Method, apparatus and systems for tracking freight

• US 10,019,878 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2014
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CRC R&D, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cross Road Centers, LLC
• Inventors: Mains, Jr., Ronald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US14/521,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20160110976A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/505 comprising antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/3955 against proteinaceous materials, e.g. enzymes, hormones, lymphokines
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/70578 NGF-receptor/TNF-receptor superfamily, e.g. CD27, CD30, CD40, CD95 NGF-receptor C07K14/71, TNF-receptor C07K14/7151
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/2875 against the NGF/TNF superfamily, e.g. CD70, CD95L, CD153, CD154 against NGF C07K16/22, against TNF C07K16/241
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/52 Constant or Fc region; Isotype
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2319/30 Non-immunoglobulin-derived peptide or protein having an immunoglobulin constant or Fc region, or a fragment thereof, attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for tracking freight. Embodiments include a tracking device for a trailer containing a load. The tracking device includes a support member, a connector, a housing and a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the load. The connector securely attaches to a container on the trailer and attaches to a seal such that the container cannot be opened without breaking the seal. The support member stabilizes the housing and protects the tracking device during transit of the load. A tracking system may implement to monitor, gather information and report on the tracking device and the load.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a removable tracking device;

a seal; and

a container including a load, wherein the tracking device includes a rigid support member with a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a connector and the second end attached to a main body, wherein the main body encloses at least a GPS tracker configured to track the location of a load, wherein the connector is at least one of integrated with and securely attached to the seal and the container such that the container cannot be accessed without breaking the seal, wherein the connector attachment and rigidity of the support member act to stabilize the main body and protect the tracking device during transit of the load, wherein the tracking device is configured to continuously transmit a location of the container to a computer configured to continuously receive and store the location of the container.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bill of lading, the bill of lading not accessible without breaking the seal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a bolt and a locking member.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is an aperture.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the support member is an elongated member.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a sensor that detects if the seal has been broken and sends out a signal alert if the seal has been broken.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a universal connection adaptable for connection to multiple different types of seals and containers.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device weighs less than 10 pounds.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the container, a GSM communication configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer, and a power supply.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the tracking device includes a sensor that monitors breakage of the seal, the sensor connected to the GSM communication.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a satellite communication apparatus configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer if GSM communication is not possible.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes temperature and vibration sensors.

6. The system of 5, wherein the elongated member and the connector are connected such that they securely attach the tracking device to the container and the seal and to minimize movement and absorb loading while the container is being transported by a land vehicle.

14. A system for broker trucking, comprising:

at least one container including a load;

a removable tracking device configured to continuously transmit a location of the at least one container, wherein the tracking device includes a rigid support member with a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a connector and the second end attached to a main body, wherein the main body encloses at least a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the load, wherein the connector is at least one of integrated with and securely attached to the seal and the container such that the container cannot be accessed without breaking the seal, wherein the connector attachment and rigidity of the support member act to stabilize the main body and protect the tracking device during transit of the load, wherein the tracking device is configured to continuously transmit a location of the container to a computer configured to continuously receive and store the location of the container;

a computer configured to continuously receive the location of the at least one container from the respective removable tracking device and store the location; and

a computer user interface configured to display the transmitted location of the at least one container as received by the computer to an administrator.

15. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, further comprising a terminal at a warehouse wherein a warehouse personnel inputs into the computer that the at least one container has been loaded and is ready to transmit the location of the at least one container.

16. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the administrator is located at the user interface and configured to use the location information of the at least one container to update arrival information.

17. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the location of the at least one container is transmitted over GSM and the internet to the computer configured to receive the transmitted location.

18. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the location of the at least one container is transmitted over satellite and the internet to the computer configured to receive the transmitted location.

19. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the computer is interconnected with a Transportation Management System.

20. A method of broker trucking, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a tracking device and a bill of lading for a load, wherein the tracking device includes a rigid support member with a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a connector and the second end attached to a main body, wherein the main body encloses at least a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the load, wherein the connector is at least one of integrated with and securely attached to the seal and the container such that the container cannot be accessed without breaking the seal, wherein the connector attachment and rigidity of the support member act to stabilize the main body and protect the tracking device during transit of the load, wherein the tracking device is configured to continuously transmit a location of the container to a computer configured to continuously receive and store the location of the container;

loading a container, connected to a trailer, with the load;

sealing the container such that neither the load, tracking device or bill of lading can be accessed without breaking the seal;

continuously monitoring the container while the load is in transit via a computer system connected to the tracking device, wherein the tracking device is configured to continuously transmit a location of the container to the computer system configured to continuously receive and store the location of the container;

breaking the sealed container upon the arrival at a place of load delivery;

removing the load from the container; and

returning the tracking device and the bill of lading to a depository.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

inputting into the computer system that the container has been sealed and is ready to depart; and

inputting into the computer system that the container has arrived, wherein the inputted sealing activates the tracking device and the inputted arrival deactivates the tracking device.

22. A tracking device for a trailer containing a load, comprising:

a rigid support member with a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a connector and the second end attached to a main body, the main body enclosing at least a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the load, wherein the connector is at least one of integrated with and securely attached to a container on the trailer and to a seal such that the container cannot be opened without breaking the seal, wherein the connector attachment and rigidity of the support member act to stabilize the main body and protect the tracking device during transit of the load, wherein the tracking device is configured to continuously transmit a location of the container to a computer configured to continuously receive and store the location of the container.

23. The tracking device of claim 22, further comprising an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the container, a GSM communication device configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer, and a power supply.

24. The tracking device of claim 23, further comprising a sensor that monitors breakage of the seal, the sensor connected to the GSM communication device.

25. The tracking device of claim 23, further comprising satellite communication device configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer if GSM communication is not possible.