Abstract: A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process.

Abstract: An autonomous robotic transport system has been developed in which the individual robot vehicles are able to move in multiple directions, such as vertically as well as around curves. Through the use of a unique rail system, the vehicle is able to move around corners and turns without the need for expensive modifications. This eliminates the need for various differentials or multiple electric motors to provide the difference between inner and outer wheels in a turn. Moreover, a number of switches have been developed that allow the vehicles to move not only vertically but also horizontally as well as transition between vertical and horizontal movement. A technique for operating the robotic vehicles is also described.

Abstract: A convey control device for a long object includes an upstream side conveying unit, a buffer unit, a downstream side conveying unit, and a convey control unit. When starting to convey the long object, by a catalyst of starting output of conveying speed information of the long object output after receiving a convey start instruction sent from another device following the downstream side conveying unit, the convey control unit releases the restricting of a driving source of the upstream side conveying unit and the downstream side conveying unit and starts the convey control of the long object.

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

Abstract: A robot system according to an embodiment includes a robot a switching determination unit and a rearrangement instruction unit The switching determination unit performs determination of switching between the operation of transferring the workpiece and the operation of rearranging the workpiece based on the state of transferring the workpiece by the robot The rearrangement instruction unit instructs the robot to rearrange the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a postal sorting machine (101) for sorting mailpieces (1) and separators (2), which machine includes: sorting outlets (105); a first unstacker (102); a conveyor (104) for distributing said mailpieces (1) and said separators (2) between said sorting outlets (105); a second unstacker (103) for automatically unstacking at least one separator (2) on the basis of at least one predetermined criterion, and for inserting it into the stream of mailpieces (1), said conveyor (104) distributing said reinserted separator (2) to a certain predetermined sorting outlet (105); and a stacker (103) for stacking separators (2), which stacker is interposed between said first unstacker (102) and said second unstacker (103) for the purposes of extracting separators (2), of stacking them, of storing them, and of feeding said second unstacker (103) automatically. The invention also relates to a sorting method using said postal sorting machine (101).

Abstract: In a method for adjusting a gap through which a product is to be conveyed, a rotatable element is driven with a predetermined torque, and the rotatable element is moved against the product located in the gap until the rotatable element stops.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of travelling carriers includes providing, to a rear travelling carrier approaching a work area at a high speed, current location information corresponding to distances from a measurement starting point to the rear travelling carrier and a front travelling carrier, the rear travelling carrier calculating a following distance between the front and rear travelling carriers based on the current location information, and the rear travelling carrier performing deceleration control to the operating speed based on decremental changes of the following distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing different traffic speeds of carriages moving along a closed-loop track is disclosed. The closed-loop track has at least four different speed zones, which include a slow speed zone, a fast speed zone, an acceleration zone, and a deceleration zone. A computerized control system monitors and controls the movement of the carriages along the different speed zones of the closed loops track, so different traffic speeds are maintained along the closed loop track, simultaneously, with no collisions.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and program products for controlling a conveyor. One embodiment of the method includes operating a motorized roller of the conveyor to rotate in a first direction corresponding to a direction of travel, and in response to detecting that a jam has occurred, operating the motorized roller to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. Another embodiment of the method includes sending a message to a second controller controlling a downstream conveyor requesting data to determine whether the downstream conveyor is occupied by an article. In response to determining the downstream conveyor is not occupied by the article, operating a motorized roller of an upstream conveyor to convey an incoming article at a target speed, and in response to determining the downstream conveyor is occupied by the article, operating the motorized roller to convey the incoming article at an adjusted target speed slower than the target speed.

Abstract: The present invention is a conveying apparatus for the bi-directional guidance of one or more objects, ingredients, products, containers, packs or packaging components from a primary location to a secondary location. Matter, such as the objects, ingredients, products, containers, packs or packaging component, supplied to the conveying apparatus from the primary location are monitored and corresponding speed and directional values are determined that are indicative of the relationship between matter supplied to the conveying apparatus and the matter being guided by the conveying apparatus to the secondary location. Based upon the speed and directional values, the conveying apparatus may be managed for bi-directional guidance of one or more objects from the primary location to the secondary location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a horizontal circuit storage system (1) for storing storage goods carried by load-carriers. The horizontal circuit storage system has a storage zone (2) with a plurality of stacked horizontal storage planes (5). A plurality of load-carriers (6) are arranged in a row in each of the storage planes. The storage zone (2) is located between two vertical conveyers (3, 4) which interconnect the storage planes vertically in each case. The load-carriers (6) can be moved horizontally in the storage planes (5) to the vertical conveyers (3, 4) by horizontal conveyers (8) which are associated each with a storage plane (5). According to the invention, a control unit is provided in order to permit faster access to individual load-carriers and, depending on a control signal from the control unit, the storage system can be brought into a condition in which a horizontal circuit is formed for the load-carriers (6).

Abstract: Monitoring system for a conveyor of articles (100). The conveyor of articles comprises at least one transport chain (105) adapted to be moved along a movement direction, and a guide structure (132) of the transport chain comprising a lower guide element (135) adapted to support the chain from below and a higher guide element (140) adapted to insist on the chain from above and facing toward the lower guide element. The system comprises at least one first magnetic field generator element (155) located in a first guide element, at least one magnetic field sensor (160) located in a second selected guide element for sensing the magnitude of a measure magnetic field, and processing means (165) for quantifying a reduction of the overall thickness of the chain based on a time variation of the measure magnetic field.

Abstract: An efficient method of controlling transportation in a linear tool type vacuum process device in a state that a length of time required for a process is not stable. For each process chamber, the number of unprocessed wafers that are in process or are being transported to the process chamber is counted, and in deciding a transport destination of a wafer, when the number of unprocessed wafers is equal to or larger than a charge limit amount, a transport destination of a wafer is decided excluding the process chamber. Also, a wafer holding mechanism on a transport path to a process chamber is reserved, and a transport destination of a processed member to be transported next is decided according to a status of reservation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing different traffic speeds of carriages moving along a closed-loop track is disclosed. The closed-loop track has at least four different speed zones, which include a slow speed zone, a fast speed zone, an acceleration zone, and a deceleration zone. A computerized control system monitors and controls the movement of the carriages along the different speed zones of the closed loops track, so different traffic speeds are maintained along the closed loop track, simultaneously, with no collisions.

Abstract: A handling apparatus having a belt conveyor (2) for conveying a work (10), a robot (4) for performing a predetermined operation for the work (10), a visual sensor (3) for photographing the work (10) being conveyed to produce work data indicating each work (10) in the photographed image, and a robot controller (5) for gathering the work data for each image thereby to produce a tracking data, and for storing the tracking data in a database, thereby to control the robot (4) with the database so that a predetermined operation is performed on the work (10) transferred to the position of the robot (4). The robot controller (5) performs a predetermined calculation on the work data read out from the database, detects the overlapped work data, and cancels the control of the actions of the robot (4) based on the overlapped work data. The robot controller (5) rearranges the sequences, in which the robot (4) performs the operation on each work (10).

Abstract: A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The system also includes a first inventory holder, a second inventory holder, and a third inventory holder. An inventory station includes a first location and a second location and the inventory station operable to receive a first inventory item from the first inventory holder at the first location. The first inventory holder transported by the first mobile drive unit. The inventory station also operable to receive a second inventory item from the second inventory holder at the first location. The second inventory holder transported by the second mobile drive unit. The inventory station also operable to receive a third inventory item from the third inventory holder at the second location. The third inventory holder is fixed at the second location while the inventory station receives the first and second inventory item.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.

Abstract: A manufacturing system has one or more work cells that each performs one or more manufacturing processes. The system also has one or more mobile transport units (“MTUs”) that deliver transportable containers containing workpieces to and from said work cells. The MTUs deliver the containers to the work cells in a manner such that the workpieces are localized in the work cells. The manufacturing system also has a computer system that has status information for each of the one or more MTUs and uses the status information to control each of the one or more MTUs to deliver the transportable containers to and from the one or more work cells.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.

Abstract: A method of moving and boxing packages, including positioning a conveyor belt assembly having distal and proximal ends to receive a package at the distal end, sending a signal when a first package is placed upon the distal end, generating an air pulse to reorient the first package into a predetermined orientation, moving the first package to a loading area, and removing the first package into a shipping container. Next, the first package is moved far enough to make room for a second package, a second package is placed onto the distal end, a signal is sent when the second package is placed upon the distal end, and an air pulse is generated to reorient the second package into a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the loading and unloading of cargo in transport means. In one example, a cargo loading system having a fully automated conveyor system and a fully automated bolt system for locking the cargo unit is provided. Manual interventions of the loading personnel in the cargo space may not be necessary.

Abstract: The production system includes: an item feeding device having transfer mechanisms provided alongside and respectively transferring containers each storing an item to item feeding positions; a carrier device holding and carrying the container and the item at the feeding position; and a control device making: the item feeding device operate to select only one of the transfer mechanisms and to transfer the container of the selected transfer mechanism to the feeding position; the carrier device operate to hold the item from the container transferred to the feeding position and to carry the item to a transfer position; and the carrier device operate to hold the container transferred to the feeding position and to carry the container from the feeding position to a transfer position over an item feeding position for a different one of the transfer mechanisms.

Abstract: An automatic clothes receiving and retrieving system for laundry, mainly includes a clothes receiving unit and a clothes retrieving unit. The clothes receiving unit is for inputting a verification information. The clothes are automatically received through a clothes receiving entrance and packed in clothes containers and identification tags are attached to the clothes containers. Each clothes container is arranged with a transfer device for moving the clothes container to a laundry factory and to send the clothes to the storage portion of the clothes retrieving unit after the clothes are cleaned. The clothes retrieving unit is for automatically transferring the cleaned clothes from the storage portion to the retrieving exits according to data of the consumer after the input of the verification information.

Abstract: An automatic delivery system includes a conveyor including powered first rollers arranged in parallel with each other defining a spacing between sequential ones of the first rollers. Fixed second rollers or fixed members are each connected to and coaxially aligned with individual ones of the first rollers and sequentially separated by the first roller spacing. The second rollers are divisible into at least two groups, each defining a loading station. Each of the loading stations has a station positioning device including at least one extension rod extending through and horizontally displaceable within the spacing between sequential ones of the first and second rollers. The station positioning device displaces a container received on the powered first rollers into and out of the loading station. A computer controlling the system and the station positioning device includes data for components inserted into the container at the loading station of each group.

Abstract: A method for modeling conveyance or flows of material or other functional behaviors, particularly in the form of components that generate material actions; a method for modeling a system having components, particularly a postal item distribution system, and; the generation of a discrete component-oriented simulation model based on the modelings, particularly as a basis for components and/or system implementation. Modeling of each component is carried out on the basis of a flexible component model that takes the input behavior and the functional behavior of a component into account, and that two components at a time transfer discrete events or discrete material units to one another by using a general communications model, particularly by using communication types.

Abstract: A control device (50) and a conveying method for conveying carriers (40 to 49) in a machine (1) are provided. The control device (50) comprises a determining unit (51) for determining the velocity of a carrier (40 to 49) in a first conveying device (10) in which carriers (40 to 49) are conveyed with magnetic force and with variable velocity for each carrier (40 to 49) from a first position to a second position different from the first position, and an evaluating unit (52) for evaluating the velocity of carriers (40 to 49) in a second conveying device (20) in which carriers (40 to 49) are conveyed from a second position to a third position different from the second position, wherein the determining unit (51) is arranged to determine the velocity of each carrier (40 to 49) in the first conveying device (10) on the basis of the evaluation result of the evaluating unit (52) so that the carriers (40 to 49) move continuously between the first and second conveying devices (10, 20).

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and program products that are used to control at least a portion of a conveyor, determine information about an article conveyed by the conveyor, or otherwise operate a conveyor are provided. One method includes detecting whether a second conveyor controller is connected to the first conveyor controller and, in response to detecting that there is a second conveyor controller connected to the first conveyor controller, identifying whether the second conveyor controller is connected to a predetermined network interface of the first conveyor controller. The method further includes configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate a motorized roller in a first predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is connected to the predetermined network interface and configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate the motorized roller in a second predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is not connected to the predetermined network interface.

Abstract: The discharge case length rate of a collector conveyor is controlled to provide a more consistent case length rate to the infeed of a downstream conveyor, such as a singulator conveyor, to control or maintain a desired case length rate at the exit of the collector conveyor without stopping the infeed conveyors. The discharge case feet rate accounts for the requirements of downstream devices, such as accounting for trailing gap requirements of a sortation conveyor disposed downstream of a singulator conveyor feed by a conveyor system constructed in accordance with this aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: A feed station feeds a flow of items along a transport path, in which a path, a path point W2 is orthogonal to the position of a first transport roller, a path point W3 is orthogonal to the position of a sensor, and a path point W4 is orthogonal to a second transport roller. A distance between W3 and W4 is smaller than the minimum length of the flat items and is greater than or equal to a distance between W4 and a path end point Wend. A distance between Wend and an intake point W4-Wend of the subsequent goods processing apparatus is much smaller than the W4-Wend distance. A transport velocity distance between the separated flat items at the start of the transport path is controlled to a minimum distance and is always the same size when the items leave the feed station.

Abstract: A method for controlling/regulating a fluid conveyer for conveying a fluid within a fluid line is provided. The method includes the steps, receiving information regarding a setpoint flow rate of the fluid within the fluid line, determining an energy consumption of the fluid conveyer during operation within a working range of the fluid conveyer, controlling the fluid conveyer, with regard to a generated flow of the fluid, on the basis of the information regarding the setpoint flow rate of the fluid within the fluid line in such a way that the setpoint flow rate of the fluid is stained and the energy consumption required for this is minimized, wherein it is taken into consideration that the working range of the fluid conveyer is bounded by a non-linear boundary. Also described is a corresponding device.

Abstract: A feed station has a pre-separation region, a separation region and a transport region in succession along a transport path. A first sensor is at the start of the separation region and a second sensor is at the start of the transport region. A control unit processes signals from the sensors and encoders to determine the position of the flat item, and is connected with a separation motor to drive the separation device, so that a flat item is separated from a stack with a predetermined separation velocity. If unacceptably small gaps exist between the flat items, the separation process is stopped when the leading edge of a subsequent flat item reaches the second sensor and is continued when the preceding separated flat item achieves a predetermined clearance from the leading edge of the aforementioned flat item due to its transport.

Abstract: A sheet conveying system includes a sheet inserting apparatus that inserts a second recording medium between first recording media conveyed by a sheet conveying apparatus, and transmits a first time at which second recording media can be successively received hypothetically, and a second time indicating a difference between a conveying time from an accumulating unit of a second recording medium to a merging point at which a second recording medium is inserted and a conveying time from a sheet receiving surface of the sheet inserting apparatus to the merging point. The sheet conveying apparatus sets longer one of the received first time and second time as an insertion interval; and conveys first recording media such that an interval extended by an added value obtained by adding a conveying time corresponding to a length of second recording medium to the insertion interval is provided between the first recording media.

Abstract: A storage unit for the drop-off, delivery, and pick-up of personal garments includes a plurality of apparel totes, each sized to enclose a plurality of apparel items on hangers, each including a machine-readable medium carrying a tote identifier code, and each configured with an access panel to allow deposit and retrieval of apparel items on hangers. A multi-layer conveyor system selectively moves apparel totes to and from a pre-defined customer access position and to and from a plurality of storage positions on each of at least two horizontal storage layers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory processor readable media of the various embodiments enable control of a conveyor having a plurality of zones each having a control module configured to control a selectable speed of the zone. The various embodiments are disclosed in connection with, but not necessarily limited to, accumulation conveyors with control systems which selectively set the speeds of zones based on conditions of upstream and downstream zones. The various embodiments are directed to improving efficiency of accumulation systems by controlling zones based upon consideration of conditions of neighboring zones. The various embodiment also enable the generation and use of translation tables correlating zones with network addresses of their respective control modules.

Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and systems for log stability determination are described. A log position optimizer may be configured to identify one or more rest positions for a log to be conveyed on a sharp chain. The rest positions may be identified based on identification of contact points where the sharp chain may contact the log that have no intervening contact points that prevent stable contact between the log and the sharp chain. A preferred rest position may be selected out of the identified rest positions. The preferred rest position may be selected based on determination of which contact points are stable or unstable. This determination may be made for each contact point in a cross-sectional plane of the log. The log position optimizer may then control a log positioning mechanism to position the log in the selected rest position. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus for loading substrates such as solar cell substrates on a tray in substrate processing equipment for processing a large number of substrates. The substrate processing apparatus includes: a tray carrying unit configured to receive and carry a tray; a substrate loading conveyor unit on which substrates to be loaded on a tray are arranged in a line; a substrate unloading conveyor unit on which substrates unloaded from a tray are arranged in a line; a first substrate carrying robot configured to pick up substrates from the substrate loading conveyor unit and carry the substrates to a tray placed on the tray carrying unit; and a second substrate carrying robot configured to pick up substrates from a tray placed on the tray carrying unit and carry the substrates to the substrate unloading conveyor unit.

Abstract: A variable metering system for heterogeneous, sensitive and non-pumpable foodstuffs having a low liquid portion, in which a carrier plate system is set into a stroke motion by a drive cylinder which is in horizontal alignment. The foodstuff, which is brought into the metering chambers on the carrier plates using vacuum, is conveyed by said stroke motion to a discharge position where it is ejected under the effect of compressed air. By the type of connection of the two carrier plates, it is possible to change the distance of the carrier plates from each other by means of a rod system and an associated servomotor or by a hand wheel. This distance variation leads to a change in volume in the metering chambers, can be controlled by an external scale and can be readjusted by an automatic control of the rod system. The design of the metering system ensures that it can be easily dismantled and cleaned for cleaning or maintenance purposes.

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

Abstract: Systems for effecting transfer of reaction receptacles between modules of an instrument for performing multi-step analytical procedures and for adjusting for variations in the positions of such modules includes a receptacle carrier supported on a track on which the carrier translates between different modules located adjacent to the track. The carrier includes a receptacle distribution head supported on a receptacle carrier carriage. The distribution head includes a receptacle moving mechanism adapted to move receptacles into and out of the distribution head and into and out of a module. The carriage is engaged with the track and adapted for translation along the track. Drive systems effect powered translation of the carriage, powered elevation and rotation of the distribution head, and powered movement of receptacles into and out of the distribution head. A transfer position locating system automatically determines a receptacle transfer position of the receptacle carrier with respect to each module.

Abstract: Virtual material handling systems can be used to drive the operation of real material handling systems for purposes such as testing and validation of the components of the real material handling systems. The real material handling system, in turn, can provide data regarding system operation which may be fed back to the virtual material handling system to control its function.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for alleviating gridlock in a pneumatic tube system. In various instances where inter-zone transactions conflict, one of the transactions is removed from a conflicting set and temporarily delivered to an alternate location in the system. This allows other blocked transactions to proceed. Once the gridlock condition is alleviated, the temporarily delivered carrier is retrieved and rerouted to its intended destination.

Abstract: A control system for a conveyor system having one or more upstream and downstream conveyor zones and whose operation effectuates transportation of a series of loads via operation of motors and drive arrangements associated with the respective conveyor zones. The control system includes a Local Area Network (LAN) connection between each component of the control arrangement associated with each zone control such that status and operational information associated with the configuration or operation of each conveyor zone, including the zone motor, can be communicated to other conveyor zones so that operation of each conveyor zone can be manipulated in a controlled manner in response to changes to operation of other conveyor zones.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for moving piece goods from at least one piece goods conveyor (12) running in a transport direction (x) into placement positions of at least one placement position conveyor (14, 16) running in the same or opposite transport direction (+x?, ?x?) as the transport direction (x) of the piece good conveyor(s) (12) in a robot processing line, having robots (18) disposed at least on one side of a centerline (m) of the piece goods conveyor (12) of a width, wherein the piece goods are picked from the piece goods conveyor(s) by means of the robots (18) and placed in placement positions on the placement position conveyors (14, 16). At least part of the piece goods are transported transverse to the transport direction (x) of the piece goods conveyor(s) (12) when transiting the robot line (10) at a location of the robot line (10) into the pick region of the robots (18) disposed on the other side of the longitudinal centerline (m) of the piece goods conveyor(s) (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor and a method to convey animal products in an agricultural business. Such a conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, a belt drive to drive the conveyor belt in at least one conveying direction, and a sensor to record a deviation of a position of a conveyor belt edge. The sensor is designed and arranged to output a deviation signal when the position of the conveyor belt edge deviates by a predetermined value from the target position. Furthermore, a correction device and a control unit are provided, whereby the correction device is designed and arranged to change the belt drive orientation dependent on a correction signal and whereby the control unit is designed to generate a correction signal dependent on the deviation signal and to output it to the correction device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for aligning an object such as a hollow body in which the object is fed to an aligning and/or positioning device by means of a conveyor system such as a conveyor belt, wherein the actual orientation and actual position of the object is determined by means of an image acquisition system comprising a camera and software run on a computer for evaluating a camera picture of the object, and the orientation and/or positioning device is controlled in response to said evaluation in order to change the actual orientation and actual position of the object to a desired orientation and/or desired position. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out such a process.

Abstract: Transfer assembly for transferring large numbers of products from a supply conveyor to a further position, such as one or more discharge conveyors. It is proposed to use a number of pick-and-place robots to this end, wherein the adjacent operating ranges are positioned along a line, which line extends at a small angle to the conveying direction. Preferably, the discharge conveyor extends parallel to the line and crosses the supply conveyor and is situated above it. In this way, it is possible to transfer large numbers of products using a limited number of transfer robots and to guarantee that all products are removed from the supply conveyor.

Abstract: A packaging system and associated method for use with a pharmaceutical dispenser provides a turnkey solution for packaging pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings. An overall pharmacy system and methodology begins with bulk medications and supplements introduced into the work flow, individually packaged and assembled into medpass orders per patient and delivered to the LTC facility or other institution for patient consumption. The process begins by converting bulk medications and supplements to packaged unit doses and ultimately individually packaged medpass bags for each patient on a 24-hour schedule. The design of the overall system and its individual components allows for physical control of each unit dose package from start to finish without any unit dose package “free fall” in the system.

Abstract: A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.

Abstract: A system for automatically exchanging a battery of an electric vehicle, including a horizontal frame of a predetermined area formed at a location higher than the electric vehicle; a plurality of battery stands formed on a bottom surface of the horizontal frame at a predetermined interval; a pair of fixed guide rails arranged and installed on front and rear sides or left and right sides of the horizontal frame, respectively; a variable guide rail adapted to move horizontally along X-axis or Y-axis along the fixed guide rails; a movable rail adapted to move horizontally along Y-axis or X-axis along the variable guide rail and ascend/descend vertically; and a grasping part installed on a lower end of the movable rail and adapted to pick up a battery of the electric vehicle or a battery seated on the battery stand and exchange each other.