JP2016533991A - Transport system and method for associating data with articles carried by a transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for associating data with an article being carried by a transport system is disclosed. An article and data associated with the article are received at a first zone of the transport system. Data is stored on a first computer readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The article is transported to a second zone of the transport system and data stored on the first computer readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer readable storage medium associated with the second zone. [Selection figure] None

Description

  This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 863,409 (filed Aug. 7, 2013). This application is a continuation application of the international application PCT / US2013 / 0243349 (filed on Feb. 1, 2013). The contents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully described herein.

  The present disclosure relates to a transport system and method, and more particularly to a transport system and method for associating data with an article being carried by the transport system.

  Transport systems are used for various purposes. A typical transport system includes a packaging system, an order processing system, a manufacturing system, a shipping sorting system, and a return processing system. Some transport systems use a centralized multi-horsepower AC motor to drive the shaft, belt, or chain. These move the row of rollers and carry the article through the entire transport system. Other transport systems include those involving an internal DC “micro horsepower” motor on the roller (which drives the localized segment of the roller). An example of the latter system is a brushless DC roller conveyance system. The brushless DC roller transport system includes a plurality of components and features. For example, networking between drive rollers (with built-in brushless DC motor), intelligent local controllers, and controllers based on bidirectional communication protocols.

  Control of the brushless DC roller transport system includes tracking of a local controller (which controls local functions in each zone of the transport system) and a centralized controller ("articles" (eg cardboard boxes, plastic totes or pallets), Performed when the article is being transported through the transport system). The centralized controller tracks the item by uniquely identifying the item at a decision point in the transporter system. These decision points include, for example, turning, transferring, merging, order picking zone, weighing, sorting, and printing.

  In order to uniquely identify an article, the conveyor system often uses a bar code printed on an adhesive label that is adhered to the article. Alternatively, a permanent bar code label provided on a reusable tote can be temporarily assigned to an article contained within the tote. Reassigning the barcode associated with the permanent label is done when the item in the tote changes.

  In order for the article to be conveyed throughout the transporter system, a barcode scanner is placed at the decision point to read the barcode. At each decision point, bar code information is electronically sent to the centralized controller. The centralized controller determines the action to be performed on the article or data to be transmitted to the barcode scan position. This method is suboptimal for various reasons. For example, equipment that can read barcodes on moving articles is expensive and can represent a large percentage of the cost of a conventional automated transport system. In addition, barcode scanners provided throughout the transport system are in communication with the central control system, which can result in a large and expensive data communication network and associated cabling. Furthermore, the information required at the decision points is stored in a central database. Accessing the database in a timely manner can be difficult on large automated transport system. This is because the central controller must service all decision points simultaneously.

  The barcode used in the conventional automatic transport system is a one-dimensional barcode that uniquely identifies an article. However, the one-dimensional barcode does not include any additional data about the article. Instead, data that determines the functions to be performed by the transport system is stored remotely in a database associated with the centralized controller. This data can include routing information, order data, sorting locations, return locations, and the like.

  In a conventional transport system, the transport system carries an article to which a one-dimensional barcode is attached. The transport system includes a first zone and a second zone. Each zone includes a transporter portion that carries the article, a barcode reader configured to scan a barcode attached to the article, and a local controller. The transport system further includes a centralized controller and a centralized database. The barcode reader scans the barcode for the article when the article enters the corresponding zone, and transmits the barcode information to the local controller. The local controller resends the bar code information to the centralized controller to perform processing based on the operation for a specific zone. For example, if the first zone includes a scale, the centralized controller sends the expected weight for the article identified by the barcode information to the local controller for the first zone for comparison with the actual weight of the article. be able to. If the second zone includes a label printer, the centralized controller sends information to the local controller for the second zone, causing the label printer to print the appropriate label for the article.

  One problem with such systems is that one-dimensional barcode information cannot be sent from one zone to another. Also, the information in the one-dimensional barcode cannot be updated. In addition, as described above, the centralized controller can become a bottleneck for information transfer across the entire transport system. Finally, barcode readers are required in all zones within such transport systems, which adds significant cost to the transport system and can slow down the operation of the system so that articles can be scanned.

  Similar transport systems have been implemented that include articles with RFID tags. In such a transport system, information can be transferred from one zone to another (by writing information to an RFID tag). However, if all items include RFID tags, the cost can increase significantly as the system grows. Even in transport systems where RFID tags can be reused, the RFID tag can be written only a predetermined number of times before reliable operation is not possible. Such systems also require significant RFID tag readers in all zones, which can be cost prohibitive and can slow the operation of the system so that tags can be scanned.

  By using a two-dimensional bar code, additional data can be sent along with the article. For example, a two-dimensional barcode can include data about a predetermined path for a particular article within an automated transporter system. However, since the two-dimensional barcode cannot be updated, the ability to update the data stored therein is limited.

  In one embodiment, a method for associating data with an article being carried by a transport system includes receiving the article at a first zone of the transport system, receiving data associated with the article, and transmitting the data to the first zone. Storing in a first non-transitory computer readable storage medium associated with the data, transporting the article to a second zone of the transport system, and storing data stored in the first computer readable storage medium in a second Moving to a second non-transitory computer readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

  In one embodiment, a method for associating data with an article being carried by a transportation system includes receiving an article from a first zone of the transportation system at a second zone of the transportation system and data associated with the article. Receiving from the local controller of the first zone of the transport system by the second zone local controller, the data including expected values for the properties of the article, and receiving by the second zone local controller; Comparing the expected value for the property with the actual value for the property, conveying the article to a third zone of the transport system in response to the comparison meeting a threshold condition, and passing the data to a local controller of the third zone Transfer by the local controller in the second zone and the comparison does not meet the threshold condition Particular response, and to carry the articles to a fourth zone of the transport system may contain.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary transport system according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary method for associating data with an article carried by a transport system according to an embodiment. 1 illustrates an exemplary transporter system according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary internal hardware that may be used to contain or execute program instructions according to an embodiment.

  The present disclosure is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and methods described. Because these can change. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting in scope.

  As used in this document, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure should be construed as an admission that the embodiments set forth in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate disclosure by prior inventions. As used in this document, the term “including” means “including but not limited to”.

  FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a transport system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport system includes a first zone 10 and a second zone 20. Each zone 10, 20 has a transporter part 11, 21 configured to carry an article (eg 1), a driver 12, 22 configured to drive the transporter part 11, 21, a local controller 14, 24. , And non-transitory computer readable storage media 15, 25. In one embodiment, at least one zone (e.g., first zone 10) is further configured with a data tag reader 13 (e.g., configured to read encoded data in a data tag 2 (e.g., barcode) associated with the article 1 (e.g. A bar code reader). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first zone 10 further includes a balance 16 and the second zone 20 further includes a label printer 27. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, additional physical operations and devices may be used in the first and second zones 10,20. In one embodiment, the transport system further includes a centralized controller 40 and a centralized database 41. In an alternative embodiment, the transport system does not include a centralized controller or a centralized database. In such an embodiment, the data may be stored on computer readable storage media 15, 25 (associated with the corresponding zone).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first zone 10 includes a scale 16 and the second zone 20 includes a label printer 27. These functions of the first zone 10 and the second zone 20 have been chosen to illustrate one potential implementation for the transport system. Other embodiments are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. For example, for any number of operations, it may be useful to move data with the article through the transport system, for example at a decision point within the transport system. Judgment points can include, for example, turn, transfer, merge, order picking zone, weighing, sorting, printing, and the like.

  Illustrated in FIG. 2 is an exemplary method for associating data with an article being carried by a transport system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, an article having a data tag (eg, one-dimensional barcode, two-dimensional barcode, RFID tag, etc.) may be received 205 at the first zone. The data tag reader may read 210 (or scan) the data tag. The data tag reader may send 215 data tag information to the local controller. In one embodiment, the local controller may access the database 220 to store the data tag information and check the expected value for each of the one or more characteristics for the article based on the data tag information. In an alternative embodiment, the local controller may retransmit 225 data tag information to the centralized controller. The centralized controller accesses the central database 227 to confirm the expected value for the article.

  A value for each actual characteristic of one or more of the articles may be ascertained 230. For example, the weight of the article may be confirmed 230 using a scale. In an alternative embodiment, the physical dimensions of the article may be confirmed 230 using one or more sensors. Additional and / or alternative characteristics may be identified 230 within the scope of this disclosure. The local controller may compare 235 actual values and expected values for each characteristic to determine whether the article satisfies a threshold condition.

  If the article satisfies the threshold condition, the local controller for the first zone may send a request to the local controller for the second zone 240 to determine whether the article may be carried to the second zone. good. The local controller for the second zone may respond 245 to the request when it can carry the item. The article may then be brought to the second zone 250 and one or more actual values for the data tag information and / or characteristics may be transmitted to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium associated with the second zone. 255.

  If the article does not meet the threshold, the article may be transported 260 to the third zone for manual processing.

  In one embodiment, in the second zone (and subsequent zones, if any), there is no need to rescan the data tag on the article. This is because the information is stored locally and moved to the corresponding zone while the goods are being carried, before being carried, or after being carried. Thus, information about the zone for an article with a particular data tag may be stored on the zone's local non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Thus, the data tag may be scanned only in the first zone, resulting in faster transport of the article through the transport system. Specifically, the disclosed method avoids the need to provide a data tag reader at each decision point in the transport process, and the time required to read a physical data tag (eg, a barcode or RFID tag) is 1 Unnecessary in all zones except one. Also, in one embodiment, all processing may be performed locally, which eliminates the possibility of blocking at the centralized controller.

  Of course, the foregoing method is one exemplary embodiment, and alternative methods may include variations from the foregoing description as well as additional features (some of which are described below).

  As described with reference to FIG. 2, the data tag is attached to the article. However, the data tag can be attached to the container that holds the article, can be integrated with the container that holds the article, or can be otherwise attached to the article.

  The transport system may use a roller with an internal DC “micro horsepower” motor (which drives a localized segment of the roller) (eg, a brushless DC roller transport system). The brushless DC roller transport system may include networking between a drive roller (with a built-in brushless DC motor), an intelligent local controller, and a local controller based on a bidirectional communication protocol. These types of transporter systems may segment long runs of transporters into zones to hold a single article within a “zone”. Each zone may have its own power driven / motorized roller and can be started and stopped independently of the remaining zones on the system.

  In addition to driving the brushless motor, the local controller may be capable of communicating with external control components through digital I / O (input and output). These devices include, but are not limited to, photo eye sensors, limit switches, operator interfaces, solenoid valves, motor contactors, sensors, and the like. Each controller may include a microprocessor and may be in communication with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be of a size sufficient to store information about items in a particular zone. The computer-readable storage medium may not exist as a physical device that moves with the article (as in a conventional system), but instead may function as a virtual data tag that moves with the article. Since the data tag is virtual, there is no cost associated with the data tag or reader / writer device (previously required throughout the transport system to read and write the RFID tag). Also, since the data is transferred electronically, there are no speed issues associated with data transfer.

  The transport system may include a motor driven roller transport machine line. This basically consists of a series of separate conveyors (zones) connected end to end to form a long conveyor. Each part of the transporter may include its own drive roller. The drive roller is coupled to the remaining rollers in the zone. Typically, when an article is conveyed on the conveyor line, each local controller communicates with its adjacent controller to move the article from one zone to another. A storage medium may exist on the zone controller card of each local controller.

  In the following description, an embodiment is described in more detail where the barcode is associated with an article to be carried in a transport system that includes a local computer readable storage medium. According to an embodiment, the transport system transports an article in a container, weighs the article, determines whether the article is the correct weight (based on the barcode), and turns the box. Send to a defective lane or print a shipping label specific to the item.

  According to the embodiment, a box (article) enters zone 1 as illustrated in FIG. A bar code scanner reads the bar code on the article and identifies the article as an article 12345. Identification information for the article 12345 is sent to a local database to access specific information about the article. The item information includes customer address, expected weight, expected size, desired shipping method (for example, US Postal Service delivery, UPS (registered trademark) delivery, Fed-Ex (registered trademark) delivery, etc.), quantity, SKU, and article. It may be included whether it is brittle, whether the article needs further packaging, and the like.

  Once the scanner captures information, zone 1 queries zone 2 to determine if zone 2 can accept the article (currently in zone 1). If zone 2 is free, zone 2 activates its transport and notifies zone 1 that it is free. Zone 1 then turns on its transport and carries the goods towards zone 2. When the article is being transported from zone 1 to zone 2, zone 1 may send all data records for the article to zone 2.

  Once the article is placed in zone 2 and the data record associated with the article is electronically transferred to a computer readable storage medium for zone 2, the scale in zone 2 weighs the article. Save the actual weight to the data record. Zone 2 queries zone 3 to determine whether zone 3 can accept the article. If zone 3 is free, zone 3 activates its transporter to notify zone 2 that it is free. Zone 2 then turns on its transporter and carries the goods toward zone 3. When the article is being transported from zone 2 to zone 3, zone 2 may send all data records (including the recorded weight) for the article to zone 3.

  Once the article is placed in zone 3, a local controller for zone 3 may compare the expected weight with the actual weight (measured in zone 2). If the local controller in zone 3 determines that the actual weight is not the same as the expected weight (within a predetermined tolerance), zone 3 redirects the article and sends it to zone 6 (defective product transporter). In this case, zone 3 queries zone 6 to determine whether zone 6 can accept the article. If the zone 6 is vacant, the zone 6 activates its own carrier to notify the zone 3 that it is vacant. Zone 3 then turns on its transporter and carries the goods towards zone 6.

  In contrast, if the local controller in zone 3 determines that the actual weight substantially matches the expected weight, zone 3 carries the article to zone 4. In this case, zone 3 queries zone 4 to determine whether zone 4 can accept the article. If zone 4 is vacant, zone 4 activates its transport and notifies zone 3 that it is vacant. Zone 3 then turns on its own transporter and carries the goods towards zone 4. When the article is being transported from zone 3 to zone 4, zone 3 may send all data records for the article to zone 4. Zone 4 may also carry articles to zone 5 in a similar manner.

  When the article arrives in zone 5, a label printer may print a shipping label for the article. Data for the shipping label may be included in a data record in a local non-transitory computer readable storage medium in zone 5. In this way, the controller may obtain the necessary information and cause the printer to print the label. The order may then be marked as shipped. Completed order information may be sent to an order tracking database remote from the transport system.

  Illustrated in FIG. 4 is a block diagram of exemplary internal hardware that may be used to contain or execute program instructions according to an embodiment. Bus 400 serves as the main information highway (interconnecting the remaining illustrated components of the hardware). The CPU 405 is a central processing unit of the system, and performs calculations and logical operations necessary for program execution. CPU 405 is a typical processing unit, computing device, or processor, alone or in combination with one or more of the remaining elements disclosed in FIG. 4 (such terms are used within this disclosure). ing). A read-only memory (ROM) 410 and a random access memory (RAM) 415 constitute a typical memory device.

  Controller 420 couples one or more optional memory devices 425 to system bus 400. These memory devices 425 may include, for example, an external or internal DVD drive, CD ROM drive, hard drive, flash memory, USB drive, and the like. As described above, these various drives and controllers are optional devices. In addition, the memory device 425 may be configured to include the following. Any software module or instruction, individual file for storing auxiliary data, shared file for storing result or group of auxiliary, or 1 or for storing result information, auxiliary data, and related information mentioned above Multiple databases.

  Program instructions, software, or interactive modules for performing any of the functional steps associated with the steps, applications, etc. described above may be stored in ROM 410 and / or RAM 415. Optionally, program instructions may be stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as a compact disk, digital disk, flash memory, memory card, USB drive, optical disk storage medium, such as a Blu-ray ™ disk, and / or other recording medium. May be saved.

  Optional display interface 430 may allow information from bus 400 to be displayed on display 435 in an acoustic, visual, graphics, or alphanumeric format. The information may include information regarding the current work slip and the accompanying work. Communication with an external device may be performed using various communication ports 440. A typical communication port 440 may be attached to a communication network (eg, the Internet or a local area network).

  The hardware may also include an interface 445. This allows to receive data from an input device (eg, keyboard 450) or other input device 455 (eg, mouse, joystick, touch screen, remote control, pointing device, video input device and / or audio input device). Is.

  In the foregoing detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Use of other embodiments and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. As will be readily appreciated, although aspects of the present disclosure have been schematically described herein and illustrated in the drawings, arrangements, substitutions, combinations, separations, and designs can be performed in a wide variety of configurations. Can do. All of these are explicitly contemplated herein.

  The present disclosure should not be limited to the specific embodiments described in this application. The embodiments are intended to illustrate various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Methods and apparatus that are functionally equivalent within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, in addition to those recited herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure should be limited only by the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, along with the terms of the appended claims. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to a particular method, reagent, compound, composition, or biological system, and may, of course, vary. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

  With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, it would be appropriate for the context and / or application to be paraphrased by the person skilled in the art from plural to singular and / or singular to plural. Is possible. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

  As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in general terms used herein, and particularly in the appended claims (eg, the body of the appended claims), are generally “open” terms. Intended (eg, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, and the term “having” should be interpreted as “at least having”) And the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”). Although various compositions, methods, and devices are described by “including” (interpreted as meaning “including but not limited to”) various components or steps, the compositions, methods, and devices Can be “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” various components and steps, and such terminology should be construed as defining an essentially closed group of members. As those skilled in the art will further appreciate, where a specific number is intended in the description of an introduced claim, such intention is expressly recited in the claim, and such description is If not, there is no such intention. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations: is there. However, the use of such terms does not mean that any particular claim, including a claim statement such as introduced, even though it introduced a claim statement with the indefinite article "a" or "an" It should not be construed to be limited to embodiments containing only one such description. This is true even if the same claim contains the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and the indefinite article, eg “a” or “an” (eg “a” and / or Or “an” should be taken to mean “at least one” or “one or more”). The same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if specific numbers in the introduced claims are explicitly stated, such descriptions should be interpreted as meaning at least the stated numbers, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. (E.g., the mere description “two descriptions” and no other modifiers means at least two descriptions, or two or more descriptions). Further, when rules similar to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” are used, in general, the meaning intended for such a configuration is that those skilled in the art will recognize the rules (eg, , “A system having at least one of A, B, and C”, A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and And / or systems that have both A, B, and C together, etc.). Where rules similar to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” are used, in general, the meaning intended for such a configuration is to be understood by those skilled in the art from the rules (eg, “ A system having at least one of A, B, or C ”, A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together And / or systems that have both A, B, and C together, etc.). As will be further understood by those skilled in the art, virtually any disjunctive word and / or disjunctive phrase that refers to two or more alternative terms may be used in the description, in the claims, or in the drawings. It should also be understood that the intent is to include one term, either term, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” is understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

  In addition, the features or aspects of the disclosure are described in Markush groups, but as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the disclosure is also described in any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. .

  As those skilled in the art will appreciate, for all purposes (eg, in providing a written description), all ranges disclosed herein are intended to represent all possible subranges and subranges. Combinations are also included. Any of the ranges listed should be easily described as being sufficiently possible to describe that the same range should be decomposed into at least two equal parts, three equal parts, four equal parts, five equal parts, ten equal parts, etc. Can be recognized. As a non-limiting example, each range described herein can be easily decomposed into a lower third, middle third, upper third, and the like. As will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all words such as “maximum”, “at least”, etc., include the recited numbers and refer to ranges that can be later broken down into subranges as described above. ing. Finally, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the range includes each distinct member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to a group having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1 to 5 cells refers to a group having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

  The various previously disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently anticipated or unexpected alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements may be made later by those skilled in the art and each is intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

Claims (22)

  A method of associating data with an article being carried by a delivery system, wherein the article is received at a first zone of the delivery system, the data associated with the article is received, and the data is received at the first zone. Storing in a first non-transitory computer readable storage medium associated with the data, transporting the article to a second zone of the transport system, and storing the data stored in the first computer readable storage medium Transferring to a second non-transitory computer readable storage medium associated with the second zone.   The method of claim 1, wherein receiving data associated with the article comprises reading data from a data tag associated with the article using a data tag reader associated with the first zone.   The method of claim 2, wherein the data read by the data reader is stored in the first computer readable storage medium.   The method of claim 2, wherein the data reader comprises at least one of a barcode reader and an RFID reader.   The method of claim 1, wherein receiving data associated with the article includes receiving data from a database remote from the first zone.   The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting characteristics of the article using a sensor associated with the first zone.   The method of claim 6, wherein receiving data associated with the article includes receiving data regarding the characteristics of the article.   The method of claim 6, wherein sensing the characteristic of the article includes sensing the weight of the article.   The method of claim 6, wherein detecting the characteristic of the article includes detecting one or more dimensions of the article.   A method of associating data with an article being conveyed by a conveyance system, wherein the article from the first zone of the conveyance system is received at the second zone of the conveyance system, and the data associated with the article is: Receiving from the local controller of the first zone of the transport system by the local controller of the second zone, wherein the data includes an expected value for a property of the article; and receiving the second Comparing the expected value for the characteristic with an actual value for the characteristic by the local controller of the zone and conveying the article to a third zone of the transport system in response to the comparison satisfying a threshold condition The data to the local controller of the third zone, Method comprising serial and transferring by the local controller, in response to the comparison does not satisfy the threshold condition, and to carry the article to a fourth zone of the transport system, the.   The method of claim 10, wherein the property includes the weight of the article.   The method of claim 10, wherein the characteristic includes one or more dimensions of the article.   The method of claim 10, wherein the data further includes the actual value for the characteristic.   11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: sensing the actual value for the characteristic by a sensor; and transmitting the actual value for the characteristic by the sensor to the local controller for the second zone. the method of.   A transport system comprising a plurality of zones, each zone comprising a transporter portion configured to carry an article, a driver configured to drive the transporter part, and data associated with the article A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store a controller, wherein the controller communicates with a controller in an adjacent zone, controls the driver to carry the article to the adjacent zone, and the computer readable storage A controller configured to control a medium to transfer the stored data to the computer readable storage medium in the adjacent zone.   The transport system of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of zones includes a data reader configured to read data from a data tag associated with the article.   The transport system according to claim 16, wherein the data reader includes at least one of a barcode reader and an RFID reader.   The transport system of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of zones includes a sensor configured to sense a property of the article.   The transport system according to claim 18, wherein the sensor is a scale configured to detect the weight of the article.   The plurality of zones includes first, second, and third zones, and the controller of the first zone is stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The non-transitory computer associated with the first zone configured to control the driver of the first zone to carry the article to the second zone when data satisfies a threshold condition 16. The apparatus is configured to control the driver of the first zone to carry the article to the third zone when the data stored in a readable storage medium does not satisfy the threshold condition. The transport system described in 1.   16. The transport system of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of zones includes a processor configured to process an article based on the data stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium.   The transport system according to claim 21, wherein the processor is a label printer configured to print a label for the article based on characteristics of the article.

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