Package Management System For Tracking Shipment And Product Integrity

• US 20140172358A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TVIPR LLC
• Original Assignee: TVIPR LLC
• Inventors: Vock, Curtis A., Amsbury, Burl W., Jonjak, Paul, Larkin, Adrian, Youngs, Perry
• Granted Patent: US 9,267,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/150
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/06 Running shoes; Track shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/242 Packaging, i.e. for packaging the sensor or apparatus before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/00 : Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/004 : for measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 : for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/00 : Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 : with wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 : for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/02 : by making use of inertia forces using solid seismic massesG01P15/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 : with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/00 : Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds G01P5/00 - G01P11/00 take precedence; direction and speed indication G01P13/045; counting mechanisms G06M
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 : Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 : Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A product integrity tracking shipping label includes a label body for attaching to a product to be shipped or to packaging containing the product. One or more movement monitoring configured with the label body detects a movement metric of the product. A microprocessor configured with the label body and in communication with the one or more movement monitoring devices time-tags the movement metric when the movement metric exceeds a pre-selected threshold. A product integrity tracking system includes a movement monitoring device with one or more sensors for attachment to a product or packaging containing the product. The movement monitoring device senses at least one movement event during handling of the product. A processor compares the movement event with a pre-selected event threshold, and time-tags and stores above-threshold movement events in a memory. Information in the memory is readable via an interrogation device during shipment or at product delivery.

Claims

1. Movement monitoring device for attachment to equipment, comprising:

a housing having an integrated circuit with (a) a detector sensitive to physical movement of the equipment when the housing is attached to the equipment and (b) a processor for processing data of the detector to determine an event experienced by the equipment; and

a transmitter communicatively coupled with the integrated circuit for communicating the event to a remote receiver.

2. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises an accelerometer sensitive to acceleration of the equipment.

3. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, the housing being a rigid monolithic.

4. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, the event comprising one of power, impact, acceleration,

5. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising glue or a mechanical fastener for attaching the housing to the equipment.

6. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, the transmitter communicating the event by infrared.

7. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, the transmitter communicating the event in response to an interrogation device.

8. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, the event comprising at least one movement metric selected from the group of airtime, power, impact, drop distance, jarring and spin.

9. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, the detector comprising a magnetorestrictive element.

10. Movement monitoring device of claim 1, the integrated circuit and transmitter being integrated on a single printed circuit board including terminals to hold a battery to power the integrated circuit and transmitter.

11. Movement monitoring device for attachment to equipment, comprising:

a housing;

a detector within the housing and sensitive to physical movement of the equipment when the housing is attached to the equipment; and

a transmitter communicatively coupled with the detector for communicating data indicative of the physical movement to a remote receiver and in a repeated time interval.

12. Movement monitoring device of claim 11, the detector comprising one of a pressure sensor, an altitude sensor, a force sensing resistor, a piezoelectric device.

13. Environmental monitoring device for attachment to equipment, comprising:

a housing;

a detector within the housing and sensitive to an environment experienced by the equipment when the housing is attached to the equipment;

a transmitter communicatively coupled with the detector for communicating data indicative of the environment to a remote receiver.

14. Environmental monitoring device of claim 13, the detector comprising one of a humidity sensor, moisture sensor, and temperature sensor.

15. Environmental monitoring device of claim 13, the housing being a rigid monolithic.

16. Environmental monitoring device of claim 15, further comprising glue or a mechanical fastener for attaching the housing to the equipment.

17. Environmental monitoring device of claim 13, further comprising a processor that processes the data to determine an event, the transmitter communicating the event by infrared.

18. Environmental monitoring device of claim 17, each of the processor, detector and transmitter being integrated with a single PCB disposed within the housing and having terminals to hold a battery to power the processor and transmitter.