Method for object loading and object delivery using an object location identification trigger

• US 7,991,655 B1
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: System Application Engineering Incorporated
• Original Assignee: System Application Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: Parks, James Michael, Parr, Christopher Burks, Sacks, Jerry Dennis, Braun, Gregory Parker
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; John W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flynn; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/772,517
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 705/28, 235/462.45, 235/462.48, 235/472.01, 345/172
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• 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

A method for loading and delivering objects using at least one mobile processor in communication with a mobile data storage to provide at least one command to an operator is provided herein. The mobile processor can be in further communication with at least one input device. A host processor can provide the libraries and a list of objects to be loaded and delivered to the mobile processor. The host processor can be in communication with a host data storage that comprises computer instructions. An output device and an OLI trigger can also be used in conjunction with the mobile processor.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for loading objects onto at least one transport vehicle, wherein the method comprises:

a. using at least one mobile processor for use by an operator in communication with a host server, an input device, and two output devices to receive commands and provide responses;

b. using computer instructions in the mobile data storage to;

(i) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof on at least one object;

(ii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a first location proximate to the at least one object;

(iii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a second location proximate to the first location;

(iv) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport device;

(v) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport vehicle;

(vi) scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport vehicle

(vii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof on at least one transport device using the input device to verify the transport device as a transport device that should or should not be loaded on one of the transport vehicles;

(viii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof using the input device to verify that the transport vehicle is a correct transport vehicle for the objects to be loaded;

(ix) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof to identify a location where the objects or the transport device should be loaded on the transport vehicle;

(x) provide a command to an operator identifying the at least one object, the first location of the at least one object, the second location relative to the first location, the transport device, the transport vehicle, or combinations thereof;

(xi) provide a command to the operator to move to the at least one object, the first location, the second location, the transport device, the transport vehicle, or combinations thereof;

(xii) enable the mobile processor to translate a text command to an audio command for the operator;

(xiii) receive a query from the operator;

(xiv) provide a result to the two output devices;

(xv) request a host processor in communication with the mobile processor through a network to verify that the mobile data storage has a current version of at least one library selected from the group of libraries comprising;

1. a library of objects to be loaded, wherein the library of objects comprises a location for each object;

2. a library of transport devices associated with each object to be loaded, wherein the library of transport devices comprises a location for each transport device;

3. a library of transport vehicles, wherein the library of transport vehicles comprises a location for each transport vehicle;

4. a library of operator information;

or

5. combinations thereof; and

(xvi) receive updated versions of the libraries from the host data storage;

c. using computer instructions to instruct the host processor to provide the mobile processor with the at least one library and a list of objects to be loaded, a list of transport devices to be loaded, and a list of transport vehicles to be loaded prior to issuing the commands, wherein the host processor is in communication with a host data storage, and wherein the host data storage comprises;

(i) the library of objects to be loaded;

(ii) the library of transport devices associated with each object to be loaded;

(iii) the library of transport vehicles;

(iv) the library of operator information;

(v) computer instructions to receive a request from the mobile processor to obtain the list of objects to be loaded;

(vi) computer instructions to compile the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles based on the request using the libraries in the host data storage; and

(vii) computer instructions to transmit the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles from the host data storage to the mobile data storage;

d. using the two output devices in communication with the mobile processor to;

(i) provide at least one of the commands through an audio output device for the operator to hear; and

(ii) provide a visual display presenting the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles to the operator, or presenting at least one of the commands to the operator visually, or combinations thereof; and

e. using an object location identification trigger in communication with the mobile processor by;

(i) pressing at least a portion of the object location identification trigger and holding in a pressed state to provide a “

hold”

signal to the mobile processor as a response to respond to at least one of the commands that informs the mobile processor that the operator will perform at least one of the following;

1. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof on at least one object, and then loading the object;

2. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a first location proximate to the at least one object prior to loading the object;

3. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a second location proximate to the first location prior to loading the object;

4. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport device onto which the object is to be loaded;

5. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport vehicle onto which the transport device is to be loaded;

or

6. combinations thereof;

(ii) pressing at least the portion of the object location identification trigger twice to provide a double-click signal to the mobile processor as a response to at least one of the commands that informs the mobile processor that the operator has completed the at least one command, that the operator has arrived at the first location, that the operator has arrived at the second location, that the operator is at the transport device, that the operator is at the transport vehicle that the operator is ready to accept a new command, that the operator is ready to proceed to a next step, or combinations thereof;

(iii) pressing at least the portion of the object location identification trigger once to provide a single-click signal to the mobile processor as a response to respond to at least one of the commands that informs the mobile processor to repeat the most recent command, question, information or statement;

or

(iv) combinations thereof; and

f. repeating steps a-e until all objects on the list of objects to be loaded are in fact loaded.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising computer instructions to receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of:

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof on at least one location proximate to a transport vehicle using the input device to verify the at least one location proximate to the transport vehicle is correct for loading.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising computer instructions for inserting the at least one location proximate to a transport vehicle on the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles based on the request using the libraries in the host data storage.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring the at least one command, the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles, the at least one library, or combinations thereof between the mobile processor, the host processor, and at least one external computer system.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one external computer system functions the same as the mobile processor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising an additional input device to use along with the Object Location Identification trigger, wherein the additional input device is a keyboard, a touch screen, or combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a 3-dimensional spatial coordinate sensor as the input device to allow the operator to use a physical motion to communicate to the mobile processor at least one of the following:

a. a dimension of the at least one object;

b. a 3-dimensional spatial coordinate of the at least one object;

c. a yes command;

d. a no command;

e. a repeat command;

f. a completed task command;

g. a “

cannot find transport vehicle, transport device, or combinations thereof”

command;

h. an alpha code;

i. a numeric code;

or

j. combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering an operator code for logging onto the mobile processor, wherein the operator code is transmitted to the host processor via computer instructions within the mobile data storage, and wherein the host data storage has computer instructions to acknowledge receipt of the operator code and to verify that the operator associated with the operator code is allowed access to the mobile processor, the mobile data storage, the libraries, or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a button on a wearable scanner, an optical reader, an RFID reader, a trigger on a scanner, an optical reader, an actuator on a scanner, a reader, an input device, or combinations thereof as the object or location identification trigger.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising using computer instructions in the mobile data storage for instructing the mobile processor to prepare a summary of objects to be loaded, a summary of transport devices to be loaded, a summary of transport vehicles to be loaded, an indication of a quantity of objects at each location, or combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising using computer instructions in the mobile data storage to obtain status information on the loading of objects, wherein the status information is an indication of the operator'"'"'s performance compared to an expected completion time for loading the list of objects.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising using computer instructions to identify an object, a transport device, a transport vehicle, or combinations thereof not loaded from the list of objects with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles to be loaded.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising using computer instructions in the mobile data storage to request the operator to answer a series of safety questions regarding one of the transport vehicles that includes at least one question selected from the group comprising:

a. are the brakes of the transport vehicle working?;

b. is the horn of the transport vehicle working?;

c. is the steering of the transport vehicle working?;

d. is there any damage to the transport vehicle?;

e. is there a leak within the transport vehicle?;

f. are the tires on the transport vehicle inflated and undamaged?;

g. are forks on the transport vehicle undamaged?;

or

h. combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising using computer instructions in the mobile data storage for instructing the mobile processor to alert the operator to position each object at a specific location on one of the transport device, one of the transport vehicles, or combinations thereof.

15. A computer implemented method for loading and delivering objects using at least one transport vehicle, wherein the method comprises:

a. using at least one mobile processor for use by an operator, wherein the at least one mobile processor is in communication with a host server, an input device, and two output devices to receive commands and provide responses;

b. using at least one onboard mobile processor for use by a driver, wherein the at least one onboard mobile processor is in communication with the host server, the input device, and the two output devices to receive commands and provide responses;

c. using computer instruction in each mobile data storage to;

(i) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof on at least one object;

(ii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a first location proximate to the at least one object;

(iii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a second location proximate to the first location;

(iv) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport device;

(v) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport vehicle;

(vi) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof on at least one transport device using the input device to verify the transport device as a transport device that should or should not be loaded on one of the transport vehicles;

(vii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof using the input device to verify that the transport vehicle is a correct transport vehicle for the objects to be loaded;

(viii) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof to identify a location where the objects or the transport device should be loaded on the transport vehicle;

(ix) receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof for a delivery location using the input device to verify the transport vehicle is at the delivery location and that the object has been delivered;

(x) provide a command to an operator identifying the at least one object, the first location of the at least one object, the second location relative to the first location, the transport device, the transport vehicle, the delivery location, or combinations thereof;

(xi) provide a command to the operator to move to the at least one object, the first location, the second location, the transport device, the transport vehicle, the delivery location, or combinations thereof;

(xii) enable the mobile processor to translate a text command to an audio command for the operator;

(xiii) receive a query from the operator;

(xiv) provide a result to the two output devices;

(xv) request a host processor in communication with the mobile processor through a network to verify that the mobile data storage has a current version of at least one library selected from the group of libraries comprising;

1. a library of objects to be loaded, wherein the library of objects comprises a location for each object;

2. a library of transport devices associated with each object to be loaded, wherein the library of transport devices comprises a location for each transport device;

3. a library of transport vehicles, wherein the library of transport vehicles comprises a location for each transport vehicle;

4. a library of delivery locations, wherein the library of delivery locations comprises an address, a longitude and a latitude, or another geographical indicator;

5. a library of operator information;

or

6. combinations thereof; and

(xvi) receive updated versions of the libraries from the host data storage;

d. using computer instructions to instruct the host processor to provide at least one of the mobile processors or at least one of the onboard mobile processors with the at least one library and a list of objects to be loaded, a list of transport devices to be loaded, a list of transport vehicles to be loaded, a list of delivery locations, wherein the host processor is in communication with a host data storage, and wherein the host data storage comprises;

(i) the library of objects to be loaded;

(ii) the library of transport devices associated with each object to be loaded;

(iii) the library of transport vehicles;

(iv) the library of delivery locations;

(v) the library of operator information;

(vi) computer instructions to receive a request from the at least one mobile processor to obtain the list of objects to be loaded;

(vii) computer instructions to compile the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles based on the request using the libraries in the host data storage;

(viii) computer instructions to transmit the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles from the host data storage to the at least one mobile data storage; and

(ix) computer instructions to form at least one route for delivery of the list of objects, with associated transport devices, associated transport vehicles, and delivery locations;

e. using the two output devices in communication with the mobile processor to;

(iii) provide at least one of the commands through an audio output device for the operator to hear; and

(iv) provide a visual display presenting the list of objects to be loaded with associated transport devices and associated transport vehicles to the operator, or presenting at least one of the commands to the operator visually, or combinations thereof; and

f. using an object location identification trigger in communication with the mobile processor by;

(i) pressing at least a portion of the object location identification trigger and holding in a pressed state to provide a “

hold”

signal to the mobile processor as a response to at least one of the commands that informs the mobile processor that the operator will perform at least one of the following;

1. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof on at least one object, and then loading the object;

2. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a first location proximate to the at least one object prior to loading the object;

3. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a second location proximate to the first location prior to loading the object;

4. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport device onto which the object is to be loaded;

5. scan or read a member of the group consisting of;

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, an alphanumeric code, and combinations thereof of a transport vehicle onto which the transport device is to be loaded;

or

6. combinations thereof;

(ii) pressing at least the portion of the object location identification trigger twice to provide a double-click signal to the mobile processor as a response to at least one of the commands that informs the mobile processor that the operator has completed the at least one command, that the operator has arrived at the first location, that the operator has arrived at the second location, that the operator is at the transport device, that the operator is at the transport vehicle that the operator is ready to accept a new command, that the operator is ready to proceed to a next step, or combinations thereof;

(iii) pressing at least the portion of the object location identification trigger once to provide a single-click signal to the mobile processor as a response to at least one of the commands that informs the mobile processor to repeat the most recent command, question, information or statement;

or

(iv) combinations thereof;

g. repeating steps a-f until all objects on the list of objects to be loaded are in fact loaded or delivered; and

h. using the computer instructions in the host data storage to transmit to the at least one mobile processor or the onboard mobile processor at least one route for delivery of the list of objects, with associated transport devices, associated transport vehicles, and delivery locations.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising computer instructions to receive, verify, and store a member of the group consisting of:

a bar code, an RFID tag, an alpha code, a numeric code, or combinations thereof using the input device to identify a plurality of locations for a plurality of objects or transport devices to be loaded on at least one transport vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the delivery location can be a pick-up location.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one transport device is a cooler, a pallet, a tote, a box, a sack, a bag, a wheeled trolley, a container, or combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one route is procured by using GPS or other mapping software, wherein the GPS or other mapping software is stored in the host data storage, wherein the route is associated with one of the objects being carried on one of the transport vehicles, and wherein the at least one route is downloaded to the driver mobile data storage using computer instructions in at least one mobile data storage.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the driver uses the OLI trigger to verify when each object or groups of objects is delivered to each of the delivery locations.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the onboard mobile processor and the mobile processor are one unit.