The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 06, 2001
Peter Biffar, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Peter Biffar, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus that automatically tracks, monitors and schedules the shipping of objects through carriers such as delivery trucks, ships, or planes is disclosed. A tracking tag is attached to each shipped object. The tracking tag and transportation system uses such techniques as GPS, cellular technology, and bar coding, and sensors such as those that make temperature, pressure, and noise measurements as sources of tracking information. Logic rules and hierarchical weights are given to each source, for any given condition so that the most accurate tracking is made. Tracking is continuous throughout the object's trip. Another set of logic rules is applied to take actions to intervene in the shipping process. For example if it seems the object is off schedule, upgrades or downgrades to the shipping are made. The transportation system can be integrated within a customer's company to facilitate easy scheduling, and production management. A user-friendly graphical user interface is available which displays item, time and distance related information.