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

• US 7,221,276 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US10/910,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.5, 340/572.1, 340/572.2, 340/815.45, 700223-226
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• 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 RFLD 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 determines a sorting instruction identifying a specific sorting location chosen from said plurality of sorting locations;

an interrogator that receives said sorting instruction and communicates with an RFID tag associated with said specific sorting location such that said light on said RFID tag associated with said specific sorting location illuminates; and

an item detection device that senses when said item passes the threshold of said specific sorting location and signals said interrogator to stop communicating with said RFID tag associated with said specific sorting location.

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 associated with said RFID tag associated with said specific sorting location.

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

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

providing a plurality of RFID tags having associated lights;

associating each of said plurality of RFID tags with one of a plurality of sorting locations;

capturing shipping indicia from said package;

identifying a sorting location from said plurality of sorting locations based at least in part on said captured indicia;

communicating with an RFID tag associated with said sorting location such that a light associated with said RFID tag is illuminated; and

sensing when said package crosses the threshold of said identified sorting location and extinguishing said light.

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 sorting location.

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