Portable computing device and method for asset management in a logistics system

• US 9,002,679 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2013
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Gregory, Timothy L., Lemmon, Andy N., Veitenheimer, John Marshall, Jacobs, James Randy, Ainsworth, Miley E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US13/738,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20130126704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 702/187
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/007 Data loggers attached to transport containers for perishable products, e.g. food or medicines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light G01N3/00 - G01N19/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3206 Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a device for tracking one or more items. The device may include a plurality of sensors for detecting light, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration. The device may also include a memory for storing information received from the plurality of sensors.

Claims

1. A package tracking device that detects light external to the device, comprising:

a light sensor;

a first lens at a first location configured to receive light external to the device;

a second lens, at a second location that is different from the first location, configured to receive light external to the device such that the light sensor detects light external to the device regardless of a position of the device in a package; and

a memory configured to store information associated with light detected by the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first location and the second location are on different sides of the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises an orientation of the device in the package.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises a location of the device in comparison to contents of the package.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second light sensor, wherein the light sensor is coupled to the first light sensor lens and the second light sensor is coupled to the second light sensor lens.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein at least one of the light sensor or the second light sensor is configured to detect changes in an amount of light within the package.

7. The device of claim 5, further comprising:

a third lens configured to receive light external to the device and coupled to a third light sensor; and

a fourth lens configured to receive light external to the device and coupled to a fourth light sensor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the light sensor, the second light sensor, the third light sensor, or the fourth light sensor is configured to detect changes in an amount of light within the package.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor configured to detect at least one of temperature, pressure, or humidity associated with the package.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an accelerometer configured to detect a change in the velocity of the device.

11. A computer-implemented method for detecting light external to a package tracking device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a first lens of the device, light external to the device;

receiving, at a second lens of the device, light external to the device, wherein the second light sensor lens is located at a second location that is different from a first location of the first light sensor lens;

detecting, using a light sensor, light external to the device regardless of a position of the device in a package; and

storing, at a memory of the device, information associated with light detected by the device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first location and the second location are on different sides of the device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises an orientation of the device in the package.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the position of the device in the package comprises a location of the device in comparison to contents of the package.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first lens is coupled to the light sensor and the second lens is coupled to a second light sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein upon receiving light external to the device at the first lens or at the second lens, the method further comprises the step of:

detecting changes in an amount of light within the package by at least one of the light sensor or the second light sensor.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving, at a third lens of the device, light external to the device; and

receiving, at a fourth lens of the device, light external to the device.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting, by a sensor of the device, at least one of temperature, pressure, or humidity associated with the package.

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting, by an accelerometer of the device, a change in the velocity of the device.

18. The method of cairn 17, wherein the third lens is coupled to a third light sensor and the fourth lens is coupled to a fourth light sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein upon receiving light external to the device at at least one of the first lens, the second lens, the third lens or the fourth lens, the method further comprises the step of:

detecting changes in an amount of light within the package by at least one of the light sensor, the second light sensor, the third light sensor, or the fourth light sensor.