U.S. patent application number 13/802624 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for method and system for providing shipment tracking and notifications.
This patent application is currently assigned to IpVenture, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is IpVenture, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chung Lau, C. Douglass Thomas.
Application Number | 20140067708 13/802624 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37991516 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140067708 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lau; Chung ; et al. |
March 6, 2014 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SHIPMENT TRACKING AND
NOTIFICATIONS
Abstract
Improved approaches for monitoring status of articles being
shipped are disclosed. The monitoring can produce notifications to
interested parties. The notifications typically contain status
information pertaining to the articles being shipped.
Alternatively, interested parties can gain access to status
information pertaining to the articles being shipped via a website.
According to one embodiment, the status information includes at
least position (location) information and shipping conditions
information.
Inventors: |
Lau; Chung; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Thomas; C. Douglass; (Campbell, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IpVenture, Inc. |
Los Altos |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
IpVenture, Inc.
Los Altos
CA
|
Family ID: |
37991516 |
Appl. No.: |
13/802624 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12924470 |
Sep 27, 2010 |
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13802624 |
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11732581 |
Apr 3, 2007 |
7809377 |
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12924470 |
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10397637 |
Mar 26, 2003 |
7212829 |
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11732581 |
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09797517 |
Feb 28, 2001 |
7366522 |
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10397637 |
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60185480 |
Feb 28, 2000 |
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60444198 |
Jan 30, 2003 |
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60418491 |
Oct 15, 2002 |
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60404645 |
Aug 19, 2002 |
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60375998 |
Apr 24, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/029 20180201;
G06Q 10/0833 20130101; G06Q 10/0832 20130101; H04W 64/00 20130101;
H04W 4/027 20130101; H04L 67/18 20130101; H04L 67/04 20130101; H04W
4/02 20130101; H04W 4/20 20130101; G06Q 10/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/333 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/08 20120101
G06Q010/08 |
Claims
1. A server machine for tracking shipment of a package, said server
machine comprising: a processing unit configured to: (i) receiving
status information associated with the package, the status
information being provided by a mobile communication device within
the package; (ii) determining whether a notification condition
exists based on the status information and at least one
notification criterion; (iii) producing a notification message when
the notification condition exists; and (iv) initiating
electronically sending the notification message to an interested
user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/924,470, filed Sep. 27, 2010, and entitled
"METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SHIPMENT TRACKING AND
NOTIFICATIONS," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference,
which in turn is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/732,581, filed Apr. 3, 2007, and entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
PROVIDING SHIPMENT TRACKING AND NOTIFICATIONS," now U.S. Pat. No.
7,809,377, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, which
in turn is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/397,637, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM
FOR PROVIDING SHIPMENT TRACKING AND NOTIFICATIONS," now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,212,829, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference,
and which in turn is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/797,517, filed Feb. 28, 2001, and entitled
"METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION TRACKING," now U.S. Pat. No.
7,366,522, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/185,480, filed Feb. 28, 2000, and entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM
FOR LOCATION TRACKING," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0002] By way of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,637,
this application also claims benefit of: (i) U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/444,198, filed Jan. 30, 2003, and
entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING,
MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING STATUS INFORMATION,"
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/418,491, filed Oct. 15, 2002,
and entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING,
PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING STATUS
INFORMATION," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;
(iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/404,645, filed
Aug. 19, 2002, and entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING
POSITION AND OTHER INFORMATION," which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/375,998, filed Apr. 24, 2002, and entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD
AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MANAGING AND USING
POSITION INFORMATION," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0003] This application is also related to: (i) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/397,473, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled
"METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTELLIGENT ACQUISITION OF POSITION
INFORMATION," now U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,941; (ii) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/397,472, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled
"Methods and Apparatus to Analyze and Present Location
Information;" (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,641,
filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
PERSONALIZED MEDICAL MONITORING AND NOTIFICATIONS THEREFOR;" (iv)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,640, filed Mar. 26, 2003,
and entitled "INEXPENSIVE POSITION SENSING DEVICE;" (v) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/397,474, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled
"METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED MESSAGING;" (vi) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/397,512, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled
"APPLICATIONS OF STATUS INFORMATION FOR INVENTORY MANAGEMENT."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to shipment of objects and,
more particularly, to monitoring objects during shipment.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Objects are regularly shipped from a sender to a recipient.
The objects can be packages, containers or boxes, or items within
packages, containers or boxes. However, for the most part, once an
object leaves the sender and enters a shipping channel, the sender
and recipient have little or no knowledge about the shipments.
[0008] Recently, shipping companies, such as Federal Express, have
enabled users to track shipments using tracking numbers uniquely
assigned to the objects being shipped. A user can access the
FedEx.com website and retrieve tracking information about a
particular package or can arrange to have such tracking information
emailed to a particular email address. The tracking information can
include such information as shipment date, delivery location,
delivery date/time, person acknowledging receipt, and scan
activity. The scan activity provides a listing of each of the
locations (and date and time) during the shipment where the package
was scanned. Even more recently, FedEx introduced a Web-based
business tool, referred to as FedEx InSight, to help businesses
manage their shipping activities. FedEx InSight is advertised as
facilitating: (i) tracking inbound, outbound and third-party payor
shipments; (ii) providing notifications of critical shipping events
via electronic mail, facsimile, Internet or wireless means; (iii)
providing status summaries of international and domestic shipments
on one report; and (iv) helping to pinpoint customs delays and
delivery attempts and then suggesting ways to expedite
delivery.
[0009] Notwithstanding the recent advances in tracking shipments,
there still exists various problems that lead to lack of
understanding of shipments activity and conditions. When scanning
of packages at various locations during a route of shipment is used
to tracking location, personnel must manually perform such
scanning. Further, the location of packages is only known at the
time that the packages are scanned at certain locations (scanning
locations). In shipping a package, there is a need to have more
precise and robust knowledge of the position and condition of the
package throughout the shipping process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Broadly speaking, the invention relates to improved
approaches for monitoring status of articles being shipped. The
monitoring can produce notifications to interested parties. The
notifications typically contain status information pertaining to
the articles being shipped. Alternatively, interested parties can
gain access to status information pertaining to the articles being
shipped via a website. According to one embodiment, the status
information includes at least position (location) information and
shipping conditions information. The invention can be implemented
in numerous ways including, a method, system, device, graphical
user interface, and a computer readable medium.
[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention will be readily understood by the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements,
and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an article shipment
notification system according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of article shipment notification
processing according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of notification message processing
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of requested notification
processing according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of email status processing
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a representative notification setup screen
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of insurance compliance processing
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of refund processing according to
one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an object tracking system
according to one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The invention relates to improved approaches for monitoring
status of articles being shipped. The monitoring can produce
notifications to interested parties. The notifications typically
contain status information pertaining to the articles being
shipped. Alternatively, interested parties can gain access to
status information pertaining to the articles being shipped via a
website. According to one embodiment, the status information
includes at least position (location) information and shipping
conditions information.
[0023] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present invention. However, it will become obvious to those skilled
in the art that the invention may be practiced without these
specific details. The description and representation herein are the
common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art to
most effectively convey the substance of their work to others
skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in
detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present
invention.
[0024] Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at
least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the
phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are
separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other
embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or
diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do
not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply any
limitations in the invention.
[0025] Embodiments of this aspect of the invention are discussed
below with reference to FIGS. 1-9. However, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given
herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as
the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an article shipment
notification system 100 according to one embodiment of the
invention. The article shipment notification system 100 provides
web-based article shipment management capable of not only tracking
the shipment of articles but also providing notifications to users
of the system.
[0027] The article shipment notification system 100 includes a
shipper 102 and a recipient 104. Typically, the article shipment
notification system 100 would support multiple shippers and
multiple recipients. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
only the shipper 102 and the recipient 104 are illustrated. It is
assumed that an article is being shipped by the shipper 102 to the
recipient 104. A shipper is a person, entity or associated
computing device that is responsible for or associated with
shipping an article, and a recipient is a person, entity or
associated computing device to which the article is being
shipped.
[0028] In order to track the location and shipping conditions of
the article being shipped from the shipper 102 to the recipient
104, a tracking device (TD1) 106 is provided within or attached to
the article being shipped. Additionally, a second tracking device
(TD2) 108 is also illustrated in FIG. 1 which could be used to
track another article. The first tracking device 106 and the second
tracking device 108 are coupled to a wireless network 110. In
general, the article shipment notification system 100 supports many
different tracking devices. Typically, for each article being
tracked, the article shipment notification system 100 would use a
separate tracking device.
[0029] The wireless network 110 is coupled to the Internet 112.
Further, a tracking server 114 is coupled to the Internet 112. The
tracking server 114 also couples to a tracking database 116. The
Internet 112 can be replaced by other data networks (e.g.,
enterprise network, regional network, Local Area Network, or Wide
Area Network).
[0030] While an article is being shipped from the shipper 102 to
the recipient 104, the first tracking device 106 gathers status
information associated with the article. The status information
includes at least position (location) information and/or shipping
conditions information. The position information is obtained
typically from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within
the first tracking device 106. The position information can be
obtained or augmented by a local positioning system such as
utilized with a local network (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). The
shipping conditions information pertains to conditions of or
surrounding an article during its shipment. The shipping conditions
information can vary with application. Examples of shipping
conditions that can be provided within shipping conditions
information include one or more of vibration, acceleration, speed,
or direction of travel of, or force or pressure on, the article.
Other examples of shipping conditions that can be provided within
shipping conditions information include one or more of temperature,
humidity, pressure, gaseous or liquid states, chemical
compositions, wind speed, color composition, scent, light, sound,
smoke, particle or radiation (e.g., infrared radiation).
[0031] The status information that is obtained by the first
tracking device 106 is sent by the first tracking device 106 to the
tracking server 114 via the wireless network 110 and the Internet
112. The tracking server 114 stores the status information
pertaining to the first tracking device 106 into the tracking
database 116 such that it is associated with the particular article
being shipped. The tracking server 114 tracks the shipment of
various articles, and thus stores status information pertaining to
the particular articles being shipped.
[0032] As the article is being shipped, the tracking server 114 can
also monitor the status information associated with the first
tracking device 106 (as well as other tracking devices used with
the article shipment notification system 100). The tracking server
114 can produce and send various notifications to shippers and/or
recipients of articles being shipped using the article shipment
notification system 100. More particularly, the tracking server 114
can monitor the status information provided by the first tracking
device 106 and determine whether and when to send notifications to
either the shipper 102 or the recipient 104, or both.
[0033] In one embodiment, the shipper 102 and/or the recipient 104
can provide notification criteria to the tracking server 114. The
shipper 102 and the recipient 104 are coupled to the Internet 112
and thus can supply notification criteria to the tracking server
114 (as well as receive notifications from the tracking server
114). The notification criteria can specify the channel, timing and
nature of the notifications to be received. The notification
messages can be transmitted through different channels, such as
electronic mail, text message (e.g., page, instant message, etc.),
voice call, and facsimile. The timing, for example, can be periodic
(e.g., daily) or on events or conditions. The nature of the
notification messages can vary based on circumstances and/or user
preferences. For example, the user might only desire urgent
messages and not messages of lesser priorities. As another example,
the user might want to receive messages in an abbreviated format as
opposed to a detailed format. As still another example, the user
might want to receive warning messages or messages indicating that
corrective action is suggested, but opt not to receive regular
status messages. In one embodiment, the notification criteria can
also be considered user configuration data.
[0034] The article shipment notification system 100 can allow the
shipper 102 and the recipient 104 to interact with the tracking
server 114 through a web interface so that such users are able to
configure or set-up to receive certain notifications. The web
interface can facilitate a user in arranging to receive
notifications by indicating notification criteria. For example,
through use of the web interface, a user can make user selections
to indicate the notifications to be received and where and by what
channels the notifications are to be provided.
[0035] The article shipment notification system 100 can provide
various different notifications to interested users, such as the
shipper 102 and the recipient 104. For example, the shipper 102
might receive a notification that the article shipment has been
delayed, a notification that the article has been delivered
(arrived at the destination), a notification that shipping
conditions violations have occurred, or a notification of the
position of the article. For example, the recipient 104 might
receive notifications such as a notification that an article has
been shipped identifying the recipient as the person or entity
receiving the article, a notification that an article being shipped
to the recipient is nearby, and a notification that an article will
be delivered to the recipient shortly (optionally including an
estimated delivery time), a notification of shipping conditions
violations, or a notification of the position of the article.
[0036] The article shipment notification system 100 can also
include at least one third-party 118. The third-party 118 is a user
interested in the shipment of the article other than the shipper
102 or the recipient 104. The article shipment notification system
100 can operate (or be configured to operate) to provide certain
notifications to the third-party 118. The above-mentioned web
interface can be used to configure or set-up such notifications. As
examples, the third-party 118 can represent a shipping entity, an
insurance company, a management organization, a financial
organization, etc.
[0037] In one embodiment, the notifications can have different
levels. The level of a notification can depend on security
clearance, authorization, ranks within companies, or the recipient.
For example, a notification directed to an insurance company might
contain all available status information. In another example, a
notification directed to a recipient of the article might only
contain selected types/portions of status information (e.g., time
of arrival but not humidity information).
[0038] The notification can be initiated by a server, such as the
tracking server 104, or on-demand by a requestor (e.g., interested
user).
[0039] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of article shipment notification
processing 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. The
article shipment notification processing 200 can, for example, be
performed by a server machine, such as the tracking server 114
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0040] The article shipment notification processing 200 receives
201 status information for an article from a mobile communication
device. Here, the mobile communication device transmits the status
information for the article that is associated with (e.g., coupled
to or encloses) the mobile communication device. The status
information that is being transmitted is received at the server by
way of a wireless and/or wired network. Next, the status
information is stored 202 to a tracking database. The tracking
database allows the status information for the article to be
organized for subsequent evaluation. The article shipment
notification processing 200 then determines 204 whether a
notification condition exists based on the status information and
notification criteria. The status information for the article was
received from the corresponding mobile communication device and
stored in the tracking database as noted above. The notification
criteria can be either default notification criteria or
user-specified notification criteria. In any case, the status
information and the notification criteria are utilized to determine
whether a notification condition exists. Thereafter, a notification
message is produced 206 when the notification condition exists.
After the notification message is produced 206 the notification
message is sent 208 to an interested user. The manner by which the
notification message is sent 208 can vary depending upon the nature
of the notification message, the capabilities of the communication
system being used, the preferences of the interested user, and the
like. After the notification message has been sent 208, the article
shipment notification processing 200 is complete and ends.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of notification message processing
300 according to one embodiment of the invention. The notification
message processing 300 can, for example, represent a more detailed
implementation for the operations 206 and 208 illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0042] The notification message processing 300 assumes that the
notification system supports the various types of notifications and
distinguishes those notifications based on the existence of
particular notification conditions. More specifically, the
notification conditions being processed by the notification message
processing 300 include, for example, notification conditions
pertaining to a new shipment, a position update, an environmental
violation, and a delivery status.
[0043] The notification message processing 300 begins with a
decision 302 that determines whether a new shipment notification
condition exists. As an example, a new shipment notification
condition is a notification condition that is used to indicate that
a new shipment is or has been sent. The new shipment notification
condition might notify a recipient that an article was shipped to
them on a particular date, from a particular person, and possible
also indicate the approximate arrival date and/or time. Still
further, in one embodiment, the new shipment notification message
can include a link (e.g., hyperlink) to a server location wherein
notifications can be arranged. When the decision 302 determines
that a new shipment notification condition does exist, then a new
shipment notification is produced and sent 304. Alternatively, when
the decision 302 determines that a new shipment notification
condition does not exist, then a decision 306 determines whether a
position update notification condition exists. When the decision
306 determines that a position update notification condition
exists, then a position notification message is produced and sent
308. On the other hand, when the decision 306 determines that a
position update notification condition does not exist, then a
decision 310 determines whether an environmental violation
notification condition exists. When the decision 310 determines
that an environmental violation notification condition does exist,
then an environmental notification message is produced and sent
312. As an example, an environmental notification message informs
the recipient of the message that one or more environmental
violation notification conditions have been violated. For example,
the environmental notification message might indicate that the
temperature of the article has exceeded a desired limit, that the
humidity has exceeded a desired limit, or that the article has
undergone excessive forces. Alternatively, when the decision 310
determines that an environmental violation notification condition
does not exist, then a decision 314 determines whether a delivery
notification condition exists. When the decision 314 determines
that a delivery notification condition does exist, then a delivery
notification message is produced and sent 316. On the other hand,
when the decision 314 determines that a delivery notification
condition does not exist, then as well as following the operation
316, a notification message processing 300 is complete and
ends.
[0044] It should be noted that the notification message processing
can send one or more notifications to an interested user at any
point in time. Additionally, the multiple notifications can be
combined into a single notification. Further, additional
notification conditions beyond those discussed with respect to the
notification message processing 300 shown in FIG. 3 can also be
utilized and processed in a similar manner. Still further, the
organization or arrangement of the processing of the notification
message processing 300 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrative and thus not
required. For example, the order of evaluating the decisions is not
limited to that shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the notification
message processing 300 can vary with implementation.
[0045] As an illustration regarding notification, the shipping
conditions information can provide chemical related feedback or
notification information based on chemical substances being sensed
within the package or object being shipped. For example, a chemical
sensor can be provided within the mobile tracking device to sense
chemical compositions (e.g., gaseous components).
[0046] With respect to the notification criteria utilized to
determine when notifications are to be sent, a user can configure
those notifications desired and the particular conditions for such
notifications. For example, a user can configure notifications by
interacting with a web site to set the notification criteria.
[0047] Although the notifications often are sent to the sender or
recipient of the package or article being shipped, the
notifications can also be sent or forwarded to third parties. One
particular third party is, for example, an insurance
representative. The notification can indicate that certain shipping
conditions have been violated. The notification can also provide
instructions or recommendations to take corrective action. The
corrective action can, for example, include fixing the problem that
caused the shipping conditions violation or mitigating damages
caused by the shipping conditions violation.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of requested notification
processing 400 according to one embodiment of the invention. The
requested notification processing 400 is, for example, performed by
a server machine, such as the tracking server 114 illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0049] The requested notification processing 400 begins with a
decision 402 that determines whether a status request has been
received. When the decision 402 determines that a status request
has not been received, the requested notification processing 400
awaits such a request. In other words, the requested notification
processing 400 is invoked when a status request is received. A user
(i.e., requestor) typically initiates the requested notification
processing 400 when status information is desired by making a
status request (or notification request).
[0050] Once the decision 402 determines that a status request has
been received, then an identifier for the mobile tracking device is
determined 404. The identifier serves to identify the particular
mobile tracking device for which the status information is to be
obtained. After the identifier is identified, status information
for the mobile tracking device associated with the identifier is
retrieved 406. If desired, the requested notification processing
400 can further determine whether the requestor for the status
information is authorized to receive the status information or the
level of status information the requestor is authorized to
receive.
[0051] After the status information has been retrieved 406, a
response including at least a portion of the status information is
formed 408. In one embodiment, the response being formed 408 is in
the format of an electronic mail message (email). For example, if
the status request were in the form of an email message (including
any text or graphical message being electronically transmitted),
the response could be a reply email to the status request email
message. In other embodiment, the response being formed 408 can
take various other formats. After the response has been formed 408,
the response is transmitted 410 to the requestor. The transmission
of the response can be over a wireless and/or a wired network. For
example, when the format of the response is an email message, the
response is typically sent to a network address or email address
associated with the requestor that issued the status request.
Following the operation 410, the requested notification processing
400 is complete and ends.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of email status processing 500
according to one embodiment of the invention. The email status
processing 500 is, for example, performed by a server machine, such
as the tracking server 114 illustrated in FIG. 1. The email status
processing 500 can be considered a more detailed embodiment of the
requested notification processing 400 illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0053] The email status processing 500 begins with a decision 502
that determines whether an email status request has been received
502 from a requestor. When the decision 502 determines that an
email status request has not been received, then the email status
processing 500 awaits such a request. Once the decision 502
determines that an email status request has been received, then the
email status request is parsed 504 to get a reference number and
requestor information.
[0054] Next, a decision 506 determines whether the requestor is
authorized. Here, the determination of whether or not the requestor
is authorized can be performed using some or all of the requestor
information and the reference number for the mobile tracking device
of interest. When the decision 506 determines that the requestor is
not authorized, then an information unavailable reply message is
sent 508 to the requestor.
[0055] When the decision 506 determines that the requestor is
authorized, the mobile tracking device is determined 510 based on
the reference number. As an example, the reference number can be an
identifier that is used by users to identify the mobile tracking
device they are desirous of tracking. Internally the system may use
the reference number or another identifier. The reference number
may be a fixed number or a re-assignable number that specifies a
particular mobile tracking device. For example, the reference
number can be a telephone number or network address used by the
mobile tracking device for communications.
[0056] After the mobile tracking device has been determined 510,
the status information for the determined mobile tracking device is
retrieved 512. In one embodiment, the status information is
retrieved 512 from a database that stores status information for a
plurality of mobile tracking devices. The database is, for example,
the tracking database 116 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0057] Next, a decision 514 determines whether the requested
response is permitted. In other words, although the requestor is
permitted to access the status information, the type of response
that is permitted to be supplied to the requestor could be limited.
Hence, when the decision 514 determines that the requested response
is not permitted, then a requested response unavailable message is
sent 516 to the requestor. On the other hand, when the decision 514
determines that the requested response is permitted, then a
response message is produced and sent 518 to the requestor. In one
embodiment, the message can take different formats depending upon a
user's configuration requests or the destination for the response.
Following the operation 518, as well as following the operations
508 and 516, the email status processing 500 ends.
[0058] A web interface (or Graphical User Interface) can be made
available to users. The web interface can, among other things,
assist a user with configuring notifications for themselves or
others. One embodiment of such a web interface is referred to as a
notification setup screen.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a representative notification setup screen 600
according to one embodiment of the invention. The notification
setup screen 600 is, for example, displayed on a display device
associated with a user's computer. The notification setup screen
600 would be presented on the display device of the user's computer
when the user desires to configure the notification system to
provide certain automated notifications. As an example, a network
browser application operating on the user's computer can present
the notification setup screen 600 and interface thereby with the
tracking server 114 to configure the notification system. The user
can, for example, be the shipper 102, the recipient 104 or the
third-party 118 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0060] The notification setup screen 600 includes a notification
format region 602, a notification destination region 604, and a
notification criteria region 606. These regions are portions of the
notification setup screen which is often a window displayed on a
display device as a graphical user interface. The notification
format region 602 is a region that allows the user to select a
notification channel (format). In the example, shown in FIG. 6, the
user is able to select one of email, page or facsimile as the
notification channel. The notification destination region 604 is a
region that allows the user to specify one or more destinations.
The destination can be an email address, a network address, a
telephone number, or a facsimile number. The notification criteria
region 606 is a region that allows the user to select, enter or
otherwise choose notification criteria. The notification criteria
set when and/or what notification are sent to the recipient users.
The notification criteria can, for example, enable a user to
specify that notifications are to be sent based on position,
delivery or other conditions. For example, the notifications
regarding position can be configured to be sent periodically (e.g.,
hourly, daily, weekly, etc.) or based on a distance traversed
(e.g., every 1, 5, 10, 50 or 100 miles). For example, the
notifications regarding delivery can be configured to be sent on
delivery of the article/object to a destination, or when delivery
is impending (i.e., article/object is proximate to the
destination). For example, the notification regarding conditions of
the shipment can be initiated periodically or on-event. In the
representative example shown in FIG. 6, the notification can be
periodic (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc.) or can be when an
extreme condition occurs, such as temperature exceeding a threshold
temperature or a force exceeding a threshold amount.
[0061] Regardless of how the notification is triggered, the content
of the notification could include merely status information about
the condition causing the trigger, or could also include other
current status information. For example, a periodic position
notification could also include other status information besides
position information. Likewise, a periodic condition notification
could include other condition information (e.g., temperature,
force, etc.) as well as position information.
[0062] Further, different channels, types or criteria can be used
to provide notifications to different recipients. Hence, the
notification can be customized for different users, namely,
shippers, recipients and third-parties.
[0063] The web interface used to configure notification is not
limited to the notification setup screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6.
Instead, the web interface can take a variety of different forms.
It may use defaults, preferences (e.g., user-specified or inferred
from prior actions), or other means to assist the user in
interfacing with the web interface.
[0064] The notifications provided by the invention can be
informative and/or instructive. The informative nature of the
notifications reflects the inclusion of status information in the
notification. The instructive nature of the notifications can
reflect instructions or requests for corrective action to remedy
dangerous or unwanted status of the shipment. For example, if a
shipment is reaching dangerously high temperatures, the shipping
company can be notified of the present or anticipated problem and
request corrective action to remedy the situation. Further, the
status information history for the shipment of the article can be
made available so an interested user can evaluate where a problem
occurred, how it occurred, and who was at fault.
[0065] When shipping an article, a shipper might insure the
shipment. The insurance could, for example, be provided by the
shipping entity or a third party. The insurance could insure
against certain insured criteria, such as delivery by a deadline,
damage to the article, exposure of the article to an unaccepted
environmental conditions, etc. Notifications concerning violations
(or non-violations) of insured criteria can be automatically
provided to interested users.
[0066] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of insurance compliance processing
700 according to one embodiment of the invention. The insurance
compliance processing 700 can, for example, allow notification
messages to be automatically sent to interested users (e.g.,
shipping entity, shipper, or insurance representative).
[0067] The insurance compliance processing 700 receives 702 status
information for an article from a mobile communication device. As
noted above, at least in one embodiment, the status information
includes at least position (location) information and shipping
conditions information. In addition, insured criteria pertaining to
the shipment of the article is received 704. The insured criteria
are typically dependent on insurance policy coverage placed on the
article. Next, the status information is compared 706 with the
insured criteria. A decision 708 then determines whether a
notification condition exists. In one implementation, a
notification condition exists when the status information indicates
that one or more insured criteria have been breached. In another
implementation, an interested user can configure the system to set
notification conditions associated with status conditions and
insured criteria. When the decision 708 determines that a
notification condition exists, then a notification message is
produced 710. The notification message is then sent 712 to an
interested user. After the notification message is sent 712, the
insurance compliance processing 700 is complete and ends.
Alternatively, when the decision 708 determines that a notification
condition does not exist, then the operations 710 and 712 are
bypassed and the insurance compliance processing 700 ends.
[0068] In the course of shipping an article, a shipping entity
might have agreed to deliver the article to a destination within a
prescribed period of time. The failure of the shipping entity to
meet this or any other condition can entitle the sender or
recipient to a refund of some of all of the costs the sender
incurred in shipping the article. Typically, the party that
originally paid for the costs of the shipping would normally be the
party that receives the refund. The discussion provided below
primarily assumes that the sender is the party that would receive
any refund, though such is not a limitation.
[0069] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of refund processing 800 according
to one embodiment of the invention. The refund processing 800
serves to automatically request and process refunds on behalf of
senders, and their refunds with respect to shipping entities.
[0070] The refund processing 800 begins by receiving 802 status
information pertaining to a package (i.e., article). The package is
being shipped to a recipient. The sender is utilizing a carrier
(i.e., shipping entity) to perform the shipping function to deliver
the package to the recipient. A decision 804 determines whether
there are any guaranteed conditions associated with the shipment
that have not been satisfied. Here, the status information can be
utilized to determine whether one or more of the guaranteed
conditions are not satisfied. The guaranteed conditions are
typically associated with a shipping agreement between the sender
and the shipping entity. In one embodiment, one guaranteed
condition of a shipment is a guaranteed delivery time. When the
decision 804 determines that one or more guaranteed conditions of
the shipment have not been satisfied, then a refund request is
prepared 806 to recover some or all of the cost to ship the
package. Next, the refund request is electronically submitted 808
to the shipping entity. The submission to the shipping entity can
be done using a general address, a special address associated with
refunds, or it could be an agent's address that is utilized to
process the refund request for the shipping entity. Further, the
electronic submission 808 can be performed through electronic mail,
facsimile transmission, or FTP transmission. After the refund
request has been electronically submitted 808, the user (sender) is
notified 810 that the refund request has been submitted. On the
other hand, when the decision 804 determines that all guaranteed
conditions have (so far) been satisfied, then the operations
806-810 are bypassed. Following the operation 810, the refund
processing 800 is complete and ends.
[0071] Additionally, the refund processing could also further
monitor the processing of a refund request by the shipping entity.
For example, after submission of the refund request, the refund
processing can examine whether the refund associated with the
refund request has been received. Further, additional monitoring
could be performed to determine that the receipt of the refund
request has been received, the stage of its processing by the
shipping entity, or other refund related information. Furthermore,
the user (sender) can be notified when the refund monies have been
received. These refund monies can be electronically transmitted to
the sender or can be placed in an account that is associated with
the sender.
[0072] The refund processing can be initiated in a variety of
different ways. For example, the refund processing can be triggered
by the arrival of the package at its destination. Alternatively,
the refund processing could be performed whenever a guaranteed
condition is not met, such as the guaranteed delivery time has been
exceeded. As yet another alternative, the refund processing can be
performed as status information is updated or as processing
resources are available.
[0073] The invention is suitable for asset management, such as
tracking location/position of assets and monitoring conditions of
assets. Assets can, for example, include: packages, purchased
goods, moving boxes/creates, and pallets.
[0074] The position resolution can be enhanced through use of a
community layout and/or profile information.
[0075] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an object tracking system 900
according to one embodiment of the invention. The object tracking
system 900 can be used to track various objects including packages,
humans, pets and the like. The object tracking system 900 includes
a plurality of wireless devices 902. These wireless devices 902 are
provided with or proximate to objects being tracked by the object
tracking system 900. These mobile devices 902 have GPS receivers
that can receive GPS position information from a GPS system 903.
The acquisition of such position information can be performed on
demand, periodically or on need. The mobile devices 902 communicate
over wireless links with a wireless network 904. The wireless
network 904 then couples to a wired network 906. A location
management server 908 is coupled to the wireless network 906. The
location management server 908 provides centralized storage of the
location information for each of the mobile devices 902 in a
location database 910. A map database 912 is also coupled to the
location management server 908. The map database 912 can directly
connect to the location management server 908 or can reside
elsewhere on the wired network 906. The location management server
908 can interact with the map database 912 to convert position
information provided by the GPS information into map coordinates,
street addresses, etc.
[0076] In addition, the object tracking system 900 also includes a
community layout server 914. The community layout server 914 can be
coupled to the wired network 906 or the wireless network 904. In
one embodiment, a community can be associated with a commercial
building, a shopping mall, a residential community and the like.
The community layout server 914 interacts with a community layout
database 916 to resolve locations, such as street addresses and
cross streets, into more intelligible locations in a community. For
example, instead of a street address, the locations can pertain to
points of interest with respect to the community. As an
illustration, in the case of a commercial building, with five
floors, the community layout database 916 would convert the GPS
information (plus any additional sensor information relevant to
making the determination also provided by the mobile device 902,
such as altitude and direction) to obtain a community location or
point of interest. For example, using the GPS position information
together with other sensor information, the community layout server
914 can interact with the community layout database 916 to
precisely locate a particular mobile device 902 to a particular
point of interest. In the case of the commercial building with five
floors, the mobile device 902 can be pinpointed to the third floor
which pertains to the corporation Acme, Inc. The point of interest
or community position can then be sent from the community layout
server 914 through the wired network 906 to the location management
server 908 which then in turn stores the community position or
point of interest in the location database 910 as the position of
the particular mobile device 902.
[0077] Once the location database 910 has the positions of the
mobile devices 902, when subsequent position data is sent to the
location management server 908, these positions are suitably
updated in the location database 910. Additionally, other of the
mobile devices 902 or a representative client machine 918 coupled
through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 920 to the wired network
906 can be permitted to access the locations of one or more of the
mobile devices 902. Assuming that the requesting party is allowed
access to said position information, the request for such
information is processed by the location management server 908.
When permission is granted, the locations desired are retrieved
from the location database 910 and returned to either the
requesting mobile devices 902 or the requesting client machine 918.
In a similar manner, access to other non-location information
(i.e., additional sensor information or conditions information)
pertaining to the mobile devices 902 can be available.
[0078] In one embodiment, the client machine 918 or a particular
one of the mobile devices 902 can set up a private or semi-private
web page that is hosted by a server (e.g., the location management
server 908 or other server) on the wired network 906. Then, the
page can be customized to monitor the location of a number of the
mobile devices 902. Hence, thereafter, the requestor need only
access the customized web page to obtain the current position
information for such mobile devices. With such an embodiment, a web
page could be provided to track a plurality of packages being
transported from a warehouse to a customer. In another embodiment,
a similar web page can be setup to allow a parent to track the
position of mobile devices that are affixed to his children such
that the parent can easily monitor the position of his children. In
this example, the object tracked is a living being (e.g.,
person).
[0079] The object tracking system 900 could also be augmented by
wireless profile devices 922. These profile devices 922 can
wirelessly couple to the mobile devices 902 using the wireless
network 904. The profile devices 922 could be short range
transmitters or transceivers. The profile devices 922 could store
one or more profiles for a particular location in which they
reside.
[0080] Hence, the mobile device 902 can wirelessly communicate with
the profile device 922, if available, to acquire a profile
pertaining to its location. For example, with the profile device
922 placed in the office building of Acme, Inc., when the mobile
device 902 is in such office building, the mobile device 902 can
acquire the profile from the proximate profile device 922. The
profile can include the business name, its location, contact
information for the business, etc. Thereafter, some or all of the
profile information can be stored in the mobile device 902 and/or
forwarded to the location management server 908 or other server for
storage. Hence, the location provided by the profile may be more
exacting and descriptive than the GPS position, such that the
location of the mobile device 902 can be better determined.
[0081] In some cases it may be useful to control or limit the
wireless communications with respect to the profile devices 922 so
that the mobile devices 902 do not inadvertently receive the wrong
profile. Various techniques can be utilized to provide control over
the wireless communications. For example, the profile device 922
may or may not use a directional antenna. As another example, the
profile device 922 could also control (e.g., limit) its
transmission power.
[0082] In one embodiment of package tracking and monitoring, a
GPS-enabled mobile device is attached to a package. As the package
travels, the mobile device periodically sends its position
information wirelessly to a center. This can be done, for example,
through a cellular connection. The center keeps track of the
package's location, and can post its path on a Web site. A user
might have to pay to access the location information. For example,
at 3 am in the morning, the user can log into the site, and enter a
password to find out that the package is on the 9th floor of the
Empire State Building (e.g., it destination), or more particularly
the package is at the office of Acme, Inc. on the 9th floor of the
Empire State Building.
[0083] In one embodiment, in addition to position information,
other identifying information can also be automatically included
based on radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The RFID tags
typically include memory chips equipped and radio antennas. They
can be attached to objects (or people) to transmit data about the
objects. Typically, the memory chips do not include tremendous
amount of information. They may only have 2 kilobytes of data,
sufficient to encode, such as a serial number, where and when the
product was manufactured, and other relevant information. These
tags can come in a number of configurations. For example, an active
tag uses a battery-powered transponder to emit a constant signal
carrying the identifying information programmed into the chip.
Active tags are more applicable to situations where readers are not
close to the tags. A semi-passive tag likewise has a battery, but
may not be activated until it receives a signal from a reader. They
are more applicable to situations that do not need continuous
tracking. A passive tag has no battery; its antenna extracts power
from the reader's radio wave signal to transmit the identifying
information on the chip. Passive tags are typically relatively
inexpensive, but may have to be within a few feet of a reader to
extract power. The tags can provide identifying information to the
corresponding positioning information, which may also include
temporal information. Together, the location and identification of
assets can be automatically tracked.
[0084] In still another embodiment, personalized asset management
or object tracking can be provided. For example, a user can track a
package or object being shipped at her convenience. Such tracking
can be achieved independent of a shipping entity that ships the
package. A representative scenario is as follows. A user acquires a
location-aware (e.g., GPS-aware) mobile communication device, such
as a limited-functionality mobile telephone or 2-way pager, and
places the mobile communication device in or on the package or
object. The user makes note of the identifier for the mobile
communication device. Then, periodically or on-demand, the user can
determine the precise location of her package. In one
implementation, the user (or a server on the user's behalf) sends a
message to the mobile communication object. The message can be a
voice or text message, or other form of data, that simply requests
the mobile communication device to get its present location. The
mobile communication device then determines its location. The
mobile communication device can determine its location, for
example, by directly using a GPS receiver or indirectly via another
device in its immediate vicinity having GPS awareness. Further,
battery lifetime can be conserved using the intelligent GPS
information acquisition approaches noted in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/375,998. The mobile communication device then
replies back (e.g., through voice or text message) to the user (or
server) to inform of its present location. The user can, for
example, call or page the mobile communication device and get the
reply message. Alternatively, the user need only access the server
to access the location data it holds for the package or object
associated with the mobile communication device. The server can
also automatically track these mobile communication device and
alert the users when problems or delays in its transport are
identified. Further, alerts or message could notify a recipient or
sender of an object or package when the same is determined to be
in-route, arrived at and/or proximate to its destination. Besides
location, the reply message could also provide other information
such as velocity, temperature, humidity, pressure, forces or
stresses.
[0085] In one embodiment, the mobile device (mobile tracking device
or mobile communication device) can include a solar panel. The
solar panel can provide electrical power for the mobile device. The
solar panel can thus charge a battery used to power the mobile
device and/or itself power the mobile device. When the mobile
device is affixed to an object (e.g., package) to be shipped, the
solar panel can remain at least partially exposed to the outside of
the object so as to be able to receive light. The solar panel can
be integrated with the housing of the mobile device or can be
separate and couple to the mobile device via one or more wires
(e.g., a cable).
[0086] The present invention has described one or more GPS devices
as to identify a location. However, the present invention is not
limited to using GPS devices. In certain situations, other wireless
or mobile devices can also serve as location-designating devices,
such as devices based on GSM technologies or Wi-Fi technologies.
Through the techniques of triangulation, these devices can also
designate a location. Such triangulation techniques should be known
to those skilled in the art.
[0087] The above-described systems, devices, methods and processes
can be used together with other aspects of an object tracking
system, including the various aspects described in: (i) U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/444,198, filed Jan. 30, 2003,
and entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING,
PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING STATUS
INFORMATION," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;
(ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/418,491, filed Oct.
15, 2002, and entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING,
PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING STATUS
INFORMATION," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;
(iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/404,645, filed
Aug. 19, 2002, and entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING
POSITION AND OTHER INFORMATION," which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/375,998, filed Apr. 24, 2002, and entitled "SYSTEM, METHOD
AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MANAGING AND USING
POSITION INFORMATION," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0088] The various embodiments, implementations and features of the
invention noted above can be combined in various ways or used
separately. Those skilled in the art will understand from the
description that the invention can be equally applied to or used in
other various different settings with respect to various
combinations, embodiments, implementations or features provided in
the description herein.
[0089] The invention can be implemented in software, hardware or a
combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be
embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium.
The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can
store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system.
Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory,
random-access memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, optical data storage
devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also
be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the
computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed
fashion.
[0090] The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different
embodiments or implementations may yield different advantages. One
advantage of the invention is that interested persons can track
and/or be notified as to status of an object. Another advantage of
the invention is that status of an object can be monitored such
that not only position information but also shipping conditions
information are able to be monitored during shipment. Still another
advantage of the invention is that status information of an object
being transported can be obtained by an interested party (e.g.,
shipper, recipient or third-party) through notifications or through
access to a website (e.g., tracking server).
[0091] The many features and advantages of the present invention
are apparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation as
illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *