Patent Publication Number: US-2005144194-A1

Title: Object storage

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/532,354, filed Dec. 24, 2003, and entitled “Object Storage System.” 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to object storage, and, more particularly, to systems and processes for object storage.  
     BACKGROUND  
      As large cities have continued to become more and more crowded, the need for space conserving techniques has grown. One technique that has shown promise is automated parking garages. By eliminating the maneuvering lanes required when driving automobiles, such garages offer substantial space savings over traditional parking garages. Automated parking garages may also offer advantages in reducing toxic gases (e.g., automobile emissions) and in vehicle safety.  
      Automated parking garages typically include entrance ports, storage pallets, elevators, conveyors, storage bays, and exits ports, housed in a multi-level structure. The structure may be above ground, partially above and partially below ground, or below ground. The number of levels and storage bays in these installations are generally configured to solve the general problem of providing more parking per structure volume. For a more complete solution, a design may also address safety, reliability, storage time, and/or retrieval time.  
     SUMMARY  
      The invention addresses the concept of organizing the multiple facets of an object storage system to achieve efficient operation. Efficiency may be measured in terms of object storage and retrieval times, space distribution of storage bays in relation to the number of elevators, and/or the ratio of the number of storage bays to the storage system volume. This may allow high structural integrity to be maintained at lower system operational costs and less demanding performance on the mechanisms and components therein.  
      In particular implementations, the invention provides for rapid and simultaneous multi-tasking operations, space efficiency, and mechanical reliability in an object storage system. In accomplishing this, a computer may be coupled to a data gathering network, which gathers and reports information regarding a number of power-driven transportation and utility systems and a number of elevators. The computer may supervise and control the movements and activities of the system and operate according to a set of instructions encoded in a machine-readable medium.  
      Object storage systems may include a multi-tiered structure, wherein the structure is adapted with a number of entrance and exit ports and a number of storage bays, with an efficient bay distribution grid-layout. The systems may provide for the reception of vehicles, containers mounted on wheels, and/or containers with appropriate understructures.  
      A transfer carriage system on each object storage level may be used to receive an object from an elevator, move the object between the elevator and at least some of an object storage level&#39;s storage bays, and horizontally deposit the objects in the storage bays.  
      For vehicles and wheeled containers, provisions may be made for mounting these objects on frames for ease of transportation by the transportation systems and elevators within the object storage system. Upon object retrieval, the frames are removed, and the object is delivered to an exit port. The frames may be operable to be mounted independently of each other to an object and to support the object and facilitate its movement in an object storage system. In certain implementations, the frames are operable to expand to receive wheels on a first object axis and to contract to engage the wheels on the axis. Additionally, an object transportation frame may include rollers that allow the frame to move along two axes. Provisions may also be made for similarly storing objects with integrated understructures including components similar to the frames.  
      An elevator may include a first drive system operable to engage an object and move it along a first axis and a second drive system operable to engage an object and move it along a second axis. The object may be unloaded along either the first axis or the second axis on an object storage level.  
      An elevator may also include an object support platform to receive an object. The object support platform may be operable to couple to a shaft of the elevator while receiving an object. If the elevator includes a cage, the cage may be operable to be decoupled from the object support platform while receiving an object.  
      Certain implementations may include a number of elevators wherein more than one of the elevators may be used for moving an incoming object to an object storage level and/or more than one of the elevators may be used for moving a departing object to an object release port. The computer may determine which elevator to use. Also, each object storage level may include a number of transfer carriage systems. An object may be moved across an elevator shaft, by, for example, exchanging it between adjacent transfer carriage systems.  
      An object storage system may also include a horizontal transportation system for moving a frame mounted object between an object receiving port and an elevator. The horizontal transportation system may include a guide set for each object transportation frame of a frame mounted object. Each guide set may include a plurality of guides, wherein an object transportation frame may be conveyed on different guides in a guide set depending on the size of the mounted object.  
      A horizontal transportation system may include a subsystem for moving an object along one axis and a subsystem for moving an object along another axis. A horizontal transportation system may also include an axis transfer subsystem operable to transfer the object between the axial transportation subsystems. The horizontal transportation system may be operable to center an object for at least one of the axial transportation systems based on the outer dimensions of the object.  
      An object storage system may additionally include an object mounting system operable to mount an object on an object transportation frame. A system may further include a frame recycling system operable to receive frames at an object release port and to convey them to the object mounting system. Such a system may stack the frames after they have been used, store them, and feed them so that they can be reused on another object.  
      Certain object storage systems may also include an object measuring system to measure the object, and/or an object aligning system to align the longitudinal centerline of the object. Some systems may include an object orientation system located between the object receiving port and the elevator.  
      Particular systems may include a horizontal transportation system for moving a frame mounted object if an object release port is occupied and a second port to release departing objects, the second port operable to receive an object from the horizontal transportation system if the first object release port is occupied.  
      In performing its functions, the computer may determine that an object in a multi-level object storage system is to be moved and determine a route for moving the object based on object storage system movements already in progress. For example, the computer may detect a signal indicating that an object has been received and determine a route to a storage bay for the object. As another example, the computer may detect a signal indicating that a stored object has been requested, determine the location of the stored object, and determine a route to an object release port for the stored object. As an additional example, the computer may determine that a container being stored in a storage bay of a multi-level object storage system has been requested and determine a route from the storage bay to an object access location. Determining a route may also be based on system movements waiting to commence and may include selecting one of a plurality of elevators for the route. The computer may also determine how to orient an object for an object release port.  
      The computer may be coupled to an object entrance port, an object mounting system, an object orientation system, a horizontal transportation system, an elevator, a transfer carriage system, a storage bay, and/or an object release port to manage the system. Management may include supervising and/or controlling the reception, transportation, storage, and release of objects in the object storage system by controlling the operations of these subsystems. In certain implementations, an object entrance port may also be an object exit port.  
      The computer may be operable to optimize one or more criteria in managing the object storage system. Criteria may include storage time for an object, occupancy density for the storage bays, and/or expended power.  
      In particular implementations, an object storage system may provide for administrative processing and controlled-mechanical loading and unloading of objects. Further, a system may provide for the simultaneous and multi-task routing assignment and control for rapid three-dimensional transportation of objects from the entrance ports to the storage bays. A system may also provide for the simultaneous and multi-task routing assignment and control for the rapid three-dimensional transportation of objects from the storage bays to the exit ports.  
      In certain implementations, the entrance port provides a reception area for object measurement (e.g., weight and dimension) and verifying object acceptance into the system in accordance with specifications. Also, the reception area may generate a receipt for the object custodian. Likewise, the storage system may have an administrative system for processing a request to retrieve a stored object. The administrative system may be able to identify an object for retrieval and determine whether administrative requirements have been satisfied.  
      In particular implementations, efficient physical layout of storage bays includes locating them in the immediate surrounding tier-area of each elevator so that each storage bay has direct access to at least one elevator. The storage bays may also have access to other elevators.  
      Various implementations of the invention have particular features and benefits. For example, in certain implementations, the storage and retrieval times are reduced and the utilization of system space is increased. This may be accomplished, in part, by multi-tasking activities of organizing the entry and exit of objects and the movement routing sequences. These multi-tasking activities may be determined by a computer and executed contemporaneously thereby. Once the computer defines an efficient path in routing the objects from an entry port to a storage bay or from a storage bay to an exit port, the routing time is reduced by taking advantage of rapid ascension and descension elevators and rapid displacement of one or more horizontal transportation systems. Because the elevators and horizontal transportation systems may operate independently of each other, little time is wasted while waiting for another system to deliver an object.  
      As another example, in particular implementations, routing sequence motions are registered, and failures are easily detected. Additionally, if necessary, alternate mechanisms and/or sensors are substituted, and routing sequences may be modified, enabling the system to continue operating. Thus, risk of operational discontinuities emanating from human intervention and mechanical failures are reduced by early detection and evaluation, and the issuance of protective measures by the centralized computer.  
      As another example, in certain implementations, an enhancement is achieved between the aspects of storage and retrieval times, available system volume, and number of storage bays. In effect, the ratio of number of objects stored versus available storage volume is increased, and the storage and retrieval times are decreased.  
      Safety may also be enhanced by the incorporation of measures to avoid collisions, delinquency, buildup of toxic gases, rain, electrical discharges, and fires.  
      The invention is thought to be useful for a number of applications, including hospitals, airports, universities, high-density urban areas, shopping or commercial centers, and the like.  
      The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      FIGS.  1 A-D illustrate an example object storage system.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a more detailed view of object receipt by the object storage system in FIGS.  1 A-D.  
      FIGS.  3 A-E illustrate an example object aligning system.  
      FIGS.  4 A-K illustrate an example object transportation frame.  
      FIGS.  5 A-M illustrate an example object mounting system.  
      FIGS.  6 A-B illustrate a system for transferring a mounted object between two transportation systems.  
      FIGS.  7 A-E illustrate an example elevator.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example transfer carriage system.  
      FIGS.  9 A-C illustrate an example object dismounting system.  
      FIGS.  10 A-E illustrate an example object transportation frame recycling system.  
      FIGS.  11 A-H illustrate another example object storage system.  
      FIGS.  12 A-D illustrates is a flow chart for a process for object storage.  
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example network of control components for an object storage system.  
       FIG. 14  illustrates an example computer.  
       FIG. 15  illustrates another example object storage system.  
       FIG. 16  illustrates another example object storage system.  
       FIG. 17  illustrates another example object storage system.  
       FIG. 18  illustrates another example object storage system.  
       FIG. 19  illustrates another example object storage system.  
       FIG. 20  illustrates another example object storage system.  
       FIG. 21  illustrates another example object storage system.  
      FIGS.  22 A-B illustrate an object transportation frame for the object storage system of  FIG. 21 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      An object storage system may include an object entrance port, a horizontal object transportation system, a vertical object transportation system, object storage bays, and an object exit port. The object entrance port, horizontal object transportation system, vertical object transportation system, object storage bays, and object exit port may be automatically controlled by a computer to harmonize operations therebetween. Other object storage systems, however, may include fewer or additional components and/or may be controlled by different techniques.  
      FIGS.  1 A-D illustrate an example object storage system  100 .  FIG. 1A  shows a front view of object storage system  100 . As illustrated, object storage system  100  includes a first level  130  and a number of object storage levels  132 .  FIG. 1B  shows a top view of first level  130 , and  FIG. 1C  shows a top view of storage level  132   b .  FIG. 1D  shows a side view of the object storage system.  
      In general, object storage system  100  may store any appropriate type of transportation object. But the capabilities and features of the object storage system will be illustrated by discussing its components and functions in the context of storing vehicles. It will be understood, however, that an object may be any type of vehicle, wheeled container, truck-mounted container, maritime container, or other appropriate transportation object. Furthermore, in particular implementations, an object storage system may be specially adapted to store a specific type of object (e.g., automobile, truck, shipping container, etc.).  
      As shown in  FIG. 1A , object storage system  100  includes an object entrance port  110  and a number of object exit ports  120  on first level  130 . In general, an object may exit object storage system  100  through any of object exit ports  120 . The object storage system also includes a number of storage levels  132 , each storage level  132  including a number of storage bays  140 , the layout of which can be seen more clearly in  FIG. 1C . Storage levels  132  do not have to be the same height. Thus, some levels may store shorter objects and some levels may store taller objects.  
       FIG. 1B  provides a more detailed view of first level  130 . In general, first level  130  is at street level, but in particular implementations, first level  130  may be above or below street level.  
      Object storage system  100  may be viewed as having an orthogonal coordinate system in which the longitudinal, or y, direction is defined along the entrance direction and the lateral, or x, direction is defined along the street direction. This coordinate system will be used to describe the object storage system. Other appropriate coordinate system could also be defined and used.  
      As can be seen, object entrance port  110  includes two lanes  112  for receiving objects  108 , which are vehicles in the illustrated example. Object entrance port  110  also includes platforms  114  that each include an object measuring system  117  and an object reception system  118 , which will be discussed in more detail below. An object identification function may be performed based on the date of object arrival, the time of object arrival, the object entrance port at arrival, the license plate number of the object, a picture of the object, and/or any other appropriate object identification information. The position of the object at various points in the object storage system may be associated with this information so that the object may be readily located. Object entrance port  110  additionally includes object moving systems  119 , one of which can be seen in  FIG. 1D , for moving the object into the object storage system for further processing.  
      First level  130  also includes object aligning systems  150 , object mounting systems  160 , and an object orientation system  170 . Object aligning systems  150  align objects for object mounting systems  160 , which mount objects on frames for transportation and storage in the object storage system. An object mounted on one or more frames will be identified as a mounted object  109 . In particular implementations, one frame is used for one end of an object and one frame is used for another end of the object. Example frames will be discussed in more detail below. Object orientation system  170  orients the object so that it will have proper orientation upon exiting the object storage system. For a vehicle, it is typically desired that it exit in a forward orientation. Other orientations may be used, however, especially for other objects.  
      First level  130  additionally includes a number of elevators  180  and a horizontal transportation system  190 . Horizontal transportation system  190  moves mounted object  109  from object orientation system  170  to one of elevators  180 . Horizontal transportation system  190 , which may or may not have one or more inclines at various points, includes a lateral transportation system  192   a  and a number of longitudinal transportation systems  196 . Lateral transportation system  192   a  includes two guide sets  194  upon which mounted object  109  may move laterally—to position it in front of elevators  180 , for example. A guide may be a rail, a bar, a track, a groove, or any other appropriate device for directing motion of an object. The guides in guide sets  194  may have a centerline-to-centerline spacing of between approximately two centimeters and four centimeters. Any of a variety of drive systems may be used to move the mounted object on guide sets  194 . In certain implementations, sprockets are interspersed between the guides to provide the movement. Each of longitudinal transportation systems  196  includes a pair of guides  198  to move a mounted object into one of elevators  180 . Any of a variety of drive systems may be used to move the mounted object on guides  198 . In some implementations, each of guides  198  has a number of associated sprockets to provide the movement. Elevators  180  move the mounted object to the selected one of storage levels  132   a - 132   j . The horizontal transportation system also includes lateral transportation systems  192   b - d , which may laterally move a mounted object out of the elevators. Elevators  180  and horizontal transportation system  190  will be discussed in more detail below.  
      First level  130  also includes rooms  220 . Rooms  220  may contain ergonomic appendages for the comfort of custodians delivering and/or retrieving objects. Rooms  220  may also house personnel for managing and operating the object storage system. In certain implementations, rooms  220  may allow access to an object that has been retrieved from storage.  
      First level  130  additionally includes a computer  200 . Computer  200  is responsible for controlling the operations of various systems and components in object storage system  100 . Computer  200  may be at a centralized location or may be distributed at multiple locations in the object storage system.  
      Computer  200  may be coupled to the systems and components for data exchange using any appropriate wireline technique and/or wireless technique. Wireline techniques may, for example, include dedicated couplings to one or more devices and/or shared couplings between two or more devices. Data could be exchanged by the use of any appropriate protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.5, or TCP/IP). Wireless techniques may, for example, include infrared (IR) techniques (e.g., IrDA) or radio frequency (RF) techniques (e.g., IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth™).  
      In one mode of operation, when one of objects  108  arrives at object storage system  100 , the object is directed to object entrance port  110 , which acts to receive the object into object storage system  100 . After arriving at object entrance port  110 , object measuring system  117  of one of platforms  114  measures the weight and outer dimensions of the object. The object measuring system may perform its operations by using conventional components and techniques. For example, weighing an object may be accomplished by using load cells, strain gauges, or any other appropriate weight measuring devices. The object measuring system may convert the measurements into electrical signals (e.g., TTL signals, pulse-width modulated signals, broadband signals, or others) that are forwarded to computer  200 , which determines if the weight and outer dimensions of the object are within the specified limits of the object storage system. If the object is not within the specified limits, the object is rejected and removed from the object entrance port.  
      If the object is admitted, object reception system  118  identifies the object by date, time, and entrance port. Object reception system  118  may perform this operation by using a time and date provided by computer  200 . The object identification information may be associated with object position measurements, which may, for example, be achieved by optical, audio, visual, and/or mechanical techniques, by computer  200 , to locate the object in the object storage system. The position sensors may include photo diodes, lasers, acoustic sensors, load cells, strain gauges, and/or trip levers. In certain implementations, the object may also be tagged and coded. The object&#39;s custodian (e.g., the person delivering the object to the object storage system) is also identified, and a receipt is issued by reception system  118 . Identification may be achieved using a name, an address, a driver&#39;s license number, a business affiliation, a credit card number, and/or any other appropriate identifier, and the identifier(s) may be entered automatically (e.g., by the swipe of an information-encoded card) or manually (e.g., through a keypad). The receipt may function as a service contract between the custodian and the object storage system. Reception system  118  may perform its operations by using conventional components and techniques. In certain implementations, information-encoded cards, keyed-in identification codes, and/or magnetic-stripe tickets may be used. The custodian is also notified that the object reception is complete and, if applicable, is requested to unlock the wheel system of the object and and/or place the transmission of the object in a neutral position prior to leaving the object in object entrance port  110 .  
      Computer  200  may at this time understand that the object is to be stored by system  100  and, hence, determine where the object is to be stored and define a path for routing the object to its storage location by selecting an appropriate storage level  132  for storing the object, an appropriate storage bay  140  for storing the object, and an appropriate elevator  180  for transporting the object to the selected storage level. In certain implementations, the computer may also determine a horizontal orientation for storing the object, in order to facilitate the appropriate exiting of the object at one of object exit ports  120 . The orientation may, for example, be determined in accordance with the exit floor plan available or the object exit port selected by the custodian.  
      To determine where an object is to be stored, the computer may examine the current distribution of objects stored in the facility, the objects currently being processed by the facility, the anticipated object storage time, and/or any other appropriate criterion, and make a decision based on any number of appropriate criteria. For example, if the storage bays in the proximity of one elevator have a higher occupancy than those in the proximity of another elevator, the computer may decide to store an object in a storage bay of the elevator with the lower storage bay occupancy. As another example, if the storage bays of one storage level have a higher occupancy than those associated with another storage level, the computer may decide to store an object in a storage bay of the storage level with the lower proximate storage bay occupancy. As an additional example, if an object has just been assigned to a storage bay in the proximity of one elevator, another object may be assigned to a storage bay in the proximity of another elevator. As another example, if an object may be assigned to any number of storage bays, the selection of the storage bay may be based on the least time to move the object from the object entrance port to the storage bay. As a further example, as between objects that are to be stored temporarily and objects that are to be stored for a longer time (e.g., commuter automobiles versus shipping containers), the objects to be stored temporarily may be given preference to the least time to move an object from an object entrance port to a storage bay. Using the least time to move an object from an object entrance port to a storage bay may also be used in other appropriate situations. Also, determining the least effort to move an object from an object entrance port to a storage bay may be used. As an additional example, the computer may taken into account whether certain systems of the object storage system are malfunctioning or off-line.  
      To determine the routing of an object to a storage bay, the computer may examine the elevators in the proximity of the storage bay, the transfer carriage systems in the proximity of the storage bay, the objects currently being processed by the facility, the object transportation system, and/or any other appropriate criterion, and make a decision based on any number of criteria. For example, if a storage bay is closer to one elevator than another elevator, the computer may decide to use the elevator that is closer to the storage bay. This may often result from using a least time and/or effort criterion. As another example, if one elevator is busy storing or retrieving objects, the computer may decide to use another elevator in storing the object. As a further example, the computer may examine the routing of objects on the horizontal transportation system to ensure the proper queuing of objects waiting for elevators. For instance, the computer may reduce the queuing time for objects waiting for a particular elevator. As an additional example, the computer may consider whether any of the elevators or other appropriate systems are currently malfunctioning or off-line.  
      Similar considerations may be taken into account for determining where an object is to be delivered by the object storage system when a stored object is to be retrieved.  
      After the object has been received into system  100 , a check is performed to make sure that the object&#39;s custodian has departed the area around the object, that the area around the object is clear, and that the object is ready for further processing into the system. This check may be performed by computer  200  using information from appropriate surveillance sensors. In other implementations, an entrance port operator may determine whether the custodian has left the entrance port area and whether the area around the object is clear, and subsequently notify the computer that the object is ready to for further processing into the system.  
      If the object is ready for further processing, it is moved towards one of object aligning systems  150  by one of object moving systems  119 . Object moving systems  119  may, for example, be a chain-driven roller system. The object aligning system aligns the object for one of object mounting systems  160 . At the object mounting system, the object is mounted on two frames, one frame for a first portion of the object and a second frame for a second portion of the object, forming mounted object  109 .  
      From object mounting system  160 , the mounted object is moved towards object orientation system  170 . At object orientation system  170 , the frames of the mounted object are engaged with one of longitudinal transportation systems  196   a - b , the first of these corresponding to lane  112   a  and the second corresponding to lane  112   b . The engaged longitudinal transportation system then centers the mounted object longitudinally with the center of object orientation system  170  under control of computer  200 . The alignment may be accomplished using any appropriate type of sensors (e.g., IR, RF, or visual) and measurement techniques. After centering the mounted object longitudinally, object orientation system  170  centers the mounted object laterally with the center of object orientation system  170 . The object orientation system then orients the mounted object so that the object may exit the system in a forward direction. In this implementation, the vehicle is reoriented 180°. In other implementations, however, the vehicle may not need to be reoriented or may be reoriented at any other appropriate angle.  
      After reorientation, lateral transportation system  192  transports the mounted object so that it aligns with one of elevators  180 , as previously selected by computer  200 . When the selected elevator is available, the corresponding one of longitudinal transportation systems  196   c - e  loads the mounted object on the elevator. The elevator then transports the mounted object to the appropriate storage level  132 , which was previously selected by computer  200 .  
       FIG. 1C  illustrates storage level  132   b , which is representative of other storage levels  132 . As mentioned before, storage level  132   b  includes a number of bays  140 . Storage bays  140  do not have to be the same width. Thus, some storage bays may store narrower objects and some objects may store wider objects.  
      Storage level  132  also includes transfer carriage systems  185 . Transfer carriage systems  185  receive the mounted objects from elevators  180  and move them laterally to align with the storage bays. For example, transfer carriage system  185   b  is illustrated as moving a mounted object laterally. Once aligned with the selected one of storage bays  140 , the transfer carriage system deposits the mounted object in the storage bay. For example, transfer carriage system  185   a  is illustrated as depositing a mounted object in storage bay  140   q . Depositing the mounted object may occur with a series of horizontal and/or vertical movements of the mounted object. After depositing the mounted object, the transfer carriage system may return to an associated elevator  180  to receive another mounted object for storage or retrieve a mounted object from one of storage bays  140  for delivery to an associated elevator. As illustrated, the transfer carriage systems may operate simultaneously. Elevators  180  may also deposit mounted objects directly into storage bays aligned longitudinally therewith.  
      Each of storage bays  140  includes a longitudinal transportation system  142 . Longitudinal transportation systems  142  are used for receiving the mounted objects in the bays and for delivering the mounted objects to transfer carriage systems  185 . Longitudinal transportation systems  142  may, for example, include a pair of rails with associated sprockets. Storage bays  140  may also include any appropriate detent for securing the mounted objects received therein against movement while in storage.  
      The retrieval process for a mounted object works generally in the inverse of the storage process. Retrieval typically begins with custodian identification to the system, through a card, a code, a ticket, or otherwise, and payment for the storage. Computer  200  then understands that an object is to be retrieved by the system and, hence, locates the object based on the identity and determines a route for retrieving the object. The object is then retrieved and delivered to an object exit port. There are, however, a few other differences, which will be discussed below.  
       FIG. 1D  provides a side view of object storage system  100 . As illustrated,  FIG. 1D  provides another view of the processing of an object into the object storage system. As discussed previously, system  100  has first level  130  and storage levels  132 . Also, as an object is processed into the system, it arrives at object entrance port  110 , is accepted, and is moved to object aligning system  150   a  by object moving system  119   a . Then, the object encounters object mounting system  160   a , where it is mounted on the frames. From object mounting system  160   a , the mounted object is conveyed to object orientation system  170 , where it is oriented for an object exit port (not shown here).  
      Object storage system  100  also includes a frame recycling system  210 . Frame recycling system  210  is responsible for retrieving frames from departing objects, storing them, and feeding them to object mounting system  160   a . Frame recycling system  210  will be discussed in more detail below.  
      The example object storage system illustrated in FIGS.  1 A-D has a variety of features. For example, the system allows the organization of the multiple facets of an object storage system to be managed to achieve efficiency in operating the system. Efficiency may be measured in terms of object transportation times, storage space distribution in relation to the number of elevators, and/or the ratio of the storage bays to system volume. Also, the system provides a number of object entrance and exit points and an efficient storage bay distribution grid-layout. Thus, high structural integrity may be maintained at lower system operational costs and less demanding performance of the mechanisms and components therein.  
      Efficiency may be achieved by rapid and simultaneous multi-tasking operations. To accomplish this, the computer receives data from various systems and components of the object storage system and coordinates their efforts. Efficiency is also found in the physical layout of the system. By locating storage bays in the area proximate each elevator, the stored objects may be quickly transported to at least one elevator. Also, the layout assists in reducing queuing times. But if necessary, the stored objects may also be transported to another elevator. This implementation balances the aspects of storage and retrieval times, the available system volume, and storage bay numbers. In effect, the implementation enhances the ratio of object numbers stored versus available storage volume and reduces storage and retrieval times.  
      For object storage system  100 , and other similar implementations, the distribution dictates that the object storage system is as fast as the slowest of its components. For object storage system  100 , the elevator may determine the most critical times to be measured: time waiting for the elevator, time for transporting an object to its storage level, and time for retrieving another object and preparing it for delivery.  
      As one example of how multi-tasking may facilitate increased efficiency, consider object storage system  100 , which has three elevators, ten levels, and thirty storage bays per level, providing a capacity of three-hundred objects. In this object storage system, each elevator is associated with fourteen storage bays. It is estimated that the average time to transport (store or retrieve) one object is thirty seconds for one elevator. However, if both transports occur simultaneously, the system may average thirty-six seconds to execute both transports with the same elevator, even if the storage and retrieval levels for both transports are not the same. Thus, as opposed to storing or retrieving six objects per minute, which would take approximately fifty minutes to perform three-hundred transports (storage or delivery), in the case of storing and retrieving simultaneously, twice as many transports could be made in approximately twenty percent more time (i.e., approximately ten more minutes for six-hundred transports). Thus, if the storing and retrieving of objects was done simultaneously at full capacity, the system could, on the average, achieve approximately six-hundred transports in sixty minutes.  
      The coordination provided by the computer also increases reliability. Routing sequence motions are registered, and failures are easily detected. If necessary, alternate mechanisms and/or sensors may be substituted, and routing sequences may be modified, enabling the system to continue operating. The risk of operational discontinuities emanating from human intervention and mechanical failures is, therefore, reduced by early detection and evaluation, and the issuance of protective measures by the computer.  
      The computer also provides for administrative management of the object storage system. Items such as accepting objects from object custodians upon their arrival at the system and delivering objects to the object custodians upon their return may be managed. Also, the computer assures that objects not having appropriate physical parameters (e.g., weight or dimension) are not admitted into the system.  
      The system also allows multiple security devices, such as fire alarms, sensor and surveillance systems, telluric movement detectors, and the like, to be used to ensure security. These devices, along with the automation of the storage systems, can reduce the risk of vandalism. Moreover, the structure itself can follow conventional construction techniques with regards to regulations and protection systems. Also, the size and operations of the structure may be designed so that objects are protected from colliding against other objects, and the system&#39;s structure itself. Additionally, because no internal combustion motors are required to be running throughout the operations, toxic gas contamination levels are reduced.  
      In general, the object storage system is advantageous because of the strategy for simultaneous multi-tasking, anticipated selection and execution of routing paths, the simplicity of floor plans for the distribution of storage bays, elevator locations, the placement of entrance and exit ports, and the usage of a reduced number of lightweight conveyance components. Thus, it can address the greater object storing/retrieving problem while reducing energy costs, increasing available system space, and increasing operational viability.  
      Although  FIG. 1  illustrates one example of an object storage system, other object storage systems may include fewer, additional, and/or a different arrangement of systems and components. For example, an object storage system may include any appropriate ratio between object entrance ports and object exit ports. Moreover, the object entrance ports and the object exist ports do not have to be on the same level. Also, the first level may include storage bays. As another example, an object storage system may include any appropriate number of elevators. The number of elevators may, for example, be dictated by the application for the object storage system. For instance, more elevators may be needed for a hospital visitor parking lot than for an exclusive container storage depot. The number of storage bays per elevator may be similarly adjusted. As a further example, an object storage system may reorient an object before mounting it on a frame. Other object storage systems, however, may not have an object orientation system. As an additional example, an object storage system may not have a horizontal transportation system.  
       FIG. 2  provides a more detailed view of the object intake components of  FIG. 1 . As discussed previously, object entrance port  110  includes object reception system  118  and object moving system  119   a . After acceptance of object  108 , object moving system  119   a  moves the object towards object aligning system  150   a , which aligns the object for object mounting system  160   a.    
      FIGS.  3 A-E illustrate an object aligning system  300 . Object aligning system  300  is one example of object aligning system  150   a.    
       FIG. 3A  provides a top view of object aligning system  300 ,  FIG. 3B  provides a front view of object aligning system  300 , and  FIG. 3C  provides a side view of object aligning system  300 .  FIG. 3D  provides a bottom view of a component of the object aligning system.  FIG. 3E  illustrates a component of the object aligning system.  
      In general, object aligning system  300  aligns the longitudinal centerline of the object with the centerline of another system component. To accomplish this, object aligning system  300  includes two opposing juxtaposition arms  310 . Each of arms  310  includes a longitudinal length  312  with ends  314  outwardly bent. Arms  310  are coupled together by a centering compensation apparatus  330  such that the longitudinal lengths  312  of the arms are parallel and have an applied force that constrains the arms to close on themselves. During operation, the arms contact the corresponding outer portions of the object being processed (e.g., walls of tires) while the bottom of the object (e.g., treads of tires) rests on a gliding surface  320 .  
       FIG. 3D  illustrates gliding surface  320  in more detail. As illustrated, gliding surface  320  includes a floating plate  322  on which are mounted floating bearing strips  324 . Floating bearing strips  324  facilitate movement of the object in both the longitudinal and lateral directions.  
       FIG. 3E  illustrates one example of centering compensation apparatus  330  in cross-section. As can be seen, detent arms  331  couple arms  310  to centering compensation apparatus  330 , which includes a linking device  332  (e.g., a sprocket) and a biasing device  335  (e.g., a spring). Linking device  332  ensures that arms  310  maintain an equal spacing from the centerline, and biasing device  335  applies a force to make arms  310  close on themselves.  
      In operation, centering compensation apparatus  330  constrains the centerline of the two parallel longitudinal lengths  312  to remain on the centerline of object mounting system  160  and to close on themselves. Furthermore, the longitudinal lengths are parallel to the appropriate axis of a subsequent system component. When the inner surface of one of these lengths is brought into contact with the corresponding outer surface of the object, the longitudinal arms will open to accept the object, and the contacted arm will apply a constraining force to the object to move the object until its centerline is collinear with the centerline of the object aligning system. The opposing inner surfaces of the longitudinal arms  310  are adapted to provide low resistance while moving and centering the object.  
      Returning to  FIG. 2 , after alignment of the object by object aligning system  150   a , the object is loaded onto two object transportation frames  230  by object mounting system  160   a . Object transportation frames  230  are used to transport the object throughout the rest of the system.  
      FIGS.  4 A-K illustrate an object transportation frame  400 . Object transportation frame  400  is one example of object transportation frames  230 .  
      In general,  FIGS. 4A-4F  provide various views of object transportation frame  400 .  FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of the object transportation frame in an expanded position, and  FIG. 4B  is an isometric view of the object transportation frame in a contracted position.  FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the object transportation frame, and  FIG. 4D  is a front view of the object transportation frame.  FIG. 4E  is a side view of the object transportation frame.  FIG. 4F  is a blown-up view of a portion of  FIG. 4D , showing the interaction of the object transportation frame with an example element of one of lateral transportation systems  192 .  
      Object transportation frame  400  includes an outer expandable rectangular frame  470  with two outer frame members  472 . As illustrated, outer frame members  472  are bars, but they may be rods, struts, beams, plates, or any other appropriate support components. Moreover, outer frame members  472  may have solid, hollow, or other appropriate cross-section. The ends of outer frame members  472  are coupled together by telescopic devices  474 , which each include a locking housing  475  and two arms  476 - 477 , which are rectangular in cross-section in the illustrated implementation. Telescopic devices  474  also allow rectangular frame  470  to contract, as shown in  FIG. 4B .  
      Locking housings  475  are coupled to the ends of an inner frame structure  490  that has a centerline parallel to the centerline of outer expandable rectangular frame  470 . As illustrated, inner frame structure  490  includes a set of parallel bars. However, the support members of inner frame structure  490  may be rods, struts, beams, plates, or any other appropriate support components. The horizontal plane defined by inner frame structure  490  is lower than the horizontal plane defined by the outer expandable rectangular frame.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 4C , the bottom of object transportation frame  400  is adapted with rollers  410  that allow movement in the longitudinal direction of the system and rollers  420  that allow movement in the lateral direction of the system. The rollers may be wheels, tires, ball bearings, or any other appropriate supportive, rotating device, and are one example of a movement device for an object transportation frame. Object transportation frame  400  also includes sprocket chains  450  for movement in the lateral system direction by lateral transportation systems  192  and sprocket chains  460  for movement in the longitudinal system direction by longitudinal transportation systems  196 . Sprocket chains are another example of a movement device for an object transportation frame.  
      The relationship between rollers  420  and sprocket chains  450  may be observed more clearly in  FIG. 4D . The relationship between rollers  410  and sprocket chains  460  may be observed more clearly in  FIG. 4E .  FIG. 4F  illustrates how sprocket chains  460  interact with an example component of longitudinal transportation systems  196 . Sprocket chains  450  may interact similarly with components of lateral transportation systems  192 .  
       FIGS. 4G-4I  provide an enlarged, cross-sectioned view of one example of telescopic devices  474 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4G , arms  476 - 477  have teeth  478  with opposing pawl drops in this implementation. Locking housing  475  includes ratchet locking devices  480  that allow the arms to retract and expand controllably. Each of ratchet locking devices  480  includes a detent guide  482  and a detent  484  (e.g., a pin), which may interact with one or both of arms  476 - 477 .  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 4H-4I , which are sections along line A-A in  FIG. 4G , arms  476 - 477  are not longitudinally aligned. Thus, the arms may slide past each other in housing  475 . Also, a biasing device  486  (e.g., a spring) normally holds detent  484  in a locking position in detent guide  482 . This detent position is normally used when an object is mounted on the frame. However, a force may be applied to detent  484  to move it to an unlocked position,  FIG. 4I . This position is used when the frame is being readied to receive an object. The force may be applied to detent  484  by any appropriate object.  
       FIGS. 4J-4K  show a detailed isometric view of the bottom of the object transportation frame  400 .  FIG. 4J  better illustrates several previously discussed components of object transportation frame  400 . As illustrated, the object transportation frame includes outer frame member  472   b , which is coupled to telescopic arm  477  for expansion and retraction. Also, the object transportation frame include rollers  420  and sprocket chains  450  for lateral system movement and rollers  410  and sprocket chains  460  for longitudinal system movement.  FIG. 4K  illustrates the interaction of sprocket chains  450  and sprocket chains  460  with example components of lateral transportation systems  192  and longitudinal transportation systems  196 , respectively. As illustrated, lateral transportation system  192  and longitudinal transportation system  196  include sprockets that interact with the sprocket chains. Also, wheels  450  move on top of one of the guides of guide set  194 . The support frames for sprocket chains  450  may assist in aligning the object transportation frame with the lateral transportation system. Imperfections in alignment between the object transportation frame and the lateral transportation system may be accounted for by play in the ratchet locking device  480  and/or increased or decreased loading on an object&#39;s tires.  
      Note that the sprockets of lateral transportation system  192  are grouped together in parallel sets, with each set coupled to an axis. By coupling the sets to an axis, binding may be reduced. In operation, each axis may be independently driven, or several, or possibly all, axes may be driven by the same motor. Driving each axis independently reduces the chance of isolated drive system failures incapacitating the lateral transportation system, but the axes may have to be monitored to ensure they maintain appropriate rotational speeds therebetween.  
      Object transportation frame  400  has a variety of features. For example, the object transportation frame may be relatively lightweight because a pair of frames does not have to have structure to account for wheel bases of varying size. The ability of the frames to be independently positioned compensates for varying-sized wheel bases. With lightweight frames, less power is used in moving them around the object storage system. Additionally, because the frames do not have the wheel-base compensation structure, they may be stored compactly, which allows them to be stored at or near the object exit and/or entrance ports. This eliminates the power needed to store the object transportation frames at a remote distance, and possibly reduces wasted object transportation time if the object transportation systems must be used to convey the object transportation frames to the storage location. Also, it allows for ready inspection of the object transportation frames and removal if a damaged frame is identified. It additionally eliminates the need for a one-to-one relation between object mounting structures and storage bays. That is, the object transportation frames may be used for storing any appropriate object in any storage bay. This allows object transportation structures to be removed and introduced while being able to fully utilize the object storage system. Additionally, the points at which the object transportation frames engage the object are relatively close to the movement mechanisms (e.g., the rollers and sprocket chains). This also allows the frames to be relatively lightweight, because it reduces spans between the object engagement points and the movement mechanisms, along which structural strength, and, hence, material, would be large.  
      Returning to  FIG. 2 , object  108  is loaded onto two of frames  230 , one for the front tires and one for the rear tires in the illustrated example, by object mounting system  160 . Frames are supplied to the object mounting system by frame recycling system  210 , which will be discussed in more detail below.  
      FIGS.  5 A-M illustrate the components and operation of an object mounting system  500 . Object mounting system  500  is one example of object mounting system  160   a . Object mounting system  500  uses object transportation frames  400 .  
      In general, FIGS.  5 A-J illustrate a side view of the object mounting system at various stages of operation. FIGS.  5 K-M illustrate a front view of the object mounting system at a particular stage of operation.  
      The purpose of object mounting system  500  is to mount the incoming object onto a first and a second object transportation frame  400 . Object mounting system  500  includes a vertical piston  510 , a vertical piston  530 , and a vertical piston  540 . In general, vertical piston  510  is responsible for elevating an object transportation frame to a position where it may engage the incoming object, preparing the frame for engaging the object, and engaging the frame with the object. To accomplish this, vertical piston  510  includes frame support platform  512  and horizontal piston  514 , which is mounted to the top of vertical piston  510  and is responsible for expanding and contracting a frame to engage the object. Vertical piston  530  is responsible for raising and lowering a concave central bar, for the purpose of centering the object&#39;s tires on the object transportation frame. Vertical piston  540  is responsible for elevating and lowering two support bars  542 , which assist in transferring the object onto the frame. Vertical piston  510 , horizontal piston  514 , vertical piston  530 , and vertical piston  540  may have pneumatic, hydraulic, or any other appropriate activation.  
      In one mode of operation, object mounting system  500  executes multiple movements to mount an object on an object transportation frame. The movements are in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. These movements may be performed under the command of computer  200 .  
      In initiating the object mounting process, one of object transportation frames  400  is positioned above object mounting system  500 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . The object transportation frame is in a contracted condition when it arrives at the object mounting system.  
       FIG. 5B  shows the result of actuating vertical piston  510  to lift the object transportation frame. During this operation, frame support platform  512  engages and supports the frame. Horizontal piston  514  may also extend outwardly in opposite directions. In doing so, extremities  516  of the horizontal piston are brought into contact with the object transportation frame. As the piston extends further, the action releases ratchet locking devices  480  of the object transportation frame so that it may be expanded. Note that vertical piston  510  also includes a detent  518  to prevent another object transportation frame  400  from currently being received by the object mounting system.  
       FIG. 5C  shows another result of actuating horizontal piston  514 . As illustrated, the actuation expands object transportation frame  400 . Object transportation frame  400  is now ready to receive the front tires of the object.  
      Vertical piston  510  also raises the object transportation frame to engage it with a track  590  of object mounting system  500 , as shown in FIGS.  5 K-M. Track  590  includes hinged support arms  592  and recesses  594  associated therewith. In their normal state, support arms  592  protrude from recesses  594 ,  FIG. 5K . Support arms  592  may be actuated by springs, pistons, or other appropriate technique.  
      When vertical piston  510  raises object transportation frame  400 , support arms  492  are moved into recesses  594 ,  FIG. 5L . This operation may result in the object transportation frame being slightly above than the bottom of the incoming object. After the object transportation frame clears the support arms, the support arms return to their normal state. Vertical piston  510  then lowers the object transportation frame so that it engages the support arms,  FIG. 5M . The object transportation frame is then at the level of the incoming object.  
       FIG. 5D  illustrates the actuation of vertical piston  540 . As mentioned earlier, vertical piston  540  includes support bars  542 . Support bars  542  are responsible for filling, at least in part, the space in the object transportation frame due to its expansion,  FIG. 4C . Also, the support bars assist in centering the object&#39;s tires on the object transportation frame. The tops of the supports bars may be on the same level as the bottom of the incoming object.  
       FIG. 5E  illustrates the actuation of vertical piston  530 . As mentioned previously, vertical piston  530  includes a concave bar that assists in centering the tires of the object on the object transportation frame, and also supporting the object. The height of the concave bar may be slightly lower than that of support bars  542 .  
      The object mounting system is now ready to receive the incoming object. Thus, the object is moved forward using object moving system  119  (not shown here) and centered by an object aligning system so that the object&#39;s forward wheels come into contact with the object transportation frame, the concave bar, and the support bars.  
       FIG. 5F  shows the object mounting system receiving the incoming object. As shown, the object&#39;s front tires are centered on the object transportation frame and are supported by the concave bar.  
       FIG. 5G  shows the object mounting system with vertical piston  540  retracted. Support bars  542  are no longer needed because the object&#39;s front tires are centered on the object transportation frame and supported by vertical piston  530 . The object tire&#39;s may also be supported by the object transportation frame.  
       FIG. 5H  shows the result of retracting horizontal piston  514 . This retraction causes the outer elements of the object transportation frame to retract and engage the tires of the incoming object. In particular implementations, the object&#39;s tires, and, hence, the object, are predominantly supported by the outer components of the frame. That is, the inner components do not touch the tires, or if the inner components do touch the tires, the components provide only minimal support. The object is now mounted on the first object transportation frame.  
      Once the incoming object&#39;s tires have been mounted on the object transportation frame, the other pistons are no longer needed. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 5I , vertical piston  530  and vertical piston  510  are retracted. Note that the retraction of vertical piston  510  leaves the object transportation frame in a locked position. For frame  400 , ratchet locking devices  480  engage the next available teeth  478  on arms  476 - 477 ,  FIG. 4G .  
      The operations of object mounting system  500  may be accomplished as a result of data gathered by various sensors of the system. The information may be delivered to computer  200 , which may send commands to various actuators of system  500 . For example, the system information delivered to computer  200  may indicate that the front tires of the object are engaged by the first object transportation frame, and the computer may command object mounting system  500  to return to its initial position.  
       FIG. 5J  illustrates the object mounting system as the object is moved forward after mounting of the front tires. As the object moves forward, the way is cleared for another object transportation frame  400  to be brought in and positioned over object mounting system  500  for mounting the object&#39;s rear tires. The process of mounting the object&#39;s rear tires onto the second object transportation frame is similar to the process described above for mounting the object&#39;s front tires onto the first object transportation frame.  
      Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the object has been mounted on the object transportation frames by object mounting system  160   a , the object is moved toward object orientation system  170 . As with object  108 , mounted object  109  may move under the control of the computer. The movement and/or position of the mounted object may be detected by sensors, and electronic signals transmitted to the computer. These signals may, for example, announce that the mounted object is now ready to be moved to object orientation system  170 .  
      To convey the mounted object to object orientation system  170 , one of longitudinal transportation systems  196   a - b  is used. As shown in  FIG. 1B , longitudinal transportation systems  196   a - b  have a pair of guides  198 , which engage rollers  410  of the object transportation frames,  FIG. 4C . The mounted object may be moved longitudinally using a number of opposing sprocket pairs, each mounted laterally in the proximity of the guiding tracks of the longitudinal transportation system,  FIG. 4K .  
      Opposing pairs of sprockets may be mounted coaxially on the same axis. In certain implementations, the movement of the sprockets are driven by a common device, such as, for example, an electric motor (AC or DC), a hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor, or any other appropriate mechanical power output device. Other processes for moving the sprockets independently or dependently could also be used.  
      The longitudinal movement of the mounted object is halted when the mounted object is onboard object orientation system  170 , as detected by position sensors. The longitudinal center of the mounted object is made to coincide with the center of object orientation system  170  (e.g., the forward and rear edges of the mounted object are equidistant from the center of the object orientation system). To accomplish this, commands from the computer may be used to energize a mechanical power output device, which may be external to the object orientation system, based on the information from the position sensors. The position sensors may operate according to optical, audio, visual, mechanical, or other appropriate techniques.  
      Once the longitudinal center of the mounted object aligns with the center of object orientation system  170 , the mounted object is maneuvered laterally until the center of the mounted object is over the center of the object orientation system. The lateral maneuvering may be accomplished by a mechanical power output device that is or is not part of the object orientation system. Once the centering is complete, the computer is notified, and it commands the reorienting of the mounted object in the proper direction. The proper direction may be defined by the direction the object will take upon leaving the object storage system.  
      The mounted object is then loaded onto lateral transportation system  192   a , which has multiple guide sets  194 ,  FIG. 1B . Lateral transportation system  192   a  may then transport the mounted object to one of elevators  180 , which may have been previously selected by computer  200 .  
      FIGS.  6 A-B illustrate a system  600  for transferring the mounted object between lateral transportation system  192   a  and longitudinal transportation systems  196 . System  600  could also be used for transferring the mounted object onto the lateral transportation system from one of the longitudinal transportation systems.  
      As illustrated, transfer system  600  includes a ramping apparatus  610 . The ramping apparatus includes a cam follower  670 , to which is coupled one of guides  198  of a longitudinal transportation system. Cam follower  670  is engaged with ramping cam  620 , which is coupled to a screw motor  640  by a screw  630 , screw motor  640  and screw  630  being one example of a ramp drive system. When screw motor  640  is properly powered, ramping cam  620  moves forward, lowering both the cam follower and guide  198 . As the guide is lowered, guide sets  194  (only one of which is shown) of the lateral transportation system protrude above the longitudinal transportation system. Rollers  420  on the bottom surface of object transportation frame  400 ,  FIG. 4D , would engage with two of the guides in each guide set  194 . Also, sprocket chains  450  would engage with sprockets of the lateral transportation system (not shown here). The mounted object is then ready to be moved by the sprocket system of the lateral transportation system to one of elevators  180 .  
      The mounted object may be moved by the lateral transportation system so that is in front of the entrance to a selected one of elevators  180 . Note that the selected elevator may not have arrived yet, as it may be performing other operations. When the selected elevator arrives, the mounted object is loaded onto the elevator.  
      FIGS.  7 A-E illustrate an elevator  700 . Elevator  700  is one example of elevators  180 .  
       FIG. 7A  provides an isometric view of elevator  700 . As illustrated, elevator  700  includes a cage  704  and an object support platform  710 , which will be discussed in more detail below. In general, object support platform  710  supports the mounted object while in elevator  700 .  FIG. 7B  provides a top view of object support platform  710 . Elevator  700  may be vertically positioned by a cable-pulley arrangement, a piston, or any other appropriate technique.  
      Object support platform  710  includes a longitudinal drive system  720  and a lateral drive system  730 . In general, longitudinal drive system  720  assists in transferring a mounted object to and from the elevator at first level  130 . Also, lateral drive system  730  assists in transferring a mounted object to and from the elevator at storage levels  132 .  
      When the mounted object is at the entrance of one of elevators  180  on first level  130 ,  FIG. 1B , the mounted object is transferred from lateral transportation system  192  onto object support platform  710 . In one mode of operation, the transfer is accomplished by positioning object support platform  710  slightly higher than lateral transportation system  192 . Then, detents  712  (e.g., bolts) located within object support platform  710  are extended outwardly. Each extended detent  712  is aligned above a corresponding platform support plate coupled to the elevator shaft structure (not shown here). After extending detents  712 , object support platform  710  is lowered until the extended detents  712  come to rest on the corresponding platform support plates. In other implementations, detents  712  may be engaged with the elevator shaft structure in other manners. Also, detention devices other than detents  712  may be used.  
      Object support platform  710  is now decoupled from movement of elevator  180 , which may occur due to compression or tension upon loading or unloading, component slippage, gear play, mechanical failure, and/or other appropriate mechanical movement. The process of transferring the mounted object onto the elevator may proceed in a safe and secure manner. In the illustrated implementation, cage  704  has been separated from object support platform  710  to further facilitate the decoupling.  
      Additionally, the corresponding one of longitudinal transportation systems  196  is engaged with the mounted object. This may, for example, be accomplished based on commands issued by computer  200  to a ramping apparatus similar to the one illustrated by FIGS.  6 A-B. By this operation, the object transportation frames are transferred from the lateral transportation system to a longitudinal transportation system. For example, rollers  410  of object transportation frames  400 ,  FIG. 4C , may come into contact with guides  198  of a longitudinal transportation system, and sprocket chains  460  on the bottom of the object transportation frames,  FIG. 4F , may come into contact with a sprocket system. The sprocket system proceeds to transfer the mounted object onto object support platform  710 .  
      Sensors are used to determine when at least part of one object transportation frame is on object support platform  710 . At this point, or at a later point, longitudinal drive system  720  is engaged with the object transportation frame to finish transferring and/or positioning the mounted object on object support platform  710 .  
      As best illustrated in  FIG. 7B , longitudinal drive system  720  includes a number of opposing sprockets  722  located near the outside of object support platform  710 . Sprockets  722  are coupled to a motor  724  by a shaft  726 . Motor  724  simultaneously drives sprockets  722 .  
       FIG. 7C  provides a side view of elevator  700  with one of object transportation frames  400  in contact with longitudinal drive system  720 . As illustrated, sprocket chains  460  of the object transportation frame are engaged with sprockets  722   b  of the longitudinal drive system to move the object transportation frame during transferring and positioning. Lateral drive system  730  is lower than longitudinal drive system  720  at this stage.  
      When the mounted unit is loaded onto object support platform  710 , the mounted object is maneuvered using longitudinal drive system  720  until the forward and rear edges of the mounted object are equidistant from the elevator coordinate system center. At the conclusion of the centering maneuver, longitudinal drive system  720  may be lowered so that the object transportation frames engage lateral drive system  730 . This operation may use a ramping apparatus like in FIGS.  6 A-B.  
      As best illustrated in  FIG. 7B , lateral drive system  730  includes guide sets  732  and several sets of opposing sprockets  734  located near guides  732 . Sprockets  734   a  are coupled to a motor  736   a  by a shaft  738   a . In turn, sprockets  734   b  are coupled to a motor  736   b  by a shaft  738   b . Motors  736  may simultaneously drive sprockets  734 .  
       FIG. 7D  provides a side view of object support platform with object transportation frame  400  engaged with lateral drive system  730 . As can be seen, longitudinal drive system  720  has been lowered so that sprockets  722   b  no longer engage sprocket chains  460 . Also, rollers  420  are now in contact with two of guides  732   b . Lateral drive system  730  also includes sprockets  734  that engage sprocket chains  450 , but the sprockets have not been shown for clarity.  
      The mounted object now rests on lateral drive system  730 , the sprockets of which may be locked while in contact with sprocket chains  450  on the bottom of the object transportation frames. When the mounted object rests on the lateral drive system, proper engagement may be ensured by moving the mounted object slightly in each direction. A position sensor may be used to determine whether the mounted object moves the appropriate amount. If engaged properly, the sprockets are locked, and the elevator is ready to move.  
      On command of the computer, elevator  700  moves to the selected storage level  132 . In accomplishing this, the elevator lifts object support platform  710  so that detents  712  are longer engaged with the elevator shaft structure. Detents  712  are then retracted, and the elevator moves to the selected storage level.  
      On reaching the selected storage level  132 , the object support platform  710  is positioned slightly higher than the storage level. The computer then commands detents  712  to extend outwardly. Each extended detent  712  is aligned above a corresponding elevator platform support plate coupled to the elevator shaft structure (not shown here). The object support platform is then lowered until the extended detents  712  come to rest on corresponding elevator platform support plates. The object support platform  710  is now decoupled from movement of the elevator  700 , and the process to unload the mounted object proceeds in a safe and secure manner.  
      Depending on the location of the previously selected storage bay  140 ,  FIG. 1C , the mounted object is moved in the longitudinal or lateral direction. If the movement is in the longitudinal direction, the computer commands the mounted object to be unloaded onto a longitudinal transportation system  142  of the previously selected storage bay. This transfer calls for the elevator powered ramping apparatus onboard the elevator (not shown here) to reengage longitudinal drive system  720  with object transportation frames  400  of the mounted object. The elevator powered ramping apparatus is within the elevator structure in the illustrated implementation. The computer, using a transferring procedure similar to that described previously, then controls the movement of the mounted object into the previously selected bay  140  by using longitudinal drive system  720  and a longitudinal transportation system  142  located within the selected bay. Longitudinal transportation system  142  may be similar to one of longitudinal transportation systems  196 . A mechanical stop (not shown here) located at the far end of the bay may determine the final position of the mounted object. Once in the final position, the computer is informed that the mounted object is positioned for storage and commands a locking device (not shown here) to be applied to the mounted object to deter further movement.  
      In the case where the mounted object is to exit the elevator in the lateral direction, the height of lateral drive system  730  is typically already at the same height as transfer carriage system  185 . Hence, the lateral unload movement is initiated on commands issued by the computer to apply power to lateral drive system  730 , activating sprockets  734 , which are matched to sprocket chains  450  on the bottom of the mounted object. Thus, activating the sprockets moves the mounted object out of the elevator onto transfer carriage system  185 .  
       FIG. 7E  provides a cutaway of an object storage system to show an end view of elevator  700 . As illustrated, elevator  700  is suspended by cables  782 , which are coupled to the corners of elevator cage  704 . Cables  782  are routed through pulleys  775  at the top of the elevator shaft and are coupled to weights  784 , which counterbalance cage  704 . Pulleys  775  support cage  704  and also allow it to be moved vertically by a power drive device  790 . Power drive device  790  may operate using electricity (AC or DC), hydraulics, or other appropriate power. Power drive device  790  is coupled couple to the pulleys by a drive transmission  792 , a first power shaft  774 , and shaft transmissions  776 . A second power shaft is also used, but it is not visible here. Computer  200  may control the power drive device, using a programmable velocity servo algorithm, for example.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a transfer carriage system  800 . Transfer carriage system  800  is one example of transfer carriage system  185 .  
      As illustrated, transfer carriage system  800  is similar to object support platform  710 . Transfer carriage system  800  includes a lateral drive system  820  and a longitudinal drive system  830 . Lateral drive system  820  includes two guide sets  822 . Located proximate the guides are opposing sprockets  824 . Sprockets  824   a  are driven by a motor  826   a , and sprockets  824   b  are driven by a motor  826   b . Lateral drive system  820  can be used for transferring the mounted object from and to the elevator. Longitudinal drive system  830  includes opposing sprocket lines  832 . Sprocket lines  832  are driven by a motor  834 . Longitudinal drive system  830  can be used for transferring the mounted object to and from the storage bays.  
      Transfer carriage system  800  also includes a carriage support frame  810 . Mounted on carriage support frame  810  are rollers  812 , which allow the transfer carriage system to move in the lateral direction. Carriage support frame  810  also includes a motor  814  for driving rollers  812 .  
      Once a mounted object is onboard transfer carriage system  800 , motor  814  is powered to convey the mounted object to the previously selected storage bay  140 . Once at the storage bay, the center of the mounted object is aligned with the selected storage bay using information provided by a position sensor system. Once aligned, the mounted object is moved into the storage bay until the mounted object comes in contact with a mechanical stop (not shown here), located in the storage bay. As previously described, a locking device is applied to deter further movement of the mounted object.  
      The process for retrieving stored objects is typically initiated by the object custodian returning to system  100 , presenting his receipt, and paying the appropriate fee. Upon determining that the appropriate fee has been received, computer  200  determines in which of storage bays  140  the object is stored and determines a process for retrieving the object. For example, the computer may select and sequence an object exit port, a transfer carriage system, and an elevator.  
      The retrieval process is basically performed by inverting the sequence for storing an object from the stage at which the mounted object is loaded on the elevator to the stage at which the mounted object is loaded into the selected storage bay. Once elevator  180  arrives at first level  130 , however, several differences occur for the example object storage system  100 .  
      At first level  130 , there are two directions for removing the mounted object from the elevator—the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction,  FIG. 1B . If the object is to exit the elevator in the longitudinal direction, the height of object support platform  710  is adjusted so that the mounted object is slightly below the object exit port level. The object is then dismounted from the object transportation frames by an object dismounting system and delivered to the object exit port  120 . If the object is to exit the elevator in the lateral direction, one of lateral transportation systems  192   b - d  is used to convey the mounted object to an adjacent platform where a second object dismounting system is located.  
      FIGS.  9 A-C illustrate an example object dismounting system  900 . Object dismounting system  900  may have components and operations similar to object mounting system  500  in  FIG. 5 .  
      As illustrated, object dismounting system  900  is located underneath a shaft  702  of elevator  700  and includes platform  910  and pistons  920 . Platform  910  is coupled to piston  920   a  and piston  920   b . Platform  910  meshes with the object support platform of elevator  700  to provide support for mounted object  109  as it is removed from the object transportation frames and the elevator. Object dismounting system  900  also includes an object moving system  940 . In the illustrated implementation, the object moving system includes an arm  942  that can extend into the elevator to engage the object. The arm may be driven by any appropriate device.  
      In operation, pistons  920  activate to raise support platform  910  to provide support for removing the object from the object transportation frames and the elevator. Pistons  920  also engage and release detents  484  of ratchet locking devices  480  (not shown here) on the corresponding front and rear object transportation frames  400 . The object now has a level and stable platform and is pushed off of the object transportation frames and out of the elevator by object moving system  940 . When in object exit port  120 , the object is moved by an object moving system  121  and delivered to the custodian. Object moving system  121  may, for example, be a chain and roller assembly.  
      Once the object has been removed from the elevator and engaged by object moving system  121 , pistons  920  retract, lowering platform  910 . The dismounting system is now clear for moving the object transportation frames to frame recycling system  210 ,  FIG. 1D .  
      If the object is to exit from the elevator in the lateral direction, the mounted object is moved in the lateral direction by the lateral drive system of the elevator and the associated one of lateral transportation systems  192   b - d ,  FIG. 1B . The mounted object is then aligned in front of another object exit port  120  and removed from the object transportation frames. The system and sequence for removing the object from the object transportation frames at another object exit port may be the similar to the system and sequence described above.  
      FIGS.  10 A-E illustrate an object transportation frame recycling system  1000 . Object transportation frame recycling system  1000  is one example of object transportation frame recycling system  210 .  
      In general, frame recycling system  1000  is adapted to accept object transportation frames from an object dismounting area, store them, and feed them to object mounting system  160 . The frame recycling system may be an automated system working independently of computer  200 . As such, the frame recycling system may use an independent network of position sensors and gates. The frame recycling system may inform computer  200  when frames are removed and/or supplied.  
       FIG. 10A  provides an isometric view of frame recycling system  1000 . As can be seen, frame recycling system  1000  includes a frame storage system  1010  and a frame feed system  1020 . Frame storage system  1010  stores frames after an object has been dismounted therefrom, and frame feed system  1020  provides stored frames to object mounting systems  160 . Frame recycling system  1000  also includes a frame conveying apparatus  1040  and a frame conveying apparatus  1050 , which accept frames from an object dismounting area  1060  and an object dismounting area  1070 , respectively. The object dismounting systems for the object dismounting areas are not shown here for clarity.  FIG. 10B  provides a side view of frame conveying apparatus  1040 . FIGS.  10 C-E illustrate frame conveying apparatus  1040  transferring an object transportation frame to its storage state.  
      For frame conveying apparatus  1040 , object support platform  710  of elevator  700  moves object transportation frames  400  from object dismounting area  1060  towards frame storage system  1010  after an object is dismounted from the object transportation frames. In frame storage system  1010 , the object transportation frames are stored in a vertical manner. From the object storage system, the object transportation frames are moved to frame feed system  1020 , where they are reoriented and fed to one of object mounting systems  160 .  
      As seen in FIGS.  10 B-D, frame conveying apparatus  1040  operates in conjunction with frame storage system  1010  to orient the object transportation frames for storage. To accomplish this, frame storage system  1010  includes guides  1012  (only one of which is shown here) that direct the object transportation frames from the frame conveying apparatus to the frame storage system.  
      In operation, once an object has been dismounted from the object transportation frames by object dismounting system  900 , the elevator&#39;s longitudinal drive system  710  moves the object transportation frames towards frame conveying apparatus  1040 . When an object transportation frame arrives at the frame conveying apparatus, the frame conveying apparatus engages the frame. As frame conveying apparatus  1040  moves the object transportation frame, the leading rollers of the object transportation frame engage the leading edge of guides  1012 . As the frame conveying apparatus continues to move the frame, the leading rollers follow the guides. Additionally, the leading edges of the guides displace from the proximity of the frame conveying apparatus,  FIG. 10C . Thus, the trailing rollers do not engage the guides.  
      At a predesignated point, the guides prevent further movement of the leading rollers. Thus, as the frame conveying apparatus continues to move the object transportation frame, the object transportation frame is forced to contract,  FIG. 10D . After contracting, the object transportation frame disengages from the frame conveying apparatus and moves to a vertical storage orientation,  FIG. 10E . The object transportation frame may then be further processed in the frame storage system.  
      Frame conveying apparatus  1050  may operate similarly to frame conveying apparatus  1040 . Frame conveying apparatus  1050 , however, is elongated because there is no elevator for object dismounting area  1070 . Frame conveying apparatus  1050  conveys the object transportation frames to frame storage system  1010  after the object dismounting system in object dismounting area  1070  dismounts the object from the object transportation frames.  
      In particular implementations, provisions may be made for routing an incoming object transportation frame to adjacent frame storage systems that are only partially loaded. Additionally, provisions may be made for transferring the object transportation frames to adjacent frame feed systems. Furthermore, frame storage could include a vertical arrangement of frames.  
      FIGS.  11 A-H illustrate another object storage system  1100 . Object storage system  1100  is adapted to store a container  1120 , another type of transportation object. Container  1120  may be a maritime container, a truck-mounted container, or any other appropriate container. Container  1120  is adapted with an understructure, to be discussed in more detail below, that includes components similar to object transportation frame  400 , in order that the container may be transported within the object storage system.  
      FIGS.  11 A-C provide a side view of an object entrance/exit port  1110  and an elevator  180  for system  1100 . As illustrated, elevator  180  is transporting a container  1120  for loading at an object entrance/exit port  1110  onto a truck  1190 . Note that an object dismounting system is included under the shaft for elevator  180 ; thus, this implementation may also be used for vehicles or other wheeled transportation objects.  
      Truck  1190  includes a bed  1192  that supports the container, secures the container to the bed, and raises and lowers the container to the level of elevator  180 . The raising and lowering may be facilitated by vertical positioning guides  1114  in object entrance/exit port  1110 .  
       FIG. 11D  provides a side view of container  1120 ,  FIG. 11E  provides a front view of container  1120 , and  FIG. 11F  provides a bottom view of container  1120 . Container  1120  includes a storage compartment  1130 . Storage compartment  1130  includes moveable panels  1132  to allow access to the inside of the storage compartment. Container  1120  also includes an understructure  1140 . Understructure  1140  may be integral with storage compartment  1130 .  
      Understructure  1140  includes a longitudinal movement system  1142  and a lateral movement system  1148 . As illustrated, longitudinal movement system  1142  includes rollers  1144  and sprockets chains  1146  for facilitating longitudinal movement. Lateral movement system  1148  includes rollers  1150  and sprocket chains  1152  for facilitating lateral movement.  
      In one mode of operation, the storage process begins when truck  1190  carrying container  1120  arrives at object storage system  1100 . The truck backs into object entrance/exit port  1110  until it aligns with vertical positioning guides  1114 . Then, the container is raised. Once the level of the truck bed is at the same level as the elevator, the container is moved into the elevator, by a drive system in the bed.  
      Elevator  180  may include a longitudinal drive system and a lateral drive system similar to longitudinal drive system  720  and lateral drive system  730  in  FIG. 7A . Thus, once container  1120  enters elevator  180 , the longitudinal drive system can finish transferring and positioning the container for transport. The elevator then transports the container to the appropriate level and transfers the container to a transfer carriage system, which may be similar to transfer carriage system  185 ,  FIG. 1C . The transfer carriage system moves the container to the appropriate storage bay.  
      The retrieval of the container from the storage bay proceeds in a generally inverse manner. The unloading of the object from the elevator may be accomplished by using a longitudinal drive system of the elevator to move the object outwardly until a drive system of the truck is engaged. The truck can then finish loading the object.  
      In particular implementations, the container may not leave the object storage facility when retrieved. For example, upon retrieval, the container may be placed at the disposal of the custodian for the purpose of adding and/or removing contents from the container. Subsequently, the container is returned to its storage bay by inverting the above sequence.  
      FIGS.  11 G-H illustrate object entrance/exit ports for such an implementation. As illustrated, a container may be unloaded from elevator  180  in a longitudinal or lateral direction. If in the longitudinal direction, the container is unloaded to a truck in object entrance/exit port  1110 . If in the lateral direction, the container is conveyed laterally to align with another object entrance/exit port  1110 . At this position, however, the object may be accessed through room  220 , which is one example of an object access location. In other implementations, access may be had through other rooms or in other areas of the object storage system.  
      FIGS.  11 G-H also illustrate another feature of an object exit port. As shown, object entrance/exit ports  1110  include a guide  1160 . Guide  1160  ensures that a vehicle exits the elevator in a controlled manner. Guide  1160  may be a channel cut in a platform, a pair of rails, or any other appropriate directing apparatus. Guide  1160  may include a detent (e.g., a raised area or a depressed area) to ensure that an object stops at the appropriate location.  
      FIGS.  12 A-D illustrate a process  1200  for storing objects. Process  1200  may, for example, represent the operations of an object storage system similar to object storage system  100  in  FIG. 1 .  
      Process  1200  begins with waiting for an object to be stored to arrive (decision block  1202 ). Determining whether an object to be stored has arrived may, for example, be accomplished by detecting a signal indicating that there is an object in an object entrance port.  
      Once an object to be stored has arrived, the process calls for measuring (e.g., size and weight) the object (function block  1204 ). The measurement(s) may, for example, be performed by a platform in the object entrance port. Once the object measurements are performed, the process calls for determining whether the object measurements are acceptable (function block  1206 ). Object measurements may, for example, be acceptable if they fall within a predesignated range. If the object measurements are unacceptable, the process calls for generating a rejection notification (function block  1208 ) and waiting for another object to be stored (decision block  1202 ). The rejection notification may be in an audible, visual, or other appropriate format. If, however, the object measurements are acceptable, the process continues with issuing a receipt for the object custodian (function block  1210 ). The object custodian may then leave the object. The receipt may, for example, include the time, the date, and object identification information. Determining that an object receipt has been issued is one example of determining that an object is to be moved.  
      The process then continues with preparing to move the object. The process calls for determining a storage bay for the object (function block  1212 ). Determining a storage bay may be based on one of more factors, such as, for example, the current distribution of objects stored in the facility, the objects currently being processed by the facility, the anticipated object storage time, and the anticipated object exit port. The process also calls for determining a route to the selected storage bay (function block  1214 ). Determining a route may, for example, include selecting an elevator. One or both of the determinations may factor in the object storage systems movements already underway and those that have already been scheduled. Also, the determinations may be made by optimizing for one or more metrics, such as, for example, routing time, power consumption, and storage bay occupancy.  
      The process continues with preparing an object mounting system (function block  1216 ). Preparing an object mounting system may, for example, include providing an object transportation frame to the object mounting system, having the object mounting system position the frame, and having the object mounting system prepare (e.g., expand) the frame. The process also calls for waiting until the object mounting system is ready (decision block  1218 ).  
      Once the object mounting system is ready, the process calls for moving the object toward the object mounting system (function block  1220 ). The object may, for example, be moved by a chain-driven roller system. The process also calls for centering the object for the object mounting system (function block  1222 ). The centering may, for example, be performed by a system similar to object aligning system  300 . The process additionally calls for determining whether the wheels of a first object axis are on the object mounting system (decision block  1224 ). If the wheels of the first object axis are not on the object mounting system, the process calls for continuing to move the object toward the object mounting system (function block  1220 ) and centering the object (function block  1222 ).  
      Once the wheels of the first axis are on the object mounting system, movement of the object is stopped (function block  1226 ). Then, the wheels of the first axis are mounted on an object transportation frame (function block  1228 ). The object transportation frame may, for example, be similar to object transportation frame  400 , and the mounting sequence may be similar to that described for object mounting system  500 . The process calls for waiting until the mounting is complete (decision block  1230 ).  
      Once the mounting is complete, the process continues with resuming movement of the object (function block  1232 ) and waiting for the wheels of a second object axis to be on the object mounting system (decision block  1234 ). Once the wheels of the second object axis are on the object mounting system, movement of the object is stopped (function block  1236 ). The process then calls for mounting the wheels of the second axis on an object transportation frame (function block  1238 ). The process also calls for waiting until the mounting is complete (decision block  1240 ).  
      Once the mounting is complete, the process call for moving the mounted object onto an object orientation system (function block  1242 ) and centering the mounted object on the object orientation system (function block  1244 ). The object is then reoriented to a selected orientation (function block  1246 ). As discussed previously, this orientation may have been previously determined based on the object&#39;s anticipated exit port.  
      After reorientation, the process calls for moving the mounted object onto a first horizontal transportation system (function block  1248 ) and moving the mounted object to the entrance of a selected elevator (function block  1250 ). The elevator may, for example, have been selected during the routing determination (function block  1214 ). The process also calls for initiating elevator movement toward the mounted object (function block  1252 ) and transferring the mounted object onto a second horizontal transportation system (function block  1254 ). The transfer may, for example, be accomplished by a ramping system that intermeshes the two horizontal transportation systems. The second horizontal transportation system may be used to load the mounted object on the elevator.  
      The process continues with preparing the selected elevator for loading (function block  1256 ). Preparing the selected elevator for loading may include positioning the elevator, securing the elevator, and/or any other appropriate function. In certain implementations, securing the elevator may include decoupling an object support platform of the elevator from the rest of the elevator. The process also calls for waiting for the selected elevator to be ready for loading (decision block  1258 ).  
      Once the selected elevator is ready, the process calls for loading the mounted object onto the selected elevator (function block  1260 ). The movement may, for example, be accomplished by the second horizontal transportation system and an elevator drive system. The process also calls for securing the mounted object on the selected elevator (function block  1262 ) and moving the mounted object to the selected level (function block  1264 ). Securing the mounted object may, for example, be accomplished by engaging an elevator drive system with the mounted object.  
      Once the mounted object is at the selected level, the process continues with preparing the selected elevator for unloading (function block  1266 ). Preparing the selected elevator for unloading may, be similar to preparing the selected elevator for loading. The process also calls for determining whether the selected elevator is ready for unloading (decision block  1268 ). If the selected elevator is ready, the process calls for determining whether the mounted object is to be unloaded directly into the selected storage bay from the elevator (decision block  1270 ). If the mounted object is to be unloaded directly into the selected storage bay, the mounted object is deposited from the elevator into the selected storage bay (function block  1272 ). If, however, the mounted object is not to be unloaded directly into a storage bay from the elevator, the process calls for unloading the mounted object onto a selected transfer carriage system (function block  1274 ) and transferring the mounted object to the entrance of the selected storage bay (function block  1276 ). The process also calls for depositing the mounted object into the selected storage bay (function block  1278 ). Depositing the mounted object may, for example, be accomplished by horizontally transferring the mounted object into the selected storage bay.  
      The process then calls for waiting for a retrieval request for the object (decision block  1280 ). The retrieval request may, for example, occur when an object custodian returns, presents the issued receipt, and pays an appropriate fee. Determining that a retrieval request has been received is one example of determining that an object is to be moved.  
      The process continues with preparing to move the requested object. The process calls for determining an object exit port (function block  1282 ). Determining an object exit port may include ascertaining a previously selected object exit port, analyzing the current use of object exit ports, analyzing the expected use of object exit ports, and/or any other appropriate analysis. The process also calls for determining a route to the selected object exit port (function block  1284 ). Determining a route to the selected object exit port may, for example, include selecting an elevator.  
      The process continues with initiating movement of the selected elevator toward the mounted object&#39;s storage level (function block  1286 ) and determining whether the mounted object is in a storage bay that may be directly accessed from the selected elevator (decision block  1288 ). If the mounted object is not in a storage bay that may be directly accessed from the selected elevator, the process calls for loading the mounted object onto a transfer carriage system (function block  1290 ) and transferring the mounted object to the selected elevator (function block  1292 ).  
      Once the mounted object is being transferred to the selected elevator, or if the mounted object is in a storage bay that may be directly accessed from the selected elevator, the process calls for preparing the selected elevator for loading (function block  1294 ). Preparing the selected elevator may, for example, include positioning and securing the elevator. The process also calls for waiting for the selected elevator to be prepared (decision block  1296 ).  
      Once the selected elevator is prepared, the process continues with loading the mounted object onto the selected elevator (function block  1298 ) and securing the mounted object on the selected elevator (function block  1300 ). The mounted object may then be moved to the object exit port level (function block  1302 ).  
      The process continues with determining whether the selected object exit port is occupied (decision block  1304 ). If the selected object exit port is occupied, the process calls for moving the mounted object to another object exit port (function block  1306 ). This may, for example, be accomplished with a horizontal transportation system.  
      If the selected object exit port is not occupied, or if the object has been moved to another object exit port, the process calls for dismounting the object from the frames (function block  1308 ). Dismounting the object from the frames may, for example, be performed in a similar manner to mounting the object on the frames. The object is then moved into the object exit port (function block  1310 ), and the object custodian may then access the object. The process also calls for recycling the frames (function block  1312 ).  
      Although  FIG. 12  illustrates one implementation of a process for object storage, other processes for object storage may include fewer and/or additional operations. For example, a process may include coding and tagging an object. As another example, a process may include tracking an object&#39;s position. As a further example a process may not include mounting an object on an object transportation frame. For instance, a pallet or other appropriate object transportation apparatus may be used for transporting an object, or objects with integrated movement understructures may be used. As an additional example, a process may not include reorienting an object. This may, for instance, occur if the object orientation at the object entrance port is the same as the object orientation at the object exit port or if orientation does not matter. As another example, a process may not include moving a mounted object to the entry of an elevator. This may, for instance, occur if an elevator is adjacent the object mounting system or if the object is received directly into an elevator. As a further example, an object may not have to be transferred between horizontal transportation systems. As an additional example, a process may call for replacing one or more of the waiting operations with an event determination operation (e.g., replacing waiting for an object to be stored to arrive with determining whether an object to be stored has arrived). The event determinations may, for instance, be performed by receiving an appropriate signal from a sensor or receiving a signal indicating that an operation is complete. Furthermore, one or more operations may include waiting for an event to occur before executing the operation.  
      Additionally, various operations in  FIG. 12  may be performed in any order. For example, determining a storage bay and/or a route to a storage bay may be performed after mounting the object on object transportation frames, after reorienting the object, or at any other appropriate time. As another example, initiating movement of the selected elevator for storing the object may occur after mounting the object on the object transportation frames, after reorienting the object, or at any other appropriate time. As an additional example, determining the object exit port and the route thereto may be determined when the object is received, when the object is stored, or at any other appropriate time.  
      Various operations in  FIG. 12  may be also be performed simultaneously. For example, the storage bay and the storage route may be determined while the object is being mounted on the object transportation frames, while the object is being reoriented, or during any other appropriate operation. As another example, the elevator may be moved and/or prepared for loading while the object is being mounted on the object transportation frames, reoriented, or moved to the elevator entrance. As an additional example, the transfer carriage system may be moved while the object is being moved to the selected level, while the elevator is being prepared for unloading, or at any other appropriate time.  
      Furthermore, operations for other objects may being occurring contemporaneously. Thus, operations such as measuring an object, determining a storage bay and storage route, mounting an object, reorienting an object, moving an object to an elevator entrance, loading an object, moving an object to a selected level, and depositing the object in a storage bay may be interspersed with and/or simultaneously executed with similar operations for other objects.  
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example network  1350  of components for controlling an object storage system. As illustrated, network  1350  includes an object entrance port subsystem  1354 , an object aligning subsystem  1358 , an object mounting subsystem  1362 , an object orientation subsystem  1366 , an elevator subsystem  1370 , a longitudinal transportation subsystem  1374 , a lateral transportation subsystem  1378 , a transfer carriage subsystem  1382 , an object storage bay subsystem  1386 , and an object exit port subsystem  1390 . Each of subsystems  1354 - 1390  may include various sensors for sensing the presence of an object, the position of an object, data about an object, and/or the state of the subsystem. For example, position detection may be accomplished by using optical sensors, such as, for example, photo diodes, photo cells, motion detectors, or lasers, audio sensors, visual sensors, such as, for example, cameras, or mechanical sensors, such as, for example, load cells, strain gauges, or trip levers.  
      Also, subsystems  1354 - 1390  may include various actuators for manipulating an object or components of the object storage system. The actuators may include motors, pistons, relays, and/or any other appropriate force producing device. The force produced by an actuator may be transmitted by links, transmissions, rams, or any other appropriate force conveyance device. Power may be supplied to the actuators in any appropriate manner. In particular implementation, power may be supplied to a number of components by a prime mover. The prime mover may produce power based on the consumption of electricity, fuel, or other appropriate energy source.  
      Subsystems  1354 - 1390  may additionally include various controllers for managing various operations of the subsystems. Examples of controllers include programmable logic arrays, microcontrollers, and microprocessors. The controllers may function independently of or in conjunction with a central computer. Note that subsystems  1354 - 1390  may also allow for the interaction of humans to provide at least some data and/or control.  
      Subsystems  1354 - 1390  are coupled to a communication network  1394 . Communication network  1394  may, for example, operate according to IEEE 802.3. Communication network  1394  is responsible for conveying data between subsystems  1354 - 1390  and between the subsystems and a computer  1398 . For example, subsystems that operate in sequence may communicate with each other to pass an object therebetween. Additionally, computer  1398  may control one or more aspects of each of subsystems  1354 - 1390 .  
       FIG. 14  illustrates an example computer  1400 . Computer  1400  may be similar to computer  1398  in  FIG. 13 .  
      Computer  1400  includes a communication interface  1410 , memory  1420 , and a processor  1430 . Communication interface  1410  is responsible for receiving data from and sending data to various subsystems of an object storage system. Communication interface may, for example, be a network interface card (NIC). Memory  1420  may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), compact-disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), flip-flops, and/or any other appropriate information storage device. Memory  1420  includes data  1422  and instructions  1424 . Data  1422  may include information received from various subsystems about the state of an object and/or about the state of the subsystems. Instructions  1424  provide the logical operations for processor  1430 . Processor  1430  may be a reduced-instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC), or any other appropriate device for logically manipulating information. Processor  1430  may operate according to instructions  1424  in memory  1420 . In certain implementations, some or all of the instructions may be encoded on processor  1430 . Also, processor  1430  may be a special-purpose processor (e.g., a microcontroller or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The instructions may inform processor  1430  how to determine operation sequences of and perform administrative functions for an object storage system. For example, the instructions may allow the processor to control operations similar to those in process  1200 . The operations may be controlled by receiving data regarding one or more subsystems and objects and issuing one or more commands. Furthermore, the instructions may allow the computer to simultaneously control operations for a variety of subsystems of an object storage system. The instructions may also provide for generating a graphical user interface that illustrates the object storage system, its occupancy, and the status of the subsystems. The graphical user interface may be conveyed to a remote user interface device, such as, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
      In certain implementations, the instructions may include a supervisor and command subsystem, a human interfacing subsystem, and an administrative subsystem. The human interfacing subsystem is responsible for providing bi-directional communication with a system operator, and the administrative subsystem is responsible for performing contracting and billing for stored objects. The instructions may also include an alarm sequencing subsystem, a fault isolation subsystem, and a motion control subsystem. The motion control subsystem may include a storage object routing subsystem, a retrieval object routing subsystem, a recognition and surveillance subsystem, a queuing operation subsystem, and a movement drive command subsystem.  
       FIG. 15  illustrates an object storage system  1500 . In general, object storage system  1500  may be similar to object storage system  100 . One difference, though, is that object storage system  1500  includes a number of lateral object entrance ports  110  at both its lateral ends and longitudinal object exit ports  120  at both longitudinal ends. Also, due to having object entrances at its lateral ends, object storage system  1500  has two object orientation systems  170 . Like object storage system  100 , however, object storage system  1500  also includes object aligning systems  150 , object mounting systems  160 , elevators  180 , and lateral transportation systems  192 .  
      In operation, object storage system  1500  functions similarly to object storage system  100 . However, because object exit ports  120  are on both lateral sides of system  1500 , coordination needs to be maintained between the storage orientation of the objects and object exit ports  120  if the objects are to exit in a forward manner. In particular implementations, at the time of acceptance, the object custodian may be instructed as to which side of the system the object will be delivered upon return.  
       FIG. 16  illustrates an object storage system  1600 . Object storage system  1600  may be similar to object storage system  1500 . Object storage system  1600  includes entrance ports  110  at its lateral ends and longitudinal object exit ports  120  at both longitudinal ends. One of object entrance ports  110 , however, is circular. Due to having object entrances at its lateral ends, object storage system  1600  has two object orientation systems  170 . Also, the need to transfer a mounted object from object mounting systems  160  to one of object orientation systems  170  has been eliminated at this end. Object storage system  1600  additionally includes object aligning systems  150 , object mounting systems  160 , elevators  180 , and lateral transportation systems  192 .  
      In operation, object storage system  1600  functions similarly to object storage system  100 . However, because object exit ports  120  are on both lateral sides of system  1600 , coordination needs to be maintained between the storage orientation of the objects and object exit ports  120  if the objects are to exit in a forward manner.  
       FIG. 17  illustrates an object storage system  1700 . In general, object storage system  1700  may be similar to object storage system  100 . One difference, though, is that object storage system  1700  includes a number of lateral object entrance ports  110  at one of its lateral ends. Like object storage system  100 , however, object storage system  1700  also includes object aligning systems  160 , object mounting systems  160 , elevators  180 , and lateral transportation systems  192 . In operation, object storage system  1700  functions similarly to object storage system  100 .  
       FIG. 18  illustrates an object storage system  1800 . In general, object storage system  1800  may be similar to object storage system  100 . One difference, though, is that object storage system  1800  includes a number of lateral object entrance ports  110  at both of its lateral ends. Like object storage system  100 , however, object storage system  1800  also includes object aligning systems  150 , object mounting systems  160 , elevators  180 , and lateral transportation systems  192 , and longitudinal object exit ports  120 . In operation, object storage system  1700  functions similarly to object storage system  100 .  
       FIG. 19  illustrates an object storage system  1900 . In general, object storage system  1900  may be similar to object storage system  100 . One difference, though, is that object storage system  1900  includes two longitudinal object entrance ports  110  at one lateral end and longitudinal object exit ports  120  at both longitudinal ends. Like object storage system  100 , however, object storage system  1900  also includes object aligning systems  150 , object mounting systems  160 , an object orientation system  170 , elevators  180 , and lateral transportation systems  192 .  
      In operation, object storage system  1900  functions similarly to object storage system  100 . However, because object exit ports  120  are on both lateral sides of system  1200 , coordination needs to be maintained between the storage orientation of the objects and object exit ports  120  if the objects are to exit in a forward manner.  
       FIG. 20  illustrates an object storage system  2000 . In general, object storage system  2000  may be similar to object storage system  100 . One difference, though, is that object storage system  2000  includes a circular object entrance port  110  at one lateral end. Also, this configuration eliminates the need for a transportation system to move the mounted object to object orientation system  170 . Like object storage system  100 , however, object storage system  2000  also includes object aligning systems  150 , object mounting systems  160 , elevators  180 , and lateral transportation systems  192 . In operation, object storage system  2000  functions similarly to object storage system  100 .  
       FIG. 21  illustrates an object storage system  2100 . In general, object storage system  2100  may be similar to object storage system  100 . Object storage system includes an outer walls  2110 , vertical supports  2120 , horizontal supports  2130 , horizontal supports  2140 , and storage bays  2150 .  
      Outer walls  2110  may protect stored objects from debris, environmental conditions (e.g., rain, hail, dust, etc.), and/or vandalism. Outer walls  2110  may be solid, perforated, mesh, or any other appropriate configuration and may be made of steel, aluminum, plastic, or any other appropriate material. Outer walls  2110  may or may not be loading bearing.  
      Vertical supports  2120 , horizontal supports  2130 , and horizontal supports  2140  may be columns, girders, beams, or any other appropriate load bearing members. The supports may be made of concrete (pre-tensioned, post-tensioned, or non-tensioned), steel, or any other appropriate material.  
      As illustrated, vertical supports  2120  and horizontal supports  2130  are set in from walls  2110   a  and  2110   c . This locates these supports nearer the weight application points of the objects stored in storage bays  2150 . Thus, this may result in a reduced size for the supports and, hence, a reduction in overall object storage system weight. Also, only two of horizontal members are needed for every four storage bays  2150 , which may also allow for reduced overall storage system weight.  
      Each of storage bays  2150  has two guides  2152  for supporting object transportation frames  230 . Storage bays  2150  may or may not have floors and/or ceilings. Guides  2152  also benefit from vertical supports  2120  and horizontal supports  2130  being set in from walls  2110   a  and  2110   c . By locating the supports in from these walls, guides  2152  have reduced spans. Thus, the guides may be smaller and still support the same amount of weight.  
      FIGS.  22 A-B illustrate an object transportation frame  2200 . Object transportation frame  2200  may be useful in object storage system  2100 . In general, object transportation frame  2200  may be similar to object transportation frame  230 .  
      As illustrated, object transportation frame  2200  includes sprocket chains  2210  and rollers  2020  to provide lateral movement for a mounted object. Also, object transportation frame  2200  includes notches  2230  in sprocket chain  2210 . Located in notches  2230  are rollers  2240  and sprocket chains  2250 , which provide longitudinal movement for a mounted object.  
      Several implementations for object storage have been discussed in detail. Various alternative implementations have also been mentioned or suggested. Furthermore, a variety of additions, deletions, substitutions, and transformations may be made to these implementations while still achieving object storage. The invention, therefore, is to be measured by the appended claims.