Package Tracking Techniques

• US 20080262646A1
• Filed: 10/23/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,432 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/226
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 : Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 : with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19613 : Recognition of a predetermined image pattern or behaviour pattern indicating theft or intrusion
• 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: G08B 13/248 : EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 : due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Method and system for tracking packages including readable indicia in a movable cargo container includes mounting at least one scanner to an interior surface of the container capable of reading the indicia on, in or associated with the packages, operatively reading the indicia from the packages, converting the read indicia into an identification of the packages, and transmitting the package identifications to a remote facility. Each scanner may be controlled to read the indicia at predetermined times, upon command from the remote facility or upon detection of an event which could result in a change in the contents of the container. A positioning system may be arranged on the container to determine its location and the location of the container transmitted with the package identifications. This provides an entity managing the delivery or transport of the packages with an efficient way to track its package in real-time.

Claims

1. A method for tracking packages in a movable cargo container, the packages including optically readable indicia, comprising:

mounting at least one scanner to an interior surface of the container capable of reading the indicia on the packages;

operatively reading the indicia from the packages;

converting the read indicia into an identification of the packages; and

transmitting the package identifications to a remote facility.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the packages includes optically readable indicia and the at least one scanner is at least one optical scanner.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one optical scanner comprises a plurality of optical scanners arranged to cover a field of view encompassing the entire interior of the container.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

movably mounting the at least one optical scanner to the container; and

moving the at least one optical scanner along the length of the container to vary its field of view.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the indicia is a barcode.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising arranging the packages such that the indicia is capable of being read by the at least one optical scanner.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

attempting to read the indicia on a package when it is first placed into the container; and

providing a warning if the package is placed such that the indicia is not readable by the at least one optical scanner.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of mounting at least one optical scanner comprises arranging a single light beam emitter on the container and a plurality of light receivers at different locations.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the at least one scanner to read the indicia at predetermined times, upon command from the remote facility or upon detection of an event which could result in a change in the contents of the container.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

arranging a positioning system on the container to determine its location; and

transmitting the location of the container with the package identifications.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the packages include an radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, the at least one scanner being an interrogator arranged to generate a radio frequency signal which is transmitted into the interior of the container such that the RFID tags provide a responsive signal which is detected by the interrogator.

12. A system for tracking packages in a movable cargo container, comprising:

at least one scanner mounted to an interior surface of the container capable of reading the indicia on the packages, said at least one scanner being arranged to operatively read the indicia from the packages and convert the read indicia into an identification of the packages; and

a communications system coupled to said at least one scanner for transmitting the package identifications to a remote facility.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the packages includes optically readable indicia and said at least one scanner is at least one optical scanner.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one optical scanner comprises a plurality of optical scanners arranged to cover a field of view encompassing the entire interior of the container.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for moving said at least optical scanner along the length of the container to vary its field of view.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the indicia is a barcode.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one optical scanner comprises a single light beam emitter and a plurality of light receivers arranged at different locations.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein said at least one scanner is controlled to read the indicia at predetermined times, upon command from the remote facility or upon detection of an event which could result in a change in the contents of the container.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising a positioning system arranged on the container to determine its location, said communications system being coupled to said positioning system and arranged to transmitting the location of the container with the package identifications.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the packages include a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, said at least one scanner being an interrogator arranged to generate a radio frequency signal which is transmitted into the interior of the container such that the RFID tags provide a responsive signal which is detected by said interrogator.