier. In response, the stop mechanism224associated with the Nth hydraulic lift106may be activated by the control circuit202to position the tote112on the top surface216of the Nth hydraulic lift106. In an example, the Nth hydraulic lift106may correspond to a post lift collectively working with the first and second hydraulic lifts corresponding to scissor lifts. By another approach, the control circuit202may determine that the tote112is positioned on the top surface216based on the weight data provided by the at least one weight sensor of the top surface216. By another approach, based on the access of the control circuit202to the multi-dimensional positional matrix206and/or identification of the physical location associated with the tote112, the control circuit202may activate and/or operate the hydraulic system226to raise the top surface216, and thus the tote112, to a height of a shelf of the rack corresponding to the shelf identifier associated with the tote112. In one configuration, the control circuit202may activate and/or operate the tilting mechanism220to tilt the top surface216towards the shelf and load the tote112onto the shelf. Subsequent to the loading of the tote112, the control circuit202may operate the hydraulic system226to move the top surface216towards an initial position where another tote may be positioned on and/or moved across the top surface216. In one implementation, the control circuit202may determine that the tote112is loaded onto the shelf based on the sensor data provided by the sensor(s)212of the rack108. Alternatively or in addition to, the control circuit202may determine that the tote112is loaded onto the shelf based on the weight data provided by the at least one weight sensor of the top surface216indicating absence of weight on the top surface216. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be included in the rack108and/or the first hydraulic lift102to determine by the control circuit202that a door of the rack108may be open and/or close. By one approach, the control circuit202, the main control circuit, and/or the second control circuit may be communicatively coupled with the delivery truck110, for example, to alert a delivery agent associated with the delivery truck110that a particular door associated with one of the plurality of racks108is open.

FIG. 3illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary process of loading totes on shelves of racks using a plurality of hydraulic lifts in accordance with some embodiments. The exemplary method300may be implemented in the system100ofFIG. 1and/or the system100as illustrated in the simplified block diagram200ofFIG. 2. The method300includes, at step302, accessing a multi-dimensional positional matrix from a memory. By one approach, elements of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may correspond to predetermined physical locations of a plurality of totes within a rack secured inside a cargo area of a delivery vehicle. By another approach, each element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix may include a lift identifier, a rack identifier, and a shelf identifier. In one configuration, the method300may include determining a physical location associated with the tote based at least on the multi-dimensional positional matrix and a tote identifier of the tote, at step304. In another configuration, the method300may include, at step306, determining a particular hydraulic lift of a plurality of hydraulic lifts based on the physical location. By one approach, the lift identifier of an element corresponding to the physical location may be associated with the particular hydraulic lift. In yet another configuration, the method300may include, at step308, activating a stop mechanism of the particular hydraulic lift to position the tote on a top surface of the particular hydraulic lift. In yet another configuration, the method300may include, at step310, operating a hydraulic system of the particular hydraulic lift to move the tote to a height of a shelf of the rack based on the physical location. By one approach, the shelf identifier of an element of the multi-dimensional positional matrix corresponding to the physical location may be associated with a shelf.

FIG. 4illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary process of loading totes on shelves of racks using a plurality of hydraulic lifts in accordance with some embodiments. The exemplary method400may be implemented in the system100ofFIG. 1and/or the system100as illustrated in the simplified block diagram200ofFIG. 2. By one approach, the method400and/or one or more steps of the method may optionally be included in and/or performed in cooperation with the method300ofFIG. 3. The method400includes, at step402, identifying the tote based on the tote identifier associated with the tote. By one approach, the tote identifier may be read by at least one tote identifier reader of a conveyor while the tote moves across the conveyor. By another approach, the method400may include, at step404, identifying that the tote is to be loaded on the particular hydraulic lift based on the multi-dimensional positional matrix and the tote identifier. In one configuration, the method400may include tilting the top surface to load the tote onto the shelf using a tilting mechanism of the particular hydraulic lift, at step406. In another configuration, the method400may include, at step408, transmitting a control signal to one or more additional hydraulic lifts to operably couple the one or more additional hydraulic lifts with the plurality of hydraulic lifts.

Further, the circuits, circuitry, systems, devices, processes, methods, techniques, functionality, services, servers, sources and the like described herein may be utilized, implemented and/or run on many different types of devices and/or systems.FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary system500that may be used for implementing any of the components, circuits, circuitry, systems, functionality, apparatuses, processes, or devices of the system100ofFIG. 1, the system100as illustrated in the simplified block diagram200ofFIG. 2, the method300ofFIG. 3, the method400ofFIG. 4, and/or other above or below mentioned systems or devices, or parts of such circuits, circuitry, functionality, systems, apparatuses, processes, or devices. For example, the system500may be used to implement some or all of the system100and/or the system100as illustrated in the simplified block diagram200for loading totes112onto a plurality of shelves of a plurality of racks108using a plurality of hydraulic lifts102,104,106, the stop mechanism224, the conveyor116, the conveyor sensor(s)114, the hydraulic system226, the tilting mechanism220, the alignment sensor(s)222, the rack hydraulic lift208, the alignment sensor(s)210, the tote sensor(s)212, the memory204, the control circuit202, the transceiver, and/or other such components, circuitry, functionality and/or devices. However, the use of the system500or any portion thereof is certainly not required.

By way of example, the system500may comprise a processor module (or a control circuit)512, memory514, and one or more communication links, paths, buses or the like518. Some embodiments may include one or more user interfaces516, and/or one or more internal and/or external power sources or supplies540. The control circuit512can be implemented through one or more processors, microprocessors, central processing unit, logic, local digital storage, firmware, software, and/or other control hardware and/or software, and may be used to execute or assist in executing the steps of the processes, methods, functionality and techniques described herein, and control various communications, decisions, programs, content, listings, services, interfaces, logging, reporting, etc. Further, in some embodiments, the control circuit512can be part of control circuitry and/or a control system510, which may be implemented through one or more processors with access to one or more memory514that can store instructions, code and the like that is implemented by the control circuit and/or processors to implement intended functionality. In some applications, the control circuit and/or memory may be distributed over a communications network (e.g., LAN, WAN, Internet) providing distributed and/or redundant processing and functionality. Again, the system500may be used to implement one or more of the above or below, or parts of, components, circuits, systems, processes and the like. For example, the system500may implement the system100and/or the system100as illustrated in the simplified block diagram200for loading totes onto a plurality of shelves of a plurality of racks using a plurality of lifts with the control circuit202being the control circuit512.

The user interface516can allow a user to interact with the system500and receive information through the system. In some instances, the user interface516includes a display522and/or one or more user inputs524, such as buttons, touch screen, track ball, keyboard, mouse, etc., which can be part of or wired or wirelessly coupled with the system500. Typically, the system500further includes one or more communication interfaces, ports, transceivers520and the like allowing the system500to communicate over a communication bus, a distributed computer and/or communication network (e.g., a local area network (LAN), the Internet, wide area network (WAN), etc.), communication link518, other networks or communication channels with other devices and/or other such communications or combination of two or more of such communication methods. Further the transceiver520can be configured for wired, wireless, optical, fiber optical cable, satellite, or other such communication configurations or combinations of two or more of such communications. Some embodiments include one or more input/output (I/O) interface534that allow one or more devices to couple with the system500. The I/O interface can be substantially any relevant port or combinations of ports, such as but not limited to USB, Ethernet, or other such ports. The I/O interface534can be configured to allow wired and/or wireless communication coupling to external components. For example, the I/O interface can provide wired communication and/or wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF, and/or other such wireless communication), and in some instances may include any known wired and/or wireless interfacing device, circuit and/or connecting device, such as but not limited to one or more transmitters, receivers, transceivers, or combination of two or more of such devices.

In some embodiments, the system may include one or more sensors526to provide information to the system and/or sensor information that is communicated to another component, such as the central control system, a portable retail container, a vehicle associated with the portable retail container, etc. The sensors can include substantially any relevant sensor, such as temperature sensors, distance measurement sensors (e.g., optical units, sound/ultrasound units, etc.), optical based scanning sensors to sense and read optical patterns (e.g., bar codes), radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader sensors capable of reading RFID tags in proximity to the sensor, and other such sensors. The foregoing examples are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to convey an exhaustive listing of all possible sensors. Instead, it will be understood that these teachings will accommodate sensing any of a wide variety of circumstances in a given application setting.

The system500comprises an example of a control and/or processor-based system with the control circuit512. Again, the control circuit512can be implemented through one or more processors, controllers, central processing units, logic, software and the like. Further, in some implementations the control circuit512may provide multiprocessor functionality.

The memory514, which can be accessed by the control circuit512, typically includes one or more processor readable and/or computer readable media accessed by at least the control circuit512, and can include volatile and/or nonvolatile media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory and/or other memory technology. Further, the memory514is shown as internal to the control system510; however, the memory514can be internal, external or a combination of internal and external memory. Similarly, some or all of the memory514can be internal, external or a combination of internal and external memory of the control circuit512. The external memory can be substantially any relevant memory such as, but not limited to, solid-state storage devices or drives, hard drive, one or more of universal serial bus (USB) stick or drive, flash memory secure digital (SD) card, other memory cards, and other such memory or combinations of two or more of such memory, and some or all of the memory may be distributed at multiple locations over the computer network. The memory514can store code, software, executables, scripts, data, content, lists, programming, programs, log or history data, user information, customer information, product information, and the like. WhileFIG. 5illustrates the various components being coupled together via a bus, it is understood that the various components may actually be coupled to the control circuit and/or one or more other components directly.