Abstract: A robotic sorting system for sorting delivery items in one or more destination bins (208A-N) is provided. The robotic sorting system includes at least one robot (500) that includes (i) a delivery system for receiving a delivery item, (ii) a control unit (204) for determining a destination bin (208) for the delivery item to be sorted and determining a destination path for the at least one robot (500) to reach the destination bin (208), and (iii) an inbuilt lifting unit (512) for lifting the delivery item on the delivery system vertically up to a height of the destination bin (208) by lifting the delivery system. The delivery system transfers the delivery item to the destination (208) upon reaching to the height of the destination bin (208).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory media are provided for dynamically predicting visibility of freights in a constrained environment. An example method can include determining attributes associated with a load transported by a carrier from a source to a destination, the attributes including an identity of the carrier, an identity of an industry associated with the load, an identity of a shipper of the load, load characteristics, and/or a pickup time of the load; based on the attributes, predicting a route the carrier will follow when transporting the load to the destination, at least a portion of the route being predicted without data indicating an actual presence of the carrier within the portion of the route, the data including location measurements from a device associated with the carrier and/or a location update from the carrier; and generating a tracking interface identifying the route the carrier is predicted to follow.

Abstract: A method and plant for producing tyres for vehicle wheels in which: each vulcanizer of a plurality of vulcanizers is associated with a respective pick-up logic of green tyres from at least one storage area of green tyres; upon each request to vulcanize a green tyre in a vulcanizer of the plurality of vulcanizers, the pick-up logic associated with the vulcanizer is applied to select and pick up a green tyre from the storage area; and the respective pick-up logic associated with each vulcanizer includes a first pick-up rule of green tyres from the storage area and, for at least one of the plurality of vulcanizers, the first pick-up rule is changed into at least one second pick-up rule at least once during the production in the plant of at least one lot of tyres.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a conveyor for item transportation and an electronic apparatus therefor, the method including acquiring information associated with a plurality of destinations, identifying a weight for each of the plurality of destinations based on the acquired information, determining, in response to an item being identified, a destination among the plurality of destinations based on the identified weight, wherein the item is placed in the determined destination, and controlling the conveyor to transport the item to the determined destination.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would project a route and a delivery schedule for relevant mail pieces and would monitor carrier recorded tracking events for those mail pieces to determine whether or not actual tracking events are following the projected route and the projected schedule, and/or whether or not issues that might impact their delivery and/or their delivery schedule, may have arisen along their projected route; such exemplary embodiments would provide an alert to the relevant user(s) and/or other authorized parties and/or relevant carrier(s) and would facilitate user interaction by the relevant user(s) and/or parties to provide intercept and/or rescue and/or confiscation instructions; exemplary embodiments would facilitate automatic interfaces with the relevant carriers and delivery services for the subject mail piece to resolve rescue, item loss, insurance coverage, postage refund, intervention and/or confiscation instructions and issues.

Abstract: A plant and a process for producing tires wherein the process includes the steps of: a) building a green tire on a toroidal support in a building line of a tire production plant; b) transferring the green tire and the relevant toroidal support from the building line of the production plant to a first holding unit; c) transferring the green tire and the relevant toroidal support from the first holding unit to a vulcanization line of the production plant; d) molding and vulcanization the green tire in the vulcanization line of the production plant; e) separating the molded and vulcanized tire from the relevant toroidal support; f) transferring the toroidal support, separated from the relevant tire, from the vulcanization line to the first holding unit; and g) transferring the toroidal support, separated from the relevant tire, from the first holding unit to the building line of the production plant, wherein steps b) and g) are carried out through a first transfer device and steps c) and f) are carried out throu

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling movement and an applied force at the tip of the continuum robot that includes a plurality of independently controlled segments along its length. An estimated force at the tip of the continuum robot is determined based on measurements of loads and positions of each segment. A reference position command and a force command are received from a user interface. The reference position command indicates a desired movement for the distal end of the continuum robot and the force command indicates a desired force to be applied by the tip of the continuum robot to a tissue surface. The position of the continuum robot is adjusted to cause the tip of the continuum robot to apply the desired force to the tissue surface based on the estimated force at the tip of the continuum robot, the reference position command, and the force command.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses and methods for chronological grouping of individual goods, the groups which are formed being displaced one after another out of a first into a second collecting zone in such a way that an oldest group is always displaced as far as a target position which is defined in the second collecting zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tipping actuator for a conveyor system that comprises a plurality of article carriers moving on an endless conveyor in a conveying direction, each article carrier having a carrier frame for bearing an article, the carrier frame being pivotally mounted on the article carrier and operable to tip to enable discharge of the article borne on the carrier frame. The tipping actuator comprises a trigger member for contacting the article carriers to tip them and is configured such that, when in a non-contact position, the article carriers are able to at least partly tip towards the trigger member such that the contact portion of the trigger member is received by a portion of the article carrier. In another embodiment, a contact portion of the trigger is sloped with two different gradients. An electromagnet may be used to cause actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically filling wells of plates with biological material from a laboratory automation system for conveying biological samples or reactants contained in test tubes, and automatically routing said plates towards processing modules of said biological material. Said apparatus contains a platform interposed between said laboratory automation system and a handling system of consumable products, which includes a horizontal crosspiece whereon a first robot and a second robot are sliding mounted, the first robot being provided with gripping means of pipettes adapted to collect and release the biological material or the reactant, and a second robot being provided with gripping means of consumable products.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling movement of a continuum robot that includes a plurality of independently controlled segments along the length of the continuum robot. The continuum robot is inserted into a cavity of unknown dimensions or shape. A plurality of forces acting upon the continuum robot by the surrounding cavity are estimated. A positioning command indicating a desired movement of the distal end of the continuum robot is received from a manipulator control. The desired movement is augmented based, at least in part, on the estimated plurality of forces acting on the continuum robot such that movement is restricted to within safe boundaries of the surrounding cavity. The positioning of the continuum robot is then adjusted based on the augmented desired movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods that dynamically distribute status, cartridge movement and other types of requests and communications from a library manager to one or more libraries of a library string based on target or subject libraries in the requests. Upon receiving and/or generating a request, the library manager determines whether active connections (e.g., control paths) are available from the library manager substantially directly to the subject libraries and then distributes the requests over such active connections when available. When such active connections are unavailable, the library manager may distribute such requests over active connections to non-subject libraries which may forward such requests to the subject libraries via an inter-library communication interconnect.

Abstract: Systems, computer program products, and methods useful for handling or managing microplates are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the management of books returned by patrons in a library or similar setting are disclosed. In various aspects, apparatus for receiving a book from a patron, conveying the book, and placing the book onto a book collector in a near vertical orientation as well as associated methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An article transporting facility includes: a single predetermined path disposed along a plurality of article transfer locations and having a first end and a second end; a predetermined number of article transporting carriages traveling on the predetermined path; controlling means for controlling traveling of the predetermined number of article transporting carriages; wherein based on article transport request information for transporting an article from an original article transfer location to a destination article transfer location among the plurality of article transfer locations, the controlling means controls the traveling of the transporting carriages such that the controlling means selects an article transporting carriage from the plurality of article transporting carriages for causing the selected carriage to transfer the article from the original article transfer location to the destination article transfer location; and when a multiple request condition exists wherein a plurality of transport re

Abstract: A system for buffering articles in transport is provided. The system comprises a buffer module configured to buffer articles and a computing system. The buffer module includes a first conveyor configured to transport the articles and a transference node configured to transfer the articles between the first conveyor and an external location. The computing system is configured to maintain an inventory list including a present location of each of the articles buffered by the buffer module. The computing system is further configured to control operation of the buffer module to transfer a selected article among the buffered articles to the external location.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting and sorting a plurality of random length boards to form at least one row of boards having a total length within a predetermined target length range includes a measurement section operative to measure the length of each board and a sorting section which includes a sorting device and system for sorting the boards. An accumulating row section accumulates and stores rows of boards selected from the plurality of boards and a vacuum suction transport device moves rows of boards from the accumulating rows to a bundling section which receives rows of boards and then bunches and aligns the rows of boards and bundles the rows of boards in a board row bundle. Finally, a central processor performs all calculations and controls to properly sort the boards to create bundles of rows of boards having a total length generally within a predetermined target length range.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided for electronic device manufacturing. The first method includes the steps of (1) receiving a request to transfer a carrier from a first substrate loading station to a second substrate loading station of an electronic device manufacturing facility including a plurality of substrate loading stations, wherein the facility further includes a plurality of carrier supports coupled to a conveyor system adapted to move the carrier within the facility; (2) assigning one of the plurality of carrier supports to transfer the carrier from the first substrate loading station to the second substrate loading station such that at least one of a time required for the transfer is reduced and balance of the conveyor system is maintained; (3) moving the carrier from the first substrate loading station; and (4) moving the carrier to the second substrate loading station. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transporting articles throughout a fabrication facility according to assigned priority levels. Systems of the present invention are directed to conveyor systems that may include parallel conveyors and nodes where articles can be switched between conveyors. Accordingly, high priority articles can be routed around traffic by switching between parallel conveyors and/or lower priority articles can be rerouted or buffered to make a chosen route for a high priority article less congested. Methods are directed to selecting the most appropriate route for an article amongst the various possible routing alternatives.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus comprising a material delivery configuration configured with a first end and a second end, a transfer configuration connected to the first end of the garment delivery rail, a movable material handling arrangement configured to transfer at least one set of material on hangers supported by the arrangement, a computer, a user interface configured to accept, process and provide data to a user, the user interface connected to the computer to transfer and receive data, a clearing arrangement configured to remove material from the material delivery configuration; and an enclosure configured to separate a user from the movable material handling arrangement.

Abstract: A laundry inventory management system comprises several components in combination. A structure has a computer system with a program to store data with the computer being coupled to an electrical source. A pair of trolley rails with each rail having a set of indicia and rail supports. A trolley coupled to the computer has a shuttle track, a plurality of rail wheels, an indicia reading means and a motor. A shuttle with a motor and a pick-up gripper with a motor are coupled to the computer. A power source and a power means drive the trolley motor and the shuttle motor and the pick-up gripper motor. A computer program controls the movement of trolley, shuttle and pick-up gripper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sorter conveyor having a plurality of conveyor units with article-supporting means, such as tilt trays or cross-belts, equipped with discharge means for discharging articles conveyed on the article-supporting means, which discharge means are driven by means, typically electric motors, controlled from the moving part of the conveyor. The control signals for controlling the operation of each of the discharge means are communicated by means of a common data communication network situated on the moving part of the conveyor so that control signals for each of the discharge means may be communicated to the moving part of the conveyor from one stationary position along the path of the conveyor. The invention further relates to a method of controlling the operation of such sorter conveyor.

Abstract: A method of controlling an autoloader that supplies workpieces to a plurality of workstations. Each of the workstations is operable to generate and transmit a call signal, a ready signal and an error signal. In accordance with the method, the autoloader supplies workpieces to the workstations based on the chronological order of the receipt of call signals from the workstations. If an error signal is received from a workstation that is to be supplied with a workpiece, the autoloader instead supplies the workpiece to the next workstation that is to be supplied.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus 10 which uses a sorting/conveying line 11 with branch destination, including a branch line 22 for sorting the commodities more than a quantity necessary for the branch destination and a surplus article returning line 23 for returning surplus commodities after removing a required quantity to the sorting/conveying line 11.

Abstract: A control system (60) controls a material handling system and has a first control module (120), a second control module (140), and a third control module (160). The first module (120) includes a first control cabinet (12) for providing primary control to the first module (120), a first external component (20) for controlling an equipment component of the material handling system, and a modular interconnectivity component (30) for interconnecting the first control cabinet (12) and the first external component (20) for control of the first external component (20). The control system (60) further includes a first internal component (20) for operating the first control cabinet (12) and a modular interconnectivity component (30). The first module (120) has primary control of the second module (140) and the third module (160).

Abstract: System capable of being governed entirely by a computer, which permits the complete handling of a warehouse right from the entry of merchandise from suppliers up to its delivery to the customer, in the quantities and types of merchandise that may be specified. This requires the systems of storage and cargo breaking of the invention, which are interconnected in such a way as to permit the integrated handling of goods in the warehouse.

Abstract: A drop pocket system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by horizontally receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles, sensing reception of each flat article, engaging each sensed flat article, accelerating each engaged flat article into substantially downward movement, and conveying each flat article with the downward movement into a substantially horizontal orientation and movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting random length boards for nesting into a single row of predetermined lengths includes an accumulating conveyor with longitudinal tracks positioned adjacent a storage rack with the longitudinal channels aligned with the tracks. A scanning assembly is positioned between the accumulating conveyor and storage rack for scanning boards moving between the conveyor and storage rack, to determine the length of each board. The central processor is connected to the scanning assembly, and gates on the accumulating rack and storage rack, to automatically operate the system.

Abstract: A method for handling specific sample solutions for calibration and quality control by an automatic analytical apparatus in which a sample rack to hold calibrator bottles for required analysis items is set on a rack supply unit by an operator. Identification information of all calibrator bottles on the rack is read out, and data on corresponding calibrator samples are also stored. The operator enters analysis items to be measured, and a measuring channel to be used for calibration. Comparison is made between the planned number of requested calibrations and the number of permissible services to determine whether or not calibrator solution is sufficient. If it is determined to be insufficient, the required number of bottles are displayed according to the difference between the number of permissible services and the number of requests, thereby allowing the operator to add the required number of calibrator bottles.

Abstract: A sample handling method, in which the information on the sample to be examined is transferred throughout the entire measuring process by transferring the sample cup. The sample cups are handled in two independently operating drums, in which case at least two different handling phases can be carried out simultaneously in the measuring device. The diagnostic measuring device comprises a cassette drum, on the circumference of which the sample cup cassettes containing sample cups have been placed. The sample cup is fed to the first handling drum, which is simultaneously an incubation drum. After that the sample cup is transferred to a second handling drum, where washing, drying, measuring and discharge of the sample cup are carried out. The drums have been placed near each other, overlapping so that the transfers of the sample cup can be performed directly from one drum to another by means of transfer plungers.

Abstract: Featured is a device controller in a system having a multiplicity of such controllers and a conveying system and method for controlling a multiplicity of devices using such controllers. Each controller includes a plurality of bi-directional communications ports, a processor that processes information and provides outputs, where at least one output controls the device, and an applications program for execution within the processor that includes instructions and criteria for processing the information and providing the processor outputs. Specifically, the applications program includes instructions and criteria for communicating information between and among controllers; instructions and criteria for processing information received by a controller; and instructions and criteria for modifying the operation of a device responsive to the communicated information. For a conveying system having a multiplicity of conveying sections, a controller is provided for each section.

Abstract: An electronic-component supplying apparatus, including a bed with two linear guides; six tables movably supported by the guides, each table supporting electronic-component supplying cartridges such that respective component-supply portions of the cartridges are arranged along a straight line parallel to the guides, the six tables including a first group of three tables and a second group of three tables; three carriers which are movable, independent of one another, through three routes, respectively, each carrier being stopable at any position on the corresponding route, the three routes extending parallel to one another and the guides, within a carrier-movement area on the bed; engaging devices and engageable portions each of which is disengageably engageable with at least one corresponding engaging device of the engaging devices, one of (a) each of the six tables and (b) each of the three carriers supporting a corresponding one of the engaging devices, the other of (a) the each of the six tables and (b) the

Abstract: Featured is a sorting/diverting apparatus that diverts articles from a plurality of moving belts, the sorting/diverting apparatus including a plurality of rollers that are rotatably mounted to a support frame and a moving mechanism that moves the support frame back and forth between two positions. The controller controls the moving of the support frame and the operation of the drive motor so as to divert/sort the articles. Each controller includes bi-directional communications ports, a processor that processes information and provides outputs, and an applications program for execution within the processor that includes instructions and criteria for processing the information and providing the processor outputs to control the apparatus.

Abstract: The conveyor system for clinical test apparatus includes a main transport conveyor and a plurality of auxiliary conveyors located alongside the main transport conveyor. The auxiliary conveyors define straight line paths of travel parallel to the straight line paths of travel of the main conveyor. Each of the auxiliary conveyors is operated by drive means separate from the main transport conveyor. Two crossover points are provided between the main transport conveyor and the auxiliary conveyor. One crossover point is an entrance from the main transport conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor and the other crossover point is an exit from the auxiliary conveyor to the main transport conveyor. Each crossover point is controlled by a gate. One of the gates is a divert gate which can be actuated to block the main transport path thereby diverting puck traffic onto the auxiliary conveyor.

Abstract: An electronic-component supplying apparatus, including a bed with two linear guides; six tables movably supported by the guides, each table supporting electronic-component supplying cartridges such that respective component-supply portions of the cartridges are arranged along a straight line parallel to the guides, the six tables including a first group of three tables and a second group of three tables; three carriers which are movable, independent of one another, through three routes, respectively, each carrier being stopable at any position on the corresponding route, the three routes extending parallel to one another and the guides, within a carrier-movement area on the bed; engaging devices and engageable portions each of which is disengageably engageable with at least one corresponding engaging device of the engaging devices, one of (a) each of the six tables and (b) each of the three carriers supporting a corresponding one of the engaging devices, the other of (a) the each of the six tables and (b) the