Systems, methods and devices for item processing
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsStephen M. Dearing, Carla F. Sherry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems and devices for item processing. The systems can include a PASS module that can include features that receive inputs relating to an item for processing and provide those inputs to other components and/or modules of a PASS system and/or of another system. The PASS system can include a variety of modules, including the PASS module, and can collect information and/or inputs from the variety of modules of the PASS system and use that information in item processing. The methods of item processing can use the PASS system and the PASS module to perform a variety of functions including, for example, revenue protection, sorting of items, task management, sampling and data collection, redirecting if enroute items, and personnel management.
Claims20
A system for item processing comprising:
- a camera configured to capture an image of a label located on an item, the label comprising a computer-readable code;
- a plurality of disposition locations arranged in proximity to the camera;
- an output configured to provide instructions to a user;
- and
- a match database storing a plurality of identifiers each corresponding to a computer-readable code determined to have already been scanned by item processing equipment of a distribution service in association with at least two other items that are different than the item;
- a processor in communication with the camera, the output, and the match database, wherein the processor is configured to:
- generate, based on the captured image, label information including an identifier of the computer-readable code;
- compare the identifier of the computer-readable code to the identifiers in the match database to identify a match with one of the identifiers of computer-readable codes that have already been scanned by item processing equipment of the distribution service in association with at least two other items;
- and
- if a match is identified, then to cause the output to provide an instruction to a user identifying an intended disposition location for the item based on the match.
A method of item processing comprising:
- capturing, by an imaging device, an image of a label located on an item, the label comprising a computer-readable code;
- generating, by a processor, scan data from the captured image of the label comprising an identifier of the computer-readable code;
- transmitting the scan data via a network to a computing device in communication with a memory storing instructions associated with the computer-readable code, wherein, in response to receiving the scan data, the computing device compares the identifier of the computer-readable code with a match database storing a plurality of identifiers each corresponding to a computer-readable code determined to have already been scanned by item processing equipment of a distribution service in association with at least two other items that are different than the item;
- receiving, from the computing device via the network, an intended disposition location for the item based at least in part on the scan data, wherein the intended disposition location is one of a plurality of user-accessible disposition locations arranged in proximity to the imaging device;
- and
- causing an output to provide an instruction to a user instructing the user to place the item in the one of the plurality of user-accessible disposition locations associated with the received intended disposition location.
A method of item processing comprising:
- capturing, by a camera, an image of a label located on an item, the label comprising a computer-readable code;
- generating, based on the captured image, label information including an identifier of the computer-readable code;
- comparing, by a processor, the identifier of the computer-readable code to identifiers stored in a match database to identify a match, the stored identifiers comprising a plurality of identifiers of each corresponding to a computer-readable code determined to have already been scanned by item processing equipment of a distribution service in association with at least two other items that are different than the item;
- and
- if a match is identified, causing an output device in communication with the processor to provide an instruction to a user identifying an intended disposition location for the item based on the match, wherein the intended disposition location is one of a plurality of disposition locations arranged in proximity to the camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.