Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture to combine mail streams in a binding line are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing a mailing list including a plurality of addresses. The example methods also includes associating a primary book with a first set of the addresses and associating a secondary book with a second set of the addresses. In addition, the example method includes creating multiple primary books on a production line and depositing multiple secondary books in the production line.

Abstract: An inventory system can receive a receipt receptacle from a shipping vehicle. The receipt receptacle can be moved to a case shuttle without separating or sorting inventory items in the receipt receptacle. A mobile drive unit can move the case shuttle to a receiving station, where the receipt receptacle can be removed and where the inventory items can be stowed in a pickable inventory holder. A mobile drive unit can move the pickable inventory holder to an order-compiling station, where inventory items can be picked from the inventory holder into order receptacles. A mobile drive unit can move an order shuttle carrying order receptacles with completed orders to a shipping station, where the completed order receptacles can be transferred to a shipping vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques and devices are provided related to a handling system for cassettes for radiolabeled compound synthesis that include a magazine that is unshielded and that is configured to receive a plurality of microfluidic synthesis cassettes. In one embodiment, the plurality of microfluidic synthesis cassettes include nonradioactive reagents to generate a radiolabeled compound when reacted with a radioactive species. In this manner, a cassette handling device may be stored unshielded and may be coupled to a cassette handling platform to allow advancement of the plurality of microfluidic synthesis cassettes into the cassette handling platform and, in turn, a shielded radiosynthesis machine.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, paper sheet handling apparatus includes inspecting module configured to detect denominations and directions of paper sheets, accumulating modules configured to accumulate paper sheets, storing module configured to store setting information in which accumulating modules are associated with denominations and directions of paper sheets, sorting module configured to specify accumulating module which accumulates paper sheets based on denomination and direction and setting information and to convey paper sheets to specified accumulating module, controlling module configured to display setting screen by displaying module based on setting information and to update setting information based on operation input to operating module.

Abstract: A method of merging postal articles (11) for delivery together with mailpieces (2) sorted in a machine (1) into relevant delivery rounds, the method comprising the following steps: entering data into the sorting machine that is representative of the delivery addresses of the postal articles to be merged; in the sorting machine, simulating an ordered sequence of mailpieces for delivery on the relevant delivery round, and, on the basis of said data, determining in this simulated sequence respective locations for said postal articles to be merged; sorting said mailpieces into sorting outlets of the machine for delivery on relevant delivery rounds, and, while each mailpiece is being machine-sorted, detecting whether said mailpiece is a mailpiece adjacent to a postal article to be merged in said simulated sequence; and responding to each said detection by inserting a separator (10) into the sorting machine so as to direct it automatically towards the sorting outlet of the machine that corresponds to the deliver

Abstract: Mobile robots and methods involving mobile robots are provided. In one method, one or more items are manually loaded with one or more mobile robots. Operation of the mobile robots is coordinated, by a remote computer system and/or by one or more of the mobile robots, to sort and transport the items. The coordinated operation includes autonomously moving the mobile robots within their operating environment between respective locations.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a mounting member, an actuator disposed adjacent the mounting member, and a sensor connected to the actuator for sensing movement of an object using a signal. The actuator moves the sensor from a first sensing position to a second sensing position if the sensor is unable to read the signal.

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: Disclosed is an apparatus for handling electronic components. The apparatus comprises: i) a rotary device and a plurality of pick heads arranged circumferentially around the rotary device, each pick head being operable to hold an electronic component; ii) a position-determining device for determining an arrangement of the electronic components as held by the respective pick heads; iii) a fiducial mark arranged in a position that is indicative of the arrangement of the electronic components, as determined by the position-determining device; iv) a first imaging device arranged relative to the fiducial mark; and v) at least one handling device for handling the electronic components.

Abstract: A storage array includes one or more tier including a plurality of roller pairs and at least one motor for spinning each roller pair. Plates are positioned between each roller pair. A horizontal nudger is positioned above each plate moves tires horizontally within the storage array. A tire is moved longitudinally within the storage array by causing a roller pair bearing the tire to spin followed by lifting the plate below the tire, thereby causing the tire to roll forward or backward within the storage array. A controller coupled to actuators for the plates and the horizontal nudger invokes movement of tires in and out of the storage array and within the storage array according to a storage, retrieval, and inventory management program. Tires may include electronically readable chips that are detected by sensors at a front edge of the storage array that are coupled to the controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for measuring the distance between a robot blade and at least one measurement target are provided. A method for measuring the distance includes emitting a signal to the measurement target by a signal source assembly. The method also includes receiving the signal reflected from the measurement target by a signal reception assembly. The method further includes determining the distance between the robot blade and the measurement target. The distance is determined based on the time difference between the emission of the signal from the signal source assembly and the receipt of the signal by the signal reception assembly.

Abstract: Inventory holders in an inventory system can be moved among differing storage positions. The moves can be performed by mobile drive units not otherwise transporting inventory holders directly to or from inventory stations. A free mobile drive unit can move an inventory holder not likely to be useful soon at any nearby station from a storage position near the station to a position farther away from the station. A mobile drive unit can move an inventory holder likely to be useful soon from a storage position farther away from one or more stations to a storage position nearby one or more stations.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and method for managing and tracking controlled material movements receive significant movement information items at a controlled material movement control server and allow a plurality of users to readily access all or portions of the information items. The systems and methods apply predetermined rules to the movement information items to flag features of interest and facilitate the employment of limited real-world time and resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.

Abstract: A substrate transfer robot includes a hand to approach a substrate storage on which a substrate is placed, and to hold the substrate. An arm moves the hand. A controller controls a position and orientation of the hand. When in plan view, a substrate holding center at a time when the hand is holding the substrate is adjacent to the substrate storage and is at an access start position at a predetermined distance from the substrate storage, the substrate holding center reaches a substrate placement position in the substrate storage with a hand center line inclined toward an access straight line and with the hand holding center overlapping the access straight line. The hand center line is oriented from a base to a distal end of the hand. The access straight line is perpendicular to a front surface of the substrate storage and associated with the hand approaching the substrate storage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatuses and systems for determining the position of a carrier ring assembly supported by an end effector. In an embodiment, the position of the carrier ring assembly is determined by passing the carrier ring assembly through a plurality of through beam sensors. As the carrier ring passes through the sensors, a plurality of sensor transitions along points on the carrier ring assembly are detected. Each sensor transition indicates that one of the through beam sensors changed from an unblocked state to a blocked state, or changed from an blocked state to an unblocked state. The position of the end effector is recorded at each sensor transition and is associated with the sensor transition that caused the end effector position to be recorded. A position of the carrier ring assembly is then calculated from the plurality of sensor transitions and their associated end effector positions.

Abstract: A method of filling prescription orders includes inputting the prescription orders into a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device, processing the prescription orders with the pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device to fill a plurality of vials with desired pharmaceuticals, and transferring the plurality of filled vials from the pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device to a storage unit. The method also includes storing the plurality of filled vials in the storage unit until a customer claims one of the plurality of filled vials and directing the one of the plurality of filled vials from the storage unit to the customer.

Abstract: An automatic tire loader/unloader for stacking/unstacking tires in a trailer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, tires advance through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the tires within the trailer in a vertical stacking pattern or a rick-stacking pattern, for example. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement subassembly detecting objects, including tires, within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the tires provided to the control subassembly.

Abstract: A medicine distributing system includes a cassette placement portion for temporary placement of an individual distributing cassette including a large number of cells, a medicine container placement portion for temporary placement of a container for medicines, a medicine transporting device configured to put the medicines into the cells, and a distribution control device configured to acquire individual medicine distribution information to control an operation of the medicine transporting device. The medicine distributing system additionally includes a carrier placement portion for temporary placement of a medicine container carrier capable of housing medicine containers in a vertical column, and a medicine container transporting device configured to transport the medicine containers from the carrier placement portion to the medicine container placement portion.

Abstract: A control unit refers to a logical library information storage unit in response to a reception of an export process command from an external device, identifies one of the logical library units which is correlated with a physical recording medium in a physical library unit which has been ordered by the export process command to been ejected from an ejection slot, and correlates, in the identified logical library unit, the ejection slot to a logical recording medium which is correlated to the physical recording medium which has been ordered to been ejected.