US 4,181,948 AGranted

Computer directed manual sorting aid

AssigneeElectronic Data Systems Corporation

InventorsWilliam A. Jackson, Hubert C. Jones, Jr.

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Abstract

A device for the purpose of providing computerized direction and control in the process of manually sorting documents. A sorting bin is provided containing compartments into which documents are placed to effect the sort. The sorting bin is contained within a sorting console which also houses a power supply; an indicator and document detector array; a control unit which monitors the document detectors, operates the indicators, and communicates with a computer; and control switches and indicators. An operator sorts documents by depositing them one at a time into a selected compartment of the sorting bin. The control unit, under computer direction, indicates to the operator the correct compartment for depositing each document, by illuminating indicators associated with the proper compartment. Document detectors inform the control unit when a document is deposited in any compartment. When a document is deposited in an incorrect compartment, an alarm alerts the operator. Depositing a document in the correct compartment turns off the indicators associated with that compartment and enables the control unit to select the compartment for the next document. When the number of sorted documents approaches the capacity of the sorting bin, the full bin may be removed from the sorting console and replaced with an empty bin.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A device for assisting in the manual sorting of items having distinguishing identifiers thereon, said identifiers differing amongst said items, said device comprising:

a. a plurality of compartments, each having an opening and the capability of holding a plurality of said items;
b. detecting means, coupled to said compartments and located in proximity to said openings of said compartments, for, when an item is placed in one of said compartments, providing a signal of a first type indicative of which of said compartments said item is placed in;
c. input means for receiving information relative to the identifier of an item and providing a signal of a second type indicative of said identifier;
d. directing means, coupled to said detecting means and to said input means, for receiving said signals of said first and second types and for:
1. providing a signal of a third type indicative of at least one particular compartment said particular item should be placed in upon the receipt of a signal of said second type indicative of the particular identifier of a particular item;
and
2. providing a signal of a fourth type after providing said signal of said third type for said particular item and upon receipt of a signal of said first type indicating that an item has been placed in a compartment other than said particular compartment before an item has been placed in said particular compartment;
e. indicating means, coupled to said directing means, for receiving said signal of said third type and, upon receipt of said signal of said third type, providing a particular indication detectable by a person of said particular compartment into which said particular item should be placed;
and
f. warning means, coupled to said directing means, for receiving said signal of said fourth type and, upon receipt of said signal of said fourth type, producing a warning detectable by a person.

7 more elements

A method for sorting, with the aid of a sorting assisting device, items having distinguishing identifiers thereon, said identifiers differing amongst said items and said sorting assisting device having:

(1) directing means;
(2) input means, coupled to said directing means, for providing said directing means with a signal of a first type indicative of particular identifiers,
(3) indicating means, coupled to said directing means, said directing means providing said indicating means, upon receipt of a signal of said first type, with a signal of a second type, said indicating means, upon receipt of a signal of said second type, providing a particular indication detectable to a person of which one of several compartments, each having an opening, an item should be placed in;
(4) detecting means, coupled to said directing means, located in proximity to said openings of said compartments and, when an item is placed in one of said compartments, providing to said directing means a signal of a third type indicative of which of said compartments an item has been placed in;
and
(5) warning means for producing a warning detectable by a person when, after said directing means has provided to said indicating means a signal of said second type indicating that an individual item should be placed in an individual compartment but said detecting means provides to said directing means a signal of said third type indicating that said individual item has been placed in a compartment other than said individual compartment prior to said detecting means providing to said directing means a signal of said third type indicating that an item has been placed in said individual compartment, said directing means provides to said warning means a signal of a fourth type, said warning means, upon receipt of a signal of said fourth type, producing a warning detectable by a person,
said method comprising:
a. placing in said input means of said sorting assisting device information relative to the particular identifier of a particular item;
b. placing said particular item in one of said compartments;
c. placing said particular item in another of said compartments if, after the step of placing said particular item in one of said compartments, said warning means produces said warning;
d. repeating the immediately proceeding step if, after performing the immediately proceeding step, said warning means produces said warning;
e. placing in said input means further information relative to the identifier of a further item after placing said particular item in a compartment without said warning means producing said warning;
and
f. repeating steps b through d above.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.