Abstract: A transporting rail unit includes a first driving mechanism driving the object to a first position on a rail. A second driving mechanism includes a member designed to displace in response to reception of a force from the object when the object moves forward to the first position from a second position in front of the first position on the rail. The second driving mechanism allows accumulation of an elastic repulsive force based on displacement of the member. The transporting rail unit allows the object to keep moving forward based on the elastic repulsive force even after the object is released from engagement with the first driving mechanism. If the second driving mechanism is interposed between the first driving mechanisms, the object can be transferred between the first driving mechanisms. A single transporting rail unit can be utilized in common. This results in reduction in the production and management costs.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for use in loading and transporting a container from a first location to a second location is provided. The container handling apparatus includes a mast and support structure for supporting the container thereon. The support structure is vertically positionable relative to the mast. The container handling apparatus also includes a container interlocking member including an engaging portion for use in releasably engaging a container. The container interlocking member is horizontally positionable relative to the support structure and configured to provide a pivot axis about which the container can pivot relative to the interlocking member when engaged with the container.

Abstract: A method for sorting mail to a case having a plurality of slots is described, wherein each slot corresponds to a destination. The method includes steps of loading a mail piece to be sorted into a delivery robot, determining for the mail piece a destination slot the mail piece is to be delivered to, moving the delivery robot along a rail disposed at the front of the case near the slots into proximity with an open end of the destination slot, inserting the mail piece from the delivery robot into the associated slot, and returning the delivery robot to a loading station whereby the cycle may be repeated. Such a method, when using a large number of robots moving along a common rail system, can sort a large volume of mail in carrier delivery order.

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: An apparatus for storing and dispensing of a plurality of items of stock (34) such as pharmaceuticals comprises a plurality of storage regions (20), e.g. shelves (26) and a dispensing station (48). The storage regions (20) are arranged to circulate around a continuous path (10) such that each storage region (20) is periodically brought into alignment with the dispensing station (48) so as to allow items to be removed from the storage region (20) at the dispensing station (48).

Abstract: A large rectangular rotary table includes a fabricated tubular metal frame having top plates for supporting fixtures and large motor vehicle parts. A center portion of the table frame is supported by an annular turret bearing mounted on a base plate spaced above a floor plate by adjustable leveling screws. A drive unit is also supported by the base plate within the bearing and the center portion of the table frame and includes a planocentric gear reducer driven by an electric servo motor projecting above the table. A laterally projecting torque arm is mounted on the output of the gear reducer and is connected to the table frame by a sliding drive pin assembly which prevents radial loads on the gear reducer when the table is indexed. A fluid actuated table locating pin alternately engages a locating seat on each end of the table after the table is indexed.

Abstract: A side buffer 40 is provided on a side of a traveling rail 6 of an overhead traveling vehicle 8. Multiple levels of racks 41, 42 are provided. The overhead traveling means 8 has elevating and lowering means including components such as a linear guide 32 and a ball screw 26 for elevating and lowering a lateral movement unit 16.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval unit (1) and a method for transporting goods (2) from or to a shelf (3) in a commissioning unit are provided. The storage and retrieval unit includes a vertical mast (4) and a longitudinal drive (5), linked with the mast, for longitudinally displacing and longitudinally positioning the storage and retrieval unit on a site of operation of the shelf on the shelf front or the shelf rear. A height-adjustable goods receiver (7) is provided on the vertical mast. The is configured as an articulated mast (4) having at least one joint (8) which enables a deflection (A) of the articulated mast in the direction of longitudinal displacement (L). A guide/readjusting device (9) having articulated rods, especially an articulated oscillating crank (9?), is provided on the articulated longitudinal end of the articulated mast for the purpose of stability.

Abstract: Storage library systems and methods of operating and assembling library systems are provided. The storage library system may include a stationary support member having a first axis and a cartridge transport assembly. The cartridge transport assembly includes a cartridge retrieving mechanism configured to retrieve a removable media cartridge, said cartridge transport assembly being coupled to the support member, wherein the cartridge retrieving mechanism is positionable in four degrees of freedom. The method of operating a tape library may include transmitting instruction signals to a robotics controller disposed on a cartridge transport assembly, translating the cartridge transport assembly along a stationary support member, and positioning the cartridge retrieving mechanism in four degrees of freedom relative to the stationary support member.

Abstract: A pair of carousels are provided in an automated storage and retrieval system. A mast, a pair of elevation frame, and a pair of scara arms are provided between the carousels. One of the scara arms includes a plurality of arms stacked from lower to upper arms such that a hand of the scara arm takes a high position. The other of the scara arms includes a plurality of arms stacked from upper to lower arms such that a hand of the scara arm takes a low position.

Abstract: Stations (8,9) of an automatic warehouse (2) are provided with transfer devices (10) for transferring an article one by one between a tray and a bucket, and hands (11, 12) of the transfer devices are provided with an ID tag reader and writer. The ID of the article stored in the bucket can be grasped and delivering products can be inspected, and further, data corresponding to each article can be written in the ID tag.

Abstract: An ergonomic mechanism is provided for storage facilities eliminating the need to reach into a storage shelf, or tier, to access rear situated packages. The mechanism of the invention comprises a manually movable pusher/puller that engages items/packages disposed at the back of the storage shelf. The pusher/puller is manually pulled forward by flexible connectors, causing the rear packages to move forward upon the flow tracks until they reach the front area of the tier and engage a picking shelf. At the front, packages can be picked from the tier with ergonomic ease due to the flexible connectors that allow movement of a gripping handle in any direction with respect to the shelf.

Abstract: Various types of recording cartridges, each of which has a case which rotatably accommodates a reel on which a recording tape is wound, are provided with grasped portions with concave portions at side walls of the case and which a grasping device of a same, external library with accommodating chambers can grasp from both sides. A height from a floor surface of the accommodating chamber to the grasped portions when the cartridge is accommodated in the accommodating chamber of the library is made to be the same regardless of a type of the recording tape cartridge, and an interval between a pair of corner portions of the grasped portions, which corner portions are near a removal opening of the library, are made to be the same regardless of the cartridge type. A pair of corner portions of the grasped portions, which corner portions are deeper in the library, are chamfered.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval unit (1) is provided for operating a product storage shelving (2), which has at least one shelf, on which essentially cubic products (4, 5, 6) are arranged and held. The products can be removed and fed to a driven, essentially horizontal continuous belt (8) of a height-adjustable storage and retrieval unit that is movable along the product storage shelving. The products removed are centered by a centering device with a lateral product centering element (9), which is arranged on a transverse side of the continuous belt (8) in the area of at least one longitudinal end of the continuous belt. The lateral product centering element centers a product removed from the product storage shelving (2) against a lateral longitudinal stop (10) of the continuous belt (8). Differently configured cubic products may be handled by the storage and retrieval unit in an easy, fast and reliable manner.

Abstract: For replacing a cassette 9 in an automatic loader section 4, an operation of retracting the cassette 9 to a cassette accommodation section 3 is performed in parallel with an operation of inserting a new cassette 9 from the cassette accommodation section 3 to the automatic loader section 4. Accordingly, the time required by the automatic loader section 4 for the cassette replacement operation is the same as the longer time among the time for retracting the cassette and the time for inserting the cassette. Thus, the time in which the automatic loader section 4 must stop the transportation of the image recording materials can be shortened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shelf stacking machine for stocking and removing paper reels, especially in the printing industry. The shelf stacking machine can be driven in a lane with storage places at both sides. Said storage places receive paper reels which are stacked one on top of the other or behind each other in the direction of the lane. The shelf stacking machine is provided with a receptacle for a paper reel. Said receptacle is formed by a fork which can be height-adjustably pivoted around a horizontal axle. The fork is provided with measuring devices which detect the load of the received paper reel. The measuring devices supply the detected measured data via a control device to an actuator which is coupled to the fork movement-wise and which height-adjustably pivots the fork into the horizontal position according to the measured data. The actuator holds the fork in said horizontal position during paper reel transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a battery relative to a shelf unit includes: (a) a motion generating unit presenting a first force in a first motion type at a first output locus; (b) a motion translating unit receiving the first force and translating the first force to present a second force related to the first force in a second motion type at a second output locus; (c) a battery engaging structure coupled with the second output locus for applying the second force to the battery; and (d) a substantially rigid frame supporting the motion generating unit and the motion translating unit and cooperating with the shelf unit to substantially fixedly situate the frame during the moving. The moving is effected in a generally vertical axis in response to the second force.

Abstract: A storage lift has at least one chain drive (14, 15) used for loading and unloading storage goods carriers (4). Each chain drive has two chains (16, 17) that are laterally and vertically offset from each other and are interconnected by coupling members (22, 23). The chains propel drivers (27) fixed to extension arms (24, 25) of the coupling members (22, 23) and are used to transfer the storage goods carriers (4) to a vertical conveyor (1) and to hold them in a position in which the vertical conveyor is movable upwardly and downwardly. The chains (16, 17) of the chain drive or drives (14, 15) are located between the front edges of the storage goods carriers (4), which lie opposite one another in storage columns (2, 3), to enable the vertical conveyor (1) to have a relatively narrow construction.

Abstract: A telescopic arm of a load-handling system for transferring storage units into and out of a rack stage of a racking system is displaceably supported on a support frame and has a plate-shaped middle slide and a plate shaped top side displaceable relative to the support frame and to each other. The support frame is in the form of a hollow section and has first and second upright longitudinal side walls and a bottom and a top side wall. Lateral guide tracks and a vertical guide track are arranged on the first upright longitudinal side wall. The top slide has lateral guide tracks and a vertical guide track as well as movable drivers for pushing a front or rear face of the storage unit. The middle slide is slidably guided between the support frame and top slide.

Abstract: The commissioning device comprises a transport device which conveys storage containers (1) from a warehouse (4) to a commissioning work station (3) (3) and returns them thereto (4). The storage containers to be commissioned (1) are presented on a displaceable table (9). The transport device comprises at least one vehicle (2) which transports the storage containers (1) from the warehouse (4) to the table (9) and which transports them back to the warehouse (4).

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing electromagnetic radiation emissions from a data cartridge handling library employs intermittent operation of the video camera to ascertain correct bin locations and verify automated access between bin locations. This intermittent operation is utilized when an error is suspected or upon a predetermined routine to verify manipulation accuracy.

Abstract: At least one vertical structure is constituted by plurality of planes, set one upon another, each of which can house at least one container. A lift truck is able to transport at least one of the containers and can move in a vertical direction in a vertical work space parallel to the vertical surface on which the planes are aligned. The lift truck on command can be positioned facing one of the planes, and can interact with the planes in order to remove or insert a single container. The invention comprises a plurality of the vertical structures which are arranged parallel and afford a plurality of the work spaces for movement of the lift truck and are conformed to enable transfer of the lift truck at least from one of the work spaces to another of the work spaces. Means are provided to operate a transfer of the lift truck from one of the work spaces to another as well as to displace of the lift truck at least in a vertical direction along a single work space.

Abstract: A storage racking includes a plurality of stacked, spaced tote supports arranged in pairs on opposing sidewalls for receiving platform-type totes for storage items. A storage/retrieval system is provided for moving the totes in and out of bays in said storage racking via a bayway. This bayway includes rollers arranged in the deck of the bayway for horizontal shifting of the totes. To reduce the noise developed in moving the totes in the bayway the tread of the rollers includes a noise-deadening insert.

Abstract: An extendable arm for placing and moving items includes a base and an arm unit movably mounted to the base. The arm unit is configured for linear movement in a first direction relative to the arm unit for extending beyond the base in the first direction and for linear movement in a second direction relative to the arm unit which is opposite to the first direction for extending beyond the base in the second direction.

Abstract: A storage lift has at least one chain drive (14, 15) used for loading and unloading storage goods carriers (4). Each chain drive has two chains (16, 17) that are laterally and vertically offset from each other and are interconnected by coupling members (22, 23). The chains propel drivers (27) fixed to extension arms (24, 25) of the coupling members (22, 23) and are used to transfer the storage goods carriers (4) to a vertical conveyor (1) and to hold them in a position in which the vertical conveyor is iovable upwardly and downwardly. The chains (16, 17) of the chain drive or drives (14, 15) are located between the front edges of the storage goods carriers (4), which lie opposite one another in storage columns (2, 3), to enable the vertical conveyor (1) to have a relatively narrow construction.

Abstract: A picker/placer is provided with the capability to handle multiple media types while also dealing with drives having various load profiles, all within the same data storage library. This is accomplished by providing the picker/placer with a picker assembly that has slider attached to the driving mechanism to allow lateral movement. Attached to the slider are a pair of picker fingers which are thus also compliant relative to the driving mechanisms of the picker/placer. This arrangement allows the picker fingers to deflect during advancement, whenever an interfering structure is encountered. Further, a compliant pusher assembly is included which provides over travel to deal with hard-stop loading drives, as well as auto-loading drives. Further, the floating picker fingers allows the picker assembly to work with various media types within the same library.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a removable media handling system in a data storage system are provided. Briefly described, in one of many possible embodiments the data storage system comprises a plurality of housings, a media handling system, and a lift system. The plurality of housings are arranged in vertical stacks and each of the plurality of housings is configured to receive one or more media storage devices that are configured to receive a plurality of data media. The media handling system is configured to access the plurality of data media received by the media storage device. The lift assembly is configured to move the media handling system vertically between the plurality of housings. The media handling system and the lift assembly are configured such that the media handling system is removably attached to the lift assembly.

Abstract: A storage medium cartridge that has a substantially rectangular housing with an aperture formed thereon is provided for use with a cartridge gripping assembly. The cartridge gripping assembly includes a gripping mechanism having a first end which releasably engages the aperture defined on the housing of the storage medium cartridge. The gripping mechanism further includes a second end that is dimensioned for coupling with a first end of a mechanized robotic arm for providing motion to the cartridge gripping assembly.

Abstract: A disk organizer includes a cabinet defining a number of storage cells each of which is associated with an electrically controlled magnetic device. A disk enclosure is movably received in each of the storage cells. The disk enclosure receives and accommodates a storage disk therein. A magnet is mounted to the enclosure and corresponds to the electrically controlled magnetic device of the cell associated with the enclosure. A controller system comprised of a computer equipped with storage memory and a user interface, is connected to the electrically controlled magnetic devices for selectively energizing the electrically controlled magnetic device to generate magnetic attraction and expulsion for the magnet to selectively move the disk enclosure in and out of the associated storage cell of the cabinet. Information and index of the disks stored in the cabinet is recorded in the computer storage memory whereby a user may search and access the disks by means of the user interface of the computer.

Abstract: The robotic docking apparatus for a cartridge library system having a cartridge Storage array provides a docking apparatus on the robotic arm that mates with corresponding features on the storage compartments. The docking apparatus enables the cartridge retrieval mechanism to automatically and precisely align with the storage compartment that contains the selected data cartridge by using passive alignment mechanisms and without requiring the use of a vision system or expensive tight mechanical tolerances. The robotic docking apparatus is incorporated into the robotic arm in the form of a docking feature that protrudes from the front of the cartridge retrieval mechanism. The docking feature is of length sufficient to begin engagement of the mating docking receptacle formed in each of the storage compartments in the storage array prior to the remainder of the cartridge retrieval mechanism contacting the data cartridge stored therein.

Abstract: A system for processing elongate workpieces. The system consists of a first machining unit for performing a first processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a first location and a second machining unit for performing a second processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location. The system further consists of a first supply unit on which a plurality of elongate workpieces can be placed in a stored position. A transfer assembly engages an elongate workpiece in a stored position and selectively delivers an elongate workpiece engaged by the transfer assembly to one of the first and second locations.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes at least two pairs of two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays. Each of the pairs of columnar arrays defines a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses, and an access region between the columns, in which an indexing/insertion/extraction mechanism is positioned for pulling bins or trays housed in the recesses. The mechanism has a platform vertically displaceable in the access regions between the pairs of arrays; a shuttle table rollably mounted upon the platform for horizontal displacement thereupon between the pairs of arrays; and an extractor assembly supported by the shuttle table for causing horizontal insertion/extraction of bins onto the shuttle table.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing a pack of boards, eg plaster board, for wrapping and then delivery to a site is disclosed. The apparatus 1 comprises broadly about 30 to 40 board storage units or bins 2, 3 arranged in two sets. Each bin 2, 3 stores a different size and specification of plasterboard. The apparatus 1 also includes a conveyor 4 onto which the boards are tipped from the bin 2, 3 and which conveys the boards from the bins 2, 3 to a packing point. The apparatus 1 also includes a stacker 5 at the packing point for stacking the boards and also attaching for tying the boards together to form a single pack suitable for transport to the site.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.

Abstract: A robot device that either translationally or rotationally aligns an object with a slot. For translational alignment, the robot device comprises a position sensor positioned in close proximity to the slot. The translational position sensor determines the position of the object by moving the object parallel to the slot until it actuates the position sensor. For rotational alignment, two position sensors are provided that determine the relative angle between the object and a portion of the robot device and the object.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system platform extraction and insertion mechanism has a left and right pin transport engaged by a chain on said platform along a path extending substantially the length of the platform in a substantially elliptical pathway such that either the left and right pin transports travel from a first end of the platform substantially the length of the platform and optionally back to the first end. The left and right transport paths are identical in their direction along their paths. The left and right transport paths have a two directional movement about the platform along the path; and a left and right pin mounted upon the left and right pin transports whereby the left or right pin is pointed substantially away from the path, wherein the left or right pin engage an underside of a container extension and pull a container until the left or right pin has substantially traversed the platform.

Abstract: One embodiment of a picking tool for an automated library of disk drives has an electromagnet, a tapered hole, and a ventilation system. The ventilation system has a box fan with an impeller for moving air through ducting located within the picking tool. The ducting includes a vents located adjacent to one surface of the picking tool. The picking tool is designed to work in conjunction with a disk drive carrier having a front bezel equipped with a tapered guide pin that is complementary to the tapered hole, and vent ports. The guide pin provides alignment between the carrier and the picking tool. The automated disk drive library has a rack with drawers for containing the carriers. The picking tool is mounted to a robotic arm for selectively engaging and interfacing with the carriers. After the picking tool aligns with a desired carrier, the picking tool moves toward the carrier to insert the guide pin into the tapered hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and simultaneously loading/unloading a plurality of wafer boats (24) onto/from a cantilever paddle includes a cantilever paddle (47-1) and a carriage (42-1) supporting the cantilever paddle First and second vertical translation mechanisms (34A,B) each include a stationary part (62,63) and a vertically moveable support (61). First and second horizontal translation mechanisms (50A,B) each have a base (86) supported by one of the vertically moveable supports and a horizontally moveable arm (51) supported by the base (86). A horizontal boat support assembly (102) supports the loaded wafer boats and has an end supported by a first horizontally moveable arm (51A) and another end supported by a second horizontally moveable arm (51B).

Abstract: A storage lift has two columns, and a hoisting shaft for a conveyor unit (2) movable up and down between the two columns. A light grille (5) is arranged in the storage lift on the end of the conveyor unit (2) facing a charging and discharging opening (1). The light grille provides measurement of the height of the goods on the storage lift, and also acts as a safety element. Safety aprons (6, 7) are mounted on the top edge of the charging and discharging opening (1) and on the lower front edge of the conveyor unit (2) for compensating for shifting delays during braking of the conveyor unit (2).

Abstract: Bi-directional magazine and trays are disclosed. The bi-directional magazine and trays are used in double-picker automated storage library in which the double-pickers can never collide. The bi-directional magazine enables a double-picker to retrieve storage cartridges from either side of a magazine. The bi-directional magazine includes a tray for supporting a storage device removably mounted in a magazine, the storage tray being removable from a first end of the magazine and from a second end of the magazine, opposite from the first end. The storage tray may include a plurality of such storage trays. Each tray includes an engagement configuration on opposing ends of the tray for engaging with a picker mechanism for allowing the picker mechanism to pull the tray from the magazine at the first end or the second end of the magazine.

Abstract: A lift truck attachment for handling loads comprises a main frame assembly for attachment to an elevator of a lift truck and a lower slide assembly. The lower slide assembly includes an elongated sliding element for performing a reciprocal motion relative to the main frame assembly. A bottom slide cross tube is furnished and has an elongated structure extending substantially perpendicular to the elongated sliding element. An elongated pusher plate is attached to the bottom slide cross tube and extends substantially parallel to the elongated sliding element. A first shear plate has a first hole and is attached to an end of the bottom side cross tube. A second shear plate has a second hole and is rotatably attached to the first shear plate with a rotation axis disposed substantially parallel to the elongated sliding element. The first hole and the second hole have the same distance from the rotation axis. A threaded safety bolt penetrates through the first hole and through the second hole.

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: An apparatus for picking and placing media supported in stores and drives of a data storage library without electrical actuation or separate mechanical actuation means of grasping and releasing the media's pick feature, the apparatus including: a carriage movable toward and away from the media, the media being supported in the stores and drives; at least one picker member pivotally attached to the carriage at a pivot point and having a latching portion adapted to engage the media's pick feature. The picker member is movable between an open state wherein the latching portion is spaced from the media's pick feature and a closed state wherein the latching portion engages the media's pick feature. The apparatus also includes a spring having a first end attached to the carriage and a second end attached to the picker member.

Abstract: In order to achieve a magazine structure in which any necessary cartridge can be removed or inserted while a magazine is mounted in an autoloading device, a carrier unit is equipped with a lock releasing mechanism at the distal ends of openable/closable arms thereof so that a cartridge received in the magazine may be individually released from locking. This prevents any failure on the reading and writing of data due to removal of any wrong cartridge since the cartridge to be released can be defined by a programmable operation of the carrier unit.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a commissioning system (1) with at least one high-speed automatic machine (2) which comprises at least one article shelf (3) with article shafts (4) which are adjacently and essentially vertically arranged, preferably in a slightly slanted manner, and which can be accessed from the front. Articles which are to be commissioned can be stored in said article shafts, whereby a shelf control unit (5) can travel and which is assigned to the article shelf can be positioned at each article shaft (4) and stores articles in said article shaft. According to the invention, the spatially moveable shelf control unit (5) is equipped with an article handling unit (6) which stores the articles of the same type or dimensions in a stacked manner without the use of a magazine, whereby an article stack (7) which is to be stored in. Simultaneously handled without a separate article stack magazine or receptacle by the shelf control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically transferring and handling cartridges containing flat articles. The method and apparatus robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.

Abstract: An automated data storage system which comprises one or more robotic accessors movably disposed therein, each such accessor including a revolving memory buffer and a velocity control program, wherein the velocity control program stores operational data regarding the gripping and pivot mechanisms disposed on the accessor. A method to diagnose the cause of an accessor failure by downloading and analyzing the operational data stored on the defective accessor's revolving memory buffer.