Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-28
2001-09-04
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A (Department: 3661)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C700S213000, C700S214000, C700S215000, C700S216000, C700S217000, C700S218000, C700S219000, C700S220000, C235S375000, C235S378000, C235S384000, C235S385000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285916
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to parcel tracking systems using portable data entry terminals, and more particularly relates to a local parcel tracking system using a hand-held, data entry and processing unit that can perform tracking analysis on data it has collected.
BACKGROUND ARTS
Parcel delivery companies, such as United Parcel Service, have long maintained records to be able to verify deliveries. More recently, such companies have begun to guarantee overnight delivery of parcels, and therefore have a need for rapid access to information verifying on-time delivery, including a record of the signature of the recipient. The word “parcel” is used herein broadly to include any item handled by delivery services, such as packages, letters, containers, or unpackaged items.
Typically, a delivery vehicle driver leaves the vehicle with one or more parcels and a portable data acquisition device, such as the Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD) device used by UPS drivers. The DIAD device includes a bar code scanner for reading a bar code label placed on the parcel by the sender, and a signature capture pad. This information is stored temporarily in the unit, and then transferred via an optical link to a docking station located in the vehicle. From this station, the information is transmitted to a central tracking computer via a cellular telephone network. Other systems use radio frequency (RF) networks to relay tracking information to a central computer.
If the sender or an intended recipient needs to know the status of the parcel, that person can access the information in the central tracking computer either by calling the parcel delivery service or by sending an inquiry from a personal computer linked by modem to the central computer. However, until the tracking information pertaining to a parcel is uploaded from the DIAD into the central computer, it is not accessible to the tracking system. In particular, if the driver delivers several parcels during one foray from the vehicle, the portable acquisition device does not have the capability to provide tracking information contained in its own memory. The information is not available until the driver returns to the vehicle and uploads the information into the central system.
Present parcel delivery tracking systems track parcels only to a customer's mail room, reception desk, or other receiving location. The customer may have a personal computer in communication with the parcel delivery service's central tracking computer to facilitate tracking of parcels sent from or received by the customer's mail room. Between the sender and the mail room of the recipient company, the tracking system may receive data (such as by scanning a bar code) at several stages of delivery, such as regional and local sorting hubs. However, in many large companies, the further process of delivering a parcel to an individual within the company and verifying such delivery is another major stage in the delivery process. Currently, convenient and automated tracking of such internal deliveries is not available. Nor is the status of the parcel during the internal delivery stage part of the tracking information available through the delivery service's central computer or through personal computer systems in the customer's mail room.
Although prior portable data acquisition terminals have included both bar code scanners and signature capture pads, the scanners have often been built in to the unit housing or provided as a wand or point-and-shoot device attached by cable to the terminal, while entry of a signature has required a separate tool in the nature of a stylus. When the scanner is built into the terminal, it may be difficult to maneuver the terminal into the correct orientation to scan a bar code. When a separate wand or the like is attached, the user has the inconvenience of looking after separate tools for scanning and signature entry.
Thus, there has been a need for a parcel tracking system that can track parcels during the internal stage of delivery after receipt of the parcel from a parcel delivery service, using an efficient device that can obtain signatures of recipients and scan codes printed on parcel labels, and can respond to tracking inquiries prior to transferring collected information to a different computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the above-described need in the art by providing a delivery tracking system capable of tracking parcels during an internal stage of delivery within an organization after receipt of the parcel from a parcel delivery service. The system utilizes an an intelligent, hand-held, portable data entry and data processing device to obtain signatures of recipients and scan codes printed on parcel labels, and to respond to tracking inquiries prior to transferring collected information to a different computer.
Generally described, the present invention provides an electronic parcel tracking system for use by an organization, comprising an intelligent hand-held, portable data entry and data processing device, which includes a wand-mounted symbol reader, a data entry and display screen capable of receiving and displaying information, including signature information, input by contact with the screen, an information storage device, a data transfer device, and a processor connected to the reader, the screen, the storage device, and the data transfer device. The processor is configured to associate and store in the information storage device data related to a particular parcel, including symbol information read by the reader, signature information acquired by the screen, and keyed information acquired by the screen, and to respond to queries about the particular parcel entered via the screen by displaying the data associated with the parcel.
Preferably, the data transfer device is selectively operable to transfer information from the information storage device to a personal computer system located at a parcel receiving location of the organization. Also, the portable data entry device may be equipped with a modem for transferring information related to a particular parcel between the information storage device and a central computer system located at a parcel delivery firm.
In a preferred embodiment, the wand-mounted symbol reader may have a transparent tip capable of inputting data into the screen by contact therewith, and thus may perform the dual functions of scanner and stylus.
In the context of multi-stage parcel delivery, the present invention might typically be used as follows. A parcel dropped at a mail room or other receiving location of an organization may be logged into a portable data entry and data processing device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), equipped with a wandmounted bar code reader. Logging in may be accomplished by scanning a bar code, keying in information using the data entry screen of the PDA, or downloading information from another device via a cable or an optical link. The parcel information is stored in memory in the PDA. For the internal stage of delivery, a mail room clerk or other person takes the parcel to the intended recipient or arranges for the recipient to pick up the parcel. Upon this delivery, the clerk checks out the parcel, preferably by scanning the bar code again with the wand scanner, and then having the recipient sign the screen of the PDA using the wand as a stylus.
The PDA is programmed to allow the clerk to obtain tracking information from the PDA memory by date, by time, by tracking identification number, by name of recipient, or by destination location of the intended recipient. The PDA will display the location of the parcel as well as its “scan history” within the organization and, by modem communication with a central tracking computer of the parcel delivery firm, its history prior to receipt at the mail room. At the end of a selected period of time, such as daily, the information file accumulated within the PDA memory is loaded up into an on-site personal computer (PC) using a communications
Kadaba Nagesh
Moktan Hridai
Patel Mark
Alston & Bird LLP
Cuchlinski, Jr. William A
Marc McDieunel
United Parcel Serivce of America, Inc.
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