公开(公告)号：US08983651B2

公开(公告)日：2015-03-17

申请号：US13803233

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: Insight Automation, Inc.

Inventor： Charles R. Combs ,  James P. Knapke ,  Dimitar Petrov ,  Kazuya Ichieda

IPC: G06F7/00 ,  B65G43/10

CPC classification number: B65G43/10 ,  G05B19/4189 ,  G05B2219/31078 ,  Y02P90/08 ,  Y02P90/083 ,  Y02P90/28

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a conveyor system including a conveyor zone having a plurality of conveyor regions. A zone controller is configured to track the position of one or more articles within a controlled zone. The zone controller may be operatively coupled to controllers of adjacent zones, and may receive and transmit data relating to the position of articles in the controlled zone and whether the zone is accepting articles from the other controllers. Articles are moved within the controlled zone by selectively activating the zone based on determined positions of articles within the controlled zone, the positions of articles within adjacent zones, and/or the operating mode of the zone. The zone controller may thereby operate cooperatively with adjacent zones to manage spacing between articles by selectively positioning multiple articles within the zone, and may accumulate or discharge articles from the conveyor system in a desired arrangement.

Abstract translation: 用于控制输送系统的方法和装置，包括具有多个输送机区域的输送带。 区域控制器被配置为跟踪受控区域内的一个或多个物品的位置。 区域控制器可以可操作地耦合到相邻区域的控制器，并且可以接收和发送与受控区域中的物品的位置有关的数据，以及该区域是否从其他控制器接收物品。 通过根据受控区域内物品的确定位置，相邻区域内物品的位置和/或区域的操作模式选择性地激活区域，物品在受控区域内移动。 因此，区域控制器可以与相邻区域协作地操作，以通过选择性地在该区域内定位多个物品来管理物品之间的间隔，并且可以以期望的布置从输送机系统积聚或排出物品。

公开(公告)号：US20140277698A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US13803233

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: INSIGHT AUTOMATION, INC.

Inventor： Charles R. Combs ,  James P. Knapke ,  Dimitar Petrov ,  Kazuya Ichieda

IPC: B65G43/10

CPC classification number: B65G43/10 ,  G05B19/4189 ,  G05B2219/31078 ,  Y02P90/08 ,  Y02P90/083 ,  Y02P90/28

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a conveyor system including a conveyor zone having a plurality of conveyor regions. A zone controller is configured to track the position of one or more articles within a controlled zone. The zone controller may be operatively coupled to controllers of adjacent zones, and may receive and transmit data relating to the position of articles in the controlled zone and whether the zone is accepting articles from the other controllers. Articles are moved within the controlled zone by selectively activating the zone based on determined positions of articles within the controlled zone, the positions of articles within adjacent zones, and/or the operating mode of the zone. The zone controller may thereby operate cooperatively with adjacent zones to manage spacing between articles by selectively positioning multiple articles within the zone, and may accumulate or discharge articles from the conveyor system in a desired arrangement.

Abstract translation: 用于控制输送系统的方法和装置，包括具有多个输送机区域的输送带。 区域控制器被配置为跟踪受控区域内的一个或多个物品的位置。 区域控制器可以可操作地耦合到相邻区域的控制器，并且可以接收和发送与受控区域中的物品的位置有关的数据，以及该区域是否从其他控制器接收物品。 通过根据受控区域内物品的确定位置，相邻区域内物品的位置和/或区域的操作模式选择性地激活区域，物品在受控区域内移动。 因此，区域控制器可以与相邻区域协作地操作，以通过选择性地在该区域内定位多个物品来管理物品之间的间隔，并且可以以期望的布置从输送机系统积聚或排出物品。