Systems and methods for using radio frequency identification tags to communicating sorting information

• US 20060022824A1
• Filed: 08/02/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2004
• 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., Colglazier, Gerald R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,221,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 7/005 Computer assisted manual sorting, e.g. for mail

Abstract

The present invention provides novel systems and methods for identifying a location. Generally described radio frequency identification tags equipped with LED'"'"'s are used to provide a visual indication of a location.

Claims

1. A system for sorting an item comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags equipped with lights that illuminate in response to a communication;

a plurality of sorting locations, wherein each of said sorting locations is associated with one of said plurality of RFID tags;

a data capture device configured to capture sorting indicia from said item;

a sort assist tool that receives said sorting indicia from said data capture device and associates a sorting instruction; and

an interrogator that receives said sorting instruction and communicates with one of said plurality of RFID tags based at least in part on said sorting instruction such that said light on said one of said plurality of RFID tags illuminates.

2. The system for sorting an item in claim 1, wherein said RFID tags have unique identifiers and said sort instruction identifies an RFID unique identifier.

3. The system for sorting an item in claim 2, wherein said unique identifier includes the name of said associated sorting location.

4. The system for sorting an item in claim 1 further comprising a conveyor.

5. The system for sorting an item in claim 1, wherein said data capture device is a barcode scanner.

6. The system for sorting an item in claim 1, wherein said data capture device is a RFID reader.

7. The system for sorting an item in claim 1, wherein said data capture device is a CCD camera and associated recognition software.

8. The system for sorting an item in claim 1, wherein said light flashes when said reader communicates with said tag.

9. The system for sorting an item in claim 1, wherein said RFID tag is configured to allow adjustment of LED illumination duration.

10. The system for sorting an item in claim 1, wherein said item is a package.

11. The system for sorting an item of claim 10, wherein said sorting indicia includes a destination zip code.

12. The system for sorting an item in claim 10, wherein said sorting indicia includes a service level.

13. The system for sorting an item in claim 10, wherein said sort assist tool associates a sorting instruction to said package by querying a sort instruction database with said sorting indicia.

14. The system for sorting an item in claim 13, wherein said sorting instruction database includes a list of sorting locations and associated RFID identifiers indexed by shipping indicia.

26. The system for identifying the location of an item of claim 1, further comprising a signaling device that alerts said location tool that said item is located by a user.

15. A method for sorting a package comprising the steps of:

capturing shipping indicia from said package;

identifying a sorting location based at least in part on said captured indicia;

communicating with an RFID tag associated with said identified sort location; and

illuminating a light associated with said RFID tag in response to said communication.

16. The method for sorting a package of claim 15, wherein said step of identifying a sorting location includes identifying a unique RFID identifier associated with said sorting location.

17. The method for sorting a package of claim 15, wherein said step of identifying a sorting location includes the step of querying a sorting instruction database to obtain said sort location.

18. The method for sorting a package of claim 17, wherein said sorting instruction database is indexed according to said shipping indicia.

19. A system for sorting an item to one of a plurality of target locations, wherein an RFID tag equipped with a LED is associated with each of said plurality of target locations, said system comprising:

a data capture device that captures indicia from said item, said indicia identifying said one of a plurality of target locations associated with said item;

a sort assist tool that receives said indicia and identifies said RFID tag that is associated with said target location associated with said item; and

an interrogator that communicates with said RFID tag and turns on said LED.

20. The system for sorting an item of claim 19, wherein said indicia is a destination address and wherein further said sort assist tool queries a database with said destination address to identify said target location associated with said package.

21. The system for sorting an item of claim 19, wherein said indicia is a destination address and service level and wherein further said sort assist tool queries a database with said destination address and service level to identify said target location associated with said package.

22. The system for sorting an item of claim 19, wherein said target location is the next hub in a package delivery network as identified in a sort plan.

23. The system for sorting an item of claim 19, wherein each of said RFID tags has a unique identifier and said sort assist tool uses said indicia to query a database and retrieve the unique identifier for the RFID tag that is associated with the target location.

24. A system for identifying the location of an item comprising:

a plurality of storage locations associated with a plurality of RFID tags, wherein said tags are equipped with an LED;

a location tool configured to identify one of said plurality of storage locations for said item; and

an interrogator that receives the storage location identity and communicates with an RFID tag associated with said storage location and illuminates the associated tag'"'"'s LED.

25. The system for identifying the location of an item of claim 24, wherein said RFID tags have unique identifiers and said location tool identifies the storage location by the unique identifier of the RFID tag associated with the storage location.

27. A method for providing visual identification of a storage location for an item comprising the steps of:

associating a plurality of storage locations with RFID tags equipped with an LED the illuminates when the tag communicates;

identifying one of said plurality of storage locations that is associated with said item; and

communicating with an RFID tag associated with said identified storage location such that said LED illuminates.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said storage location are identified by an RFID unique identifier.