Methods and systems for automating inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area

• US 7,273,172 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai; Thien T.
• Application Number:
  US10/891,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20060011721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/375, 235/376, 235/384, 340/539.13, 340/994, 340/571, 340/988, 340/825.49, 340/572.1, 701/209, 701/70, 701/16, 705/1
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided to automate inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area by automatically detecting the arrival or departure of delivery vehicles, container devices and other such items. Detection of these items is facilitated by the use of automatic identification tags, and other such devices, that are physically associated with each such item. According to one aspect of the invention, the detection of inbound vehicles and related container devices triggers a series of automated communications that facilitate the dispatch of such items within the staging area. Additionally, when a delivery vehicle or container device departs, the system can be configured to check the tag or device associated with each such item so as to confirm that the correct container device(s) are associated with the correct outbound delivery vehicle. The system further provides a method of tracking inventories of such items in real time.

Claims

1. A system for automating inbound and outbound tractor/trailer exchange procedures at a staging area in which drivers drive tractors pulling detachable trailers in and out of said staging area, said system comprising:

an information management system for processing data associated with the operation of said staging area;

a driver'"'"'s terminal operable to convey information to the driver of a tractor-trailer while in a position to drive said tractor-trailer;

said driver'"'"'s terminal configured for sending a first signal to said information management system upon the crossing of an outer geofence, said first signal indicating that said tractor-trailer is inbound to said staging area and is within a first proximity to said staging area defined by said outer geofence;

pursuant to the receipt of said first signal, said information management system configured for creating a driver'"'"'s dispatch comprising instructions for instructing the driver where to position said trailer upon arrival at said staging area;

said driver'"'"'s terminal configured for sending a second signal to said information management system upon the crossing of an inner geofence, said second signal indicating that said inbound tractor-trailer is within a second proximity to said staging area defined by said inner geofence; and

pursuant to the receipt of said second signal, said information management system configured for sending said driver'"'"'s dispatch to said driver'"'"'s terminal so that said driver can proceed in accordance with said instructions upon arrival at said staging area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said driver'"'"'s terminal comprises a geofencing feature that uses satellite positioning system data for monitoring whether said driver'"'"'s terminal has entered a predetermined geographic zone defined by said outer geofence or said inner geofence.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises instructions for identifying a location within said staging area where said inbound trailer is to be separated from said tractor and left.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises an identifier for identifying an outbound trailer within said staging area that is to be transported to a next location by said tractor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises instructions for identifying a location within said staging area where said outbound trailer resides.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises instructions for identifying said next location to which said outbound trailer is to be transported.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sending of said first signal occurs via a cellular network and the sending of said second signal occurs via a wireless local area network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said driver'"'"'s terminal is a hand-held data processing and display device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said driver'"'"'s terminal is a hard-wired computer mounted in the cab of said tractor.

10. A method for automating inbound and outbound tractor/trailer exchange procedures at a staging area in which drivers, having driver'"'"'s terminals, drive tractors pulling detachable trailers in and out of said staging area, said method comprising:

establishing an outer geofence and an inner geofence around said staging area, said geofences readable by a driver'"'"'s terminal that is used by the driver of a tractor-trailer approaching said staging area;

upon the crossing of said outer geofence by said driver'"'"'s terminal, sending a first signal from said driver'"'"'s terminal to said staging area for indicating that said tractor-trailer is inbound to said staging area and is within a first proximity to said staging area defined by said outer geofence;

pursuant to the receipt of said first signal at said staging area, creating a driver'"'"'s dispatch comprising instructions for instructing the driver where to position said trailer upon arrival at said staging area;

upon the crossing of said inner geofence by said driver'"'"'s terminal, sending a second signal from said driver'"'"'s terminal to said staging area for indicating that said inbound tractor-trailer is within a second proximity to said staging area defined by said inner geofence; and

pursuant to the receipt of said second signal at said staging area, sending said driver'"'"'s dispatch to said driver'"'"'s terminal so that said driver can proceed in accordance with said instructions upon arrival at said staging area.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said driver'"'"'s terminal comprises a geofencing feature that uses satellite positioning system data for monitoring whether said driver'"'"'s terminal has entered a predetermined geographic zone defined by said outer geofence or said inner geofence.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises instructions for identifying a location within said staging area where said inbound trailer is to be separated from said tractor and left.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises an identifier for identifying an outbound trailer within said staging area that is to be transported to a next location by said tractor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises instructions for identifying a location within said staging area where said outbound trailer resides.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said driver'"'"'s dispatch comprises instructions for identifying said next location to which said outbound trailer is to be transported.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the sending of said first signal occurs via a cellular network and the sending of said second signal occurs via a wireless local area network.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said driver'"'"'s terminal is a hand-held data processing and display device.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said driver'"'"'s terminal is a hard-wired computer mounted in the cab of said tractor.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein said driver'"'"'s terminal is operable to convey information to the driver of said tractor while in a position to drive said tractor.