Abstract: A conveying system, includes control devices for controlling the operation of the conveying system. The conveying system also includes a central control. The central control is arranged to select from a plurality of the different operating modes of the conveying system the operating mode to be used at any given time. The central control is connected to the control devices with a communications channel for indicating the operating mode selected to the control devices.

Abstract: A computerized method includes sorting mail that comprises a multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein the multiple pass mail sort operation for a mail piece comprises performing a first pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the first pass comprises capturing data to identify a feature of the mail piece. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes generating a first fingerprint for the mail piece between performing the first pass and performing a second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes performing the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. Performing the second pass includes determining a final sorting of the mail piece.

Abstract: A quality regulating apparatus and method is disclosed which operates on a product stream having an incoming product stream quality level so that an outgoing product stream quality level provided by the apparatus follows a target quality level so that it is better than the target quality level providing a maximum yield. The apparatus includes a conveying device, a product stream imager, an inspection engine, a routing engine, and an object diverting station. In operation, the inspection engine and routing engine cooperate in a manner so that objects classified as defective are intentionally passed to the output product stream when their inclusion maintains the quality level of the first output product stream at a level that is better than or equal to the target quality level.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile rack for a library and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system for a library including the same, wherein the mobile rack includes a plurality of racks configured to keep books each attached with an RFID tag and mounted with an RFID reader for recognizing tag information stored in the RFID tag, a moving unit configured to move at least one of the plurality of racks, a server configured to manage the books that are inputted, outputted and stacked, and a controller configured to control the moving means in response to a user command through the server or the tag information and to adjust a discrete distance between racks.

Abstract: A disk carrier for teaching disk positioning in a substrate changing system. The disk carrier composed of a panel having a disk opening configured to receive a disk and a plurality of beam sensors disposed around the disk opening to project beams parallel to a surface of the disk when secured within the disk opening. The plurality of beam sensors may be composed of at least one beam sensor on each of a front side and rear side of the panel.

Abstract: In a method for spacing bundles of a bundle layer by means of a manipulator gripper with at least one support base that engages bundles and a stop for the placement of bundles, separation between an edge of the support base and the stop is reduced, by a placement motion of the support base in a placement direction that is superimposed on the relative motion of the support base and the stop and is synchronized with this relative motion.

Abstract: A banknote handling apparatus and a method of controlling the banknote handling apparatus that make the display of complicated functions and configuration of a banknote handling apparatus easy for the operator to understand. A banknote handling apparatus of the present invention includes an operation unit that accepts an instruction from an operator, first and second display units that can display graphics, a storage unit that stores first and second data for display on the first and second display units, detecting part that detects an occurrence of a predetermined event, and a control unit that reads out first and second data stored in the storage unit based on the content of the event, causes the first display unit to display the first data, and causes the second display unit to display the second data, when the detecting part detects the occurrence of the predetermined event.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for automatically supplying packages, that have been sorted by type, to a column stacker, preferably in a sorting system. The device has at least one supply path (2) on which the packages, which have been sorted by type, are automatically supplied to the column stacker (3) individually and chaotically distributed in partial stacks. The invention proposes that at least two packages (T1, T1) or partial stacks of packages (T2, T2 or T3, T3 or T4, T4 or T5, T5)—as long as said partial stacks are not already randomly present on the supply path (2)—of the same height disposed one directly behind the other be combined with the aid of a package register 1 before being supplied to the column stacker (3) simultaneously.

Abstract: Apparatus for grouping a number of units, such as packaging units, when palleting the units, comprising a feed belt for conveying the units (10) and a grouping belt, which defines a grouping plane, said feed and grouping belts being driven for movement parallel to one another, and a robot, which is designed to group the units by positioning and orienting the units on the grouping plane. At least one part of the feed belt (1) runs beside and adjacent to the grouping belt (2). The robot (3) is a multi-axial industrial robot having a robotic arm on which a pusher element (5) is arranged, rotatable about an axis (6) perpendicular to the grouping plane, in order to allow the transfer of at least one unit from the feed belt to the grouping belt under a pushing action supplied by the pushing element, together with orientation and positioning of the unit on the grouping belt.

Abstract: A method for tamping media during transportation is disclosed. Multiple parallel beltsets lie between an inlet station(s) and a delivery station(s). The multiple parallel beltsets have one or more parallel belts, a motor connected to drive the beltsets, and multiple pushers attached to the belts of the beltset with the pushers of one beltset placed between the pushers of the adjacent beltset. A control module coupled to the motors accepts a set of instructions and controls tamping of the media stack during transportation. The control module varies the velocity of one of the beltsets relative to the adjacent beltset and adjusts the distance between successive pushers on the beltsets to accept media or to tamp media during transportation.

Abstract: A module (1) for a conveyor mat, comprising a body part (2) which is provided, on front and rear sides (3, 6) operatively extending transversely to the conveying direction (p), with hinge loops (5A, 5B) mutually spaced apart at mutual intermediate distances (4A, 4B), and an underside (7) operatively cooperating with a guideway. The underside (7) is provided with a downwardly extending mounting frame (11) for receiving a guide element. The module (1) may be included in a modular conveyor mat, comprising a number of modules being consecutive in conveying direction, each provided with a body part extending transversely to a conveying direction, having hinge loops reaching forwards and rearwards in the conveying direction, while the hinge loops of consecutive modules cooperate and are coupled by means of hinge pins, and at least one of the modules is designed with a mounting frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sorting articles, in particular flat mail items. The sorting plant has a feed transport path, a lead-away transport path, a plurality of connecting transport paths, a plurality of storage regions, and a sorting plan. Each connecting transport path branches off from the feed transport path and issues into the lead-away transport path. The feed transport path or the lead-away transport path is configured as a storage transport path which contains the storage regions, in the form of a sequence of successive storage regions. The sorting plan assigns a storage region, to each possible feature value of a sorting feature. The sorting plant selects a storage region for each article, using the sorting plan and as a function of the measured feature value.

Abstract: A mail sorter, method, and software product are used for sorting inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces. The mail sorter includes sorter modules cooperatively engaged with each other, so as to receive mail pieces that are a mixture of both inbound mail pieces and outbound mail pieces, and so as to sort both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces. The mail sorter also includes an unsorted mail piece path that is utilized by both the inbound mail pieces and the outbound mail pieces. The outbound mail pieces are mail pieces destined for sorting at a remote postal facility prior to delivery to destination addresses, whereas the inbound mail pieces are mail pieces that are not destined for sorting at a remote postal facility prior to delivery to destination addresses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inserting, collecting or collating a plurality of flexible, planar products, preferably printed products, wherein the device (10, 10a, 10b) comprises a product collection unit (12, 12a), a first processing unit (14, 14?), and a second processing unit (16, 16?, 16?) for the synchronized processing, for example feeding, of products. The product collection unit (14, 14?) comprises a main drive controller (18), which is operatively connected to a main drive (20, 20?) for driving a conveying means (22). The first processing unit (14, 14?) comprises a first drive controller (24, 24?), which is operatively connected to a first drive (26, 26?, 26?), and the second processing unit (16, 16?, 16?) comprises a second drive controller (28, 28?, 28?), which is operatively connected to a second drive (30, 30?).

Abstract: Described are systems, methods and products for the shipment of passenger or other traveler containers, e.g. containing personal items for use during travel. In certain aspects, systems and methods for such shipment involve the use of transport vessels other than those that will be occupied by a passenger during travel, e.g. cargo vessels or vehicles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

Abstract: During a carrying operation, the position, transportation origin, and transportation destination of a carrier or a boat can be easily checked. A carrying system is configured to carry a substrate, a manipulation unit is configured to display an operation state of the carrying system on a manipulation screen, and a control unit is configured to control an operation of the carrying system. The manipulation unit displays a carrying system icon indicating the carrying system which is a carrying target object and a carrying-out icon at predetermined positions of the manipulation screen corresponding to a transportation origin of the carrying system, and a carrying-in icon at a predetermined position of the manipulation screen corresponding to the transportation destination of the carrying system.

Abstract: An intelligent shelving system and associated dividing element. One or more dividing elements are arranged to communicate with a controller, each of the one or more dividing elements including an antenna having a detection plane and a base for placement on a shelf. The detection plane of the antenna is configured so as to be substantially parallel to the base. Each of the one or more dividing elements is arranged to identify electronically tagged items falling within the detection plane of its respective antenna and communicate data on said identified items to the controller.

Abstract: A substrate supporting apparatus includes a pallet on which a substrate is mounted, a pallet double-end holding mechanism holding both ends of the pallet in a diameter direction while the pallet is in a vertical posture, a pallet center holding mechanism rotatably holding a center section of the pallet, and a moving mechanism moving an apparatus body, wherein the pallet double-end holding mechanism is a mechanism that grips both ends of the pallet in the diameter direction from both sides of a thickness direction, the pallet double-end holding mechanism holds the pallet during movement, the pallet is held by both of the holding mechanisms during delivery from the pallet double-end holding mechanism to the pallet center holding mechanism, and the pallet center holding mechanism rotatably holds the center section of the pallet and holding by the pallet double-end holding mechanism is released during substrate processing.

Abstract: The invention describes a goods distribution center (1) and a method for its operation for goods (9) to be handled preferably in partitioned storage and transport containers (8) with at least two storage areas (5, 7) for groups of goods with varying turnover frequencies. It comprises an incoming goods area (2), an outgoing goods area (6) and at least one order picking area (4). Conveying devices (10) form for example conveyor belts, roller conveyors, storage and retrieval means (12), e.g. shelf operating devices. Storage devices form e.g. high shelf, flow shelf storage etc. Furthermore, data input and output devices (26) are provided at workstations (18) and connected communicatively with a storage, control and monitoring device (25). The conveying devices (10) of the incoming goods area (2) and the order picking area (4) are in the form of continuous conveying devices (14, 16), which are connected via transfer conveying means (15) to one another and to storage and retrieval means (12).