Patent ID: 7774241

Claim:
An integrated item batching and information handling system for producing batches of items, said system comprising: a process flow line with item batching means arranged between an item intake and at least one batch receptacle, a computer, first sensing means capable of transmitting electronic signal to said computer for establishing a first set of data representing characteristics of items entering the intake, and second sensing means capable of transmitting electronic signal to said computer for establishing data representing characteristics of batches from at least one batch receptacle, wherein said computer receives said first set of data from said first sensing means and is configured to generate a second set of data representing the characteristic of expected Items entering the intake, and is further configured to generate a third set of data representing the characteristics of expected batches from said expected items, and receives a fourth set of data from the second sensing means representing the characteristics of the actual batches, characterized in that the computer is configured to generate a fifth set of data representing characteristics of a set of imaginary items, and corresponding conditions of batches expected from a theoretically ideal batching of said fifth set of data, and wherein, based on said sets of data, said information handling system presents the result for batches on demand and recommends the optimal one to the operator or controls the batching system automatically.