Methods and systems for automating inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area

• US 20060011721A1
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Olsen, John A. III, Bradley, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,273,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Methods and systems disclosed herein are used to automate inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area by automatically detecting the arrival or departure of delivery vehicles, container devices and other such items. Detection of these items is facilitated by the use of automatic identification tags, and other such devices, that are physically associated with each such item. According to one aspect of the invention, the detection of inbound vehicles and related container devices triggers a series of automated communications that facilitate the dispatch of such items within the staging area. Additionally, when a delivery vehicle or container device departs, the system can be configured to check the tag or device associated with each such item so as to confirm that the correct container device(s) are associated with the correct outbound delivery vehicle. The system further provides a method of tracking inventories of such items in real time.

Claims

1. A system for automating procedures related to delivery vehicles at a staging area, said system comprising:

a reader system configured to;

capture a first identifier associated with a powered unit; and

capture a second identifier associated with a container device, wherein said container device is being transported under the control of said powered unit; and

an information management system configured to;

receive said first and said second identifiers from said reader system; and

query a database using at least one of said identifiers to obtain data related to said powered unit and said container device.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first identifier is stored on a first radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said powered unit, said second identifier is stored on a second radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said container device, and said reader system comprises an RFID interrogator that is configured to automatically read said first and said second RFID tags during a time when said powered unit and said container device are brought within range of said interrogator.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first identifier is a first MAC address stored on a first wireless device that is physically associated with said powered unit, said second identifier is a second MAC address stored on a second wireless device that is physically associated with said container device, and said reader system comprises one or more access points configured to read said first and said second MAC addresses during a time when said powered unit and said container device are brought within range of said one or more access points.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first identifier is stored on a first Bluetooth-enabled wireless device that is physically associated with said powered unit, said second identifier is stored on a second Bluetooth-enabled wireless device that is physically associated with said container device, and said reader system is configured to automatically read said first and said second identifiers from said first and second Bluetooth-enabled devices during a time when said powered unit and said container device are brought within range of said reader system.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capturing of said first and second identifiers is done during the time said powered unit and said container device are inbound to said staging area.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said data comprises information for identifying a location within said staging area where said inbound container device is to be separated from said powered unit and left.

7. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said data comprises an identifier for identifying an outbound container device within said staging area, wherein said outbound container device is to be transported to a next location by said inbound powered unit.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said data further comprises destination information for identifying said next location.

9. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said data further comprises container device location data for identifying where said outbound container device is positioned within said staging area.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said information management system is further configured to:

wirelessly transmit said data to a computer device used by a driver of said powered unit while in a position to drive said powered unit, said computer device being operable to receive said data and convey it to said driver.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said computer device comprises a geo-fencing feature that uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to monitor whether said computer device has entered a predetermined geographic zone defined by a geofence associated with said staging area.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said geofence is positioned outside the peripheral area of said staging area, and wherein an occurrence of said computer device entering said zone triggers a wireless communication from said computer device to said information management system, said communication comprising information indicating to said information management system that said powered unit is within a certain distance of said staging area.

13. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said computer device is a hand-held data processing and display device.

14. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said powered unit and said container device are outbound from said staging area.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said data comprises information indicating whether said powered unit and said container device form a powered unit-container device pairing that is authorized to leave said staging area.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the information management system is further configured to:

generate an alert in response to said data indicating that said powered unit and said container device do not form a powered unit-container device pairing which is authorized to leave said staging area.

17. A method of automating container device exchange procedures at a staging area, said method comprising the steps of:

capturing a first identifier associated with a powered unit;

capturing a second identifier associated with a container device, wherein said container device is being transported under the control of said powered unit; and

querying a database using said first and said second identifiers to obtain data related to said powered unit and said container device.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first identifier is stored on a first radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said powered unit, said second identifier is stored on a second radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said container device, and said capturing steps comprise driving said powered unit and said container device along a path such that said first and second RFID tags are brought within range of a reader system having an RFID interrogator that is configured to automatically read said first and said second RFID tags.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first identifier is a first MAC address stored on a first wireless device that is physically associated with said powered unit, said second identifier is a second MAC address stored on a second device that is physically associated with said container device, and said capturing steps comprise driving said powered unit and said container device within range of one or more access points configured to read said first and said second MAC addresses.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first identifier is stored on a first Bluetooth-enabled wireless device that is physically associated with said powered unit, said second identifier is stored on a second Bluetooth-enabled wireless device that is physically associated with said container device, and said reader system is configured to automatically read said first and said second identifiers from said first and second Bluetooth-enabled devices during a time when said powered unit and said container device are brought within range of said reader system.

21. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said capturing steps are done during the time said powered unit and said container device are inbound to said staging area.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said data comprises information for identifying a location within said staging area where said inbound container device is to be separated from said powered unit and left.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said data comprises an identifier for identifying an outbound container device within said staging area, wherein said outbound container device is to be transported to a next location by said inbound powered unit.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said data further comprises destination information for identifying said next location.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said data further comprises location data for identifying where said outbound container device is positioned within said staging area.

26. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of:

wirelessly transmitting said data to a computer device used by a driver of said powered unit while in a position to drive said powered unit, said computer device being operable to receive said data and convey it to the driver.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said computer device is a hand-held data processing and display device.

28. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said computer device is a hard-wired computer mounted in the cab of said powered unit.

29. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said computer device comprises a geo-fencing feature that uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to monitor whether said computer device has entered a predetermined geographic zone defined by a geofence associated with said staging area.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein said geofence is positioned outside the peripheral area of said staging area, and wherein an occurrence of said computer device entering said zone triggers a wireless communication from said computer device to said information management system, said communication comprising information indicating to said information management system that said powered unit is within a certain distance of said staging area.

31. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said powered unit and said container device are outbound from said staging area.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31, wherein said data comprises information indicating whether said powered unit and said container device form a powered unit-container device pairing that is authorized to leave said staging area.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, further comprising the step of:

generating an alert in response to said data indicating that said powered unit and said container device do not form a powered unit-container device pairing that is authorized to leave said staging area.

34. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

capturing a third identifier associated with a next container device, wherein said next container device is also being transported under the control of said powered unit; and

querying a database using said first and third identifiers to obtain data related to said powered unit and said next container device.

35. A method of automating inbound and outbound powered unit/container device exchange procedures at a staging area having at least one wireless access point, in which drivers, having driver'"'"'s terminals, drive powered units pulling detachable container devices in and out of said staging area, said container devices having at least one wirelessly operated device for identifying said container device, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing an outer geofence and an inner geofence, said geofences readable by a driver'"'"'s terminal;

upon the crossing of said outer geofence by said driver'"'"'s terminal, sending a first signal from said driver'"'"'s terminal to said staging area wireless access point;

pursuant to the reciept of said first signal, creating a driver'"'"'s dispatch including instructions for the driver upon arrival at said staging area;

upon the crossing of said inner geofence by said driver'"'"'s terminal, sending a second signal from said driver'"'"'s terminal to said staging area wireless access point, said second signal comprising a first MAC address identifying said driver'"'"'s terminal and a second MAC address identifying said wireless device associated with said container device; and

pursuant to the reciept of said second signal, sending said driver'"'"'s dispatch to said driver'"'"'s terminal.

36. A method of automating inbound and outbound procedures for delivery vehicles at a staging area, the method comprising:

capturing a first identifier stored on a first identification device that is physically associated with a powered unit, the powered unit being inbound to said staging area;

capturing a second identifier stored on a second identification device that is physically associated with an inbound container device, the inbound container device being pulled by said powered unit;

sending the first and second identifiers to an information management system;

sending first location data from the information management system to a computer device located within said powered unit, said first location data identifying a drop-off location within said staging area at which said inbound container device is to be separated from said powered unit and left;

sending second location data from the information management system to said computer device, said second location data identifying a pickup location within said staging area from which an outbound container device can be retrieved and connected to said powered unit;

capturing the first identifier stored on the first identification device that is physically associated with the powered unit, the powered unit now being outbound from said staging area;

capturing a third identifier stored on a third identification device that is physically associated with the outbound container device, the outbound container device being pulled by said powered unit;

sending the first and third identifiers to the information management system; and

generating an alert if it is determined that the powered unit and the outbound container device form an incorrect match.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein each of said identification devices is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein each of said identification devices is a Bluetooth-enabled wireless device.

39. A system for determining whether a vehicle is authorized to leave a location, said system comprising:

a reader system configured to capture an identifier physically associated with said vehicle; and

an information management system configured to;

receive said identifier from said reader system; and

query a database using said identifier to determine if said vehicle is authorized to leave said location.

40. A system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said information management system is further configured to:

generate an alert if said vehicle is not authorized to leave said location.

41. A system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said identifier is programmed onto a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said vehicle.

42. A system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said reader system comprises an RFID interrogator configured to automatically read said RFID tag whenever said vehicle is driven along a path that brings said RFID tag within range of said interrogator.

43. A method of determining whether a vehicle is authorized to leave a location, comprising:

capturing an identifier physically associated with said vehicle; and

querying a database using said identifier to determine if said vehicle is authorized to leave said location.

44. A method as claimed in claim 43, further comprising the step of:

generating an alert if said vehicle is not authorized to leave said location.

45. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein said identifier is programmed onto a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said vehicle.

46. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said capturing step comprises driving said vehicle along a path such that said RFID tag is brought within range of a reader system having an RFID interrogator that is configured to automatically read said RFID tag.

47. A method of determining whether a vehicle is authorized to leave a location, comprising:

capturing an identifier that is programmed onto a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said vehicle, wherein said capturing comprises driving said vehicle along a path such that said RFID tag is brought within range of a reader system having an RFID interrogator that is configured to automatically read said RFID tag;

querying a database using said identifier to determine if said vehicle is authorized to leave said location; and

generating an alert if said vehicle is not authorized to leave said location.

48. A system for maintaining an inventory of vehicles and container devices at a shipping location, said system comprising:

a reader system configured to;

capture a unique identifier physically associated with each vehicle or container device, of a type to be maintained in said inventory, that enters said location; and

capture a unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that exits said location; and

an information management system configured to;

record in an inventory database the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that enters said location; and

delete from said inventory database the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that exits said location.

49. The system as claimed in claim 48, wherein said information management system is further configured to transmit inventory data via a network to a central computer system, said central computer system comprising inventory data for a plurality of locations.

50. A system as claimed in claim 48, wherein each of said identifiers is programmed onto a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with each such vehicle or container device.

51. A system as claimed in claim 50, wherein said reader system comprises at least one RFID interrogator configured to automatically read each said RFID tag whenever said vehicles or said container devices are driven along a path such that said RFID tags are brought within range of said at least one interrogator.

52. A method of maintaining an inventory of vehicles and container devices at a shipping location, said method comprising:

physically associating a unique identifier with each vehicle or container device of a type to be included in said inventory;

capturing the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that enters said location;

recording the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that enters said location in an inventory database;

capturing the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that exits said location; and

deleting the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that exits said location from said inventory database.

53. A method as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said identifiers is programmed onto a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with each such vehicle or container device.

54. A method as claimed in claim 53, wherein said capturing steps comprise driving each said vehicles or container devices along a path such that said RFID tags are brought within range of a reader system having an RFID interrogator that is configured to automatically read said RFID tags.

55. A method of maintaining an inventory of vehicles and container devices at a location, said method comprising:

associating a unique identifier with each vehicle or container device of a type to be included in said inventory, wherein each said identifier is programmed onto a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with each such vehicle or container device;

capturing the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that enters said location by driving each said vehicle or container device along a path such that said RFID tags are brought within range of a reader system having an RFID interrogator that is configured to automatically read said RFID tags;

recording the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that enters said location in an inventory database;

capturing the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that exits said location; and

deleting the unique identifier associated with each such vehicle or container device that exits said location from said inventory database.

56. A method of automating inbound and outbound procedures for delivery vehicles at a staging area, the method comprising:

capturing a first identifier stored on a first radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with a powered unit, said powered unit being inbound to said staging area;

capturing a second identifier stored on a second radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with a first container device, said first container device being pulled by said powered unit;

sending said first and second identifiers to an information management system;

notifying a driver of the powered unit where to drop off said first container device, via a device used by said driver;

notifying said driver where to pick up a second, outbound container device, via said device;

capturing said first identifier stored on said first radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said powered unit, said powered unit now being outbound from said staging area;

capturing a third identifier stored on a third radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that is physically associated with said second, outbound container device, said second container device being pulled by said powered unit;

sending said first and third identifiers to said information management system; and

sending an alert to said driver if it is determined that said powered unit and said second, outbound container device form an incorrect match.

57. A method as claimed in claim 56, wherein each of said sending steps is performed via a wireless communications link.

58. A method as claimed in claim 56, further comprising:

upon locating said second, outbound container device, having said driver perform a visual check to further ensure that said located container device is in fact the container device identified in said received notification.