WO1996039672A1 - Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items Download PDFInfo
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- WO1996039672A1 WO1996039672A1 PCT/US1996/009437 US9609437W WO9639672A1 WO 1996039672 A1 WO1996039672 A1 WO 1996039672A1 US 9609437 W US9609437 W US 9609437W WO 9639672 A1 WO9639672 A1 WO 9639672A1
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 26
- 238000002407 reforming Methods 0.000 title description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 6
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005108 dry cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013479 data entry Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009432 framing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
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Classifications
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F95/00—Laundry systems or arrangements of apparatus or machines; Mobile laundries
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- 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
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
-
- 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
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
- G06Q10/0875—Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
-
- 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
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
- G06Q20/203—Inventory monitoring
-
- 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
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
- G06Q20/208—Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
Definitions
- the invention relates to the handling of articles in groups that are separated and/or mingled during processing with articles of other groups, and which must be re-formed into a group thereafter.
- the invention is particularly applicable to articles of laundry and drycleaning, or other articles that are associated, for example, as the articles presented for processing by a given customer. After processing the articles of a number of such groups together, the articles for each group (e.g., customer) must be sorted from the articles of other groups and reassembled into their original groups for return to the respective customers.
- the invention concerns an automated assistant for manually re-forming grouped articles that can operate in a stand alone mode, or in data communication with a computerized inventory control system, or so as to collect data that is communicated in batch mode to an inventory control system.
- articles are labelled to identify or permit identification of their respective groups by automated scanning means.
- a record is kept of the number of articles in each group, preferably by a code carried on a label attached to each of the articles.
- Information as to the group identification and the number of articles in the group enable the sorting assistant of the invention to assign a location for assembling each group and after scanning the label on each article to indicate to an operator the particular location (i.e., group) to which that article belongs.
- a lot containing a number of commingled groups can be quickly sorted back into the original groups.
- the sorting assistant In addition to signalling an assigned location, preferably by a visual signal, the sorting assistant signals the operator when all the articles of an individual group have been accounted for and the group is successfully reformed, whereupon the group is removed, freeing that location for use in assembling a next group.
- a lot system is used to process the articles of a number of customers at the same time.
- the articles are labelled individually with numbered and/or color coded tags that are attached to articles, for example by a pin or staple, such that the tags are carried through the process.
- the numbers and color codes roll over, that is, the same colors or numbers can reappear to distinguish articles in later groups.
- Each different group has at least one article, and may have any number of articles. Therefore, an indefinite number of tags of a particular color and/or number may be needed to identify a particular group (one or more articles of clothing presented by a single customer). This complicates the problem of labelling the articles and also complicates the problem of sorting the groups after processing.
- Article label tags that are numbered and/or colored, etc. can be supplied in rolls or otherwise in bulk, to be used as needed for groups having different numbers of articles.
- the articles of each group are labelled with a distinct tag by virtue of a number and/or color combination.
- the available number of combinations exceeds the number of groups that the operator will process as a lot (i.e., articles from a plurality of groups that will be commingled during processing), so that it will not occur that two groups in the same lot have identical number/color identifications.
- the lot size is chosen by the operator as some quantity that is convenient for one reason or another.
- a lot can consist of a given number of articles, or as near to that number as possible without causing groups to be split to place their articles into different lots.
- a lot can consist of a given number of customer orders or groups, as opposed to the number of articles.
- a lot can include all the articles received on a given day or to be returned to customers on a given day.
- lots can include a morning lot and an afternoon lot.
- Lots can be defined by all the articles from a particular source such as a branch store served by a central facility. In whatever manner the lots are divided, it is necessary to label articles within the lot distinctively as to their groups, so that groups belonging to different customers can be correctly sorted out later.
- labelling articles distinctively as to group there is an associated group identification number, which may appear on the article tag or be cross referenced to the article tag in a database (e.g., for "captive" garments such as uniforms in systems where all possible garments are provided with identifying codes distinctive to articles that will be cleaned in the future when presented in different groups). Colors can also distinguish groups, or colors can be used to distinguish lots or articles requiring special processing, for example due to fabric type, color sensitivity or some other aspect.
- tags it may be necessary to provide separate sets of tags to be used for groups having a particular number of articles and separate sets having different colors to distinguish lots or other aspects.
- the operator thus may need one inventory of tags for one-piece "groups," another for two-piece groups, etc., and perhaps redundant sets in other colors.
- articles or groups can be labelled simply with a number or scannable code, but this makes it difficult manually to re-sort the articles into groups, and may require an inventory control computer that manages which articles belong to which groups.
- the operator must find and recombine the articles belonging to each group. This is typically done manually, by placing articles together that have the same group number or code on the tag or in a database.
- the mixed-group articles in the lot have presumably been sorted successfully back into their original groups. This is a labor intensive exercise even with the assistance of a computer database, and does not account for occasional accidents such as articles that have been removed during processing or inadvertently placed in a different lot than their companions.
- Automated scanning of barcode or the like can be used to assist in managing groups, for example as disclosed in US Patent Re.33,054 - Markman.
- a data processor records data referenced to a particular customer and preferably records a description of the articles presented by the customer.
- At least one barcoded tag is generated for each group, and contains or is referenced to the descriptive information on the articles.
- An operator can scan the group tag and compare the descriptions to the articles found when reassembling groups. This is useful where the articles have conventional numbered/colored tags as above.
- each article can be provided with a barcoded tag that identifies the group to which it belongs in a manner similar to the numbered/colored tags discussed above, enabling the inventory control system to monitor the articles as well as the groups.
- the information entered is used to determine the price charged, and by scanning the barcoded tags as articles are returned to the customers (or otherwise pass a particular step), the data processor can keep and update records such as the physical inventory contents, the dollar value inventory of the business in progress, the amount of money expected to be in the cash drawer, the establishment's rate of throughput and so forth. If a physical contents inventory is taken, by scanning all the group tags and/or all the article tags, the processor can compare the results with stored data and determine whether groups or articles are unexpectedly missing, or perhaps determine that undocumented groups or articles are present.
- barcode tags are printed for each article together with the group tag, for enabling the individual articles to be monitored (as opposed to monitoring only groups and perhaps manually comparing the articles with their printed or stored descriptions) by scanning individual tag barcodes. This is also helpful when attempting to locate extra articles or to identify articles that are missing, particularly if the inventory control computer stores a description of each respective article. Space is provided on the computer generated forms for the article tags.
- the barcoded forms and tags for each group are printed only when the group is accepted into controlled inventory.
- the article tags are perforated and separated from the accompanying form representing the group or batch of articles.
- the barcode or other data on the tags is substantially unique least to the group but also potentially to the individual articles within the group, so that articles can be distinguished from one another and/or so that descriptive data stored relating to the articles can be referenced to compare the physical articles to the descriptions in memory.
- Another known kind of article labelling in connection with inventory control and reporting is permanent barcode labelling of articles such as garments. Permanent labelling of each article (or perhaps classes of articles such as shirts) is helpful if return business is expected from individual customers or in the case of captive garments (e.g., regularly cleaned uniforms or the like). A permanent data record is kept for each customer article to which a permanent label has been attached and can be referenced when an article is received in a group and when attempting to re-form the group.
- a permanent label is typically heat sealed or sewn into a garment and must be sufficiently durable to survive many cleaning cycles while the printing on the label remains readable or scannable.
- a less permanent article label can be provided as needed to survive one cleaning, or a limited number of cleanings, while remaining readable or scannable.
- Scannable "one-ride" tags are known and are made and printed using materials having the necessary wet strength or resistance to solvents to survive and remain readable. For this purpose, various polymer or natural fiber materials can be printed with scannable codes identifying the article or the group to which the article belongs. Such tags have conventionally been printed with group numbers, lot numbers, descriptions of the associated articles and due dates for retrieval by the customer.
- An article labelling system for reassembling groups requires a distinct group or transaction code, which can be scannable or cross referenced to a scannable code (e.g. , a unique garment identification code on a captive garment).
- a scannable code e.g. , a unique garment identification code on a captive garment.
- the articles of a group might be identified NNNN - shirt, white; NNNN - dress, red; NNNN - slacks, green, etc. , where "NNNN" represents the group.
- the tag is typically printed in both barcode and readily-read alphanumeric code.
- a processing establishment may also assist in regrouping the articles to include a name or code identifying the source.
- the operator When re-assembling groups, the operator either reads or scans the codes on the articles and places those of the same groups together. When all the articles have been placed with a group, then presumably each of the groups has been completely assembled.
- a final step can be to compare the assembled articles of each group with the printed or stored records to verify that each group is complete and is neither missing articles nor holding an article belonging to another group. This is a painstaking job.
- Sorting conveyors are known for diverting individual items from a stream of items automatically. For example a trap-door arrangement or other diverting mechanism can be operated automatically when the items pass for separating the items for one reason or another. Such a sorting mechanism can be applied to sorting laundry articles.
- automated sorters are also complex and any savings in human effort may be more than paid by the expense of the hardware and software involved. Inventory control system with numerous barcode scanners, cross referenced data tables for article numbers or customer/garment numbers, automated diverting mechanisms and the like are possible. However, an inventory control system having very sophisticated capabilities also requires a good deal of work to enter and maintain the data tables and records.
- What is needed is a system that assists in regrouping articles that is useful over a wide range of situations, from a very sophisticated system to a virtually manual one, with minimum waste of tags or inventory of tags, and minimum effort in reassembling groups.
- the present invention provides this capability in a labelling system preferably for one-use article labels, by encoding the group or batch code and a code representing simply the number of articles in the group. As a result, regrouping of articles can be accomplished simply and quickly, without the need for substantial data processing, memory and the like. 7
- associated articles such as garments to be cleaned, which are associated in a group (e.g., one customer's articles), are separated from other members of the group and mixed with other articles and groups during processing, then are regrouped in their original units.
- a label generator prints labels for at least some of the articles, to identify the associated group.
- the total number of articles contained in each group is recorded, preferably on the article labels but also possibly in a data memory.
- the group identification of each article is read in turn, preferably by scanning a barcoded group code and article count.
- a data processor selects and signals which of a number of locations or receptacles will be used to temporarily store the articles for that group.
- the processor indicates that location whenever another article of that group is encountered.
- the processor also compares the count of accumulated articles of the group with the total number for that group, and signals the operator when the group is complete.
- the device can be coupled to an inventory control 8 system monitoring the status or location of the articles, or the device can be operated as a stand alone unit, particularly if the number of articles in each group is recorded on the label.
- the invention can be more or less complicated in various embodiments, in a minimal embodiment, for example, having a label printer operable to produce alphanumeric labels showing the number of articles in each group on the labels for all the articles in the group, for assisting an operator in regrouping them later. Such data can be entered by keystrokes when regrouping the articles.
- the group codes and article count are printed in barcode by the label printer and scanned by the operator using a hand held scanner coupled to the processor.
- the label printer and regrouping assistant scanner are coupled to an inventory control system, and in that case the group identifier code is placed on the labels and the count of articles in the group can be referenced by the group code to an article count stored elsewhere in the inventory control system.
- the articles can be assigned a group code when received into controlled inventory and counted together with articles that are labelled with the group code.
- group code and article count is referenced as stored in memory, for assisting in sorting the uniquely identified articles together with those labelled by group.
- FIGURE 1 is a partial elevation view functionally illustrating the apparatus of the invention.
- FIGURE 2 is a block schematic diagram corresponding to FIGURE 1 and showing commingling and reassembly of two groups.
- FIGURE 3 is an elevation view showing exemplary article label for a group of four garments.
- FIGURE 4 is a block diagram showing a preferred output arrangement for operation of indicators.
- an automated assistant 20 as shown generally in FIGURE 1 is provided for aiding an operator in managing articles 24 in groups 26 that become commingled with articles belonging to a plurality of groups and thereafter are re-associated with the articles of their original group.
- the number of articles 24 in each of the groups 26 is recorded before the groups are commingled.
- a label printer 30 produces a label 32 for each article 24, having an identification code 34 that is unique to its group, at least within the groups to be commingled.
- the sorting assistant 20 uses the group identification codes 34 from labels 32 to determine the group 26 to which each article belongs, and assigns and indicates a discrete location at which the article is to be placed. Whereas the recorded number of articles is available, assistant 20 also determines by counting articles 24 passing for each group during reassembly, when the respective groups are complete, signalling that a completed group can be removed to free the location for accumulation of another group 26.
- the invention is particularly useful for garments to be cleaned or dry cleaned. Garments are presented by customers in groups which each form an order having an indefinite number of articles. The garments of many customers are processed (e.g., cleaned) together in a lot. The original groups (customer orders) are then reassembled and returned to the customer. The invention is also applicable to other situations in which articles belonging to different groups must be segregated into groups for which they are intended.
- the articles are labelled with a sufficiently unique code 34 to distinguish among the groups 26 that are processed together.
- a sufficiently unique code 34 to distinguish among the groups 26 that are processed together.
- at least the number of articles 24 for each group 26 is entered by an operator on an input means such as keyboard 42, coupled to a controller 44 operating label printer 30.
- Label printer 30 can generate a label 32 for all articles 24, which includes identification code 34 for that group.
- That article identification code can be scanned initially, and a group code assigned to the article for this round of processing.
- the article is already uniquely identified, it can be processed together with other articles without requiring an additional group identifier code label, the required information being stored in memory and cross referenced to the article identification.
- the group code includes scannable indicia 50 on a label for some or all of the articles in a lot, e.g., interleaved two-of-five barcode, or code-39 barcode or another scannable code.
- the number 52 of articles 24 in the respective group 26 is included in the scannable code 50 for each of the articles 24 in the group. If applied to the labels, the article count enables the sorting assistant to operate independently of a complicated inventory control system, as discussed below. However the invention is applicable as an extension of an inventory control system, and is also applicable to a system in which the article count and/or group identification is stored rather than printed on the labels.
- the labels 32 are attached and remain attached to articles 24 through the process 36 of cleaning or the like. Each article has either a group label or a unique article identifying label cross referenced to its group. Accordingly, the labels 32 should be sufficiently durable to survive at least one pass through the process.
- Various materials for the label and its printing, made of polymers, natural fibers, high rag content paper labels or the like can be used.
- the labels can be attached to the articles by any convenient means such as pins, staples, heat sealing, adhesive backings or the like.
- the count or total number 52 of articles in each respective group 26 appears on the scannable indicia 50 of each label and thus each article in the group.
- the total number 52 can be recorded only on at least one of on the labels 32 for the group.
- the number of articles in each group can be stored in a data memory to which a data processor 72 on the output side of the process is coupled at least for batch transfer of article counts for the groups.
- the total count and group number can be referenced to a unique article identification code.
- the number 52 of articles 24 in each group 26 is accessible at the output side to assist in completing the manual reassembly of the groups.
- a data input means 70 is coupled to the data processor 44, for entering from labels 32 the identification 34 of the group 26 to which each article belongs.
- the same data processor 44 is used to produce labels 32 and to manage the output side reassembly.
- a separate controller 44 and data processor 72 are employed.
- the same reference numbers have been used throughout the drawings to identify corresponding hardware or functional elements.
- a scanner 70 is coupled to the data processor 44 or 72 for this purpose.
- the group identification 34 can be entered using keystrokes on a keyboard (e.g., 42).
- the recorded total number of articles for each of the groups 26 is indexed with the group identification 34 in the data memory 60 of the processor (see FIGURE 2).
- Data processor 72 or 44 has at least one output 76 arranged to operate indicators 80 for pointing out selected ones of a plurality of discrete storage locations 84.
- the locations 84 can be, for example, provided along a hanging bar 86 subdivided by partitions 88 and having at least one visual indicator 92 for each partitioned location 84.
- numerical readouts can identify numbered locations or cubicles (not shown), and/or an audio signal can be provided to draw the attention of the operator to the selected location.
- at least one LED indicator is provided at each position 84 for signalling an instruction to place a next article at the indicated position.
- the indicator is operable in a distinct mode, or an additional indicator or indicator is provided, for signalling when the article count is complete.
- data processor 60 or 44 searches its memory 60 to determine whether the particular article is the first article encountered in its group. If the article is a first of its group, data processor 72 selects an unoccupied one of the storage locations 84 and operates the associated indicator 92. If the article is not the first of its group, the data processor selects the storage location 84 already assigned to one or more previous members of the group and operates that indicator 92.
- data processor 72 counts the articles 24 that have been assembled for the respective group. The count of assembled articles is compared to the recorded total number for the group (which could be one or many). When the assembled count is equal to the total number that was entered at the input side, and preferably printed as a scannable code 52 on labels 32, data processor 72 operates the indicator 94 at the location of the completed group to signal the operator that the count has reached the total number and the group has been successfully assembled.
- the completion signal can be any signal that will alert the operator to the particular location 84, in a manner that is distinct from the location identification signal otherwise used to draw the operator's attention to the particular location.
- a single indicator light 92 or 94 at each location 84 can be operable in distinct modes such as steady versus flashing, bright versus dim, etc. , for location identification and completion signalling, respectively.
- Two or more indicators 92, 94 can be provided for distinctly signalling location and completion.
- a location indicator can be operated in conjunction with an audio completion alarm, and so forth.
- completion signalling can be accomplished in a manner not limited to a signal occurring at the point of completion. For example, the completion signal can be operated upon placement of the next-to-last article, etc.
- the identification of the group and the total number are recorded at least partly in optically scannable code 50 on the labels attached to each of the articles.
- FIGURE 3 shows a series of exemplary article labels for a group 26 having four articles 24.
- the data input device 70 coupled to data processor 60, 44 includes a scanner for reading the scannable code 50.
- additional information on the label such as an alphanumeric version of the group identification 34 and article count 52, for alternative keystroke data entry for labels which cannot be successfully scanned.
- a description of the article can be included, which is useful if a label should become detached and needs to be reattached to the appropriate article.
- a code identifying the source of the order e.g., a branch location served by a centralized cleaning facility
- a serial article count may also be included (e.g., "1 of 3,” “2 of 3,” “3 of 3,” etc.).
- the invention is operable with or without a larger inventory control system. If the total article count 52 is encoded on at least one article label 32 in each group 26, and the group identification codes 34 are unique within the commingled groups being processed as a lot, it is not necessary to provide data communications between the input and output sides of the process in order to employ the sorting assistant of the invention.
- the count can be communicated to the data processor 72 when one label containing the count is scanned, and comparing of the current count to the total can commence at that point.
- the total count 52 is included on each label 32, or in a system linked to an inventory control system the total count is always available as indexed to the group or article identification code.
- the temporary storage locations 84 have spaces for the articles of a plurality of groups, preferably sufficient to place all or a substantial proportion of the groups 26 of a lot into an assigned location before the space is exhausted.
- capability is provided to count and signal for 64 concurrently processed groups 26 for the example of a laundry and drycleaning establishment, and two distinctly colored visual indicators 92, 94 are provided for each location.
- Different operations may have varying physical arrangements for accumulating articles when regrouping them, and accordingly the signalling arrangement is preferably modular, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4.
- Processor 72 can comprise a simple programmable controller, microcomputer, personal computer or motherboard, for example having an RS-232 serial port for bytewise signalling to control up to 64 dual light modules 102 connected to an interface box 110 in a daisy chain arrangement using standard eight wire telephone cables and jacks.
- the processor 72 signals via the serial port to the interface box 110, for example at a switch-selectable baud rate and/or protocol.
- Each byte of data can contain a numeric address identifying a single module, one or both of whose indicators are to be activated to identify an available space for a group or to identify a completed group.
- Interface box 110 functions as a serial to parallel converter as shown in FIGURE 4, and can also function as a multiplexer by successively addressing modules 102.
- parallel signalling arrangements, serial shift register arrangements and the like could also be used to control the visual indicators.
- the output of interface box 110 contains six bits for addressing a particular one of sixty-four modules 102 (i.e. , location 84) and two bits for on/off signalling of the red and green LEDs, respectively.
- a module 102 is addressed, gating in the module applies the signal then present on the red and green signalling bits to switch the LEDs on or off.
- the interface box can hold the address and signal lines in the required states, or in a multiplexed arrangement, the modules can include latches coupled to the LEDs for ret ⁇ ining the state of indication from the last time they were addressed, enabling more than one module's indicators to remain on at the same time (e.g., the completion indicators).
- the modules 102 Upon power up, all the modules 102 are reset.
- the location indicators 92 are selected and activated upon scanning the first article 24 from a group and when additional articles for that group are encountered.
- the location indicators 92 can be activated and remain activated until a next article 24 is scanned (it being assumed that because a new article has been scanned, the previous article has been placed where indicated, and the count is incremented).
- a pushbutton (not shown) can be provided on the indicator modules 102 for signalling back to processor 72 that the article 24 has been placed.
- the operator can be required to scan a barcode 114 on the location 84 to confirm placement of the article at that location.
- the completion alarm or indicator 94 can remain activated until a next article 24 is scanned or can be operated momentarily or provided with a resettable latch means or the like.
- a distinct signal is provided when a location is first assigned to a group.
- both LEDs 92, 94 can be activated when a location 84 is assigned and no article 24 has been placed there as yet, or perhaps the location indicator can be blinked. This helps in the initial placement of articles into slots by distinguishing the particular article as the start of a new group.
- the operator otherwise looks for both an activated location indicator 92 and a previously placed garment 24.
- the completion indicator 94 is preferably activated until the operator scans the bar code 114 identifying the location 84 or module 102 as a signal that the group has been removed and the location is again available to begin accumulation of a new group.
- Signalling from the interface box 110 to the modules 102 can be unidirectional for simple control of the LEDs 92, 94, or bidirectional for signalling back to processor 72.
- a return signal to the processor can be used to indicate that the interface box 110 is present (i.e., powered and plugged in), or when an article has been placed in a particular location, when a group has been removed, etc.
- the interface box also can be arranged to signal if a framing error occurs at the RS-232 port. In that event the state of the indicator lights is not changed and the device waits for a valid data command.
- a framing error might occur, for example, if the wrong baud rate is set such that a stop bit is not detected where expected, and in the embodiment shown could otherwise cause erroneous operation of the indicators.
- the label printing arrangement can be more or less complex.
- Label printer 30 need only generate labels 32 under operator control in the number needed for the articles 24 and containing the group identification 34 and preferably article count 52.
- the article count can be entered by the operator via a keyboard 42 as shown, or can be determined by an automated counting device such as an optoelectronic light source/receiver arrangement (not shown) having a path broken by articles tossed through the beam, with the operator signalling the end of a group via a switch.
- the controller 44 for the printer can accept input from the operator (such as article description, source, etc., as above) or can simply cycle through group numbers in some order whereby the same group identification does not often reoccur.
- Controller 44 and printer 30 can be of any type capable of forming the required characters on a durable ticket stock, and need not be coupled to the output side of the process.
- An exemplary printed ticket is shown in FIGURE 3.
- the characters include scannable indicia 50.
- An appropriate controller is the Computerwise model TT5B, which can control the printer to provide tickets with or without barcode as well as accept scanner input and provide control signals to the visual indicators.
- the invention can also be incorporated into a more capable full blown inventory control computer system.
- An appropriate printer is the Epson TM-300B dot matrix printer, including a cutter (not shown) for detaching the individual tickets 32 from a continuous roll of stock.
- a cutter for detaching the individual tickets 32 from a continuous roll of stock.
- the printer can be arranged to produce a summary ticket (not shown) for the customer's order or other group, for example including information such as a customer name or identification, a list of the article descriptions, a due date, associated charges and the like, some or all of which can also be printed on the tickets for the articles as shown in FIGURE 3.
- the invention provides an automated method to assist in manual handling of articles 24 of various types, that are associated with one another in groups 26.
- the method can be more or less automated by hardware and/or software to accomplish certain steps, the remainder of the steps being accomplished with some human intervention.
- the method includes recording a total number of articles 24 in each group 26, from data entry or other counting means.
- Each of the articles is labelled with a code 34 identifying the group to which the article belongs, or if articles are included with permanent labels they can be cross referenced to their group.
- reliance is placed on the group code 34, preferably on the labels on the articles, and on the count 52 of the articles.
- An available temporary storage location 84 is chosen from a plurality of storage locations when encountering a first article 24 in each group 26. This article and subsequent articles are placed in their respective storage locations 84 for the groups while concurrently counting assembled articles for each group as each article for that group is scanned and placed, using the group identification code to trigger counting. By carrying this count using automated means and comparing the count for each group to the total number, it is possible not only to guide the user to the correct placement of every article 24, but also to indicate when the count reaches the total number 52 for each respective group, thereby managing the assembly process in a convenient and inexpensive manner.
- the input (label generation) and output (assembly) sides of the arrangement need not be in data communication unless necessary to communicate the article count for each group to the processor 72 handling the assembly side, effectively requiring (as in FIGURE 2) one processor or controller at the input for control of printer 30, and another at the output for control of the indicators 92, 94.
- label generation and indicator control can be functions of a single processor 44 as in FIGURE 1.
- the foregoing printer and indicators can be coupled to an inventory control and reporting system such as that disclosed in US Patent Re.33,054 - Markman, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated, with the functions according to the invention accomplished using the processor therein.
- individual articles within a process are monitored in an effort to identify extra and missing articles, and a running inventory of articles and the associated charges are kept or are obtainable by scanning codes associated with the articles or with groups of articles having descriptions of their articles recorded.
- the present invention can be merged into such a system, for. example, by using the completion of a reassembled group to trigger appropriate changes in the inventory records.
- the article counting, label generation and serial port signalling functions needed according to the invention are available or readily provided as features of the inventory control system.
- optically scannable label embodiments have been discussed with respect to optically scannable barcode.
- Other optically scannable indicia can be used as well, as can electrically encoded scannable indicia such as RF or magnetically encoded tags.
- electrically encoded scannable indicia such as RF or magnetically encoded tags.
- a less sophisticated encoding is possible, such as coding shown alphanumerically and entered by keystrokes.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP9501756A JPH11507259A (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-06-06 | Method and apparatus for reconstructing grouped articles |
EP96919193A EP0855063A1 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-06-06 | Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items |
AU61595/96A AU698721B2 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-06-06 | Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/469,175 US5794213A (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1995-06-06 | Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items |
US469,175 | 1995-06-06 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1996039672A1 true WO1996039672A1 (en) | 1996-12-12 |
Family
ID=23862742
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1996/009437 WO1996039672A1 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-06-06 | Method and apparatus for reforming grouped items |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5794213A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0855063A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11507259A (en) |
AU (1) | AU698721B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2223789A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996039672A1 (en) |
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---|---|---|---|---|
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AU2003212105B2 (en) * | 2002-03-25 | 2006-05-04 | Vnh Systems Pty Ltd | Method and apparatus for storing and retrieving items |
ES2268986A1 (en) * | 2005-08-03 | 2007-03-16 | Saident, S.L. | Washing machine controller with individualized garment radio identification includes a reader and a computer for individual processing containers selection |
EP1881103A1 (en) * | 2006-07-19 | 2008-01-23 | Moon-Suk Jang | System for automatically processing laundry articles |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU6159596A (en) | 1996-12-24 |
CA2223789A1 (en) | 1996-12-12 |
AU698721B2 (en) | 1998-11-05 |
JPH11507259A (en) | 1999-06-29 |
EP0855063A4 (en) | 1998-09-02 |
US5794213A (en) | 1998-08-11 |
EP0855063A1 (en) | 1998-07-29 |
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