The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 08, 2015
Filed:
Jun. 06, 2014
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Shang Q. Guo, Cortlandt Manor, NY (US);
Christopher P. Jones, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Jonathan Lenchner, North Salem, NY (US);
Nathan E. Masters, Henderson, NV (US);
James A. Oravec, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Rodrigo A. Rey, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Matthew R. Sowders, Kirkland, WA (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
An approach is provided to sort objects on a surface of vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules that are controlled by processors. A request to sort the plurality of objects in a horizontal direction is received with each of the objects is assigned a sort position. Sets of the vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are selected. The vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are arranged in a grid formation on the surface, with each of the sets of selected transfer modules being underneath a different object. The sets of selected transfer modules are vertically adjusted causing each of the objects to move independently from the other objects while avoiding the other objects in two or more dimensions formed on the surface. The result of the movement is that each of the objects is moved to a position respective of the other objects according to each object's respective sort position.