Patent US2657282A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3908113A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3908113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer controlled optical sort system
Assignee: Bae Automated Systems Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-13
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A material unit, such as a vehicle for supporting luggage and articles of similar configuration, is guided around a track layout from a check-in station to a remote distribution station by a central computer in communication with an array of local station computers. Mounted on the material unit is a light reflective vehicle identification bar code that is optically read as the unit moves around the track layout. A unit destination code is input to the central computer that also receives the vehicle identification code from the optical reader and compiles a routing sequence that is communicated to selected ones of the local station computers. As the material unit approaches a local station, an optical reader responds to the bar code and an identification signal is transmitted to the local station computer for comparison with the routing sequence. The material unit is either diverted to a selected remote distribution station or allowed to pass to the next local station in accordance with the comparison sequence. Throughout the movement of the material unit around the track layout, the central computer, in conjunction with the local station computers, monitors the material unit for guidance to the selected destination. The central computer also maintains each material unit in an en route routine to insure that the location of each material unit is known at all times and to provide a warning indication when a unit fails to reach its destination and is lost.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Y Maxham
- 👤 Richard A Houghton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:35
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L23/00; B61L23/002; B61L23/005; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
In a material handling system, the combination which comprises: a plurality of material handling units each having a fixed identification code; a code reader at a dispatch station generating identification data representing identification codes carried by the individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding unit identification codes to generate routing data therefrom and including means for tracking a material handling unit through the system by individual unit identification codes; an array of optical code readers at change of direction locations throughout the system each generating identification data representing the unit identification code carried by a passing material unit; a local controller responsive to the identification data from one of the array of optical code readers and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a unit direction signal to the change of direction location; a code reader at an unload station generating identification data representing an identification code carried by a passing material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a material handling system, the combination which comprises: a plurality of material handling units each having a fixed identification code; a code reader at a dispatch station generating identification data representing identification codes carried by the individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding unit identification codes to generate routing data therefrom and including means for tracking a material handling unit through the system by individual unit identification codes; an array of optical code readers at change of direction locations throughout the system each generating identification data representing the unit identification code carried by a passing material unit; a local controller responsive to the identification data from one of the array of optical code readers and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a unit direction signal to the change of direction location; a code reader at an unload station generating identification data representing an identification code carried by a passing material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a material handling system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said central controller includes means for transmitting routing data to each of the local controllers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a material handling system as set forth in claim 1 including means for generating unit destination codes to the central controller for a selected unit identification code.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A material handling system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said central controller includes means for monitoring the status and functioning of the local station and means for displaying and printing out station and system status and functioning.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
In a material handling system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the identification code for each material handling unit comprises a bar code and the optical cOde reader responds to alternate light and dark areas of the bar arrangement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a material handling system as set forth in claim 5 wherein each material handling unit includes an identification bar code with redundant information for error detection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
268 words
A material handling system, comprising in combination: a dispatch station for discharging material handling units each carrying a fixed identification code; an optical code reader at said dispatch station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes to generate routing data therefrom and including means for tracking a material handling unit through the system by individual unit identification codes; a plurality of change of direction switching stations for controlling the routing of each of the material units through the system; an array of optical code readers individually positioned at a change of direction switching station and each generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing material unit; a local controller responsive to the identification data from one of the array of optical code readers and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a unit direction signal to the respective change of direction switching stations; an unload station for receiving routing material handling units diverted thereto through one or more change of direction switching stations; an optical code reader at the unload station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing individual material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
268 words
A material handling system, comprising in combination: a dispatch station for discharging material handling units each carrying a fixed identification code; an optical code reader at said dispatch station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes to generate routing data therefrom and including means for tracking a material handling unit through the system by individual unit identification codes; a plurality of change of direction switching stations for controlling the routing of each of the material units through the system; an array of optical code readers individually positioned at a change of direction switching station and each generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing material unit; a local controller responsive to the identification data from one of the array of optical code readers and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a unit direction signal to the respective change of direction switching stations; an unload station for receiving routing material handling units diverted thereto through one or more change of direction switching stations; an optical code reader at the unload station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing individual material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A material handling system as set forth in claim 7 including means for generating clear track signals to the individual local controllers; and wherein a responsive local controller generates an energizing signal to control the movement of material handling units through the system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A material handling system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for generating clear track signals includes optical sensors to provide a signal when a material unit interrupts an optical path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A material handling system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said dispatch station includes means for generating unit destination codes to the central controller for a selected unit identification code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A material handling system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said central controller includes means for transmitting routing data to each of the local storage controllers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
245 words
A method of routing individual material handling units carrying an assigned fixed identification code through a track layout, comprising the steps of: generating identification data by means of an optical code reader responsive to the identification code of the material handling unit at a dispatch station; storing the identification data in a central controller maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes and generating routing data therefrom; transferring the destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected unload station; optically reading the identification code of a material unit approaching a change of direction location; generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material unit to the selected unLoad station; generating an empty destination code for storing with the unit identification code in the central controller; transferring the empty destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected dispatch station; optically reading the identification code of a material handling unit approaching a change of direction location; and generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material handling unit to a dispatch station.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
245 words
A method of routing individual material handling units carrying an assigned fixed identification code through a track layout, comprising the steps of: generating identification data by means of an optical code reader responsive to the identification code of the material handling unit at a dispatch station; storing the identification data in a central controller maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes and generating routing data therefrom; transferring the destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected unload station; optically reading the identification code of a material unit approaching a change of direction location; generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material unit to the selected unLoad station; generating an empty destination code for storing with the unit identification code in the central controller; transferring the empty destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected dispatch station; optically reading the identification code of a material handling unit approaching a change of direction location; and generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material handling unit to a dispatch station.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of routing individual material handling units carrying an assigned fixed identification code through a track layout, comprising the steps of: generating identification data by means of an optical code reader responsive to the identification code of a material handling unit at a dispatch station; storing the identification data in a central controller maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes and generating routing data therefrom; transferring the destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected unload station; optically reading the identification code of a material unit approaching a change of direction location; generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material unit to the selected unload station; and storing a unit identification code in the central controller in an in-route routine for material handling unit tracking and for detecting lost units.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of routing individual material handling units carrying an assigned fixed identification code through a track layout, comprising the steps of: generating identification data by means of an optical code reader responsive to the identification code of a material handling unit at a dispatch station; storing the identification data in a central controller maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes and generating routing data therefrom; transferring the destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected unload station; optically reading the identification code of a material unit approaching a change of direction location; generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material unit to the selected unload station; and storing a unit identification code in the central controller in an in-route routine for material handling unit tracking and for detecting lost units.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
197 words
A material handling system, comprising in combination: a dispatch station for discharging material handling units each carrying an identification code; an optical code reader at said dispatch station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes to generate routing data therefrom and including means for tracking a material handling unit through the system by individual unit identification codes; a plurality of change of direction switching stations for controlling the routing of each of the material units through the system; an unload station for receiving routed material handling units diverted thereto through one or more change of direction switching stations; an optical code reader at the unload station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing individual material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
197 words
A material handling system, comprising in combination: a dispatch station for discharging material handling units each carrying an identification code; an optical code reader at said dispatch station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes to generate routing data therefrom and including means for tracking a material handling unit through the system by individual unit identification codes; a plurality of change of direction switching stations for controlling the routing of each of the material units through the system; an unload station for receiving routed material handling units diverted thereto through one or more change of direction switching stations; an optical code reader at the unload station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing individual material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of routing individual material handling units carrying an assigned fixed identification code through a track layout, comprising the steps of: generating identification data by means of an optical code reader responsive to the identification code of a material handling unit at a dispatch station; storing the identification data in a central controller maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes and generating routing data therefrom; transferring the destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected unload station; optically reading the identificatIon code of a material unit approaching a change of direction location; generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material unit to the selected unload station; and generating clear track signals to local controllers at change of direction locations to control priority of movement of material handling units through the system.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of routing individual material handling units carrying an assigned fixed identification code through a track layout, comprising the steps of: generating identification data by means of an optical code reader responsive to the identification code of a material handling unit at a dispatch station; storing the identification data in a central controller maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes and generating routing data therefrom; transferring the destination code and a preselected unit identification code as routing data to selected optical code readers at change of direction switching locations and to the optical code reader of a selected unload station; optically reading the identificatIon code of a material unit approaching a change of direction location; generating a unit direction signal by a comparison of the read identification code with the transferred identification code to divert a material unit to the selected unload station; and generating clear track signals to local controllers at change of direction locations to control priority of movement of material handling units through the system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
277 words
A material handling system, comprising in combination: a dispatch station for discharging material handling units each carrying a fixed identification code; an optical code reader at said dispatch station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes to generate routing data therefrom including clear track signals; a plurality of change of direction switching stations for controlling the routing of each of the material units through the system; an array of optical code readers individually positioned at a change of direction switching station and each generating identification data representing the identification codes carried by a passing material unit; a local controller responsive to the identification data from one of the array of optical code readers and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a unit direction signal to the respective change of direction switching stations; an unload station for receiving routed material handling units diverted thereto through one or more change of direction switching stations; an optical code reader at the unload station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing individual material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data and clear track signals from the central controller to generate either an energizing signal to control the movement of material handling units through the system or to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
277 words
A material handling system, comprising in combination: a dispatch station for discharging material handling units each carrying a fixed identification code; an optical code reader at said dispatch station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by individual material units; a central controller receiving the identification codes from the code reader at the dispatch station and maintaining a file of unit destination codes and corresponding identification codes to generate routing data therefrom including clear track signals; a plurality of change of direction switching stations for controlling the routing of each of the material units through the system; an array of optical code readers individually positioned at a change of direction switching station and each generating identification data representing the identification codes carried by a passing material unit; a local controller responsive to the identification data from one of the array of optical code readers and receiving the routing data from said central controller to generate a unit direction signal to the respective change of direction switching stations; an unload station for receiving routed material handling units diverted thereto through one or more change of direction switching stations; an optical code reader at the unload station generating identification data representing the identification code carried by a passing individual material unit; and a local controller responsive to the identification data from the code reader at the unload station and receiving the routing data and clear track signals from the central controller to generate either an energizing signal to control the movement of material handling units through the system or to generate a direction signal to the unload station to divert a selected material handling unit to be unloaded.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A material handling system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for generating clear track signals includes optical sensors to provide a signal when a material unit interrupts an optical path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3679874A
Cited
US3784791A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |