Master case tracking mesh for data transmission in highly shielded environment

• US 9,773,220 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2014
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sicpa Holding SA
• Original Assignee: Sicpa Holding SA
• Inventors: Blanchard, Hubert, Caset, Giorgio, Marguerettaz, Xavier, Raemy, Xavier Cedric
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D
• Application Number:
  US14/917,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20160224929A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 23546243, 235384, 23546213
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• 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

Master case tracking mesh for data transmission includes a shipping container for holding items to be transported therein. The shipping container may include a central data storage unit configured to receive data transmitted thereto, and a plurality of electronic tags configured to store data of the items, and further configured to transmit data of the items to the central data storage unit.

Claims

1. A method of authenticating the contents of a shipping container, the contents including items contained in a plurality of master cases, the master cases stored on a plurality of pallets, the pallets stored in the shipping container, the method comprising:

receiving and storing, in a plurality of master case electronic tags, data of the items from electronic item tags contained in the master cases;

receiving, in a plurality of pallet electronic tags, data of the master cases;

iteratively scanning the data of the master cases;

comparing previously-scanned data of the master cases with subsequently-scanned data of the master cases;

receiving data of the pallets;

iteratively scanning the data of the pallets;

comparing previously-scanned data of the pallets with subsequently-scanned data of the pallets; and

recording an event in a processor when at least one of;

the compared data of the master cases exceeds a predetermined difference; and

the compared data of the pallets exceeds a predetermined difference.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the receiving data of the master cases occurs only in master cases closest to the pallet; and

the receiving data of the pallets occurs only in pallets closest to a central data storage unit.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving data of the pallets comprises receiving data of all items in the shipping container.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving data of the master cases and the receiving data of the pallets occurs without opening the shipping container.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of master case electronic tags and the plurality of pallet electronic tags cases are part of a mesh node network connected to a central data storage unit.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the data of the master cases includes the relative position among the master cases; and

the data of the pallets includes the relative position among the pallets.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving and storing data of the items is performed by user input.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the user input is at least one of keyed in and scanned in.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of master case electronic tags and plurality of pallet electronic tags comprise:

at least one tag affiliated with a user; and

at least one tag unaffiliated with the user, wherein at least one of the central data storage unit and the least one tag affiliated with the user are configured to receive data from the at least one tag unaffiliated with the user.

10. At least one computer that executes an application authenticating the contents of a shipping container, the contents including items contained in a plurality of master cases, the master cases stored on a plurality of pallets, the pallets stored in the shipping container, the at least one computer comprising:

a memory that stores the application; and

a processor that executes the application, wherein the application, when executed by the processor, causes the computer at least to;

receive and store data of the items from electronic item tags contained in the master cases;

receive data of the master cases;

iteratively scan the data of the master cases;

compare previously-scanned data of the master cases with subsequently-scanned data of the master cases;

receive data of the pallets;

iteratively scan the data of the pallets;

compare previously-scanned data of the pallets with subsequently-scanned data of the pallets; and

record an event when at least one of;

the compared data of the master cases exceeds a predetermined difference; and

the compared data of the pallets exceeds a predetermined difference.

11. At least one non-transitory computer readable medium for authenticating the contents of a shipping container, the contents including items contained in a plurality of master cases, the master cases stored on a plurality of pallets, the pallets stored in the shipping container, the medium comprising:

a receiving and storing code segment which, when executed by the computer, receives and stores data of the items from electronic item tags contained in the master cases;

a receiving code segment which, when executed by the computer, receives data of the master cases;

an iteratively scanning code segment which, when executed by the computer, iteratively scans the data of the master cases;

a comparing code segment which, when executed by the computer, compares previously-scanned data of the master cases with subsequently-scanned data of the master cases;

a receiving code segment which, when executed by the computer, receives data of the pallets;

an iteratively scanning code segment which, when executed by the computer, iteratively scans the data of the pallets;

a comparing code segment which, when executed by the computer, compares previously-scanned data of the pallets with subsequently-scanned data of the pallets; and

a recording code segment which, when executed by the computer, records an event when at least one of;

the compared data of the master cases exceeds a predetermined difference; and

the compared data of the pallets exceeds a predetermined difference.

12. A system for authenticating the contents of a shipment, the contents including items contained in a plurality of master cases, the master cases stored on a plurality of pallets, the pallets stored in a plurality of shipping containers, the shipping containers located on a transporter, the system comprising:

a container data storage unit located in each shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers and configured to receive data transmitted thereto and to transmit container data storage unit data to a transporter data storage unit;

a plurality of electronic tags located in each shipping container and configured to store data of the items, and further configured to transmit data of the items to each container data storage unit, wherein the a transporter data storage unit is configured to store the container data storage unit data; and

a processor configured to;

receive and store data of the items from electronic item tags contained in the master cases;

receive data of the master cases;

iteratively scan the data of the master cases;

compare previously-scanned data of the master cases with subsequently-scanned data of the master cases;

receive data of the pallets;

iteratively scan the data of the pallets;

compare previously-scanned data of the pallets with subsequently-scanned data of the pallets; and

record an event when at least one of;

the compared data of the master cases exceeds a predetermined difference; and

the compared data of the pallets exceeds a predetermined difference.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the container data storage unit data includes GPS data of the location of a container data storage unit.