Methods and systems for automating inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A system for automating procedures related to delivery vehicles at a staging area, said system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of automating container device exchange procedures at a staging area, said method comprising the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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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:
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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.
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36. A method of automating inbound and outbound procedures for delivery vehicles at a staging area, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. A system for determining whether a vehicle is authorized to leave a location, said system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of determining whether a vehicle is authorized to leave a location, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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47. A method of determining whether a vehicle is authorized to leave a location, comprising:
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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.
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48. A system for maintaining an inventory of vehicles and container devices at a shipping location, said system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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52. A method of maintaining an inventory of vehicles and container devices at a shipping location, said method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54)
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55. A method of maintaining an inventory of vehicles and container devices at a location, said method comprising:
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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.
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56. A method of automating inbound and outbound procedures for delivery vehicles at a staging area, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58)
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Specification