Abstract: A reconfigurable automated system is provided. The system comprises a backbone including a plurality of docking ports, at least one module including a connector for releasably coupling the module to the backbone, and a motion unit, connected to the backbone, for providing an object to the module when the module is coupled to the backbone. The module connector and one of the docking ports form a connection interface, including a mechanical alignment device and an electrical connection, when the module is operationally coupled to the backbone.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a router that is configured to pass a pneumatic carrier therethrough and comprises a solid continuous curved tube, a tube rotational support, and a drive. The tube includes a first open end and a second open end opposed of the first open end. The tube rotational support is in operative supporting connection with the tube and enables the tube to rotate about an axis. The first open end is generally aligned with the first opening. In a first rotational position of the tube, the second open end is generally aligned with a first of the plurality of second openings. In a second rotational position of the tube, the second open end is generally aligned with a second of the plurality of second openings. The drive is operative to cause the tube to move between the first and second rotational positions.

Abstract: Sonic embodiments provide an agricultural commodity distribution system that provides secure distribution of an agricultural commodity to an authorized person. In some embodiments, the system comprises a server computing device, a data storage associated with the computing device, and a controller that activates the distribution to the authorized person. In some embodiments, the server is communicably connected to a mobile communication device of a person such that the person can send the distribution request to the server via the mobile communication device. The server of some embodiments is associated with the data storage such that the server can validate the distribution request against data stored in the data storage. The server of some embodiments is also communicably connected to the controller such that the server transmits an activation code to the controller when the distribution request is validated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor system for conveying individual piece goods, comprising: a number of conveyor motors and at least one control unit for sending data connected to each conveyor motor for regulating and/or controlling the conveyor motors. According to the invention, the control unit is connected with a bus line, a conveyor motor, and preferably each conveyor motor by means of the bus line, preferably without electrical contact. According to the invention, it is also provided that the modem(s) is/are designed in order to take energy for driving the conveyor motor and at least one data signal for control/regulation of the conveyor motor from the bus line and send them to the conveyor motor.

Abstract: A control device (50) and a conveying method for conveying carriers (40 to 49) in a machine (1) are provided. The control device (50) comprises a determining unit (51) for determining the velocity of a carrier (40 to 49) in a first conveying device (10) in which carriers (40 to 49) are conveyed with magnetic force and with variable velocity for each carrier (40 to 49) from a first position to a second position different from the first position, and an evaluating unit (52) for evaluating the velocity of carriers (40 to 49) in a second conveying device (20) in which carriers (40 to 49) are conveyed from a second position to a third position different from the second position, wherein the determining unit (51) is arranged to determine the velocity of each carrier (40 to 49) in the first conveying device (10) on the basis of the evaluation result of the evaluating unit (52) so that the carriers (40 to 49) move continuously between the first and second conveying devices (10, 20).

Abstract: An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central management controller can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers control local motion and navigate decision points, such as forks in the track, to reach the appropriate testing station independently. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example, within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer.

Abstract: A detection device includes a transmission belt, a lifting mechanism positioned below the transmission belt, a sensor, a capturing unit, and a processor. The sensor generates a product presence signal after sensing the product within the field of view of the sensor. The capturing unit captures an image of the product in response to the product presence signal. The processor detects whether the product is transported to first predetermined position; controls the lifting mechanism to lift the product until the product is lifted within the field of view of the sensor, acquires the captured image of the product from the capturing unit, determines whether the captured image matches a predetermined image, and controls the lifting mechanism to lower the product down to the predetermined position on the transmission belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging line comprising a packaging machine and at least one additional component, wherein the packaging machine and the component each have an at least partially local control and the packaging line has a line regulation/control. The present invention further relates to a method for operating a packaging line comprising a packaging machine and at least one additional component, wherein the packaging machine and each component have an at least partially local control and the packaging line has a line regulation/control.

Abstract: A method of processing items such as pieces of meat, by providing a stream of items by means of a primary conveyor means, allocating at least partly by means of a computer system one or more of said items to one of at least two workstations where said items are processed, e.g. cut and/or trimmed, resulting in one or more processed items, registering in said computer system information about a return of at least one of said one or more processed items to said primary conveyor means, and returning said at least one of said one or more processed items to said primary conveyor means in accordance with said information about a return, wherein the method further comprises keeping track of said items including when they are taken out and put back on the primary conveyor. The invention further relates to a processing system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The robot system includes a first robot, a first robot controller, a loading information storage device, a second robot, and a second robot controller. The first robot holds and loads one or more target objects to form a loaded body. The first robot controller controls a movement of the first robot. The loading information storage device stores loading information of each target object loaded by the first robot. The second robot holds and unloads the one or more target objects from the loaded body. The second robot controller controls a movement of the second robot. The second robot controller comprises a first movement mode determining part. The first movement mode determining part determines a movement mode of the second robot based on the loading information of each target object. The second robot controller controls the movement of the second robot based on the movement mode.

Abstract: A sorting system having a plurality of sorting assemblies where each sorting assembly has an image device that transmits an image of product to a controller that then actuates a robotic sorting device to remove damaged product through a suction tube based upon the transmitted image.

Abstract: Method for arranging rod-like elements including cigarette parts such as filter and tobacco parts, in which elements are delivered to a conveyor having successive sectors which arrange the elements in separate rows along the conveyor. The type, number and location of element transported on the conveyor are determined by at least a single scanning of each successive element on the conveyor. The scanned results are transmitted to a control unit which assigns each sector of the conveyor information according to its contents. The elements are subsequently sorted based on the information received by the control unit according to the type and the number of parts each element is composed of, the orientation of these parts in relation to the direction of movement of the conveyor. Each of the successive elements is transferred to a predetermined receiving area based on the information received from the control unit.

Abstract: A device for controlling material flows may include at least one feeding device for feeding material of at least one type of material, at least one output device for outputting material of at least one type of material, a transport device for transporting the material, at least one sensor for determining at least one state-dependent parameter of the device, and a control device for controlling the devices, the control device being designed to process event-based signals, e.g., signals from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable speed control system includes a reader, databases, processors and a conveyor controller. The databases store data concerning conveyor stops and failed attempts by the reader to identify conveyed items. Based on the failed attempts and the conveyor stops, the processors calculate an optimal speed of the conveyor. The controller adjusts the conveyor speed towards the optimal speed to increase the conveyed items successfully identified by the reader. Also disclosed are a corresponding method and computer readable medium on which is stored instructions to, upon execution, adjustably control the conveyor speed.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided with a conveyor section, a controller, a confirming part and a detecting part. The conveyor section conveys a belt-shaped work having a plurality of reference points arrayed discontinuously on a surface. The controller selectively operates the conveyor section for intermittently conveying the work for each prescribed interval as a first conveying mode and continuously conveying the work as a second conveying mode. The controller further operates continues the first conveying mode when the reference points are confirmed by a confirming part during the first conveying mode and switching to the second conveying mode when the reference points are not confirmed by the confirming part. The controller further continues the second conveying mode until the reference points are detected by the detecting part during the second conveying mode and switching to the first conveying mode when the reference points are detected by the detecting part.

Abstract: An adjustable speed control system includes a reader, databases, processors and a conveyor controller. The databases store data concerning conveyor stops and failed attempts by the reader to identify conveyed items. Based on the failed attempts and the conveyor stops, the processors calculate an optimal speed of the conveyor. The controller adjusts the conveyor speed towards the optimal speed to increase the conveyed items successfully identified by the reader. Also disclosed are a corresponding method and computer readable medium on which is stored instructions to, upon execution, adjustably control the conveyor speed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus according to one aspect of this invention includes a sheet holding unit configured to hold an envelope, and a detection unit configured to detect an opening width between guides for guiding an envelope held by the sheet holding unit. The printing apparatus further includes an identifying unit configured to identify a flap size of the envelope based on the opening width detected by the detection unit and a size set for the envelope held by the sheet holding unit, and a printing unit configured to print an image on the envelope by shifting image data based on the flap size identified by the identifying unit.

Abstract: A system for picking and placing glass articles from a first location to a second location, the second location including a thermal reforming apparatus for transforming the glass articles from 2D glass articles to 3D glass articles includes a robot having an end effector, the end effector including a compliance assembly having at least six degrees of freedom. The compliance assembly is in fluid communication with both an open pneumatic system and a closed pneumatic system, the open pneumatic system providing a partial vacuum to a portion of the compliance assembly for grabbing the glass article, and the closed pneumatic system for activating a centering function for a portion of the compliance assembly.

Abstract: A method for tracking the accumulated load and any load events that exceed a maximum threshold in a mobile farm implement. The mobile farm implement includes a plurality of load sensors which provide a weight of the material in a bin to an indicator, and a memory that stores the accumulated load and the highest load events.

Abstract: An adjustable speed control system includes a reader, databases, processors and a conveyor controller. The databases store data concerning conveyor stops and failed attempts by the reader to identify conveyed items. Based on the failed attempts and the conveyor stops, the processors calculate an optimal speed of the conveyor. The controller adjusts the conveyor speed towards the optimal speed to increase the conveyed items successfully identified by the reader. Also disclosed are a corresponding method and computer readable medium on which is stored instructions to, upon execution, adjustably control the conveyor speed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory processor readable media of the various embodiments enable intelligent speed control of conveyors (e.g., singulator conveyors, sortation conveyors, etc.) in a material handling system.

Abstract: Handling arrangement for handling individual containers or groups of containers having movable container handling structures for handling containers being moved thereby. Each of the container handling structures is adjustable using one or more positioning devices. Upon changing container types and/or container groupings, the container handling structures can be adjusted in their positions so as to handle the different containers.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.

Abstract: Method for monitoring and controlling a loading rate of a transport section with one or several individually speed-controlled consecutive partial sections (T1, T2, T3) in a filling line, including detecting a container loading over a certain region at an incoming region (E1) of the transport section; simulating a container flow in real time using the detected container loading in the incoming region of the transport section and a transport speed, the simulation including: entering the detected value for the container loading into a shift register (SR1); and synchronizing a shift register clock with the transport speed, so that the shift register content (DW0, DW1, . . . ) represents the container loading on the transport section.

Abstract: There is provided a loading and unloading apparatus for performing loading and unloading of workpieces with respect to access positions on a pallet, including a plurality of hands which sequentially access the access positions on the pallet, the plurality of hands including a first and a second hand. Further, the loading and unloading apparatus includes a managing unit which maintains an access position of the first hand, and a determining unit which determines a movement path of the second hand based on the access position of the first hand.

Abstract: A wide area radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes: a first RFID cell and a second RFID cell. The first RFID cell and the second RFID cell each include a reader and tags. The readers access the tags using ultra-wide band signaling. The RFID cells each include: a communications interface operable to communicate with a network operations center, and a communications gateway which supports direct communications between RFID cells. The method includes accessing the second RFID cell from the first RFID cell, and the accessing is performed using the communications gateway that can cover a range of at least five hundred meters.

Abstract: An electric drive apparatus for attachment to a swing away auger assembly includes a bracket and drive wheel adapted to be attached to the assembly and configured to pivot an attached swing auger. An electric drive motor rotates the drive wheel, and a control circuit assembly is connected to the electric drive motor by drive wires. The control circuit assembly is operative to activate the electric drive motor in response to forward, stop, and reverse drive signals received from a remote control unit. The control circuit is mounted to a heat sink plate such that heat generated in the control circuit assembly is conducted to the heat sink plate, and the heat sink plate forms an external wall of a circuit housing enclosing the control circuit assembly. The circuit housing is sealed. A bin spill prevention system has a sensor that shuts a discharge gate directing material into the conveyor.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an endless belt conveyor, comprising a sensor for sensing a vibration of an idler roller and generating a signal corresponding to the sensed vibration, at least one of the frequency and amplitude of the generated signal being indicative of a condition of the idler roller, the sensor being integral with the endless belt conveyor.

Abstract: The presented inventions seek to create a verifiable and closed loop chain-of-custody for a specific transaction in a pneumatic tube transport system while allowing a sender and recipient to perform asynchronous activity. That is, one aspect the presented inventions allows a sender to securely send a carrier to a desired recipient while allowing the desired recipient to receive the secured carrier at a convenient time and/or location without tying up system resources. Another aspect improves the physical barriers between high value payloads and the unintended recipients. This is done in part by introducing randomness into the carrier delivery process such that no member of the general public or facility staff knows the location and/or delivery time of a secured carrier without having access to specific database records indicating the current location and/or delivery status of the secured carrier.

Abstract: A universally adjustable star wheel for conveying articles on an automated handling line is disclosed. In one embodiment, the adjustable star wheel includes rotatable elements that are configured to rotate around a central axis. Each rotatable element has a central axis, a periphery, and at least one control surface for assisting in controlling the article being conveyed. The control surfaces on the rotatable elements are arranged to together form at least one pocket for the article, wherein the pocket has a width and a depth. The angle defining the control surface on at least one rotatable element is different from the angle of another rotatable element to form the depth of at least a portion of the pocket. In this embodiment, the boundaries of the pocket are configured solely by at least partially rotating at least some of the rotatable elements to adjust the location of the control surfaces of the different rotatable elements to form a pocket for the article being conveyed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A substrate processing system including a housing for housing at least part of a processing device, at least one target affixed to the processing device, the processing device having a first processing device reference point in a known relationship with the at least one target, at least one transmitter located within the housing and configured to transmit an identification signal identifying the at least one transmitter to the at least one target and a controller operably connected to the at least one target and the at least one transmitter, the controller being configured to receive data signals, based on the identification signal, from one of the at least one target and the at least one transmitter and control an operational characteristic of the processing device, based on the data signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing items such as pieces of meat, comprising the steps of providing a stream of items 10 by means of a primary conveyor means 4, allocating at least partly by means of a computer system 8, 20 one or more of said items 10 to one of at least two workstations 1 where said items 10 are processed, e.g. cut and/or trimmed, resulting in one or more processed items 11, registering in said computer system 8, 20 information about a return of at least one of said one or more processed items 11 to said primary conveyor means 4, and returning said at least one of said one or more processed items 11 to said primary conveyor means 4 in accordance with said information about a return. The invention further relates to a system for processing items such as pieces of meat, said system comprising the means essential to carry out the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: A sorting system is provided with conveying section, distance detecting section, article detecting section, determining section, acquisition section, and sorting section. The conveying section conveys an article. The distance detecting section acquires distance data indicating a distance, from above the conveying section, from the distance detecting section to an object included in a detection area including an area through which the article conveyed by the conveying section passes. The article detecting section detects one or a plurality of the articles based on the distance data. The determining section determines, when a plurality of the articles are detected, whether a plurality of the articles are sortable. The acquisition section acquires sorting information of the article.

Abstract: An automatic-adjustable stacker for controlling the movement of a media, such as cardboard, through a media handling system. The stacker includes a media receiver positioned proximate a feed of the media that receives a leading edge of the media and a controller that causes the media receiver to move from a first position for receiving the media, to a second position for depositing of the media at a desired location. The media receiver is configured to prevent the media from coming into contact with other media already located at the desired location until the media has arrived at the desired location, while creating a concave-like shape to the media while conveying it.

Abstract: Methods, devices, non-transitory storage media, and systems that utilize operations including configuring each feed conveyor in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in a slug-building merge mode, monitoring to identify a first predefined condition, configuring each feed conveyor in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in a zippering merge mode in response to identifying the first predefined condition, monitoring to identify a second predefined condition, and configuring a first set of the feed conveyors in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in the slug-building merge mode and a second set of the feed conveyors in the plurality of feed conveyors to simultaneously operate in the zippering merge mode in response to identifying the second predefined condition.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a conveyor belt; a conveyor rail including a track having a proximal end and a distal end, and a conveyor take-up for collecting excess conveyor belt; a conveyor carriage configured to move along the track between the proximal end and the distal end, the conveyor carriage including a base rotatably supporting the conveyor belt, and a target; a winch positioned proximate the proximal end of the track, the winch including a carriage cable coupling the conveyor carriage to the winch, a motor, and a motor sensor configured to sense a motor characteristic; a position sensor configured to sense a position of the target; and a controller having a memory and processor. The controller is configured to receive the motor characteristic and the position of the target, calculate a characteristic of the conveyor system, and output the characteristic.

Abstract: A picking system includes a conveyer, a robot, a main camera, and a control device. The conveyer conveys workpieces. The robot performs a holding operation and a moving operation on the workpieces. The main camera captures the transport path of the conveyer. The control device detects the workpiece on the basis of the image captured by the main camera and instructs the robot to perform the holding operation on the detected workpiece. Moreover, the control device instructs the robot to perform the holding operation on the overlapped workpieces when the overlapping of the workpieces is detected.

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 apparatus (1) for the handling of containers (10), with at least one handling device (2) which handles the containers (10) in a pre-set manner, a conveying device (4) which conveys the containers (10) along a pre-set conveying path, with a control device (12) for controlling the apparatus, with an input unit (14), by way of which information is capable of being entered in the apparatus by a user. According to the invention the apparatus (1) has an information output unit (20) for delivering information to the user, wherein this information unit (20) is made portable and is capable of being brought into at least indirect communication connection with the input unit (14).

Abstract: An interface apparatus between a pneumatic mail system and a feeding system of biological products to a laboratory automation system is described, the apparatus comprising a capsule suitable for being conveyed in a pneumatic mail system which accommodates therein one or more biological material containers, said capsule opening and connecting to a device for transferring said biological material containers contained in said capsule into at least one recruiting device of said biological product containers, said at least one recruiting device being used to load said containers of biological products into a positioning device interfaced with a gripping device of said biological product container for transferring said biological product container on an automatic conveyor belonging to a laboratory automation system. Said capsule has an inner chamber containing foam elements adapted to withhold said biological product containers present in said capsule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a glove (100) from a conveyor (200) characterized by: a camera (10); a pick-up assembly (20) comprising a pair of inner grippers (21) and two pairs of outer grippers (22); a pair of sensors (30); a robotic arm (40) mounted with the pick-up assembly (20); a processor.

Abstract: A drive control system for a moving device such as a vehicle uses a dynamic force vector program that is hosted by a computer on the vehicle. Variable controllers receive input from the computer that automatically adjusts drive and slave motors which in turn propel an associated drive member so as to maximize efficiency of the operation of the vehicle in various terrain conditions. Sensing devices provide continuous load and condition parameters to the computer that in turn adjusts the torque outputs for the variable controllers which in turn dynamically adjusts the vehicle's operation based on current operating conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting sort operators in identifying the appropriate location to sort an item. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package is provided. The system includes a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages; an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package; a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia; identify a particular bin within the plurality of bins associated with the received data; and trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.

Abstract: A control method for a complex consisting of a plurality of multiaxial handling devices arranged in succession and/or side by side, is provided. A complex consisting of a plurality of multiaxial handling devices, arranged in succession and/or side by side, for the execution of multidimensional working and/or handling movements and consisting of at least one conveyor facility for transporting objects is controlled. The handling devices are provided for picking up, processing and setting down the objects being transported along. The guide value for the multidimensional movement sequence of handling devices is modeled on one or more objects transported along by a conveyor facility as a guide value in a distributed multiaxial system with synchronous operation, such as for example in the case of a printing machine, a paper mill or rolling mill or the like.

Abstract: A routing module capable of conveying incoming articles from a plurality of infeed conveyor zones to a plurality of discharge conveyors is controlled efficiently to avoid gridlock. The control logic may consider upstream fullness and downstream fullness conditions. Articles may be conveyed to alternative destinations to avoid upstream articles from being delayed due to the lack of availability of the desired destination path for an article.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a conveyor system including a conveyor zone having a plurality of conveyor regions. A zone controller is configured to track the position of one or more articles within a controlled zone. The zone controller may be operatively coupled to controllers of adjacent zones, and may receive and transmit data relating to the position of articles in the controlled zone and whether the zone is accepting articles from the other controllers. Articles are moved within the controlled zone by selectively activating the zone based on determined positions of articles within the controlled zone, the positions of articles within adjacent zones, and/or the operating mode of the zone. The zone controller may thereby operate cooperatively with adjacent zones to manage spacing between articles by selectively positioning multiple articles within the zone, and may accumulate or discharge articles from the conveyor system in a desired arrangement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A system that includes at least a first, a second and a third three-dimensional element, each element including a centre point in the element, a motion-guiding module, coupled to the centre point and defining a predefined trajectory over the element, a motion module, adapted for displacing the centre point with respect to a second centre point of one of the other elements using the motion-guiding module of that other element, a motion-restriction module, adapted for limiting the displacement of said centre point with respect to the second centre point to at least one trajectory selected from the group consisting of the predefined trajectory and a second predefined trajectory of the other element.

Abstract: A basic idea of the present application is that in case of determining a position of the object on the surface, it is possible to also use transport mechanisms for the transport of the object on the surface which leads to less reproducible transport movements as the regulation may be executed directly on the basis of the observed movement as compared to the desired movement. Embodiments using compressed air, magnetism and/or bending waves are described.