# US 7,743,984 B2 · Systems and methods for tracking items using wirelessly-enabled devices

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- Number: US 7,743,984 B2
- Document ID: US7743984B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/262,337
- Filed: 2005-10-28
- Published: 2006-05-04
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2004-10-29
- Assignees: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
- Inventors: John A. Olsen; David Lewis Bradley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743984B2

## CPC

- G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs}
- G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a tracking and visibility system of a kind that augments aspects of traditional tracking systems by implementing mechanisms for independently detecting and verifying the whereabouts of particular objects moving through a carrier's logistics network. These mechanisms are preferably implemented without having to alter the outward appearance or manner in which such objects would otherwise be shipped. At a high level, the present invention accomplishes this by providing a comprehensive tracking system that includes at least two levels of tracking, one of which involves physically associating a wireless device with an object to be tracked, the wireless device being configured to transmit a signal that can be used to independently detect and verify the location of the particular object as it moves through the carrier's logistics network.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for providing two types of tracking for monitoring objects moving through a carrier's logistics network, said system comprising:
a plurality of scanning devices at a fixed location within said carrier's logistics network for generating a first type of tracking data indicating that an object is at the fixed location by scanning a container label associated with the object, wherein the container label is affixed to a container used for holding a plurality of objects destined for (a) a common location within said carrier's logistics network and (b) a plurality of delivery locations;
a wireless device physically associated with said object, said wireless device configured to transmit a signal comprising a device identifier for uniquely identifying said wireless device;
a plurality of wireless access points at the fixed location within said carrier's logistics network for (a) receiving said signal from said wireless device and (b) generating a second type of tracking data indicating (i) that the object is at the fixed location within said carrier's logistics network and (ii) a time said signal is received;
a database for storing data associated with the movement of said object through said carrier's logistics network; and
a central processing unit in communication with said plurality of scanning devices, said plurality of wireless access points, and said database, said central processing unit configured to:
receive said first type of tracking data from said plurality of scanning devices indicating that the object is at the fixed location within said carrier's logistics network;
receive said second type of tracking data from said plurality of wireless access points indicating that the object is at the fixed location within said carrier's logistics network; and
store said first type of tracking data and said second type of tracking data in said database in association with at least one of said device identifier and a tracking number to provide two types of tracking.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is concealed from view within the object.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the object is a package.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said central processing unit is configured to store said device identifier in association with said tracking number in said database prior to shipping said object.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said container label includes at least one of a barcode and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag for storing said tracking number.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is configured to transmit said signal using at least one of a Bluetooth-compatible, a WiFi-compatible, and a WiMAX-compatible wireless protocol.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the device identifier transmitted via said signal is a media access control (MAC) address unique to said wireless device.

### Claim 8

A method of providing two types of tracking for monitoring objects moving through a carrier's logistics network, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving a tracking number associated with an object, said object (a) being transported through a carrier's logistics network, (b) used for holding an item, and (c) comprising an object label that (i) includes said tracking number and (ii) is affixed to said object;
generating a signal from a wireless device, wherein (a) said signal comprises a device identifier for uniquely identifying said wireless device and (b) said wireless device is physically located within said object;
storing said device identifier in association with said tracking number;
generating a first type of tracking data from a scan of a container label at a fixed location within said carrier's logistics network, wherein the container label is affixed to a container used for holding a plurality of objects destined for (a) a common location within said carrier's logistics network and (b) a plurality of delivery locations;
receiving said signal from said wireless device at a wireless access point positioned at a fixed location within said carrier's logistics network;
in response to receiving said signal from said wireless device at said wireless access point, generating a second type of tracking data, said second type of tracking data indicating (a) that the object is at the fixed location within said carrier's logistics network and (b) a time said signal is received; and
storing said first type of tracking data and said second type of tracking data in association with at least one of said device identifier and said tracking number to provide two types of tracking.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the object is a package.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said step of storing said device identifier in association with said tracking number comprises storing said device identifier in association with said tracking number in a database prior to shipping said object.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said container label includes at least one of a barcode and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless device is configured to transmit said signal using at least one of a Bluetooth-compatible, a WiFi-compatible, and a WiMAX-compatible wireless protocol.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the device identifier transmitted via said signal is a media access control (MAC) address unique to said wireless device.