Having An Identification Code Patents (Class 700/224)
  • Patent number: 11803748
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to parsing addresses using a deep learning model. The deep learning model may be trained using a plurality of reference address records and a plurality of modifications to the plurality of reference address records. In some implementations, the model can be a multi-layer bi-directional long short-term memory recurrent neural network model. The output of the model may include indications of an address component type for each character of the address. The output can be parsed based on the indications of the address component type to obtain a plurality of labeled address components for the address. The labeled address components can be compared to reference address records to determine a matched address record identifying a geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventor: Xinrong Huang
  • Patent number: 11554491
    Abstract: A system includes a moveable element adapted to move relative to a coordinate system defined for a robot, an object detection transceiver unit adapted to be mounted on the moveable element, and a controller. The controller controls the object detection transceiver unit to emit a signal and obtain a return signal for an operational cell of the robot at each of a series of predetermined positions to emulate a transceiver aperture larger than an aperture of the object detection transceiver unit. A location corresponding to a marker present in the operational cell is determined from the return signals. A predetermined operation is carried out where the predetermined operation includes using the determined location to guide movement of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Peter C. Karlsson, Mattias Falk, Hannes Bergkvist
  • Patent number: 11514397
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method is disclosed for inventory management including an inventory machine, a medication tray, and at least one marker. A medication tray includes a plurality of compartments to receive medications and other items, where each compartment is designated as a receptacle for a specific item or type of item. A marker is provided for each item placed in a compartment, and insertion of a medication tray into an inventory machine enables components to scan for markers. The markers are configured to generate identifying data and other data related to an item upon being scanned by an imaging apparatus and processed by a decoder apparatus. The correct/incorrect location of items within a medication tray, among other information, is determined in an automated fashion as part of the computer-implemented inventory management system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: INMAR SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: David G. Wolfe, Spencer W. Allen, Anthony Melanson
  • Patent number: 11500381
    Abstract: A stopping position control device according to an embodiment includes a sitting position specifying unit configured to specify a sitting position of a user who gets off a vehicle next, the vehicle being subjected to automatic driving control, and a stopping position determination unit configured to determine a stopping position of the vehicle, at which the user gets off the vehicle, corresponding to the sitting position of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Yamashita, Koichi Ikemoto, Koji Taguchi, Shin Sakurada, Tomoyuki Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 11498300
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a compactor arrangement (202) may have the following: a function module arrangement (1002), which is installed on a support framework (204a) above an empty-container transport device (202t), wherein the function module arrangement (1002) has: a module receptacle (1004) for receiving multiple function modules (1006), the multiple function modules (1006), which are designed to match the module receptacle (1004) such that the multiple function modules (1006) can each be selectively received in multiple configurations (1100c, 1100d, 1100e, 1100f) in the module receptacle (1004), at least one processor (1008) which is configured to ascertain an actual configuration of the multiple configurations (1100c, 1100d, 1100e, 1100f) and to operate the function module arrangement (1002) and/or the compactor arrangement (202) on the basis of the ascertained actual configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventor: Domenic Hartung
  • Patent number: 11433429
    Abstract: A logistics sorting system and a logistics sorting method, and the logistics sorting system comprises: the transport module, the sorting module, the identification module, the plurality of storage modules, the central controller connecting electrically with the transport module, the identification module, the sorting module, and the plurality of the storage modules respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Shenzhen Dorabot Inc.
    Inventors: Shengyuan Ma, Qiyang Liu, Xinghao Liang, Yun Zhao, Ilia Vasilev, Hailiang Zhang, Shi Jie Looi
  • Patent number: 11358803
    Abstract: A method for configuring a control unit in a conveyor, wherein a control unit controls one or more conveyor segments comprising a conveyor drive in signal communication with the control unit via a motor connection socket, and a sensor for detecting an object at a position within the conveyor segment. The conveyor is in signal communication with the control unit via a sensor connection socket. The control unit self-configures itself by: (i) activating a configuration mode in the control unit, (ii) receiving a signal from each motor connection socket or sensor connection socket, (iii) comparing the received signal(s) with a comparative value stored in the control unit, and (iv) determining whether a conveyor drive or a sensor is connected to a motor connection socket or a sensor connection socket of the control unit, respectively, based on the comparison of the signal(s) with the comparative value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: INTERROLL HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Herbert Henze
  • Patent number: 11092973
    Abstract: Coordinated operation of two or more autonomous robots is based on a clustered partitioning of a collective set of operations and/or tasks that the robots perform simultaneously. The clustered partitioning may include generating a set of clusters with each cluster of the set of clusters allocating a different subset of the collective set of operations and/or tasks to a different robot such that the set of clusters results in a least amount of cumulative distance that the robots traverse in performing each operation and/or task of the collective set, and a maximum amount of distance separating the robots when performing each operation and/or task. Each cluster may be assigned to a different robot with the collective set of assigned clusters causing the robots to operate and move in a coordinated efficient and nonconflicting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: inVia Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph Charles Voorhies, Lior Elazary, Daniel Frank Parks, II, William Shane Simpson Grant
  • Patent number: 11042832
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and implementing a household customer database are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for processing items comprises receiving a first item to be delivered and identifying data corresponding to one or more of a source information and destination information of the first item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Naomi Miller, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey
  • Patent number: 10977512
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an article recognition device includes a storage unit, an image interface, a distance information interface, and a processor. The storage unit stores outline information indicating an outline of an article. The image interface acquires a captured image. The distance information interface acquires distance information from a distance sensor. The processor recognizes a first article from the captured image, specifies an article area in which the first article appears from the captured image based on the outline information, acquires an article area distance between a surface of the first article and the installation base on which the first article is placed, which appear in the captured image, based on the distance information, and determines whether the first article is disposed overlapping a second article based on the outline information and the article area distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nobuoka, Masaaki Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 10977782
    Abstract: A method of sorting baggage at an airport, which method comprises acquiring a plurality of digital images (IN) of a piece of baggage, which piece of baggage carries an unambiguous identification label bearing textual information about a flight, the method further comprising video coding in which a computer unit automatically detects the presence of characteristic elements of the unambiguous identification label in the digital images, computes a score for each of the digital images on the basis of a count of the characteristic elements, ranks the images as a function of their respective scores, and displays the images on a screen (132) as a function of the ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SOLYSTIC
    Inventors: Emmanuel Piegay, Alexa Floury, Hicham Le Bernoussi
  • Patent number: 10917258
    Abstract: A mobile communications device for controlling a thermal appliance is described. The device includes a first communications interface configured to communicate over a wireless local area network and a second communications interface configured to communicate over a wide area network. A processor is coupled to the communications interfaces and configured to send commands to control, and to receive information relating to, operation of the thermal appliance. A user interface for obtaining user input to control the thermal appliance and for providing information relating to operation of the thermal appliance is included. The processor is configured to: monitor connection of the first communication interface with the wireless local area network, determine whether to trigger an alert in response to loss of connection, and to send a command, based on user input provided in response to a triggered alert, to the thermal appliance via the second communications interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED
    Inventor: Andreu Tobella
  • Patent number: 10607178
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for generating a drop plan for a mailing containing a plurality of mailpieces. Tracking data may be received for mailings sent by a plurality of mailers, and estimated delivery times determined based upon the tracking data. A mailer may specify a delivery goal for a mailing and, based upon the estimated delivery times and the delivery goal, a drop plan for the mailing may be generated, which specifies at least one drop location for at least a portion of the mailing. The mailer also may modify the drop plan, such as by specifying additional constraints, modified attributes of the drop plan, additional or updated goals for the mailing, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SATORI SOFTWARE INC.
    Inventor: Kimberly Michelle Mauch
  • Patent number: 10441381
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a medical adherence device. A medical adherence device includes a sharps bin, and an enclosure, the enclosure configured to display information on an output screen, receive medical waste and record information about the medical waste as the medical waste drops into the sharps bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HEALTHBEACON, LTD.
    Inventor: James Joyce
  • Patent number: 10135899
    Abstract: Content-specific archive files can be generated concurrently with the encoding of an output stream, such as for broadcast content. Tags or triggers, such as SCTE-35 messages, can be detected in the input content stream, and those triggers used to determine actions to be taken with respect to the content stream. As an example, program start tags and end tags can be used to determine when to begin, and end, the archiving of content to an output file specific to that program content. For archives that should not include advertising, secondary content, or any non-program content, triggers such as advertising start and stop tags can be used to determine when to pause and resume recording for those archives. Once completed, these archive files can be made accessible to users, such as through a video-on-demand service or other such offering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Olaf Nielsen, John Richardson, Darin J. Klaas, Benjamin Ferrentino, Evan Gerald Statton, Fritz Koenig
  • Patent number: 10000941
    Abstract: Amodular system for storage of cargo units, comprises: a plurality of pallets; a plurality of interconnected active cell units; each cell unit comprises an cell transporting mechanism; at least one active shuttle unit moveable between the plurality of cell units; each shuttle unit comprises a shuttle transporting mechanism adapted to transport at least one pallet of the plurality of pallets to and from one of the plurality of cell units and to and from the at least one shuttle unit; a central controller adapted to control the operation of the cell and the shuttle transporting mechanisms, the operation of which is performed in an independent manner via the central controller such that a construction of any arrangement of the cell units is performed to effectively exploit a designated space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Ilia Kharkover
  • Patent number: 9977440
    Abstract: A method includes presenting a set location setting within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device, and then detecting a selection of the set-location setting. The method proceeds by detecting at least one on-site network in communication with the mobile device in response to the selection of the set location setting, identifying a network name associated with the at least one on-site network, and associating the network name of the on-site network with an on-site zone of a site associated with the mobile device. The method then proceeds by altering an operating condition of a network device located at the site in response to a location of the mobile device relative to the on-site zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John F. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 9857777
    Abstract: Provided is a control system including controller configured to manage ID information comprising a unique number of a carrier on which a goods is mounted from among a plurality of carriers provided to tilt in a second direction or a third direction, such that each of the carriers moves along the first direction on a goods sorter and sorts the goods to at least one of a plurality of sorting openings, a recognizer configured to sense a material of the goods and a falling point at which the goods falls in a sorting opening, and an analyzer configured to generate result data obtained by analyzing a tilting speed and a tilting strength of the carrier, wherein the controller outputs a controls signal such that the at least one of the tilting speed and the tilting strength of the carrier is controlled based on the result data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yong hoon Choi, Ki Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 9827598
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of dynamically sorting items for delivery to diverse destinations in which at least one target location changes during the sorting process using an electronic array that correlates diverse destinations to target locations for sorting, wherein the electronic array changes based upon criteria relating to the results of the sort resulting in the removal of a first set of items from one target location while leaving a second set in the target location and placing the first set in another target location to adapt to the changed array and thereafter continuing to sort further items according to the changed array while some items remain in their initial target locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Engineering Innovation, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Robbins
  • Patent number: 9754339
    Abstract: A system and method configured for a dynamic sorting scheme is disclosed. The method may comprise receiving a mailing data corresponding to multiple mailing pieces, analyzing the mailing data based on an intended geographic destinations of the multiple mailing pieces and determining multiple geographic location groupings, filtering the mailing data into the multiple geographic location groupings, selecting a number of product type groupings based on product information of the multiple mailing pieces, electronically sorting the multiple mailing pieces based on mail qualifier criteria, determining a processing schedule of available sorting equipment and personnel for processing the multiple mailing pieces, simulating the processing of the multiple mailing pieces using the processing schedule, adjusting the processing schedule based on a result of the simulating the processing of the multiple mailing pieces, and sorting the multiple mailing pieces into multiple processing jobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Ed Buser, John Cary, Sean Nestler, Nilesh Sonwane, Harish Sundaram, Nilesh Wani
  • Patent number: 9618946
    Abstract: A method includes presenting a set location setting within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device, and then detecting a selection of the set-location setting. The method proceeds by detecting at least one on-site network in communication with the mobile device in response to the selection of the set location setting, identifying a network name associated with the at least one on-site network, and associating the network name of the on-site network with an on-site zone of a site associated with the mobile device. The method then proceeds by altering an operating condition of a network device located at the site in response to a location of the mobile device relative to the on-site zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John F. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 9604256
    Abstract: A system and method for providing intelligent mail recovery are provided. A cart for receiving a bucket containing mail items provide a camera and scale on a frame for detecting movement of mail items and determining destination as well as an associated weight of the mail item. An indicator is provided to an operator of the system as to the destination of the mail item. The mail item can then be sorted to the appropriate sort location. The system provides the ability to efficiently sort mail in addition to being portable within a sorting facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Logical Turn Services Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Serjeantson, Adam Stevenson, David Short, Jim McLellan
  • Patent number: 9508107
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret L. Choiniere, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne
  • Patent number: 9443220
    Abstract: Providing an information system in an item delivery system comprises reading a tracking indicia on a unit load, updating a database with first data from the tracking indicia, and updating the database with information that the unit load has been terminated. In addition, receiving second data to be included in a label, and printing the label may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Brent A. Raney, Daryl S. Hamilton, Anthony M. Ferlaino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9214000
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for electronically-capturing a destination address of a package and for using the destination address to automate a package pre-load operation. An embodiment of the invention includes a compression system for compressing the destination address as a compressed MaxiCode symbol, a smart shipping label system for generating a shipping label with a compressed MaxiCode and a pre-load assist system for generating package handling instructions from the electronically-captured destination address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Juan R. Perez, Duane Anderson, David Potteiger, Michael Burgess
  • Patent number: 9064523
    Abstract: A method of controlling a content recording device, by generating control commands in a uniform resource identifier (URI) format and controlling the content recording device according to the generated control command(s), is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-jin Park, Kwang-kee Lee, Eun-hee Rhim, In-chul Hwang, Glenn A. Adams
  • Patent number: 9043013
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting sort operators in identifying the appropriate location to sort an item. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package is provided. The system includes a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages; an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package; a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia; identify a particular bin within the plurality of bins associated with the received data; and trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Louis Ragusa, James Cossey
  • Patent number: 9037288
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SOLYSTIC
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Pszatka, Belkacem Benyoub, Emmanuel Piegay
  • Patent number: 9037287
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing mail sorting equipment based upon various commingled data files and user selected options includes a sorter, an optimizing system, and a computer for optimizing the sort plan based upon the data files and user settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: National Presort, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Grauberger, Jeremy S. McWilliam, Thomas Glassman, James Anton Curgus, Vladimir A. Popov, Yi C. Kim, Michelle Elizabeth Cantrell, John E. Horn, David F. Gibbs, Lance Glover Snead, Brent A. Daboub
  • Patent number: 9026243
    Abstract: The invention relates to an order picking station (48) and a method of picking articles from loading aids (2) by an order picker, adjoined by automated conveyor systems (20, 41) disposed on different height levels, loading aids (2) being conveyed to the order picking station (48) on a first conveyor system (20) and loading aids (2) being conveyed away from the order picking station (48) by a second conveyor system (41), and comprising a loading aid supply apparatus (61), an automated first loading aid transport apparatus for transporting loading aids (2) to the loading aid supply apparatus (61) and an automated second loading aid transport apparatus for transporting loading aids (2) away from the loading aid supply apparatus (61), and the first loading aid transport apparatus has a first carrying unit (62) for a loading aid (2) and the second loading aid transport apparatus has a second carrying unit (63) for a loading aid (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: TGW Mechanics GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Radwallner, Christoph Wolkerstorfer
  • Patent number: 9020634
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a facility wide sorting and/or sequencing system for improving product processing operations and, more particularly, to a facility wide system and related functionality for simultaneously sorting and sequencing mixed mail pieces such as, for example, flats and letter mail pieces. The flats and letter mail pieces are placed in frames so that all types of mail pieces can be sorted and/or sequenced simultaneously through merging and diverting a stream of filled trays into and out of different streams at a full or substantially full transport speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David Bailey, David Benninger, Wayne Blackwell, Matthew Bossard, Bryan Dalton, Thomas Erb, Michael Finney, Mark Gaug, John Hartman, Kenneth Marks, Jamie Micha, John Nasakaitis, William Olver, Daniel Ondreyko, John Patrick, Joseph Porter, Kalon Riehle, Leslie Scrivener, Gerald Sensenig, Clifford Solowiej, Frank Sweet, Jamie Swetland, Jonathan Wee, Bruce Williams, Kevin Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9012799
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow mailers more visibility into the mail stream and information on the quality of their mailings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret Louise Choiniere, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne
  • Patent number: 8996157
    Abstract: There is proposed a unit including a station for preparing orders, controlled by a control system. The station has a first circuit that includes a first outward conveyor, which receives containers for storing products, and an accumulator for accumulating a predetermined quantity of storage containers received on the first outward conveyor. The accumulator includes: at least one first shaft comprising superposed mobile positions that can each receive and downwardly move at least one storage container, the at least one first shaft vertically accumulating and sequentially dispensing storage containers previously placed in the positions; and at least one first elevator moving vertically along the at least one first chute up to each of the locations of the at least one first chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Savoye
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Collin
  • Patent number: 8983648
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Kreitmeier, Wolf-Stephan Wilke
  • Patent number: 8977386
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Steve Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8977385
    Abstract: Processing and tracking of individual mail items processed through a document processing system such as a sorter or inserter utilize a mail item identifier that is unique with respect to each individual mail item. A mail item may have a postal authority approved code representing or containing its associated unique identifier. If not, an identifier is generated and a corresponding postal authority approved code is applied to the mail item. Processing entails associating the unique mail item identifier for each respective mail item with collected metadata for the respective mail item and storing the identifier and associated the metadata. In a sorter example, each mail item is sorted into a postal sort group, and the processing entails identifying the sort group to which each item is sorted and storing the identified sort in association with the unique mail item identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bell and Howell, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Bowers, Steven Seburn, Steven Ksiazek, Gary Van Ermen, Walter S. Conard
  • Patent number: 8975549
    Abstract: A device for sorting out individual address mail from a presorted route order mail stack including a device with a mail receiving receptacle, a conveyor for transferring mail through the machine, a reader and control for reading the bar code and mail address, and a mail delivery receptacle. When mail is added to the mail receiving receptacle the machine conveys only the mail for one address to the mail delivery receptacle and then stops until the mail delivery receptacle is clear. The machine uses the mail bar code and displays the address to the mail carrier for confirmation of the matching addresses for all of the mail to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20150057795
    Abstract: A banknote handling apparatus includes: a plurality of storing units 52 configured to store a banknote; a transport unit 18 configured to transport the banknote having been put into a machine body 2 to each of the storing units 52; a recognition unit 40 disposed at the transport unit 18 and configured to read out a serial number of the banknote having been put into the machine body 2; and a control unit 70 configured to control the transport unit 18. The control unit 70 controls the transport unit 18 such that the banknote whose serial number has been read out by the recognition unit 40 and the banknote whose serial number has not been read out by the recognition unit 40 are stored into different storing units 52.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: GLORY LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kubo, Kazuki Ishino, Hirofumi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8965566
    Abstract: Objects are sorted according to predetermined groups of sorting feature values. In particular, postal items are sorted according to groups of delivery addresses. A sorting system sorts the objects into a sequence so that all objects with sorting feature values belonging to the same predetermined value group are situated one directly behind another in this sequence. The sorting system has x1 storage subregions, x2 sorting subregions and a sorting plan. The objects are apportioned to the x1 storage subregions. For each storage subregion, an apportionment step is then carried out, in which the objects from this storage subregion are apportioned to the x2 sorting subregions. The apportionment steps are performed one after the other. Each apportionment step, is followed by a sorting and output step for each sorting subregion, in which the objects from this sorting subregion are brought into a sequence in accordance with the sorting feature values and this sequence is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiegesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 8958904
    Abstract: A banknote handling apparatus includes: a first winding storage unit; a second storage unit; a transport unit; a recognition unit; and a control unit. The first storage unit stores the banknotes, while providing a mark associated with inventory amount information of the first storage unit. To perform a reconciliation process for the first storage unit, the control unit allows some of the banknotes stored in the first storage unit to be fed from the first storage unit, based on the mark, for recognition by the recognition unit, and determines an inventory amount of the first storage unit based on a result of the recognition and the inventory amount information associated with the mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Sakamoto, Youhei Kamada, Yuya Kataoka, Masao Okamura
  • Patent number: 8930017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading control apparatus capable of aligning the mail automatically. The loading control apparatus includes a distribution unit configured to guide mail, inputted to the cargo box of an unmanned receipt apparatus, to any one of a plurality of mail capacity boxes, a gravimetry unit configured to measure the weight of the mail loaded onto the mail capacity box, and a control unit configured to determine a mail capacity box onto which the mail will be loaded based on the weight received from the gravimetry unit and control the distribution unit based on a result of the determination. In accordance with the present invention, registered ordinary mail received through the unmanned receipt apparatus is automatically aligned and loaded in order of the receipt of mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Dong Ho Kim, Jae Gwan Song, Hyongook Kim, Hoon Jung, Jong Heung Park
  • Publication number: 20140371903
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting sort operators in identifying the appropriate location to sort an item. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package is provided. The system includes a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages; an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package; a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia; identify a particular bin within the plurality of bins associated with the received data; and trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: LOUIS RAGUSA, JAMES COSSEY
  • Patent number: 8903542
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventors: Didier Tresse, Christophe Lhomme
  • Patent number: 8903544
    Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus includes pickup unit which picks up a plurality of sheets loaded in a loading unit, a first determining unit which determines a type or a state of the sheet picked up by the pickup unit, a data collecting unit which collects handling amount data for respective types of the sheets or respective states of the sheets, a second determining unit which determines a distribution destination of the sheet based on the handling amount data for the respective types or the respective states of the sheets which are determined by the first determining unit, a distributing unit which distributes the sheet based on a determination result of the distribution destination of the sheet by the second determining unit, and a stacking unit composed of a plurality of cassettes to stack the distributed sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Satoko Uezono, Takahito Shinfuku
  • Patent number: 8897913
    Abstract: An automatic stacked parking or storage system includes a plurality of stationary docking cells, a plurality of carriages, and a central management system communicating with and controlling operations of the docking cells. Each docking cell has a ground driving device affixed on the bottom of the docking cell to drive a carriage horizontally in different directions of the docking cell, a docking cell control and interface unit (CIU), and one or more carriage position and ID sensor. A loaded carriage is moved horizontally by the ground driving devices of corresponding docking cells from a starting to a destination docking cell according to a route selected by a route optimization module. The location of the loaded carriage in the selected route is dynamically updated according to real time reports from each CIU of the corresponding docking cells. The system transports multiple loaded carriages at the same time for parking/storage and retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Chunsong Luo
  • Patent number: 8892245
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Steve Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8892246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing items such as pieces of meat, comprising the steps of providing a stream of items 10 by means of a primary conveyor means 4, allocating at least partly by means of a computer system 8, 20 one or more of said items 10 to one of at least two workstations 1 where said items 10 are processed, e.g. cut and/or trimmed, resulting in one or more processed items 11, registering in said computer system 8, 20 information about a return of at least one of said one or more processed items 11 to said primary conveyor means 4, and returning said at least one of said one or more processed items 11 to said primary conveyor means 4 in accordance with said information about a return. The invention further relates to a system for processing items such as pieces of meat, said system comprising the means essential to carry out the above-mentioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Marel HF
    Inventors: Brynjolfur Thorsson, Stefan Axelsson
  • Patent number: 8880215
    Abstract: An automated letter movement system comprising: postal item processing lines adapted to receive incoming postal items; SSM devices configured to receive at input postal items from at least one postal item processing line and adapted to group the postal items forming shingled groups of partially overlapping postal items; a transportation system adapted to move the shingled groups generated by the SSM devices along a feed direction; postal item output processing lines adapted to carry out the sorting of the postal items fed into it; singulator models receiving the shingled groups arriving from said transportation system, each singulator module being configured to only singularize the postal items belonging to a specific group and to send the singularized postal items to a postal item output processing line configured to implement a sorting program for the postal items subjected to singularization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seleg Elsag S.p.A.
    Inventors: Guido Teodoro De Leo, Cristiano Frazone, Enrico Rosa
  • Patent number: 8843231
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting sort operators in identifying the appropriate location to sort an item. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package is provided. The system includes a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages; an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package; a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia; identify a particular bin within the plurality of bins associated with the received data; and trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventors: Louis Ragusa, James Cossey
  • Patent number: 8829379
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret L. Choiniere, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne