Logistics chain management system

• US 20040000586A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hussmann Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Exago Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: White, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,764,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A logistic chain management system which provides a network and databases to enable exporters or importers to book transport and storage facilities for all stages of the export/import transport/storage chain. Members of the logistic chain communicate over the network, where data storage, record and tracking means are provided to manage the consignment of goods as it moves along the supply chain to destination. Means to collect data corresponding to predetermined condition of the goods during transportation and storage is incorporated, and quality assurance is achieved by monitoring consignments of goods with data loggers. All participants sign an agreement including predetermined transport conditions for the goods, and a system manager monitors compliance using the data loggers.

Claims

1. A logistics chain management system for use by members who include goods suppliers, transport providers, storage providers, and customers wherein the members agree to comply with predetermined logistic conditions for the goods which system includes

a) a communication network accessible by members

b) data storage means accessible over the network for storing details of a consignment of goods

c) means in said communication network for making available to appropriate members details of said consignment

d) means for members to communicate with each other over the network

e) means to collect data corresponding to the predetermined condition of the goods during transportation and storage

f) means to record and track data pertaining to said consignment as it moves along the supply chain to its eventual destination including the current location of the goods and compliance with the predetermined conditions

g) means to generate reports from the data collected.

2. A logistics chain management system as claimed in claim 1 which also includes a manager responsible for the operation of the system and the collection of data.

3. A logistics management system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the communication network is the internet

4. A logistics system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the predetermined conditions is the maintenance of the temperature of the goods within a predetermined range and the means for tracking the data incorporates a temperature sensor and data logger that periodically senses the temperature of the goods and stores the data or transmits the data to said network accessible storage means.

5. A logistics system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the preconditions relates to the avoidance of shock to the goods and the data logger incorporates a shock sensor to record the date and time that shocks greater than a predetermined threshold occur and optionally transmit the data to the network accessible data storage.

6. A logistics chain management system for use by goods suppliers, transport providers and/or storage providers comprising

a) a communication network

b) data storage means accessible over the network for storing details of available suppliers and providers

c) a bulletin board system associated with said data storage for listing transport requirements for consignments of goods

d) means in said communication network for registering interest in providing transport or storage service for a listed consignment

e) means to record and track data pertaining to consignments of goods as the consignment moves along the supply chain to its eventual destination

f) means to generate reports from the data collected

g) wherein the providers and suppliers agree to comply with predetermined transport conditions for the goods.

h) means for the goods supplier to communicate with interested providers over the network

i) means to collect data corresponding to the condition of the goods during transportation and storage

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein a through chain manager is responsible for maintaining the network accessible data base and for ensuring that the data logging system is properly used.