21686results about "Storage devices" patented technology

Systems and methods are provided that use a mobile robotic device to transport rechargeable batteries between a base station, which charges the batteries, and a battery operated device, such as battery powered kiosk or signage system, which uses a charged battery as a power source. After traveling to a battery operated device, the mobile robotic device removes any discharged batteries from the battery operated device and installs a charged battery. The mobile robotic device then travels to the base station and attaches the discharged battery to the base station for recharging. The mobile robotic device may be configured to perform other transfers, such as data transfers and paper transfers. In addition, the mobile robotic device may be configured to perform a photographic and spatial survey of the isles, retail shelves, and surrounding environment for various purposes, such as generating three-dimensional store models and remote viewing.

When a two-division structure heat treatment jig for semiconductor substrate that includes a silicon first jig that comes into direct contact with a semiconductor substrate that is heat treated and supports the semiconductor substrate, and a second jig (holder) that holds the first jig and is mounted on a heat treatment boat is adopted as a heat treatment boat of a vertical heat treatment furnace, the stress concentrated during the heat treatment on a particular portion of the semiconductor substrate can be reduced; in the case of a semiconductor substrate large in the tare stress and having an outer shape of 300 mm being heat treated, or even in the case of the heat treatment being carried out under very high temperature conditions, the slips can be suppressed from occurring. The present invention can be widely applied as a stable heat treatment method of semiconductor substrates.

There is provided compact load storage equipment that can store a large number of loads. The storage equipment comprises a rotary rack 21, a transferrer 51, one or more fixed racks 101, an inlet port 111a and an outlet port 111b. The rotary rack 21 is supported rotatably about a first vertical axis and includes a number of vertically arranged stages of turning load supports 32. The transferrer 51 adjoins the rotary rack 21 and includes a carrier 81, which can vertically move and rotate about a second vertical axis. The fixed racks 101 are positioned around the transferrer 51 and each includes a number of vertically arranged stages of fixed load supports 103. In plan view, the ports 111a and 111b each overlap with one of the rotary and fixed racks 21 and 101. The transferrer 51 can transfer loads between the carrier 81 and any one of the turning and fixed load supports 32 and 103, and between the carrier 81 and each of the ports 111a and 111b, by the turning and vertical movement of the carrier 81, or by the combination of the turning and vertical movement of the carrier 81 and the turning of the turning load supports 32.

Load storage equipment according to the present invention includes rotary racks 21, each of which is supported independently on a story 1 or 2, and which may not extend vertically through the slab 4 between the stories 1 and 2. The storage equipment also includes a transferrer 51 common to the rotary racks 21. Each of the rotary racks 21 can turn on a vertical axis 22 and includes load supports 32 arranged circumferentially around the vertical axis 22 and vertically. The transferrer 51 extends vertically near the sides of the rotary racks 21 and through the slab 4. The transferrer 51 includes a carrier 81, which can vertically move to carry loads to and from the load supports 32.

A system for processing semiconductor substrates includes a front-end with at least two vertical levels of input / output ports for transferring substrate cassettes into or out of the housing of the processing system. The front-end also includes at least one level of storage positions, e.g., two levels of storage positions, which can be disposed between the two vertical levels of the input / output ports. The two vertical levels of storage positions can each be provided with two storage positions and each of two levels of input / output ports can be provided with accommodations for two cassettes, allowing for a total of eight cassettes to be accommodated at the front-end of the processing system. Inside the housing of the processing system, interior storage positions can be provided adjacent a wafer handling chamber and spaced apart from a cassette store having rotary platforms for housing cassettes. A single cassette handler can be used to access cassettes at each of the input / output ports and the interior storage positions.

An article transport device comprises an endless revolving body that is configured to move along a cyclic path in a substantially horizontal direction; a plurality of article supports each of which supports an article, wherein the article supports move together with the endless revolving body with the supports spaced apart from each other in a traveling direction; a support mechanism for supporting the article supports to the endless revolving body such that the article supports can move between a transport position adjacent the endless revolving body and an away position spaced apart from the transport position; and a guide mechanism for causing at least some of the article supports to move from the transport position to the away position and to move from the away position to the transport position, at an article delivering location or an article receiving location along the cyclic path of the endless revolving body.

The invention provides methods and apparatus for dispensing items from a dispensing unit. According to the invention, the dispensing unit comprises a plurality of locations in which the items are held, a processor in which records corresponding to the items on the unit are stored, and a plurality of item switches corresponding to the locations in which the items are held. The item switches are connected to the processor so that a user of the dispensing unit can input records of items removed from the unit into the processor. The apparatus described is particularly suited for dispensing medical supplies although the apparatus will be usable for other types of items as well. Preferred embodiments will include a plurality of visual indicators, typically in the form of light emitting diodes, corresponding to the locations in which the items are held. Upon selection of a desired item from a list of items held by the unit, the visual indicator corresponding to the item is actuated so that the user can locate the desired item quickly and conveniently with the help of the visual indicator.