Abstract: An automated cargo delivery system is provided, including an automated guided vehicle having a housing defining a recess therein and a propulsion system configured to move the housing. The recess may be configured to receive a plurality of swappable carriers each having a uniform width in a horizontal direction and a uniform height in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction. Each of the swappable carriers may be configured to be engaged within the recess. The plurality of swappable carriers may include a first swappable carrier and a second swappable carrier. A method of delivering cargo with the automated guided vehicle is also provided. The method may include alternatingly inserting and engaging the first swappable carrier and the second swappable carrier into the recess of the automated guided vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for processing sensor data are presented. An example method comprises accessing, by a computing device at a premises, sensor information associated with a plurality of sensors located at the premises, receiving, by the computing device, first sensor data from a first security sensor of the plurality of sensors, receiving, by the computing device, second sensor data from a second security sensor of the plurality of sensors, and in response to determining, by the computing device and based on the sensor information, that the first sensor data is associated with a higher priority than the second sensor data processing, by the computing device, the first sensor data, and transmitting, by the computing device, the second sensor data to a remote computing device for processing, wherein the remote computing device is at a location different from the premises.

Abstract: The blood bank comprises a cooled storage area with a plurality of stationary storage racks. Further, it comprises a buffer storage, which holds a number of movable storage racks. A robot is provided for moving blood products between the stationary storage racks and the movable storage racks. A product access door is arranged close to the buffer storage for manual access to the blood products within the movable storage racks.

Abstract: Vehicles, components, and methods are disclosed for distributing hot or cold food items from a vending kiosk, a locker system, or a self-propelled delivery vehicle. The vending kiosk may have multiple doors, at least one of which is unlocked responsive to confirming a purchase transaction or authenticating the presence of a person or device associated with the purchase transaction. The multiple doors provide access to respective compartments that may be selectively heated and refrigerated. Such temperature changes may be based upon a temperature control schedule. The locker system may include one or more configurable compartments that may be accessible via a set of set of doors that can be selectively coupled into larger doors. The self-propelled delivery vehicle may have a plurality of thermally insulated compartments that may be used to carry multiple items at different temperatures.

Abstract: A device, provided for the storage of articles and the formation of article groups, includes a frame having a first series of mutually parallel elongated storage sections that extend between a first end and a second end of the frame, and a number of article holders. The storage sections are provided with holder supports on which a number of the holders can be supported. At the first end and the second end of the frame, first and second platforms, respectively, have been arranged which each are adapted for accommodating at least one holder, and movement elements for horizontally moving at least one holder from the first platform at the first end of the frame to the holder supports of a selected storage section while moving one or more holders representing a same holder length from the selected storage section to the second platform at the second end of the frame.

Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of storage shelves has a shelf plate for supporting a container. Each of the storage shelves is coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain. The rail has some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear. The sections are arranged in a loop. Example configurations of the storage system include one or more of stationary shelves, extended horizontal tracks for a hoist, a conveyor at a level of the storage system, and a manual loading station. The hoist, with an extended horizontal track interfaces with the manual loading station.

Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.

Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.

Abstract: Provided is a specimen carrier supply and delivery device having at least one specimen carrier magazine with separate compartments for receiving interchangeably specimen carriers and a magazine lift, which is adjustable in height in a magazine carrier frame for receiving interchangeably specimen carrier magazines. Two pairs of bars, which stand vertically and parallel to one another, are arranged in the magazine carrier frame, wherein the magazine lift is guided in a height adjustable manner on the two complementary first bars of the bar pairs. An equal-sided coupling frame, which is aligned vertically to the plane formed by the first bars, with a bridge, which is arranged parallel to the plane, is mounted in a sliding manner on the two complementary second bars of the pairs of bars. A linear scale, which is aligned parallel to the direction of the bars, is fastened to the magazine lift.

Abstract: An automated arrangement for filling a shipping rack structure with water bottles (or any other type of bottle) includes an elevator arrangement and a pusher component, both under the control of a programmed control element (such as a microprocessor), to automatically present a plurality of filled bottles to an open rack “column” and move (push) the bottles from the elevator into the rack. The loader system is pre-programmed with inputs including the array size of the rack being loaded (i.e., how many bottles “deep” along each rail, the number of rows in the rack and the number of columns in the rack). With this information, the elevator will thus lift the proper number of bottles into place to fill a column, and then stop. Once the elevator stops, the pusher component will advance to move the column of bottles into the rack. The pusher then retracts, the elevator is re-started, and the next column of filled bottles is loaded into the elevator.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly for receiving and holding in place flexible containers in the upright position while the flexible containers are being transported on a conveyor. The receptacle assembly includes a guide supporting two supports, an adjustment mechanism, and a plurality of transport receptacles. Each transport receptacle includes two side supports, each of which are mounted on one of the supports. The supports are capable of being selectively displaced with respect to each other by operation of the adjustment mechanism, which allows the transport receptacle to be adjusted to receive and hold flexible containers of various sizes and configurations.

Abstract: A rack mover, attachable to a rack, includes a wheeled jack for lifting the rack off the support surface and a jack-mounting assembly. The jack-mounting assembly includes a first member to which the jack is coupled and a second member including hooked projections extending a length through respective openings in the first member. The hooked projections are configured to engage the rack. A biasing member of the jack-mounting assembly biases the second member in a first direction relative to the first member such that the hooked projections extend a first length through the respective openings. A tightening assembly of the jack-mounting assembly is engaged with the second member and configured to move the second member relative to the first member in a direction substantially opposite the first direction to reduce the length of extension of the hooked projections through the respective openings to a second length less than the first length.

Abstract: A method for providing independent static and dynamic models in a prediction, control and optimization environment utilizes an independent static model (20) and an independent dynamic model (22). The static model (20) is a rigorous predictive model that is trained over a wide range of data, whereas the dynamic model (22) is trained over a narrow range of data. The gain K of the static model (20) is utilized to scale the gain k of the dynamic model (22). The forced dynamic portion of the model (22) referred to as the bi variables are scaled by the ratio of the gains K and k. The bi have a direct effect on the gain of a dynamic model (22). This is facilitated by a coefficient modification block (40). Thereafter, the difference between the new value input to the static model (20) and the prior steady-state value is utilized as an input to the dynamic model (22). The predicted dynamic output is then summed with the previous steady-state value to provide a predicted value Y.

Abstract: An apparatus for transport and controlled discharge of a load has a frame with a guide for a series of displaceable transport containers, a drive unit for carrying the containers in an endless track, a resetting device for placing a container in a starting position and discharge station for selectively relieving a container of a load. The containers have an at least partially movable carrying panel for receiving the load thereon, including a tray which can be operated selectively between a transporting and discharge positions. The guide provides on either side of the containers a support surface on which the containers support with free-running wheels. On at least one side of the containers the support surface displays a convexity in a direction transversely of the transport direction with an apex on which a running surface of at least one wheel is received.

Abstract: A multiple loader, also adapted to operate as a magazine for storing vertically arranged panels, comprises, at a front head portion thereof, a step-by-step pushing device including a carriage driven by pneumatic cylinders causing the carriage to slide with a rectilinear reciprocating horizontal movement, to provide a pushing action on a first of a series of separating elements, arranged at a top sliding platform.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for rotating a test tray in a handler for handling a packaged chip for a test, including a base frame rotatable by a rotary actuator, a supporting plate slidable in a given direction by a linear actuator, supporting the test tray, a pair of first guiders provided on a lower surface of the supporting plate, slidable in the given direction along with the supporting plate, and a pair of second guiders provided on an upper surface of the base frame, slidable with respect to the pair of the first guiders.

Abstract: This system includes a base unit having an array of data storage locations mounted in a rectangular form factor along a back wall of the housing and at least one read/write device. The robotic mechanism includes a stationary vertical shaft on which is mounted on a horizontal track, movable in the vertical direction. The horizontal track extends from end to end of the base unit housing. The robotic mechanism includes a rotatable gripper that moves on the horizontal track and swivels on a pivot about an axis that is parallel to the vertical shaft to provide access to all interior surfaces of the base unit housing where data storage locations reside. An expansion module, comprising a rotary carousel of data storage locations, can be connected to either end of the base unit which enables the robotic mechanism to access the data storage elements within the expansion module without modification.

Abstract: A load port includes an adapter-detecting sensor arranged at an upper portion of an opener. When the opener opens a lid of a FOUP, the adapter-detecting sensor detects whether a wafer adapter is mounted in the FOUP, and notifies a control unit of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus of the result of the detection. The control unit determines the size of semiconductor wafers based on the result of the detection and carries out processing operation dependent on the size of the wafers in a processing chamber.

Abstract: An article handling system and method for holding articles and moving selected articles individually from and/or to the article handling system. A plurality of vertically spaced article holding trays are mounted for independent rotation, each tray having a plurality of discrete article holding locations. A tray rotating mechanism is arranged to rotate a single selected tray, while a pick-and-place mechanism has an article gripper mounted for vertical and horizontal movement such that the gripper can reach any article holding location on any selected tray. A controller coordinates rotation of the selected tray and movement of the gripper such that the gripper can move to and from the selected article holding location. The handling system is especially useful as part of an automated system for processing multiple specimens of biological fluid in separate vials.

Abstract: A buffer device for buffering a flow of stacks of discrete objects between a stacking machine and a packaging machine is disclosed which buffer includes a plurality of individual trays mounted on carriers which carriers are mounted on a frame and driven about the periphery of the frame by a drive. A first number of stacks of objects is placed on a first number of carriers on a first side of the frame and a second number of stacks are removed from a second number of carriers on a second side of the frame where the first number can be greater than, less than or equal to the first number. The carriers clamp onto a continuously moving drive belt in a manner that allow the drive belt to slip through the carrier clamps when motion of the carriers is obstructed. A method of using the buffer device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules is provided. A multi-function hub for use in the assist system includes a physical interface for providing mechanical support within the assist system. The hub can implement controlled functions. Furthermore, the hub can include an input/output (“I/O”) interface for communication to computational nodes.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system is provided that automates the process of handling a mixed inventory of palletized and containerized items. The invention is particularly useful in handling cargo and weapons within a ship's hold or magazine. When used on a ship, the invention provides for the stowing and unstowing of loads quickly and efficiently, to automatically secure such payloads for sea and to achieve high stowage density, while retaining the capability to select and retrieve any ordered payload, move it to and load it on elevator trays under computer control.

Abstract: An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules. Modules for motion, computation, interface, and programming are disclosed in exemplary embodiments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for storing and handling merchandise that can be managed by a computer and carried in a vehicle. Said system enables totally automated loading and transfer and highly automated unloading. When used in vehicles, said system consists of a conveyor belt loader that rejects inadequate merchandise, superimposed conveyor belts, which can have a belt with several turns, elevator, merchandise pushing device, photoelectric cells, label scanners, and the necessary connections for a computer controlling said devices, in addition to a fixing system consisting of an inflatable elastic band.

Abstract: A materials handling system comprises a rotary shelf rotatable around a rotary shelf axis, and a plurality of load receiving sections disposed on a rotary circular path having its center located at the rotary shelf axis. A transfer operating section of a transfer means disposed laterally outside the rotary shelf is rotatable around a transfer means axis and operates on a transfer circular path tangentially superposed on the rotary circular path, and a fixed shelf is installed on the transfer circular path. The transfer means unnecessitates an occupied space for travel, and the whole system including the rotary shelf and fixed shelf can be made compact in size. The transfer means having no traveling mechanism allows the transfer operating section to be lowered almost to the floor. With the rotary shelf and fixed shelf, the storage level is allowed to be lowered to further increase the amount of storage.

Abstract: The processing status of a plurality of semiconductor wafers undergoing processing is positively identified by the use of indicator flags associated with cassettes containing the wafers. The flags are moved between at least two processing state indicating positions during processing of the wafers by a robotic arm that also transfers the wafers between the cassettes and a wafer processing station.

Abstract: A unit for sorting and transferring sheets of glass has a number of carriages, each having a number of compartments for receiving respective sheets of glass; and a sorting device for supporting the sheets and feeding each of the sheets into a respective compartment; the sorting device having a support for supporting a sheet and rotating about an axis of rotation; and the carriages being arranged in a ring about the rotary support.

Abstract: Automatic storing device comprising a storage container for storing objects in a plurality of locations which locations are defined by one of housings and shelves arranged side-by-side and on a plurality of levels. A device is provided for loading and unloading the objects into and out of the locations. The device for loading and unloading the objects comprises a platform for supporting an object. A mechanism is also provided for moving the platform from one level to another. A pair of pliers adapted to grip an object is provided. The pliers comprise two parallel pivoting branches. Each of the two branches is pivotally mounted and has a free end adapted to grip the object. A first moving mechanism adapted to move the two branches in the same direction is provided. A second moving mechanism adapted to move the two branches towards and away from each other is also provided.

Abstract: A unit for sorting and transferring sheets of glass has a number of carriages, each having a number of compartments for receiving respective sheets of glass; and a sorting device for supporting the sheets and feeding each of the sheets into a respective compartment; the sorting device having a support for supporting a sheet and rotating about an axis of rotation; and the carriages being arranged in a ring about the rotary support.

Abstract: A two way operated storage system including a container storage area in the form of a multi-rack, multi-tier rotary storage carousel, a vertical lift for transporting containers vertically to a shuttle that transfers containers to and from the storage carousel. Storage carousel is supported on two straight tracks separated by a non-supporting distance. The rotary storage carousel and the shuttle are mechanically and synchronously interlocked such that the storage system can be operated in two different directions.