Apparatus and method for providing shipment information

• US 9,847,029 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Transcend Shipping Systems, LLC (Raymond Anthony Joao)
• Original Assignee: GTJ Ventures, LLC (Raymond Anthony Joao)
• Inventors: Joao, Raymond A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US12/317,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20090146805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,282 Days
• Field of Search: 3405391, 34053911, 34053913, 34053922, 34053926, 3405721, 3406861, 340989, 340992, 340994, 705 28, 705 29, 705 8, 705 4, 705 5, 705 1457, 705 1458, 705 712, 701201, 701204, 707 1, 707 10, 707102, 235383, 23546246, 23547202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

An apparatus, including a shipment conveyance device which is a shipping container, pallet, or piece of luggage, a memory device located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device which stores information regarding the shipment conveyance device, a global positioning device which determines a position or location of the shipment conveyance device, a processing device which processes information regarding the shipment conveyance device in response to an occurrence of an event or a request for information and which generates a message containing information regarding the position or location of the shipment conveyance device and information regarding the occurrence of an event, a status of a shipment or transportation involving the shipment conveyance device, a temperature, or an impact or force on the shipment conveyance device, and a transmitter located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device which transmits the message to a communication device.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a shipment conveyance device, wherein the shipment conveyance device is a shipping container, a pallet, or a piece of luggage;

a memory, wherein the memory is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the memory stores information regarding a description of a good, product, or item, being shipped or transported via or which is contained in or on the shipment conveyance device, and origination information, sender information, shipper information, destination information, receiver information, handling instruction information, delivery instruction information, invoice information, packing slip information, delivery time information, or payment instruction information;

a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the global positioning device determines a position or location of the shipment conveyance device;

a processor, wherein the processor processes information regarding the shipment conveyance device in response to an occurrence of an event or in response to a request for information regarding the shipment conveyance device, wherein the processor generates a message containing information regarding the position or location of the shipment conveyance device and information regarding the occurrence of the event, a status of a shipment or a transportation of or involving the shipment conveyance device, a shipment or transportation temperature, or an impact or force on the shipment conveyance device; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an owner of the shipment conveyance device, a receiver of the shipment conveyance device, or an individual authorized to receive the message.

2. An apparatus, comprising:

a shipment conveyance device, wherein the shipment conveyance device is a shipping container, a pallet, or a piece of luggage;

a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the global positioning device determines a position or location of the shipment conveyance device;

a processor, wherein the processor processes information regarding the shipment conveyance device in response to an occurrence of an event or in response to a request for information regarding the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the processor generates a message in response to the occurrence of the event or in response to the request for information regarding the shipment conveyance device; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an owner of the shipment conveyance device, a receiver of the shipment conveyance device, or an individual authorized to receive the message.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a memory, wherein the memory is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the memory stores information regarding a description of a good, product, or item, being shipped or transported via or which is contained in or on the shipment conveyance device, and origination information, sender information, shipper information, destination information, receiver information, handling instruction information, delivery instruction information, invoice information, packing slip information, delivery time information, or payment instruction information, regarding the shipment conveyance device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the message contains information regarding a description of a good, product, or item, being shipped or transported via the shipment conveyance device, origination information regarding a shipment or a transportation, sender information regarding a shipment or a transportation, shipper information regarding a shipment or a transportation, destination information regarding a shipment or a transportation, receiver information regarding a shipment or a transportation, handling instruction information regarding a shipment or a transportation, delivery instruction information regarding a shipment or a transportation, invoice information regarding a shipment or a transportation, packing slip information regarding a shipment or a transportation, delivery time information regarding a shipment or a transportation, or payment instruction information regarding a shipment or a transportation, or wherein the apparatus stores information regarding a temperature requirement regarding a shipment or a transportation, digitized map information, information regarding a stop or stops made during a transport of a shipment or a transportation, or travel route information regarding a shipment or a transportation, or wherein the apparatus transmits the message or transmits a second message to the communication device or to a second communication device associated with an individual or entity, a sender of the shipment conveyance device, a receiver of the shipment conveyance device, a carrier of the shipment conveyance device, or an authorized individual or entity, wherein, if the second message is transmitted, the second message contains information contained in the message or contains information regarding a position or location of the shipment conveyance device or information regarding the occurrence of an the event, a status of a shipment or a transportation of or involving the shipment conveyance device, a shipment or transportation temperature, or an impact or force on the shipment conveyance device, or wherein the event is a detection of a shipment or transportation temperature which deviates from a shipment or transportation temperature requirement, or the event is a detection of an impact experienced by the shipment conveyance device, a force experienced by the shipment conveyance device, a mishandling of the shipment conveyance device, a dropping of the shipment conveyance device, or an accident involving the shipment conveyance device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives the request for information regarding the piece of luggage.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shipment conveyance device or the apparatus is a shipping container.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shipment conveyance device or the apparatus is a pallet.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shipment conveyance device or the apparatus is a piece of luggage.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a display, wherein the display is located in, on, or at, the shipment conveyance device, wherein the display displays or provides information regarding the shipment conveyance device or information regarding a shipment or transportation of or involving the shipment conveyance device.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives the request for information regarding the shipment conveyance device.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the message contains information regarding a stop made by a carrier of the shipment conveyance device or information regarding a shipment or a transportation of or involving the shipment conveyance device, or wherein the message contains information regarding an unusual stopping period regarding a shipment or a transportation of or involving the shipment conveyance device.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a sensor, wherein the sensor monitors or measures a temperature during a shipment or a transportation of the shipment conveyance device, a shock exerted on the shipment conveyance device, an impact exerted on the shipment conveyance device, or a force exerted on the shipment conveyance device,

wherein the message contains information regarding a temperature during the shipment or the transportation, a change in a shipment or transportation temperature, or an impact or force exerted on the shipment conveyance device.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is specially programmed to automatically generate the message.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor generates a delivery message, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the delivery message to the communication device.

15. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the event is a detection of a deviation from a pre-determined shipment or transportation route associated with a shipment or a transportation of or involving the shipment conveyance device.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the event is a detection of an unauthorized carrier or a wrong carrier shipping or transporting the shipment conveyance device or a detection of an unauthorized receiver of the shipment conveyance device or a wrong receiver of the shipment conveyance device.

17. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

an input device for inputting information regarding a person or entity attempting to receive the shipment conveyance device,

wherein the processor processes the information regarding a person or entity attempting to receive the shipment conveyance device and determines whether or not the person or entity is a proper receiver of the shipment conveyance device.

18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor detects an occurrence giving rise to an insurance claim regarding the shipment conveyance device, and further wherein the message includes insurance claim information.

19. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shipping container, the pallet, or the piece of luggage, is a refrigerated container, a heated container, or an insulated container.

20. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus transmits the message to a central processing computer located separate and apart from the apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the message contains information regarding a position or location of the shipment conveyance device.

22. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the message contains information regarding the occurrence of the event, a status of a shipment or a transportation of or involving the shipment conveyance device, a shipment or transportation temperature, or an impact or force on the shipment conveyance device.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

a piece of luggage;

a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device is located in, on, or at, the piece of luggage, and further wherein the global positioning device determines a position or location of the piece of luggage;

a processor, wherein the processor processes information regarding the piece of luggage in response to an occurrence of an event or in response to a request for information regarding the piece of luggage, and further wherein the processor generates a message in response to the occurrence of the event or in response to the request for information regarding the piece of luggage; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is located in, on, or at, the piece of luggage, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an owner of the piece of luggage, a receiver of the piece of luggage, or an individual authorized to receive the message.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a memory, wherein the memory is located in, on, or at, the piece of luggage, and further wherein the memory stores information regarding the piece of luggage.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a sensor, wherein the sensor monitors or measures a temperature during a shipment or a transportation of the piece of luggage, a shock exerted on the piece of luggage, an impact exerted on the piece of luggage, or a force exerted on the piece of luggage,

wherein the message contains information regarding a temperature of the shipment or the transportation, a change in a shipment or transportation temperature, or an impact or force exerted on the piece of luggage.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a display, wherein the display is located in, on, or at, the piece of luggage, wherein the display displays or provides information regarding the piece of luggage or provides information regarding a shipment or a transportation of or involving the piece of luggage.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the message contains information regarding a stop made by a carrier of the piece of luggage or information regarding a shipment or a transportation of or involving the piece of luggage, or wherein the message contains information regarding an unusual stopping period regarding a shipment or a transportation of or involving the piece of luggage.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor is specially programmed to automatically generate the message.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor generates a delivery message, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the delivery message to the communication device.

30. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the event is a detection of a deviation from a pre-determined shipment or transportation route associated with a shipment or a transportation of or involving the piece of luggage.

31. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the event is a detection of an unauthorized carrier or a wrong carrier shipping or transporting the piece of luggage or a detection of an unauthorized receiver of the piece of luggage or a wrong receiver of the piece of luggage.

32. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

an input device for inputting information regarding a person or entity attempting to receive the piece of luggage,

wherein the processor processes the information regarding the person or entity attempting to receive the piece of luggage and determines whether or not the person or entity is a proper receiver of the piece of luggage.

33. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor detects an occurrence giving rise to an insurance claim regarding the piece of luggage, and further wherein the message includes insurance claim information.

34. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the message contains information regarding a position or location of the piece of luggage.