PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ASSET MANAGEMENT IN A LOGISTICS SYSTEM

• US 20110077909A1
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Lemmon, Andy N., Gregory, Timothy L., Veitenheimer, James Marshall, Jacobs, James Randy, Ainsworth, Miley E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,239,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/007 Data loggers attached to transport containers for perishable products, e.g. food or medicines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light G01N3/00 - G01N19/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3206 Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a device for tracking one or more items. The device may include a plurality of sensors for detecting light, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration. The device may also include a memory for storing information received from the plurality of sensors.

Claims

1. A device for tracking one or more items, comprising:

a first sensor for detecting light;

a second sensor for detecting at least one of temperature and humidity;

a third sensor for detecting at least one of temperature and pressure;

a fourth sensor for detecting acceleration; and

a memory for storing information received from the first sensor, second sensor, third sensor, and fourth sensor.

2. The device of claim 1, comprising a lens covering the first sensor and connected to a body of the device.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a fifth sensor for detecting light.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising:

a sixth sensor for detecting light; and

a seventh sensor for detecting light.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor port housing the second sensor and the third sensor.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein,

the sensor port comprises a sensor port including one or more vents.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising,

a nose portion that extends from the device.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein,

wherein the second sensor and the third sensor are located in the nose portion.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first processor; and

a second processor.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first processor has a higher power performance or power consumption than the second processor.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising:

a wall located within the device that physically separates the second sensor ad the third sensor from the first processor and the second processor.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a GPS module.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an indicator that indicates the status of the device.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein,

the indicator is a light emitting diode.

15. A computer-implemented method for detecting conditions of one or more items, the method comprising the steps performed by a computer of:

establishing/modifying the operation of a sensor device in response to one or more threshold conditions specified by a party associated with the sensor device;

periodically detecting, by a first sensor, light information;

periodically detecting, by a second sensor, information regarding at least one of temperature and humidity;

periodically detecting, by a third sensor, information regarding at least one of temperature and pressure; and

periodically detecting, by a fourth sensor, acceleration information.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

storing the information from the first sensor, second sensor, third sensor, and fourth sensor in memory.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

periodically detecting, by a fifth sensor, light information.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

periodically detecting, by a sixth sensor and a seventh sensor, light information.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

periodically transmitting the information from at least one of the first sensor, second sensor, third sensor, and fourth sensor to a tracking center.

20. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a sensor device to detect conditions of one or more items, the method comprising:

configuring the sensor device in response to one or more threshold conditions specified by a party associated with the sensor device;

periodically detecting, by a first sensor, light information;

periodically detecting, by a second sensor, information regarding at least one of temperature and humidity;

periodically detecting, by a third sensor, information regarding at least one of temperature and pressure; and

periodically detecting, by a fourth sensor, acceleration information.