DE2125789A1 - Method and device for sorting material containers - Google Patents

Description

Patent attorney

pi.-Phys W, Kemp _

Cologne-Lindenthal ^{H bo P lo} °

Urban forest belt 20-22 O 1 O C 7 Q Q

Fredric E. HeIfand, '5o'J Ooceola Lane, Cocoa Beach, Florida USA

Marvin B. Baer, ¹ ISb Brightwaters Drive, Cocoa Beach, Florida / USA

Method and device for sorting material containers

With the use of larger storage, warehouse and transport facilities, it has become necessary to improve them To create processes with which goods and material containers are directed, sorted, arranged in tabular form and displayed similarly categorized; these procedures can be achieved quickly and relatively easily using new techniques and ideas, using the advanced technology of today, especially computers. A special one important economic area that is upgrading and facilitating the handling of baggage, cargo and the like Material containers are required by the transportation industry, and specifically airports and similar terminals.

Kd is the main object of the present invention, a To provide method and apparatus for dividing material containers into categories.

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It is a further and more specific object of the invention to provide such a method and apparatus with the Ability to create material containers depending on alphanumeric coded information affixed to them to direct and sort.

It is a further object of the invention to provide alphanumeric coding of adhesive labels with self-adhesive labels To create backsides that can be attached to the material bins.

It is another object of the invention described above electro-optical converters for reading the alphanumeric code and translating this code into a digital one Create signal.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a logic system for converting the digital output signal of the electro-optical Take up the converter and receive a control signal from it as an output signal. It's another job of the invention to provide electromechanical equipment responsive to the output control signal to control the To direct and sort the material containers or to effect their classification into categories in some other way.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system for treatment of material bins that is fast, efficient, and reliable - a significant improvement in the automatic control systems used in conveyor systems.

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According to one embodiment of the invention, the device used for the convenient and quick handling of luggage and freight at transport terminals and especially to facilitate at plughafen. So a passenger receives at Purchase of his ticket before departure alphanumeric pressure-sensitive, Stickers with adhesive on the back and printed with the identification numbers are; they include a receiving part at the passenger remains. In addition, the alphanumeric code is written in such a way that it is easy to read and can be understood.

In an area where the passengers arrive, e.g. a parking lot, a roadside or an inner terminal, the passenger places his luggage, which carries the alphanumeric coded information, on a conveyor belt system and then go to the departure point without being hindered by his luggage. The luggage is at one Optical character detector transported past where the alphanumeric coded label is read is logically read the encoded travel route, and the identification number is read and stored. Through this a control signal is generated, which is transmitted to an electromechanical deflection element, which the luggage on the Conveyor belt system diverts so that it is transported to the correct loading gate.

Upon arrival at the destination airport, the baggage is placed on a conveyor belt system for delivery and sorted

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and taken to a predetermined area where it will be picked up. If the terminal is only used for transferring, the luggage is then directed back to the correct loading gate. Should the baggage not be correctly marked or are not marked at all, then it is diverted to a point where those rejected by the sorting device Containers are collected; here the airport staff can visually inspect the baggage, the problems that have arisen and then correct it manually.

The above-described and other, features and advantages of the invention are ₃ more apparent from the detailed description which will be explained below in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings show:

1 shows a perspective view of a device for sorting objects according to the Er7 finding;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the electro-optic converter and a part of the conveyor belt of the device for sorting objects according to FIG. 1;

3 shows a block diagram and part of a schematic Representation of the logical control and network of the system sequence of the device for sorting objects according to the invention;

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Pig. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the computer for the sort code and the command generation used in the article sorting apparatus according to the invention, which Computer is at the interface between the logical control and the system network, the shown in Fig. 3 is located;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a computer for distinguishing and recognition of characters which is used in the invention and which are shown in FIG computer shown is connected for command generation;

6 is an electrical block diagram of the electro-optic converter of FIG Converter with the computer shown in Fig. 5 for distinguishing and recognizing characters connected is; and

Figure 7 is a front view of a label of the type shown on the device to be treated Objects can be applied, with the alphanumeric information on the adhesive label is scanned by the electro-optic transducer.

In the drawings, specifically in Figures 1 and 2, an apparatus for sorting material is shown which to explain the invention was selected from.

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The device is primarily for use in plug harbors in connection with the directing and sorting of material containers, such as luggage, for the purpose of parking of the luggage and its loading into the appropriately designated plug stuff. The sorting device includes a powered conveyor belt indicated generally by the reference numeral Io. One placed on the conveyor belt Luggage item 12 is moved to the left to the loading doors in FIGS. 1 and 2. Inside the terminal of the Airline has a P electro-optic transducer attached to one side of the conveyor belt, commonly used with the reference number 14 is indicated. On one side of the Conveyor belt Io is located in the vicinity of the electro-optical converter 14, and in front of it, viewed in the direction of conveyance, one Light source 16. A photoelectric relay 18 is on the other side of the conveyor belt directly opposite the light source l6 attached.

The piece of luggage 12 is transported on the conveyor belt Io; it is provided with an alphanumeric coded sticker 22, which shows the identification number of the item of luggage, contains the departure airport, the destination airport, the airline and the flight number. Although this information is coded, it can easily be perceived by airport staff for manual loading if necessary of luggage 12 to enable. The sticker is simple and easy with the help of a pressure sensitive Adhesive attached to the luggage on its back. A lighting device 2o sets up enough light the sticker 22 to ensure that the label is read

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the converter 14 to enable. The sticker 22 can also carry an identification number derived from the Device can be read and stored.

When the electro-optical converter 14 is operated, the Read the code on the adhesive label 22 in order to correctly direct the item of luggage 12. If you assume that Baggage item 12 from the main conveyor belt Io to the sub-conveyor belt 24 is to be forwarded, then you have to carry the piece of luggage of its rectilinear movement. along the main conveyor belt turn. This is done at a central point along the main conveyor belt, which has a multitude of Rollers 26 are provided, some of which are driven while others move freely; such an arrangement is known to those skilled in the art. At this middle point is the main conveyor belt Io with two horizontally arranged Slits 28 and 29 are provided through which correspondingly adapted deflecting members 3o and 32, respectively, move. The slots are created by creating gaps in the lengths of at least some of the rollers 26 and the ends of the respective roller portions based in an appropriate manner. With a normal sequence of movements, the deflecting member 32 is in a raised position Position and the deflecting member 3o in a lowered position, whereby the transport of the item of luggage is straight takes place along the main conveyor belt Io. Now the information should of the alphanumeric code on the sticker 22 require that the bag 12 to the secondary conveyor belt 24 is brought. A command signal is thus triggered to activate the solenoid coils 34 and 36 via the input connections 37 to drive, so that the deflecting member 32 is in its lowered position

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assumes by sliding along the guide rails 38 downwards. The guide rails are provided with dampers Ho in order to absorb the shock during the downward movement of the deflecting member. While the diverter 32 is being moved to its lowered position, the similar drive solenoids H2 and HH _{3 shown} only in FIG. 3 are energized so that they move the diverter 3o to its raised position, as shown in FIG. whereby the piece of luggage 12 is deflected from the main conveyor belt Io to the secondary conveyor belt 2 ^l \ ). The deflecting member 30 is guided in rails, not shown, which are similar to the guide rails 38.

While the diverted baggage item 12 is brought to the secondary conveyor belt 24, it interrupts the light beam between a light source HG and a photoelectric relay 48; This light barrier is mounted directly behind the vertical plane, seen in the conveying direction, which is formed by the deflecting member 32, and has the effect that the device is returned to its normal movement sequence in that it awaits the next transport of a further item of luggage 12 in response to a computer signal.

In the event that the item of luggage 12 is to be transported further along the main conveyor belt Io, the conveyor belt held in its normal sequence of movements, in which the deflecting member 30 and the deflecting member 32 is at the top.

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The behavior of the electrical parts of the device will now be explained with particular reference to Figures 3-6. When the switch 5o (Fig. 3) is closed, e.g. by an operator, the light source 16, the photoelectric relay 18, the lighting device 2o, the light source 46, and the photoelectric relay 48 energized so that the contacts 49 and 51 to open. Then the Sehalter 52, which acts as a short contact switch is formed, actuates and then returns to its "open" position. The momentary closing sets a coil 54 of a two-coil magnetic surge relay energized; the other coil 58 is with the Coil 54 mechanically connected. This keeps the contact 6o in the "open" position.

The above-described logical sequence of the sequence of movements brings the sorting device into its normal, the pieces of luggage non-deflecting position in which the device is ready to receive signals to control the sorting process, as will be explained below.

If now switch 62, also by an operator, is closed, then the main power is supplied from an AC control cable 64 to the computer for sorting Bcode and command generation, generally designated with the reference number 66 (Fig. 4), the computer for. Differentiating and recognizing signs, generally referred to by the Begugsnummer 68 (Fig. 5) and to the electro-optical converter 14 {Fig. 6) about the connecting guie.itunf 7q and ygn your outgoing parallel

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The switch 72 is then actuated in order to energize the drive motor Tk for the conveyor belt; this drive motor triggers the movement of the main conveyor belt Io and the secondary conveyor belts, such as the secondary conveyor belt 24,

The switches 50, 52, 62 and 72 are all suitable in one arranged rack attached for logical control; the design of the apparatus is not shown.

After the sorting device has been made ready for use in the manner just described, a piece of luggage becomes 12, which is provided with an adhesive label with an alphanumeric code, onto the main conveyor belt Io posed. As previously described, the piece of luggage interrupts the light beam when it passes the light source 16, received by the photoelectric relay 18 so that the coil 76 receives energy to contact the contact 51 of the Relay to close. This results in the transmission of a signal through the toe transducer 78 and the external breaker 8a to the input of the computer 66 for sorting · code and the generation of commands through the supply line 82. The program in the computer 66 thus begins the eventual triggering the deflection, which has been explained above with reference to Pigt 1 is to prepare. The item of luggage 12 then passes the field of view of the transducer 14, with the sticker 22 is illuminated by the energized lighting device 2o.

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Reference is now made specifically to Figures 2 and 6. The electro-optic converter 14 is a modified commercial vidicon camera comprised of an analog-to-digital converter 84, a latch, generally indicated by the reference numeral 86, and a digital counting mechanism with its associated necessary modifications indicated generally by the reference numeral 88. The transducer 14 comprises a frame 9o, a chassis 92, a plurality of printed circuit cards 9 ^> a vidicon tube 96, a drive mechanism 98 for the shutter, the retaining lock 86, a rotatably hinged access cover loo, an adjustable lens Io2, a power supply Io4, and other auxiliary electronic equipment (best seen in Figure 6).

When the encoded baggage item 12 is transported past the electro-optical converter 14, the image of the alphanumeric codes on the sticker 22 scanned with a grid, so that a video waveform results. This is achieved by using the conventional vidicon scanner tube 96 exposed in a pulsating manner, so that the photographic effect of individual images is achieved. This will be the wheel of the retaining lock 86 is arranged in front of the front pane of the vidicon tube 96, so that a controlled short exposure time of the photocathode results. The captured image is then read out immediately by editing the modified one Scanning a television grid * used. Which resulting video waveform is then amplified and with help

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of the analog-to-digital converter 84 is quantized so that one receives digital pulse series which is representative of the exposed image. The entire process can range from 2o to Repeated 4o times per second, giving an exposure time of less than one millisecond and one Receives output information that is relatively independent of the Movement of the transported item of luggage 12 is. Here, the use of an automatic switching system creates Light control I06 (Fig. 6) the possibility of the scanner over a wide range of image lighting and contrast-II levels to use.

The pulse series representative of the exposed image, which is output by the analog-digital converter 84, is via a communication link Io8 to the direct memory access Ho of the computer 68 for distinguishing and recognizing Transferring characters (Fig. 5). The computer 68 is a modified one Device from the micro-8oo series manufactured by Micro Systems Inc., of Santa Anna, California and is sold. This type of computer is commonly called as a small computer (mini computer).

The digital information is passed on to the central unit of the computer, where it is differentiated, recognized and in digital form via the device control 112 and the feed line 113 to the collecting line 3 1.4 of the computer 66 for the sort code and command generation goes back (Fig. 4); this computer is also a modified one Device from the micro-8oo series produced by the company

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Micro Systems Inc. is manufactured. The digital signal passed on to the computer 66 is stored, processed, decoded into a sorting code and compared with a pre-programmed repertoire. Knowing of the stored code causes a time-patterned control signal to be generated, which is controlled by a device 115 and a supply line 117 to a direct current-alternating current converter 116 (Fig. 3) is transmitted.

The AC output of converter 116 sets the coil 58 of the magnetic surge relay 56 "is energized, so that the contact 6o of the relay is closed. The contact remains due to the effect of the magnetic impulse relay 6o closed after the AC signal has been removed from coil 58. This control signal has the form a pulsating input signal with a duration of approximately 25 milliseconds. Received when contact 60 is closed the drive solenoids 42 and 44 of the deflecting member 3o energy so that it is moved from its normally lowered position to a raised position, as above explained. Simultaneously with the triggering of the deflecting member 30, the drive magnet coils 34 and 36 of the deflecting member 32 is energized so that it moves from its normally raised position to a lowered position is moved as described above in connection with the explanation of FIG.

When the bag 12 from the main conveyor belt Io onto the Secondary conveyor belt 24 is deflected, it interrupts the light beam from the light source 46 to the photoelectric re-

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lais 48; thereby it switches off the relay coil 12o of the photoelectric relay 48, which causes the contact 49 of the relay to close. A further time-spaced pulse series control signal of approximately 25 milliseconds duration is then transmitted from the computer 66 and applied to the coil 54 of the magnetic surge relay 56, so that the contact 6o of the relay opens. At this time, energy transferred from control line 64 via contact 49 holds drive solenoids J> k, 36, 42 and 44 in their switched-on transfer-sorting position.

After the item of luggage 12 has been guided completely past the light beam of the light source 46, the light beam energizes the relay coil 12o of the photoelectric relay 48 once again, so that the contact 49 returns to its "open" position, which controls the drive magnet coils of the deflecting members 30 and 32 input power is interrupted, causing them to return to their normal positions. the photoelectric relay 48 prevents movement of the deflecting elements that could damage the bag 12 * to the bag the light beam is released from source 46, that is, until the piece of luggage the deflecting 32. Nevertheless, before the item of luggage 12 passes the deflecting member 32, a further item of luggage can move past the electro-optical converter 14 in order to set a further sequence of the movement sequence just described in motion.

The control signal in the described embodiment is like this programmed that only the appropriate conducting and sorting

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ren the luggage 12 causes; it should be noted, however, that the programming can be modified so that the output units via which the control signal is actuated also weigh the items of luggage and then this information to deliver a sea waybill or to save the baggage identification numbers and / or to automatically print out the stored information. The mission just described can continue used in conjunction with, or entirely separately from, the conducting or sorting of the preferred embodiment will. The device is thus capable of handling a plurality of units containing material, such as items of luggage 12, categorized either in a single way or in many different ways.

Although only a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications, variations, Changes and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention gives up.

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Claims (13)

? ι? ς 7 Patentan Proverbs 1. J Device for dividing material containers into Different categories with conveyor belts for transporting the material containers, identified by an alphanumeric Code, an electro-optical converter (14), devices connected to the output unit of the electro-optical converter (14), which respond to it to send a control signal Ψ generate output units connected to these response devices, and devices for applying the alphanumeric code to the material containers, the electro-optical converter (14) reading the alphanumeric code when the material containers (12) are transported by the conveyor belts (Io, 24), and wherein the output means triggered by the directive control signal cause the material containers (12) to be divided into different categories. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sorting of the material container (12) into different Categories is defined in advance by the contact person. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the alphanumerically coded information is a sticker (22) includes, which is attached to the material container (1Γ) can be. I 0 9 8 8 h / 112 8 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the response means comprise a computer which produces the control signal. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the computer is programmed to beforehand the various To determine categories, and that the alphanumeric code is unique for at least one of the categories. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the response means have a first computer (68) and a second computer (66), the first computer (68) providing the output information of the electro-optic converter (14) receives, and wherein the second computer (66) is connected to the output unit of the first computer (68), to generate the directive control signal in response to the output signal of the first computer. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the output devices comprise deflection members (3o, 32), said diverters being triggered in response to the control signal to selectively move the material containers (12) from the Divert conveyor belt (lo). 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 »characterized by at least one secondary conveyor belt (24), the deflecting members (3o, 32) being selective as a function of the directive control signal act to divert certain material containers (12) from the main conveyor belt (lo) to the secondary conveyor belt (24). 109886/1128 It 2125733 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electro-optical converter (14) consists of a modified vidicon camera and an analog-digital converter (8 ¹ J), wherein the output unit of the vidicon camera is connected to the analog-digital converter, so that a digital output signal is obtained from the electro-optical converter (14). 10. The device according to claim 9 » characterized in that the response devices have a first computer (68), a second computer (66) and means for transmission k of the digital output signal of the electro-optical converter (14) to the first computer (68), the second computer (66) being connected to the output unit of the first computer and generating the directive control signal in response to an output signal from the first computer (68) . 11. The device according to claim Io, characterized in that that the first computer (68) can recognize and distinguish characters, and that the second computer (66) for the sorting code and is responsible for generating the directive control signal and is programmed to sort into different Control categories. 12. Method for sorting material containers into different categories, characterized by the transport of material containers along a conveyor belt, the attachment an alphanumeric code on the material containers, the code belonging to at least one of the different categories, by conveying the encoded material container in front of an electro-optical converter (14) to the encoded 109886/1128 Information to read and in a representative for this information to convert an electrical signal by transmitting the electrical signal to an on this signal responsive means for generating a control signal in response thereto, and by transmitting the control signal at output devices, which come into operation when the control signal is received, in order to classify the material containers to effect in different categories. 13. A method for sorting material containers according to claim 12, characterized in that a computer so per is programmed that it correlates the code on the material container with its associated category and a control signal for the output devices in order to sort the material containers into the appropriate category. 10 9 8 8 h