AIR SHIPMENT TRACKING PROCESS

• US 20120246091A1
• Filed: 01/05/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Inventors: Josefiak, Frank, Aftabruyan, Hassan
• Application Number:
  US13/343,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20120246091A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/333
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers

Abstract

There is provided a method for the tracking of goods in logistic chains. The goods are sent from a sender to a receiver by a logistics service firm, acting on behalf of a customer. An exemplary method comprises using a telematics apparatus for sending at least location information to a central relay, for monitoring by the logistics service firm and for providing to customers in a members'"'"' area of a communication network.

Claims

1. A method for the tracking of goods in logistic chains, the goods being sent from a sender to a receiver by a logistics service firm, acting on behalf of a customer, the method comprising:

using a telematics apparatus for sending at least location information to a central relay, for monitoring by the logistics service firm and for providing to customers in a members'"'"' area of a communication network;

selecting a telematics apparatus by the logistics service firm and parameterizing the telematics apparatus based on customer demands known from a customer order;

connecting the sender and the telematics apparatus with a shipment of goods to send, so that the telematics apparatus has the same position as the shipment of goods to send, the telematics apparatus starting with a continuous sending of data via radio communication;

providing log in information to the customer by the logistics service firm;

logging the sender into the members'"'"' area of the communication network;

checking whether at least location data from the telematics apparatus is sent, while the monitoring service of the logistics service firm starts;

forwarding the shipment of goods using several modes of transportation, whereby at least one mode of transportation being an aircraft;

recognizing, by the telematics apparatus, the presence of an aircraft when being loaded in the aircraft and deactivating the radio communication;

transporting the shipment of goods by air until landing and unloading of the shipment; and

recognizing, via the telematics apparatus, the absence of the aircraft, reactivating the radio communication and sending data collected during the flight.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising shipping the telematics apparatus by the logistics service firm, along with inclusive documentation containing a log in code to a sender.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising receiving the telematics apparatus by the sender and unpacking it, the telematics apparatus starting automatically.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising making a connection between the telematics apparatus and the shipment of goods by putting the telematics apparatus in a common package with the shipment of goods to send.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising shipping the telematics apparatus to a sender, the sender combining a plurality of packages from at least one customer in at least one shipment container and putting the telematics apparatus in the same shipment container.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one shipment container is a unit load device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the shipment container is an air fright pallet, the loading on the air fright pallet being secured by a canvas cover featuring a pouch.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising putting the telematics apparatus in the pouch of the canvas cover.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising shipping documentation of the telematics apparatus containing a log in code by the logistics service firm to customer.

10. The method recited in claim 1, sending an alert from the telematics apparatus to the central relay if the telematics apparatus reaches a predefined location.

11. The method recited in claim 1, comprising sending an alert, via an available sensor of the telematics apparatus, to the central relay if a sensor of the telematics apparatus registers a violation of a predefined limit.

12. The method recited in claim 1, comprising sending an alert via a short message service.

13. The method recited in claim 1, comprising sending an alert via electronic mail.

14. The method recited in claim 1, comprising forwarding an alert to the sender.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising obtaining a reaction of the sender in order to rebuild nominal conditions.

16. The method recited in claim 1, comprising removing the telematics apparatus by a recipient of the shipment after having received the shipment.

17. The method recited in claim 16, comprising switching off the telematics apparatus switches off when removed from the shipment.

18. The method recited in claim 16, comprising sending the telematics apparatus back to a predefined address.

19. The method recited in claim 18, comprising using an addressed mail bag, which was shipped together with the shipment, for back sending of the telematics apparatus.

20. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one shipment container is a unit load device and the telematics apparatus remains in the unit load device.

21. The method recited in claim 20, wherein the unit load device is disposable after being unloaded.

22. The method recited in claim 21, sending a location of the telematics apparatus at a predefined interval.

23. The method recited in claim 1, comprising transporting the shipment of goods from an airport to a recipient via ground transportation or water carriage.

24. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the sender is the customer.

25. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the sender is a service provider, acting on behalf of the logistics service firm.

26. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the sender is a department of the logistics service firm.