Systems and methods for wireless collection and transmission of measurements

• US 20070283590A1
• Filed: 06/13/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: White, Stewart B., Lindow, Bruce G., Naugle, Chris
• Application Number:
  US11/451,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20070283590A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/763
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/58 Wireless transmission of information between a sensor or probe and a control or evaluation unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1084 Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1094 for recording information or for performing calculations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Disclosed methods and systems feature a portable device for wirelessly receiving a measurement of an object and transmitting the measurement and an object identifier. The device includes two communication modules and a memory. The first communication module receives a first wireless signal that corresponds to the measurement of the object. The memory stores the measurement derived from the first wireless signal in association with the object identifier. The second communication module transmits a second wireless signal that corresponds to the measurement and the objection identifier.

Claims

1. A portable device for collecting a measurement of an object and transmitting the measurement and other information related to the object comprising:

a first communication module for receiving a first wireless signal that corresponds to a measurement of a dimension of the object;

a memory for storing the measurement derived from the first wireless signal in association with an object identifier; and

a second communication module for transmitting a second wireless signal that corresponds to the measurement of the object and the objection identifier.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first communication module enables wireless communication with a short-range wireless transmission protocol.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the second communication module enables wireless communication with a long-range wireless transmission protocol.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first wireless signal corresponds to a plurality of measurements of dimensions of the object and wherein the memory stores the plurality of measurements derived from the first wireless signal in association with the object identifier.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first communication module receives a plurality of first wireless signals, each corresponding to a measurement of a different dimension of the object, and wherein the memory stores a plurality of measurements, each derived from one of the plurality of first wireless signals, in association with the object identifier.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the memory further stores a destination for the object in association with the object identifier.

7. A system for measuring a dimension of an object comprising:

a tape measure comprising a communication module for transmitting a wireless signal that corresponds to a measurement of a dimension of the object; and

a portable data collection device comprising a communication module for receiving the wireless signal and a memory for storing the measurement derived from the wireless signal.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the communication module of the portable data collection device is configured to receive wireless communication with a short-range wireless transmission protocol.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the memory associates the measurement with other information about the object.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the portable data collection device further comprises a second communication module, which enables transmission of the measurement and other information about the object to a central processor with a long-range transmission protocol.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the measurement and other information about the object includes a measurement of length, a measurement of width, and a measurement of height of the object.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the other information about the object includes a destination.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a central processor comprising:

a communication module, which enables receipt of the measurement and other information about the object with a long-range transmission protocol; and

a memory comprising an outbound load-planning module;

wherein the central processor generates an outbound loading plan for one or more transport vehicles using the measurement and the outbound load-planning module.

14. A method for collecting a dimension of an object comprising:

extending a tape along a first side of a first object;

generating a first variable, corresponding to a first measurement of the first side of the first object, with a sensor while the tape is extended along the first side of the first object;

transmitting a first wireless signal, which corresponds to the first variable, using a short-range wireless transmission protocol;

associating the first measurement, derived from the first wireless signal, with an object identifier and a destination for the first object; and

transmitting a second wireless signal, which corresponds to the associated first measurement, identifier, and destination of the first object, using a long-range transmission protocol.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising

extending the tape along a second side of the first object;

generating a second variable, corresponding to a second measurement of the second side of the first object, with the sensor while the tape is extended along the second side of the first object; and

associating the second measurement with the object identifier and the destination of the first object.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising

extending the tape along a first side of a second object;

generating a second variable, corresponding to a second measurement of the first side of the second object, with the sensor while the tape is extended along the first side of the second object;

transmitting a third wireless signal, which corresponds to the second variable, using the short-range wireless transmission protocol; and

associating the second measurement, derived from the third wireless signal, with an object identifier and a destination of the second object.

17. A method for planning a loading arrangement based on measurements and destinations of a plurality of objects:

extending a tape along a first side of a first object;

generating a first variable, corresponding to a first measurement of the first side of the first object, with a sensor while the tape is extended along the first side of the first object;

transmitting a first wireless signal, which corresponds to the first variable, using a wireless transmission protocol;

associating the first measurement, derived from the first wireless signal, with an object identifier and a destination of the first object;

transmitting a second wireless signal, which corresponds to the associated first measurement, identifier, and destination of the first object, using a long-range transmission protocol;

repeating the foregoing for a second object; and

using a load-planning algorithm and the associated first measurement, identifier, and destination of each of the plurality of objects to generate an outbound loading plan for an outbound vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising, after transmitting the second wireless signal, bringing the first object to a shipping hub.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising, after using the load-planning algorithm and the associated first measurement, identifier, and destination for the plurality of objects to generate the outbound loading plan for the outbound vehicle, bringing the first object to a shipping hub.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising using the outbound loading plan to determine a number of outbound vehicles required for a destination.

21. A method for collecting a dimension of an object comprising:

rolling a wheel along a first side of a first object;

generating a first variable, corresponding to a first measurement of the first side of the first object, with a sensor based on the revolutions of the wheel;

transmitting a first wireless signal, which corresponds to the first variable, using a short-range wireless transmission protocol;

associating the first measurement, derived from the first wireless signal, with an object identifier and a destination of the first object; and

transmitting a second wireless signal, which corresponds to the associated first measurement, identifier, and destination of the first object, using a long-range transmission protocol.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising

rolling a wheel along a second side of the first object;

generating a second variable, corresponding to a second measurement of the second side of the first object, with the sensor based on the revolutions of the wheel; and

associating the second measurement with the first measurement, the object identifier, and the destination of the first object.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising

rolling a wheel along a first side of a second object;

generating a second variable, corresponding to a second measurement of the first side of the second object, with the sensor based on the revolutions of the wheel;

transmitting a third wireless signal, which corresponds to the second measurement, using the short-range wireless transmission protocol; and

associating the second measurement, derived from the third wireless signal, with an object identifier and a destination of the second object.