Management tracking identifier format, processing, and data associations

• US 9,928,479 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2014
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huru Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Huru Systems Ltd.
• Inventors: Nazzari, Ian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): AN, IG TAI
• Application Number:
  US14/270,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20140330685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 705 21, 705 22, 705 23, 705 28
• 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 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Embodiments include asset tracking and management. In one embodiment, an end-user device obtains a user identifier, a tracking unit identifier, and an asset identifier. The end-user device sends these items to a server. Upon receipt, the server verifies that the tracking unit identifier is valid, available, and assigned to the user. When verified, the server associates the tracking unit identifier with the asset identifier and the user identifier, and marks the tracking unit identifier applied. In another embodiment, a group code is generated. The group code specifies a unit identifier a multiplier. Upon confirmation that the group code was properly generated and applied to a container, unit identifiers are generated for the group. In another embodiment, a custody record is updated to indicate that a received user identifier now has custody of a tracking identifier, while preserving a previous chain of custody of the tracking identifier.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

(i) a first mobile computing device that is communicatively coupled to a server computing system and comprising one or more corresponding first hardware processors, one or more corresponding hardware input devices, and a corresponding first display device;

(ii) a second mobile computing device that is communicatively coupled to the server computing system and comprising one or more corresponding second hardware processors and a corresponding second display device; and

(iii) a server computing system comprising one or more corresponding third hardware processors, and in which;

the second mobile computing device displays, at the second display device, a status of a particular tracking unit, including an indication that a second user associated with the second mobile computing device has custody of the particular tracking unit;

the first mobile computing device displays, at the first display device, a first user interface control which, when selected, causes the first mobile computing device to obtain a machine-readable code;

based on a selection of the first user interface control, the first mobile computing device obtains a first machine-readable code at the one or more hardware input devices, the first machine-readable code encoding a group identifier of a grouping of a plurality of tracking units that includes the particular tracking unit, the group identifier being structured such that a corresponding unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units within the grouping is identifiable based only on the group identifier;

the first mobile computing device decodes the group identifier at the one or more first hardware processors to identify each unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units, by at least (i) identifying a first portion of the group identifier that identifies a first unit identifier of a first unit in the grouping of tracking units, and (ii) identifying a second portion of the group identifier comprising a multiplier identifying a number of the plurality of tracking units that are within the grouping;

the first mobile computing device identifies, based on the first unit identifier and the multiplier, the identity of each unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units within the grouping of tracking units;

the first mobile computing device displays, at the first display device, (i) the identity of the plurality of tracking units, (ii) an identity of the second user, and (iii) a second user interface control which, when selected, causes the first mobile computing device to obtain custody of the plurality of tracking units on behalf of a first user associated with the first mobile computing device; and

based on selection of the second user interface control, the first mobile computing device sends a first message to the server computing system, the first message indicating that the first user requests custody of the plurality of tracking units, and which first message causes the server computing system to;

reassign custody of the plurality of tracking units from the second user to the first user, without obtaining input from the second user; and

send a second message to the second mobile computing device indicating a status of at least the particular tracking unit, and which second message causes the second mobile computing device to;

update the status of the particular tracking unit to indicate that the first user now has custody of the particular tracking unit.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the first mobile computing device obtaining the first machine-readable code at the one or more hardware input devices, comprises one or more of capturing a photograph of a tracking unit, reading a magnetic strip of a tracking unit, or receiving a radio communication from the tracking unit.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein, subsequent to the first mobile computing device identifying the identity of the plurality of tracking units:

the first mobile computing device obtains, at the one or more hardware input devices, a second machine-readable code, the second machine-readable code encoding a particular unit identifier of the particular tracking unit; and

the first mobile computing device sends, to the server computing system, a plurality of data items in connection with application of the particular tracking unit to an asset, the plurality of data items including;

an identity of the first user, the particular unit identifier of the particular tracking unit, and an asset identifier for the asset, and which causes the server computing system to;

verify whether the particular unit identifier has an available status, and whether custody of the particular unit identifier is assigned to the first user; and

when the particular unit identifier is verified as being available and having custody assigned to the first user, associate the particular unit identifier with the asset identifier, and mark the particular unit identifier as having an applied status.

4. The computer system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of data items also includes one or more of a photo of the particular tracking unit, a photo of the asset, a geo-location of the mobile computing device, a work order number, a photo of a work order, or a photo of the particular tracking unit as applied to the asset.

5. The computer system of claim 3, wherein the asset comprises a shipping container, and wherein the plurality of data items also includes an identifier of a green zone in which the container was sealed.

6. The computer system of claim 3, wherein the first mobile device presents, at the first display device, a user interface requesting entry of the asset identifier for the asset.

7. The computer system of claim 3, wherein, based upon sending the plurality of data items to the server computer system, the first mobile device presents, at the first display device, a tracking unit status of the particular tracking unit, the tracking unit status selected from the group comprising:

available, applied, lost, damaged, and fraud.

8. The computer system of claim 3, wherein, based upon sending the plurality of data items to the server computing system, the first mobile device presents, at the first display device, a fraud status of the particular unit identifier when the particular unit identifier is an invalid identifier with respect to the asset identifier.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the particular unit identifier is an invalid identifier with respect to the asset identifier when the particular unit identifier is associated with a lost status.

10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the particular unit identifier is an invalid identifier with respect to the asset identifier when the particular unit identifier is associated with a damaged status.

11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the particular unit identifier is an invalid identifier with respect to the asset identifier when the particular unit identifier is different than another unit identifier than had been previously recorded as being associated with the asset identifier.

12. The computer system of claim 3, wherein, based on obtaining the second machine-readable code encoding the particular unit identifier of the particular tracking unit, the first mobile computing device presents, at the first display device, a user interface that includes each of an identity of a status of the particular unit identifier, a first user-selectable control for associating an applied status with the particular unit identifier, a second user-selectable control for associating a lost status with the particular unit identifier, and a third user-selectable control for associating a damaged status with the particular unit identifier.

13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein, based on selection of the first user-selectable control, the first mobile computing device presents, at the first display device, a tracking unit application user interface that includes each of an identity of the particular unit identifier, a third user interface control configured to receive user input of the asset identifier, a fourth user interface control configured to initiate capture of a photograph of the asset, and a fifth user interface control configured to initiate the sending of the plurality of data items to the server computing system.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the tracking unit application user interface also includes one or more of a sixth user interface control configured to receive user input of a result of a test of the asset, a seventh user interface control configured to initiate capture of a photograph of a service order, or an eight user interface control configured to receive user input of comments.

15. The computer system of claim 3, wherein, based on the first mobile computing device having sent, to the server computing system, the plurality of data items in connection with application of the particular tracking unit to an asset, the server computing system sends a third message to one or both of the first mobile computing device and the second mobile computing device, and which third message causes one or both of the first mobile computing device or the second mobile computing device to:

update a visual presentation of an inventory level relating to the asset, to reflect application of the particular tracking unit to the asset.

16. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server computing system generates the group identifier and each unit identifier, and stores a record of an imprinting of the group identifier and each unit identifier on physical articles.

17. A method, implemented in a computing environment that includes (i) a first mobile computing device that is communicatively coupled to a server computing system and comprising one or more corresponding first hardware processors, one or more corresponding hardware input devices, and a corresponding first display device;

(ii) a second mobile computing device that is communicatively coupled to the server computing system and comprising one or more corresponding second hardware processors and a corresponding second display device, and in which the second mobile computing device displays, at the second display device, a status of a particular tracking unit, including an indication that a second user associated with the second mobile computing device has custody of the particular tracking unit; and

(iii) a server computing system comprising one or more corresponding third hardware processors, the method comprising;

the first mobile computing device displaying, at the first display device, a first user interface control which, when selected, causes the first mobile computing device to obtain a machine-readable code;

based on a selection of the first user interface control, the first mobile computing device obtaining a first machine-readable code at the one or more hardware input devices, the first machine-readable code encoding a group identifier of a grouping of a plurality of tracking units that includes the particular tracking unit, the group identifier being structured such that a corresponding unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units within the grouping is identifiable based only on the group identifier;

the first mobile computing device decoding the group identifier at the one or more first hardware processors to identify each unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units, by at least (i) identifying a first portion of the group identifier that identifies a first unit identifier of a first unit in the grouping of tracking units, and (ii) identifying a second portion of the group identifier comprising a multiplier identifying a number of the plurality of tracking units that are within the grouping;

the first mobile computing device identifying, based on the first unit identifier and the multiplier, the identity of each unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units within the grouping of tracking units;

the first mobile computing device displaying, at the first display device, (i) the identity of the plurality of tracking units, (ii) an identity of the second user, and (iii) a second user interface control which, when selected, causes the first mobile computing device to obtain custody of the plurality of tracking units on behalf of a first user associated with the first mobile computing device; and

based on selection of the second user interface control, the first mobile computing device sending a first message to the server computing system, the first message indicating that the first user requests custody of the plurality of tracking units, and which first message causes the server computing system to;

reassign custody of the plurality of tracking units from the second user to the first user, without obtaining input from the second user; and

send a second message to the second mobile computing device indicating a status of at least the particular tracking unit, and which second message causes the second mobile computing device to;

update the status of the particular tracking unit to indicate that the first user now has custody of the particular tracking unit.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, subsequent to the first mobile computing device identifying the identity of the plurality of tracking units:

the first mobile computing device obtaining, at the one or more hardware input devices, a second machine-readable code, the second machine-readable code encoding a particular unit identifier of the particular tracking unit; and

the first mobile computing device sending, to the server computing system, a plurality of data items in connection with application of the particular tracking unit to an asset, the plurality of data items including;

an identity of the first user, the particular unit identifier of the particular tracking unit, and an asset identifier for the asset, and which causes the server computing system to;

verify whether the particular unit identifier has an available status, and whether custody of the particular unit identifier is assigned to the first user; and

when the particular unit identifier is verified as being available and having custody assigned to the first user, associate the particular unit identifier with the asset identifier, and mark the particular unit identifier as having an applied status.

19. A computer program product for use in a computing environment that includes (i) a first mobile computing device that is communicatively coupled to a server computing system and comprising one or more corresponding first hardware processors, one or more corresponding hardware input devices, and a corresponding first display device;

(ii) a second mobile computing device that is communicatively coupled to the server computing system and comprising one or more corresponding second hardware processors and a corresponding second display device, and in which the the second mobile computing device displays, at the second display device, a status of a particular tracking unit, including an indication that a second user associated with the second mobile computing device has custody of the particular tracking unit; and

(iii) a server computing system comprising one or more corresponding third hardware processors, the computer program product comprising one or more hardware storage devices having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more first hardware processors of the first mobile computing device, cause the first mobile computing device to perform at least the following;

display, at the first display device, a first user interface control which, when selected, causes the first mobile computing device to obtain a machine-readable code;

based on a selection of the first user interface control, obtain a first machine-readable code at the one or more hardware input devices, the first machine-readable code encoding a group identifier of a grouping of a plurality of tracking units that includes the particular tracking unit, the group identifier being structured such that a corresponding unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units within the grouping is identifiable based only on the group identifier;

decode the group identifier at the one or more first hardware processors to identify each unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units, by at least (i) identifying a first portion of the group identifier that identifies a first unit identifier of a first unit in the grouping of tracking units, and (ii) identifying a second portion of the group identifier comprising a multiplier identifying a number of the plurality of tracking units that are within the grouping;

identify, based on the first unit identifier and the multiplier, the identity of each unit identifier of each of the plurality of tracking units within the grouping of tracking units;

display, at the first display device, (i) the identity of the the plurality of tracking units, (ii) an identity of the second user, and (iii) a second user interface control which, when selected, causes the first mobile computing device to obtain custody of the plurality of tracking units on behalf of a first user associated with the first mobile computing device; and

based on selection of the second user interface control, send a first message to the server computing system, the first message indicating that the first user requests custody of the plurality of tracking units, and which first message causes the server computing system to;

reassign custody of the plurality of tracking units from the second user to the first user, without obtaining input from the second user; and

send a second message to the second mobile computing device indicating a status of at least the particular tracking unit, and which second message causes the second mobile computing device to;

update the status of the particular tracking unit to indicate that the first user now has custody of the particular tracking unit.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein, subsequent to identifying the identity of the plurality of tracking units, the first mobile computing device:

obtains, at the one or more hardware input devices, a second machine-readable code, the second machine-readable code encoding a particular unit identifier of the particular tracking unit; and

sends, to the server computing system, a plurality of data items in connection with application of the particular tracking unit to an asset, the plurality of data items including;

an identity of the first user, the particular unit identifier of the particular tracking unit, and an asset identifier for the asset, and which causes the server computing system to;

verify whether the particular unit identifier has an available status, and whether custody of the particular unit identifier is assigned to the first user; and

when the particular unit identifier is verified as being available and having custody assigned to the first user, associate the particular unit identifier with the asset identifier, and mark the particular unit identifier as having an applied status.