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

• US 20130126704A1
• Filed: 01/10/2013
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: GREGORY, Timothy L., LEMMON, Andy N., VEITENHEIMER, John Marshall, JACOBS, James Randy, AINSWORTH, Miley E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,002,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/206.1
• 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

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A package tracking device that detects light external to the device, comprising:

a first light sensor lens at a first location configured to receive light external to the device;

a second light sensor lens, at a second location that is different from the first location, configured to receive light external to the device such that the device detects light external to the device regardless of a position of the device in a package; and

a memory configured to store information associated with light detected by the device.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the first location and the second location are on different sides of the device.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises an orientation of the device in the package,

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises a location of the device in comparison to contents of the package.

25. The device of claim 21, further comprising:

a first light sensor coupled to the first light sensor lens; and

a second light sensor coupled to the second light sensor lens.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first light sensor or the second light sensor is configured to detect changes in an amount of light within the package.

27. The device of claim 25, further comprising:

a third light sensor lens configured to receive light external o the device and coupled to a third light sensor; and

a fourth light sensor lens configured to receive light external to the device and coupled to a fourth light sensor lens.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein at least one of the first light sensor, the second light sensor, the third light sensor, or the fourth light sensor is configured to detect changes in an amount of light within the package.

29. The device of claim 21, further comprising:

a sensor configured to detect at least one of temperature, pressure, or humidity associated with the package.

30. The device of claim 21, further comprising:

an accelerometer configured to detect a change in the velocity of the device.

31. A computer-implemented method for detecting light external to a package tracking device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a first light sensor lens of the device, light external to the device;

receiving, at a second light sensor lens of the device, light external to the device, wherein the second light sensor lens is located at a second location that is different from a first location of the first light sensor lens;

detecting light external to the device regardless of a position of the device in a package; and

storing, at a memory of the device, information associated with light detected by the device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the first location and the second location are on different sides of the device.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises an orientation of the device in the package.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises a location of the device in comparison to contents of the package,

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the first light sensor lens is coupled to a first light sensor and the second light sensor lens is coupled to a second light sensor.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein receiving light external to the device at the first or second light sensor lens further comprises the step of:

detecting changes in an amount of light within the package by at least one of the first light sensor or the second light sensor.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

receiving, at a third light sensor lens of the device, light external to the device; and

receiving, at a fourth light sensor lens of the device, light external to the device;

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the third light sensor lens is coupled to a third light sensor and the fourth light sensor lens is coupled to a fourth light sensor.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein receiving light external to the device at the first or second light sensor lens further comprises the step of:

detecting changes in an amount of light within the package by at least one of the first light sensor, the second light sensor, the third light sensor, or the fourth light sensor.

40. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

detecting, by a sensor of the device, at least one of temperature, pressure, or humidity associated with the package.

41. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

detecting, by an accelerometer of the device, a change in the velocity of the device.