International Business Machines Corporation

Felix J Misewich

Robert George Emberty

Edward Joseph Pawlowski

An automated storage and retrieval system includes an accessor device to magnetically hold a stored item while the item is transported within the system. To sense the presence of a magnetically attractable label on the item, the device generates a pulsed signal having a first strength. The reluctance of the magnetic field is compared with a base value; if the comparison indicates that a label is present, the device generates another pulsed signal having a greater strength to 'lock' the item against the accessor. The device then generates another pulsed signal having a reduced strength to maintain and hold the item against the accessor during transportation. Less power is used and, therefore, less heat generated.

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Tuscson, AZ, United States of America

Felix J Misewich