Patent Abstract:
A system for handling tape dispensers to be used by parcel preparation workers. Identification markings on the parcels are scanned. The identification markings are matched with corresponding different kinds of packaging tape. A tape dispenser receptacle holds a plurality of tape dispensers in respective cradles. Each of the cradles has an associated display indicator that is activated based on the type of packaging tape determined by the scanner and the processor.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to managing use of the proper packaging material in a multi-shipper parcel processing facility. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the growth of on-line shopping, more and more merchandise items are being packaged and shipped. Rather than handle it all themselves, on-line sellers can outsource various aspects of the parcel preparation process. For example, one challenging aspect of parcel ship in is international delivery processing. International shipping can require special knowledge of shipping fees, customs compliance, duties and taxes. Thus, an opportunity arises for third party service providers to process parcels originating from multiple on-line sellers, and to gain various efficiencies and economy of scale while also improving the on-line shopping experience. 
     When working on packages originating from multiple sellers, the service provider must be sensitive to any individual requirements that the sellers may have. For example, different sellers may want their own special packing tape used on the exterior of their packages. Such special tape will typically include the seller&#39;s name and logo. However, with different types of tape being used, the possibility arises that a worker could put the wrong tape on a package. This could result in confusion on the part of the recipient, and potentially hurt the reputation of the seller. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the problem described above, a new system is described for handling tape dispensers to be used by parcel processing workers. The system handles different tape rolls to be used on different corresponding packages. For example, the different rolls of tape may typically have the names and logos of different Internet merchandise companies. 
     The system scans identification markings on the packages. A processor, in communication with the scanner, matches the scanned identification markings with the corresponding different kinds of packaging tape. A tape dispenser receptacle with a group of cradles is connected to the processor. Each of the cradles is associated with a particular type of packaging tape. Each of the cradles also has an associated display indicator that is activated based on the type of packaging tape determined by the scanner and the processor. The indicators can be LED lamps. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the cradles each have a sensor to detect whether the cradle is empty. Thus, it can be determined if the proper tape dispenser has been removed, and an error signal is generated when the wrong cradle is sensed to be empty. The sensor can be an optical sensor, a mechanical spring sensor, or any other suitable type of sensor. The system may also include an audible alarm that is activated by the error signal. The error condition can be displayed on a screen and the system can be paused to prohibit further processing until the error condition is corrected. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the tape dispensers include identification tags on them that provide further error sensing capabilities. Each dispenser is assigned a corresponding type of packaging tape. The cradles are then modified to include additional sensors for detecting the specific identification tags when the dispensers are in the cradles. An error signal is again generated when the identification tag sensors determine that an incorrect identification tag has been removed from the tape dispenser receptacle. In this preferred embodiment, the identification tags can be RFID tags and the identification tag sensors would be RF receivers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  shows an overhead view of the tape dispenser receptacle used in connection with the tape dispenser management system. 
         FIG. 1B  shows an end view of the tape dispenser receptacle. 
         FIG. 1C  shows a side view of the tape dispenser receptacle, with the tape dispenser in its resting position. 
         FIG. 2  snows a preferred embodiment of the tape dispenser management system. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary flow diagram for operation of the tape dispenser management system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows details of the tape dispenser receptacle  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The receptacle  10  includes a series of cradles  13  for holding tape dispensers  11  when they are not in use. Each tape dispenser  11  can be loaded with a different type of tape  27  for use on different sellers&#39; packages. Typically, the different tapes  27  will have different logos and brands that are representative of different shippers, but different tape stocks can be applicable for other purposes. For example, the different stocks of tape  27  might have selectable holiday messages, or different strengths, or they might have different performance properties to be selected based characteristics of the parcel contents, in the preferred embodiment, the tape  27  is a pressure sensitive tape that is applied by a standard hand held dispenser  11 . 
     Each cradle  13  has an indicator light is lit to indicate which of the tape dispensers  11  is to be used for a particular parcel. The cradles  13  also have sensor  15  to detect the presence of a dispenser  11  in the cradle  13 . In the preferred embodiment, these sensors  15  are comprised of optical sensors that include an infra-red light emitter and detector pair located such that the emitter beam is always blocked with the cradle is occupied. 
     The overall tape dispenser management system is depicted in  FIG. 2 . A scanner  22  is used to scan information  20  or  21  on a parcel. The scanner  22  can be a handheld device or it can be a camera that is integrated on a piece of equipment for handling and transporting the parcels. The scanned information could be a return address  20  that is interpreted via optical character recognition software, or a barcode  21 , that is interpreted by standard barcode reading software. 
     The scanner  22  is in communication with a processing computer  23  which is in turn in communication with the tape dispenser receptacle  10 . Based on the information received from the scanner  22  the processing computer  23  determines which tape dispenser  11  is to be used and which corresponding indicator light  12  is to be lit. Processing computer  23  also receives sensor  15  feedback from the receptacle  10  indicating which cradles  13  are occupied, or empty, at a given time. Processing computer  23  is preferably a conventional desktop computer with a monitor, keyboard, processor, and USB communication capabilities for connection to the scanner  22  and the dispenser receptacle  10 . However, the processor computer can be any kind of conventional processing device, including a hand-held device, or a processor that is fully integrated with the receptacle  10 . 
     In a further embodiment, dispensers  11  can be individually marked by identifier tags  25  that serve to further distinguish in dispensers  11 . An ID sensor  14  is positioned in each cradle  13  to detect the identifier tags  25  of the dispensers  11  placed therein. Thus, in addition to the functionality of detecting whether a cradle  11  is occupied, the system can have the capability of determining that the specific dispensers  11  are placed in specific cradles. Preferably, identifier tags  25  are RFID tags that are in communication with radio frequency receivers  14 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the process flow for use of the tape dispenser management system. At step  30  the package is scanned by the scanner  30 . The scanned information might include the identity of the package sender, or some other identifier. At step  31  the processing computer  23  determines the type of tape to be used by matching the scanned information to as corresponding tape stock identified in a data file. At step  32 , the processing computer  23  then signals the receptacle  10  to activate the indicator light  12  for the correct tape dispenser  11 , determined to match the requirements from the scanned information of the package. 
     Subsequent to the indicator being activated, the cradle occupied sensors  15  are used by the processing computer  23  to determine whether the correct dispenser  11  has been removed from its cradle  13 . If the sensors indicate that an incorrect cradle  13  is empty, then an error signal is generated and an alarm step  37  is initiated. At step  35 , it is seen that an alarm step is initiated if more than one dispenser is absent, which could also mean that the wrong dispenser is being used. At step  36 , the identification tags  25  and ID sensors  14  are used to confirm that the correct dispensers  11  are replaced in their cradles. 
     Returning to the alarm step  37 , in a preferred embodiment an audible alarm is activated by the processing computer  23  to alert the operator to the sensed error condition. A display screen on the processing computer  23  can describe the nature of the error condition and appropriate remedial action. Further, the operation of the processing computer  23  and the system can be paused unto the error condition is fixed. An error signal may also be sent to a supervisory computer, so that a supervisor of the operator can be alerted to the problem. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1