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EP1692668A4 - Visibilite au niveau d'objet de contenants emboites et adjacents - Google Patents

Visibilite au niveau d'objet de contenants emboites et adjacents

Info

Publication number
EP1692668A4
EP1692668A4 EP04813766A EP04813766A EP1692668A4 EP 1692668 A4 EP1692668 A4 EP 1692668A4 EP 04813766 A EP04813766 A EP 04813766A EP 04813766 A EP04813766 A EP 04813766A EP 1692668 A4 EP1692668 A4 EP 1692668A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
identification
information
identification device
containers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP04813766A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1692668A2 (fr
Inventor
Stephen J Lambright
Blair B Lacorte
Ravindra U Rajapakse
David L Shannon
Steven J Farrell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Savi Technology Inc
Original Assignee
Savi Technology Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Savi Technology Inc filed Critical Savi Technology Inc
Priority claimed from PCT/US2004/041501 external-priority patent/WO2005057378A2/fr
Publication of EP1692668A2 publication Critical patent/EP1692668A2/fr
Publication of EP1692668A4 publication Critical patent/EP1692668A4/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • 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
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/10—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
    • G08G1/017—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled identifying vehicles

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to tracking containers and their contents and, more specifically, to providing item-layer visibility and verifying manifest information by interrogating multiple heterogeneous layers of containers.
  • a global supply chain is a network of international suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and other entities that handle goods from their component parts to consumer consumption.
  • semiconductor testing equipment is exported from the United States to Taiwan, where semiconductors are processed and then sent to Malaysia for assembly into computers. Subsequently, the computers are shipped to warehouses in the United States, and ultimately, to consumer outlets for consumption.
  • a related problem is that current tracking systems have no real-time information for tracking container contents, especially at the item-layer. Because physical contents travel separately from data about the contents, the tracking system is not able to provide dynamically verified information about contents. A port operator needing to know the contents of the container must log-in to the tracking system to retrieve static information. Moreover, the data about contents is often delayed and, thus, the operator may not even be able to retrieve some information.
  • Radio Frequency IDentification tags in order to improve supply chain efficiency sufficient for just in time merchandise stocking. But these tags are typically heterogeneous and, thus not suitable to intra-tag communication. Thus, conventional tags wait until acted upon from a tag reader by passively outputting information to a centralized system. It is this centralized system that traditionally determines any relationship between goods.
  • heterogeneous tags traditionally require separate tag readers for each tag type.
  • a separate device is required to obtain information from each tag type.
  • separate readers provide no information about the interrelationship between the heterogeneous tag types.
  • the present invention meets these needs with systems and methods to provide multi-layer visibility of nested and adjacent containers.
  • the systems can further provide a virtual warehouse enabled by item-layer visibility that tracks individual items end-to-end through a global supply chain.
  • a central system can quickly and easily gather information about each of the associated containers having heterogeneous automatic identification technology by interrogating any one or all of the layers.
  • a nested container comprises a container with an identification device.
  • the identification device acts as an agent by autonomously gathering and processing information for the central system.
  • the identification device provides visibility through a variety of automatic identification technologies such as active or passive RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags, bar codes, EPC (Electronic Product Code) compliant tags, or any other devices capable of communicating its identification information.
  • active or passive RFID Radio Frequency IDentification
  • bar codes bar codes
  • EPC Electronic Product Code compliant tags
  • the identification device By automatically sending hierarchy and adjacent container information to the central system at, for example, checkpoints in a global supply chain, or in between checkpoints, with a satellite, the identification device provides item-layer visibility.
  • the nested container automatically verifies AMR (Automated Manifest Rule) information by downloading from the central system and comparing to visible items.
  • AMR Automatic Manifest Rule
  • the identification device comprises processor that establishes a relative hierarchy of lower-layer containers, down to the item-layer, and upper- layer containers.
  • Example layers include an item layer, a unit load layer, an intermodal container layer, and the like.
  • the processor sends interrogation signals to neighboring containers in order to retrieve identification information and layer information.
  • the information can relate to both individual infonnation of the responding container and hierarchical and adjacent information about neighbors to the responding container.
  • the processor sends its own identification information and layer information responsive to received interrogation signals. From a nested container, the processor outputs the relative hierarchy to, for example, an integrated reader device.
  • the identification device further comprises a transceiver to send and receive identification and/or layer information.
  • the transceiver comprises, for example, an RFID transceiver operating at ultra high frequency (UHF).
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary global supply chain according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 2A-C are schematic diagrams illustrating example physical layers within a container hierarchy according to some embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram showing adjacent containers with nested containers therein according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a passive type identification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 3B and 3C are block diagrams illustrating an active type identification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating ISO logistical layers within an example container hierarchy according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing nested visibility according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for establishing the relative hierarchy according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7A is block diagram illustrating a dual mode reader device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary software configuration for a dual mode reader device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7C is a perspective diagram illustrating a handheld dual mode reader device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary locations at which information can be exchanged amongst identification devices and between identification devices and integrated reader devices according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating examples of collecting identification information according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of collecting identification information according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 1-4, and 7 A system and method for nested visibility are disclosed.
  • the system according to some embodiments of the present invention is set forth in FIGS. 1-4, and 7, and methods operating therein, according to some embodiments of the present invention, are set forth in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8-10.
  • Example computing devices include electronic tags, enterprise servers, application servers, workstations, personal computers, network computers, network appliances, personal digital assistants, game consoles, televisions, set-top boxes, premises automation equipment, point- of-sale terminals, automobiles, and personal communications devices.
  • the program instructions can be distributed on a computer readable medium, storage volume, or the Internet.
  • Program instructions can be in any appropriate form, such as source code, object code, or scripting code
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary global supply chain
  • FIG. 1 is merely an example global supply chain 100 that can have various geographical configurations, modes of transport, etc. within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
  • the global supply chain 100 comprises a shipper
  • the global supply chain 100 is used by a network of international suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and other entities that handle goods from their component parts to consumer consumption. Accordingly, nested and/or adjacent containers 185 and other cargo pass through the network points, checkpoints, ports, etc.
  • the shipper 105a and the consignee 105e can be direct or indirect partner entities or units within a single entity exchanging a container 185 though a trade route.
  • a manufacturer sends computer components to an assembly plant by truck freight, which in turn ships assembled computers to a warehouse.
  • the origin and destination ports 105b-c can be a shipping dock, an airport, a customs agency, an NVOCC (Non- Vessel Operating Common Carrier) or any other entity that sends and/or receives goods over a trade route.
  • An internal supply chain is a similar network operated by a single entity or closely-associated entities, and the principles of the present invention are applicable to such internal supply networks as well.
  • the shipper 105a can transport a container 185 to the consignee
  • a truck transports the container 185 from the shipper 105a to the origin port 105b.
  • a first vessel and a second vessel transport the container 185 from the origin port 105b to the destination port 105d with a transfer at a transshipment port 105c.
  • a freight train transports the container to the consignee 105e.
  • governmental agencies of the corresponding countries 101, 102 such as a Customs and National Security Agencies, exercise oversight over components of the primary network while private parties exercise oversight over components of the extended network.
  • the transportation occurs within the borders of a single country.
  • exporting and importing is between intranational geographical locations (e.g., between two states, cities, provinces, etc.) overseen by, for example, a security agency or an intranational governmental agency.
  • checkpoints cannot easily gather information about typical containers having other containers layered therein.
  • a nested container 185 addresses this visibility problem.
  • the nested container 185 acts as an agent by autonomously gathering and processing information for presentation to the central system.
  • the nested container 185 associates itself with contained and adjacent containers to form a relative hierarchy of logistical units.
  • the relative hierarchy accounts for containers of higher layers and containers of lower layers.
  • a nested container 185 at the highest layer outputs the relative hierarchy in response to intenOgations, however, any layer can do so.
  • the nested container 185 enables a master status upon determination that it is at the highest layer.
  • the nested container 185 updates the relative hierarchy upon detecting changes in composition (e.g., when a previously nested container fails to respond to a periodic poll).
  • each layer is capable of identifying itself in response to an interrogation, and is defined relative to other layers.
  • a lower layer is capable of being contained within a higher layer.
  • an item or good at a first layer is contained within its packaging at a second layer, and a packaging is contained within a carton of layer three.
  • a spectrum of layers can extend from an item and at the lowest layer to a vehicle at the highest layer.
  • less capable automatic identification technologies such as bar codes
  • more capable automatic identification technologies such as active RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags, are within higher layers.
  • the container 185 may be interrogated at different checkpoints.
  • a truck is unloaded at the origin port 105b, pallets that were once associated can become separated and possibly reassociated. Since the truck is no longer the highest layer of the hierarchy, the nested containers 185 of relatively lower layers are able to provide similar information to an interrogator. Further embodiments of nested containers 185 and methods operating therein are described in below.
  • FIGS. 2A-C are schematic diagrams illustrating example physical layers within a container hierarchy according to some embodiments of the present invention.
  • a nested container 185 at the highest layer comprises a container 210 with an identification device 220 as shown in FIG. 2A.
  • the nested container contains a nested pallet 216 holding nested containers 212 with nested items 214.
  • the identification device 220 is in communication (preferably wirelessly) with an integrated reader device 225 which in turn communicates with a site server or manager 250.
  • the site server 250 can be a local portion of a centralized system for security, tracking, and the like.
  • the integrated reader device 225 can collect information about containers 185, 210, 212, 214, and the nested pallet 216 for local analysis or uploading.
  • the integrated reader device 225 can also write instructions and/or data to the nested containers 185, 210, 212, 214 and the nested pallet 216.
  • the integrated reader device 225 is described in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 7A.
  • FIG. 2B illustrates the nested container 212 at a lower layer comprising a container 222 with an identification device 232.
  • the nested pallet 216 as shown in this embodiment, is a platform for a group of nested containers 212 that is useful during, for example, movement by a forklift.
  • the nested pallet 216 comprises a pallet 226 and an identification device 236. Both identification devices 232, 236 are also in communication with the integrated reader device 225.
  • FIG. 2C illustrates the nested container 214 at a lower layer relative to the nested container 212 comprising an item 224 with a bar code 234 or other inexpensive identification device.
  • FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram showing adjacent containers 210a-c, each with nested containers 212, 214 therein.
  • Each adjacent container 210 has an identification device 220.
  • One or more of the identification devices 220 may be in communication (preferably wirelessly) with an integrated reader device 225.
  • the integrated reader device 225 can collect information about containers 210 for local analysis or uploading.
  • the identification devices 220 on adjacent containers 210 are in communication with each other.
  • containers can comprise common enclosures referred to as, for example, goods, items, packages, cargo, intermodal containers, freight, boxes, and the like.
  • Containers can also comprise ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standardized enclosures in the form of layers or units referred to as, for example, IMCs (InterModal Container), IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Container), RTCs (Reusable Transport Container), ULDs (Unit Load Devices), the layers described below with respect to FIG. 4, and the like.
  • IMCs InterModal Container
  • IBCs Intermediate Bulk Container
  • RTCs Real Transport Container
  • ULDs Unit Load Devices
  • the identification devices 220, 232, 236 although at different layers, are each capable of independent communicate with the integrated identification device 225. Thus, the identification devices 220, 232 need not daisy chain information up a ladder as the integrated identification device 225 can gather information from either source. In one embodiment, the identification devices 220, 232 automatically verify AMR (Automated Manifest Rule) information by downloading from the central system and comparing to visible items. As a result, the identification devices 220, 232 can verify AMR to a central security system, and inform an operator or agent as to whether correct goods are being loaded, unloaded, etc.
  • AMR Automatic Manifest Rule
  • the identification devices 220, 232, 234 are coupled, attached, mounted, or otherwise associated with the containers 210, 222, 224 for identification.
  • the identification devices 220, 232, 234 although heterogeneous, are interoperable.
  • identification devices 220 may comprise active type identification devices such as active RFID tags, identification devices 232 and also may comprise passive type identification devices such as passive RFID tag, and identification devices 234 may comprise bar codes.
  • Other types of identification devices not herein described, such as EPC (Electronic Product Code) tags can also be used in some embodiments.
  • Example identification devices are descried in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 3A- 3C.
  • FIG. 3 A is a block diagram illustrating a passive type identification device 305 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the passive type identification device 305 or "passive tag,” is a simple device with no active elements.
  • the passive type identification device 305 comprises an identification module 315, a transceiver 310, and a transmission means 320.
  • the identification module 315 includes programmed identification information associated with the container to which the passive type identification device 305 is attached.
  • the transceiver 310 comprises the basic communication channels necessary to send identification information.
  • the term transceiver is used loosely here, as the passive type identification device 305 does not truly receive data. Rather, the transceiver 310 responds to transmission signals to temporarily activate the passive type identification device 305 in order to transmit the identification information to the system via the transmission means 320.
  • the transmission means 320 is an antenna.
  • FIG. 3B is a block diagram block illustrating an active type identification device 325 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the basic structure of the active type identification device 325, or "active tag,” includes an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Transceiver 330, a Low Frequency Receiver 335, a Processing Unit 340, a Memory 345, a Sensor Co-Processor Unit 350, a Beeper 355, a Reset & Undervoltage Circuit 360, and a Power Source such as a battery 365.
  • UHF Ultra High Frequency
  • the UHF transceiver 330 comprises physical, logical, analog and/or digital communication channels necessary to, for example, send and receive identification information, layer information, and the like to and from an active type or an integrated reader device 225.
  • the identification device 325 comprises an RFID device
  • the UHF transceiver 330 comprises an RF transmitter and receiver.
  • the signals transmit and receive through an antenna 332.
  • An oscillator 334 controls clocking and synchronization and a data interface 336 connects the UHF transceiver 330 to the processing unit 340.
  • the UHF transceiver 330 allows the identification device 325 to communicate with other active type identification devices.
  • the low frequency receiver 335 comprises physical, logical, analog and/or digital communication channels necessary to, for example, receive via antenna 338 signals from signposts within a specified distance of the active type identification device 325 to provide the active type identification device 325 location information.
  • the low frequency receiver 335 interfaces 342 to the processing unit 340.
  • the processing unit 340 comprises, for example, a CPU (Central Processing
  • processing unit 340 contains software for processing signals received from active type or integrated reader devices 225 and signposts. In one embodiment, processing includes sending and receiving to identification devices, as well as associating signals received from the devices. Clocking and synchronization for the active type identification device 325 are provided by an oscillator 344.
  • the memory 345 can be any volatile or non-volatile device capable of storing program instructions and/or data.
  • the sensor co-processor unit 350 interfaces to the main processing unit 340, receives signals from passive type identification devices 305, and establishes the relative hierarchy of or relationship between containers.
  • the sensor coprocessor unit 350 is described in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 3C.
  • the beeper 355 and reset and undervoltage circuit 360 serve as monitoring mechanisms for the active type identification device 325.
  • the beeper 355 uses sound to indicate the location of the active type identification device 325 and that the container associated with the active type identification device 325 remains sealed.
  • the reset and undervoltage circuit 360 monitors the processing unit 340 voltage and timing.
  • the battery 365 provides a source of direct current (DC) voltage to the active type identification device 325.
  • the battery 365 is shown with a dotted line to indicate that it may be externally connected to the active type identification device 325.
  • FIG. 3C is a block diagram block illustrating the sensor co-processor unit 350 in greater detail according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the sensor co-processor unit 350 interfaces to the main processing unit 340, and receives signals from passive type identification devices 305.
  • the sensor co-processor unit 350 can be thought of as a processor dedicated to passive type identification information.
  • the basic structure of the sensor co-processor unit 350 includes a transceiver 370, a memory 375, a co-processor 380, and various sensors 380.
  • the transceiver 370 comprises physical, logical, analog and/or digital communication channels necessary to, for example, send and receive identification information, layer information, and the like to and from an passive type identification device 305 via an antenna 372.
  • the transceiver 370 interfaces to the co-processor 380 and memory 375 via a data/expansion port 374.
  • the memory 375 can be any volatile or non-volatile device capable of storing program instructions and/or data.
  • the memory 375 is serial electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
  • the co-processor 380 is similar to the processing unit 340 of FIG. 3B. It comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a mobile CPU, a controller, or other device to execute instructions. In one embodiment, the co-processor 380 contains software for processing signals received from passive type identification devices 305.
  • CPU Central Processing Unit
  • the co-processor 380 contains software for processing signals received from passive type identification devices 305.
  • Sensors 385 monitor various conditions relating to the integrity of the container.
  • the sensors 385 include a door open detector, a light sensor, a shock sensor, and a temperature and relative humidity sensor.
  • FIGS. 3B and 3C are only an example, and can modified according to desired capabilities.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating ISO logistical layers within an example container hierarchy according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the logistical layers or units include an item layer 410a, a packaging layer 410b, a carton layer 410c, a unit load layer 410d, a container layer 410e (not meant to redefine "container" as used herein), and a vehicle layer 41 Of.
  • each layer is capable of communicating identification information and layer information to each other layer in a many-to-many relationship to establish relative hierarchies.
  • layer information pertains to which logistical layer the nested container 185 belongs.
  • the container hierarchy uses non-ISO layers.
  • the item layer 410a comprises, for example, an item or good such as a computer with a serial number.
  • the item can have a serial number or passive tag.
  • the packaging layer 410b comprises, for example, a box used to enclose the item and its accessories.
  • the packaging can have a bar code, UPC code, passive tag, or the like.
  • the unit load layer 410c comprises, for example, one or more packages that are moved around together on a pallet.
  • the unit layer 410d can have an active or passive tag.
  • the container comprises, for example, a 40'x 8'x 8' metal box of one or more pallets.
  • the container can have an internally or externally mounted active or passive tag.
  • the vehicle layer 410e comprises, for example, one or more containers.
  • the vehicle can have an active or passive tag.
  • FIG. 7A shows a block diagram of an integrated reader device 225 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the integrated reader device 225 is configured to read to and from both passive type 305 and active type 325 identification devices.
  • the integrated reader device 225 is handheld, as depicted in FIG. 7C.
  • the integrated reader device 225 is stationary.
  • the integrated reader device 225 comprises a first (active) 710 and a second (passive) 715 UHF Transceiver, a Processing Unit 720, a Memory 725, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) 730, and may have an External Computer Interface 740 and a Power Source 745.
  • the first UHF Transceiver (active) 710 comprises physical, logical, analog and/or digital communication channels necessary to, for example, send and receive identification information, layer information, and the like to and from active type identification devices 325 via an antenna 712.
  • the first UHF Transceiver (active) 710 may be available from various vendors.
  • the first UHF transceiver 710 is configured to transmit and receive signals from active type identification device 325 from distances up to three hundred feet. In one embodiment, the first UHF transceiver 710 transmits and receives signals of 433 MHz.
  • An oscillator 714 controls clocking and synchronization and a data interface 716 connects the first UHF transceiver 710 to the processing unit 720.
  • the first UHF transceiver 710 includes the necessary buffers and/or queues necessary for sending information to the processing unit 720 when the processing unit 720 is ready to accept the information.
  • the second UHF transceiver (passive) 715 comprises physical, logical, analog and/or digital communication channels necessary to, for example, send and receive identification information, layer information, and the like to and from passive type identification devices 305 via an antenna 718.
  • the second UHF transceiver (passive) 715 may be available for purchase from various vendors, for example, Symbol Technologies of
  • the second UHF transceiver 715 is configured to transmit and receive signals from passive type identification device 305 from distances up to thirty (30) feet. In other embodiments, the range may be greater.
  • the first UHF transceiver 710 transmits and receives signals of 900 MHz.
  • the term transceiver is used loosely here, as the passive UHF transceiver 715 usually does transmit data to the passive type identification devices 305, but rather just receives data.
  • a data interface 722 connects the second UHF transceiver 715 to the processing unit 720.
  • the second UHF transceiver 715 includes the necessary buffers and/or queues necessary for sending information to the processing unit 720 when the processing unit 720 is ready to accept the information.
  • Processing unit 720 comprises, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a mobile CPU, a controller, or other device to execute instructions.
  • the processing unit 720 contains software 765 for processing signals received from an integrated reader device 225.
  • the software 765 is discussed in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 7B.
  • An oscillator 724 controls clocking and synchronization of the processing unit 720.
  • the processing unit 720 is capable of switching back and forth between sending and receiving active and passive signals. In addition, the processing unit 720 performs various other processing functions for the integrated reader device 225, as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 7B.
  • the processing unit 720 comprises two separate units, one processor for processing signals from active type identification devices 325 and one processor processing signals from passive type identification devices 305.
  • the processors are communicatively coupled and the integrated reader device 225 may comprise an active type reader and a passive type reader. Also in this example, the passive and active readers are removable from each other and collect information independently.
  • the memory 725 can be any volatile or non-volatile device capable of storing program instructions and/or data.
  • the LED 730 is an indicator that data is being sent and/or received, and may also indicate that the integrated reader device 225 is receiving power.
  • the integrated reader device 225 also may include an external computer interface 740 and/or a power source 745.
  • An external computer interface 740 serves to connect the integrated reader device 225, for example, to a site manager 250 or other computer.
  • the external computer interface 740 may connect to a separate processor (not shown) with software for generating interrogation signals.
  • the power source 745 powers the integrated reader device 225.
  • the power source 745 includes a battery 750 as a source of current, a battery charger 755, and a voltage regulator 760.
  • the power source 745 is externally connected to or is separate from the integrated reader device 225.
  • FIG. 7B there is shown a block diagram illustrating an exemplary software configuration 765 for a dual mode reader device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the software 765 includes an active signal processing portion 770, a passive signal processing portion 775, an interrogation portion 780, a signal association portion 785, and a signal transmission portion 790.
  • the active signal processing portion 770 includes software for processing signals sent to and received from active type identification devices 325.
  • the passive signal processing portion 775 includes software for processing signals sent to and received from passive type identification devices 305.
  • the interrogation portion 780 includes software for initiating signals to interrogate active 325 and passive type identification devices 305.
  • the signal association portion 785 includes software for associating with each other signals from various passive 305 and various active identification devices 325, mirroring the associations of their respective containers.
  • the signal transmission portion 790 includes software for transmitting processed signals to an external computer.
  • the above software portions 770-790 need not be discrete software modules. The configuration shown is meant only by way if example; other configurations are anticipated by and within the scope of the present invention.
  • the integrated device 225 is capable of reading heterogeneous tag types.
  • the integrated reader 225 is advantageous over traditional readers that require separate readers for each tag type because a single reader is capable of reading both active and passive tags, at great savings of time, money, and equipment.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating examples of locations 805-815 at which information can be exchanged amongst identification devices 305, 325 and between identification devices 305, 325 and integrated reader devices 225 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • collection of identification information may initiate at a sending location 805, such a shipper 105a or origin port 105b as containers are packaged.
  • an integrated reader device 225a is used to collect identification information from active type 325 and passive type 305 identification devices.
  • the handheld device is placed within the range of the tags to be read and identification information is collected therefrom.
  • the device is a stationary reader device 225c, as containers pass in the proximity of the stationary device within the range of the tags, for example on a conveyor belt or in a transport vehicle, the tags are read and identification information is collected therefrom.
  • the integrated reader device 225a may receive signals from each identification device 305, 325 individually, or may receive information about several identification devices 305, 325 from one or more active type identification devices 325.
  • identification devices 305, 325 may be interrogated by active type or integrated reader devices 225b.
  • identification devices 305, 325 may intercommunicate to establish how their respect associated containers are related (e.g., nested or adjacent). These processes are described in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the final interrogation of container identification information occurs as containers arrive at the receiving location 815, such as a destination port 105d or consignee 105e.
  • containers may pass by integrated reader devices 225c.
  • the integrated reader devices 225c may transmit and receive identification information from active type 325 and passive type 305 identification devices.
  • the integrated reader devices 225c may receive signals from each identification device 305, 325 individually, or may receive information about several identification devices 305, 325 from one or more active type identification devices 325.
  • FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating two examples 910, 920 of a method for collecting identification information according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the examples are methods of collecting identification information from a series of containers, for example, during packaging at a sending location 805.
  • the process begins by collecting
  • an active identification device 325 is chosen 940 from the available devices.
  • an active tag 325 may be chosen 940 such that its container encloses the passive identification device 305 containers.
  • the passive tag information collected at step 930 is written 950 to the selected active tag 325. These steps may repeat as necessary to accommodate the various nested containers with active type 325 and passive type identification devices 305.
  • identification information is collected 960 from the active tags 325.
  • this process might be used at a warehouse when loading items into containers.
  • an agent may have one or more shipping containers into which container units and items are to be loaded for shipping. For instance, at the item level, each piece may have a passive type tag associated with it.
  • the item's identification information is collected 930.
  • the agent places the item into a container unit, for example within a shipping container, the active tag identification device associated with the larger container is selected 940 and the passive tag information is written 950 to the selected active tag. The agent repeats the process until the container unit is full.
  • the identification information can be collected 960 from the active tag associated with the container unit, which will include the identification information about the passive tags read to the active tag in step 950.
  • the active tag information from other container units within the shipping container can be collected in a manner similar to the above process 930-940 and written 950 to an active tag associated with the shipping container.
  • identification information can be collected 960 from the active tag associated with the shipping container.
  • the process begins by collecting 960 identification information from active type identification devices 325.
  • an active identification device 325 is chosen 940 from the devices 325 from which identification information was collected in step 960.
  • passive device identification information is collected 930.
  • the passive tag information collected at step 930 is written 950 to the selected active tag 325.
  • this process might be used at a warehouse when loading items into containers.
  • an agent may have one or more shipping containers into which container units and items are to be loaded for shipping.
  • each item may have a passive type tag associated with it and each container unit an active tag associated with it.
  • the agent collects 960 identification information from each of the active tags associated with the container units.
  • the agent chooses a single container unit from the group of container units, in which he will load the items, thus selecting 940 the active tag associated with the container unit.
  • the agent collects 930 the passive tag identification information from each item as it is loaded into the container unit.
  • the identification information collected from the passive tags is written 950 to the active tag selected at step 940.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 for providing nested visibility according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the method 500 may take place at various times, for example, while en route 810 from sending location 805 to receiving location 815.
  • an active type identification device 325 receives 510 an interrogation signal.
  • the intenogation signal invokes a response of identification and layer information through various identification devices 305, 325. While the following description relates to a single active type identification device 325, each respective active tag is capable of the following process.
  • the processing unit 340 of the active type identification device 325 establishes
  • an interrogator of the identification device 325 such as an integrated reader 225, can gather information about the container and its nested and adjacent containers from a single device interaction.
  • the UHF transceiver 330 of the active tag 325 outputs 530 the relative hierarchy.
  • the output can be in response to a regular communication with a reader, a specific interrogation signal, or due to a periodic publication to subscribers.
  • the output may be to a integrated reader device 225, for example via an agent with a hand-held device.
  • a change in nesting may occur, for example, if a smaller container is loaded into a larger container while the container is en route.
  • the information about the container may be read by a reader device as the container passes though the door of the larger container.
  • the container information would be downloaded to an active type identification device 325 associated with the larger container. Because the tags can communicate with each other, any such changes in nesting that occur can be correctly stored by the outermost active identification device.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the method 520 for establishing the relative hierarchy according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the relative hierarchy is based on responses from neighboring and nested containers.
  • association information can be pre-loaded at a checkpoint in the global supply chain 100. If responses are received at an active tag 325 from lower-layer containers 610, for example containers within the container associated with the active tag 325, the processing unit 340 of the active tag 325 organizes 610 data from these containers into lower-layer aggregate infonnation to establish hierarchical information about the containers and their contents.
  • organization includes arranging data in a hierarchy mirroring the hierarchy of the layers.
  • the aggregate information can comprise several layers to delineate a sub-hierarchy.
  • responses can be received at an active tag 325 from other active tags 325 on adjacent containers, for example containers stacked several layers deep below the first container.
  • the processor 340 sends 650 aggregated information to known higher-layer containers.
  • the device 325 also may store information about peer hierarchies that respond to the interrogation signal in memory 345.
  • duplicitous information Because a many-to-many relationship exists among layers, some information can be duplicitous. Thus, one embodiment recognizes and removes duplicitous material. Another embodiment uses duplicitous information for verification or reliability scoring. In yet another embodiment, conflicting information is resolved through various methods such as using the highest-layer information, or using the directly obtained information.
  • FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of collecting identification information according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the embodiment depicted is a method of collecting identification information from a series of containers, for example, during unloading at receiving location 815.
  • the process begins by the processor 720 of an integrated reader device 225 initiating intenogation 1010 of a plurality of identification devices 305, 325.
  • the interrogation signals initiate from software external to the integrated reader device 225, for example, in a computer connected to the integrated reader device 225 via an external computer interface 740.
  • the transceivers 720, 715 of the integrated reader device 225 transmit 1020 the intenogation signals to the identification devices 305, 325.
  • identification information signals are received 1030 from the identification devices 305, 325.
  • processing 1040 includes processing includes associating identification information signals from various types of identification devices 305, 325.
  • processed signals are transmitted 1050 to an external computer.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif d'identification établissant une hiérarchie relative de contenants associés comme unités logistiques, une visibilité multicouche de contenants emboîtés et adjacents étant ainsi obtenue. La hiérarchie relative comprend des contenants de couche inférieure et des contenants de couche supérieure par rapport au dispositif d'identification. Un dispositif de lecture intégré lit des types d'étiquettes hétérogènes, ce dispositif unique permettant de lire des types d'étiquettes disparates de manière simultanée.
EP04813766A 2003-12-09 2004-12-09 Visibilite au niveau d'objet de contenants emboites et adjacents Ceased EP1692668A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US52833403P 2003-12-09 2003-12-09
PCT/US2004/041501 WO2005057378A2 (fr) 2003-12-09 2004-12-09 Visibilite au niveau d'objet de contenants emboites et adjacents

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EP1692668A2 EP1692668A2 (fr) 2006-08-23
EP1692668A4 true EP1692668A4 (fr) 2008-10-08

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EP1692668A2 (fr) 2006-08-23
CN101069220A (zh) 2007-11-07
KR20060099540A (ko) 2006-09-19
CN1926588A (zh) 2007-03-07
KR20080044355A (ko) 2008-05-20
JP2007519583A (ja) 2007-07-19
CN1926588B (zh) 2013-09-18

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