Labeling system and labeling method

{
  "publication_number": "US11377249B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Labeling system and labeling method",
  "abstract": "A labeling system includes a pasting unit having a first mechanical arm adapted to pick up a label to be pasted, at least one visual device configured to guide the first mechanical arm to paste the label on an object, and at least one scanning device adapted to scan the label pasted on the object.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A labeling system, comprising: a pasting unit including: a first mechanical arm adapted to pick up a label to be pasted and to paste the label on a side surface or a top surface of an object; a first scanning device adapted to scan the label if it is pasted on the top surface of the object; a second scanning device adapted to scan the label if it is pasted on the side surface of the object; and a movable platform configured to carry the object, the movable platform is rotatable for rotating the side surface of the object into a scanning range of the second scanning device.",
    "2. The labeling system of claim 1, further comprising a printer configured to print different types of labels.",
    "3. A labeling system comprising: a pasting unit including: a first guided mechanical arm adapted to pick up a label to be pasted and to paste the label on one of a top surface or a side surface of an object; a first scanning device, if the label is detected on the top surface, the first scanning device adapted to scan the label pasted on the top surface of the object; a second scanning device, if the label is detected on the side surface, the second scanning device adapted to scan the label pasted on the side surface of the object, wherein the first scanning device is movable in a horizontal plane and the second scanning is movable in a vertical plane; and a movable platform configured to carry the object, the movable platform is rotatable to move the side surface of the object into a scanning range of the second scanning device.",
    "4. The labeling system of claim 3, wherein the movable platform is configured to rotate the object to a pasting position at which the first mechanical arm pastes the label on the object.",
    "5. The labeling system of claim 4, wherein the side surface of the object on which the label is pasted is moved into a scanning range of the second scanning device by the movable platform.",
    "6. The labeling system of claim 4, further comprising a stacking unit including a second mechanical arm configured to remove the object from the pasting position.",
    "7. The labeling system of claim 6, further comprising a transporting unit including a pallet on which the second mechanical arm stacks the object.",
    "8. The labeling system of claim 7, wherein the transporting unit includes a pallet supporting frame supporting the pallet.",
    "9. The labeling system of claim 8, wherein the transporting unit includes a transporting vehicle transporting the pallet and the object located on the pallet.",
    "10. A labeling method, comprising: picking up a label to be pasted by a first mechanical arm; guiding the first mechanical arm to paste the label on one of a top surface or a side surface of an object; rotating the object on a movable platform to move the side surface of the object on which a label may be present into a scanning range of a first scanning device; if the label is pasted on the top surface, scanning the label pasted on the top surface of the object with a second scanning device; and if the label is pasted on the side surface, scanning the label pasted on the side surface of the object with the first scanning device.",
    "11. The labeling method of claim 10, further comprising stacking the object on a pallet with a second mechanical arm.",
    "12. The labeling method of claim 11, further comprising transporting the pallet and the object on the pallet with a transporting vehicle.",
    "13. The labeling method of claim 10, further comprising: with the movable platform, moving the object into a pasting position at which the first mechanical arm pastes the label on the object."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a labeling system and, more particularly, to a labeling system for pasting a label on an object.\n\nLabeling is one of the key processes for delivering packages/boxes to users. There are usually different labels for different users. At present, labeling is mainly done manually, so the work efficiency is low. In addition, the labels are usually randomly pasted on the packages/boxes, and thus the labeling positions and orientations are inconsistent, which complicates label identification and further decreases efficiency.\n\nA labeling system includes a pasting unit having a first mechanical arm adapted to pick up a label to be pasted, at least one visual device configured to guide the first mechanical arm to paste the label on an object, and at least one scanning device adapted to scan the label pasted on the object.\n\nThe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which:\n\nFIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a labeling system according to an embodiment;\n\nFIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a pasting unit of the labeling system;\n\nFIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a stacking unit of the labeling system;\n\nFIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a transporting unit of the labeling system; and\n\nFIG. 5 is a flowchart of a labeling method according to an embodiment.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65C 9/40",
    "B65C 1/02",
    "B65C 1/021",
    "B65C 2009/407",
    "B65C 9/00",
    "B65C 9/02",
    "B65C 9/04",
    "B65C 9/26",
    "B65C 9/46",
    "B65G 2203/042",
    "B65G 2203/044",
    "B65G 61/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65C 1/02",
    "B65C 9/02",
    "B65C 9/26",
    "B65C 9/40"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "TE Connectivity Services GmbH",
    "Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu",
    "Yingcong Deng",
    "Dandan ZHANG",
    "Lvhai Hu",
    "Zongjie Tao"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-10-29",
  "publication_date": "2022-07-05",
  "grant_date": "2022-07-05",
  "priority_date": "2019-10-31",
  "application_number": "US-202017084002-A",
  "family_id": "75485389",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US5501571A",
    "US20200055094A1"
  ]
}