Systems and methods for pallet tracking using hub and spoke architecture.

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application no. 62/548,127, filed August 21, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to freight transportation using pallets, and more specifically to systems and methods for tracking pallets using a hub-and-spoke architecture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Monitoring the movement of pallets and environmental conditions through a supply and distribution chain can help diagnose problems with loss and recovery, damage, and cycle time. Reducing loss, damage, and cycle times can have a significant economic benefit for entities throughout the supply chain. Tracking pallets through the supply chain can also make it easier to track the assets they carry as long as an association between the two can be captured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some systems, each pallet in the supply chain collects pallet data and transmits it directly from each pallet to a remote server. This can result in high costs, as each pallet must include components capable of long-range or cellular data transmission. These components can also reduce battery power due to a high power requirement. In some systems, pallet data is transmitted from each pallet to a stationary reader at a facility when the pallet is within range of the stationary reader. The stationary reader can aggregate the data from multiple pallets and transmit it to a remote server. Such stationary readers may not be ideal for collecting data from all pallets in a facility, as not all pallets may be within range of the stationary reader.

Methods are provided, including computer-implemented methods, devices, and computer program products that implement systems and methods for pallet tracking using a hub-and-spoke architecture. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, data may be collected from multiple tagged pallets by a mobile reader pallet. The tagged pallets may include components capable of short-range communication with the mobile reader pallet. The reader pallet may include components capable of long-range communication that enable the reader pallet to transmit the data to another device or server. This can result in reduced costs and battery preservation, as each pallet need not include costly and power-hungry long-range communication components. Also, because the reader pallet is mobile, there is no need to move tagged pallets within range of a stationary reader.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method comprises receiving, at a reader device attached to a reader pallet of a plurality of pallets, data associated with at least one tagged device attached to at least one tagged pallet of the plurality of pallets. The reader device is configured to communicate using a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol. The at least one tagged device is configured to communicate using the first communication protocol. The data is received through the first communication protocol. The method further comprises repackaging the data in accordance with the second communication protocol. The method further comprises transmitting the data via the second communication protocol.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a device is provided. The device comprises one or more processors. The device further comprises a non-transient computer-readable medium that contains instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause one or more processors to perform operations that include the steps of the methods described herein.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product is physically embodied in a machine-readable, non-transient storage medium of a device. The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause one or more processors to perform operations that include the steps of the methods described herein.

This compendium is not intended to identify key or essential features of claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of claimed subject matter. Claimed subject matter is to be understood by reference to the appropriate parts of the full specification of this patent, any or all of the figures, and each claim.

The foregoing, along with other features and embodiments, will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawing figures:

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The FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a pallet with a beacon, according to some embodiments.

The FIG. 2 is a side view of a pallet with a load, according to some embodiments.

The FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates a system for tracking pallets, according to some modalities.

The FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a tagged pallet, according to some embodiments.

The FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a reader pallet, according to some embodiments.

The FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an access device, according to some embodiments.

The FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a server computer, according to some embodiments.

The FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for tracking pallets, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects and modalities of the present description are provided below. Some of these aspects and modalities may be applied independently and some of them may be applied in combination as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent that various modalities can be practiced without these specific details. The figures and description are not intended to be restrictive.

The following description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the following description of exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with a description that enables an exemplary embodiment to be implemented. It should be understood that various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Specific details are provided in the following description to provide a full understanding of the modalities. However, the person skilled in the art will understand that the modalities can be carried out without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components can be shown as components in block diagram form so as not to obscure the modalities with unnecessary detail. In other cases, firing /nznz/□ / υιλι may show known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques without unnecessary detail to avoid complicating modalities.

It is also noted that the individual modes can be described as a process that is illustrated as a flowchart, data flow diagram, structure diagram, or block diagram. Although a flowchart can describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or simultaneously. Also, the order of operations can be rearranged. A process ends when its operations are complete, but it might have additional steps not included in a figure. A process can correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its completion may correspond to a return from the function to the calling function or the main function.

The term computer-readable medium includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or transporting instructions and/or data. A computer-readable medium can include a non-transient medium on which data can be stored and which does not include carrier waves and/or transient electronic signals that propagate wirelessly or over wired connections. Examples of a non-transient medium may include, but are not limited to, a magnetic tape or disk, optical storage media such as a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD), flash memory, memory, or memory devices. A computer-readable medium may have stored machine-executable code and/or instructions that may represent a procedure, function, applet, program, routine, subroutine, module, software package, class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program declarations. A code segment can be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. The information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. , may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted by any suitable means, including memory swapping, message passing, key passing, network transmission, or the like.

Furthermore, the modalities can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination of these. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, program code or code segments to perform necessary tasks (for example, a computer program product) may be stored on a computer-readable or machine-readable medium. One or more processors can perform the necessary tasks.

Pallets cobccn/nznz/a/Y

A pallet can be a structure that supports physical assets for storage, presentation, handling and/or transport. As used herein, the term pallet can be used to describe any load carrier or product transport pallet, including any type of reusable plastic container (RPC), pallet, dolly, container, barrel, crate (which includes corrugated box), container, and the like. Physical assets can be any physical asset, such as non-perishable or perishable physical goods. The FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a pallet 100, according to some embodiments. Pallet 100 may include a base 120 and legs 110. Pallet 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or dimension, and may be made of any material or combination of materials. The base 120 and the legs 110 can be of any size, shape and/or dimensions. The base 120 can be flat and/or otherwise configured to support the shape and/or weight of the physical asset to be held on the pallet 100. Although it is shown to have a particular design in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that any design may be incorporated onto or into base 120. For example, base 120 may have smaller, larger, fewer, larger, differently shaped, or differently positioned spaces than those shown. in FIG. 1, depending on the characteristics of the particular physical asset to be placed in the base 120 (eg, weight, shape, temperature requirements, size, etc.).

Legs 110 may be sized and positioned to support the particular physical asset. In some embodiments, the legs 110 may be sized and positioned to allow a forklift, crane, or lifting device to engage and lift the pallet 100 between the legs 110. Although shown and described as having three legs 110, it is shown it contemplates that pallet 100 may have any suitable number of legs or no legs. For example, in some embodiments, the pallet 100 may include a base 120 at the top and bottom of the pallet 100 without legs. In another example, for heavier physical assets, pallet 100 may include one or more additional legs centrally located with respect to pallet 100 to prevent collapse of base 120. Additionally, while shown and described as having a particular orientation and having a particular size, it is contemplated that the legs 110 can be any size (eg, height, length, width, depth, etc.) and/or orientation (eg, example, parallel to each other, perpendicular to each other, etc.).

Pallet 100 may be made of any suitable material, depending on the characteristics of the particular physical asset to be supported by pallet 100. For example, pallet 100 may be made of wood, plastic, and/or metal. Furthermore, the pallet 100 may be a half pallet or a quarter pallet. In some embodiments, pallet 100 can be built to include unique physical features. In some embodiments, base 120 may be made of the same or different material than legs 110. In some embodiments, base 120 and legs 110 may form a single unitary body (by co+ccn /nznz/□ / υιλι example, formed from a single mold). In some embodiments, the base 120 may be removable from one or more of the legs 110.

In some embodiments, additional components may be integrated with pallet 100. For example, the bottom of pallet 100 may include a beacon 150. Beacon 150 may include any electronic device capable of handling or storing data. The beacon 150 may include a number of different functionalities. For example, beacon 150 can be programmed with the type of physical asset located on pallet 100 and/or an identifier for pallet 100. The beacon 150 may further include or be in operative communication with one or more sensors configured to monitor certain conditions of the pallet 100 (eg, environmental conditions, movements, etc.). The beacon 150 may be capable of communicating with other devices, such as other beacons, devices, and/or servers. Beacon 150 is further described herein with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. Although shown as being located at a particular position on pallet 100, it is contemplated that beacon 150 may be located at any suitable position on pallet 100. FIG. 2 is a side view of another exemplary pallet 200 with a load 220 placed on top of the pallet 200 for transportation, storage, display, etc. As used herein, pallet 100 may be referred to interchangeably with pallet 200.

Pallet tracking systems using radial interconnection architecture

In some cases, it may be desirable to track a pallet. As used herein, pallet tracking can refer to the collection and tracking of any data related to a pallet, such as the location of a pallet in the supply chain and/or the environmental or other conditions of the pallet. . In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, data may be collected by a plurality of tagged pallets. As used herein, the term tagged pallet can refer to a pallet that includes a beacon and one or more sensors. In some embodiments, a tagged pallet may include an RFID tag. The data collected by the tagged pallets may be transmitted using a short range and/or low power communication protocol from the individual tagged pallets to a reader pallet. As used herein, the term reader pallet can refer to a pallet that includes a beacon capable of short and long range communication. In some embodiments, the reader pallet may not include any sensor.

Conventional tracking solutions that provide accurate tracking data depend on installed infrastructure, such as proximity sensors and fixed manual or automated processes. However, according to some embodiments of the invention, no fixed infrastructure is needed to determine the tracking data, since it is collected by individual tagged pallets and aggregated by a mobile reader pallet. Once tracking data has been collected, this information can be used to calculate coceen /nznz/□ / υιλι supply chain visibility metrics, such as inventory at any given location or region, dwell time, and velocity metrics between supply chain regions or between any set of nodes within the supply chain.

The FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system for tracking pallets with radial interconnection architecture, according to some modalities. The system may include labeled pallets 307A-B, a reader pallet 308, an optional access device 310, a server computer 320, a database 323, and a controller computer 330. The labeled pallets 307A-B, the reader pallet 308, and the optional access device 310 may be located at a facility 305 in the supply chain, such as a warehouse or store. The server computer 320 and the database 323 may be located in the cloud 315, such as in one or more external or third-party locations with online or network storage. Controller computer 330 may be located at a controller location 325, such as at a pallet tracking and logistics company. Although shown and described with respect to a certain number of entities performing certain functions, it is contemplated that a greater or lesser number of entities may perform the functions described herein. For example, the functions of the server computer 320 may be spread across multiple server computers. In another example, database 325 may be embedded internally in server computer 320.

In some embodiments, tagged pallets 307A-B may communicate data to reader pallet 308 through a beacon or other means of communication. Pallets labeled 307A-B can communicate using only certain communication protocols (for example, lower power or short range communication protocols such as Bluetooth LE, W¡F¡, etc.). The data may cause the reader pallet 308 to perform one or more operations. For example, the reader pallet 308 can aggregate the data received from the labeled pallets 307A-B over a period of time and transmit the aggregated data to an access device 310. In some embodiments, the access device 410 can only communicate with the pallet 100 if pallet 100 is a recognized or registered pallet. When the access device 310 receives the data, the access device 310 can forward it to the server computer 320. In another example, reader pallet 308 may transmit the data directly to server computer 320. Reader pallet 308 may be capable of communicating with labeled pallets 307A-B by using one or more communication protocols common to both types. of pallets (for example, short-range or lower power communication protocols, such as Bluetooth LE, WiFi, etc.). The reading pallet 308 may also be capable of communicating with the access device 310 and/or the server computer 320 through the use of other communication protocols (for example, long-range communication or coceen /nznz/□ protocols). / υιλι higher power, such as cellular, GSM, satellite, etc.). Therefore, in some embodiments, the reader pallet 308 may only be required to include more expensive and longer range communication components; these components may be omitted from pallets labeled 307A-B.

In some embodiments, reader pallet 308 may communicate instruction data to tagged pallets 307A-B via a beacon or other means of communication. Instruction data may be communicated via short range or lower power communication protocols. The instruction data can cause one or more of the pallets labeled 307A-B to perform one or more operations. For example, the instruction data may cause the labeled pallet 307A to change or configure various device parameters or settings.

Although shown and described as being in communication with two tagged pallets 307A-B, it is contemplated that reader pallet 308 may be in communication with any number of tagged pallets. For example, the ratio of reader pallets to labeled pallets can be many to one, such as ten to one. In some embodiments, the number of tagged pallets with which reader pallet 308 is in communication may depend on the number of tagged pallets within communication range of reader pallet 308. For example, one reader pallet 308 in a facility may be in communication with five tagged pallets, while another reader pallet 308 in the facility may be in communication with twenty tagged pallets.

The optional access device 310 may be any suitable electronic user device. Access device 310 may include a communication device. A communication device can provide remote communication capabilities to a network. Examples of remote communication capabilities include the use of a mobile phone network (wireless), wireless data network (for example, 3G, 4G, 5G, CAT1, LTE-M, LTE-NB1, Sigfox, LoRa, or similar networks ), WiFi, Wi-Max, or any other means of communication that can provide access to a network such as the Internet or a private network. Examples of devices include mobile phones (eg, cell phones), PDAs, tablets, netbooks, laptop computers, personal music players, portable specialty readers, watches, exercise bands, wearable devices, ankle bracelets, rings , earrings, key chains, physical wallets, glasses, containers, coffee cups, take-out containers, etc. , as well as cars with remote communication capabilities. The access device 410 may comprise any suitable hardware and software to perform such functions, and may also include multiple devices or components (for example, when a device has remote access to a network by tethering to another device - that is, using the another device such as a modem - both devices taken together can be considered a single communication device). Other examples of an access device 310 may include a point-of-sale or point-of-sale device (eg, point-of-sale terminals), cell phone, coceen /nznz/□ / υιλι

PDA, personal computer (PC), tablet, specialized portable reader, decoder, electronic cash register (ECR), virtual cash registers (VCR), kiosk and the like.

Access device 310 may be in communication with server computer 320. Access device 310 may forward aggregated tracking data collected by labeled pallets 307A-B to server computer 320. Server computer 320 may store the tracking data in a database 323. For example, each piece of tracking data may be received with an associated pallet identifier. Each pallet identifier may have an entry in database 323 with which associated tracking data may be stored.

In other words, the server computer 320 may store the tracking data in association with the labeled pallet identifier 307A-B in the database 323. For example, the server computer 320 may retrieve the entry in the database 323 associated with the pallet identifier and write the tracking data to the log. In some embodiments, the tracking data may be written to the log along with a timestamp indicating the date and time that the tagged 307A-B pallet transmitted the tracking data. Therefore, the record corresponding to a particular pallet may include a plurality of tracking data collected at a plurality of times. In some embodiments, some or all of the functions of the server computer 320 may alternatively or additionally be performed by another entity or system, such as the access device 310.

In some embodiments, server computer 320 may provide these records from database 323 to a controller computer 330. Controller computer 330 may be an entity that tracks, maintains, and/or owns the labeled pallets 307A-B and/or or reader pallet 308. Controller computer 330 can use this tracking data to perform analysis. For example, the controlling computer 330 can determine if the pallets labeled 307A-B are in the correct facility 305, to determine where the pallets labeled 307A-B are in the supply chain, to determine the cycle time of the pallets labeled 307A -B, to predict the time of 307A-B labeled pallets at a particular location, to calculate supply chain visibility metrics, etc. In some embodiments, supply chain visibility metrics may include inventory at a given facility or in a given region, dwell time, and speed metrics between regions or between facilities in the supply chain.

Pallets labeled 307A-B may include components to perform multiple functions, as described herein. The FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the system components of a tagged pallet 307. In some embodiments, tagged pallet 307 can be implemented as tagged pallet 307A and/or tagged pallet 307B. The tagged pallet 307 may include a beacon 410 in operative communication with one or more external sensors 450. Beacon 410 may be implemented like beacon 150, in some embodiments. The beacon 410 may include device hardware coupled to a memory 440. The device hardware may include a processor 425, a communication subsystem 430, internal sensors 435, and a power supply 445. In some embodiments, the beacon 410 may be implemented as an active tag, for example, an RFID tag). The beacon 410 may be associated with an identifier (eg, an active tag identifier).

Processor 425 may be implemented as one or more integrated circuits (eg, one or more single-core or multi-core microprocessors and/or microcontrollers), and may be used to control the operation of beacon 410. Processor 425 may execute a variety of programs in response to program code or computer-readable code stored in memory 440, and can maintain multiple programs or processes running simultaneously. Communication subsystem 430 may include one or more transceivers and/or connectors that beacon 410 may use to communicate with other devices (eg, external sensors 450, reader pallets, beacons, access devices, etc.) and/or to connect to external networks. In some embodiments, communication subsystem 430 may be configured to communicate using more than one protocol (eg, protocol A 431 and protocol B 432). Protocol A 431 and Protocol B 432 may be two different wired or wireless communication protocols. For example, Protocol A 431 and Protocol B 432 may be selected from the group including Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Near Field Communication, WiFi, Cellular Communication, Ethernet, Fiber Optic, etc. In some embodiments, protocol A 431 and protocol B 432 may both be lower power, lower cost, and/or short range communication protocols. The particular protocol used for a particular communication may be determined based on any of a number of factors, including availability, signal strength, type and/or amount of power received or remaining in power supply 445, the power required to communicate on a particular protocol, cost associated with the use of a particular protocol, data throughput, type of data to be communicated, size of data to be communicated, and the like.

Internal sensors 435 may include any motion, location, and/or environment related sensors. For example, internal sensors 435 may include a global positioning system (GPS), accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, thermometer, humidity sensor, light sensor, microphone, combinations of these, and/or the like. . The internal sensors 435 can measure, for example, position, location, speed, acceleration, distance, rotation, altitude, temperature, humidity, pressure, sound, light, capacitance, inductance, resistance, voltage, fire /nznz /□ /υιλι presence chemistry, combinations thereof, and/or the like. Internal sensors 435 may be coupled to communication subsystem 430, so that sensor measurements may be transmitted out of labeled pallet 307 to other devices or systems, as further described herein.

Memory 440 may be implemented using any combination of any number of non-volatile memories (eg, flash memory) and volatile memories (eg, DRAM, SRAM), or any other non-transient storage media, or a combination of these media. . In some embodiments, memory 440 may be included in processor 425. Power source 445 may include any wired or wireless power source, such as a utility power source, solar panel, and/or battery.

Beacon 410 may be coupled to one or more external sensors 450 on tagged pallet 307 in some embodiments. External sensors 450 may include, for example, a weight sensor and/or any of the sensors described above with respect to internal sensors 435. In one example, the weight sensor may include circuitry that measures the weight of a load in the labeled pallet 307. The weight sensor can transmit the weight to the beacon 410. The beacon 410 can use the communication subsystem 430 to transmit this data out of the tagged pallet 307 to other devices or systems, as further described herein.

The FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the system components of a reader pallet 308. Reader pallet 308 may include a beacon 510. Beacon 410 may be implemented as beacon 150, in some embodiments. The beacon 510 may include device hardware coupled to a memory 540. The device hardware may include a processor 525, a communication subsystem 530, and a power supply 545.

Processor 525 may be implemented as one or more integrated circuits (eg, one or more single-core or multi-core microprocessors and/or microcontrollers), and may be used to control the operation of beacon 510. Processor 525 may execute a variety of programs in response to program code or computer-readable code stored in memory 540, and can maintain multiple programs or processes running simultaneously. Communication subsystem 530 may include one or more transceivers and/or connectors that beacon 510 may use to communicate with other devices (eg, reader pallets, beacons, access devices, etc.) and/or to connect to networks. external. In some embodiments, communication subsystem 530 may be configured to communicate using more than one protocol (eg, protocol A 431, protocol B 432, protocol C 433, and/or protocol D 434). Protocol A 431, Protocol B 432, Protocol C 433 and/or Protocol D 434 may be four different wired or wireless communication protocols. For example, protocol A 431, coceen /nznz/□ / υιλι protocol B 432, protocol C 433, and/or protocol D 434 may be selected from the group including Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Near Field Communication, WiFi, Communication cellular, Ethernet, fiber optic, satellite, etc. In some embodiments, protocol A 431 and protocol B 432 may both be lower power, lower cost, and/or short range communication protocols that can be used to communicate with tagged pallets. In some embodiments, protocol C 433 and protocol D 434 may be longer range, higher power, and/or higher cost communication protocols that may be used to communicate with access devices, servers, and/or the like. The particular protocol used for a particular communication may be determined based on any of a number of factors, including availability, signal strength, type and/or amount of power received or remaining in power supply 545, the power required to communicate on a particular protocol, cost associated with the use of a particular protocol, data throughput, type of data to be communicated, size of data to be communicated, and the like.

Memory 540 may be implemented using any combination of any number of non-volatile memories (eg, flash memory) and volatile memories (eg, DRAM, SRAM), or any other non-transient storage media, or a combination of these media. . In some embodiments, memory 540 may be included in processor 525. Power source 545 may include any wired or wireless power source, such as a utility power source, solar panel, and/or battery.

The FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an optional access device 310, in accordance with some embodiments. The access device 310 may include the hardware of the device 604 coupled to a memory 602. The hardware of the device 604 may include a processor 605, a communication subsystem 609, and a user interface 606. In some embodiments, the hardware of the device 604 it may include a screen 607 (which may be part of the user interface 606).

Processor 605 may be implemented as one or more integrated circuits (eg, one or more single-core or multi-core microprocessors and/or microcontrollers), and is used to control the operation of access device 310. Processor 605 may execute a variety of of programs in response to program code or computer-readable code stored in memory 602, and can maintain multiple programs or processes running simultaneously. User interface 606 may include any combination of input and output elements to allow a user to interact with and invoke the functionalities of access device 310. In some embodiments, user interface 606 may include a component such as display 607 that can be used for both input and output functions. Memory 602 may be implemented using any combination of any number of non-volatile memories (eg, flash memory) and volatile memories (eg, DRAM, SRAM), or any other non-transient storage medium, or a means of combining these. Memory 602 may store an operating system (OS) 620 and an application environment 610 where one or more applications reside, including application 612 to be executed by processor 605.

In some embodiments, application 612 may be an application that processes tracking data received from a reader pallet and transmits it to a server computer via a communication protocol. In some embodiments, the communication protocol used by the access device 310 may not be available to the reader pallet (eg, Ethernet cable communications). The application 612 may include a tracking data collection engine 614 and a tracking data transmission engine 615. In some embodiments, one or more of these components may be provided by another application or component that is not part of the application. 612.

Tracking data collection engine 614 may be configured to, in conjunction with processor 605 and communication subsystem 609, receive aggregated tracking data associated with a number of tagged pallets from a reader pallet. Tracking data transmission engine 615 may be configured to, in conjunction with processor 605 and communication subsystem 609, transmit aggregated tracking data to a server. In some embodiments, tracking data collection engine 614 may receive tracking data on a first frequency, and tracking data transmission engine 615 may transmit tracking data on a second frequency. For example, the tracking data collection engine 614 may receive tracking data once every two minutes, while the tracking data transmission engine 615 may transmit tracking data once every five minutes. This may allow access device 310 to collect and aggregate multiple sets of tracking data from multiple reader pallets before transmitting the tracking data to a server computer. In some embodiments, these functions may alternatively or additionally be implemented on an additional reader pallet, rather than on an access device 310.

The communication subsystem 609 can include one or more transceivers and/or connectors that can be used by the access device 310 to communicate with other devices (for example, the reader pallet) and/or to connect with external networks (for example, to connect to the server computer 320). Communication subsystem 609 may be configured to communicate in accordance with protocol C 433 and/or protocol D 434. In some embodiments, protocol C 433 and protocol D 434 may be longer range, higher power, and/or higher cost communication protocols that may be used to communicate with reader, server, and/or similar pallets.

cook /nznz/□ / υιλι

The FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a server computer 320, according to some embodiments. The server computer 320 may include a processor 701 coupled to a network interface 702 and a computer-readable medium 706. The server computer 320 may also include or have access to a database 703 that may be internal or external to the server computer 320.

Processor 701 may include one or more microprocessors for executing program components to perform the pallet tracking functions of server computer 320. Network interface 702 may be configured to connect to one or more communication networks to allow the computer to of the server 320 to communicate with other entities, such as the access device, the controlling computer, reader pallets, etc. Network interface 702 may be configured to communicate in accordance with protocol C 433 and/or protocol D 434 in some modes. In some embodiments, protocol C 433 and protocol D 434 may be longer range, higher power, and/or higher cost communication protocols that may be used to communicate with reader pallets, servers, access devices, and/or the like.

Computer readable medium 706 may include any combination of one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories, eg, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, ROM, flash, or any other suitable memory component. Computer readable medium 706 may store code executable by processor 701 to implement some or all of the pallet tracking functions of server computer 320. For example, the computer-readable medium 706 may include code that implements a tracking data collection engine 708, a tracking data transmission engine 709, and a tracking data analysis engine 710. In some embodiments, the engine Tracking data analysis module 710 may be optional and may instead be implemented by a controller computer 330.

Tracking data collection engine 708 can be configured to, in conjunction with processor 701 and network interface 702, receive aggregated tracking data associated with a number of tagged pallets from a plurality of reader pallets and/or a plurality of devices. of access. Track data transmission engine 709 may be configured to, in conjunction with processor 701 and network interface 702, transmit aggregated track data to a controller computer. In some embodiments, tracking data collection engine 708 may receive tracking data on a first frequency, and tracking data transmission engine 709 may transmit tracking data on a second frequency. For example, the tracking data collection engine 708 may receive tracking data once every five minutes, while the tracking data transmission engine 709 may transmit tracking data once every ten minutes. This may allow the server computer to cook /nznz/□ / υιλι

320 collect and aggregate multiple sets of tracking data from multiple reader pallets and/or access devices before transmitting the tracking data to a controller computer.

In some embodiments, server computer 320 may include a track data analysis engine 710. Track data analysis engine 710 may be configured to, in conjunction with processor 701, use the track data to perform analysis. For example, the 710 tracking data analysis engine can determine if tagged pallets are in the correct facility, to determine where tagged pallets are in the supply chain, to determine the cycle time of tagged pallets, to predict the timing of tagged pallets at a particular location, to calculate supply chain visibility metrics, etc. In some embodiments, supply chain visibility metrics can include inventory at a given facility or in a given region, dwell time, and cross-region or cross-facility velocity metrics in the supply chain. The server computer 320 can transmit these analyzes to a controller computer through the network interface 702.

Methods for tracking pallets

The systems described above can implement a variety of methods. The FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for tracking pallets using a hub-and-spoke architecture, according to some embodiments. In process block 810, tracking data 805 is received at a reader device attached to a reader pallet of a plurality of pallets. In some embodiments, the plurality of pallets may be mobile. Tracking data 805 is associated with at least one tagged device attached to at least one tagged pallet of the plurality of pallets. The reader device is configured to communicate using a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol. The at least one tagged device is configured to communicate using the first communication protocol. In some embodiments, the at least one tagged device is not configured to communicate using the second communication protocol. Tracking data 805 is received via the first communication protocol.

In some embodiments, the first communication protocol may be associated with a first communication range. The first communication range may define a maximum distance at which tracking data 805 can be received via the first communication protocol. For example, when tracking data is received at the reader device from the tagged device, the first communication range may be the maximum distance that the reader device can be positioned from the tagged device while still receiving the 805 tracking data. The second communication protocol is associated with a second range of coceen /nznz /□ /υιλι communication. The second communication range may define a maximum distance at which tracking data 805 can be received via the second communication protocol. For example, when tracking data is transmitted from the reader device to a remote server, the second communication range may be the maximum distance that the reader device can be positioned from the remote server while still being able to transmit the 805 tracking data. In some embodiments, the first communication range is less than the second communication range. For example, the first communication range might be fifty feet, while the second communication range might be one mile.

In some embodiments, the first communication protocol may be associated with a first use of energy. The first power usage may define an amount of power used to transmit tracking data via the first communication protocol. The first power usage may be specific to the first communication protocol and/or the type or amount of tracking data to be transmitted. The second communication protocol may be associated with a second use of energy. The second power usage may define an amount of power used to transmit tracking data via the second communication protocol. The second use of power may be specific to the second communication protocol and/or the type or amount of tracking data to be transmitted. In some embodiments, the first energy use is less than the second energy use. For example, the first communication protocol may be Bluetooth LE, while the second communication protocol may be traditional Bluetooth, cellular communications, etc.

In process block 815, the trace data 805 is repackaged in accordance with the second communication protocol. In process block 820, tracking data 805 is transmitted via the second communication protocol. In some embodiments, the tracking data may be transmitted via the second communication protocol to a remote server. In some embodiments, the remote server is not configured to communicate using the first communication protocol. In some embodiments, the remote server is not configured to communicate with the tagged device. In some embodiments, the tracking data may be transmitted to an aggregation device attached to an aggregation pallet of the plurality of pallets. The tracking data may be transmitted to the aggregation device by using the first communication protocol and/or the second communication protocol. The aggregation device may be configured to transmit the tracking data to a remote server by using a long-range communication protocol (eg, the second communication protocol).

In some embodiments, the at least one tagged device may be associated with a first communication frequency. The first communication frequency may define a rate at which the at least one tagged device transmits the tracking data via the first communication protocol. The reading device may be associated with a second communication frequency. The second communication frequency may define a rate at which the reader device transmits the tracking data via the second communication protocol. In some embodiments, the second communication frequency is lower than the first communication frequency. For example, a tagged device can transmit tracking data to the reader device every 30 seconds. The reader device can aggregate this data over a period of 5 minutes, then transmit the tracking data to a remote server after that period.

In some embodiments, the reader device attached to the reader pallet may communicate instruction data to the tagged pallets via the first communication protocol at the first communication frequency. The instruction data can cause one or more of the tagged pallets to perform one or more operations. For example, the instruction data can cause one of the tagged pallets to change or configure various device parameters or settings.

As noted, computer-readable media can include transient media, such as wireless transmission or wired network transmission, or storage media (i.e., non-transient storage media), such as a hard drive, flash drive, compact disc , digital video disc, Blu-ray disc, or other computer-readable media. Computer-readable medium can be understood to include one or more computer-readable media of various forms, in various examples.

In the above description, aspects of the application are described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, while the illustrative embodiments of the application have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may otherwise be incorporated and used differently, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art. Various features and aspects of the invention described above may be used individually or in combination. Furthermore, the embodiments may be used in any number of settings and applications beyond those described herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the specification. The specification and figures are therefore to be considered as illustrative rather than exhaustive. For purposes of illustration, the methods have been described in a particular order. It should be appreciated in /nznz/□ / υιλι that in alternate embodiments, the methods may be performed in a different order than described.

Where components are described as performing or configured to perform certain operations, such configuration can be achieved, for example, by designing electronic circuits or other hardware to perform the operation, by programming programmable electronic circuits (for example, microprocessors or other electronic circuitry) to perform the operation, or any combination of these.

The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or combinations thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and design limitations imposed on the entire system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in different ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

The techniques described herein may also be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or any combination of these. Such techniques may be implemented in any of a variety of devices, such as general purpose computers, wireless communication device headsets, or integrated circuit devices that have multiple uses including application to wireless communication device headsets and other devices. All features described as modules or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as separate but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be performed at least in part by means of a computer-readable data storage medium comprising program code that includes instructions that, when executed, perform one or more of the methods described above. The computer-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging materials. The computer readable medium may comprise memory or data storage media, such as random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read only memory (ROM), nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, optical or magnetic data storage media, and the like. The techniques, additionally, or as cocean /nznz /□ /υιλι alternatively, may be performed at least in part by means of a computer-readable communication medium that carries or communicates program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that a computer can access, read, and/or execute such as propagated signals or waves.

Program code may be executed by a processor, which may include one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable logic arrays (FPGA), or other equivalent separate or integrated logic circuitry. Such a processor can be configured to perform any of the techniques described in this description. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but failing that, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors together or with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Accordingly, the term processor, as used herein, can refer to any of the above structures, any combination of the above structures, or any other structure or apparatus suitable for implementing the techniques described herein. Furthermore, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated software modules or hardware modules configured to encode and decode, or incorporated into a combined coder-decoder (CODEO).