System for controlling delivery and return of printed matter
First Claim
1. A method of distributing printed matter between a source location and a plurality of geographically separate target locations, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing at each of the target locations a location transmitter capable of emitting a unique identifying code;
b) packing at the source location individual orders of the printed matter for the target locations into respective containers and providing each of the containers with a container transmitter capable of generating a unique identifying code;
c) loading the packed containers for a plurality of the target locations onto a truck;
d) recording in a respective portable device on each truck the codes of the container transmitters loaded into the truck as well as the respective target locations;
e) continuously electronically determining the position of the truck and guiding the loaded truck along a route past the respective plurality of target locations in accordance with the electronically determined truck position;
f) when the truck reaches each target location reading the respective target-location transmitter and generating an acoustic or optical output indicating which of the containers is to be unloaded thereat; and
g) at each target location unloading any container whose code is associated with the respective target location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Printed matter is distributed between a source location and a plurality of geographically separate target locations by providing at each of the target locations a location transmitter capable of emitting a unique identifying code and packing at the source location individual orders of the printed matter for the target locations into respective containers and providing each of the containers with a container transmitter capable of generating a unique identifying code. The packed containers for a plurality of the target locations are loaded onto a truck and the codes of the containers being loaded are recorded in a respective portable device on each truck along with the respective target locations. The device continuously electronically determines the position of the truck and guides the loaded truck along a route past the respective plurality of target locations in accordance with the electronically determined truck position, typically by providing optical or audible instructions for the driver. When the truck reaches each target location the respective target-location transmitter is read and an acoustic or optical output is generated by the device indicating which of the containers is to be unloaded thereat. Then at each target location any container whose code is associated with the respective target location is unloaded.
66 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of distributing printed matter between a source location and a plurality of geographically separate target locations, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing at each of the target locations a location transmitter capable of emitting a unique identifying code; b) packing at the source location individual orders of the printed matter for the target locations into respective containers and providing each of the containers with a container transmitter capable of generating a unique identifying code; c) loading the packed containers for a plurality of the target locations onto a truck; d) recording in a respective portable device on each truck the codes of the container transmitters loaded into the truck as well as the respective target locations; e) continuously electronically determining the position of the truck and guiding the loaded truck along a route past the respective plurality of target locations in accordance with the electronically determined truck position; f) when the truck reaches each target location reading the respective target-location transmitter and generating an acoustic or optical output indicating which of the containers is to be unloaded thereat; and g) at each target location unloading any container whose code is associated with the respective target location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for distributing printed matter between a source location and a plurality of geographically separate target locations, the system comprising:
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a location transmitter capable of emitting a unique identifying code at each of the target locations; respective containers each adapted to hold a respective individual order of the printed matter for a respective one of the target locations; a container transmitter on each container capable of generating a unique identifying code; a truck adapted to travel along a respective route past a respective plurality of the target locations and adapted to hold a plurality of the order-holding containers for the respective target locations; a respective portable device on each truck in which is recorded the codes of the container transmitters loaded into the truck as well as the respective target locations; means for continuously electronically determining the position of the truck and guiding the loaded truck along a route past the respective plurality of target locations in accordance with the electronically determined truck position; means in the device for, when the truck reaches each target location, reading the respective target-location transmitter and generating an acoustic or optical output indicating which of the containers is to be unloaded thereat. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification