Abstract: The dynamic package sortation device includes a track for handling a plurality of packages is provided. At least one conveyor extends away from the track towards at least two shipping containers. The at least one conveyor is extendable and retractable for dispensing the packages into a first shipping container of the at least two shipping containers and a second condition for dispensing the packages into a second shipping container of the at least two shipping containers. A controller is provided for providing an instruction to move the at least one conveyor between the first condition and the second condition based on a trigger.

Abstract: A die sorter tool may include a first conveyor, and a first lane to receive, from one or more load ports and via the first conveyor, a carrier with a set of dies. The die sorter tool may include a die flip module to receive the carrier from the first lane, manipulate one or more dies of the set of dies by changing orientations of the one or more dies, and return the one or more dies to the carrier after manipulating the one or more dies and without changing positions of the one or more dies within the carrier. The die sorter tool may include a second conveyor, and a second lane to receive, via the second conveyor, the carrier from the die flip module, and provide, via the first conveyor, the carrier to the one or more load ports.

Abstract: An energy efficient autonomous laundry system includes a plurality of combination washing and drying machines, at least one exhaust combining manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of combination washing and drying machines, at least one heat pump receiving combined exhaust from the manifold, one or more sensors disposed throughout the airflow of the system, and a controller in operative communication with all of these system components. The controller is configured to receive an output signal, analyze at least one air characteristic associated with the one or more sensors, determine, based on the analysis, whether the at least one air characteristics is within a preprogrammed range of values for at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity, and adjust one or more controls, including controls for adjusting at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity at the one or more locations within the system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tag for fabric is described. The tag includes a radio module with an ultra high transmission frequency, a radio-frequency identification integrated circuit connected to the UHF module, an antenna, and a substrate, and includes mounting the UHF radio module and the RFID integrated circuit on the substrate, these being already electrically connected by means of metal tracks, and mounting the antenna on the substrate. The method includes applying a protective coating on the UHF radio module and on the RFID integrated circuit, which includes coating the metal tracks for electrical connection between the RFID integrated circuit and the UHF radio module and, furthermore, coating a surface portion of the substrate situated around the UHF radio module and the RFID integrated circuit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic package tracking and prioritized reordering include receiving, through a network interface, information relating to an order, a first package identifier associated with a first package, and event data associated with a plurality of package identifiers that include the first package identifier, the order comprising a first group of items, where the first package is configured to hold the first group of items and is to be delivered to a first recipient within a first predetermined period of time through one or more existing routes; parsing the event data based on the first package identifier; determining whether the first package exists based on the information; and transmitting a signal to a computer system to deliver the first package or to reorder the first package based on the determinations.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting device includes an enclosed channel including a plurality of sequential work volumes and a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the enclosed channel for rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of deformable dirty laundry articles and passing the at least one deformable laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes an inlet orifice for receiving the dirty laundry articles into the enclosed channel and an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel into sorting bins.

Abstract: A die sorter tool may include a first conveyor, and a first lane to receive, from one or more load ports and via the first conveyor, a carrier with a set of dies. The die sorter tool may include a die flip module to receive the carrier from the first lane, manipulate one or more dies of the set of dies by changing orientations of the one or more dies, and return the one or more dies to the carrier after manipulating the one or more dies and without changing positions of the one or more dies within the carrier. The die sorter tool may include a second conveyor, and a second lane to receive, via the second conveyor, the carrier from the die flip module, and provide, via the first conveyor, the carrier to the one or more load ports.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a smart device (100) for optimizing storage space. The smart device (100) comprising a processor (104); a plurality of slots (102), wherein each slot holds at-least one hanger (106) wherein the processor (104) is enabled to communicate with all the slots (102) to determine their status like occupancy, description of the garment or similar item on the particular hanger, and weight of garment or similar information.

Abstract: Actuating an air conveyor device is disclosed, including: causing an airflow to be generated by an airflow generator of an air conveyor device, wherein the airflow generator is configured to cause the airflow to enter an intake port of the air conveyor device and exit from an outlet port of the air conveyor device in response to receiving air at an air input port of the air conveyor device; causing a target object to be captured by the air conveyor device using the airflow; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the air conveyor device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the air conveyor device.

Abstract: A method to store sample tubes in a laboratory storage and retrieval system is presented. The laboratory storage and retrieval system comprises a storage section, a database comprising a sample tube inventory of the storage section, a control device, and at least one sample tube transport system. The storage section comprises at least two storage subsections. In a first step of the method, the control device identifies at least two sample tubes with at least one substantially identical sample tube attribute and distributed over the at least two storage subsections. In a second step of the method, the at least one sample tube transport system consolidates the at least two sample tubes in at least one storage subsection, wherein the control device further determines in which of the at least two storage subsections the identified sample tubes are consolidated.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluorescent marking compositions and their use to determine whether a surface has been cleaned. More particularly, the marking compositions comprise fluorescent polymers.

Abstract: An automatic drug compounder system may be provided with various components and capabilities for reconstituting a drug in a vial and providing the reconstituted drug to a receiving container. The system may include a camera for capturing images of the vial and processing circuitry for extracting information such as a lot number and an expiration date from the images. The system may rotate the vial while capturing the images to capture images of the entire vial. The processing circuitry may search a portion of the image for the lot number and expiration date, the portion based on stored information. The stored information may include a location, orientation, font size, or font color for printed information for a particular vial. The stored information may be retrieved based on a bar code read by the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying and/or distinguishing materials by means of luminescence, wherein at least one luminescent substance is incorporated into the material and/or applied onto the material and the luminescence behaviour of the substance is analysed after excitation by means of radiation, and the use thereof for identifying and/or sorting and/or recycling and/or authenticating and/or performing a quality check and/or formulation check on materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic package tracking and prioritized reordering include receiving, through a network interface, information relating to an order, a first package identifier associated with a first package, and event data associated with a plurality of package identifiers that include the first package identifier, the order comprising a first group of items, where the first package is configured to hold the first group of items and is to be delivered to a first recipient within a first predetermined period of time through one or more existing routes; parsing the event data based on the first package identifier; determining whether the first package exists based on the information; and transmitting a signal to a computer system to deliver the first package or to reorder the first package based on the determinations.

Abstract: A special use portable computing device and associated method and computer program product. The device includes: a global positioning system (GPS) device to obtain a geographical location of a computer related asset from a GPS; specialized hardware to manage asset data comprising an identification of a first GPS locator which provides to the GPS an incorrect identification of the geographical location of the computer related asset due to first GPS locator not positioned on the computer related asset, and wherein a second, different GPS locator is positioned on the computer related asset; and specialized hardware to manage display of a graphical user interface (GUI) and to receive via the GUI a directive to change the identification of the first GPS locator in the asset data to an identification of the second GPS locator which provides to the GPS a correct identification of the geographical location of the computer related asset.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for print media buffering and sorting. An apparatus for performing at least one of buffering and sorting during an operation includes a storage section, an input section configured to receive at the storage section at least a portion of a printed element, a gripper associated with the input section, the gripper configured to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the input section to the storage section and to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section, and an output section configured to selectively transfer the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section.

Abstract: A process for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the process comprising adding at least two fluorescent taggants to oils or lubricants contained in processing machinery for said product, irradiating said product, causing at least one of said taggants to fluoresce and detecting radiation emitted by said fluorescing taggant in an oil-contaminated product.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system and method includes a data base that is adapted to store data defining a plurality of customer orders. Each of the customer orders is a single item order having only one particular inventory item assigned to that order or a multiple item order having multiple particular inventory items assigned to that order. An inventory area stores inventory items that are available for fulfilling customer orders, and is responsive to said data base to retrieve particular inventory items from said inventory area that are assigned to customer orders in order to fulfill those orders. A sortation system combines particular inventory items together that make up an order. The sortation system has an automated induct subsystem and a sorter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material, preferably a plastic material, comprising foreign substances, characterised in that the material further comprises fluorescent compounds, and a process for sorting a mixture of materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic package tracking and prioritized reordering include receiving, through a network interface, information relating to an order, a first package identifier associated with a first package, and event data associated with a plurality of package identifiers that include the first package identifier, the order comprising a first group of items, where the first package is configured to hold the first group of items and is to be delivered to a first recipient within a first predetermined period of time through one or more existing routes; parsing the event data based on the first package identifier; determining whether the first package exists based on the information; and transmitting a signal to a computer system to deliver the first package or to reorder the first package based on the determinations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying plastics and/or the additives therein, wherein at least some of the plastic material is irradiated with light of at least one wavelength, at least some of the light reflected by the plastic material is detected and analyzed, and the plastic material and/or the additive therein is/are identified on the basis of the result of the analysis. The disclosed method utilizes a fluorescence decay time constant of the intrinsic fluorescence of the plastic material and, if applicable, of the additive(s) therein, which is determined on the basis of the detected light, and the plastic material and/or the additive(s) therein is/are identified on the basis of the determined fluorescence decay time constant.

Abstract: A first amount of sperm of a first animal and a second amount of sperm of a second animal of the same species, the first amount of sperm and the second amount of sperm sex-selected sperm of the same sex, useful in the in-vivo or in-vitro fertilization of an egg of a female animal of the same species of animal for the production of sex-selected embryos and sex-selected offspring.

Abstract: A process for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the process comprising adding at least two fluorescent taggants to oils or lubricants contained in processing machinery for said product, irradiating said product, causing at least one of said taggants to fluoresce and detecting radiation emitted by said fluorescing taggant in an oil-contaminated product.

Abstract: The label creating device is configured to image the article and generate code information including first characteristic information indicating a characteristic of the article and first identification information associated with the article. The label creating device is configured to create the label on which the code information is printed. The information device is configured to image the article and the code information, to extract the first characteristic information and the first identification information from the code information, to analyze the characteristic of the article, to generate the second characteristic information, and to acquire the second identification information used for determining the first identification information. The information device is configured to determine whether the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information match each other, and whether the first identification information and the second identification information match each other.

Abstract: A system and method for locating group members. In various aspects, a set of wearable articles are grouped together. Each of the wearable articles may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. An RFID positioning system within a venue receives RFID position data indicating a location for each wearable article in the set of wearable articles. Based on the RFID position data, the system and method detect that a first wearable article within the set of wearable articles is no longer within a permitted location of the venue. The system and method transmit an alert to a mobile device associated with a second wearable article within the set of wearable articles.

Abstract: A method for checking a faultless joint between a first and a second component of a medical device, namely a drip chamber and a spike, wherein the first component has an annular coupling edge facing downwardly to be sprayed interiorly with a liquid solvent. The solvent is mixed with a tracer detectable through ultraviolet or infrared light and the coupling edge is illuminated with a ultraviolet or infrared light so as to make an image of the sprayed solvent, which is reflected and captured by an electronic scanning device configured to establish whether such image is faultless, visible through a tracer.

Abstract: This specification generally relates to automated training and evaluation of employees. One example method includes presenting a clothing selection task to an employee, the clothing selection task including providing categories of clothing items to the employee and directing the employee to select a clothing item for each of the categories, and associated with a training scenario including evaluation criteria for evaluating the clothing items selected by the employee; in response to presenting the clothing selection task to the employee, identifying a set of clothing item selections by the employee associated with the categories included in the clothing selection task; in response to identifying the set of clothing item selections, automatically evaluating the set of clothing item selections based on the evaluation criteria included in the training scenario associated with the clothing selection task; and presenting a result of automatically evaluating the set of clothing item selections to the employee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing personalized delivery services by a carrier providing a package delivery service. For example, a consignee may indicate a delivery preference to be applied to delivery of a package, such as indicating a specific location where the package is to be left upon delivery, if the consignee is not present to accept the package. In one embodiment, the consignee may be notified by the carrier of the scheduled delivery of the package, and may be linked to the carrier's web site to indicate a delivery preference. Alternatively, the delivery preference may be indicated by the consignee proactively accessing the web site. After conveying a delivery preference, the carrier's systems communicate the delivery preference at the appropriate time to a portable computing device which informs the delivery personnel of the consignee's delivery preference. Other embodiments allow the consignor to indicate delivery preferences.

Abstract: Provided is a sort workpiece sorting system including: a conveyor; a conveying position detection part for workpieces; a camera configured to photograph the workpieces; robots provided with a hand disposed along a conveying direction and capable of ejecting workpieces on the conveyor, and a weight measurement part; a control part configured to control each robot; and a large group classifying part configured to classify the workpieces into large groups allocated to the robots based on an image of the workpieces. The control part includes a visual tracking part configured to cause the robots to handle the workpieces while following an operation of the conveyor based on the image of the workpieces and a conveying position. The visual tracking part causes the visual tracking part to eject the classified workpieces are ejected from the conveyor by the hand, and the workpieces are sorted for each group based on the measured weight.

Abstract: An aircraft hold including a device for automated processing of luggage is provided. The device includes at least one automated arm for handling the luggage. The automated arm, which is mounted so as to be able to move in translation along the longitudinal axis of the hold of the aircraft includes a head for grasping an item of luggage. A wrapper for packaging an item of luggage for the automated processing of the item of luggage is also provided. The wrapper is in the form of a protective film and includes a grasping surface separate from but secured to the protective film. A method for automated processing of luggage in an aircraft is provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for the automatic drop-off of at least one object on a conveyor belt for the purpose of the transport of the at least one object. The system includes: at least one apparatus for delimiting an area, called a drop-off area, allowing access to the conveyor belt and including at least one point of entry into the drop-off area and at least one point of exit from the drop-off area; at each point of entry into the drop-off area, at least one first reader, for reading an item of authorization data; in the drop-off area: at least one second reader, for reading an item of authorization data; at least one delivery apparatus for delivering a tag, of identification to be affixed to the object to be dropped; and at least one database which can be accessed by the readers.

Abstract: A system and device for detecting and/or deactivating a security tag when passing through an electronic article surveillance (EAS) portal. The portal may be oriented by the arrangement of one or more antennas to generate an electromagnetic field at or within the portal to detect and/or deactivate the security tag. The electromagnetic field may detect and/or deactivate a security tag located at any orientation on merchandise as the security tag passes through the portal. The portal may be mounted on a counter at a point-of-sale station in which merchandise having security tags attached thereto are passed through the portal. The portal may also be mounted to a floor in which a shopping cart having merchandise is passed through the portal so that security tags attached to the merchandise in the cart are detected and/or deactivated.

Abstract: An optical robotic sorting apparatus for identifying and sorting a product is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the optical robotic sorting apparatus illuminates the product with a light source, images the product using at least one imaging device, analyzes the image, and activates a robotic sorter to sort the product; wherein the robotic sorter utilizes a vacuum tool to handle the product.

Abstract: Improved flow cytometer system particularly adapted to use for sex-selected sperm sorting include enhanced sheath fluid and other strategies which minimize stress on the sperm cells, including a 2.9 percent sodium citrate sheath solution for bovine species and a hepes bovine gamete media for equine species. Improved collection systems and techniques for the process are described so that commercial applications of sperms samples as well as the resulting animals may be achieved.

Abstract: In a method for distributing packages or similar dispatched articles, packages that are to be transported from a private and/or commercial sender to an addressee are acquired in a collecting location. In this collecting location, the packages are provided with a package code that has electronically detectable data, and subsequently, the packages are distributed and/or delivered by means of transport vehicles. According to the invention, the collected packages are supplied to a HUB center that is connected to several collecting locations and in the HUB center the respective package codes are expanded with measurement data (length, width, height, weight) of the package to a package routing code. These package routing codes of all packages are supplied to a central computer and the packages are arranged in accordance with a route planning that can be dynamically optimized by the central computer into a sequence that is sorted in accordance with distribution zones.

Abstract: Method and system for arranging cigarette packs according to the position of the filters of the cigarettes contained in the packs, each pack being provided on its outside with a detectable indicator (5), the position of the indicator on the pack (1) in relation to the filters of the cigarettes contained in the packs being predefined, in which the packs are successively delivered in the form of a first stream (7) of the packs travelling on a conveyor (6) to a detection station (8) for detecting the indicators (5) where the position of the indicator on each particular pack is detected, the packs being subsequently arranged depending on the position of the indicator (5) detected thereon by the driving means (12) controlled basing on the information concerning the position of the indicators received from the detection station (8). The arranging consists in dividing the first stream (7) of the packs into at least two separate streams of the travelling packs.

Abstract: An analyzer comprising: a first measurement unit for measuring samples; a second measurement unit for measuring samples; a transportation device for transporting samples to the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit; prior sample measurement instructor for instructing to measure a predetermined sample prior to the other samples; and a transportation controller for controlling the transportation device to reserve the transportation of the other samples to the second measurement unit and to perform the other transportation operation, when the prior sample measurement instructor has instructed to measure the predetermined sample by the second measurement unit prior to the other samples, is disclosed. A sample transportation method and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyance printing system and methods for printing articles of manufacture of different types and with different content is presented. Systems include a conveyance system configured to convey a plurality of trays, each having an associated identifier and each holding one or more articles of manufacture within the tray, and a printing system configured to receive a print tray from the conveyance system, receive a print job associated with the tray identifier, and print the associated print job simultaneously onto the respective print surfaces of the one or more articles of manufacture held by the tray.

Abstract: Seeds containing a genetic element of interest can be distinguished and sorted from a bulk sample of seeds. In certain embodiments, a marker is associated with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest, the seeds are excited using an photonic emitting device, and at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample are evaluated for the presence or absence of the marker and may be sorted based on the presence or absence of the marker. In certain embodiments, the marker is a red fluorescent protein marker. In certain embodiments, the red fluorescent protein marker is discernable when excited by a certain energy and the evaluating step comprises exciting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest with the certain energy and detecting an emission resulting at least in part from the exciting step.

Abstract: A food source information transferring system for a livestock meat-packing facility and a related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the food source information transferring system is capable of reading tag-identifying information in a hook RFID tag incorporated in a hook that can be hung on a hook machine. An animal carcass attached to the hook then undergoes meat chopping, cutting, and/or packing operations in the meat-packing facility. For each meat package produced, a data set associated with the tag-identifying information in the hook RFID tag can be paired with a data set associated with a meat package label attached to the meat package. This dynamic and robust data association between the hook RFID tag and the meat package label enables a food source information database in the food source information transferring system to preserve and trace detailed food source information at various levels of meat production and processing.

Abstract: A method for detecting mentholated tobacco, comprising irradiating tobacco containing menthol and a fluorescent taggant with radiation and observing the tobacco for fluorescence from the taggant. A system and method for detecting and separating mentholated tobacco from non-mentholated tobacco within a product stream is also provided.

Abstract: A system for detecting oil contaminated product and foreign matter within a product stream is provided. The system includes a first conveying means for delivering a product stream; a first detection apparatus for detecting oil contaminated product, the first detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the first detection apparatus including a high intensity infrared light source directed at the product stream; and a high speed NIR spectrometer sensor tuned to detect a reflected signal from a taggant disposed in the oil of the oil contaminated product; a second detection apparatus for detecting foreign matter within a product stream, the second detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the second detection apparatus including a light source for illuminating the product stream and a detector for detecting light reflected from the product stream; and a controller for determining whether the product stream contains oil contaminated product or foreign matter.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for electronically-capturing a destination address of a package and for using the destination address to automate a package pre-load operation. An embodiment of the invention includes a compression system for compressing the destination address as a compressed MaxiCode symbol, a smart shipping label system for generating a shipping label with a compressed MaxiCode and a pre-load assist system for generating package handling instructions from the electronically-captured destination address.

Abstract: A remote data acquisition, transmission and analysis system including handheld wireless equipment to obtain operational data and the status of remote machines is disclosed. A plurality of application controllers are interfaced with the remote machines from which operation data is acquired by the application controllers. The application controllers communicate with an application host via a local area network. The application host may communicate with a network operations center using a wide area network. The handheld wireless equipment may be used to obtain operational information for each remote machine from the network operations center.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for facilitating the single stream recycling of toxic substance-containing products. A toxin impermeable container designed to enclose the product containing toxic substances incorporates graphic markings or radiofrequency tags to facilitate automated or manual sorting from single stream recycling processes, identification of the toxic component, identification of the person or entity recycling the toxic to allow verification and documentation of compliance with government regulations or reimbursement of a recycling deposit that may be associated with the particular product.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a sorting of a plurality of components nested in a workpiece, including at least two sets of components, each adapted to be assembled to form a structure, comprising producing a plan replicating the cut pattern of the workpiece, depicting the profiles of the components, each provided with an identifier denoting the location of the component on the workpiece; producing at least one of a plurality of labels, each bearing a distinguishable one of the location indicators and a distinctive, readily visible identifier denoting a different one of the sets of components; applying each of the labels on a nested component of the workpiece corresponding to the profile of the component on the plan, guided by the plan and the applicable location identifiers; removing each of the nested components provided with labels bearing the same readily, visible identifier and grouping all components provided with labels bearing the same identifier, together.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and sorting of different plastics rely on the differences in the surface polarity of the various plastics. A marking system may be used which provides markers that adhere specifically to only one type of plastic, and the adhering markers may then allow for a positive identification of the plastic. This type of system may be used for the identification and separation of polylactic acid plastics from various other plastics.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a novel method of sorting seed by providing a first seed population with a fluorescent indicator and a second seed population visually identical to the first seed population under standard operating conditions. The seed populations are combined to provide a combined seed population. A lamp having an output corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent indicator and a color sorting system are paired to count or separate the seed populations, as desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for efficient sorting of specimen include specimen containers, such as vials, positioned in container carriers, such as pucks. The specimen containers contain a specimen that is to be processed through, for example, one or more tests. The specimen containers contain an identifier for the specimen and the container carriers include an identifier, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The identifier of the specimen is associated with the identifier of the container carrier. The container carriers with the specimen containers are then sorted based on the identifier of the container carrier according to the desired processing of the specimen containers.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a novel method of sorting seed by providing a first seed population with a fluorescent indicator and a second seed population visually identical to the first seed population under standard operating conditions. The seed populations are combined to provide a combined seed population. A lamp having an output corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent indicator and a color sorting system are paired to count or separate the seed populations, as desired.