Integrated air logistics system
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of providing container status information to a user, the method comprising of the steps of:
- attaching an electronic communications unit to a shipping container;
generating a transaction identification code, wherein said transaction identification code is specific to said shipping container and specific to at least one user transaction;
initiating a status inquiry utilizing said transaction identification code, wherein said user performs said initiating step;
receiving said status inquiry by a ground communications system;
transmitting said status inquiry to said electronic communications unit by said ground communications system;
obtaining a status information response by said electronic communications unit;
transmitting said status information response to said ground communications system by said electronic communications unit; and
forwarding said status information response to said user by said ground communications system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous cargo tracking system and method of using same are provided. The system is comprised of communication and sensor unit that is affixed to the container to be tracked, a ground system that coordinates communications between the unit and the users, and one or more satellite systems that provide communication capabilities as well as position information. The system can operate either as a unidirectional system or as a bi-directional system. As a unidirectional system data is sent either directly to the users or, more preferably, sent indirectly to the users via the ground system. As a bi-directional system users are able to both request and receive data from the unit, either directly or indirectly through the ground system. Preferably users communicate with the ground system using an Internet Web site.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method of providing container status information to a user, the method comprising of the steps of:
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attaching an electronic communications unit to a shipping container;
generating a transaction identification code, wherein said transaction identification code is specific to said shipping container and specific to at least one user transaction;
initiating a status inquiry utilizing said transaction identification code, wherein said user performs said initiating step;
receiving said status inquiry by a ground communications system;
transmitting said status inquiry to said electronic communications unit by said ground communications system;
obtaining a status information response by said electronic communications unit;
transmitting said status information response to said ground communications system by said electronic communications unit; and
forwarding said status information response to said user by said ground communications system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
obtaining a status information summary by said electronic communications unit; and
storing said status information summary within a memory module coupled to said electronic communications unit, wherein said step of obtaining said status information response is performed by polling said memory module for a current status information summary.
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19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of obtaining said status information summary is periodically performed.
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20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of continually monitoring a status indicator, wherein said step of obtaining said status information summary is performed in response to a monitored change in said status indicator.
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21. The method of claim 20, wherein said monitored status indicator corresponds to a shipping container location.
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22. The method of claim 20, wherein said monitored status indicator corresponds to an environmental condition.
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23. The method of claim 1, wherein said status information response is forwarded to said user via an Internet Web site.
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24. The method of claim 1, said status information response forwarding step further comprising the step of transmitting said status information response to said user via an e-mail system.
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25. The method of claim 1, said status information response forwarding step further comprising the step of transmitting said status information response to said user via an automated facsimile system.
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26. The method of claim 1, said status information response forwarding step further comprising the step of transmitting said status information response to said user via a telephone system and a voice synthesized message.
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27. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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monitoring at least one shipping container status indicator with said electronic communications unit;
updating shipping container status information in response to a change in said at least one monitored shipping container status indicator;
transmitting said updated shipping container status information to said ground communications system by said electronic communications unit; and
forwarding said updated shipping container status information to said user by said ground communications system.
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28. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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monitoring at least one shipping container status indicator with said electronic communications unit;
obtaining a set of shipping container position coordinates in response to a change in said at least one monitored shipping container status indicator;
transmitting said set of shipping container position coordinates to said ground communications system by said electronic communications unit; and
forwarding said set of shipping container position coordinates to said user by said ground communications system.
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29. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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detecting an airplane loading event;
placing a portion of said electronics communications unit into standby mode in response to said detected airplane loading event;
detecting an airplane unloading event; and
re-activating said portion of said electronics communications unit in response to said detected airplane unloading event.
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30. A method of providing container status information to a user, the method comprising of the steps of:
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attaching an electronic communications unit to a shipping container;
generating a transaction identification code, wherein said transaction identification code is specific to said shipping container and specific to at least one user transaction;
monitoring at least one shipping container status indicator with said electronic communications unit;
updating shipping container status information in response to a change in said at least one monitored shipping container status indicator;
transmitting said updated shipping container status information to a ground communications system by said electronic communications unit; and
forwarding said updated shipping container status information to said user by said ground communications system. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
detecting an airplane loading event;
placing a portion of said electronics communications unit into standby mode in response to said detected airplane loading event;
detecting an airplane unloading event; and
re-activating said portion of said electronics communications unit in response to said detected airplane unloading event.
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Specification