Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a picker to correctly identify and pick inventory items from a warehouse or storage facility are provided. An exemplary portable picking-assistance device comprises first and second communication devices. The first communication device is configured to electronically receive a first item list including one or more items to be retrieved by an operator from a predetermined storage area. The one or more items may be selected from a plurality of items stored in the predetermined storage area. The second communication device is configured to communicate radio frequency signals to a first radio frequency (RF) tag of a plurality of RF tags. The first RF tag is associated with a first item listed on the first item list. An indication is provided to the operator confirming an identification of the first item to be retrieved by the operator.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring selected items among agents within a materials handling facility. According to one embodiment, a method may include a number of agents moving along respective paths through an inventory storage area of a materials handling facility. While moving along a respective path, a first agent may select items from the inventory storage area to be delivered to a corresponding order processing area, where each of the selected items may be specified in a corresponding customer order and at least two of the selected items may be delivered to two different corresponding order processing areas. After the first agent selects a particular item, the first agent may transfer the particular item to a second agent, and the second agent or another one of the agents may deliver the particular item to the corresponding order finalization area.

Abstract: A method for avoiding scratching of wafer backs being held by a vacuum to a fetch arm of a stepper machine for insertion into a cassette holder includes releasing the vacuum in the suction head of the fetch are before the wafer enters the cassette holder. The release of vacuum reduces frictional force between the wafer back and the suction head when the wafer accidentally hits the side of the cassette holder. Therefore, the vacuum release method avoids scratching of wafer backs by the suction head of the fetch arm. The invention requires a separate vacuum release controller to release the vacuum in the suction head for a prescribed delaying period after the fetch arm starts moving toward the cassette holder.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for storing objects in a storage block having identical storage places arranged behind, next to or above each other in the X, Y and Z directions and at least one lifting member associated to the storage block. Each storage place is equipped with a driving unit for moving the objects in the Y direction. Further driving units are provided for moving the objects in the X direction between the entrance area and the transfer side of the storage block. All successive rows in the X direction have at least one free storage place and one plane of the storage block is designed as a storage and return plane for empty pallets.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for individually processing semiconductor wafers through a plurality of processing stations. The system has a plurality of processing stations, a multilevel track system that interfaces with the processing stations, and guided transport vehicles that operate on the track system to move individual wafers in wafer carriers between the stations. The carriers have a storage memory that contains the required process sequence and the capability to remember the completed process steps.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for processing semiconductor wafers through a plurality of processing stations that perform manufacturing operations on wafers includes a plurality of processing stations, each of which are capable of performing at least one processing operation on a wafer, each of the processing stations having a controlled environment for processing the wafers, and a branched tunnel joined and communicating with the controlled environment. A means is provided for maintaining a clean environment in the tunnel. Within the tunnel there are provided a plurality of guided transport vehicles adapted to travel between the process stations. A plurality of wafer carriers, each adapted to support a single wafer and be carried by the transport vehicles, are part of the system.

Abstract: A three dimensional parking system (1) includes a plurality of housing stations (X1, Y1, etc.) which are arranged in a vertical direction for accommodating vehicles. A lift compartment (31) is provided adjacent to the housing stations (X1, Y1, etc.). Lifts (4) are vertically movable in the lift compartment while carrying a vehicle thereon. A movable platform (7) carries the vehicle, and is capable of transferring the vehicle to and from the lifts (4). The platform (7) includes drive wheels (9), a drive motor (25) for driving the drive wheels (9), and an energy storage device (19). The energy storage device (19) supplies electrical power to the drive motor (25) when the platform (7) is driven. Therefore, the platform (7) moves between the housing station (X1, Y1, etc.) and the lift compartment (31) under its own ability.

Abstract: The invention provides a motor vehicle parking installation forming an automatic individual garage in an urban environment. In this installation, the vehicle carrying platform (2) has two longitudinal edges (25) with a V shaped inclined profile cooperating by bearing on two retractable longitudinal stop elements (29) mounted along the hopper opening (3).

Abstract: There are defined a lift space (E) and multi-storied housing spaces (X, Y) provided on at least one side out of the left side, right side, front side, and rear side of the lift space (E). A three dimensional housing apparatus comprises a liftable fork unit composed of a pair of liftable forks (5a, 5b) movable up and down in the lift space (E), and a plurality of traversable housing forks (20) each reciprocatingly movable between a corresponding housing space (X, Y) and the lift space (E). An object (C) to be housed can speedily and safely be warehoused in and delivered from a respective housing space (X, Y) by the liftable fork unit (5a, 5b) and a respective traversable housing fork (20).

Abstract: A rotary storage structure (10) has a supporting frame (12) provided with circular tracks (29, 35) provided with rollers (31) which support independently rotatable sub-frames (15, 16). Each sub-frame (15, 16) is provided with pairs of co-axial rings (36) which support self-righting storage platforms (37) for items (e.g. motor vehicles) loaded into, or from, the structure (10) from loading platforms or ramps (44). A cable drive (42) is provided to rotate each sub-frame (15, 16) to enable the storage platforms (37) to be positioned adjacent the loading platforms or ramps (44).

Abstract: An automated parking system includes a multi-story tower having a central elevator shaft. The building is substantially circular in cross section and contains a plurality of parking stalls that radiate from the elevator shaft on each of the stories. An elevator mechanism elevates a turntable, rotatably mounted on the elevator mechanism for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, between the several floors of the building. A shuttle travels from the turntable to an entrance ramp on the ground level of the building, moves a vehicle to be parked from the entrance ramp to the turntable, whereupon the elevator and turntable cooperate to deposit the vehicle in a parking stall on one of the several floors. The elevator and turntable mechanism operate in reverse to carry the vehicle from a parking stall to an exit ramp on the ground floor of the building.

Abstract: An article storage and retrieval system has a plurality of annular and generally concentric tracks of any desired shape each carrying a train of holder frames each having a pair of ends spaced apart by a gap. Each train has at each of the holder frames a pivot connecting each frame to the adjacent frames for relative pivoting of the frames and adaptation of the train to any shape track. A set of vertically spaced holders is removably supported in each of the holder frames so that when the gaps thereof are aligned in a service aisle it is possible to obtain access to any of the holders.