Systems and methods for sorting in a package delivery system

• US 8,110,052 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• 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, Bradley, David, Jenkins, Rhesa
• Primary Examiner(s): KOCH, GEORGE R
• Application Number:
  US12/144,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20080264834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 156/64, 156/367, 156/368, 209/3.1, 209/3.2, 209/3.3, 700/225, 700/226, 700/227, 705/22, 705/28
• US Class Current: 156/64
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 7/005 Computer assisted manual sorting, e.g. for mail

Abstract

The present invention provides novel systems and methods for processing packages through a delivery network using a hub assist label. Generally described, the hub assist label includes indicia of a sequence of sorting locations that designates the flow of a package through a delivery network.

Claims

1. A method for sorting a package using a hub assist label wherein the package is to be delivered to a destination address, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a hub assist label associated with a package, said hub assist label having indicia comprising a sequential list of a plurality of sorting locations that the package will pass through before reaching a destination address;

capturing said indicia from said hub assist label;

projecting one of said sorting locations onto said package; and

sorting said package based at least in part on said one of said plurality of sorting locations.

2. The method of sorting of claim 1, wherein said step of capturing indicia is automatic and said package is diverted automatically based at least in part on said captured indicia.

3. The method of sorting of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying said sorting instructions on a monitor.

4. The method of sorting of claim 1, further comprising the step of synthesizing said one of said sorting locations to an audio signal and broadcasting said audio signal.

5. The method of sorting in claim 1, further comprising the step of illuminating a light associated with said one of said sorting locations.

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

capturing a destination address from a package;

determining a sequence of delivery network facilities that the package will pass through en route to the destination address;

generating a label having indicia comprising a list of the delivery network facilities according to said determined sequence;

capturing the indicia from the label;

providing a heads up display system and projecting, onto said package using said heads up display, a sorting location associated with one of said delivery network facilities; and

sorting the package based at least in part on the projected sorting location.