Computerized indelible tracking system

• US 7,248,160 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pinpoint Logistics Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pinpoint Logistics Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Malone, Kenneth J., Mangan, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US11/112,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 34053916-53918, 340/531, 340/505, 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 705/1, 705 7- 9, 705/11, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 455/456.6, 455/457
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking

Abstract

A new computerized tracking system, IndeliTrak, that incorporates the state-of-the-art technologies including cell phones, GPS, Internet, and scanners to gather and distribute up-to-the-minute tracking data with little effort. As an example, a courier carries a mobile phone that is attached to a barcode scanner and programmed with IndeliTrak'"'"'s tracking software. The mobile phone enables the courier to log in, retrieve his service schedule, verify each service location, log arrival/departure time, scan packages for pickup and delivery, and sign off. Scanned data are stored on the phone and transmitted to a customized IndeliTrak database. End users can track the packages via IndeliTrak'"'"'s browser-based user interface almost instantaneously. IndeliTrak does not require unique package identifications (IDs) or barcodes. Acceptable IDs include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, non-serialized barcodes, electronic product codes (EPCs), etc. The same ID code can be reused daily.

Claims

1. A computerized tracking system, comprising:

a server connected to a distributed computer network;

a storage means implementing a database connected to said server;

at least one client capable of communicating with said server and said database in real time either wirelessly through a cellular network or directly through said distributed computer network;

wherein

said client is characterized as a mobile unit configured with computer executable program instructions;

wherein

a first portion of said instructions when executed enables a courier to log in, retrieve information about his daily service route stops, scan service locations and packages, and log off;

wherein

a second portion of said instructions when executed automatically records arrival and completion times, verifies service locations, transmits tracking data gathered at said stops, and monitors and reports events and errors associated therewith;

wherein

a third portion of said instructions when executed provides an intelligent linkage that links each individual package to its pickup stop, each pickup stop to one or more delivery stops, and each delivery stop to one or more pickup stops; and

wherein

said linkage allows a customer to generate, obtain, or reuse arbitrary identification codes for individual packages which remain unknown to said courier until said individual packages are scanned for pickup.

2. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said server comprises a browser-based user interface that enables a remote user to find and track individual packages without having to know individual identification codes associated therewith.

3. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said mobile unit consisting essentially of a cellular phone and a code scanner attached to said phone.

4. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said tracking data include user login identification number, user password or personal identification number, location codes, arrival times, package identification codes, recipient initials, completion times, and error messages.

5. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said database receives, stores, and provides scheduled pickup and delivery times, designated pickup and delivery locations, and package identification codes scanned by said courier during said daily service route stops.

6. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said information includes scheduled pickup and delivery times, designated pickup and delivery locations, phone numbers, names, directions, and special handling instructions.

7. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said arbitrary identification codes are non-serialized barcodes, radio frequency identification tags, or electronic product codes.

8. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, further comprises a plurality of location code labels or stickers, each of which is affixed at one of said service route stops.

9. The computerized tracking system of claim 8, wherein said mobile unit has a Global Positioning System (GPS) transceiver that enables said courier to verify location without using said location code labels or stickers.

10. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein an incorrect location code or an unexpected package is scanned;

and wherein said mobile unit is programmed to trigger an alarm and not to proceed.

11. The computerized tracking system of claim 10, wherein said mobile unit is programmed to allow said courier to manually override a previously sorted list of stops and to select a stop that corresponds to said scanned location code.

12. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein an expected package is not scanned;

and wherein said mobile unit is programmed to trigger an alarm and not to proceed.

13. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said distributed computer network is the Internet;

wherein said database is a relational database; and

wherein said server is built with a Web-based application server and a relational database server.

14. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program implementing the computerized tracking system of claim 1.

15. The computerized tracking system of claim 1, wherein said mobile unit has a Global Positioning System (GPS) transceiver.