Patent ID: 6181980
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B61B,B65G,G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for controlling conveyance and processing of a large number of identical or at least similar objects wherein single objects or groups of objects are each held and conveyed by one holding means (22) of a large number of holding means (22) movable on a conveying path (F) closed on itself and whereby the objects are conveyed through or past stations (30, 31) in which actions directed to objects or holding means are triggered, the method comprising the steps ofproviding a plurality of holding means among the large number of holding means (22) with signaling devices as signaling holding means (22/23) such that between each two signaling holding means (22/23) there is a unique number of non-signaling holding means,providing a memory at each station for storing a count of holding means detected at the station,detecting at each station (30, 31) the presence of a signaling holding means (22/23), and generating a signal (S) in response to the detection of a signaling holding means,over-writing in response to a signal (S), a memory (36) with a current reading (.SIGMA.T, .SIGMA.H) of a counter (35, 41) and resetting the counter reading (.SIGMA.T, .SIGMA.H) to zero,for triggering actions (A) directed to objects or holding means (22), generating sets of identification data ((.SIGMA.T.sub.S /.SIGMA.T).sub.E) including specific memory contents and specific counter readings and transmitting the sets to at least another station (31), andcomparing the sets of identification data to current memory contents (.SIGMA.T.sub.S, .SIGMA.H.sub.S) and current counter readings at said at least another station (.SIGMA.T, .SIGMA.H).