A control device that performs control to manage the passage of article transport vehicles in a management zone can execute: basic processing for permitting a first article transport vehicle to enter the management zone if no article transport vehicle is present in the management zone, and prohibiting a second article transport vehicle from entering the management zone if the first article transport vehicle is present in the management zone; and first exception processing for permitting the second article transport vehicle to enter the management zone in a case where, even if the first article transport vehicle is present in the management zone, the first article transport vehicle is an article transport vehicle that stops at a station provided in the first path, and the second article transport vehicle passes through a second path and a third path but does not pass through the first path.

An automated kiosk includes a front panel positioned in front of a conveyor with conveyor slots sized to receive clothing hangers. Dividers separate each conveyor slot from the adjacent conveyor slots, forming a compartment for each conveyor slot. Two doors are positioned in the front panel. An electronic controller moves a conveyor in order to reposition a desired compartment in front of the doors. The doors open inwardly, and are of sufficient length that the extended edge of the doors engages with and overlaps the outer edge of each of the dividers. With each door engaging the divider on each side of the compartment, a user is blocked from being able to access items that are in adjacent compartments.

An automated kiosk includes a front panel positioned in front of a conveyor with conveyor slots sized to receive clothing hangers. Dividers separate each conveyor slot from the adjacent conveyor slots, forming a compartment for each conveyor slot. Two doors are positioned in the front panel. An electronic controller moves a conveyor in order to reposition a desired compartment in front of the doors. The doors open inwardly, and are of sufficient length that the extended edge of the doors engages with and overlaps the outer edge of each of the dividers. With each door engaging the divider on each side of the compartment, a user is blocked from being able to access items that are in adjacent compartments.

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

An article carousel may be configured for use with a track system. The article carousel may include a frame and a plate configured for movement with respect to the frame. The plate may include one or more carriers configured to receive one or more trolleys. Movement of the plate may enable each carrier to be aligned with the track system. During alignment, one or more trolleys may be transferred between each carrier and the track system.

An article carousel may be configured for use with a track system. The article carousel may include a frame and a plate configured for movement with respect to the frame. The plate may include one or more carriers configured to receive one or more trolleys. Movement of the plate may enable each carrier to be aligned with the track system. During alignment, one or more trolleys may be transferred between each carrier and the track system.

Embodiments conveyed herein seek to disclose a mobile sorting system. The system can include a mobile platform having one or more storage housings. The mobile sorting system can include a mobile platform having a storage area(s) and first and second motorized actuating assemblies. The second motorized actuating assembly can be positioned proximate to the first motorized actuating assembly. The storage areas includes a storage housing(s). The first and second motorized actuating assemblies each include end effectors that can prehend storage housings and containers, respectively. The first and second motorized actuating assemblies each include prehension elements. Each motorized actuating assembly has a firsts mode to prehend object using the end effectors, a second mode to translate the object, and a third mode to release the object.

Embodiments conveyed herein seek to disclose a mobile sorting system. The system can include a mobile platform having one or more storage housings. The mobile sorting system can include a mobile platform having a storage area(s) and first and second motorized actuating assemblies. The second motorized actuating assembly can be positioned proximate to the first motorized actuating assembly. The storage areas includes a storage housing(s). The first and second motorized actuating assemblies each include end effectors that can prehend storage housings and containers, respectively. The first and second motorized actuating assemblies each include prehension elements. Each motorized actuating assembly has a firsts mode to prehend object using the end effectors, a second mode to translate the object, and a third mode to release the object.