Integrated data collection and transmission system and method of tracking package data

• US 6,094,642 A
• Filed: 10/24/1997
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Hollahan, Terence, Stephenson, Winn, Bailey, Tracy, Mundie, David, Lindow, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US08/957,625
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/435, 235/449, 235/454, 235/462, 235/468, 235/472, 340/825.54, 705/28
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

An integrated data collection and transmission system and method for collecting and transmitting data related to package delivery. The system and method utilize various components that are commonly connected via one or both of an infrared communications link and a microradio link.

Claims

1. An integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking comprising:

a data collection terminal capable of collecting and storing package tracking data, the data collection terminal including one of an infrared communications port and a micro-radio;

at least one peripheral device, associated with the data collection terminal, the peripheral device including one of an infrared communications port and a micro-radio for receiving at least one communication from the data collection terminal and for performing a preselected operation related to package tracking based on the at least one received communication;

an intermediate data storage device, associated with the data collection terminal, the intermediate data storage device including one of an infrared communications port and a micro-radio for receiving the collected and stored package tracking data from the data collection terminal; and

a central data collection facility, capable of communicating with the intermediate data storage device, for receiving the collected and stored package tracking data from the intermediate data storage device and for maintaining an accessible package tracking database based on the collected and stored package tracking data.

2. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein communication between the data collection terminal and the at least one peripheral device occurs automatically.

3. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein communication between the data collection terminal and the at let one peripheral device is activated by a user of the data collection.

4. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one communication is a set of instructions.

5. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the one of the infrared communications port and micro-radio between two devices of the integrated data collection and transmission system when the two devices are within one of a predetermined operating distance and orientation.

6. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral device comprises a printer and wherein the preselected operation includes printing one of a label containing package tracking information and a receipt.

7. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral device comprises a data transfer device coupled to a customer PC and wherein the preselected operation comprises transmitting package tracking information from the customer PC to the data collection terminal via one of an infrared communications port and a micro-radio contained within the data transfer device.

8. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral device comprises a storage facility having controlled access and wherein the preselected operation includes providing access to the storage facility.

9. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral device comprises an admonishment device capable of advising a courier of the contents of a storage facility.

10. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral device comprises a keyless entry device and wherein the preselected operation comprises opening a door of one of a package delivery vehicle and a package sorting facility.

11. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the intermediate data storage device comprises a vehicle mounted data terminal for receiving the collected and stored package tracking data from the data collection terminal and for forwarding the data to the central data collection facility and for receiving dispatch information.

12. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the intermediate data storage device comprises a portable data terminal for receiving the collected and stored package tracking data from the data collection terminal and for forwarding the data to the central data collection facility and for receiving dispatch information.

13. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the data collection terminal includes a battery supply and a system to determine the relative power capacity of the battery power supply and stored information representative of the battery power supply and wherein the data reception device recharges the battery power supply in response to the stored information representative of the battery power supply when the data collection terminal is placed in the data reception device.

14. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the intermediate data storage device comprises a conveyor device coupled to a conveyor belt, the conveyor device receiving information from the data collection terminal and transmitting the information to the central data collection facility.

15. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the intermediate data storage device comprises an interface device that receives information from the data collection terminal and transmits the data to the central data collection facility via a telephone line.

16. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the intermediate data storage device comprises a data transceiver device capable of bidirectional data transfer between a plurality of data collection terminals and the central data collection facility.

17. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 16, wherein the data transceiver device includes a recharger for recharging a battery of the data collection terminal.

18. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 16, wherein a memory of the data collection device is emptied upon transfer by the data transceiver device.

19. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the intermediate data storage device comprises a data collection device that is body wearable.

20. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 19, wherein the data storage device comprises:

a microradio, for receiving information into the data storage device;

a power supply, for supplying power to the data storage device;

an intermediate range radio, for transferring information from the data storage device; and

a memory, for storing data in the data storage device.

21. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 19, wherein the data storage device transmits the collected and stored package tracking data to one of the central data collection facility and a second intermediate storage device.

22. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the data collection terminal is powered by a battery and includes a smart battery system capable of providing information about battery usage and power level to the informational display.

23. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 22, wherein the smart battery system shuts down the data collection terminal at a preselected power level.

24. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 22, wherein the smart battery system periodically determines the power consumed by the data collection terminal and controls at least one of the output or operation of the data collection terminal based on that determination.

25. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 24, wherein the smart battery system controls the manner in which the battery is recharged, based on the determination of power consumption.

26. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the data collection terminal further comprises:

an informational display, which displays information regarding data collection;

a central processing unit (CPU);

a memory, coupled to the CPU, for storing information relative to data collection;

means for inputting information relative to data collection to the data collection terminal; and

a power supply, coupled to the CPU, which supplies power to the data collection terminal.

27. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 26, wherein the means for inputting comprises a keyboard.

28. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 26, wherein the means for inputting information includes a bar code scanner.

29. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 26, wherein the means for inputting comprises a touch screen.

30. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 29, wherein the informational display is capable of receiving information from a stylus device.

31. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 26, wherein the data collection terminal contains stored data regarding package shipping and outputs the data to the touchscreen.

32. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 31, wherein the stored data comprises at least one of shipping costs, customer data, a common customer list, cash-only customers, international delivery information, dispatch information, courier input information, dangerous goods information, instructional information, performance feedback, news updates, a service reference guide, maps, zip code information, and address verification.

33. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral device comprises an admonishment device for advising a customer whether a package pickup has been made.

34. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 21, wherein the storage facility is a drop box with a lock that is opened and closed in response to a communication from the data collection terminal.

35. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 33, wherein the admonishment device is coupled to a storage facility and the at least one communication activates the admonishment device to advise the customer whether package pickup has been made.

36. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 35, wherein the admonishment device comprises a rotatable wheel and associated electronics.

37. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 35, wherein the storage facility is a drop box.

38. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 35, wherein the admonishment device comprises an informational display.

39. The integrated data collection and transmission system for package tracking as recited in claim 38, wherein the informational display comprises one of an LCD, a series of LEDs, and a vacuum florescent display.

40. A method of tracking package data using an integrated data collection and transmission system, the method comprising the steps of:

using a bar code scanner to collect and store package tracking data;

transmitting a communication to a peripheral device via one of an infrared communications and a micro-radio link, the peripheral device performing a preselected operation related to package tracking based on the command;

transmitting the collected and stored package tracking data to an intermediate data storage device via one of the infrared communications and micro-radio links;

transmitting the collected and stored package tracking data to a central data facility;

maintaining an accessible package tracking database based on the collected and stored package tracking data.

41. An integrated data collection and transmission system having one of a common infrared communications link and a microradio link between selected ones of its components comprising:

one or more bar code scanning devices, each having a memory, an informational display, a CPU, a keyboard for inputting information to the device, a power supply, and one of an infrared communications port and a microradio for communicating with selected other components of the system including other of the bar code scanners;

one or more intermediate data storage and processing devices provided with one of an infrared communications port and a microradio for receiving information from one of the one or more bar code scanning devices and for communicating with the selected other components of the system;

a printer with one of an infrared communications port and a microradio capable of receiving a print command from one of the one or more bar code scanning devices; and

a central computer with means for accepting, storing and transmitting data to and between the one or more intermediate data storage and processing devices.

42. The system according to claim 41, further comprising one or more central stations at sites for storage, sorting, loading and conveying articles in transit, said one or more control stations having one of an infrared communications port and a microradio for communicating with selected other components of the system.

43. The system according to claim 41, further comprising one or more storage facilities having controlled access activated by signals communicated via the one of the infrared communications link and microradio link.