System and method for dimensional rating using RFID technology

• US 8,159,330 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Braun, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUN, NAY L
• Application Number:
  US11/942,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.5, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/539.1, 340/539.12, 340/539.13, 340/539.21, 340/539.23, 340/524, 340/686.1, 702/128, 702/150, 702155-159, 705/335
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 15/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons characterised by the use of optical techniques G01B9/00, G01B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/02 for measuring length, width or thickness G01B7/004, G01B7/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08345 Pricing

Abstract

A device for determining the dimensions of a parcel includes a platform and two adjacent walls. Each of the platform and walls are provided with a respective antenna for transmitting and receiving RF energy. The parcel to be measured is placed on the platform and registered against the walls. A responding device, having RFID tags attached thereto, is placed on a corner of the parcel. Each of the antennae are energized, and response signals from the RFID tags are measured. Based on the response signals from the RFID tags, the dimensions of the parcel can be determined, and the parcel can be rated for delivery based on the determined dimensions.

Claims

1. A system for determining dimensions of a parcel comprising:

a positioning device for holding the parcel, the positioning device including a platform, a first side wall and a second side wall adjacent the first side wall, each of the platform, the first side wall and the second side wall including a respective antenna for transmitting and receiving RF signals;

a response device adapted to be placed on the parcel, the response device including a plurality of mounting tabs that extend from the response device, a first RFID tag being provided on a first mounting tab and being located such that it is a similar distance from the platform as the parcel extends, a second RFID tag being provided on a second mounting tab and being located such that it is a similar distance from the first side wall as the parcel extends, and a third RFID tag being provided on a third mounting tab and being located such that it is a similar distance from the second side wall as the parcel extends, wherein when the response device is placed on the parcel, the parcel does not obstruct a path between the first RFID tag and the platform, the second RFID tag and the first side wall, and the third RFID tag and the second side wall; and

a control device coupled to each antenna, the control device causing each of the antennas to transmit a respective RF signal, the respective RF signal causing at least one of the RFID tags to provide a response signal, the control unit determining the dimensions of the parcel based on the response signals returned from the RFID tags.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the response device is adapted to be placed on a corner of the parcel.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first RFID tag is located such that it is substantially parallel to the platform, the second RFID tag is located such that it is parallel to the first side wall, and the third RFID tag is located such that it is parallel to the second side wall.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device determines the dimensions of the parcel based on strength of the response signals returned from the RFID tags and a reference table that correlates strength of signal to a distance between an antenna and an RFID tag.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit causes each of the antennas to transmit a respective RF signal in succession.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit causes each of the antennas to transmit a respective RF signal simultaneously.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit causes each of the antennas to transmit a respective RF signal in increasing power levels until an RFID tag responds.

8. A method for determining dimensions of a parcel comprising:

placing the parcel in a positioning device having a platform, a first side wall and a second side wall adjacent the first side wall, each of the platform, the first side wall and the second side wall including a respective antenna for transmitting and receiving RF signals;

placing a response device on an outermost corner of the parcel, the response device including a plurality of mounting tabs that extend from the response device, a first RFID tag being provided on a first mounting tab and being located such that it is a similar distance from the platform as the parcel extends, a second RFID tag being provided on a second mounting tab and being located such that it is a similar distance from the first side wall as the parcel extends, and a third RFID tag being provided on a third mounting tab and being located such that it is a similar distance from the second side wall as the parcel extends, wherein when the response device is placed on the parcel, the parcel does not obstruct a path between the first RFID tag and the platform, the second RFID tag and the first side wall, and the third RFID tag and the second side wall;

energizing each of the respective antennas such that each antenna transmits a respective RF signal, each of the respective RF signal causing at least one of the first, second and third RFID tags to provide a response signal;

receiving the response signal from each of the first, second and third RFID tags, a strength of each response signal being based on a distance between a respective RFID tag and parallel antenna; and

determining the dimensions of the parcel based on the strength of each of the response signals received from the first, second and third RFID tags.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein energizing each of the respective antennas further comprises:

energizing each of the respective antennas in succession.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein energizing each of the respective antennas further comprises:

energizing each of the respective antennas simultaneously.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein energizing each of the respective antennas further comprises:

energizing each of the respective antennas in increasing power levels until an RFID tag responds.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

calculating a carrier fee for delivery of the parcel based at least in part on the dimensions of the parcel.