Apparatus and method for providing shipment information

• US 20060247986A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transcend Shipping Systems, LLC (Raymond Anthony Joao)
• Original Assignee: Raymond Anthony Joao
• Inventors: Joao, Raymond Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,482,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

An apparatus, including a shipment conveyance device associated with a shipment, and which is at least one of a shipping container, a pallet, and a tote, a positioning device which is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and which determines a position or location of the shipment conveyance device, a processing device which processes at least one of information regarding the shipment and information regarding the shipment conveyance device in response to an occurrence of an event or in response to a request for information regarding the shipment or the shipment conveyance device, wherein the processing device generates a message containing information regarding a position or location of the shipment or the shipment conveyance device, and a transmitter which transmits the message to a communication device associated with an individual or entity.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An apparatus, comprising:

a shipment conveyance device, wherein the shipment conveyance device is associated with a shipment, and further wherein the shipment conveyance device is at least one of a shipping container, a pallet, and a tote;

a positioning device, wherein the positioning device is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the positioning device determines a position or location of the shipment conveyance device;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes at least one of information regarding the shipment and information regarding the shipment conveyance device in response to an occurrence of an event or in response to a request for information regarding the shipment or the shipment conveyance device, wherein the processing device generates a message containing information regarding a position or location of the shipment or the shipment conveyance device; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an individual or entity.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the message contains information regarding at least one of the occurrence of an event, a status of the shipment, a shipment temperature, and an impact or force on the shipment conveyance device.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the individual or entity is at least one of a sender of the shipment, a receiver of the shipment, and a carrier of the shipment.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a display device, wherein the display device displays or provides information regarding the shipment, and further wherein the display device is at least one of a display screen, a liquid crystal display screen, and a light emitting diode screen.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives the request for information regarding the shipment or the shipment conveyance device.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus stores information regarding at least one of a handling instruction regarding the shipment, information regarding a temperature requirement regarding the shipment, information regarding digitized map information, information regarding a stop or stops made during the transport of the shipment, and travel route information regarding the shipment.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the message contains information regarding a stop made by a carrier of the shipment or the shipment conveyance device.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a sensor, wherein the sensor monitors or measures at least one of a temperature during the shipment, a shock exerted on the shipment conveyance device, an impact exerted on the shipment conveyance device, and a force exerted on the shipment conveyance device,

wherein the message contains information regarding at least one of a temperature of the shipment, a change in a shipment temperature, and an impact or force exerted on the shipment conveyance device.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the message contains information regarding an unusual stopping period regarding the shipment.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processing device is programmed to automatically generate the message.

31. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processing device generates a shipment delivery message, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the shipment delivery message to the communication device.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the event is a detection of a deviation from a pre-determined transportation route associated with the shipment.

33. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the event is a detection of an unauthorized carrier or a wrong carrier transporting the shipment or a detection of an unauthorized receiver of the shipment or a wrong receiver of the shipment.

34. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the event is a detection of a shipment temperature which deviates from a shipment temperature requirement.

35. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the event is a detection of at least one of an impact experienced by the shipment conveyance device, a force experienced by the shipment conveyance device, a mishandling of the shipment conveyance device, a dropping of the shipment conveyance device, and an accident involving the shipment conveyance device.

36. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

an input device, wherein the input device is used to enter information regarding a person or entity attempting to receive the shipment,

wherein the processing device processes the information regarding a person or entity attempting to receive the shipment and determines whether or not the person or entity is a proper receiver of the shipment.

37. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processing device detects an occurrence giving rise to an insurance claim regarding the shipment, and further wherein the message includes insurance claim information.

38. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the message is transmitted on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

39. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the shipping container is at least one of a refrigerated container, a heated container, and an insulated container.

40. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the communication device is at least one of a wireless device and a personal digital assistant.