A multi-purpose labeling system can include a conveyor, a visual analysis module, and a labeling assembly. The conveyor can move an object in a first direction. The visual analysis module can include an optical sensor directed toward the conveyor to generate image data depicting the object. The labeling assembly can be spaced from the conveyor in a second direction and include a printer, a labeling module, and an alignment assembly. The printer can print a label based on the image data, and the labeling module can have a labeling plate for receiving the label. The alignment assembly can include a lateral-motion module, a vertical-motion module, and a rotary module for moving the labeling module along or about the first, the second, and a third direction, and can place the labeling plate adjacent to an object surface.

The invention relates to a blow labeler for applying labels to packages, comprising a blower head having a base platform, which has an air connection device that comprises a plurality of ports having a compressed air port and at least one suction air port, and a holding platform having a label contact surface that is passed through by a plurality of blow-off openings in fluid communication with the compressed air port and by a plurality of suction openings in fluid communication with the at least one suction air port, wherein the holding platform is rotatably supported at the base platform, wherein the base platform has a drive comprising an electric motor, and wherein the drive is adapted to rotatably drive the holding platform in order to rotate a label held at the label contact surface.

A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system and a package identification station identifying a package orientation. The robotic labeling system includes a label application station having first and second label printers and first and second label applicators. The label printers are both capable of printing a shipping label and a customer specific label. The first label applicator applies a first label (either the shipping label or the customer specific label) to a first side of the package while the second label applicator applies a second label (other of the shipping label or the customer specific label) to a second side of the package different than the first side. The printing and application of the labels is based on the orientation of the package.

In a system for building labels, such as adhesive-backed labels or tags produced on rolls or sheets for printing, an image or graphic of an arrangement of labels is displayed to a user and continuously updated in real time as parameters relating to construction of the labels are provided by the user in order to provide real time feedback. In one aspect, a user can be guided by the system to make various selections and/or inputs, such as selecting between rolls or sheets, types of material, size/measurements, shape(s), color(s), and the like, in progressing stages of a customized label build, with a displayed graphic of a corresponding arrangement of labels being continuously updated instantly at each stage to visually reflect the user's input. Upon completion, the system can communicate with an industrial machine to build the labels for the user consistent with the input as depicted by the graphic.

A system for labeling a reel of electrical components includes an automated robotic manipulator movable between a reel grasping position and a reel releasing position; a sensor positioned to scan a label on a reel as the reel is moved by manipulator from the reel grasping position to the reel releasing position, to gather initial reel information; a label generator configured to generate a new label with information based at least in part on the initial reel information; and a label actuator positioned to affix the new label to the reel as the reel remains held by the manipulator. The sensor may be a barcode scanner. The label generator may be a label printer. The label actuator may be a pneumatic actuator. The system may also have a stack of reels to be labeled. Also included is output receptacle to receive the reel after the new label is affixed.

This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for hygiene monitoring in chain restaurants and grocery superstores. Four sub-systems are introduced to take care of different aspects of hygiene in restaurants. One sub-system uses contactless and in-contact temperature sensors installed on appliances to constantly monitor the temperature of working appliances to be in pre-defined range and use an Internet of Things gateways to transmit the data to remote control unit. The system generate an alert or report if the temperature of the appliances falls beyond the predefined range for more than a specific period of time. Another sub-system use a combination of temperature, humidity, UV and gas detectors to monitor the environment to be unsuitable for growth of fungus and bacteria and alert in case of exposure to harmful material and sun radiation. This sub-system also use an Internet of Things gateways to transmit the data to remote control unit. The third sub-system use a combination of radio frequency tags attached to the staff, RF tag readers and infrared/proximity/motion/microphone/touch sensors installed over the faucet and dispenser to monitor if the staff wash their hands properly after going to the restroom. The forth sub-system automatically generate food expiring label for opened cans and food container based on RF tag worn by the staff. The system generate and print the label whenever the staff gesture their RF tags in front of them and potentially scan the container bar code or select it from a drop-down menu on its touch screen. The last sub-system can also monitor the inventory of opened cans of food in the refrigerator and provide a report or alert when they the time gets close to expiration date.

A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system, a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify an orientation of the package in the labeling station, and a label application system including a label printer and a label applicator. The label printer prints at least one label for the package. The label applicator includes a multi-axis robot having an arm movable in three-dimensional space. The label applicator has a portrait end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a portrait orientation. The label applicator has a landscape end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a landscape orientation. The label applicator is operated based on the orientation of the package in the labeling station as determined by the scanning device.

A method further includes the following steps. Firstly, a three-dimensional picture under a generated background condition is generated, wherein the three-dimensional picture includes a three-dimensional object image. Then, a two-dimensional picture of the three-dimensional picture is captured, wherein the two-dimensional picture includes a two-dimensional object image of the three-dimensional object image. Then, an object region of the two-dimensional object image is recognized. Then, an exposed ratio of an exposed area of an exposed region of the object region to an object area of the object region is obtained. Then, whether the exposed ratio is greater than a preset ratio is determined. Then the exposed region is defined as the pick-and-place region when the exposed ratio is greater than the preset ratio.

A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for labeling a component for component serialization. The component labeling is initiated, and a label is printed for the component. A collaborative robot or “cobot” retrieves the printed label and moves the label in place for attachment. Iterative views are performed until a tolerance value of the views is reached and the label is attached to the component. Information on the label and other labels are scanned and entered into an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for labeling a component for component serialization. The component labeling is initiated, and a label is printed for the component. A collaborative robot or “cobot” retrieves the printed label and moves the label in place for attachment. Iterative views are performed until a tolerance value of the views is reached and the label is attached to the component. Information on the label and other labels are scanned and entered into an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.