System and method for carrier identification in a pneumatic tube system

• US 9,221,626 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2014
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Translogic Corporation (Midea Group Co., Ltd)
• Original Assignee: Translogic Corporation (Midea Group Co., Ltd)
• Inventors: Hoganson, Kenneth Michael, Chany, Gregory Richard, Hinnen, Bennett Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMBESS, YOLANDA RENEE
• Application Number:
  US14/546,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20150274442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/046 RFID
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 51/42 according to indications on carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 51/44 without mechanical contact between carriers and controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/44 pneumatic only

Abstract

A system and method provides for the identification and monitoring of carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Each carrier which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon identification information for the carrier. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the chip. When a carrier is put in the system, a destination location can be associated with the particular carrier ID. This associated information is then employed to, among many things, monitor and confirm identity of the carrier as it moves to its destination.

Claims

1. A method for use in operating a pneumatic carrier system, the method comprising the steps of:

reading an identification information from an identification device attached to the pneumatic carrier, in conjunction with transporting the pneumatic carrier between user stations in a pneumatic carrier system, to determine a unique identifier of the pneumatic carrier;

accessing a transaction record for the pneumatic carrier based on the unique identifier of the pneumatic carrier, wherein the transaction record includes a service indicator for the pneumatic carrier; and

upon the service indicator exceeding a predetermined service threshold, generating a carrier maintenance output.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the service indicator is a total number of carrier transactions for the pneumatic carrier and said predetermined service threshold is a numerical threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a carrier transaction is added to said service indicator of said transaction record in conjunction accessing said transaction record.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the service indicator corresponds to a time in service since a previous carrier maintenance.

5. A method for use in operating a pneumatic carrier system comprising the steps of:

reading an identification information from an identification device attached to the pneumatic carrier, in conjunction with transporting the pneumatic carrier between user stations in a pneumatic carrier system, to determine a unique identifier of the pneumatic carrier;

adding a carrier transaction to a transaction record of a total number of carrier transactions for the pneumatic carrier, wherein the record is indexed to said unique identifier; and

upon the total number of carrier transactions exceeding a predetermined threshold, generating a carrier maintenance output.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein reading the identification device comprises reading a radio frequency identification device (RFID) or a bar code.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein generating the carrier maintenance output comprises generating a display on a user interface providing instructions for inspecting or servicing the pneumatic carrier.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein generating the carrier maintenance output comprises directing the pneumatic carrier to a maintenance location within the pneumatic carrier system.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising, upon the total number of carrier transactions exceeding the predetermined threshold, identifying a location of the pneumatic carrier and providing instructions to a user interface at the location of the pneumatic carrier.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising, receiving the identification information at a central controller and accessing a database including the transaction record.

11. A pneumatic carrier maintenance system for use in a pneumatic carrier system, comprising:

a plurality of user stations routable connected via pneumatic tubing;

a plurality of communication devices positioned at locations throughout the pneumatic carrier system configured to read information from identification devices associated with carriers that pass through the pneumatic carrier system;

at least one computerized controller in signal communication with the plurality of communication device wherein the computerized controller receives the information from the communication devices, wherein the controller is configured to;

access a transaction record for the pneumatic carrier based on a unique identifier of the pneumatic carrier contained in the information, wherein the transaction record includes a service indicator for the pneumatic carrier; and

upon the service indicator exceeding a service threshold, generate a carrier maintenance output.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the service indicator is a total number of carrier transactions.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the transaction record is stored in at least one database and the controller is further configured to:

add a carrier transaction to the total number of carriers transactions in conjunction with transporting the pneumatic carrier between user stations in a pneumatic carrier system.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the service indicator corresponds to a time in service.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the transaction record is stored in at least one database and the controller is further configured to:

access the service threshold, wherein the service threshold corresponds to the time in service; and

compare the service indicator to a temporal service threshold.