Package management system for tracking shipment and product integrity

• US 8,660,814 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2013
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TVIPR LLC
• Original Assignee: TVIPR LLC
• Inventors: Vock, Curtis A., Amsbury, Burl E., Jonjak, Paul, Larkin, Adrian, Youngs, Perry
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US13/866,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20130238276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 702/150, 702/155, 702/160, 702182-185, 702/188
• US Class Current: 702/150
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/06 Running shoes; Track shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/242 Packaging, i.e. for packaging the sensor or apparatus before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/00 : Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/004 : for measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 : for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/00 : Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 : with wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 : for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/02 : by making use of inertia forces using solid seismic massesG01P15/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 : with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/00 : Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds G01P5/00 - G01P11/00 take precedence; direction and speed indication G01P13/045; counting mechanisms G06M
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 : Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 : Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A product integrity tracking shipping label includes a label body for attaching to a product to be shipped or to packaging containing the product. One or more movement monitoring configured with the label body detects a movement metric of the product. A microprocessor configured with the label body and in communication with the one or more movement monitoring devices time-tags the movement metric when the movement metric exceeds a pre-selected threshold. A product integrity tracking system includes a movement monitoring device with one or more sensors for attachment to a product or packaging containing the product. The movement monitoring device senses at least one movement event during handling of the product. A processor compares the movement event with a pre-selected event threshold, and time-tags and stores above-threshold movement events in a memory. Information in the memory is readable via an interrogation device during shipment or at product delivery.

Claims

1. A package management system, comprising:

shipping label having a sensor integrated therewith, the label being attachable to packaging, the sensor monitoring events experienced by the shipping label and having a communications port for communicating event data to external devices;

and a receiver linked to a transportation channel traveled by the packaging, for communicating with the communications port of the sensor to determine whether the label is within the correct transportation channel.

2. Package management system of claim 1, the receiver also logging events from the sensor.

3. Package management system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless relay tower for communicating with the receiver so as to track location of the shipping label during shipment.

4. Package management system of claim 3, the relay tower and receiver determining location of the label during shipment, so that the events are correlated to location.

5. Package management system of claim 1, further comprising an interrogation device for reading event data from the sensor.

6. Package management system of claim 5, the event data comprising one or both of acceleration and temperature data.

7. Package management system of claim 6, the sensor further comprising means for locating the sensor so that events are time-tagged with location data.

8. Package management system of claim 5, the interrogation device relaying events from the sensor to a remote location over a communications link.

9. Package management system of claim 1, the receiver relaying events from the sensor to a remote location over a communications link.

10. Package management system of claim 1, the sensor comprising an accelerometer and temperature sensor wherein the events comprise impact and temperature events.

11. A method for tracking shipment integrity, comprising:

generating movement metrics from a sensor attached to the package, or to goods within the package, during shipment of the package;

determining events as movement events of the sensor that pass a threshold; and

relaying events to external devices.

12. Method of claim 11, wherein relaying comprises using a receiver linked to a transportation channel used in the shipment.

13. Method of claim 11, wherein relaying comprises interrogating the sensor and transmitting the events to another location over a communications link.

14. Method of claim 11, wherein the events comprise one or both of impact passing an impact threshold and temperature passing a temperature threshold.

15. Method of claim 11, further comprising determining location of the sensor and tagging the events with time and the location.

16. Method of claim 15, wherein determining location comprises using GPS or physical location of a receiver or wireless relay tower communicating with the sensor.