Smart containers and/or boxes handled by, and stored in, automated smd warehouse

Abstract

A container, or box, for use in a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system includes an outer shell and at least one compartment. The outer shell has side walls and a base. The container is configured to store a plurality of SMT-job related objects in said at least one compartment where one of said SMT-job related objects is not a component tape reel, wherein said container has a logically and electronically unique identity in the SMT system represented by a barcode or RFID tag arranged on the container, said unique ID of the container being configured to be associated with each of the unique IDs of said plurality of SMT-job related objects stored in said at least one compartment.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system, comprising:
 an automatic Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, the automatic SMD warehouse including an actuator;   at least one container, the at least one container including an outer shell having side walls and a base defining at least one compartment configured to accommodate an SMT-job related object, the at least one container having an outer shape allowing the at least one container to be transported by the actuator of the automatic SMD warehouse, the at least one container associated with a unique identity in the SMT system, the unique identity of the at least one container configured to be associated with an identity of the SMT-job related object; and   an SMT information database configured to store the identity of the SMT-job related object, the unique identity of the at least one container, and a storage location of the at least one container within the automatic SMD warehouse.   
     
     
         33 . The SMT system according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one container includes a display unit configured to display information related to the SMT-job related object. 
     
     
         34 . The SMT system according to  claim 33 , wherein the display unit is further configured to display SMT-job related information retrieved from the SMT information database of the SMT system. 
     
     
         35 . The SMT system according to  claim 33 , wherein the display unit is further configured to display information associated with the unique identity of the at least one container in the SMT system. 
     
     
         36 . The SMT system according to  claim 33 , wherein the display unit is an electronic alphanumerical display that is configured to display information including at least one of
 alphanumeric information, or   an optically scannable code.   
     
     
         37 . The SMT system according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to transmit input data to the at least one container, wherein the display unit is configured to receive the input data and display information related to the input data.   
     
     
         38 . The SMT system according to  claim 37 , wherein the input data is associated with a certain changeover process, replenishment work or kitting work. 
     
     
         39 . The SMT system according to  claim 37 , wherein the input data includes information associated with an ongoing and/or an upcoming SMT job. 
     
     
         40 . The SMT system according to  claim 39 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit the input data upon request by an operator. 
     
     
         41 . The SMT system according to  claim 33 , wherein the container further includes an input device. 
     
     
         42 . The SMT system according to  claim 41 , wherein the input device is operably connected to the display unit so as to trigger a change of information displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         43 . The SMT system according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 a wireless communication network configured to send information between the SMT information database and at least one of
 the at least one container, or 
 the automatic SMD warehouse. 
   
     
     
         44 . The SMT system according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one container is a plurality of stackable containers. 
     
     
         45 . The SMT system according to  claim 44 , wherein each stackable container of the plurality of stackable containers comprises at least one orientation pin and at least one recess, and wherein the orientation pin of a first container of the plurality of stackable containers is configured to engage with the recess of a second container of the plurality of stackable containers when stacked. 
     
     
         46 . The SMT system according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one container includes an identity tag storing the unique identity of the at least one container in the SMT system. 
     
     
         47 . The SMT system according to  claim 46 , wherein the identity tag comprises a barcode or RFID tag. 
     
     
         48 . The SMT system according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one container includes a cover configured to at least partly enclose at least one compartment of the at least one container. 
     
     
         49 . The SMT system according to  claim 48 , wherein the cover is a removable lid for retaining the SMT-job related object in the at least one compartment.