The invention relates to a method for the position determination of an object (6, 6a . . . 6d), which is conveyed on a conveying device (1a . . . 1c). In this process, a deviation (ΔP) between a position (P.sub.sig) of the object (6, 6a . . . 6d), which is calculated with the aid of rotation signals from the drives (M) for conveyor elements (2, 2.sub.M, 2.sub.L) of the conveying device (1a . . . 1c), and a position (P.sub.1 . . . P.sub.5) of a detection area (E.sub.1,E.sub.2) of a sensor (L.sub.1 . . . L.sub.5) fixedly installed on the conveying device (6, 6a . . . 6d) is determined and used for calculating a corrected position (P.sub.korr) of the object (6, 6a . . . 6d) during a movement of the object (6, 6a . . . 6d) away from this detection area (E.sub.1,E.sub.2). Furthermore, a conveying device (1a . . . 1c) for performing the presented method is indicated.

A detection system for an agricultural header includes a belt that has at least one physical feature driven by a roller at a roller rotational speed. The detection system also includes a sensor that detects a physical feature as it passes the sensor during rotation of the belt. The detection system further includes a controller that receives a signal indicating a first pulse of a first time a physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt and a second pulse of a second time a physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt. The controller further determines a pulse frequency based on the first and second times and calculates a belt rotational speed based on the pulse frequency. The controller compares the belt rotational speed to the roller rotational speed and provides an output if the roller rotational speed exceeds a threshold.

Devices, methods, and computer program products for article retrieval are provided. An example article retrieval device includes a frame and a pair of loading arms movably attached to the frame that move between a retracted position and an extended position. The device includes an engagement structure movably attached to at least one of the pair of loading arms that moves between a stored position and a deployed position. The device further includes a sensing device coupled with the pair of loading arms and a computing device operably coupled with the pair of loading arms, the at least one engagement structure, and the sensing device. The computing device causes the pair of loading arms to extend from the retracted position to a position proximate a first article and deploys the at least one engagement structure based upon sensor data generated by the sensing device.

Hollow bodies which are closed on one side and which are cylindrical are sorted by a sorting device. The hollow bodies have an end-side opening, a base surface situated opposite the opening and a shell surface extending between the base surface and the opening. The sorting device includes first nozzles arranged on an upper guide for conducting a first fluid flow in the direction of a lateral guide, and second nozzles arranged on a lower guide for conducting a second fluid flow in the direction of an outlet. Since the force of the fluid flow is several times greater if the fluid flow strikes a part of the shell surface of the hollow body through the end-side opening of the hollow body than if the fluid flow strikes the base surface of the hollow body from the outside, sorting of the hollow bodies is made possible.

A method is disclosed for sorting a plurality of objects including an object that is one of a grain, a nut, a tree nut, or a bean. The plurality objects are conveyed along a guide plate having at least two channels between a first end and a second end of the corresponding channel. The channels have a first aperture provided at a first longitudinal position thereof and an additional aperture provided at a second longitudinal position on the guide plate located downstream of the first aperture. An optical measurement associated with a property of the object of the plurality of objects is conducted when the object passes the first aperture towards the second end with an object measurement unit. The object conveyed on the corresponding channel is ejected with an ejector unit when reaching the second longitudinal position based on the measured property of the object and a timing signal.

A conveyance apparatus, a conveyance method and a food production method that enable to accurately place a conveyance object on a conveyance body while enabling the conveyance object to be conveyed at high speed by the conveyance body are provided. A catcher is moved to be arranged in a raised position where a placement surface is located above a conveyance surface, and in a lowered position where the placement surface is located at a same height as the conveyance surface or where the placement surface is located below the conveyance surface. A conveyance object supply unit places a first conveyance object onto the placement surface in such a manner that the first conveyance object is received by the placement surface above the conveyance surface. The catcher is moved from the raised position toward the lowered position so that the first conveyance object is conveyed downstream by the conveyance body.

A contactless monitoring system detects operating performance of movers in an independent cart system. A contactless sensor is provided on an actuator to automatically track a mover as it travels along the track. The sensor includes a transmitter configured to transmit a signal and a receiver configured to receive the signal after it is reflected off the mover. The actuator may be configured to mover the sensor in a single axis or in multiple axes of motion. As a mover travels along the track, the sensor transmits a signal towards the mover and detects the signal after it has been reflected off the mover. A controller may synchronize motion of the actuator with motion of the mover, such that the sensor may continually transmit the signal off the mover for at least a portion of the travel by the mover along the track.

System and method are provided where parcels or packages are associated or grouped, into logical group or logical containerization of parcels or packages, without need for physical container, such that parcels or packages can be tracked as a group, for example with a unique group ID. Logical group may be tracked within specified logical zone on conveyor, transported, sorted and/or otherwise processed as unique logical group without need to be contained in physical container. System and method for automated sortation can accumulate set number or set volume of packages, and then process the accumulated set number or volume of packages.

A subsystem for orienting articles, the subsystem comprising a tool assembly comprising a carriage. A tool head has a first and a second article gripper rotationally coupled thereto. A first drive mechanism is coupled to the first article gripper. A second drive mechanism is coupled to the second article gripper. A sensor is configured to observe two adjacent articles. A controller is provided in communication with the first and second drive mechanisms and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the orientation of each of the two adjacent articles and to control the first and second drive mechanisms to rotate each of the two adjacent articles to a predefined orientation.

An autonomous robotic system, and method for automatically monitoring the state of shelves in stores, like retail stores or supermarkets are based on a mobile The mobile robot is capable of autonomously navigating the aisles of a store, with the ability to monitor the condition of product shelves. Specifically, the robotic system solves problems associated with the operation of the shelves, mainly with respect to the detection of incorrect or missing price signs, verification of offer signs, detection of product stock, estimation of product layout, and identification of products misplaced or with errors in the spatial extent assigned to the supplier on a shelf.