System and method for collating items
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsJuan Esteban Flores, Francisco Ottoniel Torrealba, William Wheeler
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Abstract
A system and method for merge-sequencing ordered subsets of items into a single merged set in a predetermined sorted sequence and error-checking the resulting merged set to provide information about out of order items to allow for efficient error correction methods. The system uses an outcome verifier module to ensure that items placed onto the single merged set are in the proper sequence. Items that are not in the proper sequence are temporarily removed from the merged set. If it is determined that items are missing from the sorted sequence a placeholder may be inserted to mark the place of missing items.
Claims39
A method for collating items into at least one ordered group from at least two subgroups using a processor, modules for supplying items and a mechanism for transporting items to an output destination, said method comprising:
- (a) arranging the at least two subgroups such that items are in order within each of the at least two subgroups;
- (b) placing each of the at least two subgroups into corresponding modules for supplying the items;
- (c) controlling a module for a subgroup containing an item of a first ordered group to be supplied to supply the item at a given time to the mechanism for transporting;
- (d) repeating act (c) until all items of the first ordered group are collated;
- (e) checking the order of the items as they are transported to the output destination;
- and
- (f) performing error-correcting routines if an error is detected.
An apparatus for collating items into at least one ordered group from at least two subgroups, said apparatus comprising:
- a mechanism for transporting the items to an output destination;
- at least two modules containing corresponding subgroups for supplying items to the mechanism for transporting the items in response to supply instructions;
- a processor for determining the at least one item to be supplied at a given time and generating instructions for a said module to supply the at least one item;
- a mechanism for checking the order of items as they are transported to the output destination;
- and
- a mechanism for correcting an error detected in the order of items as they are transported to the output destination.
A method for correcting errors in an apparatus for collating items into an ordered group from at least two subgroups using at least one module for supplying the items and a mechanism for transporting the items to an output destination, wherein each item bears indicia identifying the position of the item in the ordered group, said method comprising:
- checking the order of the items as they are transported to the output destination by checking the indicia on each item;
- inserting a placeholder when a missing item is detected;
- and
- diverting an out-of-order item to a separate location when an out-of-order item is detected.
An apparatus for correcting errors in an ordered group of items bearing indicia of their position in the ordered group, said apparatus comprising:
- a mechanism for transporting the items one by one;
- a mechanism for checking the order of the items as they are transported on the mechanism for transporting the items by checking the indicia on the items;
- a mechanism for inserting a placeholder when a missing item is detected;
- and
- a mechanism for routing an out-or-order item to a separate location when an out-of-order item is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.