Sortable tracking object

Abstract

This disclosure relates to sortable tracking objects. In particular, this disclosure relates to sortable tracking objects that can be associated with item containers and items for tracking and organization.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of tracking items, the method comprising:
 introducing a plurality of items into item processing equipment for processing;   scanning the plurality of items with a sensor;   sorting, in item processing equipment, items of the plurality of items into a first bin of the item processing equipment;   introducing a first tracking object into the item processing equipment;   scanning the first tracking object with the sensor;   sorting, in the item processing equipment, the first tracking object into the first bin; and   associating, in a database, the first tracking object with the items of the plurality of items sorted into the first bin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first container is at the first bin, and wherein sorting items of the plurality of items into the first bin comprises sorting items of the plurality of items into the first container at the first bin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising moving the first container within a distribution network past the first reader. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first reader is disposed proximate an entry of a distribution facility of a distribution network, and wherein item information in the database for the items of the plurality of items is updated to indicate arrival at the distribution facility when the first reader scans the first tracking object. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first reader is disposed proximate an exit of a distribution facility of a distribution network, and wherein item information in the database for the items of the plurality of items is updated to indicate departure from the distribution facility when the first reader scans the first tracking object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disassociating the first tracking object from the items of the plurality of items to facilitate reuse of the first tracking object. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising deleting data stored in a physical memory of the first tracking object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising scanning the first tracking object with a second reader and, in response, disassociating the first tracking object from the items of the plurality of items to facilitate reuse of the first tracking object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tracking object comprises a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag that is configured to be scanned by the first reader. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the RFID tag is disposed inside the first tracking object. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tracking object comprises a computer readable code on an exterior surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 sorting, in item processing equipment, items of the plurality of items into a second bin of the item processing equipment;   introducing a second tracking object into the item processing equipment;   scanning the second tracking object with the sensor;   sorting, by way of the item processing equipment, the second tracking object into the second bin; and   associating, in the database, the second tracking object with the items of the plurality of items sorted into the second bin such that item information in the database for the items of the plurality of items sorted into the second bin is updated when the first reader scans the second tracking object.   
     
     
         13 . A method of tracking items, the method comprising:
 scanning a plurality of items with a sensor;   sorting, in item processing equipment, items of the plurality of items into a first bin of the item processing equipment;   scanning a first tracking object with the sensor;   sorting, in item processing equipment, the first tracking object into the first bin; and   associating, in a database, the first tracking object with the items of the plurality of items sorted into the first bin.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a first container is at the first bin such that the items of the plurality of items and the first tracking object are sorted into the first container at the first bin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising moving the first container within a distribution network past the reader. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reader is disposed proximate an entry of a distribution facility of a distribution network, and wherein item information in the database for the items of the plurality of items is updated to indicate arrival at the distribution facility when the reader scans the first tracking object. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising:
 sorting, by way of the item processing equipment, items of the plurality of items into a second bin of the item processing equipment;   scanning a second tracking object with the sensor;   sorting, by way of the item processing equipment, the second tracking object into the second bin; and   associating, in the database, the second tracking object with the items of the plurality of items sorted into the second bin such that item information in the database for the items of the plurality of items sorted into the second bin is updated when the reader scans the second tracking object.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising updating the item information in the database for the items of the plurality of items sorted into the first bin when a reader scans the first tracking object. 
     
     
         19 . A tracking object comprising:
 an outer periphery bounding an internal volume; and   a tag disposed within the internal volume, the tag configured to emit a signal comprising a unique identifier;   wherein the tracking object is configured to be introduced into item processing equipment that processes a plurality of items for delivery, sorted into a bin location that does not have another tracking object, and associated, in a database, with items of the plurality of items sorted to the bin location such that a scan event for the tracking object corresponds to a status update for the items of the plurality of items sorted to the bin location.   
     
     
         20 . The tracking object of  claim 19 , comprising a computer readable code positioned on an external surface of the outer periphery.