Abstract: A method includes causing a stacking device having a first stacking unit and a second stacking unit to stack sheets of a small size on the first stacking unit or the second stacking unit and to stack sheets of a large size over the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit, and controlling the stacking of sheets by restricting stacking of the sheets of the large size on the sheet of the small size when the sheets of the small size are stacked on at least one of the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit.

Abstract: System and method for sortation of picked inventory into individual orders in an order fulfillment process, for example order fulfillment processes in materials handling facilities. Collections of items picked from inventory for multiple orders are stowed to locations at a stow and sortation station. The items for a particular order may be stowed to two or more different locations, and items for two or more orders may be stowed to one location; no particular location is assigned to or reserved for each order. Thus, no space is allocated or reserved for incomplete orders at the station. When all items for a particular order are stowed to locations at the station, the order may be picked from the various locations at the station and placed into order receptacles. The order receptacles may be shipping containers.

Abstract: Provided are a power assist apparatus and its control method, which realize improvements in positioning precision and in workability while reducing the burden of a work positioning operation on a operator by burdening a portion of the positioning work on the power assist apparatus and while making good use of the decision or experience (or institution or knack) by the operator when the operator positions the work by using the power assist apparatus. The power assist apparatus thus autonomously cooperated with the working action of the operator comprises a transfer tool including an articulated robot, a sucking jig and a free joint for gripping and transferring windows, and a control device for controlling the actions of the transfer tool. The control device divides and stores a series of working tasks into a plurality of working section, and sets control logics for the individual working sections and for the individual working directions, in which the power assist apparatus has degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An assembly for selectively presenting objects includes: a frame; a carousel rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation, the carousel including a plurality of object compartments arranged about the axis of rotation; a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation; and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when torque applied to the servomotor exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Such an assembly can serve as a presentation device that enables an operator to remove objects therefrom at his/her convenience.

Abstract: For preparing mail pieces including reply items to be returned by addressees of the mail pieces, address carriers (20) are fed one by one from a first feeding station (2). An address (21) is scanned from each fed address carrier (20). Address data sets each representing a scanned address (21) are stored. A unique identification code (23) is scanned from each fed reply item (22) and stored as a reply code data set representing the scanned identification codes (23). Mail pieces of which at least a plurality each comprises at least one of the fed address carriers (20) and at least one of the fed reply items (22) are prepared. For each assembled mail piece comprising at least one of the address carriers (20) and at least one of the reply items (22), an association between the reply code data set and the address data set of that mail piece is stored.

Abstract: A belt monitoring system employs a belt having at least one reinforcement member made from a conductive reinforcement material. A belt monitor is disposed in conjunction with the belt. The belt monitor comprises a field inductor excited by an applied signal. An electrical characteristic of at least a portion of the field inductor as influenced by changes in the electrical properties of the conductive reinforcement member is monitored in order to determine a physical condition of the conductive reinforcement member and thereby monitor a physical characteristic of the belt. This monitoring may be carried out by a sense inductor disposed adjacent or in conjunction with the field inductor.

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 that is undeliverable as addressed 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 disposition of the mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and an article of manufacture for automatically configuring a feeder system of a mail sorting system are shown and described. The feeder system is configured in accordance with a customer's mailing parameters. This improves the performance of the mail sorting system. In various examples, customer information associated with a processing job is received. A feeder profile is also received. The feeder system is automatically configured according to parameters of one or more of the customer information and feeder profile.

Abstract: Systems and method of processing one or more documents are shown and described. The orientation of a magnetic character is sensed on the document. The orientation is processed and used to control a sort processing device.

Abstract: A system separating defective dies from a wafer comprises a film frame platform and a pick-and-place device. The film frame platform comprises a support table assembly configured for supporting a film frame assembly and a platform surface configured to receive the placement of bins thereupon. The pick-and-place device is configured for moving in a linear manner between the support table assembly and the platform surface.

Abstract: A system is provided for aligning multi-sheet collations including a conveyance system having a transport deck for supporting and conveying the multi-sheet collation along a feed path. The system includes a first pair of registration members disposed orthogonal to the feed path and defining a processing station along the feed path. The registration members further define registration surfaces which are repositionable from an active position above the transport deck to an idle position below the transport deck. A first displacement mechanism raises and lowers the registration members into and out of the active and idle positions, and oscillates at least one of the registration surfaces forward and aft in a direction parallel to the feed path when the registration member is in its active position.

Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for sorting mailpieces prior to their delivery to the postal authority. The system and method allow for the running of different first pass sort schemes on multiple sorters in a sorting facility without stopping operations for no-count mode, without losing mailpiece tracking, or waiting for all first pass sorting to complete before re-running the mail that was not sorted to the finest depth of sorting. With the present application, mailpieces that can be run a second time can be run concurrently during first pass without the high risk no-count mode or loss of data integrity.

Abstract: A robot system is disclosed which includes at least two robots, each having a related processing unit. The processing units are connected to each other via a network bus for data transmission, and distributed sensors are provided for gathering first and/or second measurement data within a local extension of the robot system. First measurement data gathered by at least one first sensor are transmissible to at least one processing unit related thereto. Second measurement data gathered by at least one second sensor are feedable into the network bus and provided to the at least two processing units connected thereto. The processing units can analyze the second measurement data as a variable dynamic share of workload for feeding result-data of the analysis into the network bus.

Abstract: A system and method for processing mailpieces within a mail transportation and distribution system includes first and second distribution centers, and an electronic parcel compartment facility located near the second center. Data, about the mailpiece and recipient, is acquired from the mailpiece. Destination information for a compartment facility is associated with the mailpiece. The information is compared with a registered customer database. A re-routing instruction is ascertained from the customer data. The second center is ascertained. The mailpiece is sorted in the first center based on the destination. Data about the mailpiece and destination is transmitted to a second data processor of the second center. The mailpiece is transported to the second center. Information identifying the mailpiece is acquired with a reading device. The destination is determined based on information identifying the mailpiece, which is sorted based on the destination. The information is transmitted to a mobile device.

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 method of identifying transportation items which are physically different from one another, particularly for identifying automatically sortable passenger luggage in air, rail, or ocean travel, using electronically readable information associated with the transportation item.

Abstract: An automated parking system and method for controlling a parking garage employ a distributed control system to control the transport of a vehicle between an entry/exit station and a parking space. The distributed control system employs an independent controller (PLC) for each mechanical element, such as elevators and shuttle cars. The PLCs are interconnected by a network and coordinate with each other to control the operation of the automated parking system. An operator panel including a touchscreen display may be used by an operator to control directly the operation of a particular PLC and its associated mechanical element. A central management computer is used to coordinate the overall operation and management of the distributed control system and to provide enhanced features including redundant safety checks.

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: 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: A handling system for multiple workpieces is provided for repeatedly lifting rows of multiple workpieces on a lift assembly from a collection of workpieces in a hopper and selectively delivering one or more rows of orientated workpieces to an exit conveyor. Any disoriented workpieces on the exit conveyor can be discarded from the exit conveyor and returned to the collection of workpieces in the hopper.