US 7,454,315 B2
System and method for automatic redirection of a product under transport using an environmental sensor
Nagesh Kadaba, Roswell, Ga. (US)
Assigned to United Parcel Service of America, Inc., Atlanta, Ga. (US)
Filed on Oct. 24, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/552,413.
Application 11/552413 is a continuation of application No. 10/770119, filed on Feb. 02, 2004, granted, now 7,149,658.
Prior Publication US 2007/0058804 A1, Mar. 15, 2007
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 11/30 (2006.01); G08B 1/08 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 702—184  [340/539.26] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
an environmental sensor physically associated with a product in a container so that the environmental sensor travels with the product in the container as the product is transported within a carrier's logistics network, the environmental sensor sensing an environmental condition capable of affecting the product to generate product environment data;
at least one scanner configured to read product environment data from the environmental sensor;
a hub control unit configured to communicate with the scanner, for receiving the product environment data from the scanner and determining whether the product environment data transcends a limit of exposure of the product to an environmental condition based on the product environment data received from the environmental sensor, the hub control unit further generating a transporting instruction to redirect transport of the product to an alternate destination different from its original destination if the hub control unit determines that the product environment data indicates the environmental condition of the product has transcended the limit of exposure;
a machine controller configured to receive and execute the transporting instruction to transport the product in the container to the alternate destination; and
a sorting machinery unit associated with the machine controller, configured to sort the container with the product to the alternate destination under control of the machine controller as it executes the transporting instruction generated by the hub control unit.