Patent ID: 8201681

Claim:
A method for induction of packages to a sorting machine, the method comprising: transporting a series of packages in spaced positions along an induction conveyor, wherein the induction conveyor includes a series of conveyor segments disposed end to end each operable at different speeds, wherein each package in the series of packages has destination information on one surface; measuring dimensions including length and width of each package on the induction conveyor; associating in a computerized control system each package with its dimensions; using the computerized control system to determine spacing required between pairs of successive packages on the induction conveyor for entry into a scanning zone along the induction conveyor where packages are scanned such that imaging scanners directed at a front surface of a package being scanned and at a rear surface of the package being scanned have a clear line of sight to the destination information which may be present on either the front surface or the back surface of the package; controlling a speed of at least one conveyor segment in the series of conveyor segments to obtain the required spacing; imaging the front and rear surfaces of the package being scanned using the imaging scanners; continuing to transport each package on the induction conveyor after scanning is completed; operating conveyor segments downstream from the scanning zone to adjust spacing between successive packages to a spacing suited for induction to a sorting machine; and then inducting the series of packages from the induction conveyor to the sorting machine.