Abstract: Storage systems for inventory control are disclosed. The storage systems include a vertical storage structure having a plurality of vertically-stacked pockets. Each vertically-stacked pocket can be configured to be separately openable for providing user access to contents of the vertically-stacked pocket. The vertical storage structure can be a vertical sliding-type door, a hinged-type door, or a wall-mounted cabinet.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for customers and vendors/service providers to pick up and drop off packages such as parcels, dry-cleaning/laundry, and the like. The present invention may provide a convenient point for users to pick up or drop off items. In varying embodiments, the system may be particularly useful in multi-unit residential buildings, retail stores and other store-fronts, as stand-alone kiosks in popular locations such as department stores, train stations, malls, street corners, and the like.

Abstract: A method of controlling a crane and a manipulator including determining the relative motion between a first platform including the crane and a second platform, determining the current position of the manipulator, and repositioning the manipulator to compensate for the relative motion between the first platform and the second platform and in accordance with operator commands.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring forces on a substrate lifting apparatus. The system includes a platen cartridge with a platen and a movable lifting portion. The movable lifting portion includes a plurality of lifting arms coupled to a plurality of lift pins. A plurality of force sensing elements are associated with respective ones of the plurality of lifting arms and the plurality of lift pins. A controller receives signals from the plurality of force sensing elements, correlates the signals to respective forces applied to said plurality of lift pins. The correlated forces may indicate to the controller that an error condition exists, such as a stuck wafer, a broken wafer, a mis-positioned wafer, or a mechanical malfunction.

Abstract: A media alignment device is described. The device comprises: a media drive turret including a drive member; and a controller. The controller is operable to: receive information about a lateral position of a media item as the media item is transported longitudinally along a transport path, rotate the media drive turret to an angular position required to drive the media item to an aligned position, and activate the drive member to move the media item in a direction transverse to the transport path.

Abstract: An object gripping apparatus comprises an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a plurality of workpieces; a workpiece state estimation unit configured to estimate positions and orientations of the plurality of workpieces from the captured image; a pickup-target workpiece selection unit configured to select a pickup-target workpiece from among the plurality of workpieces based on a result of the estimation of the workpiece state estimation unit; a workpiece pickup unit configured to grip and pick up the pickup-target workpiece in accordance with an operation path associated with a position of the pickup-target workpiece; and a path setting unit configured to determine an evacuation path along which the workpiece pickup unit that has gripped the pickup-target workpiece evacuates to the outside of an imaging range of the imaging unit based on an estimated moving time required for the evacuation.

Abstract: A method for fulfilling requests in an inventory system includes receiving a request indicating an activity to be completed. The method also includes selecting a holder to fulfill the request and an inventory station at which to fulfill the request. The inventory station is associated with a queue that includes a plurality of queue spaces. The method further includes moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station. Additionally, the method also includes determining that a trigger event has occurred and, in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for positioning a hot glass sheet G on a roll conveyor 24 for further processing utilizes sensors (60, 62, 64) for sensing a conveyed glass sheet position and a turntable (72) having an actuator (74) for providing axial shifting of rolls (26) supported on the turntable to properly locate the glass sheet G, without any sliding between the glass sheet and the conveyor rolls, both rotationally and laterally for further processing which is specifically disclosed as forming.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting a sample as an analysis objective in a state of being accommodated in a sample container comprises a judging unit which judges whether or not the sample container is positioned at each of first and second collection positions for collecting the sample from the sample container in order to perform each of first and second analysis processes and which outputs each of judgment results thereof as first and second collection position data; and a sample container identification unit which performs individual identification of the sample container in a transport route for the sample container and which outputs an identification result thereof as individual identification data.

Abstract: A mobile drive unit that freely and independently moves about a facility to transport inventory holders. The mobile drive unit may operate through communications with other drive units, or under a more centralized control of a management module. For various operating scenarios, the mobile drive unit is directed to shuffle the inventory holders in a manner that minimizes travel of the mobile drive unit, thereby improving overall system efficiency. One or more mobile drive units may be used to transport inventory holders to and from a region, and to sequentially reposition or slide each of the inventory holders within the region according to a priority ordering.

Abstract: An article processing facility includes a transport control device which controls operation of at least one article transport device, management control device which transmits to the transport control device a transport command for transporting the article from a transport origin to a transport destination based on transport data with identifying information, and a display control which causes a display device to display transport-data-associated information. The management control device manages and stores attribute information of the article such that the attribute information is associated with identifying information which identifies the transport data.

Abstract: A finisher is to receive output. The finisher includes a plurality of destinations in which to store the output. A controller is to identify an operational history of the plurality of destinations, and direct the output to the plurality of destinations based on the operational history.

Abstract: An object information registration device (100) acquires peculiar image information obtained by imaging surface patterns of objects at predetermined imaging spots before the objects are stored in containers and imaging time instants so as to be associated with respective objects having peculiar patterns on surfaces respectively in a manufacturing process of the objects, acquires container identification information identifying the containers containing the objects and time ranges in which the objects are stored in the containers so as to be associated with each other and registers the container identification information corresponding to the obtained peculiar image information so as to be associated with respective objects based on a time difference from the imaging of the objects to the storing in the container, the imaging time instants associated with the peculiar image information of the objects and the time ranges associated with container identification information of containers containing the objects.

Abstract: A system, method, and software are for moving inventory items to an unloading station in response to a fulfillment order. An input device is used to enter identification information about the inventory items. At a loading station, the inventory items are received and loaded into holders. The holders are then moved to storage area. A controller is configured for creating and storing a first association between the entered identification information and each of the holders in which each of the inventory items is placed. A selector and transporter are responsive to the fulfillment order and the first association, and are configured to select a holder which holds the inventory items corresponding to the fulfillment order, and configured to transport the holder from the storage area to the unloading station.

Abstract: A storage product carrier for a storage rack includes a plurality of carrier supports spaced one above the other, arranged in pairs on opposite side walls of the storage rack and able to support the storage product carrier which is conveyable by an automatic storage/retrieval device and an access opening for accessing the storage product carriers has a plurality of compartments having openings. A closure is provided to cover at least one of the openings, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to lock the closure of the associated openings and wherein the locking mechanism can be controlled to lock the closure in a closed position or an open position such that the compartment becomes accessible.

Abstract: A processing system according to embodiments has an article supplier which supplies an article; a first conveyor which conveys an object to be processed; a workbench which is provided on the downstream side of the first conveyor and places thereon the object to be processed, conveyed by the first conveyor; a robot which takes out the article from the article supplier and subjects the object to be processed, placed on the workbench, to an operation using the article according to a previously instructed operation movement; and a second conveyor which is provided on the downstream side of the workbench and conveys the object to be processed, which has been subjected to the operation by the robot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory processor readable media of the various embodiments enable control of a conveyor having a plurality of zones each having a control module configured to control a selectable speed of the zone. The various embodiments are disclosed in connection with, but not necessarily limited to, accumulation conveyors with control systems which selectively set the speeds of zones based on conditions of upstream and downstream zones. The various embodiments are directed to improving efficiency of accumulation systems by controlling zones based upon consideration of conditions of neighboring zones. The various embodiment also enable the generation and use of translation tables correlating zones with network addresses of their respective control modules.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail sorting equipment based upon various commingled data files and user selected options includes a sorter, an optimizing system, and a computer for optimizing the sort plan based upon the data files and user settings.

Abstract: A material handling systems provides efficient storage, retrieval and sortation of articles, utilizing a plurality of carts capable of traveling under storage areas with a three dimensional warehouse system and on multiple levels. The carts may convey items from storage to a goods to operator user interface. The carts may function as decoupled sortation units capable of providing sortation at multiple mobile sortation locations, providing vertical sortation. Carts may include conveying surfaces, and sort articles from between carts. Carts may transport more than one article and a plurality of carts may transport a single article.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stacking receptacles in materials handling facilities. An automated receptacle stacker may be integrated into a materials handling system to receive empty receptacles from upstream stations via an input conveyance mechanism, add the receptacles to a stack in a stack hopper, detect when the stack is complete, and output the stack onto an output conveyance mechanism. The output conveyance mechanism may convey the stack to a palletization station, and the stacker may begin another stack. This process may continue to build and output stacks of empty receptacles. In some implementations the receptacles may be stackable only when oriented correctly; in these implementations, orientation of the receptacles may be detected prior to stacking and incorrectly oriented receptacles may be either rotated to the correct orientation or diverted to a second receptacle stacker.