Abstract: A method for sorting and stacking stackable storage objects where the storage objects consist of at least three stacks. The method includes the steps of identifying and marking each storage object with a sequence number for each object in a withdrawal order. Identifying the lowest unmarked storage object above a mark storage object in each stack. Categorizing the stack containing the identified lowest unmarked storage object as a first stack and categorizing each remaining stack as a second stack. Moving each storage object from the first stack onto one or more of the second stacks until the identified lowest unmarked storage object is on top of the first stack. Sorting and moving all of the marked storage objects from the second stacks onto the first stack. Moving each of the storage objects in the arrival stack to one or more second stacks. Moving each of the marked storage objects to the second stacks from the first stack.

Abstract: A document processing device having an evaluation region disposed along a transport path between an input and output receptacle capable of processing both currency bills and identification cards. An evaluation unit enables entry of source identification information before or after processing currency bills. Memory is adapted to store source identification information for multiple batches of currency. Multiple batches are placed in the processing device for multiple batch processing. The evaluation region includes detectors for detecting predetermined characteristics of currency bills and distinguishing identification cards from currency. During processing, the identification card, or other separator card, is sent to a predetermined output receptacle designated as a reject receptacle. Currency that is rejected is sent to the reject receptacle. Rejected currency is separated into batches by the identification cards sent to the reject receptacle during processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequencing articles via a single sort pass or process includes a plurality of article receivers or collators positioned along a conveying or transport path and a plurality of carriages movable along the path. The carriages receive articles from at least one induct in a generally random manner and discharge the articles at the appropriate collators. The collators are operable to selectively receive the articles at an appropriate one of a plurality of bins of the collators, such that the articles are positioned within the bins of the collators in a sequenced manner. The articles may be unloaded to a plurality of collecting devices and/or manually unloaded and placed or stacked in a container in the desired sequence. The collecting devices may be manually unloaded while the collators simultaneously selectively receive articles during a subsequent sort wave or process.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring assets using radio frequency tags is provided that includes a plurality of primary tags. Each primary tag stores an identification of each linked tag associated with the primary tag. The primary tag receives a polling event and transmits a query message for linked tags within an operational range of the primary tag. Each linked tag receiving the query message transmits a response message that includes an identification of the linked tag. The primary tag receives the response messages and compares the identifications in the response messages to the identifications stored for each linked tag. Based on the comparison, the primary tag determines a monitored asset status.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a mail piece includes capturing an image of the mail piece, associating a tracking number for the mail piece with the image, providing the mail piece and tracking number to a carrier, and utilizing information from the image to investigate a lack of delivery if no delivery verification is received from the carrier within a certain time period. The system and method may also include extracting information from a portion of the image and presenting the extracted information to a carrier, receiving additional information related to the mail piece from the carrier in response to presenting the extracted information, providing the mail piece, the additional information, and a tracking number for the mail piece to a carrier, inserting the mail piece into a mail stream, and then utilizing information from the image to investigate a lack of delivery if no delivery verification is received from the carrier within a certain time period.

Abstract: A liquid or semi-frozen liquid beverage or dispenser apparatus which includes a storage compartment for a bulk storage container and which includes a controller to control operations of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a transceiver module on the dispenser, wherein transceiver module includes a memory and a RF transceiver. A replaceable bulk storage container includes a box transponder whereby a wireless communication link is established between the box transponder and the transceiver module when the bulk storage container is within the storage compartment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, system including a mail sorting apparatus which generally comprises a feeder, a line scan camera, an in-line printer, a control system which may be the microprocessor based personal computer system, at least one addressee database and sort plan, a mailpiece transporter, a bin module with compartments or sort bins for receiving mailpieces. This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a mail sorting apparatus to address sort internal mailings (business to employee mail). The foregoing is accomplished by addressing and sorting employee mailpieces in one process by using information from one or more databases of the mail sorting apparatus, including the addressee database and sort plan, and an in-line printer for printing employee and/or delivery information on the employee mailpiece. Thus, the method of the present invention provides a less costly, simplified way to prepare internal mailings.

Abstract: An acceptance and verification system creates data base records for each posted item of a bulk mailing so as to provide early notification to a mailing system as to the content of mail to be delivered by a bulk mailer in advance of physical delivery at the facility. A unique scanner readable bar code on the posted item provides documentation on the processing of each posted item and verifies correspondence between the notification and the documentation including item related specifics.

Abstract: A device and process are provided for identifying characters inscribed on a semiconductor wafer containing an orientation mark. A semiconductor wafer having characters inscribed on a surface near its periphery is supported about its periphery between three rotary supports mounted on a grasping arm. An orientation mark on the periphery of the wafer is located adjacent the inscribed characters. At least one of the three rotary supports is rotatably driven to orient the wafer such that the orientation mark is placed in a determined position. An optical reflector is positioned in a spatial zone in proximity to and above the characters to be identified. The characters to be identified are illuminated by a light beam reflected by the optical reflector. The characters reflect the light, which may be observed by an optical imager, such as a camera. An optical recognition subsystem may then be used to identify the characters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for creating an exclusive ID to a split lot in a multiple-plant enterprise. When a lot is divided, the split lot is first assigned a main code by a main ID unit. When the split lot is divided in the initial plant, a split ID unit assigns a split code to the split lot according to a sequence. When the split lot is not divided in the initial plant, the split ID unit assigns a plant code and a split code according to a sequence to the split lot. All of the codes of the lot are stored in an ID storage unit for lot administration.

Abstract: A mail sequencing system has, its top surface part, a tray storage. A non-standard-size mail supplied from a mail supplying unit is read by a bar code reader. The mail is stacked in a predetermined sorting bin based on the information. A tray onto which the mail is stacked is carried sequentially from the sorting bin to the tray storage and is supplied via a spiral chute to the mail supplying unit again to perform the second sorting. The destination of the mail can be automatically further sorted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the marking sections of a stack of items, such as mail items, to be sorted in sorting machines according to a distribution order. After reading and allocating a destination address to the stopping points of the distribution order, the last or the first and the last mail item of a section of a stack to be distinguished in a stack is automatically provided with an easily removable sticker, well visible in the stack, by an sticker dispenser, which is placed in the sorting machine after the reading unit for the distribution information and before the distribution unit. The stickers are then removed again during the distribution of the mail items to the receivers of the mail items.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for printed wiring boards divides printed wiring boards scheduled to be manufactured into non-fractional and fractional groups depending on the content of an order remainder list. The printed wiring boards categorized as non-fractional are panelized having the same shapes while the printed wiring boards categorized as fractional are grouped corresponding to manufacturing conditions thereof. Then, each group of the printed wiring boards are panelized with different shapes in a predetermined manufacturing block. Consequently, the generation of incidental products or the waste of material can be prevented.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification tags are placed on mail contained in trays or tubs to locate and reroute mail that is misdirected, i.e., being routed to the incorrect destination. The method involves the carrier reading the identifying information contained in the radio frequency identification tags on each mail piece while each mail piece is in the trays or tubs and removing one or more mail pieces in the tray or tub that are to be routed differently than that routing information contained on the outside of the trays or tubs.

Abstract: A device and method are for characterising component carriers provided with a plurality of electrical components to be fitted. The device includes at least one data carrier which is coupled to the components to be fitted, and in which at least technical data of the components is stored. The data carrier can be detected and read, and is designed in such a way that it can store other technical component data, logistical component data and/or operating data of the fitting installation. It is thus possible to take into account all operating states of a fitting installation, defective components, defective fitting processes, etc. during a fitting process in a fitting program, and/or to evaluate the corresponding data, and use it for optimizing and improving the fitting process.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for preparing mailpieces. A inserter system for assembling mailpieces in a mailing job is controlled in accordance with mailpiece records in a corresponding mailing control file. The inserter system scans control inserts included in the mailpieces fed into the mailpiece accumulations at a downstream station to verify corresponding mailpiece records. Initially the inserter system reads an initial, dummy control insert to accesses the mailing control file to initialized the upstream stations of the inserter system.

Abstract: An installation for processing wafers with a plurality of fabrication units and a plurality of measurement units as well as a transport system for transporting the wafers, is described. A transport control unit, which detects a capacity utilization of the installation and saves a processing sequence of the wafers, is allocated to the transport system. As a function of these parameters, control instructions are generated in the transport control unit, and can be output to the transport system for controlling the wafer transport procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to sorting items of mail in a plurality of sorting passes. In order not to have to read the address in each sorting pass and also not to have to print any machine-readable identification code on each item of mail, features characteristic of the items of mail are additionally determined during the first sorting pass and are stored together with distribution codes determined in the reading process. During the subsequent sorting passes only the characteristic features of the items of mail are measured and compared with the stored features. In the event of agreement, the item of mail is assigned the associated distribution code. A particular feed regime with defined orders ensures that in each case only n items of mail have to be compared, where n=maximum multiple delivery rate to be expected.

Abstract: A method 10 for maintaining the quality of produced goods by selectively, automatically, and remotely identifying the location of the goods 11 within a storage facility 19, thereby allowing modifications to be efficiently made to the located goods 11 in order to maintain the quality of the goods 11.

Abstract: An integrated remote control and integrated scanner (20) for use with a mail inserter (10), including a user interface and device logic module (20b), a transceiver (20a) for wirelessly communicating with the mail inserter (10), and an (embedded) scanner (20c), all provided as a single hand-held device (20). An operator can use the device (20) to send remote control commands to the mail inserter (10) and also operate the included scanner (20c) (used, e.g., for obtaining scan codes of mail pieces so that the operator can indicate to the mail inserter (10) whether to recreate the mailpiece).

Abstract: The present invention reveals a sorting system for use in manual sorting, which presents a detached ephemeral display moving in a manner corresponding to the movement of the article, by which an article to be sorted can be quickly and easily identified. To accomplish its purpose, the device comprises: feed conveyors; a switching unit; optical readers positioned to capture destination indicia affixed to each article; a detached moving display which remains close to the article to be sorted and presents information representative of the article's destination location; a destination location which signals when a related article is approaching; and a controller capable of assigning destination locations and controlling display devices.

Abstract: There is provided a method for automatically tracking compliance in a manufacturing process involving successive manufacturing operations comprising selecting an object; associating an identifier with said object, said identifier comprising a memory; performing a first manufacturing operation relating to the object; following the successful completion of said first manufacturing operation, writing an associated compliance data item to the memory; performing one or more further manufacturing operations relating to the object; and following the successful completion of each said further manufacturing operation or any package thereof, writing an associated compliance data item to the memory.

Abstract: A substrate verification system is utilized for verifying substrate location and orientation in a catalytic converter mat wrapping mechanism. A mat wrap mechanism reads data from a substrate. A verification mechanism compares the identifier data with stored data. If the substrate is verified as correct, the verification mechanism activates the mat wrap mechanism. If the data from the substrate does not match the data in a system an alert is activated. If there is an error, the wrapping process will not be activated. The present invention therefore provides a substrate verification system for verifying substrate location and orientation.

Abstract: A computer-based baggage transportation system includes a server computer, a client computer, and an attendant. The server computer includes travel information for a plurality of common carriers. The client computer is coupled via a network to the server computer and is configured to check in baggage and passengers from a property that is remote from a common carrier departure location. The attendant is cross-utilized with the remote property. That is, the attendant performs remote common carrier check-in services as well as remote property services. The attendant has met federal agency approval standards for common carrier check-in services.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking sensitive materials in a manufacturing system. The system includes a radio frequency identification component and a reporting system. The radio frequency identification component includes frequency identification labels that are attached to container units of sensitive material. Each frequency identification label includes expiration date information about the material within the container unit that the label is attached to. The radio frequency identification component also includes one or more antenna for reading the information from the radio-frequency identification labels on each container. The reporting system receives at least a portion of the information read from the radio-frequency identification labels from the radio frequency identification system and generates at least one report based on the received information.

Abstract: A log of printed products having thereon an identification that is programmable and then readable to access information regarding the printed products that make up the log such as product identification, orientation and destination, the printed products including either bound and non-bound printed products.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking sensitive materials in a manufacturing system. The system includes a radio frequency identification component and a reporting system. The radio frequency identification component includes frequency identification labels that are attached to container units of sensitive material. Each frequency identification label includes expiration date information about the material within the container unit that the label is attached to. The radio frequency identification component also includes one, or more antenna for reading the information from the radio-frequency identification labels oh each container. The reporting system receives at least a portion of the information reads from the radio-frequency identification labels from the radio frequency identification system and generates at least one report based on the received information.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for automatically creating and enriching a data base in a system for sorting mail items linked, through an INTRANET communications network, to computer stations of addressees of these mail items and comprising reading means for recognizing postal data printed on these mail items, processing means in order, in relation with a work data base comprising identification data relative to the addressees of the mail items, to identify the individual addressee of a determined mail item, and sorting means for allocating this mail item to the addressee thus identified, process in which there is firstly automatically sent to the electronic mail address of each addressee, a determined electronic message requesting him to be connected on a WEB page of the sorting system in order to enter personal identification data, and, once entered, these data are then automatically stored in a temporary data base for comparison with the data present in the work data base in order thus to ensure autom

Abstract: Method of monitoring a blood bag, the method including monitoring a maximum allowed time dT that the blood bag may be kept outside a controlled-atmosphere enclosure and an expiration date stored in an electronic chip fixed to the blood bag. The method further including indicating whether the blood bag may be transfused to a patient when the time dT and the expiration date have not expired. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Data on manufacturing processes in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus mainly containing bar code data are input to a portable input unit in step S1. A main bar code label can be affixed to an extremely short bar-code-labeled component such as a reticle having only a very narrow bar-code to-be-labeled region, which enables data input by bar codes. The portable input unit is placed in a terminal in step S2, so that data input to the portable input unit are transferred to a production line terminal. The production line terminal performs a compiling process (production controlling process) in step S3 based on input data obtained from the portable input unit and master data obtained from a server. Consequently obtained are a production control system and a production controlling method capable of performing production control with high accuracy in which errors created by operators in data input are minimized.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting, tagging, searching for, retrieving, inventorying, and transferring evidence by law enforcement officials are described, in which RFID tags associated with pieces of evidence can be interrogated to assist in locating information relating to that evidence.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high production rate machine for personalization (2) of integrated circuit modules (510, . . .

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to efficiently and accurately supply parts to a work in an assembling production line structured as a mixed assembly line, and to improve a flexibility of changing the line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sorting postal articles on automatic sorting devices. According to the invention, the postal articles are read in one or several sorting devices and are pre-sorted in sorting terminal stations according to distributing areas. The pre-sorted postal articles are then conveyed to the sorting devices assigned to the respective distributing areas and are finely sorted based on the applied barcode that indicates the online-read or offline-read address. In order to provide an additional time for offline video encoding before the fine sorting, the postal articles, during the pre-sorting for each distributing area, are sorted in terminal stations for already completely read postal articles and in terminal stations for incompletely read postal articles. This permits the completely read postal articles to be immediately subjected to a fine sorting and enables this time to be used for offline video encoding the incompletely read postal articles.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a container code recognition system and method for each of at least two quay cranes. At least one image frame sequence for a container viewed by a camera, on each of the quay cranes, is provided to a human operator. The human operator responds to the image frame sequence for the container. Receiving the human response creates a container code for the container handled by each quay crane. The human response may be through use of a keyboard, pointing device, acoustic interface, and/or eye movement.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking articles and controlling inventory thereof on a real time basis comprising the use of a tag assembly including a plurality of tags including both active tags and passive tags distinguishable from one another by the provision of a self contained power source in the active tags. One or more readers are disposed within a locale being monitored and are structured to communicate received data transmission from a host controller, for additional administrative processing in terms of determining the existence, location and/or movement of various articles with which the plurality of tags are directly associated. Depending on their category the tags may be activated by either entering an electric field of a predetermined first frequency or by receiving an activation signal from the reader assembly also transmitted at the first predetermined frequency. Communication between the tags and the reader occurs at a second frequency being different from the first frequency.

Abstract: An electronic system for managing items in a supply chain. The system generally includes item information capturing means, such as a handheld device, adapted for capturing identification information associated with an item identified for supply chain management; mode specifying means adapted for receiving user input representative of a selection of at least one of a plurality of capturing modes, wherein each capturing mode is adapted for creating associated information by associating the captured item information with supply chain information; and transferring means adapted for transferring the associated information to an electronic storage device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: A system and method for routing a carrier on a movable conveyance system having a multiplicity of switching stations and at least one carrier. Each carrier has an electronic readable tag coupled thereto, and each tag has a specific identifier that can be read. A reader is configured to read the electronic readable tag and to communicate the tag's identifier to a controller. The controller, in turn, is configured to control at least one switching station of the movable conveyance system based at least in part on the identifier.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for preparing mailpieces. A inserter system for assembling mailpieces in a mailing job is controlled in accordance with mailpiece records in a corresponding mailing control file. The inserter system scans control inserts included in the mailpieces fed into the mailpiece accumulations at a downstream station to verify corresponding mailpiece records. Initially the inserter system reads an initial, dummy control insert to accesses the mailing control file to initialized the upstream stations of the inserter system.

Abstract: An ID information managing system capable of improving manageability and maintainability of ID information of component units constructing a device or an apparatus and preventing loss of ID information for discriminating characteristics of the component units without increasing operation processes at the time of exchanging the component units, and an apparatus with the ID information managing system. The ID information managing system is for reading the ID information specific to each component unit of the apparatus comprising a plurality of component units. The ID information managing system comprises a non-contact IC tag to be attached to at least one of component units, and tag information receiving means provided in at least one of the component units. The tag information receiving means receives ID information stored in the non-contact IC tag to thereby read the ID information of the component unit.

Abstract: Comprising: an IC tag 120 that is attached to a work in process 100 of a portable telephone 110 and memorizes information related to a production condition of the portable telephone 110; a mounting device 140 that reads out the information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110 from the IC tag 120 and mounts components of the portable telephone 110, based on the readout information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110, on the work in process 100 with the IC tag 120 attached; an inspection device 150 that reads out the information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110 from the IC tag 120, and inspects the work in process 100, which the IC tag 120 is attached and the components of the portable telephone 110 are mounted, based on the readout information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110; and an editing device 130 that writes the information related to production of the portable telephone 110 into t

Abstract: A distribution system in which many types of small-volume products classified according to product type, which includes clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, and wallets, design, color, and size are combined for shipping in one or more packing boxes to a retail store. Products 9 are packed in a package 4 at a shipping site 1 and shipped via a distribution network 3 to a receiving site 2. An electronic package tag 5 containing data on a plurality of packed products 9 of differing type, color, and size is attached to each packing box, and electronic product tag 10 containing specific product data is attached to each packed product 9. The data stored on the electronic package tag 5 and the electronic product tags 10 is read at the receiving site 2, compared to the intended package contents were actually received.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cart has a pull-out drawer, and a conveyor that transports a number of removable medication bins within the cart, one at a time, to the position of the drawer. An on-board processor controls operation of the bin conveyor mechanism whose pathway can be a serpentine (folded) loop. The drawer slide engages the bin located at the drawer position, and the bin can be pulled forward from said conveyor and pushed back onto the conveyor. The bins can be lifted out when the drawer is opened. A 2-D bar code symbol or other machine-readable code, positioned on the bin, contains data identifying the contents of the bin and the associated patient. A reader device reads the coded symbol and transfers data for that bin to an on-board processor. The processor keeps track of the bins on the conveyor, as well as their contents. Pusher arms on the drawer assist in pushing the bin out when the drawer is opened and in returning the bin onto its carrier when the drawer is closed.

Abstract: A method for rerouting mailpieces in a carrier distribution system includes the steps of receiving a plurality of mailpieces within the carrier distribution system; dynamically determining criteria defining a suspect group of mailpieces; automatically detecting the presence of the plurality of mailpieces within the carrier distribution system; identifying suspect mailpieces form the plurality of mailpieces by automatically detecting within the carrier distribution system which of the plurality of mailpieces meet the criteria defining the suspect group of mailpieces; and outsorting the suspect mailpieces for evaluation. A postal distribution system incorporates the method.

Abstract: A method and system for a quay container crane with container code recognition of a container identified by a container code with container positional identification is disclosed. The system and method are capable of performing these tasks without the use of non-standard container tagging.

Abstract: A log of printed products having thereon an identification that is programmable and then readable to access information regarding the printed products that make up the log such as product identification, orientation and destination, the printed products including either bound and non-bound printed products.

Abstract: At the shipping department of a company, contracted outlets or outlets of delivery companies, information concerning the shipper and receiver are written into a label having a memory, but no controller or energy source. The label has a transmitter and the label makes use of power supplied by RF query signals to fetch the information stored and transmits such information to a label reader located either in a portable recorder or at sorting locations. After the information is written into the label, the label is attached to the package. Upon being picked up, the label on the package is read by a portable recorder which transmits the information to a main computer.

Abstract: Articles entered into a sorting system are identified by means of an article identification device 1. An allocation ratio is selected from an allocation ratio table 7 based on the identifying information from the article identification device 1. Chute selection information is obtained for a sorter 2 based on the allocation ratio by means of a calculator 6, which in one embodiment uses a random number generator 8 to make a weighted calculation and a deviation reduction mechanism 11 to reduce the deviation of the accumulated weighted calculation results. A controller 3 selects a chute 4 such that the articles entered into the system will be distributed in accordance with the article allocation ratio, and provides the chute selection information to the sorter 2. The sorter 2, based upon the chute selection information, conducts sorting by dropping the articles entered into the system into the appropriate chute 4.

Abstract: A method for use by a presort mailer in creating a mailing consisting of a multitude of mail pieces addressed to a predetermined list of recipients having predetermined addresses is disclosed, including the steps of: (a) determining a batch scheme applicable to the mailing, wherein the batch scheme specifies batches of mail pieces to be grouped together, the batch scheme being based on a multi-pass mail piece sort scheme such that each batch contains mail pieces that can be sorted to mail carrier delivery order on a last pass of the multi-pass sort scheme; and (b) creating the mail pieces of the mailing in an order so that the batches of mail pieces to be grouped together according to the batch scheme are created consecutively. In one embodiment, the multi-pass sort scheme may be based on a predetermined set of numbered delivery points each corresponding to a ZIP+4 destination code.