US 11,057,689 B1Granted

Docking station accessory device for connecting electronic module devices to a package

OwnerElliot Kleininventor

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Abstract

An accessory device as a positioning device configured for use in connection with a package in-process of being delivered, or being prepared for, staged for or in-transit of delivery are herein described. The accessory device comprises a docking station including a receptacle used to receive, carry or apply one or more small electronic communication device module(s) to monitor package location(s) or condition(s) by securing electronic module(s) within the accessory device as a docking station to then be added and associated by computer-implemented systems with a package for wireless location and condition monitoring. The accessory device may include one or more retaining compartment features designed to hold or carry short-range radio module(s), serving as positioning device with monitoring module(s), coupled into the retaining feature receptacle(s).

Claims21

Dependent claims

An accessory device structured to be associated with a package, comprising:

a positioning device including at least two wireless radio modules structured and configured to obtain and/or monitor an indoor and/or outdoor geographic location and/or a temperature condition of the package for use in connection with the package when the package is in-process of being delivered, stored, or being prepared for, staged for, or in-transit of delivery;
and
a housing member structured to hold the positioning device, the housing member comprising:
a first wall that defines a receiving surface for receiving the positioning device such that the positioning device is disposed against the receiving surface;
a number of sidewalls extending from, and combining with, the first wall to form an internal volume for the positioning device;
a retaining feature coupled to the sidewalls of the housing member, the retaining feature being capable of carrying and securing the positioning device within the internal volume;
and
an adhesive layer structured to permit the accessory device to be adhered to the package while the positioning device is retained in the internal volume by the retaining feature, the adhesive layer being provided on either a surface of the first wall that is opposite the retaining surface or a surface of a second wall separate from and opposite to the first wall.

5 more elements

An accessory device structured to be associated with a package, comprising:

at least two wireless radio modules contained inside a single positioning device to obtain and/or monitor an indoor and/or outdoor geographic locations and/or a temperature condition(s) of the package for use in connection with the package when the package is in-process of being delivered, stored, or being prepared for, staged for, or in-transit of delivery, and
a housing member structured to hold the positioning device, the housing member comprising:
a protective housing member made of at least one of flexible silicone, elastomeric, plastic or polymer material formed as a single piece element to cover and retain the positioning device that defines and conforms to a size and shape corresponding to the at least two wireless radio modules;
wherein the housing member includes a retaining feature capable of carrying and securing the positioning device within an internal volume of the positioning device formed by sidewalls and a rear wall of the housing member, the positioning device being inserted and disposed against the sidewalls and rear wall of the housing member, and wherein the housing member further includes a front and/or a rear opening beginning where the retaining feature ends and/or in the rear wall, serving as an access point for hand insertion of the positioning device into the accessory device or removal of the positioning device from the accessory device;
and
an adhesive retaining layer provided on an outer surface of the rear wall for attaching the accessory device onto surface of a package.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.