In one aspect, an elongated lighting module includes plural colors of LEDs that flash in a cyclical sequence to provide multi-spectral illumination. Several such modules can be arranged end-to-end to span a conveyor system that transports a stream of plastic waste items in a recycling center, enabling capture of differently-illuminated image frames depicting the items. Each module may include N LEDs of a first color (e.g., red) and M LEDs of a second color (e.g., blue), where N and M are different. Drive circuitry can be simplified by configuring the LEDs in strings of common colors, but with different counts. Electrical noise due to switching transients can be reduced by operating the LEDs at a low current when not being flashed. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

The composition of articles can be identified using luminescent codes printed or coated onto the articles (or labels on the articles) by means of an ink which contains long persistence luminescent materials. Radiation is used to excite the luminescent materials and this is then extinguished before the article passes beneath a spectrometer. An infrared beam then strikes the article in order to stimulate emission from the long persistence luminescent materials, via a detrapping mechanism, and the spectrometer detects the emission in order to identify the article.

Methods for sorting and sequencing objects are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of objects, each object associated with an identifier including group data identifying a group to which the object belongs, and sequence data identifying a sequential position for the object within the group. The method can include determining the group data and the sequence data for each object by reading the identifier associated with the object; sorting the plurality of objects by directing each object into one of a plurality of buffer locations based on the group data for the object; and sequencing the set of objects associated with each buffer location by placing each object into a position within the corresponding set of objects based on the sequence data for the object.

A method of processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects and directing the plurality of objects toward an input area from at least one input conveyance system, acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at the input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, and moving the acquired object toward an identified processing location using the programmable motion device, said identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations that are radially spaced from the programmable motion device.

A conveyance system includes a feeding means, a reading means, a weight measuring means, a storage means, a notification means, and an arithmetic control means. Article-related information includes a unit weight of articles, the number of incoming orders of the articles, and a reference weight value derived by measuring or calculating a weight of a container storing the articles. The arithmetic control means compares the number of pickings of the articles obtained by dividing a difference between the reference weight value and a measurement value after operation as a weight of the container after picking of the articles by the unit weight, with the number of incoming orders, determines whether there is an excess or deficiency, and when there is an excess or deficiency, notifies the excessive or deficient number of articles by the notification means.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.

This disclosure relates method and system for systematic disposal and dynamic procurement of recyclable waste resin. Typical systems for disposal and procurement of recyclable resin pose challenges such as lack of segregation and collection of different types of plastics, data on recycling centers in proximity, uncertainty over resin identification codes, and so on. The disclosed system provides a framework having multiple smart collection units that may be communicatively coupled with a server. The smart bins are capable of collecting plastic items and taking multiple images thereof. The system determines information on type, weight, and location of the plastic resin in the plastic item by means of a trained CNN model, and stores in a repository. The system further includes a route optimization model that is enables selection of a set of collection units for procurement of the resin (of a specific type and a specific quantity).

A tray engine includes a vertical drive column, a rotation mechanism for rotating the vertical drive column, and an end effector attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector includes an end effector base attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector further includes a slide attached to the end effector base to support a tray, when present. The slide enables the tray to slide along a length of the end effector base. The tray engine includes a drive mechanism attached to the end effector base for moving along the length of the end effector base to enable the tray, when present, to slide linearly along the length and load or unload the tray to or from the slide.

A conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor has a conveyor belt and a plurality of support elements extending outward from the article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt advancing upward along the incline. The conveyor may be positioned at an inclined angle relative to the horizontal ground, i.e., between about 5° and 85° or the conveyor can be substantially vertical, i.e., about 90° relative to the horizontal ground. The support elements prevent conveyed articles from sliding down the conveyor belt on the inclined conveyor and carry and hold articles on substantially vertical conveyors. The article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt may provide a low-friction retention surface to articles leaning away from the conveyor belt on the incline.

A system and method for dismantling components of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives. The components are dismantled in a nondestructive manner so as to be capable of reuse. First devices loosen the various components of the storage device, Second devices are provided for removing components from the storage device. A holding chassis receives the storage device, and moves the storage device for engagement with the first and second devices. A mechanism may be provided for destroying the data containing portion of the electric storage device when it is removed from the storage device. A database of information concerning past and current storage devices including their configurations, component locations and screw/fastener locations is provided along with a scanning system for retrieving information about the storage device being introduced into the system. The scanned information and information from the database is used to control and position the first and second devices and holding chassis.