Having An Identification Code Patents (Class 700/225)
  • Patent number: 11484915
    Abstract: Provided is a package sorting method, a sorting area layout, a sorting system, and a path optimization method. The package sorting method includes: dividing a sorting area into at least a first logical partition close to a first item collecting area and a second logical partition close to a second item collecting area, where the first logical partition includes a first item dropping area, and the second logical partition includes a second item dropping area. By this method, a total path of package delivery is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING GEEKPLUS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hao Han
  • Patent number: 11413755
    Abstract: A system and method comprises marking or identifying an object to be perceptible to robot, while being invisible or substantially invisible to humans. Such marking can facilitate interaction and navigation by the robot, and can create a machine or robot navigable environment for the robot. The machine readable indicia can comprise symbols that can be perceived and interpreted by the robot. The robot can utilize a camera with an image sensor to see the indicia. In addition, the indicia can be invisible or substantially invisible to the unaided human eye so that such indicia does not create an unpleasant environment for humans, and remains aesthetically pleasing to humans. For example, the indicia can reflect UV light, while the image sensor of the robot can be capable of detecting such UV light. Thus, the indicia can be perceived by the robot, while not interfering with the aesthetics of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Sarcos Corp.
    Inventor: Fraser M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11386402
    Abstract: A system and method of documenting condition, repair, and overhaul of aircraft parts. The system and method include searching a database for an electronic file of an aircraft part; creating an electronic file of the aircraft part if the electronic file is not found on the database; generating a maintenance report data package that is linked to the electronic file; capturing, using a camera or a microphone, aircraft part data including a single or plurality of pictures, a video recording, and a voice recording; linking the aircraft part data to the maintenance report data package; and saving an updated version of the electronic file to the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Gary Philip Hochman
  • Patent number: 11345033
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a control method of a moving body and a control system of a moving body, which allow a control part to calculate a fragment of a moving path between the moving body and a target according to position information of the moving body and the target, and transmit the fragment to the moving body. The above steps are repeatedly executed in sequence until the moving body reaches the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Liu, Bo Yi Li, Sheng-Jen Chen, Chih-Hsiang Chen, Yung-Chih Pan, Chi-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 11308291
    Abstract: A system may sense the contents of a closed container, by analyzing a wireless signal that reflects from an RFID tag on the outside of the container. The frequency response of the tag's antenna may be affected by the relative permittivity of the contents and by the tag's environment. The frequency response may be measured in a line-of-sight environment and in a multipath environment. Channel estimates may be calculated, based on the measurements. Channel ratios may be calculated by dividing line-of-sight channel estimates by multipath channel estimates. The resulting channel ratios may be fed into a variational autoencoder, which in turn generates synthetic data that contains information about multipath environments but not the contents. The output of the variational autoencoder may be converted into synthetic channel estimates, which may in turn be employed for anomaly detection, or to train a classifier to classify contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Unsoo Ha, Junshan Leng, Alaa Khaddaj, Yunfei Ma, Tzu Ming Hsu, Zexuan Zhong, Fadel Adib
  • Patent number: 11194347
    Abstract: A system for localizing a swarm of robotic platforms utilizing ranging sensors. The swarm is localized by purposely leaving some of the platforms of the swarm stationary, providing localization to the moving ones. The platforms in the swarm can alternate between a stationary and moving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Robotic Research, LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Daniel Lacaze, Karl Nicholas Murphy, Joseph Putney, Anne Rachel Schneider
  • Patent number: 11188100
    Abstract: A system for localizing a swarm of robotic platforms utilizing ranging sensors. The swarm is localized by purposely leaving some of the platforms of the swarm stationary, providing localization to the moving ones. The platforms in the swarm can alternate between a stationary and moving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Robotic Research, LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Daniel Lacaze, Karl Nicholas Murphy, Joseph Putney, Anne Rachel Schneider
  • Patent number: 10872209
    Abstract: A system may sense the contents of a closed container, by analyzing a wireless signal that reflects from an RFID tag on the outside of the container. The frequency response of the tag's antenna may be affected by the relative permittivity of the contents and by the tag's environment. The frequency response may be measured in a line-of-sight environment and in a multipath environment. Channel estimates may be calculated, based on the measurements. Channel ratios may be calculated by dividing line-of-sight channel estimates by multipath channel estimates. The resulting channel ratios may be fed into a variational autoencoder, which in turn generates synthetic data that contains information about multipath environments but not the contents. The output of the variational autoencoder may be converted into synthetic channel estimates, which may in turn be employed for anomaly detection, or to train a classifier to classify contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Unsoo Ha, Junshan Leng, Alaa Khaddaj, Yunfei Ma, Tzu Ming Hsu, Zexuan Zhong, Fadel Adib
  • Patent number: 10852712
    Abstract: The invention discloses a computer-implemented method for tracking production in a production facility and for obtaining searchable production records. The method comprises providing a production site with communication access to a central server configured to: a) receive status and location data pertaining to tagged central key assets of said production facility, from tracking readers located in the production facility. b) record the status and location data in a searchable database of digital threads. The digital threads describe time-related status and information particulars related to production of a manufactured product. c) allow execution of a search to detect the particulars of the digital threads. The invention also describes a system for execution of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Plataine Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ben-Bassat, Avner Ben-Bassat, Eduard Goldner, Naaman Lifshitz, Michal Diga, George Kozarev
  • Patent number: 10760207
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of treating a textile with an antimicrobial agent includes receiving a textile in a washer system. The textile includes an identification tag, which uniquely identifies the textile among a plurality of textiles. The method also includes detecting, in the washer system, the identification tag. The method further includes determining, based on the detected identification tag, one or more parameters for treating the textile with an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent includes a metallic ion. The method also includes washing the textile with a detergent, and, after washing the textile with the detergent, treating the textile with the antimicrobial agent based on the one or more parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED SILVER, INC.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Ann Hutt Pollard, Sean Morham, David E. Brown
  • Patent number: 10633135
    Abstract: A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hero Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Kutadgu Akdogan, Christian Von Heifner, Maya Kelley, Greggory Paul Hagopian, Kalyan C. Vepuri
  • Patent number: 10617276
    Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine includes providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit. The unit has a portable housing having an indicator, a wireless network interface, a processor, and a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by the processor. The instructions are executed to determine an attribute of the dishwashing machine and to control the indicator based on the determination of the attribute. The method includes communicatively coupling the unit to the dishwashing machine, and using the unit to determine the attribute of the dishwashing machine. The method comprises causing the unit to wirelessly communicate the determined attribute to a remote user computer together with a geographic location of the dishwashing machine. The method includes taking a responsive action in response to the determined attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TCD PARTS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Fisher, Joel Gross
  • Patent number: 10455758
    Abstract: A vacuum seed meter includes a vacuum channel and a seed disc having seed cells defined as openings through a perimeter region of the seed disc, which rotates through the vacuum channel. The seed meter includes a sensor that addresses the seed cells in a way that enables prediction of imminent seed starvation of the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Chad M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10364122
    Abstract: An infeed module of a valuable media depository is configured to track media edge detection during ejection processing. When sensors of the infeed module report conditions that would otherwise indicate that media has exited or been retracted back into the infeed module during ejection processing, reporting of the conditions are delayed or modified based on a tracked edge detection status. Thereby permitting the infeed module to perform proper ejection processing on both windowed and non-windowed media regardless of the dimensions present for any windowed portions of the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Widsten, Husameldin Ibrahim, Matthew Gordon Sonnenberg, Yunus Tatar
  • Patent number: 10324476
    Abstract: A system for localizing a swarm of robotic platforms utilizing ranging sensors. The swarm is localized by purposely leaving some of the platforms of the swarm stationary, providing localization to the moving ones. The platforms in the swarm can alternate between a stationary and moving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Robotic Research, LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Daniel Lacaze, Karl Nicholas Murphy, Joseph Putney, Anne Rachel Schneider
  • Patent number: 10109004
    Abstract: A computing device determines the contents of one or more assortment packs for an online distribution center (“DC”) based on pre-defined store assortment packs. The computing device selects a group of store assortment packs that fulfill the requirements of an online distribution center for a first set of items that are offered for sale at both the retail stores and the online store. The computing device may further identify a second set of items that are not offered for sale at the retail stores, such as “online only” items, and which therefore are not included within any of the store assortment packs. The computing device optimizes the contents of the selected group of store assortment packs to ensure that the second set of items can be fit into the selected group of store assortment packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Megan L. Hawley, Hong Yang Singhania, Madhu Tangudu
  • Patent number: 10068789
    Abstract: A method comprising placing a wafer assembly in a wafer cassette, wherein the wafer assembly includes a wafer and an electrostatic carrier attached to the wafer. In addition, the electrostatic carrier is charged through the wafer cassette, the wafer cassette is transported to a next process stage, and the wafer assembly is removed from the wafer cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wen-Chih Chiou, Yung-Chi Lin, Yu-Liang Lin, Hung-Jung Tu
  • Patent number: 9914217
    Abstract: An integrated intelligent system includes a first intelligent electronic device, a second intelligent electronic device, a transferable intelligent control device (TICD) and a cross product bus. The first intelligent electronic device performs a first function and the second intelligent electronic device performs a second function. The cross product bus couples the first intelligent electronic device to the transferable intelligent control device. The TICD partially controls behaviors of the intelligent electronic device by sending commands over the cross product bus to the first intelligent electronic device and the TICD partially controls behaviors of the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function. The TICD is first attached to the first intelligent electronic device to partially control the behaviors of the first electronic device, then detached from the first electronic device, and then attached to the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Dooley, Nikolai Romanov, Paolo Pirjanian
  • Patent number: 9916557
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for delivery of items in connection with social networks. For example, in various embodiments, a customer can register with a carrier and identify participation is various social networks. The carriers may then use the social network contacts of the customer to facilitate improved delivery efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gillen, Bala Ganesh
  • Patent number: 9912913
    Abstract: A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Johnson, Edward R. Dowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9819908
    Abstract: A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Omnivision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Johnson, Edward R. Dowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9807347
    Abstract: A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Johnson, Edward R. Dowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9773690
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a load port into and out of which the transport container is carried; and an apparatus controller that controls operations in the load port. The apparatus controller includes a storage unit that stores transition data of parameter values sent from outside based on a transport container identification code. The transition data of the parameter values each comprises a usage count of the transport container and a corresponding parameter value that quantifies a result of at least one of an operation performed to remove the lid after the transport container is carried into the load port and an operation performed to carry the container out of the load port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Morikawa, Ikuo Sunaka, Suguru Enokida
  • Patent number: 9646310
    Abstract: A method includes printing a readable and writeable memory on an object, using a seed to generate an original value, writing the original value to the memory, and sending the object to a recipient. The method may also include receiving the object at the recipient, determining the seed from a characteristic of the object, generating an authentication value using the seed value, and comparing the authentication value and the original value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Kuniavsky, Paula M. Te, Shantanu Rane
  • Patent number: 9636826
    Abstract: An interactive personal robot includes a basal body, a memory set in the basal body, a rotating mechanism connected to the basal body, a camera and a microphone assigned on the basal body and a control system set in the basal body. The camera is used to capture an image of a user's eyes. The microphone is configured to record audio of the user. The control system is used to process the image and the audio, to compare the image and the audio processed with the image and audio stored in the memory to gain a corresponding instruction, and to control the rotating mechanism, the rotating mechanism in turn the interactive personal robot to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ting-Yi Liao, Yi-Cheng Lin, Shih-Pin Lin, Chang-Da Ho, Sei-Ping Louh, Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 9597714
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, media and code for routing a mail item part are provided. A receiver may receive an image of the mail item part. A processor may decompose a segment of the mail item part into a string vector; quantify a first closeness between the string vector and a first library vector that corresponds to a first mail item part destination; and quantify a second closeness between the string vector and a second library vector that corresponds to a second mail item part destination; and link to the image routing information to route the mail item part to that of the first and second mail item part destinations that corresponds to the greatest of the first and second closeness. A transmitter may transmit the image to that of the first and second mail item part destinations that corresponds to the greatest of the first and second closeness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Felse, David T. Frew, John B. Hall, Tessa R. Cooke
  • Patent number: 9589296
    Abstract: Various embodiments enable a media playback device to present a user with the option to add items referenced in a media object, such as a movie, ebook, song, game, or application, to a wishlist for later purchase or sharing. An example system performs content analysis of the media object to determine which items are referenced in the media object and where they are located within the media object. Further, the system can query an electronic marketplace for more information about which specific types, sizes, colors, or other variations of the item are available, as well as information such as price, shipping cost, shipping time, and so forth. In a video media object, for example, the system can present a custom miniature storefront for various scenes or frames in the video that represents items present or referred to in the scenes or frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yik Ping Li, Zaka Ur Rehman Ashraf, Joshua Karl Tang, Dennis James Taylor, Hannah Rebecca Lewbel
  • Patent number: 9570331
    Abstract: A wafer cassette includes a main body having space to hold at least one wafer assembly. Each of the at least one wafer assembly includes a wafer and an electrostatic carrier attached to the wafer. An electrical contact structure inside the main body is arranged to contact an electrical pad of the electrostatic carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chih Chiou, Yung-Chi Lin, Yu-Liang Lin, Hung-Jung Tu
  • Patent number: 9562816
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for inspecting a magazine including a plurality of partially-finished products. The apparatus is configured to inspect a stopper of the magazine before providing the magazine to a packaging process, and further configured to classify the stopper into a normal product. The magazine comprising the stopper classified as the normal product is into the packaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-hwan Ji, Jung-hun Choi, Sung-yeol Lee, Hee-sang Yang, Jae-nam Lee
  • Patent number: 9530058
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a visual-assist robot includes a housing defining a base portion, an imaging assembly, a motorized wheel assembly positioned at the lower surface of the base portion, a processor disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly and the motorized wheel assembly, and a non-transitory memory device disposed within the housing. The imaging assembly generates image data corresponding to an environment, and at least a portion of the imaging assembly is configured to be disposed above the upper surface of the base portion. The non-transitory memory device stores machine-readable instructions that cause the processor to provide a drive signal to the motorized wheel assembly such that the motorized wheel assembly moves the visual-assist robot to a desired location within the environment, determine objects from the image data received from the imaging assembly, and transmit message data for receipt by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Joseph M. A. Djugash, Yasuhiro Ota, Shin Sano, Sarah Rosenbach, Sho Hiruta, Maura Hoven
  • Patent number: 9212007
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, media and code for applying a mailing label are provided. The apparatus may include a mail receipt conveyor; a mail registration station that is configured to receive from the mail receipt conveyor a mail item that includes on an exterior surface of an envelope a printed message indicating that a customer name appearing on the mail item does not correspond to an address on the mail item; an imaging device that is configured to capture a delivery error segment of the surface; a processor device that is configured to identify an electronic mail address that corresponds to a customer name in the addressee segment of the surface; and a transmitter device that is configured to transmit to the email address an electronic form for electronically receiving a different address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Felse, David T. Frew, John B. Hall, Tessa R. Cooke
  • 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: 9014845
    Abstract: A system for verifying whether an item retracted into a self-service terminal is the same item that was output from the self-service terminal, wherein the signature data sets generated prior to output and following retraction of the item are compared. A method of verifying whether an item retracted into a self-service terminal is the same item that was output from the self-service terminal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Anil Venkata Krishna Babu, Ranjeet Kumar Sahu, Gordon A. Forsyth, Andrew T. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150100439
    Abstract: A workflow system for streamlining a sequence of connected steps between a plurality of parties in an organization, such as a restaurant. The parties have different, but interconnected roles. The communication system enables communication between the parties with wireless technology, such as radio frequency identification. Each party has a role in an organization. Each party comprises an attribute for defining the role. The attribute include a function, a position, and a location of each party. Each party has a tag, such as a radio frequency identification tag, for identification and accessing the attribute. The tag enables a transfer of data between the parties and a data storage portion. The data storage portion stores the attribute. The attribute is accessible by the parties. The attribute is viewed by predetermined parties through a communication device. A scanning device scans the tag to enable access and viewing of the attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Jason Lu, Ocean S. Lu, Sky J. Lu
  • Patent number: 9002505
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling containers, with at least one handling device which handles the containers in a pre-set manner, a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path, with a control device for controlling the apparatus, with an input unit, by way of which information is capable of being entered in the apparatus by a user. The apparatus has an information output unit for delivering information to the user, wherein this information unit is made portable and is capable of being brought into at least indirect communication connection with the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Markus Zoelfl
  • Patent number: 8996158
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling containers, with at least one handling device which handles the containers in a pre-set manner, a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path, with a control device for controlling the apparatus, with an input unit, by way of which information is capable of being entered in the apparatus by a user. The apparatus has an information output unit for delivering information to the user, wherein this information unit is made portable and is capable of being brought into at least indirect communication connection with the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Markus Zoelfl
  • 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: 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: 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: 8944254
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including a table to be loaded a first and a second banknote group partitioned by a header card recording the bar code number in the piling direction of the banknotes, a take-in portion to take in the banknotes of the first and second banknote groups loaded on the table and the header card, a discrimination portion to count the banknotes taken in by the take-in portion and discriminate the kind thereof, a plurality of stackers to sort and stack the banknotes discriminated by the discrimination portion on the basis of the kink thereof, and a sensor to detect the header card taken in by the take-in portion. The sheet processing apparatus additionally includes a controller to control so as to stop the taking-in of the second banknote group on the basis of detection of the header card by the sensor and after a lapse of a predetermined time, to start the taking-in of the second banknote group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toru Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8942897
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a location of an unloaded unit of agricultural product and locating a desired unit of agricultural product or identifying a candidate unit of agricultural product as a function of sensing system information indicating contact of the unit with the ground or other surface onto which the unit is unloaded, global positioning system or other location system information identifying the contact or related location, and heading information, which information can then be used to discern the unit from others at the location for desired loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Justin R. Ringwald
  • Patent number: 8918205
    Abstract: An adjustable speed control system includes a reader, databases, processors and a conveyor controller. The databases store data concerning conveyor stops and failed attempts by the reader to identify conveyed items. Based on the failed attempts and the conveyor stops, the processors calculate an optimal speed of the conveyor. The controller adjusts the conveyor speed towards the optimal speed to increase the conveyed items successfully identified by the reader. Also disclosed are a corresponding method and computer readable medium on which is stored instructions to, upon execution, adjustably control the conveyor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Purolator Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Edward Serjeantson, Andrew Silerio Vicencio, Cameron James Laird, Adam Stevenson
  • 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: 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: 8903543
    Abstract: A system and method provides for the identification and monitoring of carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Each carrier which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon identification information for the carrier. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the chip. When a carrier is put in the system, a destination location can be associated with the particular carrier ID. This associated information is then employed to, among many things, monitor and confirm identity of the carrier as it moves to its destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Translogic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Michael Hoganson, Gregory Richard Chany, Bennett Charles Hinnen
  • Publication number: 20140350718
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, media and code for applying a mailing label are provided. The apparatus may include a mail receipt conveyor; a mail registration station that is configured to receive from the mail receipt conveyor a mail item that includes on an exterior surface of an envelope a printed message indicating that a customer name appearing on the mail item does not correspond to an address on the mail item; an imaging device that is configured to capture a delivery error segment of the surface; a processor device that is configured to identify an electronic mail address that corresponds to a customer name in the addressee segment of the surface; and a transmitter device that is configured to transmit to the email address an electronic form for electronically receiving a different address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Felse, David T. Frew, John B. Hall, Tessa R. Cooke
  • Patent number: 8896421
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zebra Enterprise Solutions Corp.
    Inventor: Gideon Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20140343720
    Abstract: Systems and methods of associating data to an item being transported by a conveying system are disclosed. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first zone of the conveying system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone. The item is transported to a second zone of the conveying system, and the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Darin DANELSKI
  • Publication number: 20140343719
    Abstract: The disclosed method, and corresponding system, for controlling items on a production/distribution line relies on secure identification of items transported arranged in a given disposition along a transport path at a site of collection and packaging of the items, and association of ID data of some of the packed items with corresponding packaging ID data so as to ensure reliable identification of package content delivered on the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Yvan Collombet, Daniel Cotsford, Rodrigo Lorca, Luciano Torres, Christian Fefin
  • 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