System and method for automatic tracking of cargo
First Claim
1. An automatic cargo tracking system which enables switching of current shipping paths to avoid or reduce any delay in delivery of cargo, the system comprising:
- a database server, comprising;
a shipping path database for storing information on shipping paths, the information on shipping paths comprising names of ports that a cargo passes through, a standard arrival time and an estimated arrival time for each of said ports, and a standard departure time and an estimated departure time for each of said ports; and
an on way cargo database for storing cargo tracking records, wherein the cargo tracking records comprises columns for;
packing number, information on shipping path, actual arrival time for each of ports that a cargo passes through, actual departure time for each of said ports, system status, shipping status, current position, and proof of delivery;
a plurality of client computers; and
an application server linked to the client computers via a network, the application server comprising;
a tracking module for obtaining an arrival time and a departure time of an original port, information on a shipping path from the shipping path database, information on cargo tracking and a proof of delivery from a respective one of the client computers;
an alerting module for comparing an actual time with a corresponding estimated time in a cargo tracking record, and for generating an alert message when the actual time is later than the estimated time; and
a path management module for determining whether to switch a current shipping path based on any alert message, for selecting a new optimal shipping path, and for switching the shipping path to maintain a delivery date.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic cargo tracking system and method includes: a database server (10), a plurality of client computers (16), and an application server (12) linked to the client computers via a network. The application server includes a basic information maintenance module (122) for generating export files and cargo tracking records; a tracking module (123) for receiving information on cargo tracking and abnormality messages sent by the client computers; an alert module (125) for generating alerts messages; and a path management module (126) for receiving abnormality messages from the client computers and/or alert messages sent by the alert module of the application server, determining whether to switch current shipping paths based on feedback messages received from the client computers of corresponding forwarders, and for selecting new optimal paths to maintain a delivery date. A related method is also disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An automatic cargo tracking system which enables switching of current shipping paths to avoid or reduce any delay in delivery of cargo, the system comprising:
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a database server, comprising;
a shipping path database for storing information on shipping paths, the information on shipping paths comprising names of ports that a cargo passes through, a standard arrival time and an estimated arrival time for each of said ports, and a standard departure time and an estimated departure time for each of said ports; and
an on way cargo database for storing cargo tracking records, wherein the cargo tracking records comprises columns for;
packing number, information on shipping path, actual arrival time for each of ports that a cargo passes through, actual departure time for each of said ports, system status, shipping status, current position, and proof of delivery;
a plurality of client computers; and
an application server linked to the client computers via a network, the application server comprising;
a tracking module for obtaining an arrival time and a departure time of an original port, information on a shipping path from the shipping path database, information on cargo tracking and a proof of delivery from a respective one of the client computers;
an alerting module for comparing an actual time with a corresponding estimated time in a cargo tracking record, and for generating an alert message when the actual time is later than the estimated time; and
a path management module for determining whether to switch a current shipping path based on any alert message, for selecting a new optimal shipping path, and for switching the shipping path to maintain a delivery date. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automatic cargo tracking method which enables switching of a current shipping paths to avoid or reduce any delay in delivery of cargo, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating export files and a cargo tracking record;
(b) comparing an actual time with an estimated time of a current port in a particular cargo tracking record, and generating an alert message when the actual time is later than the estimated time;
(c) receiving the alert message, determining whether to switch a current shipping path, and switching the current shipping path if appropriate;
(d) receiving information on cargo tracking from one or more client computers of one or more corresponding forwarders, and storing the information on cargo tracking in the cargo tracking record; and
(e) determining whether to continue the cargo tracking by accessing the cargo tracking record, and receiving a proof of delivery if all of ports in the cargo tracking record have data. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An automatic cargo tracking method which enables switching of current shipping paths to avoid or reduce any delays in delivery of cargo, comprising steps of:
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(a) setting an initial shipping path and setting estimated arrival time at each of ports on said initial shipping path;
(b) comparing an actual time with an estimate of a current port for a specific cargo tracking record;
(c) generating an alert message if the actual time is longer than the estimated time;
(d) determining whether a current shipping path should be revised to make up any delay if there is the alert message;
(e) setting another estimated arrival time at each of the corresponding ports on a revised shipping path; and
(f) repeating steps of (b) through (e) until the shipped cargo arrives a destined port.
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Specification