Processing systems with intelligent article tracking
US4974166A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for storing transporting and processing articles includes a plurality of transportable containers, each transportable container having an interior region adapted to receive a plurality of articles and data processing device provided on the transportable container for receiving, storing, transmitting and displaying information related to the articles received by the corresponding transportable container. A plurality of workstations are adapted to receive one of the transportable containers and to process selected ones of the articles. The workstation also verifies that at least one of the articles in the transportable container has arrived at the appropriate workstation and communicates with a central processing unit to receive and transmit status information and processing information, and to transmit information stored by the data processing device provided on the transportable container. The system may also include a storage station for receiving said transportable container, for providing communication between the data processing devices provided on the transportable container and the central processing unit, and for making a backup copy of the information stored by sai…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.