Abstract: Operability of a valuable medium handling system is enhanced. A valuable medium handling system 1 includes a communication device 3001 disposed at a storage cassette 31 that is detachably attached to a medium handling device 2 and that stores banknotes, and a controller 513 and a computer 5 that communicate with the communication device 3001 via a communication line 9. The controller 513 and the computer 5 each perform a predetermined process by communicating with the communication device 3001 via the communication line 9.

Abstract: A method and system for multicast flow restoration following network failure detection. Specifically, in addressing the aftermath following a network failure, one or more embodiments disclosed herein propose a solution through which failure-impacted network multicast(s) may be identified and, subsequently, restored with or without third-party intervention. To that end, one or more embodiments disclosed herein employ(s) a centralized network controller configured to obtain aggregated network state, including network topology information, through numerous logical agents interspersed across a network. Thereafter, the aggregated network state may be leveraged to ascertain and remedy any network multicast disruptions.

Abstract: A system and method allows a user to pay for a transaction by scanning an encoded image, for example, using a mobile device. The payor is anonymous to the party receiving payment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection device including: a machine learning device that performs machine learning on the basis of state data acquired from an inspection target and label data indicating an inspection result related to the inspection target to generate a learning model; a learning model evaluation index calculation unit that calculates a learning model evaluation index related to the learning model generated by the machine learning device as an evaluation index used to evaluate the learning model; an inspection index acquisition unit that acquires an inspection index used in an inspection; and an index value determination unit that determines whether the learning model generated by the machine learning device satisfies the inspection index on the basis of the learning model evaluation index and the inspection index and outputs a result of the determination.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a machine learning device that performs machine learning on a basis of state data acquired from an inspection target and label data indicating an inspection result related to the inspection target to generate a learning model; a learning model evaluation index calculation unit that calculates a learning model evaluation index related to the learning model generated by the machine learning device as an evaluation index to be used to evaluate the learning model; an inspection index acquisition unit that acquires an inspection index to be used in the inspection; and a learning model selection unit that displays the learning model evaluation index and the inspection index so as to be comparable with each other regarding the learning model generated by the machine learning device, receives selection of the learning model by an operator, and outputs a result of the selection.

Abstract: A wireless communication system allows the movement of a carriage or an automated conveyance vehicle to which a plurality of slave wireless device and a plurality of appliances are provided. A master control unit of a master wireless device uses a master communication unit to transmit a cut-off request signal to a slave wireless device deviating from a communication-target region. If a slave communication unit receives the cut-off request signal, a slave control unit of the slave wireless device cuts off a wireless connection.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: an image former that forms an image; a stacker that stacks a recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image former and which has been discharged from the image former; a lifter that raises or lowers the stacker between a stacking position where the recording medium is stacked and a lower position located below the stacking position; a recording medium detector that detects the recording medium stacked on the stacker; and a hardware processor that controls driving of the lifter so as to lower the stacker from the stacking position to the lower position when it is determined that the recording medium is on the stacker on the basis of a detection result of the recording medium detector within start-up time from a time when power is switched on to a time of shifting to an image formable state.

Abstract: Technologies are shown for shipping route selection involving receiving sender and recipient shipping information for an item to be shipped and obtaining shipping route options for the item based on the sender and recipient shipping information. The route options are provided for display and selection of an option. A routing data block is created for the item at an address on a blockchain that stores shipping information for each stage of the selected route. A shipping tag is encoded with the blockchain address and attached to the item. The tag can be scanned to obtain the blockchain address and request information for a next stage of the shipping route from the block. The next shipping information from the block is received and utilized to ship the item to a next geolocation. The next shipping information can be determined based on current conditions, such as weather, pricing and availability.

Abstract: An industrial installation or production facility and a method for managing and controlling production resources with one or more work cells. Certain production resources are organized into work cells, which are each formed from at least one processing machine of the plastics-processing industry and at least one peripheral device. The production resources are connected to a work cell controller, and are automatically detected by the work cell controller, whereupon the work cell controller performs the communication or data exchange with the company-internal network, e.g., an intranet and/or an internet, and with the production resources of the work cell, and establishes direct communication between the production resources. A software update can be performed in the work cell controller during the operation of the work cell. Furthermore, the work cell controller creates a list and assigns addresses for the connected production resources.

Abstract: In a banknote handling apparatus capable of dealing with a depositing/dispensing process by a banknote cassette and a manual depositing/dispensing process, the banknote handling apparatus enables a depositing process without dispensing a reject banknote, which has been deposited from the banknote cassette, to the outside.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus includes: a plurality of detachable storages each of which stores therein paper sheets; a first storage that stores therein correspondence information, the correspondence information including a plurality of pieces of first identification information and pieces of second identification information that are uniquely associated with the respective pieces of the first identification information; and a first controller configured to: when a storage of the storages is attached, inform the storage of an identification number, and further select, from the correspondence information, first identification information corresponding to the storage; transmit transmitted data to which the identification number and the selected first identification information are set; and execute, in receiving data including the identification number, a receiving process on the data when identification information included in the data coincides with second identification information corresponding to the fi

Abstract: A robotic assembly cell is configured to generate a physical mesh of physical polygons based on a simulated mesh of simulated triangles. A control application configured to operate the assembly cell selects a simulated polygon in the simulated mesh and then causes a positioning robot in the cell to obtain a physical polygon that is similar to the simulated polygon. The positioning robot positions the polygon on the physical mesh, and a welding robot in the cell then welds the polygon to the mesh. The control application captures data that reflects how the physical polygon is actually positioned on the physical mesh, and then updates the simulated mesh to be geometrically consistent with the physical mesh. In doing so, the control application may execute a multi-objective solver to generate an updated simulated mesh that meets specific design criteria.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of producing a product having the optimum image layout dependent on a discharge destination even when saddle-stitching is canceled due to input of image data for sheets in excess of a limit of a saddle-stitchable number of sheets. The number of output sheets per one copy is calculated based on image data. When the number of output sheets per one copy exceeds a saddle-stitchable number of sheets, it is selected whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed without performing the saddle stitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitching processing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed.

Abstract: A seed meter for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting has a segmented seed meter reservoir with multiple seed meter chambers arranged between two pairs of seed disks that may be parallel to each other or angled with respect to each other to define an X-shaped arrangement of the seed disks in the seed meter. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver a single one of the multiple types of seed from the respective seed meter chamber for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement localized functionality in a client server system using a technique of caching one or more functional objects for access in response to an appropriate server call are shown. Embodiments provide a browser based postage indicia generation and printing solution in which a browser upon which a postage client is operable is controlled to cache one or more functional objects in the form of script files. Various functional objects may be optimized for caching by clients such as postal rating scripts, postal insurance rating scripts, address verification scripts, etc. Security and/or accuracy verification may be implemented by a server to independently verify the results of the use of functional objects by a client.

Abstract: A fitting system is provided that includes a plurality of fitting lines for fitting printed circuit boards with electronic components. A method for allocating printed circuit boards to the fitting lines includes: (1) determining requirements for fitting each of a plurality of printed circuit boards with allocated components; and (2) allocating the printed circuit boards to fitting lines under predetermined conditions by integral linear programming. Equipment families are determined for the fitting lines on the basis of the allocation, and the allocation is repeated until a criterion has reached a predetermined threshold. The criterion is established on the basis of the number of equipment families of the fitting lines, where an equipment family includes a quantity of different components with which a fitting line may be fitted in order to fit a predetermined amount of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Data is collected from sensors related to the opener assembly for seeders, such as for discs and hoe drills, in order to better determine how the opener assembly reacts while operating in various conditions and to more precisely control operation of the opener assembly. Accordingly, a control system and a sensor array are utilized to provide automatic and continuous down pressure adjustments (according to a certain user specified range) at various speeds to substantially maintain a relatively constant seed depth. The sensor array could also be monitored and controlled by an operator to control settings (such as with respect to seed depth and/or opener down pressure) of the seeding implement from the cab to provide manual down pressure adjustments at various speeds. In various aspects, seeding speed and/or tractor speed may also be parameters controlled via the sensor feedback according to a certain user specified range of sensor variation.

Abstract: Mail processing systems and methods. A method includes receiving a plurality of mailpieces in the mail processing system and associating a unique identifier with each of the plurality of mailpieces. The method includes obtaining destination address information for each of the plurality of mailpieces and comparing the destination address information with a potential move table to determine destination addresses for which there is a potential change of address. The method includes sending the destination address information to a change of address (COA) server and receiving COA results from the COA server. The method includes printing destination information on each mailpiece according to the COA results.

Abstract: A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with a seed-delivering agricultural implement that can use look-ahead predictions and controls to coordinate seed type delivery switchover in a manner that minimizes mixing different seed types during the switchover. The system can include a control system that uses a prescription map to look ahead to coordinate out-of-implement or to-ground seed type delivery switch-over events of seeding and/or planting implements with the implements crossing boundaries between different variety zones of an agricultural field.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for determining optimum sizes of packaging in a packaging suite employed in a materials handling facility. The packaging may be used, for example, in the shipping of items from the materials handling facility to various destinations. The sizes of the packaging in the packaging suite are determined based at least upon a cost associated with the packaging, packaging materials and shipping costs of the packaging when applied to a shipment history of the materials handling facility.

Abstract: A method of processing mailpieces, in which they are fed in series into a sorting machine comprising a sorting conveyor and sorting outlets, an image of each mailpiece is formed in the machine, processing is applied to the image for automatically recognizing address information for the purpose of automatically directing the mailpiece towards a determined sorting outlet, a digital model of running mailpieces or a “run” is built in a database prior to feeding the mailpieces into the machine, the model being built on the basis of an image of a mailpiece, and being defined by data characterizing the graphical appearance of the mailpiece in the image formed from an interactive acquisition terminal located remote from the machine, and the run model is associated in said database with indications usable by the recognition processing, which indications are also input from said interactive acquisition terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for consolidating multiple pickings of an item to fulfill multiple shipments into a single picking of the multiple items. A determination is first made whether a metric representing a plurality of shipments exceeds a threshold, wherein individual ones of the plurality of shipments are mapped to corresponding ones of a plurality of item locations in a fulfillment center. The plurality of shipments are then remapped to an individual one of the plurality of item locations in response to a determination that the metric exceeds the threshold. Finally, a picking of the items is initiated.

Abstract: A diamond sorting system comprising a diamond source for supplying one or more diamonds to be graded by a vision system having one or more cameras arranged to take one or more images of the diamond, and a processor arranged to receive the image data and execute an algorithm on the data to grade the diamond. The sorting system further comprising a diamond collection unit arranged to receive a graded diamond from the vision system and an electromechanical diamond transporter arranged to transport a diamond to be graded from the diamond source to the vision system, and further arranged to transport a graded diamond from the vision system to the diamond collection unit.

Abstract: A system includes a climate-controlled inventory holder, a mobile drive unit, and a management module. The climate-controlled inventory holder is configured to control a climate of one or more inventory items stored by the inventory holder. The mobile drive unit is operable to transport the climate-controlled inventory holder from a first location to a second location based at least in part upon one or more instructions received from a management module. The management module is operable to receive an order for an inventory item, determine that the inventory holder stores the inventory item, and instruct the mobile drive unit to transport the climate-controlled inventory holder from the first location to the second location.

Abstract: A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.

Abstract: A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The first mobile drive unit is operable to dock with a first item holder at a first end of a column of connected item holders. The second mobile drive unit is operable to dock with a second item holder at a second end of the column of connected item holders. The system also includes a management module that is operable to instruct the first mobile drive unit and the second mobile drive units to transport the column of connected item holders from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A method and system for the use of prediction data in monitoring actual production targets is described herein. In one embodiment, a process is provided to receive data from a plurality of source systems in a manufacturing facility and generate a prediction pertaining to a future state of the manufacturing facility based on the data received from the plurality of source systems. A recent state of the manufacturing facility is determined based on the data received from the plurality of source systems and a comparison between the recent state and the prediction is facilitated.

Abstract: Two types of objects are sorted in multiple sorting passes, for instance flat mail items are precisely sorted into a delivery sequence. Objects of a first object type are fed to a sorting system from a first feeding device. Objects of a second object type are fed from a second feeding device. The sorting system sorts the objects in at least two successive sorting passes. A first sorting plan and a second sorting plan are used in each sorting pass except in the last sorting pass, where a sorting plan is used. Each first sorting plan assigns a sorting end location of a first sorting end-location region and each second sorting plan assigns a sorting end location of a second sorting end-location region. A sorting end location is selected for each object using a sorting plan in each sorting pass, and the object is transferred into the selected sorting end location.

Abstract: Method and systems for sorting are described. In one embodiment, a container is released into a pocket section, with the pocket section being at a first alignment stage. The pocket section is rotated with the container away from the first alignment stage to a second alignment stage. Attributes of the container are acquired at the second alignment stage. An order to which the container belongs is identified with the acquired attributes. The pocket section with the container is rotated to a third alignment stage. The location of the third alignment stage is selected based on the identified order. The container is received to group with one or more containers in the identified order. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for order picking products in an order picking facility having at least one rack for storing products and an assigned warehouse transport system for collecting and storing the products and for transferring the collected products to a transport system, by means of which the collected products are transported to a good-to-picker order picking station, at which the quantity of the collected products that is determined in a picking order is order-picked manually or automatically by a robot, into one order transport unit for each picking order. Product types corresponding to the picking order are collected, order-picked at the good-to-picker order picking station, one after the other, and the remaining products of the product type are stored via the transport system again in the rack.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for managing reassignment of units among shipments in a materials handling facility are described. Embodiments may include a system configured to identify a first unit of a particular item that has been picked from inventory of a materials handling facility and assigned to a first shipment. The system may also, from multiple candidate shipments, identify a second shipment that requires a given unit of the particular item in order to become a complete shipment. For each candidate shipment, at least one unit of that shipment may be stored within a defined storage area of a materials handling facility. The system may, in response to identifying both shipments, generate an instruction to reassign the first unit of the particular item from the first shipment to the second shipment in order to transform the second shipment from an incomplete shipment to a complete shipment.

Abstract: A work picking system according to embodiments includes a three-dimensional measuring unit, a hand, a calculating unit, a determining unit, and an instructing unit. The three-dimensional measuring unit measures a three-dimensional shape of a work that is a gripping target. The hand is provided on a terminal movable unit of a multi-axis robot and includes a mechanism that changes a distance between gripping claws and a mechanism that changes a tip end direction of the gripping claws. The determining unit determines a tip end direction of the gripping claws based on the attitude of the work calculated by the calculating unit and a direction of a rotation axis of the terminal movable unit.

Abstract: A system is provided to correlate a medication package with a prescribed medication for a patient. The medication package accommodates an intended patient medication. The system includes an optical imager adapted to read an encoded symbol character comprising encoded patient information and further adapted to image an attribute of the medication package. The optical imager comprises a two-dimensional image sensor array and an imaging lens for focusing an image on the two-dimensional image sensor array. The two-dimensional image sensor array has a plurality of pixels formed in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The optical imager further includes a digital link to transmit a segment of data. The segment of data includes the patient information encoded in the encoded symbol character and the attribute of the medication package.

Abstract: A conveyance control apparatus includes a stacking base that stacks ejected paper sheets, a sensor that detects a paper sheet after the paper sheet is ejected according to job data before the paper sheet is stacked on the stacking base, a detection time measuring unit that measures sensor-on time during which the sensor detects the paper sheet, a storage unit that stores near-full-stack time for judging whether stacked volume on the stacking base enters into a near-full-stack state, a judging unit that judges stack state on the stacking base based on paper sheet information of the job data and a measured result by the detection time measuring unit, and a conveyance control unit that performs control to temporarily stop paper sheet feeding and then to feed predetermined number of paper sheets, when the judging unit judges that the sensor-on time is equal to or greater than the near-full-stack time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position and type of food located in a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. For example, the method includes a sensor to determine the type of the solid or liquids located in the food compartment or container. The sensor may also be used to determine the position or location of the food. The method contemplates having at least one and may include multiple containers or food compartments wherein a container holds liquids and a food compartment holds solids or semi-solids. By determining the type and location of the food in the food compartment an individual may select a certain type of food from a specific food compartment. In addition, transmitting the location or position of the food to the feed arm results in a more efficient delivery system.

Abstract: Method and system for arranging rod-like elements, in which an unordered portion of rod-like elements, composed each of at least one part selected from cigarette parts being filter parts and tobacco parts, is delivered to a conveyor which arranges the elements on the conveyor in a plurality of compartments, longitudinally in each compartment and transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor. The compartments have a length which receives at least one filter part and at least one tobacco part of a cigarette. The type, number and location of parts of the element received in each compartment is defined by at least a single scanning of each successive compartment of the conveyor. The result of the scanning is transmitted to a control unit and the elements are subsequently sorted based on information received from the control unit.

Abstract: A method of sorting laminates includes characterizing first shapes of laminates from measurements taken of each, assembling the laminates to derive a first relationship between the first shapes and yield loss, characterizing second shapes of the laminates from a reduced number of the measurements to derive a second relationship between the second shapes and yield loss, analyzing a change in the derived relationships to determine a least number of the measurements necessary for achieving the yield loss and sorting supplied laminates in accordance with a characterized shape of each, which is obtained from the least number of the measurements taken for each supplied laminate.

Abstract: A method of processing mailpieces for sorting mailpieces into sequence in a sorting machine depending on delivery points of delivery rounds, in which method the mailpieces are grouped together into batches associated with delivery rounds and are sorted as a function of various sorting plans each associated with a respective batch of mailpieces and defining a list of delivery points of delivery rounds, which method includes the following steps, assessing the batches of mailpieces before the machine sorting to detect those that will under-use the sorting capacities; aggregating the batches of mailpieces detected as under-using the capacity so as to constitute aggregated batches of mailpieces; computing an associated sorting plan resulting from the aggregating; feeding each aggregated batch of mailpieces into the postal sorting machine and controlling the sorting of the mailpieces as a function of the sorting plan computed for said aggregated batch of mailpieces.

Abstract: A wide area radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes: a first RFID cell and a second RFID cell. The first RFID cell and the second RFID cell each include a reader and tags. The readers access the tags using ultra-wide band signaling. The RFID cells each include: a communications interface operable to communicate with a network operations center, and a communications gateway which supports direct communications between RFID cells. The method includes accessing the second RFID cell from the first RFID cell, and the accessing is performed using the communications gateway that can cover a range of at least five hundred meters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: Method and systems for sorting are described. In one embodiment, a container is released into a pocket section, with the pocket section being at a first alignment stage. The pocket section is rotated with the container away from the first alignment stage to a second alignment stage. Attributes of the container are acquired at the second alignment stage. An order to which the container belongs is identified with the acquired attributes. The pocket section with the container is rotated to a third alignment stage. The location of the third alignment stage is selected based on the identified order. The container is received to group with one or more containers in the identified order. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, devices, non-transitory storage media, and systems that utilize operations including configuring each feed conveyor in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in a slug-building merge mode, monitoring to identify a first predefined condition, configuring each feed conveyor in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in a zippering merge mode in response to identifying the first predefined condition, monitoring to identify a second predefined condition, and configuring a first set of the feed conveyors in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in the slug-building merge mode and a second set of the feed conveyors in the plurality of feed conveyors to simultaneously operate in the zippering merge mode in response to identifying the second predefined condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, in which an operating system (OS) is executable in such a way that a component operable based on administrator's authority can realize installation of a device driver. The information processing apparatus includes a selection unit configured to select a peripheral device that serves as an output destination of a processing request if the processing request is received from a user via an application, and a management unit configured to control setting processing for a device driver applicable to the selected peripheral device to use the peripheral device. The management unit is configured to request a first component operable on the OS based on administrator's authority to perform setting processing for a device driver applicable to the selected peripheral device.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring component panes from a component pane storage station to a vacuum table assembly are disclosed. The system includes a number of component pane handlers, for instance two handlers, and a pick and place mechanism or arm. The handler transfers the component panes from the station to the mechanism. The system includes an alignment module configured to facilitate spatial alignment of the component pane while the component pane is coupled to the handler. The module can be carried by the mechanism. Spatial alignment of the component pane can be substantially completed before transfer of the component pane from the handler to the mechanism. The mechanism includes a set of vacuum elements or pads that enables pick up of the component pane from the handler as well as release and pick up of the component pane at the vacuum table assembly.

Abstract: A computerized method includes sorting mail that comprises a multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein the multiple pass mail sort operation for a mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed comprises performing a first pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the first pass comprises capturing data to identify a feature of the mail piece. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes generating a first fingerprint for the mail piece between performing the first pass and performing a second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes performing the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort operation. Performing the second pass includes determining a final disposition of the mail piece that is undeliverable as addressed.

Abstract: A control device controls a processing installation for the production of collections of printed products, wherein the processing installation includes installation sections which combine input streams of part products into output streams of collections of these part products. Control units are assigned to the installation sections and which, on the basis of a predefined product requirement (Pa2, Pa3, Pa4, Pa21, Pa31, Pa41), activate the assigned installation section for the production of a respective output stream. In each case a control unit is set up to obtain product requirements from the master control or from a different control unit, and to produce product requirements for the control unit of an installation section arranged upstream.

Abstract: A method for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool is provided. The method includes delivering a first fastener of a first type to a remote installation tool in response to receiving a request for a fastener of the first type from an operator and staging a second fastener of the first type for delivery to the remote installation tool. The staging begins prior to receiving a request for another fastener of the first type from the operator. The staging includes retrieving the second fastener of the first type from a storage location and transferring the second fastener of the first type from the storage location to a staging location.

Abstract: A system is provided to correlate a medication package with a prescribed medication for a patient. The medication package accommodates an intended patient medication. The system includes an optical imager adapted to read an encoded symbol character comprising encoded patient information and further adapted to image an attribute of the medication package. The optical imager comprises a two-dimensional image sensor array and an imaging lens for focusing an image on the two-dimensional image sensor array. The two-dimensional image sensor array has a plurality of pixels formed in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The optical imager further includes a digital link to transmit a segment of data. The segment of data includes the patient information encoded in the encoded symbol character and the attribute of the medication package.

Abstract: A method for processing waste in a material handling system includes detecting an occurrence of a trigger event associated with a waste holder located at a first location and, in response to detecting the trigger event, moving a mobile drive unit to the first location. The method also includes loading waste material onto the mobile drive unit at the first location and transporting the waste material to a waste station using the mobile drive unit.