System and Method for Tracking Freight
First Claim
1. A system for tracking freight comprising:
- a vehicle for transporting a piece of freight;
a data entry device accessible to an operator of the vehicle for receiving input of identifying information associated with a piece of freight which is received for shipment;
a label capable of being affixed to the piece of freight; and
an encoding device operable for receiving identifying information for a piece of freight which has been input to the data entry device and encoding the identifying information onto said label.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a system and method that permits information specific to a piece of freight to be encoded onto a label that can be attached to, and travel with, the freight as it moves from a point of origin to its final destination. This “identifying information” encoded on the label can be instantly recalled by scanning the label without the need to recall the information from a central database. As a result, the system helps provide a reliable method of retrieving information about a specific piece of freight in real time and at any point along the shipping route. The system includes a data entry device in which the identifying information is inputted. The inputted information is communicated to an encoding device that encodes the information onto a label, such as a RFID tag or a 2-D bar code. The encoded label is then affixed to the freight.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for tracking freight comprising:
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a vehicle for transporting a piece of freight;
a data entry device accessible to an operator of the vehicle for receiving input of identifying information associated with a piece of freight which is received for shipment;
a label capable of being affixed to the piece of freight; and
an encoding device operable for receiving identifying information for a piece of freight which has been input to the data entry device and encoding the identifying information onto said label. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for tracking freight comprising:
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a vehicle for transporting a piece of freight;
a hand-held device accessible to an operator of the vehicle, the hand-held device including a memory for receiving and storing identifying information associated with a piece of freight which is received for shipment, the identifying information including an identification code or number and at least one additional data field selected from the group consisting of;
a point of origin;
a final destination;
weight of the piece of freight, special handling instructions for the piece of freight;
classification for the piece of freight;
number of items associated with the shipment;
estimated value of the piece of freight; and
digital image of the piece of freight, and the hand-held device also including a wireless transmitter operable for transmitting the identifying information for the piece of freight to a remote receiving site;
a label capable of being affixed to the piece of freight; and
an encoding device operable for receiving identifying information for a piece of freight from said memory and encoding the identifying information onto said label. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for tracking freight comprising:
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receiving a piece of freight from a shipper at a point of origin;
inputting identifying information associated with the piece of freight into a data entry device at the point of origin;
communicating the identifying information to an encoding device;
encoding said identifying information onto a label;
attaching said label to said piece of freight; and
transporting said piece of freight to a second location. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for tracking freight comprising:
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receiving a piece of freight from a shipper at a point of origin;
inputting into a hand-held device at the point of origin identifying information associated with the piece of freight, the identifying information including an identification code or number and at least one additional data field selected from the group consisting of;
a point of origin;
a final destination;
weight of the piece of freight, special handling instructions for the piece of freight;
classification for the piece of freight;
number of items associated with the shipment;
estimated value of the piece of freight; and
digital image of the piece of freight,communicating the identifying information to an encoding device;
encoding said identifying information onto a label;
attaching said label to said piece of freight;
wirelessly transmitting the identifying information for the piece of freight to a remote receiving site; and
transporting said piece of freight to a second location. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification