Methods, apparatus, and systems for managing logistics information related to a container having a scale

An improved system for managing logistics information related to a loading operation for a shippable item, the system comprising:

• a container used for transporting the shippable item, the container further comprising
• a storage space within the container for maintaining the shippable item once loaded within the container,
• an entry through which to access the storage space as part of loading the container, and
• a scale disposed within the storage space of the container to support the shippable item once loaded within the container;
• and
• a container interface display apparatus disposed on a wall of the container near the entry, the container interface display apparatus further comprising
• a processing unit,
• a scanner operatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the scanner is operative to receive an identification signal identifying the shippable item during loading of the container,
• a scale interface circuit coupled to the processing unit and operatively coupled to the scale of the container, the scale interface circuit being operative to receive a signal from the scale, wherein the signal indicates a detected weight of the shippable item once loaded within the container,
• a memory coupled to the processing unit, wherein the memory maintaining at least a logistics information management program code section for execution by the processing unit, wherein the memory is further operative to maintain the managed logistics information related to the loading operation comprising at least (a) an association between the container and the shippable item and (b) the detected weight of the shippable item, and
• a display screen coupled to the processing unit, wherein the display screen is oriented on the wall of the container for interaction with logistics personnel loading the container;
• and
• wherein the processing unit of the container interface display apparatus, when executing the logistics information management program code section, is operative to
• identify the shippable item based upon the identification signal received by the scanner,
• record the association in the memory as part of the managed logistics information after identifying the shippable item,
• record the detected weight in the memory as part of the managed logistics information based upon the signal received from the scale,
• cause the display screen to provide electronic logistics monitor information on the display screen, wherein the electronic logistics monitor information comprises at least a portion of the managed logistics information maintained in the memory.

A method for managing logistics information related to a container using a container interface display apparatus, the method comprising:

• identifying, by a scanner of the container interface display apparatus, an item during loading of the container;
• recording, in a memory of the container interface display apparatus, an association between the container being loaded and the identified item, the association being part of the managed logistics information related to the container;
• detecting, by a scale disposed within the container, a weight of the item loaded within the container, wherein the scale is disposed within the container and operatively coupled to the container interface display apparatus while supporting the weight of the item;
• receiving, by the container interface display apparatus, a signal from the scale, wherein the signal indicates the detected weight of the item;
• recording, in the memory of the container interface display apparatus, the detected weight of the identified item, the detected weight being part of the managed logistics information related to the container;
• and
• generating electronic logistics monitor information on the display screen of the container interface display apparatus, wherein the electronic logistics monitor information comprises at least a portion of the managed logistics information.