An IP network system includes an IP network divided into a plurality of segments, an MN (mobile node) whose a Care of address is set for each segment where it is located, and a CN (corresponding node) which is a communication partner of the MN. The IP network system further includes a Care of Address managing unit for managing at least an old Care of Address set in a segment before movement of the MN and a new Care of Address set in another segment after movement of the MN, a packet receiving unit receiving a packet addressed to the old Care of Address at least after the MN is relocated to the another segment, the packet being transmitted from the CN, and a packet transfer unit transferring the packet addressed to the old Care of Address to the new Care of Address managed by the Care of Address managing unit, the packet addressed to the old Care of Address being received by the packet receiving unit.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates to maintenance of connectivity between a mobile node and other nodes involved in a movement of the mobile node in a mobile network environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, researches have been conducted on a mobile IP, which is a technique for allowing a moving terminal to maintain IP communication regardless of a position of the terminal. Recently, there have been many cases where companies and organizations carry out demonstration tests, and provides the service through hot spots and the like. Standardization of the mobile IP has already been promoted in the field of IPv4. At present, standardization organizations such as the IETF have actively discussed to realize the mobile IP based on IPv6.
However, a mobile IP function is not implemented in all IP devices. It is expected that a chip mounted with a simplified IP stack having a minimum IP function will be implemented in small-sized portable terminals, devices that do not perform IP communication frequently, and the like. Also, there are some of the devices currently used that will not have the mobile IP function additionally implemented.
In such cases, only with the implementation of the mobile IP function that is currently discussed in the standardization organizations, a node not supporting the mobile IP function and a mobile node supporting the mobile IP function cannot communicate with each other in some cases Thus, means for solving this problem is required.
There is a mobile IP technique as a technique taking into account convenience at the time when an IP node moves from one segment to which the IP node belongs to another. As the mobile IP technique, those for IPv4 and IPv6 have been laid open to public, and respectively defined in RFC2002, draft-ietf-mobileip-vipv6, and the like.
In addition, several patents have been laid open to the public in order to supplement these techniques.
For example, there is disclosed a technique concerning speed-up of packet transfer path switching following movement and optimization of a redundant path for packet transfer following movement, while taking into account compatibility to IP of mobile communication networks (TOKUKAI 2002-185520).
This laid-open patent application discloses a technique for allowing, by using the techniques described above, a MN to perform packet transmission and reception without changing information of the MN's own node when the MN moves from one segment to another. In addition, it is also possible to move from one link to another without suspending communication.
However, these are techniques assuming communication between nodes compatible to the mobile IP function or communication using a "home address (hereinafter, HoA)" of the MN.
In the conventional techniques, as shown in FIG. 15, when a CN sends a connection request to a MN and the CN and the MN communicate with each other using an HoA of the MN, communication is never interrupted following movement of the MN. However, as shown in FIG. 16, in a case where a MN located in a foreign segment sends a connection request to a CN, since the CN, which is a node not supporting the mobile IP function, cannot recognize an HoA Option (hereinafter, HoAOP), the CN starts communication using a Care of Address (hereinafter also referred to as CoA) of the MN. After this connection is established, a destination of a packet to be sent from the CN to the MN is changed to an old CoA of the MN, following segment movement of the MN. Thus, the packet does not reach the MN after the movement and the communication is interrupted.
In general, a MN having a contract with a mobile communication carrier, an ISP, or the like, has a home segment in a segment inside the carrier or the ISP, and the MN never returns to the home segment. When an IP network is established, it is unlikely that the mobile IP function is applicable to all nodes, and may not be applicable to devices mounted with a simplified stack or the like.
Therefore, in daily use, a connection request from a MN to a node not supporting the mobile IP function is communicated using a CoA. As a result, the communication is interrupted following movement of the MN.
For example, in a case where a cellular phone currently used widely is adapted to the IP, when a user attempts to receive music, video, or the like, reception cannot be continued unless a server supports the mobile IP function. As a result, a service cannot be provided.

Mobile communication system and method thereof


Disclosed is an inflatable multi-air-bag cover for cars, consisting of a plurality of air bags which have two downward bent and extended sides and are parallelly arranged and connected by heat-seal to form a hood-like cover. Via an air tube passing through the heat-sealed portion of the air bags and pressure valves disposed within the heat-sealed portions, air is sent into the air bags to sequentially inflate the same. The inflated air bags together form the expanded hood-like cover to cover the roof and doors of the car while the cover can be used as a dust cover and a heat insulation. Moreover, the cover can be conveniently inflated and deflated with little or no effort of the user.

Due to limited indoor parking lots, most car owners would buy a canvas or plastic car cover for their cars so that the cars can be protected from dust, corrosion by acid rain, and over exposure to sunlight when they are parked outdoors. By this way, the cars may somewhat be kept in a better condition and have longer life. Most of the conventional car covers are useful in guarding against dust and can be folded for convenient storage. However, they are not effective in heat insulation. Moreover, it is somehow inconvenient for only one single man to spread a considerably big cover to completely cover the whole car.
It is therefore desirable to have a different kind of car cover for outdoor use which can be automatically extended in a convenient manner, be used as a heat insulation, and be easily stored without occupying large room.


A device for systematically placing a golf ball on a tee and driving the tee into the ground, to thereby tee-up the golf ball, includes a base with a hopper for holding a supply of tees, and an elongate housing movably fitted to the base. A ball silo within the housing holds a supply of golf balls in a vertical array along a longitudinal axis. While maintaining the base on the ground and applying a downward force on a handle at the top of the housing, the housing is moved relative to the base through a selected range of downward movement, defining a stroke. The stroke movement drives a feed assembly and a pick-up arm to deliver a tee into a loaded position in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis below a lowermost ball in the silo. Thereafter, a timing assembly releases the lowermost ball onto the tee and continued downward movement through the stroke exerts pressure on the top of the ball, thereby driving the tee into the ground. An adjustment member on the housing enables selective adjustment of the stroke distance to thereby control the depth to which the tee is driven into the ground, and thus the height at which the ball is supported above the ground surface. Upon release of the downward force on the handle, springs urge the housing upwardly through a return movement to the first position as the timing assembly drops the remaining balls in the silo one lowered position so that a next successive lowermost ball is held in position to be dropped on a tee during the next downward stroke.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a golf ball tee-up device and, more particularly, to a device for systematically placing a golf ball on a tee and driving the tee, with the golf ball supported thereon, into the ground in accordance with a selected ball height above the ground, to thereby tee-up a golf ball for subsequent hitting with a golf club.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
When making the first golf shot (i.e. "teeing off") at each hole on a golf course, it is permissible to use a tee in order to advantageously raise and position the ball above the turf so that the face of the golf club strikes the ball cleanly and uninterrupted, thereby adding distance to the first shot. To place the golf ball on the tee (i.e. "tee up"), the ball and tee are grasped in one hand and, while bending, the pointed end of the tee is inserted into the ground as the ball is held on the tee. Most golfers tee up by holding the golf ball in the palm of their hand with the top of the tee held against the ball and with the tee extending out between the fingers. The palm can then be used to force the ball downwardly against the tee so that the tee is driven into the ground to the desired depth, thereby positioning the ball at a select height above the ground surface. The height at which the ball is positioned is largely dependent on the type of club being used, as well as personal preference of the golfer. When the ball is hit off of the tee, the bottom of the club face usually strikes the top of the tee, causing the tee to be removed from the ground. In many instances, the tee will fly a considerable distance, sometimes more than five feet, from the initial tee-up location.
During a game of golf played on a golf course, wherein a tee is usually used just once at each hole, the physical motions involved in teeing up the golf ball are of no significant consequence to the golfer's performance. Although, golfers suffering from back related ailments may find the pain and discomfort of bending over to tee-up the ball at each hole to be somewhat disruptive to their game, especially when having to bend just prior to swinging the golf club to tee off. More significantly, it is during practice that the repetitious physical actions of bending down to retrieve a tee and golf ball and then almost immediately bending down again to tee-up the ball prior to each shot can take its toll on even a well conditioned, physically healthy golfer. When practicing, at a driving range, most golfers will devote the entire practice session to improving either their "long game" or "short game," during which the average golfer may hit between 50 to 200 balls. Generally, the "long game" involves use of woods, including the driver, as well as low number irons or long irons (i.e., the two iron through five iron). When practicing one's long game, and particularly when hitting with the driver, a golfer will tee up many, if not all, of the balls being hit during the practice session. After hitting each ball, the golfer must bend to retrieve the tee and a new ball for the next shot. Inevitably, the repetitious bending motions between each shot begin to induce back pain and/or muscle fatigue which has a negative impact on a golfer's swing, resulting in a diminishing performance in the practiced session. Even in the absence of any back related disorders, many golfers find the constant bending to be annoying and disruptive to their rhythm, particularly when hitting a large number of balls, in close succession, during practice. As inconvenient as this is to the practicing golfer, to the professional, giving lessons all day, it is disastrous, as he tees up every ball for every pupil.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a device, in the golf industry, which is specifically structured to tee-up a golf ball without requiring the golfer to constantly bend down between each shot to pick up a new ball and a tee from the ground.


An embodiment includes a microelectronic device comprising: a substrate comprising a raised portion and a non-raised portion, wherein a dielectric material is disposed adjacent the raised portion, an epitaxial sub-fin structure disposed on the raised portion, wherein a bottom portion of the epitaxial sub-fin structure comprises an asymmetric profile, and an epitaxial fin device structure disposed on the sub-fin structure. Other embodiments are described herein.

Integration of epitaxial materials, such as indium aluminum phosphide, for example, onto substrates, such as silicon substrates, is highly desired in microelectronic device applications. High quality epitaxial materials enhance the performance for such applications as system on chip (SoC), high voltage and RF devices, as well as for complementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) applications. This integration involves fabrication challenges that may arise due to the mismatch in lattice properties between the two materials.

Apparatus and methods of forming fin structures with asymmetric profile


High protein expanded products are produced by extrusion with unique blends of ingredients, such as wheat protein isolates, modified wheat starch, salts, gums and moisture. The mixture is extruded in a twin-screw extruder with the temperatures in the range of 50 to 140° C., screw speeds of 250 to 450 rpm and with a back pressure of 350 to 1200 psi for different recipes. A range of expanded wheat crisps and other expanded products with wheat protein contents ranging from 30 to 90% are obtained from this process. The expanded products have good cell structure with varying cell sizes when viewed under a microscope. This process can be used to develop a varied range of products such as, wheat crisps, wheat curls, wheat loops etc. The products may be used in nutritional or health bars and other comestible having a high protein and low carbohydrate content.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to expanded food products with high protein content and the method of making the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
It is problematic that current manufacturing practices are unable to accommodate certain food ingredients for use in making expanded food products which are suitable for certain needs. By way of example, such low carbohydrate diets as the popular Atkins diet and variations thereof have created a significant demand for food with high protein and reduced carbohydrates. It is a technological challenge to increase protein content in certain categories of traditional foods, particularly in expanded products such as breakfast cereals and crispy snacks. Expanded food products are traditionally made using extrusion technology and contain a significant amount of starch to accommodate proper expansion. The starch generally imparts desired organoleptic qualities in the final food product.
Starches have unique properties, for example, facilitating the formation of continuous films under extrusion conditions. The physico-chemical nature of starch benefits the expansion of food products by forming a good cell structure matrix with correspondingly favorable texture in the final expanded products. Extrusion becomes more difficult, however, when ingredients such as proteins, dietary fibers and lipids are added. It is difficult to expand proteins without denaturation in extrusion processing because protein materials are molecularly less amenable to expansion that derives from the high temperature and pressure of extrusion processing. In particular, wheat gluten protein has an elastic nature that resists expansion and texturizes easily.
Extrusion processing has long been used to manufacture expanded food products, but the problem of obtaining non-soy high protein content has not been resolved. In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,748 issued to Schwab et al. describes a method to make ready-to-eat flake cereal by cooking, extruding, drying and grinding a basic cereal matrix and then blending the resulting product with sodium caseinate, rewetting the mixture and extruding to form pellets, and finally using high pressure rolls to create the flakes. The resulting cereal contains up to 25 percent (25%) protein, which is rather low.
Some success has been obtained using soy proteins. U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,491 issued to Malzahan et al. describes the use of high temperature/high pressure (HTHP) extrusion to produce an expanded cereal containing up to fifty-five percent (55%) soy protein. Soy protein isolate having up to 80% protein was processed at temperatures in the range of 220° F. to 355° F. and at pressures in the range from 1000 to 3000 psig. A product having a stringy or protein fiber-like texture developed when the temperature of the extruded dough mass reached 355° F. or higher. Cereal-like textures were observed only at lower temperatures. This fiber-like texture that is obtained indicates the texturization process.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,268 issued to Stocker et al. describes an expanded soy food product that is obtained by extrusion with heating of a mixture containing an organic compound and water with passage from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone. The product has an open cell structure and could be used as a meat substitute, convenience food or pet food ingredient. A sulfur-containing organic material provides functional expansion benefit when added to the mixture in an amount ranging from 0.2 to 0.6% by weight of the proteinacious material. The sulfur-containing organic material includes sulfur-containing amino acids, lower alkyl mercaptans, lower alkyl sulfides, lower alkyl disulfides, thioacids, or their salts.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,033 B1 issued to Sander et al. describes an extrusion process for making expanded high-protein cereal. Tuber starch, such as tapioca, is used as an expanding agent. The products contained protein levels of 50% to a maximum of 70%. Specific recipes were disclosed, largely using rice flour and tapioca flour and soy protein isolates with the protein levels between 50% and 62%.
If carefully observed all the methods deal with extrusion processing of recipes which have a significant amount of starch, which is a critical component in expansion of the product. Expansion of starches during extrusion also requires a proper balance of water content with other ingredients and proper extrusion conditions as are known generally in the art to obtain a good stable expansion. The unique molecular properties of starches aid in their expansion. They form continuous films when extruded, which helps to form very good complete cell structure when extruded.
Extrusion becomes difficult when other ingredients such as proteins and lipids are added into the recipes. Unmodified proteins, when extruded with starches, disperse into the matrix of starch. Then the product property may entirely depend on the extent of dispersion of the proteins into the starch matrix.
When regular unmodified proteins are used, it is difficult to extrude them, as it takes more energy to break the disulfide bonds and arrange them properly in a streamline. For example, when vital wheat gluten is used in large amounts in the production of bread dough or other products, the dough becomes too strong and is difficult to process during mixing, shearing, kneading and molding. In particular, the elasticity of wheat-based proteins tends to collapse such products after expansion.
Most of the high protein products that have been developed include soy as a main source of protein. During the extrusion process soy proteins are easier to work with, although if high levels of soy proteins are used, they adversely affect flavor and give unacceptable volume and crumb grain properties.
Wheat gluten is a binary mixture of gliadin and glutenin. These components can be separated by alcohol fractionation or by using a non-alcoholic process (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,277) employing the use of organic acids. Gliadin is soluble in 60-70% alcohol and comprises monomeric proteins with molecular weights ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 Daltons. These proteins are classified as alpha-, beta-, gamma-, omega-gliadins depending on their mobility during electrophoresis at low pH. Gliadin is primarily responsible for the extensible properties of wheat gluten. Glutenin is the alcohol insoluble fraction and contributes primarily to the elastic or rubbery properties of wheat gluten. Glutenin is a polymeric protein stabilized with inter-chain disulfide bonds and made up of high-molecular weight and low molecular weight subunits. Generally, glutenin exhibits a molecular weight exceeding one million daltons. Preferred fractionated wheat protein products comprise at least about 85% by weight protein, and more preferably at least about 80% by weight of glutenin, all proteins expressed on N×6.25, dry basis.
Wheat protein isolates are generally derived from wheat gluten by taking advantage of gluten's solubility at alkaline or acidic pH values. Wheat gluten is soluble in aqueous solutions with an acidic or alkaline pH and exhibits a classical "U-shaped" solubility curve with a minimum solubility or isoelectric point at a pH 6.5-7.0. By dissolving the gluten, proteins can be separated from non-protein components by processes like filtration, centrifugation, or membrane processing followed by spray drying. Alternatively, wet gluten from wet processing of wheat flour can be repeatedly kneaded, water washed, and dewatered to get rid of contaminating starch and other non-protein components, and subsequently flash dried. These techniques yield a wheat protein isolate product with elevated protein content that is usually at least about 85% by weight, and more preferably at least about 90% by weight (on a N×6.25, dry basis). Wheat protein isolates are less elastic but more extensible than wheat gluten. Examples of preferred wheat protein isolates include, Arise™ 3000, Arise™ 5000, Arise™ 6000 and Arise™ 8000 available from MGP Ingredients, Inc., Atchison, Kans.
Wheat protein concentrates are proteinaceous compositions which preferably have protein contents of at least about 70% by weight, and preferably at least about 82% by weight (N×6.25 dry basis). Wheat protein concentrates may be of different varieties manufactured by a number of different methods. Vital wheat gluten is one type of wheat protein concentrate that has a protein content of at least about 82% by weight (N×6.25, dry basis). Vital wheat gluten is a viscoelastic protein manufactured by a flash drying method. Additional types of wheat protein concentrates are manufactured by dispersing wet gluten in an ammonia solution followed by spray drying. These wheat protein concentrates exhibit lesser viscoelastic properties than vital wheat gluten but tend to be more extensible. Examples of the latter type of wheat protein concentrates include FP 300, FP 600 and FP 800 available from MGP Ingredients, Inc. of Atchison, Kans.
Native starch has often been modified to satisfy specific needs for food manufacturers. Chemical modifications, such as hydroxypropylation, cross-linking, and oxidation are commonly used to enhance shear, temperature, and acidic processing stability, to improve freeze and thaw stability, and to increase paste clarity and stability. Starch undergoes structural changes during chemical modification in some of its glucopyranosyl units in the molecule.
Hydroxypropylated starch is formed by reaction with propylene oxide normally at very low levels of substitution. Substituted hydroxypropyl groups restrict interaction of starch chains and prevent junction zone formation. Without cross-linking, however, hydroypropylated starch tends to swell excessively during cooking and form a stringy paste that is unstable against high shear and acidic processing. Combination of hydroxylpropylation and cross-linking is an efficient method of modification to improve storage stability. This type of starch includes Midsol™ 46, available from MGP Ingredients.
Oxidation of starch by an oxidizing agent such as sodium hypochlorite is well known. During the oxidation reaction, hydroxyl groups on starch molecules are oxidized to carbonyl and carboxyl groups. Cleavage of some of the glycosidic linkages also occurs, which decreases molecular weight of starch. Oxidized starch granules tend to swell at lower temperature to a greater extent than unmodified starch. Other characteristics of oxidized starch include low and stable viscosity, forming gel of high clarity, and improved binding and film forming properties. Midsol™ Krisp, available from MGP ingredients, is categorized as this type of starch.
Some dietary starches resist digestion by α-amylase in the human upper gastrointestinal tract and are termed as resistant starch (RS). RS is recognized as a type of dietary fiber and is of particular interest with respect to its health benefits against colon cancer. A high level of RS in starchy food constitutes a diet with a low glycemic index, which is thought to be beneficial for all individuals, especially for type II diabetics. A certain degree of cross-linking on granular starch leads to the formation of resistant starch, for example, as reported in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,946 issued to Seib et al., and limits the digestion by α-amylase. This type of starch is supplied by MGP Ingredients and is commercially available as FiberSym™ 70 and FiberSym™ 80-ST.
Functional characteristics of resistant starch may be modified by preswelling of granular starch before cross-linking, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,907 issued to Seib et al. The preswollen and cross-linked starch granules are capable of undergoing multiple hot or cold water swelling cycles without losing the individuality of starch granules. Reversibly swellable starch products may be modified further by an oxidizing agent. Oxidized reversibly swellable starch products are characterized by improved hydrophilic surface properties without undue agglomeration or clumping. Oxidized reversibly swellable starch displays stability improvement with hydrophilic polymers such as hydrocolloids and proteins.

Expanded products with high protein content


A readily disassembled carrier includes a frame having projecting arms that are telescopically engaged with mated tubular pieces attached to the chassis of the vehicle with which the carrier is to be used, and an assemblage of removable panels that cooperate to form a container on the frame. Projecting blocks are provided to limit insertion of the arms into the tubular pieces, and sockets on the frame seat the ends of posts provided on the panels, inserted downwardly thereinto, with flanges on corner bracket pieces slipping into one another for interengagement of adjacent panels.

As shown by the disclosures of the following United States patents, vehicle-mounted carriers, adapted for transPorting a variety of loads, are known in the art:
VanDyke et al No. 3,251,520 shows a carrier for a motorcycle or bicycle, which includes a supporting unit comprised of parallel frame members telescopically received by outer frame members, which are mounted upon the chassis of a camper-truck. Attachment of the outer frame members is achieved With brackets, and removable bolts serve to allow selective disengagement of the inner frame members, and to lock them in position.
Hall No. 4,072,257 is generally similar, providing apparatus for carrying a motorcycle or bike on a vehicle, in Which the supporting platform is mounted upon parallel struts that are telescopically received within and secured to brackets mounted on the vehicle frame; the apparatus may be employed to carry a trunk or other items.
Frue No. 4,138,152 shows a storage box attached to and supported by parallel rods, Which are slidably received within box-like structures secured to plates, the plates in turn being bolted to the vehicle frame; the storage box of the patent functions as the vehicle bumper.
Chamberlain No. 3,905,527, Began et al No. 4,676,413, and Kennedy No. 4,676,415 disclose frame-mounted support systems for carriers of various kinds.
Despite the foregoing, a need remains for a vehiclemounted carrier system which permits ready assembly and disassembly of the carrier, for convenient use and storage and facile connection thereof to an associated vehicle. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide such a carrier system.
Other objects of the invention are to provide a carrier system having the foregoing features and advantages, wherein the system is, in addition, of relatively uncomplicated and inexpensive construction, and yet highly durable and capable of transporting large and heavy loads


An electromagnetic pen, an electromagnetic signal transmission method and an electromagnetic signal processing method, a processing device and a processing apparatus comprises: a reference inductance and a reference capacitor, connected with each other in parallel in a housing of the electromagnetic pen and configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal in a handwritten frequency; a control capacitor, connected with the reference capacitor in parallel and controlled by a control switch connected in series so as to transmit an electromagnetic signal in a control frequency. The processing device comprises: a receiving identification module, configured to receive the electromagnetic signal transmitted by the electromagnetic pen and identify a frequency of the electromagnetic signal; a handwritten input module, configured to input a handwritten symbol when the identified frequency is within a range of the handwritten frequency; and a control input module, configured to input a control signal.

With the increasing popularity of portable apparatuses such as a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (hereafter to be referred as PDA), a notebook computer and so on, the input modes are becoming more and more humanized. Touch screen technology has become one of the simplest and the most convenient man-machine interactive input technologies. Currently, the mainstream touch screen technology has the following several types: a resistance type, a capacitance type, an infrared type and an inductance type.
Among them, a handwritten input apparatus with an inductance type touch screen consists of a touch pen, an antenna array board and a corresponding identification processing circuit. The touch pen is also called as an electromagnetic pen, wherein an LC oscillator is installed and used for transmitting electromagnetic signals in fixed frequency. A display panel and the antenna array board are overlapped together. The antenna array board consists of a plurality of the antennas covering the whole display panel and has at least two layers, which are used for detecting coordinate positions in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively. When the electromagnetic pen is close to or touches the display panel, the electromagnetic signal in the electromagnetic pen facilitates some of the antennas of the antenna array board to have a resonance and then generate oscillatory waves with the same frequency. Through the analysis for amplitudes and frequency of the oscillatory waves, the coordinate position of the electromagnetic pen relative to the display panel can be calculated. For example, in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/937,231, it proposes a passive input pen with LC resonance. That is, the handwritten input can be realized based on electromagnetic induction principle.
Currently, with the development of handwritten input technology, people make higher requests for controllability, operational convenience and other aspects of the handwritten input technology. However, due to the richness of input information, this prior electromagnetic pen can not match up with the operations of humanized input software and the interface thereof, resulting in limiting the development of the industry for touch type input products with richer input means.

Electromagnetic pen, electromagnetic signal transmission method and processing method, apparatus and device

Taiguen Technology (Shen—Zhen) Co., Ltd.


A method of controlling a propulsion system on a marine vessel includes receiving proximity measurements describing locations of one or more objects with respect to the marine vessel, receiving a command vector instructing magnitude and direction for propulsion of the marine vessel with respect to a point of navigation for the marine vessel, and then determining a funnel boundary based on the command vector. An object is identified based on the proximity measurements and determined to be within the funnel boundary, and then a propulsion adjustment command is calculated based on the command vector and an angle of the object with respect to the point of navigation. At least one propulsion device is then controlled based on the propulsion adjustment command in order to avoid the object.

The following U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference, in entirety:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,771 discloses a control system for a marine vessel that incorporates a marine propulsion system that can be attached to a marine vessel and connected in signal communication with a serial communication bus and a controller. A plurality of input devices and output devices are also connected in signal communication with the communication bus and a bus access manager, such as a CAN Kingdom network, is connected in signal communication with the controller to regulate the incorporation of additional devices to the plurality of devices in signal communication with the bus whereby the controller is connected in signal communication with each of the plurality of devices on the communication bus. The input and output devices can each transmit messages to the serial communication bus for receipt by other devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,068 discloses a marine vessel that is maneuvered by independently rotating first and second marine propulsion devices about their respective steering axes in response to commands received from a manually operable control device, such as a joystick. The marine propulsion devices are aligned with their thrust vectors intersecting at a point on a centerline of the marine vessel and, when no rotational movement is commanded, at the center of gravity of the marine vessel. Internal combustion engines are provided to drive the marine propulsion devices. The steering axes of the two marine propulsion devices are generally vertical and parallel to each other. The two steering axes extend through a bottom surface of the hull of the marine vessel.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,927,520 discloses a method of detecting a collision of the marine vessel, including sensing using distance sensors to determine whether an object is within a predefined distance of a marine vessel, and determining a direction of the object with respect to the marine vessel. The method further includes receiving a propulsion control input at a propulsion control input device, and determining whether execution of the propulsion control input will result in any portion of the marine vessel moving toward the object. A collision warning is then generated.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0253314 discloses a system for maintaining a marine vessel in a body of water at a selected position and orientation, including a global positioning system that determines a global position and heading of the vessel and a proximity sensor that determines a relative position and bearing of the vessel with respect to an object near the vessel. A controller operable in a station-keeping mode is in signal communication with the GPS and the proximity sensor. The controller chooses between using global position and heading data from the GPS and relative position and bearing data from the proximity sensor to determine if the vessel has moved from the selected position and orientation. The controller calculates thrust commands required to return the vessel to the selected position and orientation and outputs the thrust commands to a marine propulsion system, which uses the thrust commands to reposition the vessel.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0057132 discloses a method for controlling movement of a marine vessel near an object, including accepting a signal representing a desired movement of the marine vessel from a joystick. A sensor senses a shortest distance between the object and the marine vessel and a direction of the object with respect to the marine vessel. A controller compares the desired movement of the marine vessel with the shortest distance and the direction. Based on the comparison, the controller selects whether to command the marine propulsion system to generate thrust to achieve the desired movement, or alternatively whether to command the marine propulsion system to generate thrust to achieve a modified movement that ensures the marine vessel maintains at least a predetermined range from the object. The marine propulsion system then generates thrust to achieve the desired movement or the modified movement, as commanded.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,429,845 discloses a marine vessel is powered by a marine propulsion system and movable with respect to first, second, and third axes that are perpendicular to one another and define at least six degrees of freedom of potential vessel movement. A method for controlling a position of the marine vessel near a target location includes measuring a present location of the marine vessel, and based on the vessel's present location, determining if the marine vessel is within a predetermined range of the target location. The method includes determining marine vessel movements that are required to translate the marine vessel from the present location to the target location. In response to the marine vessel being within the predetermined range of the target location, the method includes automatically controlling the propulsion system to produce components of the required marine vessel movements one degree of freedom at a time during a given iteration of control.

Marine propulsion control system and method


Provided herein are solutions to automated material handling comprising systems that allow automated “each pick handling” without requiring the complexity of robotic grasping. Numerous examples of pre-configurable and reconfigurable transport containers, partitioning devices, and automated container configuration stations are described in addition to methods of use and associated material handling systems that utilize such containers. Further described are containers that are individually configured or customized according to specific lot sizes to more efficiently and optimally contain, store and distribute articles as a component of a picking system. Configurable containers or “totes” may be customized on a per-order basis to create optimally configured containers that maximize the use of space in a container, on a single-item-per-space basis, regardless of item quantity, size or volume, by customizing the size of each space within a container or tote. Still further, each containment area comprises a releasable surface that allows for picking of an item by utilizing gravity in lieu of a robotic gripper.

Provided herein are automated manufacturing and material handling. More particularly, the embodiments herein relates to a system for the automated configuration, transport, storage, management and delivery of items utilizing reconfigurable bins, totes or containers constructed, reconstructed and transported with automated warehousing systems in real time where the tote is optimally manipulated as part of a just-in-time warehousing operation for material storage and handling.
Substantial developments have been made in the industrial handling of various materials and items, particularly in the area of automated systems. For example, various types of robotics and other automated systems are now used in order to "pick and place" objects during many manufacturing and other materials handling processes. Such robotics and other systems can include robot arms that, for example, grip, lift and/or place an object as part of a designated process. Other manipulations and materials handling techniques can also be accomplished using automated systems.
Despite many advances over the years in this field, many limitations still persist as to how items are handled, stored or transported. Continuing limitations exist in the areas of spatial optimization of storage areas or storage density, transport mechanisms for material throughput, and automated sorting of materials. Many of these "each picking" operations are manually intensive, involve high costs and continue to have generally low throughput. Certain approaches revolve around 3D vision and robotic gripping solutions, and these approaches are typically not general purpose due to the wide variety of parts often numbering greater than 1 million SKU's comprising a myriad of changing dimensions and colors, often the result of manufacturers unannounced or running design changes.
Provided herein are storage, handling, organization, sorting and metering systems that can complement or replace existing inefficient manual and automated manufacturing and material handling systems. Provided herein are solutions to automated material handling comprising systems that allow automated "each handling" without requiring the complexity of robotic grasping.
Provided herein are numerous examples of material handling systems comprising pre-configurable and reconfigurable transport containers, automated configuration stations, and order processing systems utilizing variants of "just-in-time" methods and associated "real time" material handling systems that utilize such containers. In particular, containers may be individually configured or customized according to specific lot sizes to more efficiently and optimally contain, store and distribute articles as a component of a picking system. Configurable containers or "totes" may be customized on a per-order basis to create optimally configured containers that maximize the use of space in a container, on a single-item-per-space basis, regardless of item size or volume, by customizing the size of each space within a container or tote.
Provided herein is a system for the automated configuration, transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: a container configuration station for configuring optimized containers comprising: an automated assembly device, wherein the automated assembly device is adapted to optimally configure a reconfigurable container based on the number, size and volume of items according to specific ordering information; the reconfigurable containers comprising one or more optimized containment areas; and a means for moving the assembled container to the next step in an automated process. Provided herein is a system for the automated configuration, transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: a container configuration station; an automated assembly device adapted to optimally configure a reconfigurable container at the container configuration station based on the number, size and volume of items according to specific ordering information thereby generating an optimally configured container, the optimally configured container comprising one or more optimized containment areas; and an assembled container transporter configured to transport the optimally configured container to the next step in an automated process.
In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container comprises configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas comprise configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container consists of configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured for the optimal storage and management of items. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured for the optimal transport and management of items to be selectively picked from storage inventory to fulfill orders. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed when the optimally configured container has fulfilled an order or orders for which it was originally configured, thereby restoring the optimally configured container to an un-configured state. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed when the optimally configured container has fulfilled an order or orders for which it was originally configured, thereby restoring the optimally configured container to an un-configured state, wherein the resulting reconfigurable container and/or partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each optimally configured container is assigned a unique identification for each assembled configuration of the container. In some embodiments, the system further comprises an ordering system. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container comprises configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas comprise configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured for the optimal storage and management of items. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured for the optimal transport and management of items to be selectively picked from storage inventory to fulfill orders. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed when a reconfigurable container has fulfilled an order or orders for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container and/or partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each assembled configuration of the container. In some embodiments, the system further comprises an ordering system. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area which can be actuated to controllably dispense each item as needed into an awaiting chute or order fulfilment container.
Provided herein is a method of using a system for the automated configuration, transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: providing a container configuration station for configuring containers comprising: providing an automated assembly device adapted to optimally configure a configurable container based on the number, size and volume of items according to specific ordering information; supplying configurable containers comprising one or more optimized containment areas; and providing a means for transporting the assembled configurable container to the next step in an automated process. Provided herein is a method of using a system for the automated configuration, transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: providing a container configuration station for configuring containers; providing an automated assembly device; the automated assembly device optimally configuring a reconfigurable container at the container configuration station based on the number, size and volume of items according to specific ordering information, thereby generating an optimally configured container comprising optimized containment areas; and providing a means for transporting the assembled configurable container to the next step in an automated process. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimally configured container comprises configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container consists of configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured in the optimally configured container for the optimal storage and management of items. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured for the optimal transport and management of items to be selectively picked from storage inventory to fulfill orders. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed when an optimally configured container has fulfilled an order or orders for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container and/or partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area is configured to hold one item. In some embodiments, each optimally configured container is assigned a unique identification for each assembled configuration of the container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: providing an ordering system. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area.
Provided herein is a system for the automated configuration, transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: an ordering system; a container configuration station for configuring a configurable container comprising: an automated assembly device to optimally configure a configurable container according to specific ordering information provided by the ordering system; the configurable container; and configurable partitioning units; wherein the configurable partitioning units are positionable within the configurable container by the automated assembly device to create optimized containment areas based on the number, size and volume of items to be placed in the containment areas according to the specific ordering information, for the optimal transport, storage and management of said items, and a means to move the assembled configurable container to the next step in an automated process. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed when a reconfigurable container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container and or configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, each configurable container further comprises a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area which can be actuated to controllably dispense each item as needed into an awaiting chute or order fulfilment container.
Provided herein is a system for the automated configuration, transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: an ordering system; a container configuration station for configuring a configurable container comprising: an automated assembly device to optimally configure the configurable container according to specific ordering information provided by the ordering system; the configurable container; and configurable partitioning units; wherein the configurable partitioning units are positionable within the configurable container by the automated assembly device to create optimized containment areas based on the number, size and volume of items to be placed in the containment areas according to the specific ordering information, for the optimal transport, storage and management of said items thereby generating the assembled configurable container, and a means to move the assembled configurable container to the next step in an automated process. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed when the assembled configurable container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the configurable container and or configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, each configurable container further comprises a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area. In some embodiments of the method, the reconfigurable container comprises: providing and using configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas comprise using configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container consists of configurable, positionable and/or assemblable partitioning units. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured for the optimal storage and management of items. In some embodiments, the optimized containment areas are configured for the optimal transport and management of items to be selectively picked from storage inventory to fulfill orders. Still further, in some embodiments, comprise providing a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed when a reconfigurable container has fulfilled an order or orders for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container and/or partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area is configured to hold one item. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each assembled configuration of the container. Still further, some embodiments comprise providing an ordering system. Further still, some embodiments comprise providing a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area which can be actuated to controllably dispense each item as needed into an awaiting chute or order fulfillment container.
Provided herein is a method of using a system for the automated transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: providing an ordering system; providing a container configuration station comprising an automated assembly device for optimally configuring a configurable container according to specific ordering information provided by the ordering system; positioning a configurable container in the container configuration station; providing configurable partitioning units; and causing the configurable partitioning units to be optimally positioned within the configurable container by the automated assembly device; wherein the partitioning units are positioned in to create optimized containment areas based on the number size and volume of items to be placed in the containment areas according to the specific ordering information, for the optimal transport, storage and management of said items; and providing a means to move the assembled configurable container to the next step in an automated process. Provided herein is a method of using a system for the automated transport, storage, management and delivery of items comprising: providing an ordering system; providing a container configuration station comprising an automated assembly device for optimally configuring a configurable container according to specific ordering information provided by the ordering system; positioning a configurable container in the container configuration station; providing configurable partitioning units; and causing the configurable partitioning units to be optimally positioned within the configurable container by the automated assembly device thereby generating an assembled configurable container, wherein the partitioning units are positioned in to create optimized containment areas based on the number size and volume of items to be placed in the containment areas according to the specific ordering information, for the optimal transport, storage and management of said items; and providing a means to move the assembled configurable container to the next step in an automated process. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed from a assembled configurable container when the configured container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the configurable container and or configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, the configurable container is assembled for an inventory storage application. In some embodiments, the configurable container is assembled for a unique fulfillment order. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each assembled configurable container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: providing a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing a partition removal station, wherein the partitioning units are removed from a reconfigurable container when the configured container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the reconfigurable container and or configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable container is assembled for an inventory storage application. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable container is assembled for a unique fulfillment order. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area which can be actuated to controllably dispense each item as needed into an awaiting chute or order fulfilment container.
Provided herein is a system for configuring a reconfigurable container comprising: a container configuration station comprising an automated assembly device; and configurable partitioning units; wherein the configurable partitioning units are positionable and assemblable by the automated assembly device to form a configured container comprising optimized containment areas based on the number, sizes and volumes of items for which the container is configured.
Provided herein is a system for configuring a reconfigurable container comprising: a container configuration station comprising an automated assembly device; and configurable partitioning units; wherein the configurable partitioning units are positionable and assemblable by the automated assembly device to form a configured container comprising optimized containment areas based on the number, sizes and volumes of items for which the container is configured. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a partition removal station, wherein the configurable partitioning units are disassembled when a configured container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each containment area further comprises an addressable release surface. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, each configured container further comprises a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a partition removal station, wherein the configurable partitioning units are disassembled when a configured container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, each configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each containment area further comprises an addressable release surface. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, each configured container further comprises a release surface addressable to each optimized containment area which can be actuated to controllably dispense each item as needed into an awaiting chute or order fulfilment container.
Provided herein is a method of using a system for configuring a reconfigurable container comprising: providing a container configuration station comprising an automated assembly device; and providing configurable partitioning units to the configuration station; wherein the partitioning units are positioned and assembled by the automated assembly device to form a configured container comprising optimized containment areas based on the number, size and volume of items for which the container is configured. Provided herein is a method of using a system for configuring a reconfigurable container comprising: providing a container configuration station comprising an automated assembly device; and providing configurable partitioning units to the configuration station; wherein the partitioning units are positioned and assembled by the automated assembly device to form a configured container comprising optimized containment areas based on the number, size and volume of items for which the container is configured. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: providing a partition removal station, wherein the configurable partitioning units are disassembled when a configured container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for reconfiguration. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable container is assembled for an inventory storage application. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable container is assembled for a unique fulfillment order. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each containment area further comprises an addressable release surface. In some embodiments, each configured container further comprises an addressable release surface. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing a partition removal station, wherein the configurable partitioning units are disassembled when a configured container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the configurable partitioning units are returned to an available inventory for reconfiguration. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable container is assembled for an inventory storage application. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable container is assembled for a unique fulfillment order. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, the method provides that each containment area further comprises an addressable release surface which can be actuated to controllably dispense each item as needed into an awaiting chute or order fulfilment container. In some embodiments, each configured container further comprises an addressable release surface which can be actuated to controllably dispense each item as needed into an awaiting chute or order fulfilment container. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container.
Provided herein is a system for the automated configuration of a configurable container and selection of items to fill orders comprising: an ordering system; a computer-implemented system comprising: a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory; a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to process an incoming order and determine the requirements for filling the incoming order comprising: a first software module configured to determine an optimized containment area configuration for a configurable container based on the number, size and volume of items in one or more incoming orders; a second software module configured to manipulate an automated assembly device to assemble the components of the configurable container; a third software module configured to determine an optimal pick-order from an inventory and routing to fill the incoming order; a fourth software module configured to determine an optimal routing release sequence for the assembled configurable container containing the picked items for delivery of the picked order; and a means to move the assembled configurable container to a next step in the optimal routing an automated process. In some embodiments, the system comprises a container configuration station for configuring a configurable container comprising: an automated assembly device to optimally configure the configurable container according to specific ordering information of an incoming order and the configuration determined by the first software; the configurable container comprising one or more addressable release surfaces; and configurable partitioning units; wherein the partitioning units are positionable within the configurable container by the automated assembly device to create optimized containment areas based on instruction provided by the second software module, and wherein each optimized containment area is accessible by an addressable release surface. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a release station for releasing the picked items from the configurable container comprising an automated release device; wherein the configurable container is delivered to the release station and the automated release device is configured to cause the selective release of one or more of the addressable release surfaces, wherein the item held in the containment area where the addressable release surfaces of the configured container is released, will drop into an awaiting pick container or chute. In some embodiments, the system comprises a third software module, having determined an optimal pick-order from the inventory and routing to fill the incoming order, provides executable instructions to the means for moving the assembled container. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fourth software module, having determined an optimal routing for the assembled configurable container containing the picked items, provides executable instructions to the means for moving the assembled container for delivery of the picked order. In some embodiments, the configurable container comprising an addressable release surface that releases items in the optimized containment areas when the addressable release surfaces are activated by the release station according to the routing release sequence determined by the fourth software module. In some embodiments, the one or more addressable release surfaces of the configurable container comprises: a top surface; an intermediate surface; and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, each optimized containment area is configured to hold one item. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, each configured container further comprises a containment surface, wherein the containment surface may be configured to cover or enclose the entire container. A containment surface can be permanent or temporary. A containment surface can be a top surface, bottom surface or intermediate layer surface.
Provided herein is a system for the automated release of items from a configurable container comprising: a configurable container comprising: multiple containment areas of optimal size based on the number, size and volume of items therein; at least one containment surface comprising addressable releasable openings matching the configuration of the multiple containment areas; and a release station comprising an automated device configured to cause the selective release of one or more of the at least one addressable releasable openings of the containment surface, wherein, items held in the containment areas where the addressable releasable opening of the containment surface is activated and released will drop into an awaiting pick container or chute. Provided herein is a method of using a system for the automated release of items from a configurable container comprising: providing a configurable container comprising multiple containment areas of optimal size based on the number, size and volume of items therein; providing at least one containment surface on the configurable container comprising addressable releasable openings matching the configuration of the multiple containment areas; providing a release station comprising an automated device configured to cause the selective release of one or more of the at least one addressable releasable openings of the containment surface, activating at least one addressable releasable opening causing the opening to release the item held therein, wherein, the item will drop into an awaiting pick container or chute.
Provided herein is a method of automating the storage, and picking of inventory comprising: providing a configurable container comprising multiple containment areas for optimal individual object storage based on item number, size and volume; providing at least one containment surface on the configurable container comprising releasable openings to match configuration of the multiple containment areas; providing an inventory system for recording the contents of each containment area within each configurable container and inventory storage locations thereof; and providing an order filling system configured to selectively pick items from the recorded locations of the inventory storage locations; directing an automated picking system to release the releasable opening of the at least one containment surface of any selected configurable container to allow the picking of the item contained therein; and depositing the item into an awaiting pick container or chute.
Provided herein is system for the configuration of reconfigurable containers comprising: an ordering system; a computer-implemented system comprising: a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory; a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to process an incoming order and determine the requirements for filling one or more incoming orders from the ordering system comprising a fifth software module configured to determine an optimized number of configurable containers and the containment areas thereof, based on the number, size and volume of items in the incoming order; a sixth software module configured to manipulate an automated assembly device to assemble components of the configurable transport container as needed, according to the configuration requirements provided by the fifth software module; a seventh software module configured to identify a used assembled reconfigurable container and provide instruction to an automated disassembly device to disassemble the components of the configurable transport container; an eighth software module configured to provide instruction to a transport means for the return of a disassembled configurable container and/or the components thereof to an inventory location; and a means to move a reconfigurable container or the components thereof to an inventory location. In some embodiments, the system comprises a container configuration station for configuring a configurable container comprising: an automated assembly device to optimally configure the configurable container according to specific ordering information of an incoming order; a configurable container capable of comprising: multiple containment areas of optimally size based on the number, size and volume of items to be held therein; and at least one containment surface comprising addressable releasable openings matching the configuration of the multiple containment areas. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a container disassembly station, wherein the components of a reconfigurable container are disassembled when a configured container has fulfilled a task for which it was originally configured. In some embodiments, the disassembled components of a reconfigurable container are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, the configurable container further comprises a containment surface. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container. In some embodiments, the system comprises a used reconfigurable transport container; a transport configuration station for reconfiguring a used reconfigurable transport container comprising: a disassembly device for removing existing optimized containment areas of the configurable transport container as directed by instructions provided by a seventh software module; an automated assembly device to optimally reconfigure the used reconfigurable container according to specific ordering information of one or more incoming orders and the configuration determined by the fifth software module; and a means for creating new optimized containment areas based on the number, size and volume of items to be held therein as determined by the sixth software module. In some embodiments, the disassembled components of a reconfigurable container are returned to an available inventory for a future reconfiguration. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each reconfigured container further comprises at least one addressable releasable opening matching the configuration of each containment area; the configurable container further comprises a containment surface. In some embodiments, each configured container is assigned a unique identification for each reconfiguration of the container. In some embodiments, the containment surface comprises: a top surface; an intermediate surface; and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the releasable openings of the containment surface are releasably lockable. In some embodiments, the releasable openings of the containment surface are activated by a release station.
Provided herein is a method of recycling used reconfigurable containers comprising: receiving one or more incoming order from an ordering system; providing a used reconfigurable container; providing a container reconfiguration station; delivering the used transport container to the transport configuration station; providing a means for evaluating the configuration of containment areas within the used reconfigurable container relative to the requirements of the new incoming orders; providing a means for determining the optimal configuration of the containment areas required in the reconfigurable container based on number size and volume of items needed to satisfy the new incoming orders; removing existing containment areas and forming new containment areas to optimally reconfigure the used configurable transport container to satisfy the new incoming order; providing releasable openings configured to have movable sections matching the size of each new containment area; and delivering the reconfigured transport to a picking station for processing of the new incoming order. In some embodiments, the ordering system comprises: providing a computer-implemented system comprising: a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory; and providing a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to process one or more incoming orders and in real time determine the requirements for filling the incoming order comprising: a fifth software module configured to determine an optimized containment area configuration for a used reconfigurable transport container based on the incoming order; a sixth software module configured to manipulate an automated assembly device to remove existing containment areas and form new containment areas in a reconfigurable transport container as needed, according to the configuration requirements provided by the fifth software module; a seventh software module configured to determine an optimal pick-order from an inventory and optimal routing to fill the new incoming order; an eighth software module configured to determine an optimal routing release sequence for the reassembled reconfigurable container containing the picked items for delivery of the picked order; and providing a means to move the reassembled reconfigurable container to a next step in the optimal routing of an automated process as determined by the seventh and eighth software modules. In some embodiments, the used reconfigurable transport container has been previously configured with a partitioning arrangement adapted to satisfy another order. In some embodiments, the means for evaluating the used container to satisfy the new incoming order comprises: a human; a template; an optical system; and a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the non-limiting means for moving the reassembled reconfigurable transport comprises: a human; a cart; a robot; a conveyor; an automated transport device; and a combination thereof.
Provided herein is a configurable container adapted for automated picking systems comprising: assemblable sub-units configured to hold an item, wherein the sub-units can be configurable to be assembled to each other to form a nested container, wherein the assembled sub-units are optimally configured and positioned based on number, size and volume to create multiple containment areas within the container and configured to receive and retain an optimized number of items for an order or orders; and each container a containment surface comprising releasable openings configured to have movable sections matching the size of each assembled sub-unit; wherein the items held within each assembled sub-unit can be selectively picked during automated order picking operations, allowing only the item contained therein to be released when the releasable opening of a specific assembled sub-unit is released. In some embodiments, the releasable openings of the containment surface are lockable. In some embodiments, the assemblable sub-units are configured to optimal receive and constrain an item based on number, size and volume. In some embodiments, the assemblable sub-units are configured to be uniform in one dimension. In some embodiments, the assemblable sub-units are configured to have a common assembly feature. In some embodiments, the assemblable sub-units are adapted for use by an order processing system. In some embodiments, each containment area holds one item. In some embodiments, each nested container is assigned a unique identification for each configuration of the container.
Provided herein is a method of using a configurable transport container adapted for automated picking systems comprising: providing two or more assemblable sub-units, each optimally configured to hold an item based on number, size and volume for an order or orders; positioning the assemblable sub-units based on item number, size and volume to form multiple containment areas in an optimal configuration; assembling the sub-units to each other to create nested container comprising containment areas configured to receive and retain an optimized number of items, and providing a containment surface comprising lockable and releasable openings configured to have movable sections matching the size of each assembled sub-unit, wherein the items held within each assembled sub-unit can be selectively picked during automated order picking operations; providing a means for unlocking the releasable opening, allowing only the item contained therein to be released when the releasable opening of a specific assembled sub-unit is released; depositing the item into an awaiting pick container or chute. In some embodiments of the method, the assemblable sub-units are adapted for use with an order processing system.
Provided herein is a configurable container adapted for automated picking systems comprising: assemblable sub-units configured to hold an item, wherein the sub-units can be configurable to be assembled to each other to form a nested container, wherein the assembled sub-units are optimally configured and positioned based on number, size and volume to create multiple containment areas within the container and configured to receive and retain an optimized number of items for an order or orders; wherein the items held within each assembled sub-unit can be selectively picked during automated order picking operations, wherein the automated picking station provides preconfigured releasable lid configurations for allowing only the item contained therein to be released when the releasable lid of a specific assembled sub-unit is released.
Provided herein is a configurable container adapted for automated picking systems with an ordering system comprising: a configurable container; assemblable sub-units, smaller than the configurable container and configured to hold one item, wherein the sub-units are configurable to be assembled to each other to create optimal containment areas within the transport container to satisfy orders provided by the ordering system, wherein the assemblable sub-units are optimally configured and positioned based on the number, size and volume of the items in the order to create optimized containment areas within the transport container to receive and retain optimized numbers of items to satisfy the order; and each transport container comprises a containment surface comprising releasably lockable openings configured to have movable sections matching the size of each assembled sub-unit; wherein the items held within each assembled sub-unit can be selectively picked during automated order picking operations, allowing only the item contained therein to be released when the releasably lockable opening of a specific assembled sub-unit is released. In some embodiments, the sub-units are configured to divide the volume of the of the configurable transport container into two sections along a first plane. In some embodiments, the two sections are not equal in size or volume. In some embodiments, the sub-units are configured to divide the two sections into one or more additional sections along at least a second intersecting plane. In some embodiments, the at least second intersecting plane comprises: a horizontal plane; a transverse plane; an oblique plane; and a diagonal plane. In some embodiments, the sub-units are configured to divide the volume of the of the configurable transport container only along a first plane. In some embodiments, the at least second intersecting plane comprises: a horizontal plane; a transverse plane; an oblique plane; and a diagonal plane.
Provided herein is a method of making a configurable container adapted for automated picking systems with an ordering system comprising: providing a configurable container; providing assemblable sub-units, smaller than the configurable container and configured to hold one item, positioning and assembling the assemblable sub-units based on the number, size and volume of the items in the order to create optimized containment areas to satisfy the order; and providing a containment surface for the transport container comprising releasably lockable openings configured to have movable sections matching the size of each assembled sub-unit.

Automated item handling with reconfigurable totes


A wall hanging system by which a wall décor item such as a ledge, a frame, artwork, or the like may be mounted to and hung from a wall. The wall hanging system may include a first mounting assembly that is coupled to the wall and a second mounting assembly that is coupled to the wall décor item. The first and second mounting assemblies may be engaged to mount the wall décor item from the wall. One of the first and second mounting assemblies may include a post and the other of the first and second mounting assemblies may include a cavity. The post may be inserted into an insertion portion of the cavity and then slid to a nesting portion of the cavity to lock the first mounting assembly to the second mounting assembly.

Furniture is often purchased in a disassembled state due to its large size so that it is easier to package and transport to the end-use location. In some instances, the store at which the furniture is purchased will deliver the furniture to the end-user's home and assemble the furniture for the consumer. In other instances, the consumer must assemble the furniture by him or herself. This can be a great source of frustration to the consumer because the assembly instructions are often difficult for a lay person to understand and the furniture parts often do not fit together readily and seamlessly. Thus, a need exists for a mechanical coupling system that can be used for the coupling of pieces of an article of furniture together to assemble the article of furniture.
There are many instances in which people desire to hang an article from a wall. For example, people enjoy hanging artwork and other decorations from a wall in a home to personalize the space. People also hang artifacts and diplomas and other achievement indicators from the walls in their offices. Moreover, people hang shelves and other ledges from the to display items thereon. However, for many people the process of hanging articles from the wall is a daunting and stressful experience. Thus, a need exists for a simpler way to effectively hang various articles from a wall.


An image forming apparatus may include a conveyor member, an optical sensor, a drive portion, and a controller. The drive portion performs a rotation for detection to rotate the conveyor member for the mark detection and a rotation for nondetection to rotate the conveyor member for a purpose other than the mark detection. The controller obtains an amount of reflected light received by the optical sensor to determine an adjustment value of sensitivity of the optical sensor based on the amount of received reflected light while the rotation for nondetection is performed. The controller also detects the mark with the sensitivity adjusted based on the determined adjustment value while the rotation for detection is performed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a technique for obtaining an amount of received light reflected from a light-irradiated area of a rotating conveyor member.
2. Description of Related Art
A known image forming apparatus performs a function of correcting positional deviation, e.g., deviation of an image forming position on a sheet. In the image forming apparatus, a pattern, which includes a plurality of marks, e.g., a registration pattern, is formed on a belt, and, while the image forming apparatus irradiates the belt with light, an optical sensor receives light reflected from the belt. The image forming apparatus determines a position of a mark on the belt based on an amount of reflected light received by the optical sensor. In particular, the image forming apparatus determines the position of the mark based on a difference between a reflectance of a surface of the belt and a reflectance of a surface of the mark and determines the difference in the reflectances. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus determines the position of the mark based on amounts of received reflected light and determines a difference between the amount of reflected light received from the surface of the belt and the amount of reflected light received from the surface of the mark. The image forming apparatus corrects the deviation of the image forming position based on the position of the mark on the belt determined from the amount of reflected light received by the optical sensor.
The surface of the belt, however, may become dirty or damaged. The dirt or damage on the surface of the belt may diffuse light reflected off the surface of the belt. This may cause a decrease in the reflectance of the surface of the belt and may prevent the image forming apparatus from determining the position of the mark. To reduce the occurrence of this problem, a known image forming apparatus irradiates a surface of a belt on which a mark is not formed with light, and the image forming apparatus adjusts a sensitivity of an optical sensor based on an amount of reflected light from the belt surface received by the optical sensor.

Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus


According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory connected to the at least one processor. The at least one memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine based on at least one indicator that a camera connected to the apparatus is in a dark environment, initiate a calibration sequence of the camera in response to determining based on the at least one indicator that the camera connected to the apparatus is in a dark environment, capture, during the calibration sequence, multiple images with the camera with different sets of shooting parameters, cause analysis of the captured images to obtain camera calibration data, and store the camera calibration data in a memory of the apparatus.

When cameras or camera modules for various electronic devices are manufactured, the spatial black level of a camera module may vary from module to module. In addition to the spatial black level, there may be defective pixels (too bright or too dark pixels) and fixed pattern noise which then appear on the same location from image to image when the camera module is used to record image data. Some calibration can be done during camera module manufacturing, but the final spatial black level is usually known only after the camera module integration to a product.