Article identifying system having scanner for vertical movement in synchronism with the article
First Claim
1. An article identification system for use with a materials handling system in which articles are moved from one position to another by means which changes the elevation of the article while transferring it in a horizontal direction, said system comprising means for identifying the article when the article and identifying means are within a predetermined distance from each other, means for moving said identifying means along a predetermined vertical path between upper and lower levels between which levels the article will be when it passes said path, and means controlling the vertical movement of the identifying means so that it moves in a vertical direction simultaneously with the vertical movement of the article.
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Abstract
An article identifying system especially adapted for use in identifying coded containers being transferred from one point to another by means which require that the containers be moved in a vertical direction while being moved in a horizontal direction.
A code reading scanner mounted on a vertical carrier is positioned alongside the path of movement of the article. The carrier moves vertically in synchronism with the vertical motion of the container so that at whatever level the container passes the carrier position, the scanner will be at the same level as the container.
To move the carrier vertically in synchronism with the vertical motion of the container, the motor driving the carrier is controlled by a signal generated by the vertical motion of the container. In a particular embodiment of the invention the vertical position of the container and the vertical position of the scanner carrier create voltage analogs in potentiometers, which voltages are utilized as inputs to a position servo system to drive the scanner carrier motor in the appropriate direction and/or substantially at the same speed as the container, whereby the scanner is maintained at the same elevation as the container.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An article identification system for use with a materials handling system in which articles are moved from one position to another by means which changes the elevation of the article while transferring it in a horizontal direction, said system comprising means for identifying the article when the article and identifying means are within a predetermined distance from each other, means for moving said identifying means along a predetermined vertical path between upper and lower levels between which levels the article will be when it passes said path, and means controlling the vertical movement of the identifying means so that it moves in a vertical direction simultaneously with the vertical movement of the article.
- 2. In a materials handling system in which articles are lifted from one position and transferred horizontally to another position, said system including hoisting means, said articles having coded indicia to indicate contents, destination, ownership, or other information, and a scanner is provided for reading said indicia when the article passes through the field of view of the scanner, the improvement comprising means for moving said scanner vertically simultaneously with the article and at substantially the same rate over at least a portion of the vertical distance travelled by the article, and control means responsive to the movement of the hoisting means to control the means for moving the scanner vertically.
- 7. In a materials handling system in which containers are lifted from one position by hoisting means, and transferred along a horizontal path to another position, said containers having coded indicia and said system including a scanner for reading said indicia when it passes through the field of view of the scanner, the improvement comprising a vertical track positioned alongside the horizontal path of the container, said scanner being mounted on said track, means for moving said scanner up and down on the track, and control means responsive to the movement of the hoisting means to cause a corresponding movement of the scanner to maintain the scanner at the same elevation as the coded indicia on a container being carried by the hoisting means throughout at least a part of the up and down excursion of the hoisting means, whereby when the container passes the track, the scanner is at the same elevation as the indicia on said container.
- 12. In a materials handling system in which articles are lifted from one position by an article carrier, and transferred to another position, said articles carrying external coded indicia, and means is provided for reading said indicia, the improvement comprising scanner means positioned alongside the path of travel of said article carrier, means causing said scanner to move along a vertical path so as to stay at a predetermined elevation in relation to the article carrier, means preventing said scanner from moving below a predetermined level even when the article carrier moves below said level, and means causing the scanner to move upwardly simultaneously with the article carrier when the article carrier moves upwardly past said level.
Specification