US PATENT SUBCLASS 414 / 273
.~.~ With control system responsive to changeable operating instructions

Current as of: June, 1999
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414 /   HD   MATERIAL OR ARTICLE HANDLING

266  DF  PLURAL, STATIC STRUCTURES FOR SUPPORTING DISCRETE LOADS AND CHARGING OR DISCHARGING MEANS THEREFOR {1}
267  DF  .~ Load-underlying members (e.g., racks, receptacles (or a compartmented receptacle), shelves, troughs, etc.) {7}
273.~.~ With control system responsive to changeable operating instructions {2}
274  DF  .~.~.~> With means on charging or discharging means to determine status of member
275  DF  .~.~.~> With means to detect obstruction and alter movement of charging or discharging means

DEFINITION

Classification: 414/273

With control system responsive to changeable operating instructions:

(under subclass 267) Apparatus wherein a system is provided for controlling the charge moving means, which system has a capacity for accepting, comprehending, and responding to instructions which are of a varying or variable nature.

(1) Note. The concept of this subclass does not extend to

include what is sometimes referred to as an "automatic" operation of the charge moving means; that is, the provision of a particular circuit, which is sequenced or programmed to always produce the same predetermined movement of the means to a particular destination, is not sufficient for inclusion herein.

(2) Note. To be proper for this subclass, a system should be capable of, as a minimum, accepting (by code or otherwise) the designation of a destination, selecting a route for, and causing the means to move to, that destination, depositing thereat, or picking up therefrom, a charge, and returning to its original location--or to an alternative location if so ordered. Further refinements of such a system might include (a) investigating, on the part of the means, of the status of its destination and, if found to preclude the execution of its mission, requesting an alternative destination, (b) as in (a) but the assumption by the means of the responsibility for finding a suitable alternative destination, etc., or (c) identifying a particular article among a plurality of articles and retrieving that article.

(3) Note. As long as a system for (2) Note is disclosed, the claiming of a specific component thereof is sufficient for classification here.