Abstract: With the aim of contributing to the optimization of commuting systems, roadways, and other motion systems, Pace Delineation jibe iota (PD) addresses the issue of crossing paths of travel. PD is the process of gathering and analyzing velocities, positions, and other parameters and properties of traversing units to determine the velocities of each such that they do not arrive at the intersections at the same time. Such coordination can help avoid the stoppage of vehicles at an intersection, and collisions obviously. The process also accommodates an overtaking condition which may be used to prioritize emergency responders or other traversals.

Abstract: Regarding a transfer system that includes a plurality of transfer vehicles that transfer articles, the present invention realizes technology that can alleviate congestion that is caused due to the travel speed of a specific vehicle that performs a specific task being lower than that of the transfer vehicles. The transfer system includes a plurality of transfer vehicles that travel on a transfer path to transfer articles, and the transfer system further includes: a specific vehicle that performs a specific task while travelling on the transfer path at a speed lower than that of the transfer vehicles; and a congestion determination unit that determines whether or not there is congestion behind the specific vehicle. Upon the congestion determination unit determining that there is congestion, the specific vehicle suspends the task and performs evacuation travel to evacuate from a task point at which the specific vehicle was performing the task.

Abstract: System for and method of controlling vehicles in a closed transport system. A closed transport system network controller generates a route for a requested journey, determining the commencement time of the journey from the origin point such that the vehicle executes the journey free of collisions with other vehicles in the closed transport system. The network controller provides steering and speed instructions in order for the vehicle to execute the route in the prescribed manner. The network controller controls all vehicles in the closed transport system such that, on a macro level, the capacity of the closed transport system is generally maximized.

Abstract: A conveying system includes at least one guide unit and a carrier. The guide unit includes a traveling surface, at least one guide rail, and a magnetic member formed of a soft magnetic material and including a plurality of salient poles aligned along a conveying path. The carrier includes at least one roller coming in contact with the guide rail from a side direction, at least one wheel coming in contact with the traveling surface, and a plurality of coils provided to overlap with the magnetic member in plan view, and configured to generate thrust along the conveying path and attraction toward the magnetic member by generating a moving magnetic field acting on the magnetic member in accordance with supply of power.

Abstract: A communication system includes a control module, a primary wireless communication node, and a plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with the control module. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with each of the plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes through a common communication line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract: A system, especially an installation, having a vehicle which is maneuverable on a floor is described. The vehicle has an RFID reading device which is connected to an antenna SL, and when the antenna SL enters the coupling region of a floor-installed antenna connected to a stationary RFID transponder, especially an RFID tag, then data stored in the transponder are able to be read out by the reading device. One or more permanent magnet(s) is/are situated on the floor, in particular fixedly joined in the floor, and the vehicle includes a sensor for detecting the direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A first device is provided. The first device includes a first processing unit, wherein the first processing unit is adapted to determine a first status of a first connection between the first processing unit of the first device and a corresponding first processing unit of a second device; and a second processing unit, wherein the second processing unit is adapted to determine a second status of a second connection between the second processing unit of the first device and a corresponding second processing unit of the second device. The first processing unit is further adapted to: receive the second status of the second connection from the second processing unit of the first device over a path between the first processing unit of the first device and the second processing unit of the first device; and determine one or more actions to take with respect to a machine associated with the first device based on one or both of the first status and the second status.

Abstract: An assembly machine includes a plurality of track modules, each track module including a section of track, the plurality of track modules connectable to form a continuous circuitous track, the continuous circuitous track configured to receive a dispensing head, the dispensing head configured to rotate about the continuous circuitous track and at least partially assemble an unfinished product. The machine includes a first feeder module attached to a first length of the continuous circuitous track configured to feed a component to the dispensing head, and a first placement module attached to a second length of the continuous circuitous track configured to receive the unfinished product. The dispensing head is configured to place the component on the unfinished product. The assembly machine is reconfigurable by attaching or removing one or more of the plurality of track modules, the first feeder module and the first placement module.

Abstract: An open architecture control system is provided that may be used for remote and semi-autonomous operation of commercial off the shelf (COTS) and custom robotic systems, platforms, and vehicles to enable safer neutralization of explosive hazards and other services. In order to effectively deal with rapidly evolving threats and highly variable operational environments, the control system is built using an open architecture and includes a high level of interoperability. The control system interfaces with a large range of robotic systems and vehicles, autonomy software packages, perception systems, and manipulation peripherals to enable prosecution of complex missions effectively. Because the control system is open and does not constrain the end user to a single robotics system, mobile platform, or peripheral hardware and software, the control system may be used to assist with a multitude of missions beyond explosive hazard detection and clearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting for a data conductor on a conductor strand of a conductor line. The invention further relates to an energy transmission system for transmitting electrical energy between a conductor line and an electrical consumer that can be moved along the conductor line and has at least one data conductor guided along the conductor line and at least one antenna arranged on the consumer, and to a data transmission system for contactless local data transmission between at least one data conductor guided along a conductor line and at least one antenna arranged on an electrical consumer that can be moved along the conductor line.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting containers, having a circumferential transport path and at least one transport element which is arranged such as to be movable relative to this circumferential transport path, wherein this transport element can be driven at least partially by a magnetic force, wherein the transport path has a plurality of magnetic elements and at least one magnetizable element is also arranged on the transport element, and wherein a movement of the transport element relative to the transport path can be achieved by actuating the magnetic elements of the transport path. According to the invention, an electrically operated working element, which can be supplied inductive with electrical energy, is arranged on the transport element.

Abstract: Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: Methods, programs and systems are provided for arranging in correct delivery sequence a plurality of individual garments from multiple delivery routes. A first of two sorting operations utilizes predicted wearer data to create a wearer-rail association where a selection of a plurality of sequenced sorting rails is designated to receive garments according to a set number of predicted wearers/placeholder-wearers, and where the garments of the batch are distributed about the rails based on at least two or more levels of garment designation, including route, stop, customer and/or wearer. The second sort assembles, rail-by-rail, the garments from each of the respective sequenced rails into groups according to wearer which produces a correct delivery order for the batch of garments after only two scan/sort operations and where each garment moves along a non-repeating path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract: An opening area between twisted portions of a pair of twisted wires is arranged to be opposite to an opening area of an aperture antenna of each of communication apparatuses. Thus, the use of the pair of twisted wires permits division of electric power among the communication apparatuses and also communication of signals. In particular, among the opening areas between the twisted portions of the pair of twisted wires, only an opening area, which is in between the twisted portion and the twisted portion and is opposite to the aperture antenna, is formed to be larger than a different opening area. This provides a vehicular power line communication system and a transmitter in the system; the system strengthens electromagnetic induction connection between the transmitter and the receiver to permit power line communication.

Abstract: Manufacturing systems and methods are disclosed. In one example, a system includes a track to be positioned proximate a structure. The track has a length extending along an axis and a location indicator positioned along the length of the track. The location indicator provides a unique tag which identifies a location of the location indicator along the first axis.

Abstract: A system having vehicles, each including a secondary coil for the inductive supply of the vehicle from a primary conductor system, wherein the secondary coil includes a coil core, which has at least one main limb, the secondary coil being made up of a first and a second coil, each composed of windings which enclose the main limb in each case, the first coil arranged such that the windings are connected in series, and the induction voltage arising at the coil corresponds to the sum of the individual voltages induced at all windings when the magnetic flux enclosed by an individual winding in the main limb always has the same direction, especially in each winding of the first coil, the second coil arranged such that the second coil is made up of a first type of windings, i.e., a first partial coil, and of a second type of windings.

Abstract: A ground controller in a travelling vehicle system stores travel permissions for a curved section that are provided to travelling vehicles, and deletes the travel permissions when the travelling vehicles leave the curved section. When a request for a permission to travel in the curved section is received from a travelling vehicle, the ground controller references the memory, provides a first travel permission if a permission to travel has not been provided to another travelling vehicle, and provides a low-order travel permission that permits travel with a lower speed than the first travel permission if a permission to travel has been provided to another travelling vehicle.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A sorting system includes trolleys traveling along a path between respective stations for loading and unloading items in a direction transversely of the direction of travel of the trolleys. Each station includes an inductor for generating a variable magnetic induction field which is sensed by a detecting mechanism, such as an antenna, disposed on the trolley. In response to the magnetic induction field being detected, a loading/unloading device on the trolley (e.g., an endless belt) is actuated to load or unload items.

Abstract: An automatic transporting system and a method for operating the same. The automatic transporting system includes a main track, a plurality of transport vehicles, a loading and unloading track, a stocker, a rapid track and an emergency track. The plurality of transport vehicles move on the main track. The loading and unloading track has a first entrance and a first exit. The first entrance and first exit are connected to the main track. The stocker is disposed beside the loading and unloading track. The transport vehicles enter the loading and unloading track and stop at the stocker to load and unload a material. The rapid track has a second entrance and a second exit. The second entrance and second exit are connected to the main track. The emergency track is connected to the main track. The transport vehicles leave the main track via the emergency track.

Abstract: A conveyance system which performs conveying action operating carrier vehicles, including a loop track, carrier vehicles which run on the track, a station where each carrier vehicle performs loading and unloading of a cargo, and a standby station for storing the carrier vehicles in a standby state. The number of the carrier vehicles to be used is determined from a conveyance command number, and can be automatically determined in correspondence with the load in the conveyance system. Accordingly, even if the load is not uniform but significantly varied, the conveying action can be conducted readily and efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric overhead conveyer comprising a large number of carriages (8), which circulate on a running rail system (1). Each carriage (8) has an autonomous carriage control (11), whose memory stores (13) all the data for the rail network. The overhead conveyer can either be operated in individual circulation mode, in which each carriage (8) attempts to travel individually at the greatest permissible speed, or in group mode. In group mode, the carriages (8), which are to traverse a common section of the rail network (1) are combined into groups and exchange data concerning the locally permissible speeds that are respectively valid. All the carriages (8) in the group then travel at a speed that corresponds to the lowest permissible speed for all carriages (8) in the group.

Abstract: There is provided a transportation system for transporting content from a first specified address to a second specified address. The transportation system comprises a transport channel, a plurality of containers, an operator, a propeller operatively connected to said container and in operative communication with said operator, and a central controller remote from said containers and in operative communication with said operator. The controller is configured for receiving orders for transport between the first and second addresses. In operation, the controller communicates instructions to the operator, and the operator further communicates the instructions to the propeller, causing the propeller to propel the cargo from the first address to the second address.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system utilizes a guideway with parallel enclosed rails. Each enclosed rail has an electrical bus bar for supplying power to vehicles on the guideway. The guideway will accommodate dual-mode vehicles that are capable of usage on conventional streets as well as on the guideway. The guideway also accommodates conventional vehicles and ferries that operate only on the guideway. The dual-mode vehicle has a body with axles that are extensible. The axles move from a retracted position, with the wheels recessed within the wheel wells, to an extended position. In the extended position, the wheels locate within the enclosed rails. Conventional vehicles and freight are carried on ferries that move along the guideways.

Abstract: A system to automate distribution of materials and tooling to production machines, where a very simple cross-section track, such as a circle or an X, is anchored to the equipment and to load/unload stations for materials and tooling, and where simple one or two wheeled robotic cars, where the wheels need not be mounted with yaw pivots to the cars, transport the materials or tooling. A control system keeps controls the motor or motors that drive one or two wheels to minimize pitch of the cars as they move along the track.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes guideways having tracks for supporting a type of vehicle which moves within the guideways and tracks for a type of vehicle which moves on top of the guideways. Guide tracks are provided within the guideways for guiding vehicles of either type and controlling movement through Y junctions. The type of vehicle that moves on top of the guideway includes auxiliary wheels which cooperate with auxiliary tracks in Y junctions to insure reliable support. Each type of vehicle includes automatic load tilting mechanisms and also a special four wheel drive arrangement.

Abstract: A method of identifying and locating the trainline power supplies wherein the power supplies each are a node on a network. The locations of the power supply is determined by causing the power supply node to transmit its identity on the network. The power supply node includes a service pin and a signal is supplied to the service pin to cause the power supply node to transmit its identity on the network. A second node is provided at an identifiable location with each power supply and is commanded to cause the power supply at its location to transmit its identity on the network.

Abstract: A method of serialization including establishing a parameter along a length of the train between a node on one of the cars and one end of the train. The presence or absence of the parameter at each node is determined and the parameter is removed. The sequence is repeated for each node on the train. Finally, serialization of the cars is determined as a function of the number of either determined presences or absences of the parameter for each node. The parameter can be established by providing at the individual node, one at a time, an electric load across an electric line running through the length of the train and measuring an electrical property, either current or voltage, at each node. The same process is used to determine the orientation of a car. The operability of each node is determined by counting the presence and then the absence of a parameter along the whole train.