Sorting system
First Claim
1. A method for sorting a plurality of items, to each of which a sequence number is assigned, into a predetermined sorted sequence using a plurality of sorting regions, including for each sort, at least one initial sorting region, and at least two additional sorting regions, at least one of the additional sorting regions functioning as a return region, the items being initially located in the at least one initial sorting region, the method comprising the acts of:
- sorting the items in each at least one initial sorting region into an intermediary sorted set by moving at least some of the items in the at least one initial sorting region between the at least one initial sorting region and at least two of the additional sorting regions; and
sorting the items within each intermediary sorted set by moving at least some of the items to the return region in substantially the predetermined sorted sequence.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for sorting a plurality of items into a predetermined sorted sequence. Items are initially located on initial sorting regions of a sorting apparatus. The items are then sorted into at least one intermediary sorted set and then sorted, from the intermediary sorted sets, into the final sorted sequence. A computer may be used to track the position of the items on the sorting apparatus and to control the movement of the items into the sorted sequence.
34 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for sorting a plurality of items, to each of which a sequence number is assigned, into a predetermined sorted sequence using a plurality of sorting regions, including for each sort, at least one initial sorting region, and at least two additional sorting regions, at least one of the additional sorting regions functioning as a return region, the items being initially located in the at least one initial sorting region, the method comprising the acts of:
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sorting the items in each at least one initial sorting region into an intermediary sorted set by moving at least some of the items in the at least one initial sorting region between the at least one initial sorting region and at least two of the additional sorting regions; and
sorting the items within each intermediary sorted set by moving at least some of the items to the return region in substantially the predetermined sorted sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for sorting a plurality of items comprising:
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a plurality of sorting regions;
a first mechanism for physically moving at least one item between at least two selected sorting regions;
a second mechanism for physically moving at least one item between positions within each sorting region;
an item location tracking mechanism; and
a controls operative for controlling the first and second mechanisms to move the items into a predetermined sorted sequence at least partly in response to the tracking mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for using a plurality of sorting regions to sort a plurality of items comprising:
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means for physically moving at least one item between at least two selected sorting regions;
means for physically moving at least one item between positions within each sorting region;
means for tracking the location of items; and
means operative at least partly in response the tracking mechanism for controlling the first and second mechanisms to reposition items into a predetermined sorted sequence.
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Specification