Method and system for providing shipment tracking and notifications

• US 10,628,783 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Lau, Chung, Thomas, C. Douglass
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Quynh H
• Application Number:
  US13/802,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20130297524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,596 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561, 4554562, 4554563, 4554042, 4554142, 45540402, 34053913, 340988
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Improved approaches for monitoring status of articles being shipped are disclosed. The monitoring can produce notifications to interested parties. The notifications typically contain status information pertaining to the articles being shipped. Alternatively, interested parties can gain access to status information pertaining to the articles being shipped via a website. According to one embodiment, the status information includes at least position (location) information and shipping conditions information.

Claims

1. A method for tracking shipment of a package, where a mobile communication device is provided within or coupled to the package and used to track the shipment of the package, the mobile communication device including at least a wireless transmitter, said method comprising:

receiving status information associated with the package during shipment, the status information being provided by the mobile communication device within or coupled to the package, the status information including at least position information and shipping conditions information, and the shipping conditions information being related to conditions of or around the package being shipped, the shipping conditions information being acquired by one or more sensors included within the mobile communication device, the status information being received wirelessly from wireless transmission initiated from the wireless transmitter included in the mobile communication device;

accessing, from a storage device, a particular set of notification criteria corresponding to the package, the particular set of notification criteria including at least a first predetermined criterion for a first type of status information and a second predetermined criterion for a second type of status information;

determining, by one or more computing devices, whether a notification condition pertaining to the package exists based on the status information and the particular set of notification criteria corresponding to the package;

determining, by the one or more computing devices, a notification message when the notification condition exists; and

initiating electronically sending the notification message to a user,

wherein the status information includes the first type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a first comparison of the first type of status information with the first predetermined criterion for the first type of status information,

wherein the status information includes the second type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a second comparison of the second type of status information with the second predetermined criterion for the second type of status information, and

wherein the mobile communication device that acquires the position information and the shipping conditions information is a dedicated, battery- powered, unitary electronic device that is by itself portable, whereby the mobile communication device is capable of being carried by a person without any mechanical assistance.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method manages information regarding shipments.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the method comprises:

periodically receiving, from the one or more sensors, condition information associated with shipments, the condition information detected by each sensor device and selected based on a device profile;

associating a sensor information sharing profile with each of a plurality of users; and

periodically transmitting selected condition information from the one or more sensors to select users based on the sensor information sharing profile associated with each user.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein receiving the condition information comprises receiving information regarding at least one of temperature information, or humidity information.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the method further comprising triggering an alarm in response to the condition information.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the triggering comprises triggering the alarm when the sensor devices detect condition information that exceed one or more threshold conditions.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein another notification condition is determined to exist if the position information denotes that a location of the mobile communication device has changed.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the method tracks shipment of a plurality of packages, and wherein mobile communication devices respectively associated with the packages include one or more sensor devices.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said method comprises:

periodically receiving, from the one or more sensors, condition information associated with shipments, the condition information detected by each sensor device and selected based on a device profile.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein said method comprises:

associating a sensor information sharing profile with each of a plurality of users.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said method comprises:

periodically transmitting selected condition information from the sensor devices to select users based on the sensor information sharing profile associated with each user.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein receiving condition information comprises receiving information regarding at least one of temperature information, or humidity information.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising triggering an alarm in response to the condition information.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the triggering comprises triggering the alarm when the sensor devices detect condition information that exceed one or more threshold conditions.

15. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method permits access to information regarding one or more shipments of packages.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said method comprises:

receiving, at a tracking center, sensor information associated with the one or more shipments.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said method comprises:

analyzing rules associated with a user to determine whether the user is authorized to access the received sensor information.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method comprises:

restricting the user from accessing the received sensor information based on the analyzed rules, wherein the restricting comprises reporting the received sensor information to the user at a level of specificity that is less than a level of specificity of sensor information collected by a sensor associated with the one or more shipments.

19. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein restricting the user from accessing the received sensor information comprises reporting the received sensor information to the user at a frequency lower than collected by a sensor associated with the one or more shipments.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the sensor information is collected at a street address or more detailed level and the received sensor information is reported to the user at a city level.

21. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein restricting the user from accessing the received sensor information comprises preventing the user from accessing the received sensor information when one or more sensors associated with the one or more shipments is at a predetermined location.

22. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein restricting the user from accessing the received sensor information comprises preventing the user from accessing the received sensor information at a predetermined time.

23. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein restricting the user from accessing the received sensor information comprises reporting the received sensor information to the user after a predetermined time delay.

24. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein restricting the user from accessing the received sensor information comprises reporting the received sensor information to the user when a sensor associated with the one or more shipments is within a predetermined boundary relative to the delivery location of the one or more shipments.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the predetermined boundary is defined as either a predetermined distance relative to the delivery location or as a predetermined time to reach the delivery location.

26. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein restricting the user from accessing the received sensor information comprises preventing the user from accessing the received sensor information when a sensor associated with the one or more shipments is outside of a predetermined boundary relative to the originating location of the one or more shipments.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein the predetermined boundary is defined as either a predetermined distance relative to the originating location or as a predetermined time away from the originating location.

28. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method comprises:

reconfiguring one or more sensor devices associated with the one or more shipments to modify the frequency or precision of the received sensor information, wherein the reconfiguring occurs in response to an alert created by a reading of the sensor information.

29. A server machine for tracking shipment of a plurality of packages, said server machine comprising:

a non-transitory storage device to store at least computer program code and a set of notification criteria for each of a plurality of mobile electronic devices respectively within or coupled to a corresponding one of the packages; and

at least one processor to perform at least some of the computer program code,

wherein the at least one processor performs at least some of the computer program code to track shipment of the plurality of packages, the computer program code comprises;

computer program code for receiving status information associated with a package during shipment, the status information being provided by the mobile electronic device within or coupled to the package, the status information including at least position information and environmental information, and the environmental information being related to environmental conditions of or around the package being shipped;

computer program code for accessing, from the storage device, the particular set of notification criteria corresponding to the package, the particular set of notification criteria including at least a first predetermined criterion for a first type of status information and a second predetermined criterion for a second type of status information;

computer program code for determining whether a notification condition pertaining to the package exists based on the status information and the particular set of notification criteria corresponding to the package;

computer program code for producing a notification message when the notification condition exists; and

computer program code for initiating electronically sending the notification message to an interested user,

wherein the status information includes the first type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a first comparison of the first type of status information with the first predetermined criterion for the first type of status information,

wherein the status information includes the second type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a second comparison of the second type of status information with the second predetermined criterion for the second type of status information, and

wherein the mobile electronic device that acquires the position information and the environmental information is a battery-powered, unitary electronic device that is by itself easily portable by a person.

30. A server machine as recited in claim 29, wherein the server machine and the mobile communication device form a system for managing information regarding shipments.

31. A server machine as recited in claim 30, wherein the mobile electronic device includes one or more sensor devices for detecting environmental information associated with the shipments.

32. A server machine as recited in claim 31, wherein the system comprises:

a receiver for receiving the condition information from the at least one sensor device.

33. A server machine as recited in claim 32, wherein the at least one processor:

associates a sensor information sharing profile with each of a plurality of users; and

periodically transmits selected condition information from the sensor devices to select users based on the sensor information sharing profile associated with each user.

34. A server machine as recited in claim 33, wherein the condition information includes information regarding at least one of temperature information, or humidity information.

35. A server machine as recited in claim 33, further comprising an alarm unit which is triggered in response to the received condition information.

36. A server machine as recited in claim 35, wherein the alarm unit is triggered when the sensor devices detect condition information that exceed one or more threshold conditions.

37. A server machine as recited in claim 29, wherein another notification condition is determined to exist if the position information denotes that a location of the mobile electronic device is at a predetermined location that was previously associated with the mobile electronic device.

38. A server machine as recited in claim 37,

wherein the server machine and the mobile electronic device form a system for managing information regarding shipments, and

wherein the system comprises one or more sensor devices for detecting condition information associated with the shipments.

39. A server machine as recited in claim 38, wherein the system comprises:

a receiver for receiving the condition information from the one or more sensor devices.

40. A server machine as recited in claim 39, wherein the at least one processor:

associates a sensor information sharing profile with each of a plurality of users; and

periodically transmits selected condition information from the one or more sensor devices to select users based on the sensor information sharing profile associated with each user.

41. A server machine as recited in claim 40, wherein the condition information includes information regarding at least one of temperature information, or humidity information.

42. A server machine as recited in claim 40, further comprising an alarm unit which is triggered in response to the received condition information.

43. A server machine as recited in claim 42, wherein the alarm unit is triggered when the sensor devices detect condition information that exceed one or more threshold conditions.

44. A method for tracking shipment of a container, where a mobile communication device is provided within or coupled to the container and used to track the shipment of the container, the mobile communication device including at least a wireless receiver and at least one sensor, said method comprising:

receiving status information associated with the container during shipment, the status information being provided by a mobile communication device provided as a single housed device within or coupled to the container, the status information including at least position information and environmental information, and the environmental information being related to an environment of or around the container being shipped, the position information being received or derived from at least data received by the wireless receiver included within the mobile communication device, and the environmental information being received or derived from at least data received from the at least one sensor included within the mobile communication device;

accessing, from a storage device, a particular set of notification criteria applicable to the container, the particular set of notification criteria including at least a first predetermined criterion for a first type of status information and a second predetermined criterion for a second type of status information;

determining, by one or more computing devices, whether a notification condition pertaining to the container exists based on the status information and the particular set of notification criteria associated with the container;

producing, by the one or more computing devices, a notification message when the notification condition exists; and

initiating electronically sending the notification message to an interested user;

wherein the status information includes the first type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a first comparison of the first type of status information with the first predetermined criterion for the first type of status information,

wherein the status information includes the second type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a second comparison of the second type of status information with the second predetermined criterion for the second type of status information, and

wherein the mobile communication device that acquires the position information and the environmental information is a battery-powered, portable electronic device.

45. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein another notification condition is determined to exist if the position information denotes that a location of the mobile communication device has changed.

46. A server machine for tracking status of a plurality of objects, said server machine comprising:

a non-transitory storage device to store at least computer program code and a set of notification criteria for each of a plurality of mobile electronic devices respectively within or coupled to a corresponding one of the objects; and

at least one processor to perform at least some of the computer program code,

wherein the at least one processor performs at least some of the computer program code to track movement and conditions of the plurality of objects, the computer program code comprises;

computer program code for receiving status information associated with an object, the status information being provided by the mobile electronic device within or coupled to the object, the status information including at least position information and monitored condition information, and the monitored condition information being related to monitored conditions of or around the object;

computer program code for accessing, from the storage device, the particular set of notification criteria associated with the object, the particular set of notification criteria including at least a first predetermined criterion for a first type of status information and a second predetermined criterion for a second type of status information;

computer program code for determining whether a notification condition pertaining to the object exists based on the status information and the particular set of notification criteria associated with the object;

computer program code for producing a notification message when the notification condition exists; and

computer program code for initiating electronically sending the notification message to an interested user,

wherein the status information includes the first type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a first comparison of the first type of status information with the first predetermined criterion for the first type of status information,

wherein the status information includes the second type of status information, and the notification condition is determined to exist based on a second comparison of the second type of status information with the second predetermined criterion for the second type of status information, and

wherein the mobile electronic device that acquires the status information is a battery-powered, electronic device that is by itself portable.

47. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the mobile electronic device is by itself portable by a person, wherein the object is by itself portable by a person, and wherein the mobile electronic device remains portable by a person even while being within or coupled to the object.

48. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the mobile electronic device is by itself portable by a person, wherein the object is by itself not portable by a person, and wherein the mobile electronic device is no longer portable by a person after being within or coupled to the object.

49. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the object is a container.

50. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the first type of status information includes acceleration information.

51. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the first type of status information includes light information.

52. A server machine as recited in claim 46,

wherein the monitored condition information includes information concerning motion and information concerning light,

wherein the first type of status information includes light information, and

wherein the second type of status information includes motion information.

53. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the object is a package being shipped, and

wherein the monitored condition information includes information concerning light, temperature, pressure, acceleration and humidity detected during shipment of the package.

54. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the object is a package being shipped, and

wherein the mobile electronic device is placed within or coupled to the package before shipment later removed from the package after shipment.

55. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the object is able to be carried by a person.

56. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the object is a container involved in a delivery, and

wherein the monitored condition information includes information concerning temperature and acceleration detected during delivery of the container.

57. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the object is a container involved in a delivery, and

wherein the monitored condition information includes information concerning acceleration detected during delivery of the container.

58. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the computer program further comprises:

computer program code for permitting an authorized user to access the status information for a plurality of objects, provided the authorized user is authorized to monitor the plurality of objects; and

computer program code for initiating display to the authorized user of a web page that enables a user to monitor the plurality of objects.

59. A server machine as recited in claim 46, wherein the first predetermined criterion and the second predetermined criterion are received via a web interface and stored to the storage device.

60. A server machine as recited in claim 59,

wherein the first predetermined criterion and the second predetermined criterion are provided to the storage device wirelessly via a wireless network, and

wherein the status information is received from the mobile electronic device wirelessly via the wireless network.

61. A server machine as recited in claim 46,

wherein the object is a package,

wherein the package is to be shipped from a shipper to a recipient, and

wherein the server machine supports a web interface permit configuration of the notification messages regarding shipment of the package to be sent to the recipient, the shipper or a third-party.

62. A server machine as recited in claim 46,

wherein the object is a container,

wherein the container is involved in delivery from a shipper to a recipient, and

wherein the server machine supports a web interface permit configuration of the notification messages regarding delivery of the container to be sent to the recipient, shipper or a third-party.