Systems and methods for processing packaged goods in the nature of cigarettes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method for processing tobacco-oriented goods, the method comprising:
- receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor, wherein the pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order;
receiving a put-down signal from a put-down sensor, which the put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down;
determining, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal andwherein receiving a pick up signal further comprises receiving a pick up signal indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on an identifier attached to the tobacco product unit.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for processing tobacco-oriented goods are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor. The pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order. Also received is a put-down signal from a put-down sensor. The put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down. A determination is made, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal.
9 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for processing tobacco-oriented goods, the method comprising:
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receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor, wherein the pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order; receiving a put-down signal from a put-down sensor, which the put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down; determining, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal and wherein receiving a pick up signal further comprises receiving a pick up signal indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on an identifier attached to the tobacco product unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A materials handling system for processing tobacco-oriented goods, the system comprising:
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a sorting mechanism configured to physically distribute tobacco product units into a plurality of groups based on an order-oriented characteristic; a pick-up sensor configured to produce a pick-up signal when a unit has been removed from one of the plurality of groups for packaging purposes; a put-down sensor configured to produce a put-down sensor indicative of a location where the unit removed for packaging purposes has been put down; and wherein the sorting mechanism is configured to physically distribute tobacco product units into a plurality of groups, at least two groups being divided based on a characteristic that allows units from the same order to be in different groups. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A computer-implemented method for processing tobacco-oriented goods, the method comprising:
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receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor, wherein the pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order; receiving a put-down signal from a put-down sensor, which the put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down; determining, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal; and wherein receiving a pick up signal further comprises receiving a pick up signal indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on a barcode identifier attached to the tobacco product unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A materials handling system for processing tobacco-oriented goods, the system comprising:
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a sorting mechanism configured to physically distribute tobacco product units into a plurality of groups based on an order-oriented characteristic; a pick-up sensor configured to produce a pick-up signal when a unit has been removed from one of the plurality of groups for packaging purposes; a put-down sensor configured to produce a put-down sensor indicative of a location where the unit removed for packaging purposes has been put down; and an information gathering system for associating an identity with each tobacco product unit prior to being made available to the sorting mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A materials handling system for processing tobacco-oriented goods, the system comprising:
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a sorting mechanism configured to physically distribute tobacco product units into a plurality of groups based on an order-oriented characteristic; a pick-up sensor configured to produce a pick-up signal when a unit has been removed from one of the plurality of groups for packaging purposes; a put-down sensor configured to produce a put-down sensor indicative of a location where the unit removed for packaging purposes has been put down; and an information gathering system for collecting barcode information associated with each tobacco product unit prior to being made available to the sorting mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification