Abstract: A hydrogen gas inventory acquisition system configured to acquire an inventory of a hydrogen gas in a plurality of off-site hydrogen stations, includes a log data creation device configured to create log data obtained by recording each parameter data sampled at an individual sampling timing set to each hydrogen station of the plurality of off-site hydrogen stations in combination with identification information of each of the plurality of off-site hydrogen stations from a plurality of parameter data measured by a plurality of meters disposed in the each hydrogen station to calculate an inventory of the hydrogen gas in the each hydrogen station; an inventory calculation device configured to calculate the inventory of the hydrogen gas at an individual calculation timing set to the each hydrogen station by using the log data; and a sorting device configured to acquire inventory data of the hydrogen gas in the each hydrogen station.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional storage grid for storing storage containers; first and second container handling vehicles operating on the storage grid; and a central communication system for controlling and communicating with the container handling vehicles for handling storage containers in the storage grid. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a barrier separating the three dimensional storage grid into a first section and a second section. The barrier has two states: a first state in which the container handling vehicles are allowed to move between the first section and the second section; and a second state, in which the container handling vehicles are physically prevented from moving between the first section and the second section by means of the barrier.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to control a product distribution conveyor system comprising: a conveyor control circuit; a product feed conveyor system; conveyor lane systems cooperated with the conveyor lane system; routing systems that cause movement of respective products from the feed conveyor system to one of the conveyor lane systems; and a plurality of sensor systems; wherein the conveyor control circuit is further configured to enhance throughput of the at least one feed conveyor system by associating each of the plurality of conveyor lane systems one of a plurality of retail stores such that a total volume of the products is substantially equally distributed over the plurality of conveyor lane systems comprising organizationally subdividing conveyor lane systems to define a plurality of lane subdivisions, and associating each retail store with a respective one of the plurality of lane subdivisions.

Abstract: A plant product extraction apparatus or extractor is provided for separating or grading fine particles from a larger portion of material, such as separating trichomes from a stalk or flower of a plant. The apparatus imparts a plurality modes or patterns of oscillations and vibrations to a particle separator or sieve that holds the plant matter. A motor drives a back and forth motion to a support platform supporting a sieve. The sieve is constrained by a retention tray that is supported by the support platform. One or more vibratory motors provide rapid shaking vibration through the retention tray to the sieve. A haptic transducer or mechanical agitators may be provided to increase throughput of the apparatus. The various motors and locomotion patterns facilitate the separation of finer plant materials from a larger portion of a plant.

Abstract: A separation apparatus for separating fruit from other plant matter from harvested plant material, the apparatus comprising a conveyor system that defines a first separation system, a second separation system located at least partially above the first separation system comprising an array of rotatable rollers to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to provide a plurality of openings permitting the transit of separated fruit therethrough while preventing the transit of other plant matter, a third separation system in the form of a de-stemming unit downstream of the second separation system, a plant matter distribution system, for distributing plant matter away from the collection apparatus, wherein fruit pass through any one or more of the first, second and third separation systems for collection in the collection unit.

Abstract: A system and method is described for detecting abnormal contacts and misalignment of end effector of a robot arm during robotic arm operation. A contact shock transients sensing unit detects signals on the robot arm and generates alarms, identifies the location of the contact shock transients in the robot arm operation, and controls robot arm operation to prevent further damage to the robot arm and articles handled by the robot arm.

Abstract: A deform lead-retract removal track is provided which is configured to convey non-defective integrated circuit packages and remove integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect. The distance between the outside walls of the track is less than the distance between leads of the non-defective integrated circuit packages and greater than the distance between the leads of the integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect. The defective integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect are unable to enter the track or will become stuck on the track.

Abstract: A device is for sorting a container for a conveyor. The container includes an electronic chip storing at least one data item relating to the container or to the chip. The conveyor is capable of driving the container and has a first and a second path. The sorting device includes a chip reader configured to read the stored data, which can be referred to as read data. The device also has an arm, which is movable between a first position and at least one guiding position. In the guiding position, the arm is configured to force the container of the first path to follow the second path. The device further includes a calculator adapted to output a control law for the arm, which controls the position of the arm and depends on the read data.

Abstract: A conveyance system according to the present disclosure includes a conveyance request receiver that receives the conveyance requests of the conveyance targets, a starting area selector that selects a starting area from among the partial areas, a partial area traveling order setter that sets the starting area to one of the partial areas to be traveled first and sets partial area traveling order for traveling of an automatic conveyance apparatus, and a storage position traveling order setter that sets storage position traveling order of the automatic conveyance apparatus inside each of the partial areas. The automatic conveyance apparatus travels the partial areas in accordance with the partial area traveling order and travels the storage positions in accordance with the storage position traveling order inside each of the partial areas so as to convey the conveyance targets corresponding to the received conveyance requests inside the entire area.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining an identifier from an item is disclosed. The method includes autonomously operating a robotic structure having a robotic arm to pick an item using an end effector of the robotic arm along a predetermined path from a source location to a destination location according to a plan. The picked item is moved according to the plan. An active measure is determined to be performed at least in part to obtain an identifier determined to be missing based on information received via the communication interface from one or more sensors. The robotic structure is autonomously operated to place the item at the destination location based at least in part on the plan.

Abstract: An apparatus forms stacks of interfolded sheets. First and second folding rolls receive the plurality of sheets, move the plurality of sheets through the nip, and fold the plurality of sheets into a stack of interfolded sheets downstream of the nip. A packing finger is associated with each folding roll, and the respective packing fingers move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the corresponding folding roll with alternate movement relative to each other between the retracted position and the extended position to engage the plurality of sheets and form the stack of interfolded sheets. A fluid delivery system delivers fluid to a sheet in the plurality of sheets at or after the folding rolls.

Abstract: A stocker system includes an operation controller to control operation of stacker cranes in a plurality of stockers, a maintenance room provided between adjacent stockers to allow entry of both stacker cranes in the adjacent stockers and capable of accommodating at least one of the stacker cranes, and an identifier to identify which of the stacker cranes in the adjacent stockers is the stacker crane accommodated in the maintenance room. The operation controller restricts operation of the stacker crane identified by the identifier.

Abstract: A sieve system includes a sieve for screening material by selectively passing first particles and not passing second particles of the material based on respective dimensions of the particles relative to dimensions of screening apertures in the sieve. A holding container feeds material to the sieve and a fines container receives the first particles screened by the sieve. A first fines container load is measured at a first time, and a second fines container load is measured at a second time. A fines rate is determined by a rate of change of the fines container load based on the measured first and second fines container loads and the first and second times. An operating condition of the sieve system is based on the fines rate and may provide an indication that the operation of the sieve, another component, or the sieve system as a whole is acceptable or unacceptable.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes remotely operated vehicles, a main grid in which the vehicles operates, a service grid for placement of vehicles for service, and a control system for controlling the vehicles. The control system includes a data record for the status of a vehicle state for each vehicle. Each remotely operated vehicle includes a label and the service grid includes a reader for reading the label so as to identify each vehicle passing the reader. The control system receives a signal from the reader and, upon receipt, compares the data record with an observed vehicle state of the identified vehicle and either updates the data record with the observed vehicle state or indicates to an operator that a difference exists between the observed vehicle state and the vehicle state on the control system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling at least one container including a medical product, the at least one container being provided with an electronic tag, the dispenser including: a plurality of inner walls delimiting a storage volume, the plurality of inner walls including side walls delimiting a single access opening for the storage volume, the dispenser being suitable for receiving at least one container; and a reader capable of reading the at least one information item stored in the memory of each electronic tag, the reader including a plurality of loop-shaped antennas, each side wall including a support able to house at least one part of one of the antennas.

Abstract: An order fulfillment and delivery system for autonomously fulfilling orders while en route to a delivery location. The system includes a delivery vehicle having a storage area, a robotic system at least partially disposed within the storage area and one or more processors. The one or more processors being configured to receive an order of one or more inventory items, generate container retrieval instructions for the robotic system to perform based on the received order and transmit to the robotic system the container retrieval instructions to perform. The robot system includes a container retrieval device movable in at least two dimensions to engage and move a container, based upon the container retrieval instructions, from a first location within the delivery vehicle to a second location within the delivery vehicle.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a polishing head management system and method. The polishing head management system includes: a storage device, a pick-and-place device and a data acquisition device, where the storage device is used to store polishing heads; the pick-and-place device is used to pick a polishing head or place a polishing head into the storage device; the data acquisition device is connected with the storage device and the pick-and-place device, and is used to record at least one management cycle of the polishing head.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of integrated on-demand labeling of item containers. In particular, this disclosure relates systems and methods for automatically creating and using placards to label, track, and organize item containers and items.

Abstract: A system for sorting materials comprising a sorting apparatus comprising a handling tool and a robotized arm for displacing the handling tool over the materials; and a vacuum apparatus creating a depression and having a tubing extending from a source for the depression to the handling tool where the tubing for the vacuum apparatus ends and where it defines a diameter. The handling tool is adapted to be displaced to a selected item among the materials and perform a contact therewith with the end of the tubing for the vacuum apparatus for either: grabbing the selected item if the selected item is larger than the diameter; or sucking up the selected item if the selected item is smaller than the diameter, wherein sucking up the selected item has the selected item travel under the effect of the vacuum apparatus.

Abstract: A froth bubble moving speed measuring device includes a light source configured to illuminate an upper surface of a flotation tank, an imaging unit configured to capture at least a part of the upper surface of the flotation tank, and an arithmetic processing unit configured to calculate a moving speed of a froth bubble by calculating a moving distance of the froth bubble based on the image processed by the image processing unit.