Cargo tracking and visibility system and method

• US 8,095,304 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Blanton, W. Brendan, Cortez, Javier, Koval, Gary, Houston, Lester L. III, Thompson, Herbert D., Elleby, Leroy Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US12/165,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20090326808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,289 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/201, 701/213, 701/211, 705/34, 705/11, 705/26, 705/28, 705/333, 705/6, 715/777, 715/780
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A cargo load and visibility system and method as well as an associated delivery vehicle tracking system are provided to permit cargo to be tracked, both as the cargo is loaded upon the delivery vehicle and throughout the delivery process, thereby increasing the visibility of the shipping operations including the last stage of the shipping operations in which the goods are delivered to their intended or ultimate destination. The cargo load and visibility system and method may be configured to permit redirection of the delivery vehicle while in route in instances in which the intended destination, such as a military unit, has changed position if such redirection can be performed in a manner that is safe for the delivery vehicle.

Claims

1. A cargo load and visibility system comprising:

a delivery vehicle tracking system comprising;

a reader unit mounted upon the delivery vehicle and configured to identify cargo as the cargo is loaded on or unloaded from the delivery vehicle;

a processor configured to receive information from the reader unit identifying the cargo loaded on or unloaded from the delivery vehicle to permit a determination of the cargo currently onboard the delivery vehicle; and

a transmitter, in communication with the processor, configured to transmit information regarding a position of the delivery vehicle and state data including information from which an amount of fuel carried by the delivery vehicle or a remaining range of the delivery vehicle is determinable; and

a remote cargo management system comprising;

a receiver configured to receive the information from the transmitter of the delivery vehicle;

a processor configured, in response to a change in an intended destination of the delivery vehicle from an original destination to an alternate destination, to determine at least partially based upon the state data whether the delivery vehicle is currently capable of servicing the alternate destination; and

a transmitter configured to transmit re-tasking instructions to the delivery vehicle in order to redirect the delivery vehicle to the alternate destination in an instance in which the processor of the remote cargo management system determines that the delivery vehicle is currently capable of servicing the alternate destination.

2. A cargo load and visibility system according to claim 1 wherein the processor of the remote cargo management system is configured to determine if the alternate destination is within the remaining range of the delivery vehicle based upon the state data and, if the alternate destination is within the remaining range of the delivery vehicle, to direct said transmitter of the remote cargo management system to transmit the re-tasking instructions redirecting the delivery vehicle to the alternate destination.

3. A cargo load and visibility system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter of the delivery vehicle tracking system is further configured to transmit at least one of a mission phase, weight or remaining fuel of the delivery vehicle.

4. A cargo load and visibility system according to claim 1 wherein said reader comprises a contactless reader.

5. A cargo load and visibility system according to claim 1 wherein the remote cargo management system further comprises a display configured to present a map and indicia indicating the position of the delivery vehicle.

6. A cargo load and visibility system according to claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to receive a cargo manifest identifying the cargo to be carried by the delivery vehicle and to determine any discrepancy between the cargo manifest and the cargo currently onboard the delivery vehicle based upon the information provided by the reader unit.

7. A cargo load and visibility system according to claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to provide information regarding placement of the cargo upon the delivery vehicle based upon the cargo manifest.

8. A cargo load and visibility system according to claim 1 wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a loading ramp, and wherein the reader unit is positioned in an overhead position proximate the loading ramp.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the processor of the remote cargo management system is configured to determine if the delivery vehicle is equipped with a loading system required to handle the cargo at the alternate destination and, if the delivery vehicle is equipped with the loading system required to handle the cargo, to direct said transmitter of the remote cargo management system to transmit the re-tasking instructions redirecting the delivery vehicle to the alternate destination.

10. A delivery vehicle tracking system comprising:

a reader unit mounted upon the delivery vehicle for identifying cargo as the cargo is loaded on or unloaded from the delivery vehicle;

a processor for receiving a cargo manifest identifying the cargo to be carried by the delivery vehicle and information from the reader unit identifying the cargo loaded on or unloaded from the delivery vehicle, said processor configured to determine any discrepancy between the cargo manifest and the cargo currently onboard the delivery vehicle based upon the information provided by the reader unit;

a transmitter, in communication with the processor, for transmitting information regarding a position of the delivery vehicle and state data including information from which an amount of fuel carried by the delivery vehicle or a remaining range of the delivery vehicle is determinable; and

a receiver configured to receive re-tasking instructions that redirect the delivery vehicle from an original destination to an alternate destination, the re-tasking instructions being at least partially based upon the state data provided by said transmitter that indicates that the delivery vehicle is currently capable of servicing the alternate destination.

11. A delivery vehicle tracking system according to claim 10 wherein said transmitter is further configured to transmit at least one of a mission phase, weight or remaining fuel of the delivery vehicle.

12. A delivery vehicle tracking system according to claim 10 wherein said reader unit comprises a contactless reader unit.

13. A delivery vehicle tracking system according to claim 10 wherein said processor is configured to provide information regarding placement of the cargo upon the delivery vehicle based upon the cargo manifest.

14. A delivery vehicle tracking system according to claim 10 wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a loading ramp, and wherein the reader unit is positioned in an overhead position proximate the loading ramp.

15. A delivery vehicle tracking system according to claim 10 wherein the receiver is configured to receive the re-tasking instructions that redirect the delivery vehicle from the original destination to the alternate destination in an instance in which the state data provided by the transmitter indicates that the alternate destination is within the remaining range of the delivery vehicle.

16. A delivery vehicle tracking system according to claim 10 wherein the receiver is configured to receive the re-tasking instructions that redirect the delivery vehicle from the original destination to the alternate destination in an instance in which the state data provided by the transmitter indicates that the delivery vehicle is equipped with a loading system required to handle the cargo at the alternate destination.

17. A method for tracking cargo comprising:

identifying cargo with a reader unit mounted upon a delivery vehicle as the cargo is loaded on or unloaded from the delivery vehicle;

determining the cargo currently onboard the delivery vehicle based upon the cargo identified by the reader unit as the cargo is loaded on or unloaded from the delivery vehicle;

determining any discrepancy between a cargo manifest and the cargo currently onboard the delivery vehicle based upon the information provided by the reader unit;

transmitting information regarding a position of the delivery vehicle and state data including information from which an amount of fuel carried by the delivery vehicle or a remaining range of the delivery vehicle is determinable; and

receiving re-tasking instructions that redirect the delivery vehicle from an original destination to an alternate destination, the re-tasking instructions being at least partially based upon the state data that indicates that the delivery vehicle is currently capable of servicing the alternate destination.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein transmitting information comprises transmitting at least one of a mission phase, weight or remaining fuel of the delivery vehicle.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein identifying the cargo with a reader unit comprises identifying the cargo in a contactless manner with the reader unit.

20. A method according to claim 17 further comprising providing information regarding placement of the cargo upon the delivery vehicle based upon the cargo manifest.

21. A method according to claim 17 further comprises identifying the cargo unloaded upon reaching a destination of the delivery vehicle.

22. A method according to claim 17 wherein receiving the re-tasking instructions comprises receiving the re-tasking instructions that redirect the delivery vehicle from the original destination to the alternate destination in an instance in which the state data indicates that the alternate destination is within the remaining range of the delivery vehicle.

23. A method according to claim 17 wherein receiving the re-tasking instructions comprises receiving the re-tasking instructions that redirect the delivery vehicle from the original destination to the alternate destination in an instance in which the state data indicates that the delivery vehicle is equipped with a loading system required to handle the cargo at the alternate destination.