Method for object delivery

• US 20040133303A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: System Application Engineering Incorporated
• Original Assignee: System Application Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: Lepp, Jeffrey Christopher, Parks, James Michael, Sacks, Jerry Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 7,464,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

The invention is a method for objects delivery at a location comprising the steps of using a mobile computer having a bar code reader, a display, an audio output device, a tactile input device, text to speech software, a voice recognition software, delivery system software, and radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, wherein said mobile computer is adapted for communication between a delivery server system and a user and the delivery server system is adapted for communication between the mobile computer and at least one external computer system.

Claims

1. A method for delivery of at least one object to at least one destination location comprising:

a. using a mobile computer having a bar code reader, a display an audio output device, a tactile input device, text to speech software, a voice recognition software, delivery system software, and radio frequency identification (RFID) reader wherein said mobile computer is adapted for communication between a delivery server system and a user and the delivery server system is adapted for communication between the mobile computer and at least one external computer system;

b. entering a user code to log onto the mobile computer;

c. training the voice recognition software by the user;

d. providing instructions to the user from the delivery system software using the text to speech software to the audio output device and providing information from the delivery system software to the display;

e. transmitting a request from the mobile computer to the delivery server system to identify the objects on the load and each destination location per object on the load;

f. using the applications software to generate a summary of the number of destination locations and the number of objects to be delivered to each destination location and download other relevant information into the mobile computer;

g. using the applications software to generate a destination locations list;

h. transporting the object to a next destination location on the destination locations list;

i. advising the delivery system software as to the destination location using a method selected from the group;

i. using the audio input to speak characters that identify the destination location;

ii. scanning a barcode identifying the destination location; and

iii. reading an RFID data to identify the destination location;

j. using the text to speech software to indicate that the destination location is correct and that objects are to be delivered to the destination location;

k. using the text to speech software to indicate which objects and the quantity of the objects to be delivered at the destination location;

l. identifying the objects indicated for delivery by the user using a step from the group comprising;

i. using the audio input to speak characters that identify the object;

ii. scanning the barcode of the object; and

iii. reading the RFID data of the object;

m. repeating steps (k) through (l) until all objects for the destination location have been delivered; and

n. repeating steps (h) through (m) until all objects have been delivered to all destination locations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the results from the delivery server system to the at least one external computer system are transferred at the termination of all deliveries.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the results of the deliver server are transferred at the end of each delivery.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein after repeating steps (k) through (l) a receipt of all delivered objects is generated.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the object being delivered is refused and the user identifies the object by:

a. speaking the characters on the object into the audio input device;

b. scanning a barcode disposed on the object;

c. reading an RFID data disposed on the object; and

d. placing the object on the transport vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using the mobile computer to obtain status information for the user that is an indication of the user'"'"'s performances compared to the expected completion time for steps (b) through (r).

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step wherein if indicated quantity of the objects is less than the quantity of objects to be delivered, the user uses the voice recognition software to indicate a need to “

deliver short”

the indicated amount.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein answers to a series of safety questions are required from the user regarding a transport vehicle to move the objects which can be is selected from the group comprising:

a. are the brakes working?;

b. is the horn working?;

c. is the steering working?;

d. is there any damage to the transport vehicle?

e. is there any leak in the transport vehicle?;

f. are the tires inflated and undamaged?; and

g. combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the location can be a member of the group:

a warehouse, a terminal, a dock, a manufacturing site, a customer site or combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the customer site is a member of the group:

a customer warehouse, a customer store, a residence, a customer manufacturing site, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld computer indicates a specific zone where the object is located in the transport vehicle.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein if the user cannot identify an object on a transport vehicle, the user can request a list of objects which are to be delivered.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile computer displays the status of delivery on a real time basis.