Method, apparatus and systems for tracking freight

• US 10,772,957 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2018
• Issued: 09/15/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CRC R&D, LLC
• Original Assignee: CRC R&D, LLC
• Inventors: Mains, Jr., Ronald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunnings, Travis R
• Application Number:
  US16/029,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20180326056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/505 comprising antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/3955 against proteinaceous materials, e.g. enzymes, hormones, lymphokines
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/70578 NGF-receptor/TNF-receptor superfamily, e.g. CD27, CD30, CD40, CD95 NGF-receptor C07K14/71, TNF-receptor C07K14/7151
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/2875 against the NGF/TNF superfamily, e.g. CD70, CD95L, CD153, CD154 against NGF C07K16/22, against TNF C07K16/241
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/52 Constant or Fc region; Isotype
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2319/30 Non-immunoglobulin-derived peptide or protein having an immunoglobulin constant or Fc region, or a fragment thereof, attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for tracking freight. Embodiments include a tracking device for a trailer containing a load. The tracking device includes a support member, a connector, a housing and a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the load. The connector securely attaches to a container on the trailer and attaches to a seal such that the container cannot be opened without breaking the seal. The support member stabilizes the housing and protects the tracking device during transit of the load. A tracking system may implement to monitor, gather information and report on the tracking device and the load.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a removable tracking device including a vibration sensor;

a container; and

a container seal,

wherein the tracking device is integrated with the container seal,

wherein the tracking device is configured to detect a presence or absence of a GSM signal and to configure a wireless communication channel to be a GSM or satellite communication channel based on the detected presence or absence of the GSM signal,

wherein the tracking device is configured to transmit a location of the container continuously via the wireless communication channel,

wherein the tracking device is configured to measure an acceleration and the location of the container and send the acceleration and the location of the container to a remote computer, and

wherein the vibration sensor is configured to determine vibration data and the tracking device is configured to determine cargo movement and integrity based on the vibration data.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bill of lading, the bill of lading being at least one of stored at a warehouse facility and stored within the tracking device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the container seal includes a bolt and a locking member.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a rigid support member with a connector at one end of the tracking device that connects the tracking device to the container seal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the connector includes an aperture.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the support member is a rigid elongated member, a first end of the elongated member attached to a housing and the second end of elongated member attached the container such that the container cannot be accessed without breaking the container seal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a sensor that detects temperature.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is a universal connector adaptable for connection to different types of containers.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device weighs less than 10 pounds.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the container, a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the container, a GSM communication device configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to the remote computer, and a power supply.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the tracking device includes a sensor connected to the GSM communication that monitors breakage of the container seal.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a satellite communication apparatus configured to forward the acceleration and the location of the container to the remote computer if GSM communication is not possible.

8. The system of 6, wherein the elongated member and the connector are connected and securely attach the tracking device to the container seal to minimize movement and absorb loading while the container is being transported.

14. A system for broker trucking, comprising:

at least one container including a load;

a removable tracking device including a vibration sensor configured to continuously transmit a location of the at least one container via wireless communication, the container being sealed with a container seal;

a computer configured to continuously receive the location of the at least one container from the removable tracking device and store the location; and

a user interface configured to display the location of the at least one container as received by the computer to an administrator,

wherein the tracking device is integrated with the container seal,

wherein the tracking device is configured to measure an acceleration and the location of the container and send the acceleration and the location of the container to a remote computer,

wherein the vibration sensor is configured to determine vibration data and the tracking device is configured to determine cargo movement and integrity based on the vibration data, and

wherein the tracking device is configured to detect a presence or absence of a GSM signal and to transmit information via a GSM or satellite communication channel based on the determination.

15. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, further comprising a terminal at a warehouse wherein a warehouse personnel inputs into the computer that the at least one container has been loaded and transmits the location of the at least one container.

16. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the administrator is located at the user interface and configured to use the location information of the at least one container to update arrival information.

17. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the location of the at least one container is transmitted over GSM when available and over the internet to the computer configured to receive the location.

18. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the location of the at least one container is transmitted over satellite when available and over and the internet to the computer configured to receive the location.

19. The system for broker trucking according to claim 14, wherein the computer is interconnected with a Transportation Management System.

20. A method of broker trucking, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a tracking device having a vibration sensor for a load;

loading a container, connected to a trailer, with the load;

sealing the container with a container seal;

monitoring the container while the load is in transit using the tracking device;

breaking the container seal;

removing the load from the container; and

returning the tracking device to a depository,

wherein the tracking device is integrated with the container seal,

wherein the tracking device is configured to detect a presence or absence of a GSM signal and to configure a wireless communication channel to be a GSM or satellite communication channel based on the detected presence or absence of the GSM signal

wherein the tracking device is configured to transmit a location of the container continuously via the wireless communication channel,

wherein the tracking device is configured to measure an acceleration and the location of the container and send the acceleration and the location of the container to a remote computer, and

wherein the vibration sensor is configured to determine vibration data and the tracking device is configured to determine cargo movement and integrity based on the vibration data.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

inputting into a computer system that the container is ready to depart; and

inputting into the computer system that the container has arrived, wherein the inputting activates the tracking device and an inputted arrival deactivates the tracking device.

22. A tracking device for a trailer containing a load, comprising:

a main body, the main body enclosing a GPS tracker configured to track a location of the load, and a vibration sensor,

wherein the tracking device is at least one of integrated with and securely attached to the container,

wherein tracking device is configured to detect a presence or absence of a GSM signal and to configure a wireless communication channel to be a GSM or satellite communication channel based on the detected presence or absence of the GSM signal

wherein the tracking device is configured to transmit the location of the container continuously via the wireless communication channel,

wherein the tracking device is configured to measure an acceleration and the location of the container and send the acceleration and the location of the container to a remote computer, and

wherein the vibration sensor is configured to determine vibration data and the tracking device is configured to determine cargo movement and integrity based on the vibration data.

23. The tracking device of claim 22, further comprising an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the container, a GSM communication device configured to forward the acceleration and the location of the container to the remote computer, and a power supply.

24. The tracking device of claim 23, further comprising a sensor connected to the GSM communication device that monitors breakage of the container seal.

25. The tracking device of claim 23, further comprising a satellite communication device configured to forward the acceleration and the location of the container to the remote computer if GSM communication is not possible.