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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Shipment of a parcel requires that information accompany the parcel as it
is prepared for shipment, picked up by the carrier, transported, sorted,
delivered to the recipient, unpacked, and so forth. The accompanying
information (hereinafter called "parcel information") often falls into the
following categories, among others: name and address of sender; name and
address of recipient; routing codes; parcel identification number; name of
carrier; date of shipment; C.O.D. amount; amount of declared value or
insurance; shipping charges including charges for special services such as
C.O.D. or declared value; purchase order number, date, etc.; invoice
number, date, amount, etc.; packing list; and picking list.
The accompanying information is commonly in the form of alphanumeric
characters printed on a label that is affixed to the parcel or on a piece
of paper packed inside the parcel or carried along with the parcel. A
limited amount of information, such as the routing code or the parcel
identification number, may be printed in bar coded form on the parcel or
on a label that is then affixed to the parcel.
The alphanumeric and/or bar coded form of the information has a number of
disadvantages.
Alphanumeric information can be read by machines only with difficulty.
Optical character readers (OCR's) are expensive. The type font, spacing
and print quality of the characters, and their orientation and distance
relative to the OCR, must be carefully controlled for accurate reading to
occur.
Bar code readers are less expensive and more flexible than OCR's, but print
quality, as well as orientation and distance relative to the reader, are
still significant issues. Human intervention is usually required to
establish the correct proximity and orientation between the bar code and
the reader. If two or more bar codes are applied to the parcels at various
times or for various purposes, human or machine errors in reading may
easily occur. Soiling in transit or other damage to the bar coded label
may also prevent proper reading.
A further disadvantage of alphanumeric characters and bar codes is the
amount of physical surface area required to accommodate them. Only a
limited number of alphanumeric characters can be printed on a shipping
label before it becomes cluttered and difficult to read. Similarly, an
accompanying sheet of paper can hold only so much alphanumeric
information. If the number of accompanying sheets is increased, the
chances of the sheets being lost or out of order also increases.
Bar codes also take up a significant amount of surface area. As the bar
coded area increases so do the problems of distance and orientation
relative to the reader as well as the amount of human time and attention
required to insure proper reading.
In addition to a label affixed to each parcel and packing lists and other
documents relating to a single parcel, it is common for groups of parcels
to be accompanied by a document referred to as a manifest. The manifest is
in a form and contains information required by the parcel carrier. It
typically lists all the parcels in the group by parcel identification
number, and indicates the shipping charge for each parcel. Other
information typically included for each parcel in the group is parcel
weight, destination zone, declared value, C.O.D. amount and the like. The
manifest also usually states the total shipping charge for the entire
group of parcels.
When the parcel carrier's representative picks up the group of parcels from
the shipper he also receives the manifest. The carrier's representative
uses the manifest to check the number and description of the group of
parcels. Later the carrier's billing department uses the manifest to
generate a bill to the shipper. The carrier may also use the information
on the manifest for other purposes such as keeping track of operations.
Providing a manifest in paper form carries some disadvantages. When there
are a large number of parcels in the group, the manifest consists of many
pages, some which may be lost or placed out of order. Printing a lengthy
manifest at the end of a day may delay dispatch of the parcels. The
carrier's capture of data from the manifest, for billing and other
purposes, is onerous, requiring a great deal of manual or keyboard entry
of information.
It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a more convenient
and efficient form in which to transport information related to and
accompanying parcels.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a more convenient form
in which to store information relating to the contents of a storage
location for goods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objects are achieved and the disadvantages of the prior art are
overcome in accordance with the subject invention by means of an
integrated circuit card that is attached to a parcel and includes a
microprocessor connected to a memory and to an input device and an output
device. The card stores information related to the parcel. Information may
be stored on the card by an automatic terminal The information stored on
the card may be read by an automatic terminal.
According to another aspect of the invention, an integrated circuit card
stores information comprising a manifest for a group of parcels.
According to still another aspect of the invention an integrated circuit
card is associated with a storage location and stores information related
to goods stored in the storage location
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a plan view of an integrated circuit package label in accordance
with the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a plan view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit
package label
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the label.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart for a computer program to carry out operations for
writing data into the label and reading data from the label.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a parcel with a label attached thereto in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a parcel with a label attached thereto in
accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 6 and 6A are partial cross sectional views of the label, taken along
the line 6--6 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a terminal station for writing data into the label
and reading data from the label.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a terminal for writing data into the label and
reading data from the label.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing some details of the label's memory.
FIG. 10 is an example of a paper manifest according to prior art.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an I.C. card manifesting system according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Description of I.C. package label
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 6, an integrated circuit package label 2 is shown
in accordance with the present invention. Label 2 is generally in the form
of a conventional integrated circuit card (or "smart card") and includes a
card shaped plastic body 10. The plastic body 10 includes a central
section 16 that holds the electronic components of label 2. Plastic body
10 also includes top protective layer 12 and bottom protective layer 14.
Protective layers 12 and 14 are transparent or light transmissive.
Label 2 has a top surface 18 on which information 19 is visible, such as
the name of the owner or issuer of label 2. Information 19 may be printed
or silk screened on central section 16 so that it is visible through
protective layer 12.
Also visible on top surface 18 is display 60 which includes LCD segments 66
adapted to display bar codes. Also present on top surface 18 are keyboard
20, solar cell bank 30, sensor 40 and light emitting diode (LED) 50.
The electronic components of label 2 are shown in block diagram form in
FIG. 2 and comprise microprocessor 100. Microprocessor 100 may be an Intel
Model 80286 or any other processor with low power consumption.
Clock driver 112 is connected to microprocessor 100 and provides clock
signals to the internal clock of microprocessor 100. Clock driver 112 may
be a quartz crystal, an RC circuit, an LC tuned circuit or other or
another conventional source of clock signals.
Microprocessor 100 is connected to memory 104. Memory 104 is shown in more
detail in FIG. 9 and advantageously comprises read only memory (ROM) 130
for storing operating software for label 2. Memory 104 further comprises
random access memory (RAM) 132 for use during operation of label 2, and
nonvolatile memory such as electrically erasable programmable read only
memory (EEPROM) 134 or a memory backed up by a battery (which may be
battery 106 or another battery which is not shown). ROM 130, RAM 132 and
EEPROM 134 are each connected to microprocessor 100 via appropriate data,
address and control lines 144 and are also connected to a power supply via
appropriate circuitry 146.
EEPROM 134 may comprise a write protected section 138 for storing serial
numbers or other identification data, or other information stored therein
by the manufacturer, distributor or owner and intended to be maintained
permanently for the life of label 2. Section 138 may comprise an openly
readable subsection 140 and a selectively readable subsection 142,
subsection 142 being readable only after a password is input or another
security requirement is complied with.
EEPROM 134 may further comprise a read protected section 136 into which
data may be freely written, but from which data is selectively readable,
again only after compliance with a security requirement. Applications
using read protected section 136 are described below.
Returning to FIG. 2, microprocessor 100 is connected to battery 106 and is
adapted to sense when battery 106 is in need of charging. Such sensing may
be a function of the voltage level provided by battery 104 or of the
response time of battery 104.
Battery 106 is connected to solar cell bank 30 through charge control
circuit 108. Microprocessor 100 is connected to charge control circuit 108
so as to cause battery 106 to be charged by solar cell bank 30 when
microprocessor 100 senses that battery 106 is in need of charging.
In an alternative embodiment, battery 106 may be a long-life battery, such
as a lithium battery, for which not recharging is required. In such
alternative embodiment, charge control circuit 108 and solar cell bank 30
are not required. In still another embodiment, a solar cell bank is
included but no battery is required, label 2 being powered by ambient
light or by light emitted from a read/write terminal. In this embodiment
RAM 132 is used only for "scratch pad" purposes, and all data to be stored
resides in EEPROM 134. It is also within the contemplation of this
invention that label 2 receive power by means comprising an electret.
Microprocessor 100 is connected through amplifier 118 to sensor 40, Sensor
40 is adapted to sense pulsed or other data communications. The
communications may be in the form of infrared, visible light, or other
radiation, radio frequency transmissions, or variations in a magnetic
field. For example, sensor 40 may take the form of an infrared pin diode
input array. Acoustical or ultrasonic communication means are also within
the contemplation of this invention. The communications protocol may be
ASCII or echoplex or any other suitable protocol.
Microprocessor 100 is connected to light emitting diode (LED) 50 through
driver circuit 122. LED 50 may be such as emits infrared radiation or may
be of a type that emits visible light. Use of an integrated circuit laser
in place of LED 50 is also within the contemplation of this invention.
Again, ASCII, echoplex or another protocol may be used.
In another embodiment of the invention, a suitable antenna or antennae and
radio frequency or another type of transmitting and receiving means are
substituted for sensor 40, amplifier 118, LED 50 and driver 122.
Microprocessor 100 is connected through driver circuit 114 to display 60.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6A, display 60 includes transparent window 62.
Below window 62 and between sidewalls 72, 70 are upper confinement surface
64 and lower confinement surface 68. Between confinement surfaces 64, 68
are held liquid crystal segments 66.
Segments 66 are formed so as to display bar codes upon proper outputs from
microprocessor 100. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, some of segments 66
denoted by reference numeral 66a are darkened and others, denoted by
reference numeral 66b, are clear, forming a bar code display.
Display 60 also includes a bottom wall 74 to which adheres a
retroreflective coating 76, comprising, for example, micro glass balls.
Incident scanning light L, travelling in a direction D, along a path PA,
does not pass through darkened segments 66a, but does pass through clear
segments 66b, striking retroreflective coating 74 and being reflected
thereby in a direction D' which is in the same path PA of direction D, but
in an opposite direction to direction D.
The bar code displayed by display 60 may be any of the commonly used
thick/thin bar and/or space codes, of which one example is shown on FIG.
1B and of which another example is, the Universal Product Code. The bar
code may also be the Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET) bar/half
bar code used by the U.S. Postal Service for coding zip codes on envelopes
as shown on FIG. 1B. A description of the POSTNET code may be found at
Section 324.72 of the Domestic Mail Manual, published by the Postal
Service.
In another embodiment of the invention, display 60 comprises LC segments
capable of displaying alphanumeric characters. Alphanumeric information to
be displayed by display 60 may advantageously take the form of letters
and/or numerals in a continuous single line that scrolls from right to
left across the display. In still another embodiment, display 60 displays
bar codes at some times and alphanumeric information at other times.
In another embodiment, display 60 may comprise, instead of a bottom wall 74
with retroreflective surface 76, a window through to bottom protective
layer 14. Such an embodiment is to be used with a reading device that
emits light that passes through both window and is detected by scanning
means disposed on the opposite side of label 2 from the light emitting
means of the reading device.
Microprocessor 100 is also connected to keyboard 20, which has keys 22. As
shown on FIG. 1, keyboard 20 resembles a conventional telephone keypad in
which letters of the alphabet are associated with most of the numeric
keys. By use of keyboard 20, a user can input numeric information by
conventional procedures and alphabetic information may be input by a
procedure such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,582.
Alternatively, keyboard 20, as shown in FIG. 1A comprises a key 22 for
each alphanumeric character as shown in FIG. 1A. As another alternative, a
shift key can be included, in which case character keys would represent a
first character when the shift key is actuated and a second character when
the shift key is not activated. The keyboard layouts shown in FIGS. 1 and
1A are by way of example. Many other layouts are possible.
It should be understood that, in another embodiment of the invention,
keyboard 20 may be eliminated, in which case a terminal, as described
below, would be used to operate label 2 and to write information into
memory 104.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show label 2 attached to parcel P. Label 2 is held within
envelope 80. Envelope 80 may be formed of, for example, a clear plastic
film or a protective packing material containing air bubbles. Envelope 80
has a top portion 86 and a bottom portion 84. An adhesive layer 82 is
provided on the outside surface of bottom portion 84. Adhesive layer 82 is
in contact with and adheres to top surface 90 of parcel P, thus attaching
label 2 to parcel P.
A perforated opening 88 is provided in upper portion 84 of envelope 80,
allowing label 2 to be easily inserted into or removed from envelope 80.
In another embodiment of this invention label 2 is attached to parcel P by
means of an adhesive layer provided directly upon bottom protective layer
14 of label 2. In still another embodiment label 2 is attached to parcel P
by suitably mating velcro portions provided on top surface 90 of parcel P
and bottom protective layer 14 of label 2. In still a further embodiment,
a rigid plastic clip or bracket is secured on top surface 90 of parcel P,
and label 2 is inserted into the clip or bracket. Alternatively the velcro
attachment method may be combined with the clip or bracket method.
It should be understood that the embodiments of label 2 shown in FIGS. 1
and 1A are examples of many possible embodiments. Among other variations,
label 2 could be configured with the POSTNET display 60 as shown in FIG.
1A and the 12-key keyboard 20 of FIG. 1. As another alternative, label 2
could include the conventional bar code display 60 of FIG. 1 and the
40-key keyboard 20 of FIG. 1A.
In other embodiments, plastic body 10 and label 2 may be of an overall
shape or size different from the standard credit card shape and size
(approximately 85.times.54 mm) shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. For example,
plastic body 10 and label 2 could remain planar and rectangular but be
longer in either or both planar dimensions, as compared to the FIG. 1
embodiment. As another alternative, the electronic components of label 2
could be integrated into a plastic body 10 that forms a reusable mailer.
One form of such a reusable mailer could be used for fulfillment of
prescriptions by mail order and would comprise a cylindrical cavity for
holding a prescription bottle.
Description of read/write terminal
FIG. 7 shows a read/write terminal station for use with integrated circuit
labels. Label 2 is held within clear plastic film envelope 80, which is
attached to parcel P. Parcel P rests on conveyor C.
Terminal 300 has an arm 310 with an underside 312. Provided on underside
312 are light source 302, LED 304, sensor 306 and bar code scanner 308.
Light source 302 is for providing power to label 2 through solar cell bank
30. LED 304 is for transmitting communications to be received by label 2
through sensor 40. Sensor 306 is for receiving communications transmitted
by label 2 through LED 50. Bar code scanner 308 is for scanning and
reading bar codes displayed on display 60.
It should be understood that label 2 is disposed within envelope 80 so that
top surface 18 is facing upwards and so is presented for interaction with
terminal 300.
FIG. 8 shows the electronic components of terminal 300. Microprocessor 350
is connected through amplifier 305 to sensor 306. Microprocessor 350 is
also connected to LED 304 through driver 303. Through central circuit 301
microprocessor 350 controls light source 302. Microprocessor 350 is also
connected to bar code scanner 308.
Parcel sensor 328 is also connected to microprocessor 350. Parcel sensor
328 may consist of a pressure sensor appropriately located under conveyor
C, or an optical sensor, or any conventional article sensor as is used in
electronic article surveillance. In the latter case, it is assumed that
label 2 or parcel P is provided with marking circuitry or such other type
of marker as may be sensed by parcel sensor 328.
Microprocessor 350 is also connected to conventional memory means 320, and
to keyboard 322 and display 324 which allow interaction with a human
operator. Microprocessor 350 is also interfaced to modem 326 for
communication, by way of example, with a host computer. Optionally,
microprocessor 350 may also be interfaced to a printer (not shown), if it
is desired that terminal 300 be capable of printing, for example, activity
reports.
As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, terminal 300 may take a
variety of forms, some of which do not require a number of the components
shown in FIG. 8. For example, in a terminal intended to interact with a
label only at the instance of a human operator, no parcel sensor would be
required. As another example, a terminal intended to operate automatically
without human intervention would not require a display or keyboard. As a
further example, no modem is required if there is to be no communication
with a host computer or other devices.
To provide a further example, no light source or control circuit therefor
is needed if the terminal is to be used with labels powered by permanent
batteries, or batteries that are charged by mean other than the terminal.
Further, if as noted above, label 2 comprises antennae and transmitting and
receiving means in substitution for sensor 40 and LED 50, the terminal
would be equipped with corresponding antennae and transmitting and
receiving means, instead of driver 303, LED 304, amplifier 305 and sensor
306.
Still another version of the terminal, as for a parcel sorting application,
might be intended only to read bar code from labels, in which case driver
303, LED 304, amplifier 306 and sensor 306 are not required.
Another type of terminal might interact with labels via direct electrical
contacts. In that case, labels would be required to include an appropriate
system of contacts. An example of such a contact system may be found in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,516.
Read/Write Operations
FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of label 2 when information is to be
written into memory 104 or read from memory 104. It should be understood
that in most cases the read or write operation will involve EEPROM 134.
A read/write operation begins with sensor 40 sensing an input (step 200).
Microprocessor 100 then determines whether a correct protocol has been
sensed (step 202). If the protocol is not correct, label 2 then waits for
another input. If the protocol is correct, microprocessor 100 determines
whether a read or write operation has been indicated (step 204). If it is
a write operation, microprocessor 100 causes LED 50 to output a "ready to
receive" signal (step 206). Microprocessor 100 then waits until a word has
been received through sensor 40 (step 208). Once a word has been received,
it is stored in a buffer (step 210) and then loaded into memory 104 (step
212). Microprocessor 100 then determines if end of message has been
indicated (step 214). If not, microprocessor 100 again causes LED 50 to
output a "ready to receive" signal (step 206) and the write operation
continues as before. If at step 214 end of message was indicated, the
read/write operation ends.
If at step 204 a read operation, rather than a write operation, has been
indicated, microprocessor 100 causes LED 50 to output a "ready to send"
signal (step 216). Microprocessor 100 then causes a word to be loaded from
memory 104 into a buffer (step 218). Microprocessor 100 then causes the
word to be output (step 220). It should be understood that the outputting
may be accomplished through LED 50 or through display 60, or by both
means. Microprocessor 100 then determines whether it has received a signal
acknowledging receipt of the outputted word (step 222). If receipt is not
acknowledged the word is output again through LED 50 or continues to be
displayed by display 60, as the case may be. If receipt is acknowledged,
microprocessor 100 determines whether the message has ended (step 224). If
the message has not ended, microprocessor 100 again causes LED 50 to
output a "ready to send" signal (step 216) and the read operation
continues as before. If at step 224, microprocessor 100 determines that
the message has ended, the read/write operation ends.
Fulfillment/Shipping applications
There are many potential applications for an integrated circuit package
label as disclosed herein. By way of example, a parcel carrier can supply
labels to its customers for attachment to parcels that will be transported
by the carrier.
The carrier's customer (sender of the parcel) uses the label from the
beginning to the end of the order fulfillment cycle. Initially, the sender
inputs into the label sender information including name, address and
sender identification number. Alternatively, this information may already
have been input by the carrier or may be present as a result of a previous
use of the label by the sender. Immediately after an order is received,
recipient information (such as billing name and address, account number),
order information (such as order number, item numbers, quantities,
prices), and shipping information (such as destination address, mode of
delivery, handling instructions), are all input into the label. The label
is then delivered to the warehouse in lieu of a picking list. At the
warehouse, a terminal reads the label and either prints a picking list, or
carries out an automated picking process.
From this point forward the label accompanies the order to its destination,
with information read from the label and additional information written
into the label at various stages along the way. For instance, upon
completion of the picking process, information can be added reflecting
date and time of picking, identifying the employee responsible for picking
and recording the serial numbers of the items picked for the order. If it
was not possible to fulfill the order, or if the order was only partially
fulfilled, or fulfilled with substitute items, appropriate information can
be written into the label. The label can later be read, if desired, as
part of a quality control check for the picking process.
When the order is packed and prepared for shipment, the label is attached
to the parcel as described above. Information from the label is read by a
parcel scale or computerized parcel shipping system (also known as a
manifesting system) or a terminal interfaced thereto for such purposes as
selecting routes and shipping modes, calculating shipping charges,
preparing manifests, billing, maintaining accounting records. Additional
information is written into the label, including some or all of: date and
time of shipment, routing codes (which may include a postal zip code),
shipping mode, shipping charges, handling charges, manifest number,
invoice number, weight of parcel. Information read by a terminal 300 can
be uploaded to a host computer so that a central record of order
fulfillment can be maintained.
It should be understood that the shipper's procedures may call for some of
the input information to be stored only in read protected section 136 of
the label's memory. For example, the shipping charge may be stored in read
protected section 136, with the carrier enabled to read the shipping
charge information but the recipient (shipper's customer) not so enabled.
In that case, the shipper will be free to bill the recipient a "shipping
and handling" charge that is higher than the actual shipping charge
without fear that the recipient will raise the actual charge as an
objection to the billed "shipping and handling charge." As another
example, the value of the goods shipped may be stored in read protected
section 136 so that especially valuable parcels cannot be readily
identified by individuals who may be inclined to steal them.
Once the parcel has been turned over to the carrier, the carrier may read
the label for such purposes as recording date and time of receipt, or
verifying manifest or waybill information or for receiving notice of
C.O.D. and/or insurance obligations. Additional information written into
the label at this point may include date, time and place of receipt,
carrier's parcel identification number for tracking purposes, routing
information (such as airport or sorting codes), an indication that
shipping charges (including C.O.D., insurance, etc.), have been paid or
that the parcel has been cross-checked against a manifest, or information
necessary for the carrier to bill the sender.
An automated sorting system, comprising one or more terminals 300 or the
like, reads routing information through bar code scanner 308 or through
sensor 306, and directs the parcel into an appropriate bin for dispatch to
the next point en route. This process may occur at several points before
the parcel is delivered. At each sorting point, or at other points along
the way, terminals can be used to read parcel identification information
from the label so as to track the progress of the parcel through the
carrier's system. At those same points or others, the time, place and
location of sorting or handling may be written into the label, so that the
parcel carries with it a record of its path through the system.
In one type of application of the integrated circuit label, the carrier
removes the label from the parcel at the destination, perhaps after a
final read and/or write operation for recording date, time and place of
delivery, payment of C.O.D. charges, name of individual recipient, and so
forth. The label is returned to the carrier's premises, where some or all
of the information accumulated during fulfillment, shipment and delivery
can be read by a terminal and uploaded to a host computer for billing,
market analysis, operational analysis or other purposes.
Appropriate nonpermanent portions of the label's memory are then cleared,
the label is provided to another shipper or the same shipper and the
entire process is repeated. In this way each label may be reused many
times.
Alternatively, the label remains attached to the (parcel) after delivery.
The label is read by the recipient's terminal for such purposes as
matching to a purchase order, checking the contents of the parcel,
verifying the invoice, or auditing the carrier's charges or service
performance, If the items contained in the parcel are to be resold by the
recipient, the label may continue to accompany those items, undergoing
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