SENSOR ZONE MANAGEMENT

• US 20110078089A1
• 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: Ainsworth, Miley E., Hamm, Mark D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,633,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/333
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for tracking an item. The method may include periodically detecting sensor information of an item by a sensor device. The method may also include periodically transmitting the sensor information by the sensor device. The method may also include receiving the sensor information at a tracking center, storing the sensor information in a database, and reviewing the stored sensor information. The method may further include using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for using tracking information of one or more shipments to update shipping information, the method comprising the steps, performed by a computer, of:

periodically detecting, by a sensor device, sensor information of an item;

periodically transmitting the sensor information by the sensor device;

receiving the sensor information at a tracking center;

storing the sensor information in a database;

reviewing the stored sensor information; and

using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises using information regarding at least one of location information, temperature information, or humidity information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises using information regarding at least one of encryption rights or regulations.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises updating a current shipment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the current shipment is updated in real-time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises updating a future shipment.

7. A computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed on a processor, perform a method for using tracking information of a shipment to update shipping information, the method comprising:

periodically detecting, by a sensor devices, sensor information of an item;

periodically transmitting the sensor information by the sensor device;

receiving the sensor information at a tracking center;

storing the sensor information in a database;

reviewing the stored sensor information; and

using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises using information regarding at least one of location information, temperature information, or humidity information.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises using information regarding at least one of encryption rights or regulations.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises updating a current shipment.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the current shipment is updated in real-time.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package comprises updating a future shipment.

13. A system for using tracking information of a shipment to update shipping information, comprising:

at least one sensor device for detecting sensor information associated with an item; and

a tracking center for receiving the sensor information, transmitted from the sensor device, storing the received sensor information, reviewing the stored sensor information, and using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the tracking center uses information regarding at least one of location information, temperature information, or humidity information to update shipment information for the package.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the tracking center uses information regarding at least one of encryption rights or regulations to update shipment information for the package.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the tracking center updates a current shipment.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the current shipment is updated in real-time.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein using the tracking center updates one or more future shipments.