EP-4740132-A2 - PASSIVE READER AND ACTIVE RECEIVER/TRANSMITTER DEVICES FOR LOGISTICS TRACKING

Abstract

A receiver/transmitter device for logistics tracking configured to monitor or detect a shipment unit includes: a cellular transmitter for transmission of wireless signals via a cellular network; an ultra-wide band (UWB) transmitter for transmission of radio signals over a short-range network; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to detect a passive RFID tag associated with the shipment unit; and a processor in communication with the cellular transmitter, UWB transmitter, and RFID reader. The processor is configured to selectively cause the cellular transmitter or the UWB transmitter to wirelessly transmit information detected by the RFID reader to a remote computing device or computer server. The device also includes a housing configured to be mounted to a transport platform that encloses the cellular transmitter, UWB transmitter, RFID reader, and processor.

Inventors

• PEARCE, STEPHEN

Assignees

• PRhobe Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240703

Claims (20)

1. 1. A receiver/transmitter device for logistics tracking configured to monitor or detect at least one shipment unit, comprising: at least one cellular transmitter for transmission of wireless signals via a cellular network; at least one ultra- wide band (UWB) transmitter for transmission of radio signals over a short-range network; at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to detect at least one passive RFID tag associated with the at least one shipment unit; at least one processor in communication with the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, and the at least one RFID reader configured to selectively cause the at least one cellular transmitter or the at least one UWB transmitter to wirelessly transmit information detected by the at least one RFID reader to a remote computing device or computer server; and a housing configured to be mounted to a transport platform that encloses the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, the at least one RFID reader, and the at least one processor.
2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to fit between horizontal slats of the transport platform and comprises at least one fastener receiver configured to receive a fastener for securing the housing to one or more of the horizontal slats.
3. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to fit between horizontal slats of the transport platform and comprises at least one fastener receiver configured to receive a fastener for securing the housing to one or more of the horizontal slats, and wherein the at least one fastener receiver is rotatable relative to the housing, such that, upon rotation, teeth on an outer surface of the at least one fastener receiver dig into one or more of the horizontal slats for securing the housing to the transport platform.
4. 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive pad attached to an exterior surface of the housing for mounting the housing to the transport platform.
5. 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a QR code or passive RFID tag on an exterior surface of the housing for identifying individual receiver/transmitter devices when a battery of the receiver/transmitter device is fully deleted.
6. 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a battery enclosed within the housing for providing power for the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, the at least one RFID reader, and the at least one processor, wherein the battery is non-rechargeable, and the receiver/transmitter device is disposable providing at least 20,000 blinks that transmit the detected information prior to depletion of the battery.
7. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one processor is configured to apportion battery power from the battery by radio type providing about 90% of the battery power for the at least one cellular transmitter, about 9% of the battery power for the at least one RFID reader, and about 1% of the battery power for the at least one UWB transmitter.
8. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a separate power bank configured to be connected to the transport platform in proximity to the receiver/transmitter device and electrically connected to the receiver/transmitter device for providing power for the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, the at least one RFID reader, and the at least one processor.
9. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive location information based on signals received by the at least one UWB transmitter and/or the at least one RFID reader and to cease communication via the at least one cellular transmitter when location information indicates that the receiver/transmitter device is within a facility including a UWB and/or RFID gateway.
10. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein ceasing cellular communication comprises ceasing to apply power from a battery of the receiver/transmitter device to the at least one cellular transmitter.
11. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one UWB transmitter is configurable to operate as an anchored UWB gateway at a shipping facility or warehouse for on premise detection of other mobile devices comprising UWB transmitters.
12. 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one environmental sensor enclosed within the housing configured for detection of at least one of temperature, humidity, shock, and/or vibration of or proximate to the receiver/transmitter device.
13. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one environmental sensor is configured to detect acceleration and temperature information for the receiver/transmitter device, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to modify power usage of the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, the at least one RFID reader, or the at least one processor based on detected changes in the acceleration and temperature information.
14. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is configured to increase a blink rate for communication of detected information for one or more of the at least one cellular transmitter or the at least one UWB transmitter upon the detected change in the acceleration or temperature information.
15. 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one energy harvester enclosed within a separate housing and electrically connected to the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, the at least one RFID reader, and/or the at least one processor by an electrical cable
16. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: cause the at least one cellular transmitter or the at least one UWB transmitter to wirelessly transmit the information from the at least one passive RFID tag detected by the at least one RFID reader upon an initial detection of the at least one passive RFID tag; and subsequently cause the at least one cellular transmitter or the at least one UWB transmitter to periodically wirelessly transmit a confirmation that the at least one passive RFID tag remains within range of the at least one RFID reader to the remote computing device or computer server, wherein the transmitted confirmation is smaller in size than the information transmitted upon the initial detection of the at least one passive RFID tag.
17. 17. A transport platform for detection of one or more shipment units secured thereto, comprising: a base comprising a frame and a plurality of elongated members mounted to the frame defining a supporting surface for the one or more shipment units; and at least one of receiver/transmitter device mounted within a gap between adjacent elongated members of the plurality of elongated members, the at least one receiver/transmitter device comprising: at least one cellular transmitter for transmission of wireless signals via a cellular network; at least one ultra-wide band (UWB) transmitter for transmission of radio signals over a short-range network; at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to detect at least one passive RFID tag associated with the one or more shipment units; at least one processor in communication with the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, and the at least one RFID reader configured to selectively cause the at least one cellular transmitter or the at least one UWB transmitter to wirelessly transmit information detected by the at least one RFID reader to a remote computing device or computer server; and a housing mounted to the plurality of elongated members of the base that encloses the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, the at least one RFID reader, and the at least one processor.
18. 18. A system for logistics tracking for monitoring shipment units within a shipment network, the system comprising: a plurality of receiver/transmitter (R/T) devices mounted to transport platforms for the shipment units, wherein the plurality of receiver/transmitter devices comprise: at least one cellular transmitter for transmission of wireless signals via a cellular network; at least one ultra-wide band (UWB) transmitter for transmission of radio signals over a short-range network; at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to detect at least one passive RFID tag associated with the shipment unit; at least one R/T device processor in communication with the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, and the at least one RFID reader; and a housing configured to be mounted to a transport platform that encloses the at least one cellular transmitter, the at least one UWB transmitter, the at least one RFID reader, and the at least one R/T device processor; and a remote computing device or server comprising at least one processor in wireless communication with the at least one R/T processor of the plurality of receiver/transmitter devices, the at least one processor of the remote computing device or server being configured to: receive and process signals emitted from the plurality of receiver/transmitter devices; determine location and status information for the shipment units secured to the transport platforms based on the received and processed signals; and generate or update a location database comprising the determined location and status information for shipment units within the shipment network.
19. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor of the remote computing device or server is further configured to: estimate an arrival time for a particular shipment unit based on the determined location and status information for the particular shipment unit, and periodically update the estimated arrival time based on newly obtained location and status information for the particular shipment unit.
20. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of receiver/transmitter devices further comprise at least one environmental sensor for measuring acceleration and/or temperature of the shipment units, and wherein the at least one processor of the remote computing device or server is configured to: determine a measured total carbon emissions for a particular shipment unit based on the determined location and status information and the acceleration or temperature of the particular shipment unit.

Description

PASSIVE READER AND ACTIVE RECEIVER/TRANSMITTER DEVICES FOR LOGISTICS TRACKING CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/525,059 filed July 5, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0002] The present disclosure is directed to receiver/transmitter devices with a passive reader(s) and an active receiver/transmitter(s) for logistics tracking, as well as to transport platforms (e.g., pallets, containers, packages, or other enclosures) tagged with or including such receiver/transmitter devices, systems for detecting and monitoring shipping information obtained from such receiver/transmitter devices, and methods for obtaining and analyzing location and status information from the receiver/transmitter devices. Description of Related Art [0003] Current shipment networks often rely on coordinating many shipments from large distribution centers. There is inefficiency with such large distribution centers due to unnecessary vehicle trips and missed opportunities for combining shipment units and deliveries. While distribution centers attempt to address this lack of efficiency by improving scheduling, optimizing delivery efficiency requires substantial information about shipment times and locations. Current distribution center shipment networks often only track shipment movement at the truck or trailer level meaning that information about movement of individual shipment units is not recorded or available. Such information could be used for strategically timing deliveries, maximizing vehicle fill, and minimizing unnecessary journeys. [0004] More particularly, conventional systems for tracking pallets and other shipped products often use standard barcodes or QR codes read by handheld or fixed readers at transit points within a shipping network. Beneficially, the current barcode/passive-RFID technologies offer affordable (~$0.05/item) tracking options. However, barcode reading (e.g. using handheld or fixed readers) at transit points is labor intensive and offers no heat/shock/vibration exposure detail between transit points. [0005] Active transmitter devices (e.g., UWB enabled devices) can also provide more robust tracking information. For examples, active tag transmitter devices (e.g., Apple® AirTag) emit signals that can be detected by short-range communication networks. However, such active devices have high labor/unit costs and may not provide in-transit status over the road or at sea. Some other shipping systems use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), relying on third parties for gateways to the cloud and requiring powered RF energizers or batteries to activate BLE. In some cases, shipment facilities can be outfitted with infrastructure (e.g., stationary readers and detectors throughout a shipping facility), often at high cost, creating on-premises systems for communication with active (UWE or BLE) tagging devices increasing location accuracy and delivering more precise local asset management within a shipment facility. However, despite the relatively high cost, these on-premises systems do not provide precise information outside of the facility, let alone globally. [0006] Tags and other devices for cellular-only tagging with varying form factors/battery longevity for global tracking are also currently in use. Costs for cellular transmitters are even higher than UWB-enabled devices and do not offer fine location tracking. In particular, cellular-based tracking eliminates manual labor and can offer heat, shock, and vibration detail but involves high tag costs (>$50/item journey). By contrast, UWB or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies (e.g., Zebra) reduce tag cost to ~$20+ but require the on-premises infrastructure described above, which limits location-detection to premise boundaries. [0007] In view of such challenges with existing systems and devices, there is a need in the art for cost-effective tracking devices or tags for logistics that accurately determine location and provide status information both at a shipment facility and throughout a journey. Furthermore, there is a need for systems and software configured to process data accumulated from such tracking devices in order to monitor shipment progress and to provide useful information about overall environmental impact of shipping activities. The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are configured to address these issues. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a receiver/transmitter device for logistics tracking configured to monitor or detect at least one shipment unit includes: at least one cellular transmitter for transmission of wireless signals via a cellular network; at least one ultra-wide band (UWB) transmitter for transmission of radio signals over a short-range network; at least one radio frequency i