Abstract: A method and system for loading a loading carrier, in particular pallets, with packages by means of an automated manipulator, a model of a package stack on the loading carrier is automatically determined, an initial desired position for a package in the mode is determined, the package stack is detected on the loading carrier, a deviation between the detected package stack and the model is determined, the package is placed by the manipulator, and the steps are repeated until a termination criterion is reached.

Abstract: Provided is a transport method comprising judging whether there is a possibility that misalignment greater than or equal to a threshold value occurs between substrates to be layered that are held by a pair of substrate holders aligned and stacked by an aligning section, the misalignment occurring when the pair of substrate holders is transported from the aligning section to a pressure applying section; and if the judgment indicates that there is the possibility of misalignment, transporting the pair of substrate holders to a region other than the pressure applying section. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on at least one of an acceleration of the substrate holders, an acceleration of a transporting section that transports the substrate holders, relative positions of the substrate holders, or relative positions of the transporting section and one of the pair of substrate holders.

Abstract: Methods to solve the costly “loop mail” problem (FIG. 4, 464) in automated sorting and delivery of mail pieces are disclosed. Loop mail is detected, and marked as such (FIG. 7, 738), in an automated reject encoding machine (REM) (FIGS. 9-10). In one case, loop mail is detected where a new image of a returned mail piece is captured (702), a new destination address is read (720), and the new address does not match the bar code on the piece (732), suggesting that the previous address resolution was erroneous. The bar code is over-labeled (734) and replaced with the new postal code (736). The mail piece is marked with a loop mail indicator (738), and then returned for automated DBCS sortation (740). The loop mail indicator (810) indicates that the piece has already gone around the sorting and attempted delivery loop at least once, and is used to prevent recurrence (704, 710).

Abstract: A method to audit portable cassettes removeably disposed in a data storage library comprising a plurality of storage slots, a plurality of portable cassettes removeably disposed in one or more of said plurality of storage slots, and a pass-through accessor comprising a moveable fixturing apparatus, wherein the pass-through accessor is moveably disposed in said data storage library. The method disposes the pass-through accessor adjacent a first one of said plurality of storage slots, removes a first portable cassette from the first storage slot, and attaches the first portable cassette to a first fixturing assembly disposed on the fixturing apparatus. The method then removes a second portable cassette from the first storage slot, and attaches the second portable cassette to a second fixturing assembly disposed on the fixturing apparatus.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system and a method of storing and retrieving pharmaceutical containers from the system. The system includes a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval and a controller operatively coupled to the device to control storage and retrieval functions of the device. The device includes a gantry assembly, a shelving assembly, a user access assembly, and a user authorization system that function in a coordinated manner to carry out the storage and retrieval functions of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method adapted to automatically load and unload biological material test tubes into and from a capsule suitable for handling in a pneumatic mail system, the test tubes being supported by a test tube container which may be removably accommodated in the capsule, wherein the apparatus includes a loading and unloading interface, a receiving/dispatching station for conveying capsules to/from various biological material collection departments and a receiving/dispatching station for conveying capsules to/from biological material testing departments, and devices adapted to handle arriving test tube containers and test tubes to be dispatched to a bench, including a loading area and an unloading area for test tubes and test tube containers, arriving material identifying and checking devices and orienting devices for test tube containers, including a control unit adapted to coordinate the devices during the loading and unloading operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for producing and loading of bundles of printed material (18, 19) corresponding to respective specified consolidated orders (20; 30; 23, 33; 26; and 36) consisting of a specified number of preferably similar types of printed material that belong to a shipment (16) allocated to a means of transportation (11, 11?), with which bundles of printed material of shipment (16) can be produced on at least two production lines (2, 3) that can be operated independently of each other according to the consolidated orders (20; 30; 23, 33; 26; 36) are conveyed to a loading station (11) and are loaded there, wherein the production lines (2, 3) are automatically controlled by the shipment data corresponding to the production of the bundles of printed material (18, 19) depending upon the individual consolidated orders (20; 30; 23, 33; 26; 36) of the shipment (16).

Abstract: The present application relates to the ability to track mail items through a postal authority network with reference to a specific mail target. More particularly, the present application relates to a system and method for enabling tracking of event data by a mail owner of one or more mail items specifically by mail target through a mail delivery network's mail stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of enabling automated receiving/retrieving of stocks of cargo for storing purposes. The system uses at least one service level and one or more storage levels. The service level is operated and organized in such a way that it is able to receive, interchange cargo, and extract cargo simultaneously and batch way. The system is redundant and allows continued operation even if some of its components malfunction. The service area comprising (a) a plurality of pallets for conveying said cargo; (b) a matrix of blocks of predetermined shape upon which said cargo and said pallets located; (c) at least one elevator block for transporting said pallet to different areas of said system; (d) at least one box; (e) at least two buffer for allowing transport of said pallets in at least two orthogonal directions in each of said areas.

Abstract: The invention relates method for controlling a machine for treating containers (12) as well as for controlling processing and/or treatment stations located downstream from it, wherein the machine has a plurality of turntables (42) that are each driven by a motor and that serve to orient and/or position the containers (12), in which method the motor drives (44) of the turntables (42) are each monitored separately, so that, if an error occurs with one or more of the turntable drives (44), the affected defective turntable drives (44) are deactivated while the machine and/or the stations located downstream continue to be operated.

Abstract: A self-feeding device for a user and method operating is provided. The self-feeding device includes a base assembly having a housing with an upper wall, a lower wall and a sidewall extending therebetween the upper wall and the lower wall. A plate is disposed on the upper housing wall of the base assembly, and the plate includes a food compartment having a food item located therein. A feed arm assembly located on the base assembly includes an arm moveable with a predetermined degree of freedom, and a feeding utensil is coupled to the feed arm. A controller actuates the feed arm assembly to obtain the food/drink item from the food compartment via the feed utensil, and to transfer the food item to the user. The methodology includes software to control operation of the self-feeding device within a STORAGE mode, a SELECT mode, and a RETRIEVE food and drink mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing plant material samples and a transfer station designed for use in such systems and methods. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, a plant-material sampling device, and a transfer station. The plant-material sampling device is configured to communicate with the controller and to read an identifier of a plant. The sampling device also has a removable magazine, and is designed to take at least one plant sample from multiple plants, place such samples in the magazine, and track the identity of the plant from which each sample is taken. The transfer station is configured to hold, at multiple positions, multiple magazines and multiple trays such that the positions of the magazines are mirrored by the positions of the trays, read an identifier of each magazine, read an identifier of each tray, map storage locations for each one of the magazines to storage locations of one of the trays, and sequentially unload plant samples from the magazines to the trays.

Abstract: An apparatus (4) for the distribution of cards on paper carriers allows easier control and reading steps on the cards, without slowing down the coupling process, and includes a card conveying line, on which are provided: a first section (44) wherein the cards (100) translate in a substantially vertical arrangement, the apparatus (4) including at least one card control and/or reading station (41) thereat; and a second section wherein the cards translate in a substantially horizontal arrangement and wherein an element for coupling (49) cards to a paper carrier is operated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle. The sensor may be coupled via a wired or wireless connection to a mote that may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In some embodiments, each mote may also include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent.

Abstract: A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moving walkway comprising a moving belt (1) formed by a series of pallets (3) consecutively hinged to one another by means of elements (4-5) forming part of the pallets themselves and forms drive means through which the stress of the pulling mechanism is transmitted between pallets (3).

Abstract: Each load-carrier of a system is always controlled by one of a series of MCUs (monitoring and control units) that are assigned to contiguous regions along guideways. Each carrier is slowed down to maintain a safe distance behind a carrier ahead, or to avoid collision with another carrier when approaching a merge point of a convergent Y-junction or when otherwise desirable. Distance measurements take into account the lengths of carriers and of assigned regions and the counts of speed pulses sent to MCUs since entry of carriers into their respective regions. For merge control, arrival data are developed that include the times and speeds to and at arrival of two carriers at a merge point. Through repeated comparisons of arrival data developed from one carrier with arrival data previously developed and stored as to the other carrier, the one carrier is gradually slowed down as necessary to avoid a collision.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to staging manufactured items and provide a method, system and computer program product for staging items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for staging items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of staging locations in a distribution area of the manufacturing environment, defining a set of staging strategies for use in the distribution area of the manufacturing environment, receiving a manufactured item in the distribution area and obtaining characteristics of the manufactured item, and comparing the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the set of staging strategies to select the staging strategy to apply to the manufactured item.

Abstract: A load port apparatus is disclosed wherein the total period of time of operation of a lid member mounting and dismounting apparatus and a mapping apparatus is minimized while avoiding interference of the two apparatus with each other. An interference avoiding sensor apparatus is provided on the lid member mounting and dismounting apparatus and the mapping apparatus and detects that a lid member suction plate of the lid member mounting and dismounting apparatus is disposed at a position lower by a value exceeding a preset value than the arm to which the mapping sensors are attached to enable pivotal motion of the arm without interfering with the lid member suction plate. Then, immediately after the preset value is detected by the interference avoiding sensor apparatus, the arm is pivoted to the mapping position to start the mapping.

Abstract: An automatic warehouse comprises: a support structure (2) for supporting trays (50) each provided with at least a container cell (51) exhibiting an opening (52); an operating station (3), which is provided with an access opening (4) and is predisposed for receiving at least a tray (50) such that an opening of the container cell (51) faces the access opening (4); the operating station (3) being provided with a cover (5, 6), which cover (5, 6) is mobile on command between an open position, which enables access to the container cell (51) of the tray (50) and a closed position, which prevents access to the container cell (51); a manipulator device (7) to remove and transfer at least a tray (50) from the support structure (2) to the operating station (3), and vice versa.