Abstract: An automation apparatus for dispensing groups of individually packaged products, the apparatus including a storage arrangement adapted to store a plurality of products each contained in an individual package. The storage arrangement includes a first module and a second module, where the first module is adapted to store products having a first frequency demand threshold and the second module is adapted to store products having a second frequency demand threshold that is lower than the first frequency demand threshold. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fixed first discharge assemblies adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages from the first module of the storage arrangement and a second discharge assembly comprising a moveable pick device adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages out of the second module of the storage arrangement.

Abstract: A pick device and a picking system for picking a plurality of packages, the pick device including a rotatable housing and gripper arms extending radially from the housing. The picking system includes a plurality of storage tubes adjacent the pick device and a nest moveable with pick device from one tube to another tube.

Abstract: A dispensing system and associated method provides a turnkey solution for dispensing pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings.

Abstract: A pick device and a picking system for picking a plurality of packages, the pick device including a rotatable housing and gripper arms extending radially from the housing. The picking system includes a plurality of storage tubes adjacent the pick device and a nest moveable with pick device from one tube to another tube.

Abstract: A system for assembling and dispensing an order made up of one or more individually packaged items from a plurality of different individually packaged items includes a storage module containing one or more packages of each of the items, and a conveyor having selectively assignable spaces configured to receive the packaged items associated with a particular order and to transport the packaged items to a processing location. A pick device is movable relative to the storage module and is configured to retrieve a package from the storage module. A transfer station adjacent the conveyor receives one or more of the packaged items from the pick device and an actuator associated with the transfer station moves the packaged items from the transfer station to the conveyor when the assigned space associated with the order is in the registration with the transfer station.

Abstract: A dispensing system and associated method provides a turnkey solution for dispensing pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings.

Abstract: A system for assembling and dispensing an order made up of one or more individually packaged items from a plurality of different individually packaged items includes a storage module containing one or more packages of each of the items, and a conveyor having selectively assignable spaces configured to receive the packaged items associated with a particular order and to transport the packaged items to a processing location. A pick device is movable relative to the storage module and is configured to retrieve a package from the storage module. A transfer station adjacent the conveyor receives one or more of the packaged items from the pick device and an actuator associated with the transfer station moves the packaged items from the transfer station to the conveyor when the assigned space associated with the order is in registration with the transfer station.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the state of charge of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of determining the specific gravity of the battery and measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery at rest. The open circuit voltage at rest can be used to determine the battery state of charge from a correlation function dependent on the battery specific gravity.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the capacity of a battery. Various embodiments include applying a predetermined current ramp to a fully charged lead-acid battery while measuring a battery terminal voltage. An Iup can be determined, where the Iup is a transition from charging to overcharging. A specific gravity of the lead-acid battery can also be determined. The capacity of the lead-acid battery can then be determined from the Iup using a correlation function that describes the relationship of the Iup to the capacity, where the correlation function depends on the specific gravity of the lead-acid battery.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the state of charge of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of determining the specific gravity of the battery and measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery at rest. The open circuit voltage at rest can be used to determine the battery state of charge from a correlation function dependent on the battery specific gravity.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the state of charge of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of determining the specific gravity of the battery and measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery at rest. The open circuit voltage at rest can be used to determine the battery state of charge from a correlation function dependent on the battery specific gravity.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is a battery defect detection method comprising applying a current ramp to a battery; determining a first time (t1) when a current of the battery reaches a maximum current (Ipeak), and determining a second time (t2) when a terminal voltage of the battery reaches a maximum voltage (Vpeak). The method also includes determining a differential (d), wherein (d)=/(t1)?(t2)/, and wherein (d) corresponds to a magnitude of defects in the battery.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the available energy of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of applying an increasing current to the battery and measuring a response voltage of the battery when the increasing current is applied to the battery.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the specific gravity of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of applying an increasing current ramp to a battery and measuring a response voltage of the battery when the increasing current ramp is applied to the battery. When the current ramp reaches a predetermined current a decreasing current is supplied to the battery and the battery's voltage response is measured. The specific gravity of the battery can be determined based on the voltage response of the battery to the applied current ramp.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the capacity of a battery. Various embodiments include applying a predetermined current ramp to a fully charged lead-acid battery while measuring a battery terminal voltage. An Iup can be determined, where the Iup is a transition from charging to overcharging. A specific gravity of the lead-acid battery can also be determined. The capacity of the lead-acid battery can then be determined from the Iup using a correlation function that describes the relationship of the Iup to the capacity, where the correlation function depends on the specific gravity of the lead-acid battery.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is a battery defect detection method comprising applying a current ramp to a battery; determining a first time (t1) when a current of the battery reaches a maximum current (Ipeak), and determining a second time (t2) when a terminal voltage of the battery reaches a maximum voltage (Vpeak). The method also includes determining a differential (d), wherein (d)=/(t1)?(t2)/, and wherein (d) corresponds to a magnitude of defects in the battery.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the specific gravity of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of applying an increasing current ramp to a battery and measuring a response voltage of the battery when the increasing current ramp is applied to the battery. When the current ramp reaches a predetermined current a decreasing current is supplied to the battery and the battery's voltage response is measured. The specific gravity of the battery can be determined based on the voltage response of the battery to the applied current ramp.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the available energy of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of applying an increasing current to the battery and measuring a response voltage of the battery when the increasing current is applied to the battery.

Abstract: A method of predicting by non-invasive testing the available energy of a battery at any state of charge by acquiring data of the parameters of internal resistance (IR), open circuit voltage (OCV) and temperature (T), the points of voltage and current of the slope on a positive current ramp of Vup and Iup at the transition from charge to overcharge and on a negative current ramp of Vdn and Idn at the transition from overcharge to charge for a plurality of batteries. Next an algorithm in the form of a linear equation is developed using this data. The available energy of a battery under test is predicted by acquiring from it the numerical data values of these parameters and applying them to the algorithm.

Abstract: A method of predicting by non-invasive testing the available energy of a battery at any state of charge by acquiring data of the parameters of internal resistance (IR), open circuit voltage (OCV) and temperature (T), the points of voltage and current of the slope on a positive current ramp of Vup and Iup at the transition from charge to overcharge and on a negative current ramp of Vdn and Idn at the transition from overcharge to charge for a plurality of batteries. Next an algorithm in the form of a linear equation is developed using this data. The available energy of a battery under test is predicted by acquiring from it the numerical data values of these parameters and applying them to the algorithm.