Container and inventory monitoring methods and systems
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A computerized system for monitoring and recording location and load status of shipping containers relative to a facility with an associated yard defined by a boundary within which containers are to be monitored by the system, and a controlled entry point to the boundary, the system comprising:
- means for recording identification codes of containers which enter the boundary,means for communicating and recording information on movements, location and load status of containers within the boundary in response to movement and changes in location and load status of containers made according to instructions received from the facility,means for generating reports of recorded information on locations and load status of containers within the boundary, andmeans for generating reports on container locations and load status relative to designated docks associated with a facility.
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Abstract
Container and inventory monitoring methods and systems provide detailed logistical control of containers, shipping racks and resident and in-transit inventory. The methods and systems create and maintain accurate real-time records of the location, movement and load status of containers, racks and inventory within the facility boundaries and between facilities such as factories, assembly plants, warehouses, shipping yards and freight switching facilities. Detailed data on container switching, unloading and loading activity is recorded and archived. A virtual inventory accounting is provided by tracking from customer release orders to supplier shipments and rack returns.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A computerized system for monitoring and recording location and load status of shipping containers relative to a facility with an associated yard defined by a boundary within which containers are to be monitored by the system, and a controlled entry point to the boundary, the system comprising:
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means for recording identification codes of containers which enter the boundary, means for communicating and recording information on movements, location and load status of containers within the boundary in response to movement and changes in location and load status of containers made according to instructions received from the facility, means for generating reports of recorded information on locations and load status of containers within the boundary, and means for generating reports on container locations and load status relative to designated docks associated with a facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for using a computer to monitor usage of one or more docks associated with a facility, wherein the usage involves the presence or absence of a container at a dock, the method of comprising the steps of:
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(a) recording the presence of an identified container at a particular identified dock, (b) recording the absence of an identified container at a particular identified dock, (c) producing a report which identifies monitored docks and identifies containers present at identified docks, and also identifies docks at which a container is absent. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of generating a live unload exception report for monitoring containers intended to be unloaded at a dock of a facility upon arrival at the facility without being first placed in a yard associated with the facility, but which were switched at least once before arriving at a dock, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) identifying live unload containers from information received by an advance shipping notice, (b) recording a date and time of arrival of an identified live unload container, (c) recording a date and time of contact with the live unload container by a switcher which flags the container as a live unload exception, and (d) recording a total number of switches of the container before the container arrives at a dock. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A method of monitoring receiving yards for shipping containers with respect to the presence and location of containers within a yard having a plurality of slots wherein each slot is adapted to hold at least one container, the method comprising the steps of providing a graphical representation of a receiving yard including identified slots within the yard and identifying one or more containers associated with the identified slots, whereby location of containers within a yard can be determined.
Specification