Abstract: A medication bin is provided that includes a bin housing configured to carry medication and other medical supplies, an electronic display, such as a liquid crystal display or electronic paper, carried by the bin housing and a processor carried by the bin housing and configured to control the electronic display. The processor is configured to receive information relating to a destination of the medication or other medical supplies to be carried by the medication bin. The processor is also configured to direct the electronic display to present a representation of the destination. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method of tracking trays through a delivery system. The method comprises: generating an enhanced label, the enhanced label comprising a routing code and a label unique identifier, the enhanced label being applied to the tray; associating a tray with a container, the container having a container unique identifier; and receiving a load container scan, the load container scan associating the container unique identifier with the enhanced label.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking product groups associated with orders through an automated packaging system are presented.

Abstract: A system and method for identification and location of an asset by tracking the mover of the asset using a locating device associated with the mover and identifying the asset using an identification reader associated with the mover and a passive identification tag associated with the asset. A single mover may move many assets. An asset is identified; the mover then moves the asset to a destination location, whereupon the mover and asset position are determined. The asset location may then be recorded in memory. The measurement of the destination location may be extended from the location measured by the active location device by using additional measurement devices, for example a forklift height sensor. A further embodiment utilizes RFID or barcode technology for the passive tag and may utilize near field positioning technology for the active location device.

Abstract: An improved assembly, test, packaging and/or processing system and a control system, each of which may be expanded or reduced in size, capability and/or capacity on a modular basis to suit or adapt to a number of different applications. The product assembly, test, packaging and/or processing system comprises a number of modules which are assembled and arranged as required. Pallets move between stations on the modules along track portions which cooperate with track portions on adjacent modules so other modules can be added without affecting the movement of the pallets. When those modules are added or removed, or when stations are added or removed, corresponding controllers in the control system are also added or removed.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for calibrating a semiconductor wafer handling robot and a semiconductor wafer cassette. A robot blade boot is attached to a robot blade of the semiconductor handling robot. The robot blade boot decreases a value of tolerance for the robot blade to move between two semiconductor wafers in the semiconductor wafer cassette. In one embodiment the vertical tolerance is decreased to approximately twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020?) on a top and a bottom of the robot blade boot. The use of the robot blade boot makes the calibration steps more critical and precise. The robot blade boot is removed from the robot blade after the calibration process has been completed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for loading and unloading substrate carriers onto and off of a transport system. The invention includes a substrate carrier handler adapted to transfer a substrate carrier between a docking station and a transport system, the substrate carrier handler including an end effector adapted to support the substrate carrier; a controller coupled to the substrate carrier handler and operative to control the substrate carrier handler such that the end effector of the substrate carrier handler is operative to selectively engage and disengage the substrate carrier to and from the transport system while the substrate carrier is in motion; and a sensor coupled to the controller and operative to provide a signal to the controller indicative of information about the substrate carrier.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for determining when a set of RFID tags on a set of objects belongs to a same defined subset of objects (“set identification”).

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking and maintaining an inventory of location of containers that are stored on cargo ships or in a container yard. The system includes one or more sensors, such as GPS and INS sensors for obtaining real-time position information, as well as a processor configured to automatically provide post processing to recover lost data and to correct erroneous data, such as when real-time position signals are blocked or distorted, the post processing performed by estimating trajectories and correcting the location errors. Post-processed positioning techniques are continuously applied to the stored position data to iteratively determine calibrated position locations to provide calibrated second trajectory segments in a real-time fashion. The calibrated second trajectories are then used to identify the errors in the past real-time position data as soon as a segment of the second calibrated trajectory becomes statistically trustworthy.

Abstract: A baggage management gate includes a first reading device and a second reading device, a detecting device, a determining unit, a first opening and closing device and a second opening and closing device. The baggage management gate manages baggage that is restricted to be carried in or out from a predetermined region. And in order away from the region in which the baggage is managed, the first reading device, the second opening and closing device, the detecting device for both the first person and the second person, the first opening and closing device, and the second reading device are arranged in an entrance direction from the passage to the management region in which the baggage is managed.

Abstract: The system of the invention includes a method for monitoring changes in the status or condition of a Container using one or more monitoring units mounted to the Container. The monitoring units preferably include a power supply, sensors using reflective energy with programmable parameters, globally-unique sensor identification, recording capability on a timeline, long term memory and the ability to rebroadcast information on RFID radio technology. Programmable monitoring hardware in the monitoring unit detects significant changes in the sensor outputs as a triggering event. The programmable monitoring hardware includes memory for storing identification information for the Container. The sensors which can include conventional devices that detect various forms of energy including visible light, infrared light, magnetic fields, radio frequency energy and sound. In one embodiment, a monitoring unit is mounted inside a shipping Container suitable for long distance transport.

Abstract: A server includes a communication section which receives event information from an event detection device which detects a plurality of types of events occurring in a plurality of temporary storage devices provided at different locations, and transmits transportation load display information to a PC, a storage section which stores lot state data indicating states of lots and storage state data indicating states of the temporary storage devices, an update section which updates the lot state data and the storage state data based on the event information, and an information generation section which generates transportation load display information for notifying a lot transportation state to the user based on the lot state data and the storage state data.

Abstract: A ground controller and traveling vehicles are connected to a communication system on the ground. Position instructions are given to the traveling vehicles in each position control cycle. The traveling vehicles generate a plurality of velocity instructions and torque instructions by themselves to carry out the position instructions.

Abstract: The substrate processing system includes a controller that transfers the substrate by using a transfer apparatus or controls processing of the substrate in a processing apparatus. A recipe setter of the controller sets a processing recipe. A memory stores an initial reference location of a transfer arm, a first correlation between the processing recipe and a sidewall temperature of a processing chamber, and a second correlation between the sidewall temperature of the processing chamber and a compensated value of a reference location. A compensator compensates a reference location of the transfer arm based on the processing recipe set in the recipe setter and the initial reference location, the first correlation, and the second correlation stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method for processing portable objects and a machine for processing portable objects including a device (1) for transferring portable objects (C), incorporating an integrated circuit and processing means consisting of at least two processing lifts (2, 2?) separated by a space of a size of a portable object (C), translatory moved perpendicularly to the plane of the main surface of the portable objects (C) and sequentially on a guiding support (25) by driving and positioning means, each lift (2, 2?) being formed with a parallelepipedal plate (22) provided with at least two processing devices, both lifts having determined different roles. The method consists of successively placing each portable object to be processed in contact with a processing station of the first lift and of the second lift.

Abstract: A system and method provides computer-assisted organization of workpieces to be processed in a production process, wherein the workpiece in question is subjected to at least one processing, preferably to a plurality of different processings. A workpiece position is assigned to each workpiece, and at least one, preferably several, workpiece positions are combined in a magazine. Each workpiece position includes a device for status determination of the respective workpiece position. A control unit is provided for controlling the individual workpiece positions, and a data-processing unit is provided, which communicates with the control unit and in which the information queried from the individual workpiece positions is processed and status data is generated.

Abstract: Sortation conveyor apparatus and methods for selectively diverting articles from a primary conveying surface onto branch lines are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises assigning memory cells to first and second articles based upon the location of the articles along the primary conveyor, and determining if the second article is to be diverted to the same location as the first article, and if so, assigning the trailing cell assigned to the trailing end of the first article to other than the first article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the visual technical support of manual order-picking processes through a device with at least one mobile unit (200), having an optical sensing detection device (202), an optical display device (201), a data processing device (203) and a data interface for wireless connection (206) to a stationary electronic data-processing system (100), which, in addition to product management software, has a connection device (102) for all active mobile units (200).

Abstract: A method and system for managing a product during assembly or repair of the product includes use of a microserver configured to function as a local computing workstation and collect, store and process data for the product throughout the assembly or repair process. The microserver may be carried by a support structure that supports the product through the assembly or repair process. The product data and other information relevant to the assembly or repair process are stored on the microserver and may be accessed by other computing devices, both local and remote to the product. The information is updated on the microserver as it happens. Thus, users are able to track a status of the product in real-time. The microserver enables two-way communication such that the other computing devices may also send information to the microserver.

Abstract: A substrate manufacturing system comprises a substrate processing device for conveying pallets from an inlet to an outlet; a pallet conveyor for sequentially returning the pallets for conveying the pallets from an outlet to an inlet; and a pallet controller including: a counter for counting the conveyed pallets at the inlet of the substrate processing device, a reference detector for detecting the reference pallet at the inlet of the substrate processing device, a first monitor for activating first alarm when the substrate lot is changed at the inlet of the substrate processing device and the reference detector detects absence of the reference pallet at the inlet of the substrate processing device, and a second monitor for activating second alarm when the counter counts the predetermined number of the pallets and the reference detector detects absence of the reference pallet at the inlet of the substrate processing device.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler.

Abstract: An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag includes, a cabinet having at least one locking front door. An RFID detector is used for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and is located within the interior of the cabinet. A computer is coupled to the RFID cabinet and controls opening and closing of the front door and is configured to receive an input that identifies the user. In this way, the computer is configured to periodically record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for detecting collisions of parcels on a moving conveyor belt, including the steps of representing each belt with a rectangular cell mesh of columns and rows, for each parcel on the belt system, identifying those cells on a belt where each parcel contacts the belt, marking a parcel's new cell position after a predetermined time frame in a direction parallel to the motion, for each marked cell, incrementing a corresponding collision detector counter in a collision detection table, marking a parcel's new cell position after the predetermined time frame in a direction perpendicular to the motion, for each marked cell, incrementing a corresponding collision detector counter in the collision detection table, and checking the collision detector counter value in each cell, where a value greater than or equal to 3 indicates a parcel collision.

Abstract: A control unit calculates a difference between a displacement of a belt detected by an encoder and a predetermined target value, calculates a pulse frequency of a driving pulse signal based on a feedback control based on the difference and a feed-forward control based on a reference driving pulse frequency, sets a control range of the feedback control to be equal to or smaller than a frequency of one rotation of a driven roller, and controls driving of a pulse motor such that the belt moves at a constant speed.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for sensing conditions associated with a package handling system. The monitoring apparatus includes a test package configured for being handled by the package handling system with non-test packages handled by the package handling system. The test package has a housing defining a test package interior and has at least one sensor positioned within the interior for sensing conditions associated with the package handling system. The sensor produces an output signal corresponding to the conditions that it senses. The test package further includes a support positioned within the test package interior and connecting the sensor to the housing so that the sensor is directed generally toward an outside of the test package for sensing conditions associated with the package handling system.

Abstract: A control system for a load-handling clamp includes first and second load-engaging surfaces for selectively gripping and releasing a load disposed between said surfaces. At least one of said surfaces is selectively movable toward the other by a hydraulic actuator. At least one fluid valve assembly variably regulates a maximum hydraulic clamping pressure capable of causing the actuator to move one of the surfaces toward the other in a load clamping movement. Preferably, a load geometry sensor produces an electrical effect that varies as a function of the geometric profile of the load. A data receiver preferably also obtains load identification information related to at least one characteristic of the load, other than the load's geometry. A controller, in response to the data receiver and load geometry sensor, operates to control the valve assembly's regulation of the maximum hydraulic clamping pressure.

Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.

Abstract: Items of equipment and assemblies for use in drilling or completion of a well or in other well operations are monitored from the time they are assembled for shipment to a particular well site for a job through the time of delivery and installation at the well site. Radio frequency identifier devices (RFID's) are mounted with the items to electronically tag them as they are assembled for shipment. The items are assembled into containers which can be readily inventoried during transit to detect loss or pilferage. Detailed information about the individual items can be encoded into the RFID at the time of electronic tagging. If desired, the shipping containers can be provided with separate RFID's detailing the particular items within the container and the progress of the shipment monitored remotely by satellite or the like.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention's method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating.

Abstract: The system of the preferred embodiment includes a container that functions to hold objects for shipping and storage; a sensor system coupled to the container that functions to detect the state of the container and an area surrounding the container; an output element that functions to display the detected information; a power supply that functions to collect, convert, store, and supply energy to the elements of the system; and a processor that functions to collect and store detected information from the sensors in order to connect the power supply to the elements of the system and to supply power to these elements on an as-needed basis to conserve energy.

Abstract: A package control conveyor system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable package conveying units each of which comprises a zone control module operably connected to a package sensing device and a package conveying unit for selectively activating and deactivating the package conveying unit, wherein the zone control modules are communicably interconnected upstream and downstream so that each zone control module can selectively activate and deactivate its associated package conveying unit in response to information provided by one or more upstream and/or downstream zone control modules.

Abstract: Each of guided vehicles has an operating condition memory unit for storing the total travel distance, the travel time, the number of travels, the number of errors at a stop position, and the number of article transfers. These values are evaluated by an evaluation unit 53, and the machine difference is measured again for each of the guided vehicles.

Abstract: A tag can transmit a tag signal, and responds to receipt of a wireless signpost signal by determining whether the signpost that generated the signal is currently active. When the signpost is respectively determined to be active and inactive, the tag respectively includes and excludes from the tag signal an information portion that relates to the signpost that generated the received signpost signal. In another configuration, a tag has first and second antennas, receives wireless signpost signals through at least one of the antennas, and responds to receipt of a signpost signal containing antenna select information by causing a selected one of the first and second antennas to be disabled and the other of the first and second antennas to receive wireless signpost signals.

Abstract: The present invention has a communication connection means (21) which mutually connects communicatably control units (Ca, Cb) for individually controlling operations of robots (Ra, Rb) to constitute a network, input means (37a, 37b) which are respectively installed in the control units and input operation instructions of the robots, and timing signal generation means (69a, 69b). The control units are selectively set to any one of an independent function execution mode, a master function execution mode, and a slave function execution mode, and among the control units, the control unit (Ca) to perform a master operation is set to the master function execution mode, and the residual control unit (Cb) is set to the slave function execution mode, and by correcting a minimum interruption period (Ts(b)) of the slave side control unit (Cb), a control time (ta11, ta12, ta13) to the master robot (Ra) of the master side control unit (Ca) is delayed by a predetermined time (T) to perform the cooperative operation.

Abstract: A plurality of carriages, each provided with a relevant mold holder press, are movable along a processing line comprising a press removal and/or replacement area. Whenever a carriage arrives in correspondence with the press removal and/or replacement area, a shuttle provided with gripping forks, comes alongside and is controlled to move in synchronism with the carriage to take out a mold holder press by lifting and removing it while the carriage is in movement; the shuttle subsequently provides to transfer, by the same system method, a new mold holder press onto the same carriage, or onto a subsequent empty carriage, in movement along the press removal and/or replacement area.

Abstract: In an for controlling a feeder or feeder cart used in a pick-and-place electronics assembly machine, non-physical contact transmitters and receivers transfer data, such as feeder trigger signals, feeder ready signals, and component identification and usage information, between the feeder and/or feeder cart and the pick-and-place machine. Wiring or other physical connections between feeder, feeder cart, and pick-and-place machine controls are not required. A common, universal interface between different types of feeders, feeder carts, and pick-and-place machines is possible.

Abstract: A tag receives a wireless signpost signal that contains a signpost code, converts the signpost code into location information representative of a physical location of a signpost that transmitted the received signpost signal, and transmits a wireless tag signal that includes the location information. In a different configuration, a tag receives a wireless signpost signal that includes a signpost code, and determines whether the signpost that generated the received signpost signal is a replacement for a different signpost. If it is a replacement, the tag transmits a wireless tag signal containing an information portion that relates to the signpost replaced by the signpost that generated the received signpost signal.

Abstract: An information processing device (central apparatus (2)) in a sensor network system is arranged so as to include an input-output processing section (101); an information converting section (103) and a resource specification information recognizing section (104) for dividing target information which is requested with the information request signal into a combination of information elements which appropriately compose the target information; a data acquiring section (107) for acquiring data of sensing results; and an input-output processing section (101) for outputting information based on the data acquired by said data acquiring section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating ocean fertilization efforts and inventorying carbon storage unit segments in ocean fertilization projects are disclosed. The system and methods can be used to segment and identify units of carbon sequestered for storage with additional information associated with the projects. The system and methods inventory carbon storage unit segments, segment the project into single carbon unit segments, associate an identifier with each segment, and index the identified segments and associated information. The system can be implemented via a computer system.

Abstract: A system and method for self-synchronization of modular production systems having components with various alternative capabilities for processing and transporting work units along transport highways, for various component/transport highway configurations. The method includes determining jobs of interest, with each job requiring the production of at least one work unit. The configuration of the components, including at least one machine module, and the transport highway is determined. Each component duration time is determined and a default self-synchronization time is identified. The default self-synchronization time is optimized by adjusting not less than one component duration time.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting objects is disclosed. In an exemplary system and method, at least one object is transported from a sending station to a receiving station. The transport occurs through at least one physical router that executes a decision about parameters of transport to another physical router or to the receiving station. An exemplary method comprises generating information for handling and moving the at least one object with reference to environmental data and transporting the at least one object based on the information.

Abstract: The application relates to a method for tracking product data for a product mass flow in a transport storage section of the tobacco-processing industry having the steps: production of product data sets which each correspond to approximately equal portions of the product mass flow entering the transport storage section, writing the product data sets into corresponding memory units of a data memory and reading the product data sets corresponding to the product mass flow emerging from the transport storage section from the data memory. The application further relates to a corresponding product dating tracking system.

Abstract: An object management apparatus is provided which can reliably and easily perform a confirmation operation of necessary objects depending on a destination when a vehicle travels. The object management apparatus comprises an object database for storing therein a list of necessary objects depending on the destination, a navigation device for setting a destination for travel of the vehicle, an object detector for detecting objects present in the vehicle, a missing-object determination section for comparing the actually detected objects with the list of the necessary objects corresponding to the destination to determine whether any object included in the list is missing or not, and a notification section for providing a notice when an object is missing.

Abstract: A computer readable design support program for inspecting a processing operation of software that controls a sheet conveyance mechanism by displaying the behavior of feeding a virtual sheet from a virtual sheet stock portion on a display portion, includes a sheets number setting procedure of setting the sheets number of virtual sheets stored in the virtual sheet stock portion, a sheet feed display procedure of displaying the behavior of feeding the virtual sheet from the virtual sheet stock portion on the display portion, a stored sheets number subtraction procedure of subtracting the stored sheets number of virtual sheets corresponding to the virtual sheet stock portion to which the virtual sheet is supplied in the sheet feed display procedure, a judgment procedure of judging whether or not the virtual sheet is used up in the virtual sheet stock portion where the stored sheets number of virtual sheets is subtracted in the stored sheets number subtraction procedure, and a paper out display procedure of displa

Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.

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: A dummy substrate (17) differs from a substrate to be processed in having a first guide (G1) for assisting centering, however, it can be handled as a substitute of the substrate to be processed. In a process chamber (2), a second guide (G2) is arranged to assist the dummy substrate (17) to center. To detect a transfer shift of a transfer mechanism (TRM), at first, the dummy substrate (17) is centered to a placing table (14) on the placing table (14) or at an upper position thereof by engagement of the first and the second guides (G1, G2). The dummy substrate (17) centered in such a manner is received by the transfer mechanism (TRM) and transferred to a detector (11). Then, a detection value of a decentering quantity and that in a decentering direction of the dummy substrate (17) are obtained by the detector (11), and a transfer shift of the transfer mechanism (TRM) is obtained based on the detection values.

Abstract: In a method for tracking postal items, the shipping details of each postal item are stored in a data base that can be interrogated and is updated during shipping. A data record which can be changed and completed is created in each original distribution center and for each postal item that is posted in the center. The data record contains a reference number and data that characterize the postal item and the shipping details. Each posted postal item is provided with an identification key in the original distribution center. The key uniquely characterizes the postal item. The postal items are transported to the destination distribution center, optionally via additional distribution centers. The reference numbers and the original distribution centers are subsequently detected in said succeeding distribution centers and the relevant shipping data including the reference numbers is electronically transmitted to the original distribution centers for completing the data records.

Abstract: A configurable self-identifying workpiece transport system is described for moving an associated workpiece relative to a plurality of associated workpiece functional units selectively performing operations on the associated workpiece. The transport system includes a plurality of transport modules and a control unit. The plurality of transport modules are disposed in selected positions relative to the associated workpiece functional units, and each of the plurality of transport modules stores identification data and functionality data specific to the transport module. The control unit includes an automatic identification system in communication with each of the plurality of transport modules for retrieving the identification data and the functionality data from each of the plurality of transport modules and generating an itinerary for moving the associated workpiece relative to the workpiece functional units.