CA2918809A1 - Conveying systems and methods of associating data with an item transported by a conveying system - Google Patents
Conveying systems and methods of associating data with an item transported by a conveying system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2918809A1 CA2918809A1 CA2918809A CA2918809A CA2918809A1 CA 2918809 A1 CA2918809 A1 CA 2918809A1 CA 2918809 A CA2918809 A CA 2918809A CA 2918809 A CA2918809 A CA 2918809A CA 2918809 A1 CA2918809 A1 CA 2918809A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- item
- zone
- data
- conveying system
- property
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
- G06K7/10366—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
- G06K7/10415—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications the interrogation device being fixed in its position, such as an access control device for reading wireless access cards, or a wireless ATM
- G06K7/10425—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications the interrogation device being fixed in its position, such as an access control device for reading wireless access cards, or a wireless ATM the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
- G06K7/10435—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications the interrogation device being fixed in its position, such as an access control device for reading wireless access cards, or a wireless ATM the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device the interrogation device being positioned close to a conveyor belt or the like on which moving record carriers are passing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
Abstract
L'invention concerne des systèmes et des procédés d'association de données à un article en cours de transport par un système d'acheminement. L'article et les données associées à l'article sont reçus au niveau d'une première zone du système d'acheminement. Les données sont stockées dans un premier support de stockage lisible par ordinateur associé à la première zone. L'article est transporté jusqu'à une deuxième zone du système d'acheminement, et les données stockées sur le premier support de stockage lisible par ordinateur sont transférées à un deuxième support de stockage lisible par ordinateur associé à la deuxième zone.Systems and methods for associating data with an item being transported by a routing system are provided. The item and data associated with the item are received at a first area of the routing system. The data is stored in a first computer-readable storage medium associated with the first area. The item is transported to a second area of the routing system, and the data stored on the first computer-readable storage medium is transferred to a second computer-readable storage medium associated with the second area.
Description
WITH AN ITEM TRANSPORTED BY A CONVEYING SYSTEM
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/863,409 filed on August 7, 2013. This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/U52013/0243349 filed on February 1, 2013.
The contents of each of these applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
brushless DC roller conveying system includes several components and features, such as drive rollers with self-contained brushless DC motors, intelligent local controllers, and networking between the controllers based on bidirectional communication protocols.
Finally, bar code readers are required at every zone in such conveying systems, which is a significant cost for the conveying system and can slow down operation of the system to allow items to be scanned.
However, two-dimensional bar codes cannot be updated, thereby limiting the ability to update the data stored therein.
SUMMARY
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term "comprising"
means "including, but not limited to."
However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that additional physical operations and devices may be used in each of the first and second zones 10, 20. In an embodiment, the conveying system further includes a centralized controller 40 and a centralized database 41. In an alternate embodiment, the conveying system does not include a centralized controller or a centralized database. In such an embodiment, data may be stored in the computer-readable storage media 15, 25 associated with the respective zones.
data tag reader may read 210 (or scan) the data tag. The data tag reader may transmit 215 the data tag information to a local controller. In an embodiment, the local controller may access 220 a database to store the data tag information and identify an expected value for each of one or more properties for the item based on the data tag information. In an alternate embodiment, the local controller may retransmit 225 the data tag information to a centralized controller, which accesses 227 a central database to identify the expected values for the item.
Moreover, in an embodiment, all processing may be performed locally, which resolves the potential for blocking at a centralized controller.
However, the data tag could be affixed to a container holding the item or be integrated with the container holding the item, or otherwise associated with the item.
motors that drive a localized segment of rollers, including brushless DC
roller conveying systems. The brushless DC roller conveying system may include drive rollers with self-contained brushless DC motors, intelligent local controllers and networking between the local controllers based on bidirectional communication protocols. These types of conveyor systems may segment long runs of conveyor into zones that hold a single item in a "Zone".
Each zone may have its own powered/motorized roller and can be started and stopped independently of the other zones on the system.
(Inputs and Outputs). These devices include but are not limited to photo eye sensors, limit switches, operator interfaces, solenoid valves, motor contactors, sensors, and the like. Each controller may include a microprocessor and may be in communication with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be of a sufficient size to store information pertaining to the item within the particular zone. The computer-readable storage medium may not exist as a physical device that travels with the item (as in conventional systems), but instead may act a virtual data tag that travels with the item. Because the data tag is virtual, no cost is associated with the data tag or the reader/writer devices that are conventionally required throughout conveying systems to read and write RFID tags. Also, since the data is transferred electronically, there are no speed issues relative to the transfer of the data.
The identifying information for Item 12345 is sent to a local database to access specific information about the item. The item information may include a customer address, an expected weight, expected dimensions, a desired shipping method (such as, United States Postal Service delivery, UPS delivery, Fed-Ex delivery, or the like), a quantity, a SKU, whether the item is fragile, whether the item requires additional packaging, and/or the like.
Zone 1 then turns on its conveyor and transports the item towards Zone 2. As the item is being transported from Zone 1 to Zone 2, Zone 1 may send the entire data record for the item to Zone 2.
[0001] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of illustrative internal hardware that may be used to contain or implement program instructions according to an embodiment.
A bus 400 serves as the main information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components of the hardware. CPU 405 is the central processing unit of the system, performing calculations and logic operations required to execute a program. CPU 405, alone or in conjunction with one or more of the other elements disclosed in FIG. 4, is an exemplary processing device, computing device or processor as such terms are used within this disclosure.
Read only memory (ROM) 410 and random access memory (RAM) 415 constitute exemplary memory devices.
[0002] A controller 420 interfaces with one or more optional memory devices 425 to the system bus 400. These memory devices 425 may include, for example, an external or internal DVD drive, a CD ROM drive, a hard drive, flash memory, a USB drive or the like.
As indicated previously, these various drives and controllers are optional devices.
Additionally, the memory devices 425 may be configured to include individual files for storing any software modules or instructions, auxiliary data, common files for storing groups of results or auxiliary, or one or more databases for storing the result information, auxiliary data, and related information as discussed above.
[0003] Program instructions, software or interactive modules for performing any of the functional steps associated with the steps, applications, or the like described above may be stored in the ROM 410 and/or the RAM 415. Optionally, the program instructions may be stored on a tangible computer-readable medium such as a compact disk, a digital disk, flash memory, a memory card, a USB drive, an optical disc storage medium, such as a Blu-rayTM
disc, and/or other recording medium.
[0004] An optional display interface 430 may permit information from the bus to be displayed on the display 435 in audio, visual, graphic or alphanumeric format. The information may include information related to a current job ticket and associated tasks.
Communication with external devices may occur using various communication ports 440.
An exemplary communication port 440 may be attached to a communications network, such as the Internet or a local area network.
[0005] The hardware may also include an interface 445 which allows for receipt of data from input devices such as a keyboard 450 or other input device 455 such as a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, a remote control, a pointing device, a video input device and/or an audio input device.
Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to,"
et cetera). While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of "comprising" various components or steps (interpreted as meaning "including, but not limited to"), the compositions, methods, and devices can also "consist essentially of"
or "consist of' the various components and steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present.
For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations.
However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (for example, "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example, the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, et cetera" is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B
alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, et cetera). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, et cetera" is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C
alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.
Claims (22)
receiving an item at a first zone of a conveying system;
receiving data associated with the item;
storing the data in a first non-transitory computer-readable storage medium associated with the first zone;
transporting the item to a second zone of the conveying system; and transferring the data stored in the first computer-readable storage medium to a second non-transitory computer-readable storage medium associated with the second zone.
reading data from a data tag associated with the item using a data tag reader associated with the first zone.
receiving data from a database remote from the first zone.
sensing a property of the item using a sensor associated with the first zone.
receiving data pertaining to the property of the item.
receiving an item from a first zone of a conveying system at a second zone of the conveying system;
receiving, by a local controller of the second zone, data associated with the item from a local controller of the first zone of the conveying system, wherein the data comprises an expected value for a property of the item;
comparing, by the local controller of the second zone, the expected value for the property with an actual value for the property;
in response to the comparing satisfying a threshold condition:
transporting the item to a third zone of the conveying system, and transferring the data to a local controller of the third zone by the local controller of the second zone; and in response to the comparing not satisfying the threshold condition, transporting the item to a fourth zone of the conveying system.
sensing, by a sensor, the actual value for the property; and transmitting, by the sensor, the actual value for the property to the local controller for the second zone.
a plurality of zones, each comprising:
a conveyor section configured to transport an item;
a driver configured to drive the conveyor section;
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store data associated with the item; and a controller configured to communicate with a controller of an adjacent zone, control the driver to transport the item into the adjacent zone, and control the computer-readable storage medium to transfer the stored data into the computer-readable storage medium of the adjacent zone.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361863409P | 2013-08-07 | 2013-08-07 | |
US61/863,409 | 2013-08-07 | ||
PCT/US2014/049638 WO2015020976A2 (en) | 2013-08-07 | 2014-08-04 | Conveying systems and methods of associating data with an item transported by a conveying system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2918809A1 true CA2918809A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 |
Family
ID=51492425
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA2918809A Abandoned CA2918809A1 (en) | 2013-08-07 | 2014-08-04 | Conveying systems and methods of associating data with an item transported by a conveying system |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3031009A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2016533991A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2918809A1 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1221050A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015020976A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120024669A1 (en) | 2010-07-29 | 2012-02-02 | Danelski Darin L | Networked Motorized Drive Roller Conveyor |
US10229383B2 (en) | 2012-02-05 | 2019-03-12 | Matthews International Corporation | Perpetual batch order fulfillment |
US9446908B2 (en) | 2012-02-05 | 2016-09-20 | Matthews Resources, Inc. | Conveying systems and methods of associating data with an item transported by a conveying system |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5294004A (en) * | 1991-08-19 | 1994-03-15 | Durand-Wayland, Inc. | Article-holding cup and scale for apparatus that sorts articles by weight |
JPH05116722A (en) * | 1991-10-23 | 1993-05-14 | Murata Mach Ltd | Roller conveyor |
JP4652583B2 (en) * | 2001-01-24 | 2011-03-16 | アンリツ産機システム株式会社 | Item inspection system |
US7591366B2 (en) * | 2005-06-07 | 2009-09-22 | Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc. | Conveyor system and method for accumulating packages of varying lengths |
US20070210923A1 (en) * | 2005-12-09 | 2007-09-13 | Butler Timothy P | Multiple radio frequency network node rfid tag |
US8731476B2 (en) * | 2007-03-19 | 2014-05-20 | Peter Zawilski | Device for and method of characterizing an object |
US8284993B2 (en) * | 2009-06-18 | 2012-10-09 | Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc. | Decentralized tracking of packages on a conveyor |
US20120024669A1 (en) * | 2010-07-29 | 2012-02-02 | Danelski Darin L | Networked Motorized Drive Roller Conveyor |
US20120041583A1 (en) * | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-16 | Joshua Conley | Measurement system and method |
-
2014
- 2014-08-04 WO PCT/US2014/049638 patent/WO2015020976A2/en active Application Filing
- 2014-08-04 EP EP14759363.6A patent/EP3031009A4/en not_active Ceased
- 2014-08-04 JP JP2016533366A patent/JP2016533991A/en not_active Ceased
- 2014-08-04 CA CA2918809A patent/CA2918809A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2016
- 2016-07-26 HK HK16108929.1A patent/HK1221050A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
HK1221050A1 (en) | 2017-05-19 |
EP3031009A4 (en) | 2017-09-27 |
WO2015020976A2 (en) | 2015-02-12 |
WO2015020976A3 (en) | 2016-03-31 |
JP2016533991A (en) | 2016-11-04 |
EP3031009A2 (en) | 2016-06-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20190802 |
|
FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20220406 |
|
FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20220406 |