Tracking system and device

• US 8,659,420 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SIP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: SIP Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Salvat, Roberto Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US12/973,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20110227722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/5.92, 705/22, 705/28, 705/29
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A tracking device and system for tracking containers, in particular, containers and their contents, is disclosed. The tracking device utilizes AGPS/GPS/GSM/CDMA/LTE/EVDO/WiFi/RFID/Bluetooth®/TDMA technology to enable an individual to locate and monitor the movement of a Container at any given time and for any desired period of time. The tracking system utilizes virtual geo-fences to identify buildings or specific addresses to assist in determining the specific location of the containers in relation to these buildings or specific addresses. The tracking devices can also be activated by motion sensors to alert the tracking system of a possible theft of the container or sudden movement. The tracking system incorporates software which enables an individual to determine the location of the containers, determine the contents of the containers, and schedule the use of the containers by specific persons and at specific locations. The tracking system also retains information regarding the persons, the supplier'"'"'s representatives, the warehouses and sales of the containers and any contents that they may have.

Claims

1. A system for tracking shipped objects comprising:

a container for containing at least one object to be tracked;

a third communicator within said container and secured proximate to each object to be tracked within said container and associated with said object, each said third communicator including electronic information regarding said associated object to be tracked;

a first communicator within said container for selectively reading said electronic information from each said third communicator, said electronic information accumulated in a memory of said first communicator, said first communicator in electronic communication with a second communicator positioned within said container;

said second communicator constructed and arranged to receive said electronic information regarding each said object to be tracked from said first communicator, said second communicator being constructed and arranged to transfer said electronic information from within said container over a long distance network upon request, whereby said information regarding each object to be tracked can be viewed from a remote location.

2. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 1 wherein said system further includes a fourth communicator, said fourth communicator constructed and arranged to receive said electronic information regarding each said object to be tracked from said first communicator, said second communicator being constructed and arranged to transfer said electronic information over a short distance network upon request, whereby said information regarding each object to be tracked can be viewed from a remote location.

3. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 1 wherein said second communicator includes a motion detector for detecting motion of said container, whereby said second communicator aggregates said electronic information from each said third communicator regarding each said object to be tracked, said electronic information automatically transferred via said long distance network to a predetermined receiver for viewing.

4. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 1 wherein said third communicator is a radio frequency identification device.

5. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 1 wherein said third communicator is a Bluetooth device.

6. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 1 wherein said second communicator includes a global positioning system, said global positioning system constructed and arranged to provide a global position along with said electronic information regarding each said object to be tracked.

7. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 1 wherein said second communicator utilizes cell technology for said data transfer.

8. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 2 wherein said fourth communicator is a wi-fi device.

9. The system for tracking shipped objects of claim 2 wherein said fourth communicator is a Zigbee enabled device.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic information regarding said at least one object to be tracked from said second communicator is transmitted to a cellular network tower using CDMA and processed through a back end server, which information is later contained in a web-based platform.

11. The tracking device of claim 1 wherein a protective insulation to extreme temperatures is provided adjacent said transmitting device.