SORT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20130144429A1
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2011
• 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: RAGUSA, LOUIS, COSSEY, JAMES
• Granted Patent: US 8,843,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/224
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/00 Sorting according to destination collating the pages of a book B42C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 7/005 Computer assisted manual sorting, e.g. for mail
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/50 according to destination signals stored in separate systems

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting sort operators in identifying the appropriate location to sort an item. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package is provided. The system includes a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages; an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package; a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia; identify a particular bin within the plurality of bins associated with the received data; and trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package, comprising:

a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages;

an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package;

a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and

a control system configured to;

receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia;

identify, based at least in part on the received data, a particular bin within the plurality of bins to which the package is to be sorted; and

trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad associated with the particular bin.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

selectively activated visual indicators disposed proximate the plurality of bins,

wherein the control system is further configured to trigger the visual indicators proximate the particular bin.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system triggers the illumination of a light on the keypad associated with a key associated with the particular bin.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system triggers the illumination of a plurality of lights on the keypad.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of lights forms a predetermined pattern.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the data received from the optical reader is incomplete or corrupted, and the control system triggers the illumination of a plurality of lights on the keypad to form a predetermined pattern.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bins include a first end for receiving packages and a second end for retrieving packages and the keypad is disposed proximate the first end and the system further comprises a second keypad proximate the second end where in at least some of the keys on the second keypad are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the control system is further configured to:

determine whether packages are present in at least one bin,

illuminate a light on a key corresponding to the at least one bin to signal a user to retrieve a package from the at least one bin.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the control system tracks the number of packages placed into a particular bin and compares this number to a threshold.

10. A method for identifying a particular bin within a plurality of bins for sorting a package, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages;

providing a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights;

capturing destination indicia from the package;

determining a particular bin within the plurality of bins to which the package should be sorted based at least in part on the captured destination indicia; and

triggering illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of illuminating visual indicators proximate the particular bin.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein a plurality of lights are illuminated on the keypad.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of lights form a predetermined pattern.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the captured data is incomplete or corrupted, and in response to the incomplete or corrupted data, triggering the illumination of a plurality of lights on the keypad to form a predetermined pattern.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of bins include a first end for receiving packages and a second end for removing packages and the keypad is disposed proximate the first end, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

providing a second keypad proximate the second end where in at least some of the keys on the second keypad are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether packages are present in at least one bin,

illuminating a light on a key corresponding to the at least one bin to signal a user to retrieve a package from the at least one bin.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of tracking the number of packages placed into a particular bin and comparing this number to a threshold.