A sample handling system for handling samples is disclosed. The sample handling system comprises sample holders, each receives a sample container; a sample transport device for moving the sample holders; a control unit for controlling functionality of the sample handling system, and a monitoring system for monitoring the samples during movement. The monitoring system comprises a camera module for continuously capturing images of a part of the sample transport device, wherein the camera module is at a distance from the sample transport device such that the camera module has a free field of view to the sample transport device, and a processor for processing the captured images and determining an item of information about the sample transport device and/or the sample container and/or the sample from the captured images. The control unit retrieves the item of information from the processor. The controlling is based on the retrieved item of information.

An object processing system is disclosed for unloading objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes an engagement system including a truck entry portion for entering the trailer and for indiscriminately engaging unidentified objects within the trailer, and a conveyance system for conveying objects engaged by the engagement system toward an unloading portion of the trailer.

A system for processing a logistic object, comprising: a sorting apparatus, a transportation apparatus, and an output apparatus. The sorting apparatus comprises: a logistic object conveyor, at least one chute, and at least one sorting platform. The logistic object conveyor is connected to one end of the at least one sliding chute, and the other end of each chute is connected to one sorting platform. The transportation apparatus comprises a supporting assembly. The output apparatus comprises an output apparatus body and a control device. Also provided are a sorting apparatus and a method for processing a logistic object. The system for processing a logistic object can automatically implement the sorting of logistic objects to complete the packaging processing of the logistic objects, thereby improving the logistic processing efficiency.

Images depicting items in a waste flow on a conveyor belt are provided to two analysis systems. The first system processes images to decode digital watermark payload data found on certain of the items (e.g., plastic containers). This payload data is used to look up corresponding attribute metadata for the items in a database, such as the type of plastic in each item, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. The second analysis system can be a spectroscopy system that determines the type of plastic in each item by its absorption characteristics. When the two systems conflict in identifying the plastic type, a sorting logic processor applies a rule set to arbitrate the conflict and determine which plastic type is most likely. The item is then sorted into one of several different bins depending on a combination of the final plastic identification, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

An object processing system is disclosed for unloading objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes an engagement system including a truck entry portion for entering the trailer and for indiscriminately engaging unidentified objects within the trailer, and a conveyance system for conveying objects engaged by the engagement system toward an unloading portion of the trailer.

A vertical sorter, comprising: a track, the track comprising at least two straight portions (10) and at least two curved portions (11); a linear motor primary coil (101) is mounted on the at least two straight portions (10), and two adjacent straight portions (10) are connected by means of at least one curved portion (11); supply tables (13), the supply tables (13) being disposed at ends of the at least two straight portions (10) respectively and being used for providing goods to each straight portion (10); chutes (14), the chutes (14) being disposed along two sides of the at least two straight portions (10) and being used for transporting the goods on each straight portion (10) to corresponding areas; a sorting trolley (12), the sorting trolley (12) being used for conveying the goods on the supply table (13) to a corresponding chute (14); a secondary magnet (121) is mounted on the sorting trolley (12), the linear motor primary coil (101) and the secondary magnet (121) cooperating so as to drive the sorting trolley (12) to move along the track. The vertical sorter achieves the simultaneous multi-layer sorting of goods by means of providing a plurality of straight portions (10), which reduces the planar space which the sorter occupies, and which may also improve sorting efficiency.

Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer program products are disclosed for container transportation. An example system includes a conveyor network that includes a plurality of conveyors and each conveyor supports one or more containers thereon. Each conveyor defines a conveyor length and a conveyor operating speed. The system further includes a computing device operably coupled to the conveyor network. The computing device receives a starting location and a destination location of a first container within the conveyor network and receives an operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The computing device determines a first travel path for the first container between the starting location and the destination location based upon the conveyor length, the conveyor operating speed, and the operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The first travel path minimizes a total travel time for the first container between the starting location and the destination location.

A system for sorting moving objects is disclosed. The system comprises a light source, an image capturing device, a controlling and processing device, and an object sorting device. Particularly, the controlling and processing device is configured to decide a first setting parameter so as to apply a parameter adjustment to the light source, and is also configured to decide a second setting parameter so as to apply an parameter adjustment to the image capturing device. After deciding an object classifier based on the first setting parameter, the second setting parameter, and object images received from the image capturing device, the object sorting device is controlled to apply an object sorting process to the of objects that are delivered by the belt conveyor, thereby sorting the objects into at least two object group consisting of a normal object group and a defective object group.

A parcel sorter system and method. A process performed by a parcel sorter system includes receiving sorting information of a first parcel. The process includes identifying a first destination pallet corresponding to the sorting information. The first destination pallet is associated with a first pallet carousel and a first destination chute. The process includes transporting the first parcel toward the first destination chute. The process includes, while transporting the parcel toward the first destination chute, operating the first pallet carousel to move the first destination pallet proximate to the first destination chute. The process includes delivering the first parcel at the first destination chute for placement on the first destination pallet.

A code reading device including: an article placement surface on which an article is placed; at least one code reading unit that optically reads a code attached to the article; and a motion unit that causes the article to swivel and/or rotate on the article placement surface, the code reading device being configured to read the code with the code reading unit while causing the article to swivel and/or rotate on the article placement surface.