Delivery assembly and method of use thereof

Abstract

Various embodiments relate to a conveying assembly and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveying assembly can include a plurality of rollers defining a conveying section configured for conveying one or more articles disposed thereon along a transport path, wherein the plurality of rollers includes a drive roller that is selectively configurable between a first operational state and a second operational state, and a controller configured to generate one or more control signals to control the drive roller, wherein the conveying section is selectively configurable between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration based on the configuration of the drive roller in one of the first operational state and the second operational state, the dual-zone configuration defined by the drive roller selectively driving operations of a first conveying zone and a second conveying zone defined within the conveying section independently of one another.

Description

Invention Field

[0001] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to material handling systems for transporting articles, and more specifically, to motorized roller devices used in conjunction with conveyor systems. Background Technology

[0002] Conveying systems and components are used in industrial manufacturing and packaging applications, such as to facilitate the transport of large quantities of items to a desired destination within a factory or warehouse. These conveying systems and components often utilize one or more motorized roller devices to drive the transport of items along a conveying path defined by the conveying component. Many motorized roller devices and arrangements of conveying components are plagued by technical challenges and limitations. Through effort, ingenuity, and innovation, the problems identified herein have been solved by developing solutions included in the embodiments of this disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Various embodiments relate to a conveying assembly and a method of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveying assembly may include: a plurality of rollers defining a conveying section configured to convey one or more articles disposed thereon along a conveying path, wherein the plurality of rollers includes a drive roller configured to drive a respective rotation of each of the plurality of rollers, and wherein the drive roller is selectively configurable between a first operating state and a second operating state; and a controller configured to generate one or more control signals configured to control the drive roller; wherein the conveying assembly is configured such that the conveying section is selectively configurable between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration based at least in part on the configuration of the drive roller in one of the first and second operating states; and wherein the dual-zone configuration is defined by the drive roller being configured to selectively drive the operation of a first conveying zone and a second conveying zone defined within the conveying section independently of each other, wherein the first conveying zone is defined by a first portion of the plurality of rollers, and the second conveying zone is defined by a second portion of the plurality of rollers.

[0004] In various embodiments, the single-zone configuration is defined by the drive roller being configured to operate at least substantially simultaneously a single transport zone within the transport section, wherein the single transport zone is defined by each of the plurality of rollers such that the single transport zone is defined by its full length; and wherein the dual-zone configuration is defined by the drive roller being configured to selectively operate a first transport zone and a second transport zone defined within the transport section, each of the first and second transport zones being defined by a correspondingly reduced zone length, the correspondingly reduced zone length being at least significantly smaller than the full length of the single transport zone. In various embodiments, the transport assembly may further include an imaging device configured to capture article data associated with one or more articles disposed on the plurality of rollers, the imaging device being in communication; wherein the controller is configured to send one or more control signals to the drive roller at least in part based on the article data captured by the imaging device, wherein the one or more control signals are configured to cause the drive roller to be selectively configured according to one of a first operating state and a second operating state. In some embodiments, the conveying component may be configured such that the drive roller configured according to the first operating state causes the conveying section to define the single-zone configuration, and the drive roller configured according to the second operating state causes the conveying section to define the dual-zone configuration.

[0005] In various embodiments, the conveying section may be defined by the drive roller and a plurality of idler rollers operatively connected to the drive roller such that rotation of each idler roller is at least partially based on one or more drive rotations of the drive roller, wherein the plurality of idler rollers includes at least one front idler roller and at least one rear idler roller, the at least one front idler roller defining an upstream position relative to the drive roller along the conveying path, and the at least one rear idler roller defining a downstream position relative to the drive roller along the conveying path. In some embodiments, the single-zone configuration may be defined by the drive roller being configured to at least substantially simultaneously drive the operation of a single conveying zone within the conveying section, wherein the single conveying zone is defined by each of the plurality of rollers, such that the single-zone configuration of the conveying section is defined by the drive roller being configured to at least substantially simultaneously operate the at least one front idler roller and the at least one rear idler roller. In some embodiments, the dual-zone configuration of the conveying section can be defined such that the drive roller is configured to operate the at least one front idler roller independently of the at least one rear idler roller, such that the first conveying zone is at least partially defined by the at least one front idler roller, and the second conveying zone is at least partially defined by the at least one rear idler roller. In some embodiments, the drive roller can be configured such that selective operation of a first portion of the plurality of rollers defining the first conveying zone is defined by a first rotation of the drive roller, and selective operation of a second portion of the plurality of rollers defining the second conveying zone is defined by a second rotation of the drive roller, wherein the first rotation and the second rotation are in the same rotational direction relative to the central axis of the drive roller. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a drive motor operable on the drive roller facilitates the execution of both the first rotation and the second rotation.

[0006] In various embodiments, the drive roller may be a motor-driven roller (MDR). In various embodiments, the one or more control signals generated by the controller may include: a first control signal comprising a drive signal configured to cause one or more rotations of the drive roller; and a second control signal comprising a configuration signal configured to selectively configure the drive roller to one of the first and second operating states. In various embodiments, the drive roller may include one or more clutch-activated bearing elements configured to engage with a corresponding drive belt to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller and at least a portion of the plurality of rollers of the conveyor section; wherein the one or more clutch-activated bearing elements are selectively configured relative to the clutch elements of the drive roller between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. In some embodiments, the engagement configuration of the clutch-activated bearing element can be defined such that the clutch-activated bearing element is engaged by the clutch element such that the rotational position of the clutch-activated bearing element relative to the drive roller housing is fixed, and the clutch-activated bearing element rotates together with the drive roller housing during operation of the drive roller; and wherein the disengagement configuration of the clutch-activated bearing element is defined such that the clutch-activated bearing element disengages from the clutch element such that the rotational position of the clutch-activated bearing element is at least substantially unaffected when the drive roller housing rotates relative to the clutch-activated bearing element during operation of the drive roller.

[0007] In various embodiments, the one or more clutch-activated bearing elements may include: a first clutch-activated bearing element that frictionally engages with a first drive belt configured to operatively connect the drive roller to the first portion of the plurality of rollers; and a second clutch-activated bearing element that frictionally engages with a second drive belt configured to operatively connect the drive roller to the second portion of the plurality of rollers, wherein the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element are each independently configurable between a corresponding engagement and disengagement configuration. In various embodiments, the single-zone configuration of the conveyor segment may be defined by selectively configuring both the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element to an engagement configuration. In some embodiments, the dual-zone configuration of the transmission section can be defined such that the first clutch-activated bearing element of the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element are selectively configured in an engaged configuration, while the other clutch-activated bearing element of the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element are selectively configured in a disengaged configuration.

[0008] In various embodiments, the one or more control signals generated by the controller may at least partially correspond to item data associated with the item length of an item positioned along the conveying path. In some embodiments, the conveying component may be configured to selectively configure the drive roller to correspond to a first operating state in which the conveying section is in the single-zone configuration based on determining that the item length associated with the item is greater than or equal to a predetermined length threshold. In some embodiments, the conveying component may be configured to selectively configure the drive roller to correspond to a second operating state in which the conveying section is in the dual-zone configuration based on determining that the item length associated with the item is less than a predetermined length threshold.

[0009] Various embodiments relate to a motorized drive roller for a conveying device, the drive roller including a first clutch-activated bearing element configured to frictionally engage a first drive belt to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller and at least one of a plurality of idler rollers, the plurality of idler rollers being configured to be controlled based on operation of the drive roller; and a second clutch-activated bearing element configured to frictionally engage a second drive belt to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller and at least one of the plurality of idler rollers, the latter being configured to selectively configure between: The system comprises: a first operating state corresponding to a single-zone configuration defined by the plurality of idler rollers, wherein each of the plurality of idler rollers is controlled at least substantially simultaneously by the drive roller; and a second operating state corresponding to a dual-zone configuration defined by the plurality of idler rollers, wherein at least one front idler roller defines a first conveying zone and at least one rear idler roller defines a second conveying zone, the first conveying zone and the second conveying zone being selectively controlled by the drive roller independently of each other; and wherein the second operating state is defined by the first clutch-activated bearing element being selectively configured to engage, and the second clutch-activated bearing element being selectively configured to disengage. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Now refer to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in the accompanying drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 Examples of systems according to various embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0012] Figure 2 A perspective view of exemplary transport components according to various embodiments described herein is shown;

[0013] Figure 3 A perspective view of a transmission device of exemplary transmission components according to various embodiments described herein is shown;

[0014] Figure 4 A side sectional view of an exemplary transport component according to various embodiments described herein is schematically shown;

[0015] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Perspective and sectional views of an exemplary drive roller according to the example embodiments described herein are shown respectively;

[0016] Figure 6A and Figure 6B A top view schematically illustrates a transmission segment of an exemplary transmission component according to an example embodiment described herein;

[0017] Figure 7A and Figure 7B A top view of an exemplary transmission device defining multiple transmission sections according to an example embodiment described herein is shown schematically;

[0018] Figure 8 An example controller component is shown that communicates electronically with various other components of the example transmission component according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 9 Examples of operation of a system according to various embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0020] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating example operations according to various embodiments of this disclosure; and

[0021] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating example operations according to various embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0022] This disclosure describes various embodiments more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that some, but not all, of the embodiments are shown and described herein. In fact, embodiments may take many different forms, and therefore this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable this disclosure to meet applicable legal requirements. Throughout the document, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements.

[0023] First, it should be understood that although illustrative embodiments of one or more aspects are shown below, the disclosed components, systems, and methods can be implemented using any number of techniques (whether currently known or not yet available). This disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative embodiments, drawings, and techniques shown below, but modifications can be made within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Although dimensional values ​​for various elements are disclosed, the drawings may not be drawn to scale.

[0024] The terms “example” or “exemplary” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as an “example” or “exemplary implementation” is not necessarily preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0025] Generally, conveyor systems are used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications to facilitate the transport of goods or items. In particular, motor-driven roller (MDR) conveyor assemblies, or conveyor mechanisms involving the rotation of multiple rollers, are often superior to other conveyor systems (e.g., belt conveyors) due to their finer control over the transport of items. The finer control provided by MDR conveyor assemblies allows, for example, certain items to be held in certain positions to complete a processing task while other items continue to be transported within the MDR conveyor assembly. That is, different items within an MDR conveyor system can be transported independently and / or at different speeds, if desired, such as by providing gaps or buffer distances between items, queuing or accumulating items before a specific point, and / or taking into account items with different dimensional characteristics (e.g., different item lengths).

[0026] In various examples, an MDR conveyor system may include a series of zones defining independently controlled areas for the transport of items. For example, each zone may be defined by a zone length extending along a portion of the conveyor path, such that the transport of items along the conveyor path is driven by motor-driven rollers controlling that particular zone as the items travel along that zone length. In some example MDR conveyor systems, multiple zones defined by the conveyor system may operate sequentially and individually to facilitate the continuous and / or sequential transport of items through multiple conveyor zones. For example, a first zone may be controlled by a first MDR to transport items along the zone length of the first zone and to the feed position of a second zone arranged sequentially adjacent to the first zone, which may then be controlled by a second MDR to further transport items along the second zone length of the second zone, and so on. After an item is unloaded from the first zone to the second zone, the MDR conveyor system may then receive a second item at the feed position of the first zone and may restart the transport operation performed by the conveyor system relative to the second item to transport the second item through multiple conveyor zones. In such MDR conveyor systems, the maximum throughput of a conveyor component through a specific zone can be at least partially limited by its zone length. This is because conveying items whose length is significantly smaller than the zone length results in undesirable downtime, where subsequent items positioned at the feed location of the conveyor zone must wait for the smaller item to travel through the length of that zone and be unloaded before proceeding further along the conveyor path. MDR conveyor systems limited by zones with strictly defined lengths suffer from inefficiency, which can be caused by reduced throughput, leading to the system operating at a less than ideal throughput.

[0027] Therefore, various embodiments of this disclosure address the technical challenges associated with conveying assemblies for conveying multiple items of different lengths along a conveying path. In various embodiments, exemplary conveying assemblies may be configured to dynamically adjust the configuration of a conveying segment, controlled by a drive roller, between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration, at least in part based on a detected item length of an item to be received by the conveying segment. The conveying device may include a motor-driven roller (MDR) configured to drive the operation of multiple idler rollers within the conveying segment and may be selectively configured between a first operating state and a second operating state to facilitate selective configuration of the conveying segment between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration. For example, the conveying assembly may capture item data (e.g., using an imaging device) to determine whether the item length of an item to be received at the conveying segment is less than a predetermined length threshold. The present invention includes a conveying assembly configured to selectively configure a MDR (Manufacturing Detector) to a second operating state after determining that the length of an article to be received by a conveying section is less than a predetermined length threshold. The MDR is configured to independently control the operation of a front idler roller and a rear idler roller within the conveying section, thereby effectively defining a first conveying zone and a second conveying zone within the conveying section controlled by the MDR. Each conveying zone is defined by a reduced zone length, enabling finer control over the conveying of articles along the conveying path. The conveying assembly can selectively configure the conveying section between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration based on a determined article length using one or both of a plurality of independently configurable clutch-activated bearing elements of the drive rollers, thereby increasing the maximum article occupancy within the conveying section at any given time and maximizing the throughput of multiple articles of different sizes conveyed along the conveying path. For example, in various implementations, an exemplary conveying component may be configured to maximize throughput along a conveying section by selectively reducing the length of one or more conveying zones defined along the conveying path after determining that the length of a first article (e.g., as defined in the direction of the conveying path) is less than a predetermined length threshold, in order to minimize the waiting time required before a second article can be fed into the conveying section.

[0028] Now for reference Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an example system 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, example system 1 includes: a conveying assembly 10 comprising one or more motorized conveyor rollers, one or more computing entities 3 (e.g., servers), one or more databases 2, one or more networks 5, one or more user computing entities 4, etc. In various examples, system 1 is operable to convey items at a specific location or environment.

[0029] In various embodiments, the conveying assembly 10 may be configured to transport items at a specific location or environment using one or more motorized conveyor rollers. In some embodiments, the conveying assembly 10, including one or more motorized conveyor rollers, one or more computing entities 3, one or more databases 2, and / or one or more user computing entities 4, communicate electronically with each other via one or more networks 5, enabling them to exchange data (e.g., receive and send data) with each other (e.g., periodically and / or in response to requests). Each component of system 1 may communicate with each other via the same or different wireless or wired networks 5 (including, for example, wired or wireless personal area networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), cellular networks, etc.). Although Figure 1 Some system components are shown as separate, independent devices, but various implementations are not limited to this particular architecture.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, Example System 1 includes one or more computing entities 3. Generally, the terms computing device, entity, apparatus, system, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein can refer to, for example, one or more computers, computing devices, computing entities, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets, phablets, laptops, laptop computers, distributed systems, terminals, servers or server networks, blade servers, gateways, switches, processing devices, set-top boxes, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, etc., and / or any combination of means suitable for performing the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein. Such functions, operations, and / or processes may include, for example, sending, receiving, operating, processing, displaying, storing, determining, generating / creating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein. In one embodiment, these functions, operations, and / or processes may be performed on data, content, information, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein.

[0031] In some examples, computing entity 3 may also include one or more network and / or communication interfaces for communicating with various computing entities, such as by transmitting data, content, information and / or similar terms that may be used interchangeably herein, which can be sent, received, manipulated, processed, displayed, stored, etc.

[0032] In one embodiment, computing entity 3 may further include or communicate with a non-volatile medium (also referred to as a non-volatile storage device, memory, memory storage device, memory circuitry, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein). In one embodiment, the non-volatile storage device or memory may include one or more non-volatile storage devices or memory media as described above, such as hard disks, ROMs, PROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, MMC, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks, CBRAMs, PRAMs, FeRAMs, RRAMs, SONOS, track memory, etc. As will be appreciated, a non-volatile storage device or memory medium may store databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc. The terms database, database instance, database management system entity, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein may refer to a structured collection of records or information / data stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as via a relational database, hierarchical database, and / or web database.

[0033] In one embodiment, computing entity 3 may further include volatile media (also referred to as volatile storage device, memory, memory storage device, memory circuitry, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein) or communicate with said volatile media. In one embodiment, the volatile storage device or memory may further include one or more volatile storage devices or memory media as described above, such as RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, etc. As will be appreciated, the volatile storage device or memory media may be used to store at least a portion of databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc., executed by, for example, processing elements. Therefore, databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc., can be used to control certain aspects of the operation of computing entity 3 with the help of processing elements and operating systems.

[0034] As noted, in one embodiment, computing entity 3 may also include one or more network and / or communication interfaces for communicating with various computing entities, such as by transmitting data, content, information, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein, that can be sent, received, manipulated, processed, displayed, stored, etc. Such communication may be performed using wired data transmission protocols, such as Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Repeater, Cable Service Interface Data Specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, computing entity 3 can be configured to communicate via a wireless external communication network using any of a variety of protocols, such as embedded SIM (eSIM), SIM Remote Prototyping (RSP), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 200 (CDMA200), CDMA200 1X (1xRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rate Evolution of GSM (EDGE), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolved Data Optimization (EVDO), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and IEEE... 802.11 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), Ultra Wideband (UWB), IR protocol, NFC protocol, RFID protocol, IR protocol, ZigBee protocol, Z-Wave protocol, 6LoWPAN protocol, Wibree, Bluetooth protocol, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and / or any other wireless protocol. Computing Entity 3 may use such protocols and standards to communicate using the following: Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), TLS / SSL / secure HTTP, Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Remote Login, Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP), Stream Control Transfer Protocol (SCTP), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), etc.

[0035] As will be understood, one or more components of computing entity 3 may be located remotely from other components of computing entity 3, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, one or more of these components may be aggregated, and additional components performing the functions described herein may be included in computing entity 3. Therefore, computing entity 3 can be adapted to various needs and situations, such as including the various components described with respect to a mobile application executed on user computing entity 4, including various input / output interfaces.

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, system 1 includes a user computing entity 4. In various embodiments, user computing entity 4 may be or include one or more mobile devices, wearable computing devices, etc. Example user computing entity 4 may include an antenna, a transmitter (e.g., a radio), a receiver (e.g., a radio), and a processing element that provides signals to the transmitter and receives signals from the receiver, respectively. The signals provided to the transmitter and received from the receiver may include signaling information / data according to the air interface standard of an applicable wireless system for communication with various devices such as a computing entity (e.g., a central server), another user computing entity 4, etc. In one example embodiment, the transmitter and / or receiver are configured to communicate via one or more SRC protocols. For example, the transmitter and / or receiver may be configured to send and / or receive information / data, transmissions, etc., from at least one of the following short-range communication protocols: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, NFC, RFID, IR, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, 6LoWPAN, and / or other short-range communication protocols. In various implementations, the antenna, transmitter, and receiver may be configured to communicate via one or more remote protocols such as GPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, 1xRTT, WCDMA, GSM, EDGE, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, WiMAX, etc. User computing entity 4 may also include one or more network and / or communication interfaces for communicating with various computing entities, such as by transmitting data, content, information, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein, that can be sent, received, manipulated, processed, displayed, stored, etc. In this regard, user computing entity 4 may be capable of operating using one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. More specifically, user computing entity 4 may operate according to any of a plurality of wireless communication standards and protocols. In a particular implementation, the user computing entity 4 may operate according to a number of wireless communication standards and protocols (such as GPRS, UMTS, CDMA200, 1xRTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR protocol, Bluetooth protocol, USB protocol) and / or any other wireless protocol.

[0037] Through these communication standards and protocols, user computing entity 4 can communicate with various other devices using concepts such as Unstructured Supplemental Service Message / Data (USSD), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and / or Subscriber Identity Module Dialer (SIM Dialer)). User computing entity 4 can also download changes, plugins, and updates to, for example, its firmware, software (e.g., including executable instructions, applications, program modules), and operating system.

[0038] According to one implementation, the user computing entity 4 may include location determination aspects, devices, modules, functions and / or similar terms that may be used interchangeably herein, to acquire location information / data periodically, continuously or in response to certain triggers.

[0039] User computing entity 4 may include a user interface device comprising one or more user input / output interfaces (e.g., a display and / or speaker / speaker driver coupled to a processing element, and a touch interface, keyboard, mouse, and / or microphone coupled to a processing element). For example, the user interface may be configured to provide mobile applications, browsers, interactive user interfaces, dashboards, web pages, and / or similar terms interchangeably used herein to execute on and / or access via the user computing entity 4 to display or audibly present information / data, and to facilitate user interaction with them via one or more user input interfaces. Furthermore, the user interface may include any of a plurality of devices that allow user computing entity 4 to receive information / data, such as a keypad (hard or soft), a touch display, a sound / voice or motion interface, a scanner, a reader, or other input device, or to communicate with any of such devices. In embodiments including a keypad, the keypad may include (or cause to be displayed) conventional numbers (0-9) and associated keys (#, *) and other keys for operating user computing entity 4, and may include a full set of alphabetic keys or a set of keys that can be activated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition to providing input, the user input interface can also be used to activate or deactivate certain functions, such as screen savers and / or sleep modes. Through such input, user computing entity 4 can capture, collect, and store information / data, user interactions / inputs, etc.

[0040] User computing entity 4 may also include volatile storage devices or memories and / or non-volatile storage devices or memories, which may be embedded and / or removable. For example, non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMC, SD memory card, Memory Stick, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, track memory, etc. Volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDRSDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, etc. Volatile and non-volatile storage devices or memories may store databases, database instances, database management system entities, information / data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, machine code, executable instructions, etc., to implement the functions of user computing entity 4.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 Any two or more of the exemplary components of System 1 may be configured to communicate with each other via one or more networks 5. Network 5 may include, but is not limited to, any or a combination of suitable communication networks of different types, such as, for example, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks (e.g., Frame Relay networks), wireless networks, cellular networks, telephone networks (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network), or any other suitable private and / or public networks. Furthermore, Network 5 may have any suitable communication range associated with it and may include, for example, a global network (e.g., the Internet), MAN, WAN, LAN, or PAN. Additionally, Network 5 may include any type of medium capable of carrying network traffic, including but not limited to coaxial cable, twisted pair, optical fiber, hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) media, microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication media, satellite communication media, or any combination thereof, as well as various network devices and computing platforms provided by network providers or other entities.

[0042] Although Figure 1 Example system 1 is provided, but it should be noted that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to... Figure 1 The example shown. In some examples, system 1 may include one or more additional and / or alternative elements, and / or may differ from... Figure 1 The components shown.

[0043] Figure 2A perspective view of an example MDR conveyor assembly 10 is shown, configured to convey articles along a conveyor path 11. The conveyor path 11 typically defines a path through which articles can be conveyed from a feed point to a discharge point. That is, in various examples, the conveyor path 11 may extend from a feed point at one end to a discharge point at the other end. A feed point may refer to the location where the MDR conveyor assembly 10 receives articles for conveying. For example, an operator (e.g., human, manual, autonomous) may place articles on the upper surface of the MDR conveyor assembly 10 at the feed point to allow the articles to be conveyed via the MDR conveyor assembly 10 through the conveyor path 11 to the discharge point. As another example, the feed point may be located at and / or substantially near the discharge point of a previous conveyor system, such that articles conveyed to the feed point by the previous conveyor system can be further conveyed directly via the conveyor path 11 to the discharge point of the MDR conveyor assembly 10.

[0044] In various examples, the conveying path 11 may be at least substantially linear; that is, the MDR conveyor assembly 10 is configured to convey items directly from the feed point to the discharge point along a substantially straight path. In other various examples, the conveying path 11 may be non-linear and may include various turns, bends, turning points, intersections, etc. For example, due to physical and / or environmental constraints, such as various obstacles and infrastructure within a warehouse, the MDR conveyor assembly 10 may be configured to have a non-linear conveying path. Similarly, the MDR conveyor assembly 10 may be configured to have a non-linear conveying path such that items may be conveyed to and through various environmental points, for example, where operator stations may be positioned to perform various processing tasks on the conveyed items. However, it should be understood that conveying items to and through various environmental points is not limited to an MDR conveyor assembly 10 with a non-linear conveying path, and an MDR conveyor assembly 10 with a linear conveying path may similarly be configured to convey items to and through various environmental points.

[0045] In various examples, the transport path 11 may be vertical, and the MDR transport assembly 10 is configured to transport items through different heights. Therefore, as a complement to or alternative to horizontal variation (e.g., in the xy plane), the transport path 11 may include vertical variation (e.g., in the z plane).

[0046] In some example instances, the MDR conveyor assembly 10 is configured to reverse the conveyor path 11 along at least a portion of the conveyor surface defined by the assembly 10. In this way, the MDR conveyor assembly 10 can convey items from a previous unloading point to a previous feeding point. Similarly, the MDR conveyor assembly 10, having various intersections and / or turning points, may include multiple conveyor paths 11 extending through the MDR conveyor assembly 10 and connecting different sections at these intersections and / or turning points. In various example embodiments, the MDR conveyor assembly 10 is configured to convey different items along different conveyor paths 11 through various intersections and / or turning points, such as for sorting tasks. Therefore, although Figure 2 One transport path 11 for the MDR transport assembly 10 is shown, but it should be understood that the MDR transport assembly 10 can be configured for any number of transport paths 11, which may be linear and / or nonlinear.

[0047] As shown in the figure, the MDR conveyor assembly 10 includes a plurality of rollers 100 positioned along a conveyor path 11. As described herein, in various embodiments, exemplary rollers 100 may be substantially cylindrical, and rollers may include a central axis of rotation, a length along that axis, and a radius from the central axis of rotation. The cylindrical outer surface of the rollers 100 is configured to abut against articles disposed on or tangentially above the rollers 100 in the MDR conveyor assembly 10, and to translate the articles in the conveyor path 11 by rotation of the rollers 100 about their central axis of rotation. In some examples, the rollers 100 are configured to abut and translate articles using a coating or material on their cylindrical outer surface configured to have a high coefficient of friction.

[0048] Specifically, the plurality of rollers 100 of the MDR conveying assembly 10 are positioned along the conveying path 11 such that the central axis of rotation of each roller 100 is at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying path. It should also be understood that the conveying path 11 of the MDR conveying assembly 10 can be defined as a path (e.g., a linear or nonlinear path) that is at least substantially perpendicular to the central axis of rotation of the plurality of rollers 100 of the MDR conveying assembly 10.

[0049] A plurality of rollers 100 of the MDR conveying assembly 10 may be positioned between at least two sidewalls 12 that generally define a roller housing. Each roller 100 may be fastened to a sidewall 12 at each respective end, such that the translational movement of each roller 100 is significantly restricted. Thus, since each roller 100 is fastened to at least two sidewalls 12 and fastened between at least two sidewalls, each roller 100 may be limited only to rotational movement about a respective central axis of rotation. The roller 100 may be fixedly fastened between at least two sidewalls 12 at both ends of its central axis of rotation. In some examples, the roller 100 includes a shaft, rod, etc., defining its central axis of rotation, and this shaft, rod, etc., is fastened to at least two sidewalls 12. In various embodiments, the length of the at least two sidewalls 12 and the plurality of rollers 100 (e.g., spanning between at least two sidewalls 12) is configured at least in part based on the width of the article to be conveyed by the MDR conveying assembly 10. For example, in an MDR conveyor assembly 10 intended for conveying packages limited by a maximum width and / or size, the lengths of at least two sidewalls 12 and a plurality of rollers 100 may be at least greater than that maximum width and / or size. With the plurality of rollers 100 positioned between the sidewalls 12, it is understood that the sidewalls 12 extend at least substantially parallel to the conveyor path 11.

[0050] In various embodiments, the plurality of rollers 100 of the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may include at least one idler roller and at least one drive roller (e.g., a motor-driven roller (MDR)) operatively engaged with the at least one idler roller such that the drive roller can be used to induce rotation (e.g., operation) of the at least one idler roller to facilitate control of the idler roller at least in part based on the response exhibited by the at least one idler roller to the drive roller operatively engaged therewith. As an illustrative example, Figure 3 A perspective view of an example conveying device having a multiple roller assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, the multiple rollers including both motorized drive rollers and non-motorized idler rollers. In some embodiments, an example portion of the conveying device 10a may define a specific section or conveying area of ​​the conveying assembly 10.

[0051] In various embodiments, exemplary conveying device 10 may include conveying device 10a, which includes a plurality of rollers 100 defining a conveying section configured to convey one or more articles disposed thereon along a conveying path 11. Figure 3 As shown, the plurality of rollers 100 may include at least one motorized conveyor roller, such as motorized conveyor roller 101, and one or more non-motorized conveyor rollers, such as non-motorized conveyor roller 102. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the example transport assembly 10 further includes at least a first transport sidewall 12a and a second transport sidewall 12b. For example... Figure 3As shown, a plurality of motorized and non-motorized conveyor rollers (e.g., motorized conveyor roller 101 and non-motorized conveyor roller 102) may be mechanically / operationally coupled to a first conveyor sidewall 12a and a second conveyor sidewall 12b. In some embodiments, the first conveyor sidewall 12a and the second conveyor sidewall 12b may include one or more sets of apertures configured to receive the plurality of motorized and non-motorized conveyor rollers (e.g., motorized conveyor roller 101 and non-motorized conveyor roller 102).

[0052] In some implementation schemes, such as Figure 3 As shown, the non-motorized transfer rollers (e.g., non-motorized transfer roller 102) of the plurality of rollers 100 may be and / or include idler rollers or driven rollers. The motorized transfer rollers (e.g., motorized transfer roller 101) may be and / or include drive rollers, such as, for example, motor-driven rollers (MDRs) as described herein. In various embodiments, the drive roller 101 may be configured to drive at least one idler roller 102 of the plurality of rollers 100. For example, the drive roller 101 may be configured to drive at least one idler roller 102 operatively engaged therewith via one or more drive belts 14, the one or more drive belts engaging with one or more of the drive roller 101 and at least one idler roller 102. In various embodiments, the drive belt 14 may include an O-belt configured to facilitate operative engagement between the drive roller 101 and at least one idler roller 102, such that the idler roller 102 can be driven by rotation of the drive roller 101. Figure 3 As shown, in various embodiments, one or more drive rollers (e.g., drive roller 101) and at least one idler roller (e.g., idler roller 102) can be connected to each other via a series of drive belts 14 to drive the idler roller 102 (e.g., in response to rotation / operation of one or more drive rollers 101). As further shown, in various embodiments, the drive belt 14 can be wound around a tracking ring 15 disposed on the drive roller and / or idler roller. For example, the tracking ring 15 can be operated to ensure that the drive belt 14 engaged with the tracking ring does not slip off the roller (e.g., drive roller 101 and / or idler roller 102) defining the tracking ring 15 when the roller operates at full speed (e.g., rotation). Furthermore, the drive belt 14 can be connected to an idler wheel disposed on / attached to a first conveyor sidewall 12a or a second conveyor sidewall 12b of the conveyor assembly 10 to maintain a target tension between the drive belt 14 and one or more of the plurality of rollers 100 engaged by the belt 14 (e.g., drive roller 101 and / or idler roller 102).

[0053] In various embodiments, one or more motors of the conveying assembly 10 (e.g., motor assemblies defined within the internal roller portion of the exemplary drive motor 101) may be unidirectional to facilitate rotation of the rollers 100 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction of rotation. Furthermore, one or more motors of the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may be operated to apply rotation of the plurality of rollers 100 in a consistent direction, such that all of the plurality of rollers 100 of the conveying assembly 10 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Further still, in various embodiments, the conveying assembly 10 may include a bidirectional motor. Using a bidirectional motor, the rotation of the plurality of rollers 100 can be reversed (e.g., from clockwise to counterclockwise and vice versa), thereby also causing a reversal of the conveying path 11.

[0054] Although Figure 3 An example transmission device 10a is shown, illustrating example transmission components 10 according to various embodiments described herein, but it should be noted that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to... Figure 3 The example shown. The example transmission device 10a according to the example transmission component 10 of this disclosure may include one or more additional and / or alternative elements, and / or may differ from... Figure 3 The transmission device shown.

[0055] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of rollers 100 of the exemplary conveying assembly 1 may define a conveying section configured to convey one or more articles disposed on one or more rollers among the plurality of rollers 100 along a corresponding portion of the conveying path 11. In various embodiments, for example, the conveying section defined by the plurality of rollers 100 of the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may include one or more conveying zones defined within the conveying section along the conveying path 11. For example, Figure 4 A side sectional view of an exemplary conveying assembly 10 is shown, which has a plurality of conveying zones 200 defined sequentially (e.g., in series and / or continuously) along a conveying path 11. In particular, Figure 4 An article 1 is shown being conveyed along a conveying path 11 by the rotation of multiple rollers 100, and as shown, the article 1 is tangentially connected to the multiple rollers 100. Specifically, the article 1 is connected to the multiple rollers 100 by resting above them.

[0056] It should be understood that, although Figure 4The conveyor path 11 is shown parallel to the cross-sectional view, but various example conveyor assemblies 10 can be configured to have a non-linear conveyor path 11 and may include any number of turns, bends, turning points, intersections, etc. By extension, the plurality of rollers 100 of such conveyor assembly 10 may not necessarily be oriented parallel to each other among the plurality of rollers 100; that is, the plurality of rollers 100 may be positioned relative to each other at different angles (but not explicitly shown) to facilitate any conveyor path 11 (e.g., a non-linear conveyor direction).

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown in the cross-sectional view, the plurality of rollers 100 defining the conveying section can be positioned with a spacing between each roller 100 to facilitate rotation of each roller 100 and prevent contact between the rollers 100. In some embodiments, the spacing between each roller 100 is at least substantially constant or uniform across all the plurality of rollers 100. The spacing between each roller 100 may preferably be less than the length of the intended article to be conveyed by the conveying assembly 10, such that the article 1 tangentially abuts against more than one roller 100 during conveying by the conveying assembly 10.

[0058] As described herein, the transport zone of transport assembly 10 may refer to a region or length of transport path 11 where the operation of transport assembly 10 can be independently controlled (e.g., along a transport device defined by a plurality of rollers). For example, the plurality of rollers 100 of an exemplary transport assembly 10 may include a first set of rollers 100a positioned within a first zone 201. As described herein, the first set of rollers 100a may be operated to rotate at a time and / or at a rotational speed that differs from the time and / or rotational speed of operation of one or more other sets of rollers (e.g., second set of rollers 100b, third set of rollers 100c, fourth set of rollers 100d) positioned within another transport zone (e.g., second transport zone 202, third transport zone 203, another transport zone 204) to achieve various transport standards, instructions, purposes, etc. (e.g., creating buffer distances between a series of items 1, accumulating multiple items at a location for a processing task, etc.). Therefore, in various example embodiments, each conveying zone 200 may be associated with at least one motor, such that each conveying zone 200 may be controlled by at least one corresponding motor to be at one or more specific instances and / or a certain rotational speed. For example, in various embodiments, each conveying zone 200 defined by the conveying assembly 10 (e.g., within a conveying section) may include at least one drive roller and at least one idler roller (e.g., a front idler roller positioned upstream of the drive roller and a rear idler roller positioned downstream of the drive roller).

[0059] As described, in various embodiments, the conveying zone 200 may be defined along the conveying path 11 to include a plurality of rollers 100. For example, in Figure 4In the exemplary embodiments shown, each conveying zone 200 includes three rollers 100. However, it should be understood that in other non-limiting examples, different zones may have different numbers of rollers 100. As discussed, the conveying assembly 10 may be configured such that portions of the plurality of rollers 100 associated with, belonging to, and / or located within the conveying zone 200 are operable to rotate at the same rotational speed and at substantially the same time. In various embodiments, each conveying zone 200 may include at least one drive roller operated (e.g., rotated) by a motor associated therewith and configured such that it is operatively engaged to allow other idler rollers defined within the same conveying zone 200 to rotate "passively" (e.g., via a belt, strap, connector, etc.). Thus, generally, each conveying zone 200 may be associated with at least substantially simultaneous operation (e.g., each of the plurality of rollers within the conveying zone rotates substantially simultaneously) and / or a common rotational speed, which may be selectively operated and / or controlled by one or more components of the conveying assembly 10 in motor electronics communication with the drive motor (e.g., a controller).

[0060] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Perspective and sectional views of an exemplary drive roller according to the example embodiments described herein are shown, respectively. In particular, Figure 5A A perspective view of an exemplary drive roller 100 is shown, which includes a motor-driven roller (MDR) configured to drive the operation of a plurality of idler rollers within a conveying section and is selectively configured between a first operating state and a second operating state to facilitate selective configuration of the conveying section between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration. For example, as described herein, the exemplary drive roller 101 may be configured between the first and second operating states at least in part based on the configuration of one or more clutch-activated bearing elements of the drive roller 101, each of which is configured to selectively engage a corresponding drive belt, which operatively engages different portions of the plurality of rollers defining the conveying section.

[0061] As described herein, in various embodiments, example drive roller 101 may be a conveying assembly / conveying system (e.g., in conjunction with the above). Figure 2The described conveying device is part of a conveying section and may be configured to drive one or more idler rollers (e.g., non-motorized conveying rollers) operatively coupled thereto. For example, in various embodiments, exemplary drive roller 101 may be defined within at least a portion of a conveying section defined within an exemplary conveying assembly (e.g., a conveying device) and / or a corresponding system, which is part of an automated or semi-automated warehousing system in which items may respond to system commands and / or via computational entities (such as those described above). Figure 1 The user computing entity 108 described herein performs storage, retrieval, transmission, etc., through user interaction. For example, the example drive roller 101 may be configured to transport items along at least a portion of the conveying device (e.g., along a conveying section) based at least in part on system instructions.

[0062] like Figure 5A As shown, in various embodiments, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include a housing 103 (e.g., a roller) configured to house one or more components / elements of the drive roller 101 (e.g., controller components, discussed in more detail below). In some examples, the housing 103 (e.g., a roller) of the drive roller 101 comprises a hollow cylindrical body and may contain metal, plastic, combinations thereof, etc.

[0063] like Figure 5A Further, as shown, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include a first end cap 101 defining a first end / surface of the exemplary drive roller 101. As shown, the first end cap 101 may include a first attachment 101a configured to be operatively coupled to a conveying device, such as, for example, coupled to a first sidewall, within an aperture of a first guide rail, etc. Furthermore, as shown, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include a second end cap 102 defining a second end / surface of the exemplary drive roller 101. As shown, the second end cap 102 may include a second attachment 102a configured to be operatively coupled to a conveying device, such as, for example, coupled to a second sidewall arranged opposite to the first sidewall, within an aperture of a second guide rail, etc. Figure 5A As further shown, the drive roller 101 includes a power cable 104 disposed adjacent to the second end cap 102 and configured to be connected to a power source. Additionally and / or alternatively, the power cable 105 may also be configured to provide an electronic connection for wired data transfer between the drive roller 101 (e.g., a controller disposed therein) and one or more components of the conveying assembly (such as, for example, an imaging device, one or more other drive rollers, etc.).

[0064] Furthermore, as shown, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include a plurality of clutch bearing recesses defined at least partially along the outer surface of the roller 100 and configured such that the drive roller 101 may receive at least a portion of the drive belt therein to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller 101 and one or more other rollers of a plurality of rollers defining a conveyor section. In various embodiments, as shown, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include a first clutch bearing recess 110 and a second clutch bearing recess 120, each clutch bearing recess being configured to receive a corresponding drive belt therein. For example, in various embodiments, the first clutch bearing recess 110 may be configured to receive at least a portion therein of a first drive belt such that the first drive belt may wrap around both the drive roller 101 (e.g., within the first clutch bearing recess 110) and at least one front idler roller (e.g., at least one roller of a plurality of rollers of the conveyor section controlled by the drive roller 101 arranged upstream of the drive roller 101, as defined along the conveyor path) to operatively connect the drive roller to at least one front idler roller. For example, the first drive belt frictionally engages each of the drive roller and at least one front idler roller, such that in various embodiments, such as, for example, when the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 within the first clutch bearing recess 110 is in an engaged configuration, rotational movement of the drive roller 101 can result in at least substantially similar rotation of the at least one front idler roller operatively connected thereto. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the second clutch bearing recess 120 may be configured to receive at least a portion therein of the second drive belt, such that the second drive belt can wrap around both the drive roller 101 (e.g., within the second clutch bearing recess 120) and at least one rear idler roller within the conveying section (e.g., at least one roller of a plurality of rollers in the conveying section controlled by the drive roller 101 arranged downstream of the drive roller 101, as defined along the conveying path), to operatively connect the drive roller 101 to at least one rear idler roller. For example, the second drive belt frictionally engages each of the drive roller 101 and at least one rear idler roller, such that in various embodiments, such as, for example, when the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 within the second clutch bearing recess 120 is in an engaged configuration, the rotational movement of the drive roller 101 can result in at least substantially similar rotation of the at least one rear idler roller operatively connected thereto.

[0065] In various embodiments, the exemplary drive roller 101 may further include one or more clutch-activated bearing elements configured to physically engage at least a portion of the drive belt and to selectively rotate together with and / or relative to the roller housing 103 to facilitate selective control of at least a portion of an idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller via the drive belt. For example, in various embodiments, the exemplary clutch-activated bearing element may be arranged at a clutch bearing recess of the drive roller 100 such that the clutch-activated bearing element can physically engage a portion of the drive belt disposed within (e.g., surrounding) the clutch bearing recess. For example, a portion of the drive belt received within the clutch bearing recess may be frictionally engaged by the clutch-activated bearing element such that rotational movement of the clutch-activated bearing element can cause corresponding movement (e.g., rotation) of the drive belt and an exemplary idler roller (e.g., a front idler roller or a rear idler roller) engaged with the drive belt in a conveyor segment controlled by the drive roller 101. In various embodiments, an exemplary clutch-activated bearing element may define a range of relative rotation with respect to the housing 103 of the drive roller 101, wherein the clutch-activated bearing element may be configured to rotate selectively about the central axis 106 of the drive roller 101, at least in part, based on the configuration of the clutch element (not shown) of the drive roller 101 relative to the clutch-activated bearing element.

[0066] like Figure 5AAs shown, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include a first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and a second clutch-activated bearing element 121. The first clutch-activated bearing element 111 may be arranged relative to a first clutch bearing recess 110 such that it can physically engage a portion of the first drive belt disposed within (e.g., surrounding) the first clutch bearing recess 110. In this exemplary configuration, the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 may frictionally engage this portion of the first drive belt such that rotational movement of the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 can cause a corresponding movement (e.g., rotation) of the first drive belt, and thus a corresponding rotation of at least one front idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller 101 via the first drive belt. Furthermore, the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 may be arranged relative to a second clutch bearing recess 120 such that it can physically engage a portion of the second drive belt disposed within (e.g., surrounding) the second clutch bearing recess 120. In this exemplary configuration, the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 frictionally engages a portion of the second drive belt such that rotational movement of the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 can cause a corresponding movement (e.g., rotation) of the second drive belt, and thus a corresponding rotation of at least one rear idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller 101 via the second drive belt.

[0067] In various embodiments, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include one or more clutch elements (not shown) configured to selectively engage and disengage one or more clutch-activated bearing elements of the drive roller 101 (e.g., a first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and a second clutch-activated bearing element 121) to control the rotation of one or more clutch-activated bearing elements relative to the housing 103 of the drive roller 101. For example, in various embodiments, the one or more clutch elements may engage the clutch-activated bearing elements to selectively configure the clutch-activated bearing elements in an engaged configuration, wherein the clutch elements prevent the clutch-activated bearing elements from rotating relative to the housing 103, such that the clutch-activated bearing elements, together with the housing 103 of the drive roller 101, rotate about a central axis 106 (e.g., as controlled by a motor assembly of the drive roller 101). For example, in such an exemplary configuration, a control signal including a drive signal that causes rotation of the drive roller 101 results in a similar rotation of the clutch-activated bearing elements, and a corresponding movement (e.g., rotation) of the drive belt that is thus frictionally engaged with the clutch-activated bearing elements. Furthermore, in various embodiments, one or more clutch elements can disengage from the clutch-activated bearing element to selectively configure the clutch-activated bearing element in a disengaged configuration, wherein the clutch elements do not restrict the relative rotation of the clutch-activated bearing element relative to the housing 103, such that when the housing 103 of the drive roller 101 rotates about the central axis 106, the portion of the clutch-activated bearing element that is frictionally engaged with the drive belt can remain in a position that is at least substantially stationary. For example, in such an exemplary configuration, the control signal including the drive signal that causes the rotation of the drive roller 101 does not correspond to the rotation of the clutch-activated bearing element, and therefore, the drive belt that is frictionally engaged with the clutch-activated bearing element does not exhibit a corresponding movement (e.g., rotation). In various embodiments, the exemplary clutch element can be configured to selectively engage and / or disengage the clutch-activated bearing element based on one or more control signals including a configuration signal generated by an exemplary transmission component (e.g., a controller).

[0068] As described above, the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 of the exemplary drive roller 101 can each be independently configured between a corresponding engagement and disengagement configuration. As an illustrative example, the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 can be selectively configured in an engagement configuration defined by the engagement of the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 by a clutch element (not shown) of the drive roller 101, such that the rotational position of the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 is fixed relative to the housing 103, and at least one front idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller 101 via a first drive belt that frictionally engages with the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 can be operated (e.g., driven) by the rotation of the drive roller 101. Furthermore, the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 can be selectively configured to disengage, which is defined by disengaging the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 from the clutch element of the drive roller 101, such that the rotational position of the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 is at least substantially unaffected by the rotation of the housing 103, and at least one front idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller 101 via the first drive belt is not operated (e.g., driven) by the rotation of the drive roller 101.

[0069] Similarly, as another illustrative example, the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 can be selectively configured in an engaged configuration, defined by engagement of the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 by the clutch element of the drive roller 101, such that the rotational position of the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 relative to the housing 103 is fixed, and at least one rear idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller 101 via a second drive belt that frictionally engages with the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 can be operated (e.g., driven) by the rotation of the drive roller 101. Furthermore, the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 can be selectively configured in a disengaged configuration, defined by disengagement of the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 by the clutch element of the drive roller 101, such that the rotational position of the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 is at least substantially unaffected by the rotation of the housing 103, and at least one rear idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller 101 via the second drive belt is not operated (e.g., driven) by the rotation of the drive roller 101.

[0070] In various embodiments, as described in more detail herein, the exemplary drive roller 101 may be configured such that the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 may be selectively configured in the same or different configurations relative to the clutch element. For example, in various embodiments, the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 may each be selectively configured in an engaged configuration. In such an exemplary configuration, rotation of the housing 103 may drive the rotation of each of at least one front idler roller and at least one rear idler roller operatively connected to the drive roller 101 at the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121, respectively. As described herein, such an exemplary configuration in which both the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 are in an engaged configuration may define a single-zone configuration of the exemplary conveying segment controlled by the drive roller 101. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 can be selectively configured in different configurations, such as, for example, the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 defining an engagement configuration while the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 defining a disengagement configuration, or the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 defining a disengagement configuration while the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 defining an engagement configuration. In such an exemplary configuration, rotation of the housing 103 can drive rotation of only one specific set of idler rollers (e.g., at least one front idler roller or at least one rear idler roller) operatively connected to the drive roller 101 at the clutch-activated bearing element provided in the engagement configuration, while another set of idler rollers remains at least substantially stationary. As described herein, this exemplary configuration, in which one of the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 is selectively configured in an engagement configuration while the other is selectively configured in a disengagement configuration, can define a dual-zone configuration for the exemplary conveyor section.

[0071] Now for reference Figure 5B A side sectional view of an exemplary drive roller 101 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In particular, Figure 5B The above text is combined Figure 5A A side sectional view of the exemplary drive roller 101 discussed. (See attached image.) Figure 5BAs shown, an exemplary drive roller 101 may include a housing 103 embodying an outer casing that defines an inner roller portion 104. This inner roller portion includes a hollow internal volume within the housing 103 extending along its central axis 105 between opposing first end caps 101 and second end caps 102 of the drive roller 101. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the exemplary drive roller 101 includes a power cable 105, a motor assembly 150, a drive assembly 140, a controller component 160, and a bearing assembly 130, each at least partially disposed within the housing 103 of the drive roller 101. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the elements / components of the drive roller 101 (e.g., the motor assembly 150, drive assembly 140, and bearing assembly 130) is in electronic communication with the controller component 160, such that various data / information (e.g., article data, control signals, etc.) can be transmitted between the controller component 160 and each component in electronic communication with it.

[0072] As stated above, and as Figure 5B As shown, an example drive roller 101 may include a motor assembly 150, a drive assembly 140, and at least one bearing assembly 130 configured to facilitate operation / drive / rotation of the housing 103 (e.g., roller) of the drive roller 101 relative to a central axis 106 of the drive roller 101. In various embodiments, as shown, at least a portion (e.g., a surface) of the motor assembly 150 and at least one surface of the drive assembly 140 may contact the inner surface of the housing 103 (e.g., roller) of the drive roller 101. For example, the drive roller 101 may include a drive assembly 140 configured to transmit torque from the motor assembly 150 to the housing 103 (e.g., roller) of the drive roller 101. In some embodiments, the drive assembly 140 may be fixed relative to the housing 103 (e.g., roller), while the motor assembly 150 is fixed relative to a frame member supporting the roller, such that the motor assembly 140 allows rotation of both the drive assembly 140 and the roller.

[0073] Additionally, as shown, the example drive roller 101 includes a bearing assembly 130 configured to, together with the motor assembly 150 and the drive assembly 140, facilitate operation of the drive roller 101 defined by rotation of the drive roller 101 (e.g., housing 103) about a central axis 106. As shown, the bearing assembly 130 may be disposed at least substantially adjacent to and operatively coupled to a first end cap 101 of the drive roller 101. In various embodiments, as described herein, the drive roller 101 includes a first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and a second clutch-activated bearing element 121, which may be configured to rotate at least with and / or relative to at least a portion of the bearing assembly 140 (e.g., housing 103) based at least partially on the selective configuration of one or more clutch elements (not shown), to facilitate selective configuration of the conveying segment controlled by the drive roller 101 between a single-zone and dual-zone configuration.

[0074] As stated above, and as Figure 5B As shown, in various embodiments, the exemplary drive roller 101 may include a controller component 160 disposed within a housing 103 of the drive roller 101. As shown, the controller component 160 may be at least partially disposed within the housing 103 (e.g., the roller) of the drive roller 101. For example, in various embodiments, as shown, the controller component 160 may be disposed between the bearing assembly 130 and the drive assembly 140. In various embodiments, the controller component 160 may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). For example, as shown, the controller component 160 includes a PCB stack comprising three PCBs configured to communicate electronically with each other. In various embodiments, the controller component 160 may include a controller module configured to control the operation of the motor assembly 150, the drive assembly 140, the bearing assembly 130, etc. In some embodiments, as described herein, controller component 160 may include a wireless communication module configured to provide a communication interface (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Low Energy Wide Area Network such as LoRa, etc.) between drive roller 101 and one or more components of the conveying assembly (e.g., one or more other drive rollers among a plurality of rollers defined by the conveying assembly). Additionally, in some embodiments, controller component 160 may include a power module configured to control various operations of one or more electronic components (e.g., circuitry, sensing elements, etc.) of drive roller 101.

[0075] In various embodiments, an exemplary conveying assembly may be defined by one or more conveying zones, which are defined by a plurality of rollers configured to be simultaneously controlled (e.g., rotated) by an exemplary drive roller to facilitate the conveying of article 1 along a conveying path defined by the conveying assembly. For example, refer to [reference needed]. Figure 4 The exemplary conveying assembly 10 shown may be defined by a plurality of conveying zones 200, each conveying zone including a plurality of rollers configured for simultaneous control (e.g., rotation) by an exemplary drive roller defined within the conveying zone 200. For example, in various embodiments, a series of conveying zones 200 defined within a conveying section of the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may be defined along a conveying path 11 using empirical length measurements. As a non-limiting example provided for illustrative purposes, a first conveying zone 201 may span the first ten meters of the conveying path 11, and a second conveying zone 202 adjacent to the first conveying zone 201 may span the next seven meters of the conveying path 11 immediately downstream of the first conveying zone 201. In various embodiments, the length of each conveying zone 200 defined along the conveying path 11 may be at least partially based on the length of the article 1 that is to be (or is being) conveyed by the conveying assembly 10 along the plurality of rollers 100 defining the exemplary conveying section. For example, in various non-limiting embodiments, each transport zone 200 may be defined by a zone length that is at least substantially longer than the length of the item 1 to be transported, such that each item can be transported independently by independently controlling each transport zone 200.

[0076] In various example implementations, one or more conveying zones 200 of the conveying assembly 10 may be dynamically defined, at least in part, based on the detected length of each item 1 being conveyed by the conveying assembly 10. In such an exemplary configuration, the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may be divided into a series of conveying zones 200, at least in part, based on a determined item length associated with each item 1, wherein the conveying assembly 10 conveys multiple items 1 of different lengths. For example, a conveying segment of the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may operate as a single conveying zone, or may be selectively divided into multiple conveying zones, at least in part, based on one or more configuration signals generated by the conveying assembly 10 (e.g., a controller) and communicated to the drive rollers of the conveying segment in response to a determined item length associated with the item 1. As a non-limiting illustrative example, Figure 6A and Figure 6B A top view of a transport section of an exemplary transport component according to an example embodiment described herein is shown. Specifically, Figure 6A A conveying section defined by a plurality of rollers 100 is shown, which is configured in a single-zone configuration, defined by each of the plurality of rollers 100 being included in a single conveying zone 201. Furthermore, Figure 6B It shows the result of Figure 6A The conveying section defined by the plurality of rollers 100 is configured in a dual-zone configuration, which is defined by a first conveying zone 201 defined by a first portion 100a of the plurality of rollers 100 and a second conveying zone 202 defined by a second portion 100b of the plurality of rollers 100, wherein the first conveying zone 201 and the second conveying zone 202 can each be independently controlled by a drive roller 101. In various embodiments, the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may be configured such that the conveying section defined by the plurality of rollers 100 can... Figure 6A The single-zone configuration shown (where each of the plurality of rollers 100 constitutes a single conveying zone 201 controlled by drive roller 101 and confined within a conveying section) and as shown Figure 6B The illustrated dual-zone configuration (where a first portion 100a of a plurality of rollers 100 constitutes a first conveying zone 201 and a second portion 100b of a plurality of rollers 100 constitutes a second conveying zone 201, each conveying zone being defined within a conveying section and being independently controlled by the same drive roller 101 based at least in part on a selective configuration of the drive roller 101 in one of a first operating state and a second operating state) is dynamically adjusted. For example, the selective configuration of the drive roller 101 between the first operating state and the second operating state may be defined at least in part on a selective configuration of each of one or more clutch-activated bearing elements, such as, for example, a first bearing element being configured to facilitate operatively connecting the drive roller 101 to a front idler roller of the drive roller 101, and a second bearing element being configured to facilitate operatively connecting the drive roller 101 to a rear idler roller.

[0077] like Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, an exemplary conveying section may be defined by a plurality of rollers 100, each configured to be operated by a motor of a drive roller 101. The plurality of rollers defining the exemplary conveying section may include a drive roller 101, a set of front idler rollers 102 (e.g., a first front idler roller 102a, a second front idler roller 102b, and a third front idler roller 102c), and a set of rear idler rollers 103 (e.g., a first rear idler roller 103a, a second rear idler roller 103b, and a third rear idler roller 103c). As shown, the set of front idler rollers 102 is defined by a first portion of the plurality of rollers 100 operatively connected to the drive roller 101, the first portion being arranged in an upstream position of the drive roller 101, and the set of rear idler rollers 103 is defined by a second portion of the plurality of rollers 100 operatively connected to the drive roller 101, the second portion being arranged in a downstream position of the drive roller 101, as defined along the conveying path 11. In various embodiments, drive roller 101 may be operatively connected to the set of front idler rollers 102 via a first drive belt that frictionally engages with drive roller 101 at a first clutch-activated bearing element 111. Furthermore, drive roller 101 may be operatively connected to the set of rear idler rollers 103 via a second drive belt that frictionally engages with drive roller 101 at a second clutch-activated bearing element 121.

[0078] As shown in the figures, in various embodiments, the drive roller 101 may be configured to facilitate dynamic adjustment of the conveying segment between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration, at least in part, based on one or more control signals generated in response to a detected article length, as the article travels along a conveying path 11 defined by an exemplary conveying assembly. As described herein, the selective configuration of the conveying segment operated by the drive roller 101 between the single-zone and dual-zone configurations may be defined by the selective configuration of the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 of the drive roller 101 between an engaged and disengaged configuration.

[0079] For example, in various embodiments, the drive roller 101 of the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may be configured to drive a corresponding rotation of each of a plurality of rollers 100 defining the conveying section. Figure 6AAs shown, an exemplary conveying assembly can be configured such that, in a first exemplary case where the conveying assembly (e.g., an imaging device) detects that the length of an article disposed at the feed section of the conveying segment is at least significantly greater than (e.g., greater than or equal to) a predetermined length threshold, the exemplary conveying assembly 10 (e.g., a controller) can generate one or more control signals (e.g., configuration signals) configured to cause the drive roller 101 to be configured according to a first operating state, wherein the drive roller 101 maintains control over both the set of front idler rollers 102 and the set of rear idler rollers 103 of the plurality of rollers 100 defining the conveying segment, such that the operation of the drive roller 101 can simultaneously drive each roller of the conveying segment. In this exemplary case, the conveying segment can be defined by a single-zone configuration. For example, in response to detecting that the length of the article is at least significantly greater than the predetermined length threshold, the drive roller 101 can be configured according to a first operating state defined by both the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 and the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 being configured to engage with the clutch elements of the drive roller 101. In this exemplary configuration, the rotation of the drive roller 101 can drive the corresponding rotation of each of the front idler rollers 102 in the group and each of the rear idler rollers 103 in the group, such that the conveying section operates in a single-zone configuration defined by a single conveying zone 201.

[0080] also, Figure 6B The above reference is shown in the second exemplary case. Figure 6A The described conveying section includes a conveying component (e.g., an imaging device) that detects that the length of an article disposed at the feed section of the conveying section is at least significantly less than a predetermined length threshold. In this exemplary case, the exemplary conveying component (e.g., a controller) may generate one or more control signals configured to cause the drive roller 101 to be configured according to a second operating state (e.g., reconfigured and / or switched from a first operating state), wherein the drive roller 101 is configured to independently operate the set of front idler rollers 102 and the set of rear idler rollers 103. For example, in the second operating state, the drive roller 101 may selectively operate one set of the set of front idler rollers 102 or the set of rear idler rollers 103 under certain circumstances, while the other set is not subject to the driving force of the drive roller 101. In this exemplary configuration, as Figure 6BAs shown, the conveying section can be defined in a dual-zone configuration, wherein a first conveying zone 201 within the conveying section is defined by a first portion 100a of a plurality of rollers 100 (e.g., the group of front idler rollers 102), and a second conveying zone 202 within the conveying section is defined by a second portion 100b of a plurality of rollers 100 (e.g., the group of rear idler rollers 103). For example, in response to detecting that the length of an article is at least significantly less than a predetermined length threshold, the drive roller 101 can be configured according to a second operating state defined by configuring a first clutch-activated bearing element 111 in an engaged configuration and a second clutch-activated bearing element 121 in a disengaged configuration relative to a clutch element of the drive roller 101. In this exemplary configuration, rotation of the drive roller 101 can drive the corresponding rotation of each of the front idler rollers 102 in the group of front idler rollers 102, while the group of rear idler rollers 103 is not subject to the driving force of the drive roller 101, such that the rear idler rollers 103 are unaffected by the rotation of the drive roller 101.

[0081] In this exemplary configuration (where the conveying section operates in a dual-zone configuration defined by a first conveying zone 201 and a second conveying zone 202), after determining that an article traveling along the conveying path 11 is positioned at the feed position in the second conveying zone 202, the exemplary conveying assembly may generate one or more control signals configured to reconfigure the second clutch-activated bearing element 121 from a disengaged configuration to an engaged configuration, such that the drive roller 101 can be used to drive the conveying of the article through the second conveying zone 202. As described herein, in this exemplary configuration, rotation of the drive roller 101 drives the corresponding rotation of each of the set of rear idler rollers 103. Furthermore, after determining that the item has passed the unloading position of the first conveying zone 201, the exemplary conveying component may generate one or more control signals configured to reconfigure the first clutch-activated bearing element 111 from an engaged configuration to a disengaged configuration, such that the set of rear idler rollers 103 is not driven by the drive roller 101 and that the rotation of the drive roller 101 does not affect the set of front idler rollers 102 when the item passes through the second conveying zone 202.

[0082] like Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, an exemplary conveying component can be configured to dynamically adjust the configuration of the conveying segment, controlled by drive roller 101, between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration, at least in part, based on the detected article length of an article to be received by the conveying segment. Each configuration is defined by one or more operations using the same drive roller 101, such that the conveying segment can be selectively configured to maximize the throughput of multiple articles of different sizes conveyed along the conveying path 11. For example, in various embodiments, the exemplary conveying component can be configured to maximize the throughput along the conveying segment by selectively reducing the zone length of one or more conveying zones defined along the conveying path after determining that the article length of a first article (e.g., as defined in the direction of the conveying path) is less than a predetermined length threshold, in order to minimize the waiting time required before a second article can be fed into the conveying segment. For example, the conveying component can be configured to maximize the throughput through the conveying segment (e.g., along the conveying path 11) by selectively reconfiguring drive roller 101 such that the conveying segment... Figure 6A The single-zone configuration shown in the exemplary implementation is similar to Figure 6B The exemplary implementation shown illustrates switching between dual-zone configurations. As illustrated, Figure 6A A single transport zone 201 is defined by the zone length L1. When configured in a dual-zone configuration, as... Figure 6B As shown, the first transmission zone 201 and the second transmission zone 202 of the transmission section can be defined by a first zone length l1 and a second zone length l2, respectively, wherein each zone length is at least significantly smaller than that defined by the first zone length l1 and the second zone length l2. Figure 6A The exemplary embodiment shown defines a zone length L1. For example, as described herein, a predetermined length threshold may be at least significantly smaller than both the first zone length l1 and the second zone length l2. Therefore, the reduced zone lengths l1, l2 of the first transport zone 201 and the second transport zone 202 may be closer in length (relative to the total zone length L1 defined by a single transport zone of the transport section in a single-zone configuration) to small items whose length is less than the predetermined length threshold, thereby enabling the transport assembly to perform more efficient transport of multiple items along the transport path 11. As described herein, the use of the drive roller 101, which can be selectively configured between a first operating state and a second operating state corresponding to a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration, respectively, allows the transport assembly to perform customized transport operations, which are defined by more fine control over items of different sizes as they pass through the transport section controlled by the drive roller 101.

[0083] In various embodiments, the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may include one or more imaging devices configured to capture article data associated with one or more articles, which are at least substantially positioned near and / or within the line of sight of the imaging devices, such as, for example, at the feed position of a conveying section defined by a plurality of rollers. For example, return to reference Figure 4 The exemplary conveying assembly 10 may include at least one imaging device 13 configured to capture article data associated with one or more articles 1, which are positioned at least substantially near and / or within the line of sight of the imaging device 13 relative to one or more of the plurality of rollers 100, such as, for example, at a feed position of a conveying section defined by the plurality of rollers 100. In various embodiments, the exemplary imaging device 13 may be configured to capture article data associated with article 1 when article 1 is in the imaging position. For example, the article data associated with article 1 may include one or more article characteristics of article 1, such as, for example, article length. As described herein, after article 1 is positioned at least partially downstream (as measured along conveying path 11) of the imaging position defined by the imaging device 13 (e.g., driven by the exemplary drive roller), the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may be configured to selectively configure the drive roller to a first operating state or a second operating state at least partially based on the article data associated with article 1 (e.g., article length). For example, based at least in part on item data captured by imaging device 13 indicating that the item length is less than a predetermined threshold, a drive roller initially provided in a first operating state (where the drive roller simultaneously controls each of the multiple rollers 100 of a single-zone conveying section (e.g., including a front idler roller and a rear idler roller)) can be selectively reconfigured to a second operating state, whereby the drive roller is configured to independently and selectively control the front idler roller and the rear idler roller, such that the conveying section controlled by the drive roller is switched to a dual-zone configuration (e.g., a first conveying zone defined by a front idler roller and a second conveying zone defined by a rear idler roller).

[0084] In various embodiments, imaging device 13 may refer to any device, camera, sensor, etc., configured to at least detect the presence of an item (e.g., item 1 being transported) located in the vicinity of imaging device 13 (e.g., within a certain threshold distance of imaging device 13). That is, in various embodiments, imaging device 13 may be associated with a range or a certain threshold distance within which imaging device 13 can at least accurately detect the presence of an item (e.g., one or more item characteristics associated with item 1).

[0085] In various embodiments, the imaging device 13 may involve light-based detection and may include a transmitter configured to emit light or a similar signal, and a receiver configured to detect the light or similar signal emitted by the transmitter. The imaging device 13 may then be configured to detect the presence of an object within its range, at least in part, based on differences in the light or signal detected by the receiver. For example, light may be blocked, reflected, refracted, etc., by an object positioned near the imaging device 13, and the light may then be detected by the receiver. In various embodiments, the imaging device 13 of the MDR transmission assembly 10 may be a through-beam imaging device, a retroreflection imaging device, a diffuse reflection imaging device, etc., each of which involves light-based detection.

[0086] In various embodiments, the receiver and transmitter for the imaging apparatus 13, which includes a through-beam imaging device, may be positioned relative to each other, for example, in different sidewalls 12, wherein the transmitter directly transmits light to the receiver. In this exemplary case, the through-beam imaging device may be configured to detect an article at least in part based on the fact that an article obstructs light from being transmitted directly from the transmitter to the receiver.

[0087] Furthermore, in various embodiments, the imaging device 13 may include a retroreflection imaging device comprising, for example, a retroreflector positioned relative to both the transmitter and receiver, wherein the transmitter and receiver are positioned in one sidewall 12, and the retroreflector is positioned in another sidewall 12. In this exemplary case, the retroreflection imaging device may then detect the item 1 positioned between the transmitter / receiver and the retroreflector, at least in part based on the item obstructing light from being reflected by the retroreflector to the receiver and / or at least in part based on the item reflecting light away from the receiver. In some examples, the retroreflection imaging device may have lower accuracy than a through-beam imaging device, but may be uniquely suited for detecting items with a degree of transparency.

[0088] Furthermore, in various embodiments, the imaging device 13 may include a diffuse reflection imaging device comprising an emitter and a receiver positioned within the same housing (e.g., at a sidewall 12), and the diffuse reflection imaging device may detect the article 1 at least partially based on the reflection of light emitted by the emitter to the reflector by the article 1. In various embodiments, the detection accuracy of the diffuse reflection imaging device may be at least partially affected by the surface characteristics of various different articles 1, each of which may reflect light differently.

[0089] In various embodiments, the imaging device 13 of the exemplary transport assembly 10 may be a camera or image capture device configured to detect the presence of an article. For example, a camera or other image capture device may be calibrated with an image in which no article is present, and the presence of article 1 may be determined at least in part based on the real-time capture of the image. As another non-limiting example, the imaging device 13 of the transport assembly 10 may include an X-ray device, a computed tomography (CT) device, and / or another device configured for radiation-based article detection. In various examples where the imaging device 13 is configured for radiation-based article detection, the imaging device may also be configured to examine internal characteristics within the detected article (e.g., stored articles). In various embodiments, the imaging device 13 may detect other aspects of the article, including color, classification, surface material, etc., in the presence of an article. In some example cases, the article 1 transported by the transport assembly 10 may include markings, tags, etc., and the imaging device 13 of the MDR transport assembly 10 may be configured to detect and / or identify such markings, tags, etc.

[0090] Various embodiments of this disclosure relate to a conveying assembly 10, which includes an infeed imaging device, or an imaging device 13 substantially located near an infeed point, at which the article 1 can be provided to the conveying system. In some example embodiments described herein, the conveying assembly 10 may also include an unfeed imaging device, or an imaging device 13 substantially located near an unfeed point, to which the conveying system is configured to convey the article. In various embodiments, the infeed and unfeed imaging devices can be any type of imaging device, including the imaging device 13 described above, and can be configured to detect the article using light-based detection techniques, image-based detection techniques, radiation-based detection techniques, etc. The infeed and unfeed imaging devices (and / or components thereof) may be located within, attached to, substantially near, or otherwise within the sidewall 12 of the conveying assembly 10. Thus, for example, the infeed and unfeed imaging devices do not obstruct the conveying path 11.

[0091] In various embodiments, the imaging device 13 of the conveying assembly 10 may be oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying path 11, such that the imaging device 13 is configured to detect articles 1 positioned at substantially the same location along the conveying path 11, the substantially the same location being defined along the length of the conveying assembly 10 (e.g., along the length of a conveying section defined by the conveying device). Thus, for example, the imaging device 13 positioned at the feed area is oriented to detect articles within the feed area by being oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying path 11. In various embodiments, the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may include one or more imaging devices 13 positioned in a certain orientation at a specific conveying area among a plurality of conveying areas 200 defined by the conveying assembly 10, wherein the imaging device 13 is not configured to detect articles present in other conveying areas 200 besides that specific conveying area. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the conveying assembly 10 may include a plurality of imaging devices 13, each corresponding to a respective conveying area among the plurality of conveying areas 200, at least a portion of the plurality of imaging devices 13 being arranged relative to the respective conveying area at the feed position.

[0092] In various embodiments, the position of an article along the conveying path 11 defined by the exemplary conveying assembly 10 can be predicted and / or calibrated based at least in part on article data associated with article 1, which includes an initial detection of article 1 using an imaging device including a feed imaging device 13a. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, the prediction and calibration of the real-time position of the article is validated and reconfigured based on another detection of the article using an unloading imaging device 13b. In various embodiments, article data including an article length defined as being at least substantially parallel to the conveying path 11 can be determined based at least in part on the article data associated with article 1, which is captured using an imaging device including a feed imaging device 13a. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, the identification and / or determination of the article length can be validated and / or reconfigured based on second article data including the article length, as captured by the unloading imaging device 13b.

[0093] In various embodiments, the first conveying zone 201 of the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may be referred to as the feeding conveying zone, while the terminal zone 204 of the conveying assembly 10 may be referred to as the unloading conveying zone. In various embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown in the exemplary embodiments, the article 1 may first be detected at the feed conveyor zone 201 by the feed imaging device 13a (e.g., a feed photodetector), and based at least in part on the detection of the article 1 at the feed conveyor zone 201, the rotational speed of the feed conveyor zone 201 (e.g., defining the rotational speed of the roller 100a of the feed conveyor zone 201) may be controlled (e.g., to move the article 1 at a desired translational speed so that the article 1 stops at the feed conveyor zone). In various embodiments, based at least in part on the elapsed time of the detection of the article 1 at the feed conveyor zone 201 by the feed imaging device 13a and the controlled rotational speed of the drive rollers as defined by the drive rollers within the feed conveyor zone 201, the exemplary conveying assembly 10 (e.g., a controller) may determine the article length of the article 1.

[0094] In various implementations, the exemplary conveying component 10 may also be configured to generate a virtual map that is configured to describe, in real time and / or at multiple given points in time, the predicted position of item 1 within the conveying component 10 (e.g., along conveying path 11). For example, using the item length associated with item 1 as determined by the conveying component 10 and the rotational speed of the feed conveyor 201, the presence of item 1 in a second conveyor 202 located adjacent downstream of the feed conveyor 201 can be predicted. Similarly, after predicting that item 1 is present in the second conveyor 202, the rotational speed of the second conveyor 202 can be configured by the conveying component 10 (e.g., a controller). In various implementations, using a defined length of one or more articles 1 and a rotational speed defined by rollers in each transport zone 200 where articles 1 will be present over time, the presence of articles in each subsequent transport zone of the plurality of 200 defined by the transport assembly 10 can be predicted and mapped via a virtual map. This enables selective and / or sequential configuration of each drive roller associated with each of the plurality of transport zones 200 between a first operating state (e.g., where the transport section associated with the drive roller defines a single-zone configuration) and a second operating state (e.g., where the transport section associated with the drive roller defines a dual-zone configuration), as well as additional control of the rotational speed in each subsequent transport zone of the plurality of zones 200, without having an imaging device present in each subsequent transport zone 200.

[0095] In various embodiments, the exemplary conveying assembly 10 may include a plurality of conveying segments arranged at least substantially continuously to collectively define a conveying path 11. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of conveying segments may be defined by a corresponding plurality of rollers configured to be operated by corresponding drive rollers having a selectively adjustable configuration as described herein, allowing each conveying segment to be selectively configured between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration. For example, Figure 7A and Figure 7BA top view of an exemplary conveying device defining multiple conveying sections according to an example embodiment described herein is shown schematically. In particular, Figure 7A and Figure 7B Multiple independently controlled conveying sections defined within the conveying assembly 10 are shown. Each of these sections operates a corresponding drive roller with multiple clutch-activated bearing elements. These drive rollers can be selectively controlled to switch the conveying section between a single-zone and a dual-zone configuration based on the length of the article to be conveyed. For example, Figure 7A An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the conveying assembly 10 includes four drive rollers, including a first drive roller 101, a second drive roller 102, a third drive roller 103, and a fourth drive roller 104. Each drive roller is configured to control the operation of a corresponding portion of an idler roller among a plurality of rollers 100 of the conveying assembly 10, so as to define four distinct conveying sections. Each of the four drive rollers 101, 102, 103, 104 includes a front clutch-activated bearing element operatively connected to a set of front idler rollers and a rear clutch-activated bearing element operatively connected to a set of rear idler rollers. Figure 7A As shown, each of the four drive rollers 101, 102, 103, and 104 is configured such that its front and rear clutch-activated bearing elements are engaged relative to the clutch elements of the corresponding drive roller, so that the operation of both the front idler roller and the rear idler roller operatively connected to these clutch-activated bearing elements can be simultaneously driven by the rotation of the corresponding drive roller. In this exemplary configuration, each of the conveying sections corresponding to the four drive rollers 101, 102, 103, and 104 is provided in a single-zone configuration, such that the four conveying sections collectively define a first conveying zone 201, a second conveying zone 202, a third conveying zone, and a fourth conveying zone 204. For example, the conveying assembly 10 may be configured to exhibit this exemplary configuration in response to determining that the length of an article to be conveyed along the conveying path 11 is greater than or equal to a predetermined length threshold. In various implementations, as described herein, such exemplary determination may be made by the conveying assembly 10 (such as, for example, a computing entity communicating with each of a plurality of drive rollers) based at least in part on article data captured by an imaging device 13 of the conveying assembly 10, which is disposed along the conveying path (e.g., at the feed position of one or more conveying sections).

[0096] Furthermore, in various embodiments, the conveying component 10 may determine, at least in part, that the length of the item to be conveyed along the conveying path 11 is less than a predetermined length threshold based on item data captured by one or more imaging devices 13 of the conveying component 10. In such an exemplary case, such as Figure 7BAs shown, each of the four drive rollers 101, 102, 103, and 104 is configured to operate according to a second operating state, wherein the front and rear clutch-activated bearing elements of each drive roller are selectively configured independently of each other between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. This exemplary configuration enables each of the conveying sections controlled by the four drive rollers 101, 102, 103, and 104 to be provided in a dual-zone configuration, such that the first conveying section controlled by the first drive roller 101 defines a first conveying zone 201 and a second conveying zone 202, the second conveying section controlled by the second drive roller 102 defines a third conveying zone 203 and a fourth conveying zone 204, the third conveying section controlled by the third drive roller 103 defines a fifth conveying zone 205 and a sixth conveying zone 206, and the fourth conveying section controlled by the fourth drive roller 104 defines a seventh conveying zone 207 and an eighth conveying zone 208. For example, the four drive rollers 101, 102, 103, and 104 can be sequentially reconfigured from a first operating state (corresponding to each idler roller operatively connected to the respective drive roller being simultaneously controlled as a single conveying zone) to a second operating state, such that as an article approaches and / or passes the corresponding feed position of each conveying section, the four corresponding conveying sections consecutively defined along the conveying path 11 are reconfigured from a single-zone configuration to a dual-zone configuration in at least substantially sequential order. As an illustrative example, in various embodiments, the conveying assembly 10 can also be configured such that after determining that the article length of an article subsequently conveyed along the conveying path 11 is greater than or equal to a predetermined length threshold, each of the drive rollers 101, 102, 103, and 104 can be selectively adjusted back to operating according to the first operating state, such that the corresponding four conveying sections are restored to their original positions. Figure 7A The exemplary implementation shown illustrates a single-zone configuration.

[0097] Now for reference Figure 8 A schematic diagram is provided depicting an example controller component 800 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, which electronically communicates with a motor assembly 809, a sensing element 811, and clutch-activated bearing elements 813 (e.g., a front clutch-activated bearing element and a rear clutch-activated bearing element) of an exemplary drive roller 101 (e.g., a motor drive roller). As shown, the controller component 800 includes a processing circuit system 801, a communication element 803, an input / output element 805, a memory 807, and / or other components configured to perform the various operations, programs, functions, etc., described herein.

[0098] In some implementations, controller component 800 may be or include a PCB. In some examples, controller component 800 (e.g., PCB) may also include one or more of the following: a full-bridge motor driver, a Hall sensor, one or more thermal sensors, one or more user interfaces, one or more protection circuitry systems, a configuration management circuitry system 809, a wireless interface, a sensing element circuitry system (e.g., an image sensor circuitry system), an interface connector, a power control circuitry system, a gate driver circuitry system, etc.

[0099] The processing circuit system 801 may be embodied as an apparatus comprising one or more microprocessors having an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more processors without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuit systems, one or more computers, various other processing elements (including integrated circuit systems, such as, but not limited to, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) or some combination thereof. Therefore, although in Figure 8 While shown as a single processor, in embodiments, the processing circuitry 801 may include multiple processors and signal processing modules. The multiple processors may be embodied in a single electronic device or distributed across multiple electronic devices configured collectively as a circuitry for the motorized drive roller 101. The multiple processors may operatively communicate with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functions of the drive roller's circuitry as described herein. In one example embodiment, the processing circuitry 801 may be configured to execute instructions stored in memory 807 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry 801. These instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry 801, may cause the drive roller's circuitry to perform one or more functions as described herein.

[0100] Regardless of whether the processing circuitry system 801 is configured via hardware, firmware / software methods, or a combination thereof, it may include entities capable of performing operations and thus being configured accordingly according to embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, for example, when the processing circuitry system 801 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, etc., it may include hardware specifically configured to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, when the processing circuitry system 801 is embodied as an executor of instructions (such as those that may be stored in memory 807), these instructions may be specifically configured to configure the processing circuitry system 801 to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

[0101] Therefore, the processing circuit system 801 used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer, or one or more multiprocessor chips that can be configured by software instructions (application programs) to perform functions including those of the various embodiments described above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. The software application may be stored in internal memory before being accessed and loaded into the processor. The processor may include sufficient internal memory to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, or a combination thereof. The memory may also be located within another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer-readable instructions to be downloaded via the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

[0102] Memory 807 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and / or interfaces adapted to store a set of instructions executable by processing circuitry system 801 to perform predetermined operations. Additionally or alternatively, memory 807 may be configured to store data / information, application programs, instructions, etc., enabling controller component 800 to perform various functions according to embodiments of this disclosure. For example, in at least some embodiments, memory 807 is configured to cache input data for processing by processing circuitry system 801. Therefore, in at least some embodiments, memory 807 is configured to store program instructions for execution by processing circuitry system 801. Memory 807 may store information in the form of static and / or dynamic information. When performing functions, the stored information may be stored and / or used by controller component 800. Example memory implementations may include, but are not limited to, hard disks, random access memory, cache memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital universal disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), optical discs, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In one example implementation, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, memory 807 may be integrated with processing circuitry 801 on a single chip.

[0103] Communication element 803 may be implemented as any device including a circuit system, hardware, computer program product, or a combination thereof, configured to receive data from and / or send data to another component or device. The computer program product includes computer-readable program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 807) and executed by processing component 800 (e.g., processing circuit system 801). In some embodiments, communication element 803 (like the other components discussed herein) may be at least partially implemented as or otherwise controlled by processing circuit system 801. In this regard, communication element 803 may communicate with processing circuit system 801, for example, via a bus. Communication element 803 may include, for example, an antenna, transmitter, receiver, transceiver, network interface card, and / or supporting hardware and / or firmware / software, and is used to establish communication with another device. Communication element 803 may be configured to receive and / or send any data that may be stored in memory 807 using any protocol available for communication between devices. Communication element 803 may additionally or alternatively communicate with memory 807, input / output element 805 and / or any other component of processing unit 800, for example via a bus.

[0104] In some embodiments, processing unit 800 may include input / output element 805. Input / output element 805 may communicate with processing circuitry 801 to receive instructions input by a user and / or provide auditory, visual, mechanical, or other outputs to the user. Therefore, input / output element 805 may include support devices such as a keyboard, mouse, display, touchscreen display, and / or other input / output mechanisms. Alternatively, at least some aspects of input / output element 805 may be implemented on a user-used device to communicate with processing unit 800. Input / output element 805 may communicate, for example, via a bus with memory 807, communication element 803, and / or any other components. One or more input / output modules and / or other components may be included in processing unit 800.

[0105] Now for reference Figure 9A schematic diagram illustrating an example conveyor assembly 900 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. As shown, the example conveyor assembly 900 includes a plurality of selectively adjustable / configurable drive rollers that communicate with each other as described herein. In particular, the conveyor assembly 900 includes a first drive roller 901, a second drive roller 903, a third drive roller 905, and a fourth drive roller 907. In some embodiments, each of the first drive roller 901, the second drive roller 903, the third drive roller 905, and the fourth drive roller 907 is operable according to a first operating state, wherein each drive roller is associated with a specific conveying zone. Furthermore, each of the first drive roller 901, the second drive roller 903, the third drive roller 905, and the fourth drive roller 907 can be selectively configured (e.g., via control of its clutch-activated bearing element) to operate according to a second operating state, such that the corresponding plurality of idler rollers controlled by each of the drive rollers 901, 903, 905, 907 can define a dual-zone configuration associated with two transfer zones, which are operated independently of each other by the corresponding drive rollers.

[0106] In various embodiments, each of the first drive roller 901, second drive roller 903, third drive roller 905, and fourth drive roller 907 may be associated with a uniquely addressable identifier (e.g., a machine-readable code or string). Each uniquely addressable identifier may also be associated with a specific physical location in the conveying system (e.g., marked with that specific physical location). As discussed herein, each of the first drive roller 901, second drive roller 903, third drive roller 905, and fourth drive roller 907 may include a wireless module / component to enable wireless communication with each other and / or with other computing entities. In some embodiments, each of the first drive roller 901, second drive roller 903, third drive roller 905, and fourth drive roller 907 may be configured to operate as a master drive roller or a slave drive roller relative to other drive rollers in the conveying area and associated with a specific conveying area. In some implementations, multiple integrated drive rollers (e.g., first drive roller 901, second drive roller 903, third drive roller 905, and fourth drive roller 907) can be configured in a MESH network (e.g., as nodes within a local network) and can be configured to communicate with other drive rollers associated with other transport sections and / or transport areas.

[0107] Now for reference Figure 10 and Figure 11 Flowcharts illustrating example operations 1000 and 2000 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. In some examples, methods 1000 and 2000 may be comprised of various transport component parts and / or transport system parts (e.g., but not limited to those described above). Figure 1The processing circuitry of the described computing entity 106 is executed. Computing entity 106 may be or include a central server. In some examples, the processing circuitry may be electrically coupled to and / or electronically communicate with other circuitry, such as, but not limited to, one or more motor-driven rollers (MDRs) (e.g., as described above). Figure 9 The described drive rollers 901, 903, 905, and 907. For example, Figure 10 An exemplary method of operating a conveying assembly to convey articles along a conveying path is shown, wherein the conveying assembly includes a plurality of rollers defining a conveying section configured to convey articles along the conveying path, the plurality of rollers including a drive roller configured to drive a corresponding rotation of each of the plurality of rollers using a drive motor. Specifically, Figure 10 A method is shown for conveying articles along a conveying path defined by a conveying section by selectively configuring drive rollers of multiple rollers controlling a conveying section such that the conveying section is configured in a dual-zone configuration.

[0108] Example method 1000 begins at block 1002. At block 1002, the exemplary conveying assembly determines that an article is defined by an article length less than a predetermined article length threshold. At block 1004, one or more control signals configured to cause a drive roller to operate according to a first operating state corresponding to a conveying section controlled by the drive roller being configured in a dual-zone configuration, the dual-zone configuration being defined by a first conveying zone and a second conveying zone, each independently controllable by the drive roller. At block 1006, the exemplary method 1000 may further include determining that an article is positioned at a feed position in the first conveying zone. At block 1008, a front clutch-activated bearing element of the drive roller may be selectively configured in an engaged configuration, the front clutch-activated bearing element being operatively connected to at least one front idler roller among a plurality of rollers within the conveying section. Furthermore, at block 1010, a rear clutch-activated bearing element of the drive roller may be selectively configured in a disengaged configuration, the rear clutch-activated bearing element being operatively connected to at least one rear idler roller among a plurality of rollers within the conveying section. At block 1012, an operable drive roller is used to convey an article along a first portion of a conveying path defined by a first section length of a first conveying zone, which is defined by at least one front idler roller and a drive roller. At block 1014, method 1000 may further include determining that the article is positioned at an unloading position in the first conveying zone. At block 1016, after determining that the article is positioned at the unloading position in the first conveying zone, a front clutch-activated bearing element may be selectively configured to a disengaged configuration. At block 1018, method 1000 may further include determining that the article is positioned at a second feed position in a second conveying zone. Furthermore, at block 1020, after determining that the article is positioned at the second feed position in the second conveying zone, a rear clutch-activated bearing element may be selectively configured to an engaged configuration. At block 1022, an operable drive roller is used to convey an article along a second portion of a conveying path defined by a second section length of a second conveying zone, which is defined by at least one rear idler roller and a drive roller.

[0109] Figure 11 An exemplary method of operating a conveying assembly to convey articles along a conveying path is shown, wherein the conveying assembly includes a plurality of rollers defining a conveying section configured to convey articles along the conveying path, the plurality of rollers including a drive roller configured to drive a corresponding rotation of each of the plurality of rollers using a drive motor. Specifically, Figure 11 A method is shown for conveying articles along a conveying path defined by a conveying section by selectively configuring drive rollers of multiple rollers controlling a conveying section such that the conveying section is configured in a single zone.

[0110] Example method 2000 begins at block 2002. At block 2002, the exemplary conveying assembly determines that an article is defined by an article length greater than or equal to a predetermined article length threshold. At block 2004, one or more control signals configured to cause the drive roller to operate according to a second operating state corresponding to a conveying section controlled by the drive roller being configured in a single-zone configuration, wherein the conveying section is defined by a single conveying zone including the drive roller, at least one front idler roller, and at least one rear idler roller. At block 2006, the exemplary method 2000 may further include determining that the article is positioned at a feed position in the single conveying zone. At block 2008, a front clutch-activated bearing element of the drive roller may be selectively configured in an engaged configuration, the front clutch-activated bearing element being operatively connected to at least one front idler roller among a plurality of rollers within the conveying section. Furthermore, at block 2010, a rear clutch-activated bearing element of the drive roller may be selectively configured in an engaged configuration, the rear clutch-activated bearing element being operatively connected to at least one rear idler roller among a plurality of rollers within the conveying section. At frame 2012, an operable drive roller is used to transport articles along a conveying path defined by the zone length of a single conveying zone, wherein operating the drive roller causes at least one front idler roller and at least one rear idler roller to operate simultaneously, at least in part, based on the engagement configuration of a front clutch-activated bearing element and a rear clutch-activated bearing element.

[0111] Many modifications and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, which have the benefits of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terminology is used herein, it is used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A conveying assembly configured to convey articles along a conveying path, the conveying assembly comprising: A plurality of rollers defining a conveying section configured to convey one or more articles disposed thereon along a conveying path, wherein the plurality of rollers includes a drive roller configured to drive a respective rotation of each of the plurality of rollers, and wherein the drive roller is selectively configured between a first operating state and a second operating state. and A controller configured to generate one or more control signals configured to control the drive roller; The conveying assembly is configured such that the conveying section can be selectively configured between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration, at least in part based on the configuration of the drive roller being in one of the first and second operating states, wherein the single-zone configuration is defined by the drive roller being configured to at least substantially simultaneously drive a single conveying zone within the conveying section; and The dual-zone configuration is defined by the drive rollers being configured to selectively drive a first conveying zone and a second conveying zone defined within the conveying section independently of each other, wherein the first conveying zone is defined by a first portion of the plurality of rollers, and the second conveying zone is defined by a second portion of the plurality of rollers. The conveying section is defined by the drive roller and a plurality of idler rollers operatively connected to the drive roller such that rotation of each idler roller is at least partially based on one or more drive rotations of the drive roller. The plurality of idler rollers includes at least one front idler roller and at least one rear idler roller, the at least one front idler roller defining an upstream position relative to the drive roller along the conveying path, and the at least one rear idler roller defining a downstream position relative to the drive roller along the conveying path. The drive roller includes one or more clutch-activated bearing elements configured to engage with a corresponding drive belt to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller and at least a portion of the plurality of rollers of the conveying section; and the one or more clutch-activated bearing elements are selectively configured relative to the clutch elements of the drive roller between an engagement configuration and a disengagement configuration.

2. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the single conveying zone is defined by each of the plurality of rollers such that the single conveying zone is defined by a full zone length; and wherein the dual-zone configuration is defined by the operation of the drive roller being configured to selectively drive the first conveying zone and the second conveying zone defined within the conveying section, the first conveying zone and the second conveying zone each being defined by a correspondingly reduced zone length, the correspondingly reduced zone length being at least significantly smaller than the full zone length of the single conveying zone.

3. The conveying assembly of claim 1, further comprising an imaging device configured to capture article data associated with the one or more articles disposed on the plurality of rollers, the imaging device communicating with the controller; wherein the controller is configured to send one or more control signals to the drive rollers at least in part based on the article data captured by the imaging device, and wherein the one or more control signals are configured to cause the drive rollers to be selectively configured according to one of the first operating state and the second operating state.

4. The conveying assembly of claim 3, wherein the conveying assembly is configured such that the drive roller configured according to the first operating state causes the conveying section to define the single-zone configuration, and the drive roller configured according to the second operating state causes the conveying section to define the dual-zone configuration.

5. The transmission assembly of claim 3, wherein the imaging device is configured to detect the presence of at least one or more items.

6. The transmission assembly of claim 3, wherein the imaging device is a light-based detection device comprising a transmitter and a receiver.

7. The conveying assembly according to claim 3, wherein the imaging device is disposed near the feed point of the conveying system.

8. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the dual-zone configuration of the conveying section is defined by the drive roller being configured to operate the at least one front idler roller independently of the at least one rear idler roller, such that the first conveying zone is at least partially defined by the at least one front idler roller, and the second conveying zone is at least partially defined by the at least one rear idler roller.

9. The conveying assembly of claim 8, wherein the drive roller is configured such that selective operation of the first portion of the plurality of rollers defining the first conveying region is defined by a first rotation of the drive roller, and selective operation of the second portion of the plurality of rollers defining the second conveying region is defined by a second rotation of the drive roller, wherein the first rotation and the second rotation are in the same rotational direction relative to the central axis of the drive roller.

10. The conveying assembly of claim 9, further comprising a drive motor configured to facilitate the execution of both the first rotation and the second rotation.

11. The conveying assembly of claim 4, wherein the single-zone configuration is defined by the drive roller being configured to drive the operation of the single conveying zone within the conveying section at least substantially simultaneously, wherein the single conveying zone is defined by each of the plurality of rollers, such that the single-zone configuration of the conveying section is defined by the drive roller being configured to operate the at least one front idler roller and the at least one rear idler roller at least substantially simultaneously.

12. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive roller is a motor-driven roller (MDR).

13. The transmission component of claim 1, wherein the one or more control signals generated by the controller comprise: A first control signal, the first control signal including a drive signal configured to cause one or more rotations of the drive roller; The second control signal includes a configuration signal configured to selectively configure the drive roller to one of the first operating state and the second operating state.

14. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement configuration of the clutch-activated bearing element is defined such that the clutch-activated bearing element is engaged by the clutch element such that the rotational position of the clutch-activated bearing element relative to the drive roller housing is fixed, and the clutch-activated bearing element rotates together with the drive roller housing during operation of the drive roller; and wherein the disengagement configuration of the clutch-activated bearing element is defined such that the clutch-activated bearing element disengages from the clutch element such that the rotational position of the clutch-activated bearing element is at least substantially unaffected when the drive roller housing rotates relative to the clutch-activated bearing element during operation of the drive roller.

15. The transmission assembly of claim 14, wherein the one or more clutch-activated bearing elements comprise: A first clutch-activated bearing element frictionally engages with a first drive belt configured to operatively connect the drive rollers to the first portion of the plurality of rollers; A first clutch-activated bearing element and a second clutch-activated bearing element are frictionally engaged with a second drive belt configured to operatively connect the drive rollers to the second portion of the plurality of rollers, wherein the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element are each independently configured between a corresponding engagement and disengagement configuration.

16. The conveying assembly of claim 15, wherein the single-zone configuration of the conveying section is defined by both the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element being selectively configured to engage.

17. The transmission assembly of claim 15, wherein the dual-zone configuration of the transmission section is defined such that the first clutch-activated bearing element of the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element are selectively configured in an engaged configuration, while the remaining clutch-activated bearing element of the first clutch-activated bearing element and the second clutch-activated bearing element is selectively configured in a disengaged configuration.

18. The conveying assembly of claim 17, wherein the drive roller includes a plurality of clutch bearing recesses configured such that the drive roller receives at least a portion therein of a corresponding drive belt.

19. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more control signals generated by the controller correspond at least in part to item data associated with the item length of an item positioned along the conveying path.

20. The conveying assembly of claim 19, wherein the conveying assembly is configured to selectively configure the drive roller to correspond to the first operating state in the single-zone configuration of the conveying segment based on determining that the length of the article associated with the article is greater than or equal to a predetermined length threshold.

21. The conveying assembly of claim 19, wherein the conveying assembly is configured to selectively configure the drive roller to correspond to the second operating state of the conveying section being in the dual-zone configuration based on determining that the length of the article associated with the article is less than a predetermined length threshold.

22. The conveying assembly of claim 7, wherein the conveying path extends from a feed point at one end of the conveying system to a discharge point at the other end of the conveying system.

23. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the conveying path is a non-linear path.

24. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the conveying path is a vertical path, such that the conveying assembly is configured to convey the one or more items through different heights.

25. The conveying assembly of claim 1, further configured to reverse the conveying path along at least a portion of the conveying surface defined by the conveying assembly.

26. The conveying assembly of claim 7, wherein the drive roller includes a first end cap and a second end cap, the first end cap defining a first end surface and a first attachment, the first attachment being configured to be operatively coupled to the conveying assembly at a first sidewall of the conveying system, the second end cap defining a second end surface and a second attachment, the second attachment being configured to be operatively coupled to the conveying assembly at a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall.

27. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive roller includes a power cable configured to provide an electrical connection between the drive roller and the controller.

28. The transmission assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs).

29. The conveying assembly of claim 1, wherein the conveying section is optionally configured to maximize the throughput of a plurality of articles of different sizes conveyed along the conveying path.

30. The conveying component of claim 1, further configured to generate a virtual map, the virtual map being configured to determine a predicted position of the item along the conveying path, wherein the predicted position is determined using an associated item length and a rotational speed of the feed conveyor zone.

31. A motorized drive roller for a conveying device, the drive roller comprising: A first clutch-activated bearing element is configured to frictionally engage a first drive belt to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller and at least one of a plurality of idler rollers configured to be controlled based on the operation of the drive roller. A second clutch-activated bearing element is configured to frictionally engage a second drive belt to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller and at least one of the plurality of idler rollers as a rear idler roller. The drive roller is configured to be selectively configured between: a first operating state corresponding to a single-zone configuration jointly defined by the plurality of idler rollers, wherein each of the plurality of idler rollers is controlled by the drive roller at least substantially simultaneously; A second operating state, corresponding to a dual-zone configuration jointly defined by the plurality of idler rollers, wherein at least one front idler roller defines a first conveying zone and at least one rear idler roller defines a second conveying zone, the first and second conveying zones being selectively controlled by the drive rollers independently of each other; and The second operating state is defined by selectively configuring the first clutch-activated bearing element to an engaged configuration and selectively configuring the second clutch-activated bearing element to a disengaged configuration.

32. A method of operating a conveying assembly to convey articles along a conveying path, the method comprising: The controller compares the length of the item associated with the item with a predetermined item length threshold. and One or more control signals are transmitted to the drive roller via a controller, the control signals being configured to cause the drive roller to operate according to one of a first operating state and a second operating state based on a comparison. The drive roller is configured to drive a corresponding rotation of each of the plurality of rollers of the conveying assembly, and A first conveying area is defined by a first portion of the plurality of rollers, and a second conveying area is defined by a second portion of the plurality of rollers. The conveying section is defined by the drive roller and a plurality of idler rollers operatively connected to the drive roller such that the rotation of each idler roller is at least partially based on one or more drive rotations of the drive roller, wherein the plurality of idler rollers includes at least one front idler roller and at least one rear idler roller, the at least one front idler roller defining an upstream position relative to the drive roller along the conveying path, and the at least one rear idler roller defining a downstream position relative to the drive roller along the conveying path. The drive roller includes one or more clutch-activated bearing elements configured to engage with a corresponding drive belt to facilitate operative connection between the drive roller and at least a portion of the plurality of rollers of the conveying section; and the one or more clutch-activated bearing elements are selectively configured relative to the clutch elements of the drive roller between an engagement configuration and a disengagement configuration.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: The controller determines that the length of the item associated with the item is less than a predetermined item length threshold, and One or more control signals are sent by the controller, the one or more control signals being configured to cause the drive roller to operate in a first operating state, wherein the first operating state corresponds to a conveying section controlled by the drive roller being configured in a dual-zone configuration, the dual-zone configuration being defined by a first conveying zone and a second conveying zone, each of which can be independently controlled by the drive roller.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising: The controller determines that the length of the item associated with the item is greater than a predetermined item length threshold, and The controller sends one or more control signals configured to cause the drive roller to operate in the second operating state, wherein the second operating state corresponds to a conveying section controlled by the drive roller being configured as a single zone, wherein the conveying section is defined by a single conveying zone including the drive roller, at least one front idler roller and at least one rear idler roller.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising: The controller determines that the item is located at the feeding position in the first conveying area, and The front clutch-activated bearing element of the drive roller is selectively configured to engage by a controller, wherein the front clutch-activated bearing element is operatively connected to at least one of a plurality of rollers in the conveying section as a front idler roller.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising selectively configuring a rear clutch-activated bearing element of the drive roller to a disengaged configuration by the controller, wherein the rear clutch-activated bearing element is operatively connected to at least one rear idler roller among a plurality of rollers within the conveying section.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising: The controller determines that the item is located at the unloading position in the first conveyor zone, and The controller selectively configures the rear clutch-activated bearing element of the drive roller to a disengaged configuration.

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