Abstract: A materials handling system for processing packaged tobacco products is disclosed. The system includes a picking area where individual packages of tobacco products are picked and placed onto a transport mechanism. The system also includes a picking support software component that manages activity in the picking area. The picking support software component provides picking instruction output indicative of a sequence in which the individual packages of tobacco products should be picked and placed onto the transport mechanism. In one embodiment, the sequence blends the individual components of multiple tobacco product orders together such that the tobacco product orders are not completely picked consecutively from one order to the next.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing tobacco-oriented goods is disclosed. The method includes moving, in a consecutive sequence, a plurality of tobacco product containers across a path. The path takes them within range of a pushing mechanism. The consecutive sequence is determined based at least upon a picking support component that causes the plurality of tobacco product containers to interject tobacco product containers of a first order in between two different collections of tobacco product containers of a second order. The method also includes utilizing the pushing mechanism so as to remove the tobacco products of the second order from the consecutive sequence. This is done through activation of the pushing mechanism so as to route the tobacco products of the second order to a takeaway mechanism.

Abstract: Inventory management methods are provided. In one embodiment, an inventory management method includes receiving an indication of a received product. Available spaces in a warehouse picking area that can store the received product are determined. The received product is stored to one of the spaces, and the space is later reused to store a different product. In another embodiment, a plurality of available spaces for storing a product in a warehouse picking area is determined. The plurality of available spaces includes spaces that have different shapes. An indication of the available spaces and their locations in the warehouse picking area is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a user interface associated with a tobacco product stamping machine. In one embodiment, the user interface includes a visual representation of a batch of tobacco product containers. The visual representation includes an indication of a plurality of tobacco product types included in the batch. The visual representation includes an indication of a number of containers of a first tobacco product type included in the batch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing tobacco-oriented goods are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor. The pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order. Also received is a put-down signal from a put-down sensor. The put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down. A determination is made, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal.

Abstract: A materials handling system for processing packaged tobacco products is disclosed. The system includes a picking area where individual packages of tobacco products are picked and placed onto a transport mechanism. The system also includes a picking support software component that manages activity in the picking area. The picking support software component provides picking instruction output indicative of a sequence in which the individual packages of tobacco products should be picked and placed onto the transport mechanism. In one embodiment, the sequence blends the individual components of multiple tobacco product orders together such that the tobacco product orders are not completely picked consecutively from one order to the next.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a user interface associated with a tobacco product stamping machine. In one embodiment, the user interface includes a visual representation of a batch of tobacco product containers. The visual representation includes an indication of a plurality of tobacco product types included in the batch. The visual representation includes an indication of a number of containers of a first tobacco product type included in the batch.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing tobacco-oriented goods is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first set of data indicative of the outcome of an automated scan of a first package of tobacco-oriented goods. Based on the first set of data, a determination is made as to the brand of tobacco-oriented goods contained within the package. Based at least in part on the determination of the brand, one of a plurality of stamp heads associated with a stamping machine is selected. A command is then provided to the stamping machine, the command being an instruction to stamp the first package utilizing the selected stamp head.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing tobacco-oriented goods are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor. The pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order. Also received is a put-down signal from a put-down sensor. The put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down. A determination is made, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is disclosed for facilitating communication within an industrial application environment. The method includes receiving a signal from an industrial application simulation system. The signal is converted into a different format that is recognizable by a component that is outside of the industrial application simulation system.