摘要 |
Methods are disclosed for controlling conveyor systems including providing status information for each of a plurality of conveyors, providing control information for each of the conveyors based solely upon the status information from that conveyor and from adjacent conveyors, and controlling each of the conveyors by communicating the control information between the adjacent conveyors. A control system for controlling such a conveyor system is also disclosed including a plurality of control units each for controlling a respective one of the conveyors, and a plurality of sensors in communication with the conveyors for collection and supplying status information to each of the conveyors, each of the control units being in communication only with the corresponding conveyor and adjacent conveyors whereby control information is provided for each of the conveyors based solely upon the status information from that conveyor and adjacent conveyors and each of the conveyors is controlled by communicating the control information between the adjacent conveyors. |