Method and system of sorting items for delivery to a recipient
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method sorting items for delivery, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of bins, each bin associated with a display, an input device, and a plurality of indicators, at least one of the plurality of bins comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is separated from the second portion by a partition;
displaying a sort criterion for the bin using the associated display;
indicating, using a first indicator associated with the bin, that the bin is active;
receiving items in the first portion of the bin;
receiving, from the associated input device, an indication that an item has been placed in the bin;
indicating, using a second indicator associated with the bin, that the bin contains a sufficient number of items for a shipping container;
providing an actuator for the bin, the actuator coupled to the partition and adapted, when actuated, to cause items in the first portion of the bin to transfer into the second portion of the bin by causing the partition to move from a closed position to an open position;
sensing actuation of the actuator;
indicating, using a third indicator associated with the bin, that the actuator has been actuated; and
transferring items to the second portion of the bin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and apparatus for sorting items for delivery. A smart case module includes a plurality of bins. Each bin includes a display for a sort criteria for the bin and a first indicator to indicate that the bin is active. The bin also includes an input device for an operator to use to indicate that an item has been placed in the bin. The bin further includes a second indicator to indicate that the bin contains a sufficient number of items for a shipping container.
9 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method sorting items for delivery, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of bins, each bin associated with a display, an input device, and a plurality of indicators, at least one of the plurality of bins comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is separated from the second portion by a partition; displaying a sort criterion for the bin using the associated display; indicating, using a first indicator associated with the bin, that the bin is active; receiving items in the first portion of the bin; receiving, from the associated input device, an indication that an item has been placed in the bin; indicating, using a second indicator associated with the bin, that the bin contains a sufficient number of items for a shipping container; providing an actuator for the bin, the actuator coupled to the partition and adapted, when actuated, to cause items in the first portion of the bin to transfer into the second portion of the bin by causing the partition to move from a closed position to an open position; sensing actuation of the actuator; indicating, using a third indicator associated with the bin, that the actuator has been actuated; and transferring items to the second portion of the bin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A sorting case, comprising:
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a plurality of bins, each bin associated with a display, an input device, and a plurality of indicators, wherein for at least one of the plurality of bins; the bin comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is separated from the second portion by a partition, wherein the bin is adapted to receive items in the first portion of the bin and transfer items from the first portion of the bin to the second portion of the bin; the associated display is adapted to display a sort criterion; a first associated indicator is adapted to indicate that the bin is active; the associated input device is adapted to provide an indication that an item has been placed in the bin; a second associated indicator is adapted to indicate that the bin contains a sufficient number of items for a shipping container; an actuator coupled to the partition is adapted, when actuated, to cause items in the first portion of the bin to transfer into the second portion of the bin by causing the partition to move from a closed position to an open position; a sensor is adapted to sense actuation of the actuator; and a third associated indicator is adapted to indicate that the actuator has been actuated. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A system for sorting items for delivery, the system comprising:
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a plurality of sorting cases, each sorting case comprising a plurality of bins, each bin associated with a display, an input device, and a plurality of indicators; wherein at least one of the plurality of bins comprises; a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is separated from the second portion by a partition; an actuator coupled to the partition and adapted, when actuated, to cause items in the first portion of the bin to transfer into the second portion of the bin by causing the partition to move from a closed position to an open position; and a sensor adapted to sense actuation of the actuator; wherein the bin is adapted to; receive items in the first portion of the bin; and transfer items from the first portion of the bin to the second portion of the bin; and a system controller adapted to; display a sort criterion for a bin on the display associated with the bin; indicate, using a first indicator associated with the bin, that the bin is active; receive, from the input device associated with the bin, an indication that an item has been placed in the bin; indicate using a second indicator associated with the bin that the bin contains a sufficient number of items for a shipping container; receive, from the sensor, an indication that the actuator has been actuated; and indicate, using a third indicator associated with the bin, that the actuator has been actuated. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification