Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
700217000 | Article support load management (e.g., palletizing) | 46 |
20080228316 | Tote-Based Warehousing System and Method - A warehousing system includes a container for storing at least one item, a first electronic (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area. | 09-18-2008 |
20090105874 | Device and Method for Controlling the Loading and/or Unloading Process of an Airplane - The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the loading and/or unloading process of an aeroplane. According to the invention, a parcel introduced into the aeroplane is identified, a weight is associated with the parcel, the position of the parcel inside the aeroplane is monitored, and the total weight and/or centre of gravity of the aeroplane is calculated from the aeroplane information provided and the weights and positions of the parcels. | 04-23-2009 |
20090171500 | Stowage Data Preparation Device, Stowage Data Preparation Method, Method for Conveying Goods Into Shipping Receptacles, and Distribution Management System Utilizing Such Device, and Computer-Readable Memory Medium and Program Utilizing These - A stowage data preparation device is provided which can reduce transportation costs by improving the goods per shipping receptacle loading efficiency regardless of worker proficiency, and which permits transportation costs and schedules to be determined accurately at an early stage, and enables systematically planned transportation of shipping receptacles (especially containers of various kinds). A stowage data preparation device | 07-02-2009 |
20090306812 | Method and Device for Automatically Stacking Tires on a Support - The present invention relates to a method and a device for automatically stacking tires ( | 12-10-2009 |
20100023159 | PALLETING DEVICE AND A PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH SUCH DEVICE - A palleting device ( | 01-28-2010 |
20100100227 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PALLETIZING ARTICLES - A system is provided for palletizing articles including a stacking area for stacking palletized article layers. Each palletized article layer is constructed from a plurality of arranged articles. The stacking area includes a structural member for structurally carrying a stabilizer over the stacking area. The stabilizer provides substantially continuous lateral support along the periphery of arranged articles of the article layer being constructed to substantially prevent tipping of the plurality of arranged articles. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100228 | CARRIAGE FOR THE HORIZONTAL TRANSFER OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL CAR PARKS - Self-propelled carriage on wheels includes:
| 04-22-2010 |
20100121482 | IMAGE-BASED INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM - Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image. | 05-13-2010 |
20100125361 | INSTALLATION FOR PALLETING COMBINED WITH SECURE ACCESS - The installation is constituted of a machine ( | 05-20-2010 |
20100152885 | AUTOMATED DIAGNOSTIC KIOSK FOR DIAGNOSING DISEASES - An automated and autonomous diagnostic apparatus that is capable of dispensing collection vials and collections kits to users interesting in collecting a biological sample and submitting their collected sample contained within a collection vial into the apparatus for automated diagnostic services. The user communicates with the apparatus through a touch-screen monitor. A user is able to enter personnel information into the apparatus including medical history, insurance information, co-payment, and answer a series of questions regarding their illness, which is used to determine the assay most likely to yield a positive result. Remotely-located physicians can communicate with users of the apparatus using video tele-medicine and request specific assays to be performed. The apparatus archives submitted samples for additional testing. Users may receive their assay results electronically. Users may allow the uploading of their diagnoses into a central databank for disease surveillance purposes. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161112 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A method includes causing a stacking device having a first stacking unit and a second stacking unit to stack sheets of a small size on the first stacking unit or the second stacking unit and to stack sheets of a large size over the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit, and controlling the stacking of sheets by restricting stacking of the sheets of the large size on the sheet of the small size when the sheets of the small size are stacked on at least one of the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit. | 06-24-2010 |
20100198393 | PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING CONTAINERS OF THE SAME KIND TO A COLUMN STACKER, PREFERABLY IN A SORTER SYSTEM - A method and a device are provided for automatically supplying packages, that have been sorted by type, to a column stacker, preferably in a sorting system. The device has at least one supply path ( | 08-05-2010 |
20100222915 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATED LOADING OF PACKAGES ON A LOAD CARRIER - A method and system for loading a loading carrier, in particular pallets, with packages by means of an automated manipulator, a model of a package stack on the loading carrier is automatically determined, an initial desired position for a package in the mode is determined, the package stack is detected on the loading carrier, a deviation between the detected package stack and the model is determined, the package is placed by the manipulator, and the steps are repeated until a termination criterion is reached. | 09-02-2010 |
20100228385 | System, method and operating unit for forming mixed layers for pallets | 09-09-2010 |
20100234983 | Control system for granular material transport system - A control system for a pneumatic transport system of granular material, which includes a plurality of containers, is configured to manage the filling cycle of each container automatically by monitoring the weight of the transported material continuously, and by optionally monitoring the state of the granular material, for example temperature and humidity of the granular material. The information generated by the control system is provided to a centralized management system, which may be operated entirely or partially through radio signals transmitted by wireless technology. | 09-16-2010 |
20100249988 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATED PALLETIZING OF PACKAGES - In a method for automated palletizing of packages, in particular by means of a manipulator, packages are arranged on the edge of a loading area and, if possible, a virtual initial layer of multiple packages is initially generated and this layer is then centered relative to the loading area. | 09-30-2010 |
20100249989 | COMPUTERIZED METHOD FOR LOADING A LOAD CARRIER WITH PACKAGES - In a computerized method, and a computer-readable medium encoded with programming instructions for implementing the method, multiple layers of packages stacked on a load carrier are virtually constructed in a computer and, for each of the layers, an automatic determination is made with regard to the additive pressure that each layer exerts on the respective layers therebelow in the stack. The packages are organized in the multiple layers in the virtual construction dependent on predetermined constraints for the respective additive pressures, and the virtual construction is made available at an output of the computer in a form allowing the actual loading of the load carrier with the packages to be guided. | 09-30-2010 |
20110106296 | Tote-Based Warehousing System and Method - A warehousing system includes a container for storing at least one item, a first electronic (e.g,. radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area. | 05-05-2011 |
20110130868 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATED COMMISSIONING OF BUNDLES - A method for automated commissioning of bundles includes providing different source palettes and palettizing at least one target palette, with bundle layers of different source palettes being individualized and/or magazined in alternation and/or with variable predetermination, and/or bundles or bundle groups being magazined and/or demagazined in stacks before palettizing of the target palette, and/or the target palette is selectively palettized with at least one non-individualized bundle layer of a source palette. | 06-02-2011 |
20110160897 | ROBOT AND INSTRUCTION METHOD THEREOF - A robot control unit that turns off a holding unit for a plate member, while the plate member is placed on an end effector, and lower the end effector, by a predetermined distance, from an initial position higher than a preset temporary placing position toward the temporary placing position. Then the robot control unit switches the holding member, from an OFF state to an ON state, while the end effector is stopped, and determines whether the plate member is held by the holding unit, with a holding-state detection unit. When the plate member is held by the holding unit, the robot control unit will turn turns off the holding unit while further lowering the end effector by the predetermined distance. When the plate member is not held by the holding unit, the robot control unit detects a position of the end effector at this point of time, as a normal placing position. | 06-30-2011 |
20110238207 | ROBOTIC AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM MIXED PALLET BUILD SYSTEM - A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The mixed pallet build system further includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The carriage has a length that is shorter than the length of the rack. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet. | 09-29-2011 |
20110276174 | PALLETIZER MACHINE AND METHOD OF PALLETIZING - A palletizer machine and a method for palletizing layers, one on top of the other, of packs fed from an infeed transfer line includes a transfer unit for transferring single packs arriving from the line to a first operating position, a forming unit for feeding single packs from the operating position to a predefined forming position wherein a layer of packs is formed on a loading platform, a loading unit for transferring the layer of packs on the loading platform to a pick-up station, and a robot for picking up the layer from the pick-up station and forming a palletized load of layers one on top of the other. | 11-10-2011 |
20110295414 | WORKPIECE CARRIER AND WORKPIECE POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A workpiece carrier for supporting a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece carrier comprising a supporting body including a plurality of workpiece support elements, each for supporting a workpiece and providing for individual positioning of the same, the workpiece support elements each including at least one biasing element for applying a biasing force to an edge of the respective workpiece, at least one first cam for acting on an edge of the respective workpiece at a first location against the bias of the at least one biasing element, and at least one second cam for acting on an edge of the respective workpiece at a second location against the bias of the at least one biasing element, wherein the at least one first cam and the at least one second cam are operable such as to enable the position of the respective workpiece to be set relative to the supporting body. | 12-01-2011 |
20110307095 | Method for Processing Flat Products and Corresponding Device - A method for processing a plurality of flat printed products is provided. The method includes the steps of determining one of at least two quality statuses for each flat printed product and for each flat printed product, storing a first information representing the determined quality status and a second information combining the first information with said flat printed product. The invention also relates to a corresponding device for processing flat printed products. | 12-15-2011 |
20120065772 | Apparatuses and Systems for Growing Nursery Stock - The present invention is directed to, a container, multiple arrangements of container and flat/tray pallets, corresponding container/flat/tray/pallet assemblies, an automated pallet assembly/disassembly system, autonomous pallet assembly transfer units, an autonomous pallet assembly transport train, and an integrated automated production system, for use in a horticultural nursery environment for: substantially reducing labor needed to produce; stabilizing of; collecting and shedding broadcast applications to; reflecting desired sunlight to foliage of; reducing root tip heating of; reducing water consumption in growing; reducing wetting of foliage of; controlling excess root growth of; and, reducing weed growth proximal to; spaced potted plants. | 03-15-2012 |
20120197431 | BOT PAYLOAD ALIGNMENT AND SENSING - An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot includes a payload bed having at least one reference datum surface and at least one payload justification device, the at least one payload justification device being configured to position a payload on the payload bed in substantial contact with the at least one reference datum surface to place the payload in a predetermined position on the payload bed. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197432 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR POSITIONING ELECTRONIC DEVICES INTO COMPARTMENTS OF AN INPUT MEDIUM AND OUPT MEDIUM - A method for positioning electronic devices into compartments of an input medium is disclosed. At least one electronic device is packable in a single compartment of the input medium. Known positions on an upper side of the input medium are imaged by an inspection device. Actual position data of the compartments of the input medium are calculated on the basis of images of the known positions, given target position data of the known positions, and given target position data of the compartments of the input medium. A pick and place device for the electronic devices is controlled on the basis of the calculated actual position data of the compartments of the input medium. A method for determining the actual positions of compartments of an output medium is disclosed with analogous steps, whereby the electronic devices are picked-up from compartments of the input medium, transferred to compartments of the output medium, and placed into the compartments of the output medium. Arrangements for positioning a plurality of electronic devices into compartments of an input medium and compartments of an output medium are also disclosed. | 08-02-2012 |
20120283868 | GENERATION OF PLANS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING A CONTAINER - Generation of a plan for loading or unloading a variety of objects into a container. Such objects can comprise irregularly-shaped objects, regularly-shaped object, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a method enables such generation, wherein the method can comprise the steps of storing a model for each object of a plurality of objects, each model comprising a weight, a center of gravity, and a shape of the associated object, and storing a plurality of parameters associated with the container. The method can comprise the steps of selecting a set of one or more objects, from the plurality of objects, to be loaded into the container, and generating an optimized sequence for loading the set of one or more objects into the container, based on at least the weight, the center of gravity, the shape of each of the one or more objects, and the parameters associated with the container. | 11-08-2012 |
20120290123 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - In a sheet processing apparatus which is able to control to stack a sheet on at least one of a plurality of stacking units which stack printed sheets, when a first sheet having a small size is stacked on a first stacking unit, and a second sheet having the small size is designated to be stacked on a second stacking unit different from the first stacking unit, it is determined whether a sheet is stacked on a stacking unit adjacent to the second stacking unit, and a third stacking unit, that is different from the second stacking unit and is adjacent to a stacking unit on which a sheet is stacked, is selected as a stacking unit for the second sheet if it is determined that no sheet is stacked on the stacking unit adjacent to the second stacking unit. | 11-15-2012 |
20130085596 | Automated parking system - An automated parking system comprising a multi-level vehicle parking structure including multiple parking spaces arranged in one or more rows on each level of said structure; and an automatic vehicle positioning system configured to position and retrieve vehicles in said one or more rows of parking spaces, and further configured to shift a parking space of one or more vehicles in one row for retrieving one or more other vehicles in said row. | 04-04-2013 |
20130184854 | ROBOTIC AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM MIXED PALLET BUILD SYSTEM - A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The system includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet. | 07-18-2013 |
20130238116 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING UTILIZATION OF INVENTORY SPACE FOR DISPENSABLE ARTICLES - A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area. Quicker and more efficient removal and loading of articles from and to the article dispensing machine may result. | 09-12-2013 |
20130282165 | PALLET BUILDING SYSTEM - An automated palletizer includes an automated package pick device capable of moving packages from a package deposit section to a pallet to form a pallet load from packages. A controller is operably connected to the automated pick device, the controller having a pallet load generator configured to determine a pallet load structure of mixed packages. The pallet load generator is programmed so that it determines the load structure from mixed package layers overlaid over each other at least one of the mixed package layers being formed of stacks of mixed packages. Top and bottom surfaces of the stacks corresponding to the at least one mixed package layer respectively form top and bottom surfaces of the at least one mixed package layer that are substantially flat. The controller generates commands for the pick device to build the pallet load from the load structure determined by the pallet load generator. | 10-24-2013 |
20140200712 | PALLETIZER FOR CORRUGATED BUNDLES - Techniques that palletize bundles at high-speed. A robotic controller includes a vision system that determines a location and orientation of incoming bundles, a tracking system that communicates between the controller and a conveyor, and a robot that coordinates its movement with the bundles. The tracking system identifies the location and orientation of each bundle, informs the controller, and causes the robot to track its location and orientation with incoming bundles. The controller receives information on the location and orientation of each bundle. The controller instructs the robot to move in coordination with each incoming bundle, instructs the robot where and at what orientation to pick up the bundle, and instructs the robot how to move the bundle to a tier-and-stacking position. The controller can instruct the robot how to pick up each bundle on the fly as the bundle moves into range on the incoming conveyor. | 07-17-2014 |
20140214195 | Inventory System with Connectable Inventory Holders - A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The first mobile drive unit is operable to dock with a first item holder at a first end of a column of connected item holders. The second mobile drive unit is operable to dock with a second item holder at a second end of the column of connected item holders. The system also includes a management module that is operable to instruct the first mobile drive unit and the second mobile drive units to transport the column of connected item holders from a first location to a second location. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214196 | Inventory System with Connectable Inventory Holders - A system includes a station and a management module. The station includes a queue having a first row and a second row. The management module is operable to instruct a first mobile drive unit to move a first group of connected item holders from the second row to the first row, instruct the first mobile drive unit to move the first group of connected item holders along the station such that one or more items stored by the first group of connected item holders are processed at the station, and after the one or more items from the first group of items are processed, instruct a second mobile drive unit to move a second group of connected item holders from the second row to the first row. | 07-31-2014 |
20140330427 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STORING AND ORDERING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLING BLOCKS - The device for storing and ordering biological sampling blocks, each block being in the form of a housing provided with identification information on one surface thereof, includes: storage for at least one element as a horizontally-extending drawer for positioning the blocks vertically in columns and rows with the above-mentioned surface facing upward, and with a nesting device provided as regularly spaced projections or recesses, forming male and female parts on the base, in which the blocks can be inserted; and a device for referencing the position of each block within the storage. The device for referencing includes a device for reading the identification information of each block and for the computerized recording of the position. The method includes using this device. | 11-06-2014 |
20140343716 | MULTIPOSITION LIFT - An automated storage and retrieval system includes a first independently operable section having a first number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions, and a second independently operable section in communication with the first independently operable section and having a second number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions. The first and second independently operable sections are configured to provide a respective number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions so that the first number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions substantially matches the second number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions. | 11-20-2014 |
20140343717 | AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WITH INTEGRAL SECURED PERSONNEL ACCESS ZONES AND REMOTE ROVER SHUTDOWN - A transportation system having a transportation space including destinations distributed in the transportation space, multiple independent automated vehicles configured for free roving through the transportation space to and between the destinations so that the vehicles are dynamically distributed through the transportation space, a control system communicably connected via a remote communication link to each of the vehicles and having a system controller that addresses each vehicle to different destinations, and the control system having a vehicle accountant controller separate and distinct from the system controller and configured to independently register a dynamic location of at least one of the vehicles, selected from the multiple vehicles in the transportation space, and command shutdown, via the remote communication link, to only the selected at least one vehicle at the registered location if the registered location corresponds to a predetermined location. | 11-20-2014 |
20140364995 | DETERMINING STOWABILITY BASED ON ITEM-SIZE CATEGORIES - Methods, systems and apparatus for determining stowability based on item-size categories are described. Embodiments may select a storage module for a stow operation based on accessing stowability information. Stowability information, in various embodiments may include stowability information for each storage module in a materials handling system. Stowability information may indicate a capacity to hold additional items in a storage module. The capacity may be determined according an item-size category descriptor, describing the quantity of items in each category of a storage module, and a storage module capacity module characterizing item descriptors of fully-stowed storage modules. In some embodiments the storage module capacity model is a function fitted to data points representing the values of item-size descriptors of fully-stowed storage modules. Embodiments may update the stowability information for a storage module in response to the removal of an item from the storage module. | 12-11-2014 |
20150019003 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a robot, a determination unit (work determination unit), a selection unit (chucking direction selection unit), and an instruction unit. The robot has a robot hand (hand) including three or more chuck jaws. The determination unit obtains information on a member formed including a substantially ring shape, and determines a state of the member. The selection unit selects whether to hold the member with the chuck jaws from an inner peripheral side or outer peripheral side based on the determination result of the determination unit. The instruction unit instructs the robot to perform operations of transporting the member while holding the member with the chuck jaws based on the selection result of the selection unit, and assembling a predetermined processed product using the member. | 01-15-2015 |
20150073588 | AUTOMATED PALLETIZATION METHOD, SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE - An automated palletizer system comprises a plurality of container buffers and a sensor for measuring containers in the buffers. A controller computes a selected tier layout for building by a pallet loading machine in a tier of a pallet within a defined periphery. The controller computes candidate tier layouts, each comprising a two-dimensional arrangement of containers in the buffers. The controller calculates a value of a tier quality metric for each candidate layout, representing at least one of stability, area utilization and volume utilization. One of the candidate layouts is selected based on the tier quality metric and the pallet loading machine arranges containers according to the selected tier layout. | 03-12-2015 |
20150368078 | PALLETIZING MOBILE DRIVE UNITS - An inventory system includes a pallet and a base for palletizing or unpalletizing a mobile drive unit. The pallet has a set of openings corresponding with features of the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit features may extend into the pallet openings. The base includes protrusions corresponding to the pallet openings. Engaging the pallet and base can position the base protrusions in the pallet openings. Positioning the base protrusions in the pallet openings can displace the mobile drive unit features from the pallet openings and/or provide a surface upon which the mobile drive unit can navigate. | 12-24-2015 |
20160137416 | BOT PAYLOAD ALIGNMENT AND SENSING - An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot includes a payload bed having at least one reference datum surface and at least one payload justification device, the at least one payload justification device being configured to position a payload on the payload bed in substantial contact with the at least one reference datum surface to place the payload in a predetermined position on the payload bed. | 05-19-2016 |
20160137419 | STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM CASE UNIT DETECTION - An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure. | 05-19-2016 |
20160145043 | SYSTEM FOR STORING PRODUCT CONTAINERS AND METHOD FOR USING SUCH A SYSTEM - The invention provides a system for storing product containers. The control system of the system comprises a central control unit to determine a route for a carriage along a part of a guide system and to send a control signal for the route in question to the carriage control unit of the carriage. The guide system is provided with unique identification signs at at least some of the junctions. Each carriage is provided with a reader for reading an identification sign and communicating said identification sign to the carriage control unit. The central control unit is designed to mark certain junctions as “blocked” under certain circumstances and to generate a list of unique identification signs associated with the “blocked” junctions. Each carriage control unit is designed to store said list in a database of the carriage control unit and to cause the carriage to stop if the identification sign is on the list as stored in the database of the carriage control unit. | 05-26-2016 |