Abstract: According to the embodiments illustrated herein, a method is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by a computing device comprising a processor, an input from an operator device, wherein the input facilitates determining a task to be performed. Further, the method comprises activating, by the computing device, a first light device associated with a first location in a workplace in response to receiving the input, wherein the first location is associated with the task to be performed. Furthermore, the method comprises receiving, by the computing device, a first voice input from the operator device, indicative of an exception encountered during execution of the task. Additionally, the method includes modifying the task, in response to determining that the first voice input is indicative of the exception encountered during execution of the task.

Abstract: A system and method for operating robotic pallet transportation carts and providing uniform spacing between pallets of goods, to improve the vertical alignment of the gaps between the pallets of a multilevel commercial warehouse rack. Indicators are positioned along a storage lane, such as on side walls of cart support rail structures, on the left and/or right sides with respect to the pallet transportation cart. The cart has one or more sensors (optical, magnetic and otherwise), such as on a side of the cart to detect the indicators on the side of the lane. The cart is programmed to count the indicators and lower the pallet of goods after sensing a selected indicator number. By spacing the indicators an appropriate distance apart, the pallets can be arranged to have vertically aligned gaps, even if there are minor variations in the length of pallets of goods.

Abstract: A takeoff and landing device, includes: a fixing devices or a communication unit configured to be able to switch between a first state that is a state of preventing the unmanned aerial vehicle from taking off from the takeoff and landing device and a second state that is a state of not preventing taking off; a weight acquisition unit configured to acquire weight of the article that the unmanned aerial vehicle delivers; and a takeoff controller or a takeoff controller configured to switch a state of the fixing devices or the communication unit to the first state or the second state on the basis of the weight of the article acquired by the weight acquisition unit and of a reference value for determining whether it is an overload.

Abstract: In combination, a storage unit storable within a three-dimensional storage system and a storage/retrieval vehicle navigable through the three-dimensional storage system to storage locations therein at which the storage unit is selectively storable and retrievable. The storage/retrieval vehicle comprises a frame conveyable through the three-dimensional storage system, a platform atop the frame for receipt of the storage unit on the platform, and a loading/unloading mechanism operable to load and unload the storage unit to and from the platform at four different sides thereof. The storage unit and the storage/retrieval vehicle are configured to enable unloading of the storage unit from the platform in any one of four different directions at four different respective sides of the vehicle regardless of an original orientation in which the storage unit was previously loaded onto the platform and without reorienting the storage unit from the original orientation.

Abstract: A storage and transport system in a warehouse for an object intended to be stored in a rack of the warehouse. The system includes: a bin suitable for accommodating the object; and a powered trolley capable of climbing along the rack including a device for gripping and removing the bin. The gripping and removal device includes a support mounted so as to be movable relative to the chassis of the trolley between: an extended position, in which the support extends at least partially on a lateral edge of the carriage out of alignment with the chassis; and a retracted position, in which the support is housed opposite the chassis. The support includes a structural element and a protruding finger fixed with respect to the structural element and facing upward. The bottom of the bin has a fingerprint configured to accommodate a portion of the finger.

Abstract: A system for movement of products is described. The system uses a facility which contains warehouse shelves, each shelf includes various devices to move products within the shelf. Some rollers on the shelf are active, others passive. Power is transferred to the active rollers from an end of arm tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amorphous solid dispersion comprising elagolix sodium and at least one silicon-based inorganic compound and to a process for preparing the same. Furthermore, it relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said solid dispersion and one or more additional pharmaceutical acceptable excipient(s), wherein the pharmaceutical composition can be used as a medicament, in particular for the treatment of endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

Abstract: A storage assembly (10) has a plurality of trays (14), each tray (14) being selectively moved from the storage position (FIG. 1) to an access position (FIG. 2). The assembly (10) includes a rack (12) which has a series of rails (13) at each end on which trays (14) are supported. The storage assembly (10) includes a loading device (16) including lifting arms (18). The lifting arms (18) support a cradle (20) that includes rails (22), and the cradle (20) is connected to the lifting arms (18) by rollers (23). The loading device (16) can access different trays (14) by being raised and lowered. Once the lifting device (16) is moved into position adjacent a tray (14), the tray can be moved from the stored position on the rack (12) to the access position on the cradle (20) via a drawing arm (35).

Abstract: A rack device including a storage and retrieval device for storing and retrieving storage goods in and from rack compartments. The storage and retrieval device includes a load-handling device having at least one gripping arm moveable in a depth direction of the rack compartments and including a gripping device for moving the goods along the depth direction. The gripping arm includes a first guiding device, and the rack device includes rack compartments. The rack compartments include a shelf and at least two depth supports extending along the depth direction and distanced from each other in a longitudinal direction, thereby defining a storage location. The depth supports include a second guiding device extending in the depth direction configured to cooperate with the first guiding device such that the gripping arm, during storage or retrieval, is in contact with and guided by the depth support via the guiding devices.

Abstract: A method and a device for handling, in particular automatically receiving, storing and dispensing of articles and/or article commissions received in a packaging. In order to be able to handle the articles and article commissions in a simple, rapid and safe manner and to achieve a high utilization of storage area with little technical complexity, it is proposed that the articles and/or article commissions are packaged in an at least in some sections magnetically or ferromagnetically formed packaging and that the at least in some sections magnetically or ferromagnetically formed packaging is fixed and/or moved by means of an electromagnetic gripping, sliding and/or traction means.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a parcel terminal that may include a shelving unit comprising a plurality of shelves that are separated by respective predetermined distances along a dimension of the unit. In an embodiment, the plurality of shelves may be evenly spaced. The parcel terminal may further include a receptacle for receiving a parcel from a user, a loader configured to transfer the parcel from the receptacle to a shelf on the shelving unit, and an electronic controller in electronic communication with the loader. The electronic controller may be configured to determine a number of open shelves required to accommodate the parcel based on a size of the parcel and on the respective predetermined distances, to select a set of shelves having at least the required number of open shelves, and to initiate movement of the loader so as to place the parcel within the selected set of shelves.

Abstract: A control apparatus monitors an amount of time that has elapsed since an article was stored at a first storage position or an amount of positional misalignment from a reference position of the article stored at the first storage position. This amount of time is a monitoring target amount, and the control apparatus monitors the monitoring target amount for each of multiple storage sections and causes a conveying apparatus to execute correction processing with a storage section in which the monitoring target amount has exceeded the set threshold as a target storage section. Correction processing is used for correcting the position of only the target article stored at a first storage position in a target storage section relative to a reference position.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for proximity auditing of removable media cartridge magazines in a data storage library. For example, a proximity sensor mounted on a robotic assembly can be used to detect one or more target features of cartridge magazines. In particular, the proximity sensor can look for relatively large structural features of a removable cartridge magazine in a manner that is fast and reliable, and does not rely on precise positioning of the robotic assembly with respect to the magazine. Some implementations can use the proximity sensor in conjunction with further auditing and/or other functions of line camera, and/or other sensors of the robotic assembly. Proximity-based auditing of the magazines can permit storage library systems to initialize faster and with more reliable inventory information.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes storage racks that are provided near or adjacent to semiconductor manufacturing devices and store therein objects to be conveyed, a stacker crane that carries the objects into and out of the storage racks, vehicles that convey the objects, an ID tag reader that is provided to the stacker crane and reads ID tags of the objects; and a controller that is configured or programmed to, when identification information acquired by the ID tag reader R coincides with identification information contained in a conveyance command of an object, control the stacker crane to convey the object to a destination specified in the conveyance command. At least one section of each storage rack allows a gripper of each vehicle to take in and out the objects.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and/or device of continuous barcode tape based inventory location tracking. In one aspect, a method includes analyzing a layout diagram of a distribution center. The method further includes determining that the layout diagram includes a shelf. A number of segments associated with the shelf based on a forecasted allocation of an inventory on the shelf are calculated. A bar code tape having a globally unique identifier (GUID) associated with each segment of the number of shelves is automatically generated using a processor and a memory of a central inventory tracking system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for picking up glass plates from at least one production line in order to convey said glass plates on to a storage housing or a coating plant. An embodiment of the device includes: a) a linearly movable, vertically installed main lifting column with a lifting rake that can be vertically moved therealong; b) a horizontal drive unit for the lifting rake; c) at least one sensor which is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting the availability of the targeted storage place of a glass plate; d) at least one sensor which is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting if a glass plate is located on the lifting rake; e) at least one sensor that is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting cracks in a glass plate.

Abstract: The invention describes a goods distribution center (1) and a method for its operation for goods (9) to be handled preferably in partitioned storage and transport containers (8) with at least two storage areas (5, 7) for groups of goods with varying turnover frequencies. It comprises an incoming goods area (2), an outgoing goods area (6) and at least one order picking area (4). Conveying devices (10) form for example conveyor belts, roller conveyors, storage and retrieval means (12), e.g. shelf operating devices. Storage devices form e.g. high shelf, flow shelf storage etc. Furthermore, data input and output devices (26) are provided at workstations (18) and connected communicatively with a storage, control and monitoring device (25). The conveying devices (10) of the incoming goods area (2) and the order picking area (4) are in the form of continuous conveying devices (14, 16), which are connected via transfer conveying means (15) to one another and to storage and retrieval means (12).

Abstract: A method for managing charge of a plurality of battery-driven AGVs (automated guided vehicles) circulating on the main route provided with an automatic charge station includes: a first step of detecting, using an AGV, a marker for battery voltage check provided on a main route to measure the voltage of a battery of the AGV; a second step of changing the route of the AGV to advance it into a charge route provided in an automatic charge station, stopping the AGV in a charging position, and charging the battery automatically by using an automatic charger, if the measured battery voltage has lowered to a level requiring charging; and a third step of conveying the AGV that has been automatically charged to a standby place provided in the automatic charge station.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning robotic wafer transfer systems provides a wafer cassette having one or more wafer slots having portions covered with an electrically conductive material and a sensor that is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive material. When a wafer is loaded into a wafer cassette such as may be contained within a wafer transfer module such as a FOUP, an indication of position is delivered to the sensor which detects the alignment and indicates if the loaded wafer undesirably contacts either or both of the opposed grooves that form the wafer slot of the wafer cassette. An indication of the wafer's position may be provided from the sensor to a controller that delivers a signal for aligning the wafer transfer blade of the wafer transfer robot responsive to the signal indicative of position.

Abstract: A disk processing apparatus having a plurality of processing units, a plurality of feed stackers, and a plurality of discharge stackers. The plurality of processing units subject label sides of disks to printing, or the like. A disk is fed from a first prior-to-being-printed stacker to the processing unit, and a processed disk is discharged to a first processed stacker. A disk is fed from a second prior-to-being-printed stacker to the other processing unit, and a processed disk is discharged to a second processed stacker. When the other processing unit is anomalous, the disk is fed from the second prior-to-being-printed stacker to the processing unit, and a processed disk is discharged to the second processed stacker, thereby performing substitute processing.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a cell unit having a plurality of cells arrayed in a matrix, a holder to insert the storage medium to one of the cells or extract the storage medium from the cell, and a position controller to move the holder over the cell unit in X-axis and Y-axis directions to position the holder at a desired position. The holder has a reading unit configured to acquire data of the edges on both sides of each cell. The position controller determines each position of the cells on the basis of the data of the edges acquired at a plurality of positions while moving the holder in a predetermined direction from a predetermined position of the cell unit.

Abstract: A portable data storage cartridge, comprising a housing and a data storage medium disposed within the housing. The portable data storage cartridge further comprises a first label reciting an identifier disposed on a front portion of the housing, and a second label displaying said identifier at one or more places disposed on a side portion of said housing. A plurality of portable data storage cartridges can be disposed in a storage slot dimensioned to accommodate (N) portable data storage cartridges in a row. The storage slot is formed to include (N?1) visualization apertures extending through a side. In addition, the storage slot further comprises (N?1) reflective members, where each reflective member comprises a first end attached to the side with a second end extending outwardly from that side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of introducing article carriers (4) in a storage facility (1), wherein an article carrier (4), during introduction, is received by a conveying apparatus (2) and transported to a storage location (3). The invention also relates to a stationary conveying apparatus (2) for a storage facility (1), in particular for a storage rack (1), having at least one accommodating means (3, 11, 2) for an article carrier (4), and it further relates to a storage facility (1), in particular a storage rack (1), having at least one storage location (3), at least one introduction region (9) connected to the storage location (3), and at least one conveying apparatus (2) which can be moved back and forth between the storage location (3) and the introduction region (9).

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method of mapping contents of a substrate carrier is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) coupling a sensor to the substrate carrier or a loadport adapted to receive the substrate carrier; and (2) determining a presence or absence of a substrate in a slot of the substrate carrier using the sensor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An automatic pallet loading/unloading method for radioactive waste drums is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a conveying pallet accommodating six radioactive waste drums; (b) arranging the pallet on a specific importing carrier; (c) performing a two-dimensional fetching position adjustment upon the pallet by the importing carrier; and (d) using a grabber crane to grab and carry the radioactive waste drums in a specific order so as to apply an continuous inspection process upon each radioactive waste drum successively. In a preferred aspect, the two-dimensional fetching position adjustment uses a transverse positioning operation cooperating with a lengthwise positioning operation to successively place each radioactive waste drum in a specific position to be grabbed by the grabber crane and thus to be inspected by the inspection process.

Abstract: A measuring unit arranged to measure a clean environment is placed on a cell by a retrieval and storage apparatus to measure clean environment of the cell. Based on a measurement result, a fan filter unit or an exhaust vent is controlled to maintain the clean environment of the cell at a predetermined level or more.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling removal of one or more receptacles from a receptacle tray are described herein, in which a removal indicator indicates which of the one or more receptacles to remove. Thereafter, the indicated one or more receptacles may be manually removed from the receptacle tray using a gripping mechanism. The receptacles are secured in the tray with two or more tangs protruding from a front face of the receptacle closest to a connector interface. The two or more tangs fit into respective mating units in the receptacle tray, and one or more protrusions toward the rear of the receptacle, with respect to the two or more tangs, mate with respective mating units in the receptacle tray.

Abstract: It is disclosed a order-picking method and a rack warehouse (10; 100; 200; 308) for order-picking goods stored in load supports (52), particularly on trays, comprising: at least one rack (20; 30) having first and second longitudinal sides (24, 25) and two front faces (22, 23), wherein the rack has at least one rack plane (40-44), wherein each rack plane (40-44) comprises a plurality of rack rows (46), wherein the rack rows (46) are arranged on top of each other and respectively comprise a plurality of rack positions (48) arranged side-by-side; at least one rack feeder (33) for each rack plane (40-44) comprising at least one load suspension device for the purpose of storing and retrieving load supports (52) into or from the rack positions (48) of a rack plane (40-44), wherein the rack feeder can travel in horizontal and vertical directions (37, 35) along the first longitudinal side (25) of the rack (20, 30), in order to store and retrieve load supports (52) in or from its rack plane (40-44); and several vertic

Abstract: A plate and method for positioning functional elements in a system for working with fluid-containing samples includes a horizontal work field having a lengthwise dimension and a perpendicularly extending transverse dimension, as well as a robot arm with a functional element, aligned essentially perpendicularly to the work field in a Z direction. The robot arm can move the functional element in at least a partial region of the work field in the X and/or Y direction. The plate includes two light barriers which intersect inside the partial region, each having a transmitter and receiver whose scanning or detection beams each extend in a direction deviating from the X direction and/or from the Y direction.

Abstract: A mobile picker for selecting an item from a storage unit having a plurality of locations, each location storing an item to be selected, the mobile picker being capable of movement along a guide associated with the storage unit and comprising: an onboard motor, power supply and control unit, the motor driving the mobile picker and being powered by the power supply and controlled by the control unit; and a picking tool operable to select an item from a storage location in the storage unit; and a position detector for detecting the presence of a position indicator associated with the storage unit, wherein the mobile picker is operable to determine the position of the mobile picker from information derived by the position detector.

Abstract: A storage lift has two shelving columns that support storage goods carriers (5). A vertical conveyor is located between the two shelving columns and at least one of the shelving columns has a loading and removal opening. A light grille (9, 10) and faceplates (11) are provided to determine or verify the position of the storage goods carriers (5) in the vicinity of the loading and removal opening (8). At least one faceplate is allocated to each storage goods carrier (5).

Abstract: A transporting apparatus is provided with a moving platform capable of moving vertically, an article loading platform that can be moved horizontally with respect to the moving platform, a contactless sensor provided on the moving platform, a detected member that is provided on the article loading platform, whose position can be altered between an position detected and a position not detected by the contactless sensor, and an operating member operatively linked to the detected member. The operating member can come into contact with an article loaded on the article loading platform, and changes the position of the detected member between the detected position and the non-detected position. Due to this configuration, it is possible to provide an article position sensor between the article loading platform and the moving platform without using wires, which are deteriorated due to the relative movement between the article loading platform and the moving platform.

Abstract: An automated storage library structure, a structure of at least one robot operating within the automated storage library, and a method of connecting the robot to test equipment to facilitate testing. The robot is operative to move about the automated storage library on a guide structure. The test equipment is disposed in a diagnostics center associated with the automated storage library. Communication between the robot and the diagnostics center is provided through a main connector, disposed adjacent to the guide structure at a predetermined position and electrically connected to the diagnostics center, and a test connector mounted on the robot's chassis and electrically connected to the robot's electronics. A second robot may be used to support testing of a sick robot.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for use with a storage system for storing a plurality of objects in an array of object storage locations. In a preferred embodiment, the calibration apparatus includes a target affixed in a predetermined location to the storage system, an object retrieval mechanism, and an imaging system. The object retrieval mechanism is used for retrieving objects from the object storage locations and has a principal direction of movement which is perpendicular to a plane in which an exposed surface of each of the plurality of objects lie. The imaging system is attached to the object retrieval mechanism for imaging the target. The imaging system is positioned such that the direction from the target to the imaging system is parallel to the principal direction.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus and program which enables the automation of the carrying of a lot or lots of special purpose wafers between stockers and to achieve high speed processing while suppressing an increase in storage volume. The carrying control system includes stockers for storing therein special purpose lot or lots comprising wafers which will not be processed in production facilities, or said special purpose lot or lots and usual lot or lots comprising wafers which will be processed by production facilities and a carrying host computer for controlling automatic carrying of lot or lots in carrying facilities.

Abstract: A safety system for online servicing of a media library is provided, wherein the library comprises a plurality of media storage cells and at least one media picker robot that moves along the media storage cells, and wherein the library is contained within an enclosure having at least one access means. The safety system comprises a sensor that detects if the access means in the enclosure is open and a control component that operates the robot in the media library in one of two modes. If the access means is closed, the robot operates in a normal mode, wherein the robot moves at a first specified speed. If the access means is open, the robot operates in a safe mode, wherein the robot moves at a second specified speed that is slower than the first speed of the normal mode. In another embodiment, while in safe mode, the picker robot is excluded from moving within a restricted zone in the library.

Abstract: Calibrating alignments of a data storage library includes determining an alignment offset by aligning an emitter attached to a media transport assembly (MTA) with a reference location located at a storage area, determining a sensor offset by aligning a sensor attached to the MTA with a reference target located at the storage area, wherein the sensor offset is a function of the alignment offset, and determining a specific offset by aligning the sensor with a specific target, wherein the specific offset is a function of the sensor offset, wherein the specific offset is used to determine an actual position of a specific location located near the specific target.

Abstract: An autonomous remote controlled vehicle for use in the automation of an existing refrigerated flow through storage facility food processing application. The remote vehicle is specifically designed to operate within a network of centrally controlled remote vehicles that are adapted to receive selectable items from production and temporarily store them for later retrieval. The system is adapted to minimize travel time for the remote vehicle and optimize cycle time. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes containing meat products.

Abstract: In a mass storage library, a module storage array includes a back plate having apertures patterned to form a cartridge storage together with cell blocks that mate with the openings in the back plate. A column of cell blocks are held in place between a shelf and a spring load and include calibration targets to align the cell blocks to the library accessor and reader. One stripe the length of the storage cell stack contains a bar-code. The bar-code extends the entire length of the stripe and identifies the individual cell blocks when empty. A plurality of columns of cell blocks provide the complete storage array. Each column of the cell blocks include one stripe with a bar-code along its length that is directly fastened to the back plate with each cell of the column having a separate bar-coding on the strip. The accessor includes a sensor that reads the coding to provide an indication of an empty cell block.

Abstract: A device handler having a device holder 200 in which are provided a plurality of feed stockers 201 and/or storing stockers 202, provided with an IC card reader 260 able to read and/or write identification data of an IC card 270 provided at each of the feed stockers 201 and/or storing stockers 202 and a movement mechanism 205 for moving the IC card reader 260 inside the device holder 200. The movement mechanism 205 is a tray movement arm. It is possible to simplify the configuration of the handler and lower the cost while enabling extremely easy reading and/or writing of identification data provided at the feed stocker and/or storing stocker.

Abstract: A hoisting table 31 of a stacker crane 4 in an automated is provided with two units of bar code readers 36,37 for a long distance and a short distance, and an article 20 in a rack is attached with bar codes on the front face and the side face, The bar code reader for a long distance 36 reads bar codes of articles in the rack, and the bar code reader for a short distance 37 reads bar codes of articles loaded on the stacker crane. It is possible to reduce the number of the bar code and make an inventory without taking articles out of the station.

Abstract: A hand mechanism and a library apparatus capable of performing cartridge detection at a high speed as well as reducing the production cost. The library apparatus includes an entry/exit mechanism (container shelf) having a plurality of cells (container chambers) for containing a cartridge and a hand mechanism for taking a cartridge out of the entry/exit mechanism. The cells have a reflection plate (reflector), and the hand mechanism has a sensor (cartridge detector) emitting a detection light and receiving the detection light reflected from the reflection plate. The detection light is simultaneously applied to two or more cells.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus of the present invention includes an accessor mechanism movable in a Y direction in response to a command received from a host and a hand mechanism mounted on the accessor mechanism and movable in the X direction. Address charts are provided on the individual cell for accommodating a cartridge storing a recording medium therein. The address charts serve as indices indicative of positions of the cell in the X direction and the Y direction. Reduction optics is mounted on the hand mechanism and includes a light source, a monodimensional CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and a lens. The apparatus is miniature, low cost, high performance and simple and capable of accurately sensing a position with reliability.

Abstract: A tape storage library apparatus includes a gripper for handling tape cartridges and an integrated camera, proximity sensor, and reach safe sensor operable with a common light source for performing multiple tape cartridge sensing functions. The camera reads the labels of tape cartridges stored in slots of a storage library. The proximity sensor senses the presence and absence of tape cartridges in the slots. The proximity sensor also distinguishes between labeled and unlabeled tape cartridges stored in the slots. The reach safe sensor senses the presence of obstructions in the path of movement of the gripper. The proximity sensor further calibrates the position of the gripper in the storage library. A processor operable with the reach safe sensor calibrates the optical source to ensure proper tape cartridge sensing functions.

Abstract: A wafer transfer system of semiconductor fabricating equipment is capable of successively arranging a plurality of wafers in a designated order (e.g., an ascending order, a descending order, an odd/even number order or an individual selection order). The wafer transfer system includes a first cassette containing the wafers, and a second cassette for receiving the wafers. A wafer transfer robot having a wafer transfer arm moves the wafers from the first cassette to the second cassette, after the wafer serial numbers have been read and sent to a computer. The computer uses a selected wafer arrangement order to decide where within the second cassette each wafer from the first cassette should be placed and then controls the wafer transfer robot to place each wafer into the desired location. With the wafers arranged in the selected order, it is not necessary to test each wafer after each fabricating process.

Abstract: An industrial truck, in particular a counterbalanced front-forklift truck, is provided which can be operated both manually and automatically and has a fork to handle pallets and loads located thereon. The forklift truck is equipped for automatic operation with a control system which can be brought into active connection with the vehicle drive system, the vehicle steering system, the vehicle braking system or the movement control system for the fork.

Abstract: In facilities for the automatic assembly of mechanical parts, a parts supply system has a storing section for storing a tray loaded with parts, a conveying mechanism for conveying the tray from the storing section, and a circulation mechanism for circulating a tray carrier to be loaded with the tray along a circulation path which includes at least a tray loading position for receiving the tray conveyed by the conveying mechanism, a pars supply position for allowing a robot to pick up the parts stored in the tray, and a tray discharge position for discharging the tray. The device simplifies the mechanical arrangement, enhances high speed processing, and readily adapts to a change in the kind of parts and an increase or decrease in the number of parts.

Abstract: A carriage is provided for a storage-retrieval system including a shelf assembly. The carriage includes a base member, at least one carrier region above the base member for supporting an object to be transferred, at least one pair of shifting units flanking the carrier region. The shifting units are reciprocally movable into and away from the shelf assembly. Engaging members are mounted on the shifting units. Each of the engaging members arranged to pivot about a vertical axis and movable between a closed position for contacting the object and an open position for avoiding the contacting with the object.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated data storage library for storage and retrieval and selective export and import of portable data storage media stored in storage cells of portable magazines. Each portable magazine has a detent, and has registration surfaces, such as a sleeve at each of two corners. A columnar elevator supports a columnar stack of the portable magazines, and has an opening at its top level external to the library, and pushes the stack toward the top level. Fixed registration shafts in the library mate with the magazine sleeves to prevent lateral movement while allowing columnar movement of the magazines. The media may be accessed by a picker at the storage cells of the magazines at all levels in the stack internal to the library. A releasable latch engages the detent of the magazine at the penultimate level of the stack (e.g., the top position within the library), holding the stack against the upward pushing of the elevator, and external latches each engage a magazine in the stack at the top level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for auditing cartridges and empty cells in a storage library system including a plurality of cells for storing cartridges and further including a robotically actuated hand assembly. A line-scan camera is secured to the hand assembly, and a visible pattern is positioned within each cell such that the visible pattern is readable by the line-scan camera when the line-scan camera is moved to a position adjacent the particular cell if the cell is empty. The visible pattern is positioned such that the presence of a cartridge within the particular cell would prevent viewing of the visible pattern within the cell by the line-scan camera. The line-scan camera is operated in a manner to search for the visible pattern within each cell for auditing numbers of cartridges and empty cells in the storage library system.