Portable computing device and method for asset management in a logistics system

• US 8,560,274 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2012
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Gregory, Timothy L., Jacobs, James Randy, Ainsworth, Miley E., Lemmon, Andy N., Veitenheimer, John Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US13/565,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20120310598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 702/187
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/007 Data loggers attached to transport containers for perishable products, e.g. food or medicines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light G01N3/00 - G01N19/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3206 Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• 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

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a device for tracking one or more items. The device may include a plurality of sensors for detecting light, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration. The device may also include a memory for storing information received from the plurality of sensors.

Claims

1. A method for a package tracking device having a set of sensors, the method comprising:

storing in a memory of the package tracking device a reporting frequency for the package tracking device, wherein the reporting frequency is used to determine how frequently the package tracking device reports particular information derived from sensed input from the set of sensors to a tracking center associated with the tracking device; and

altering, by the package tracking device, the reporting frequency stored in the memory based on a relationship between an environmental condition and a predetermined threshold, wherein the environmental condition is associated with a sensed input of at least one sensor of the set of sensors.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting frequency is altered based on instructions received from the tracking center.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting frequency is altered without receiving instructions from the tracking center.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental condition is the ambient temperature associated with the package tracking device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationship between the environmental condition and the predetermined threshold is determined by the tracking center.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationship between the environmental condition and the predetermined threshold is determined by the package tracking device.

7. A package tracking device comprising:

a set of sensors;

a memory for storing a reporting frequency for the package tracking device, wherein the reporting frequency is used to determine how frequently the package tracking device reports particular information derived from sensed input from the set of sensors to a tracking center associated with the package tracking device; and

a processor for executing instructions to alter the reporting frequency stored in the memory based on a relationship between an environmental condition and a predetermined threshold, wherein the environmental condition is associated with a sensed input of at least one sensor of the set of sensors.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor alters the reporting frequency based on instructions received from the tracking center.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor alters the reporting frequency without receiving instructions from the tracking center.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the environmental condition is the ambient temperature associated with the package tracking device.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor alters the reporting frequency based on the tracking center'"'"'s determination of the relationship between the environmental condition and the predetermined threshold.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor alters the reporting frequency based on the package tracking device'"'"'s determination of the relationship between the environmental condition and the predetermined threshold.