WO2012045182A1

WO2012045182A1 - Method of tracking a location of transported goods

Info

Publication number: WO2012045182A1
Application number: PCT/CH2010/000243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Grether
Original assignee: Die Schweizerische Post
Priority date: 2010-10-05
Filing date: 2010-10-05
Publication date: 2012-04-12
Also published as: TW201220221A

Abstract

A method of tracking a location of transported goods comprises the following steps: Providing a tracking module comprising a communication unit and an acknowledgment unit; packing the tracking module together with the transported goods, in particular packing the tracking module and the transported goods in a common packaging; repeatedly determining a position of the tracking module; communicating the determined position to a first authorized recipient using the communication unit; after receipt of the transported goods by the addressee and upon actuation of the acknowledgment unit communicating an acknowledgment of receipt to a second authorized recipient using the communication unit.

Description

Method of tracking a location of transported goods

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method of tracking a location of transported goods.

Background Art

Various solutions have been proposed to track the location of transported goods such as cargo containers, parcels, mail or other goods transported by services such as postal or courier services. The corresponding so-called asset tracking systems are often based on satellite positioning systems such as the global positioning system (GPS). In these solutions, a tracking unit, such as a GPS receiver, is attached to an object the position of which is to be followed. The GPS receiver is able to receive signals from one or more satellites and can thus determine the location of the GPS receiver. Once the position has been determined by the GPS receiver, it can transmit this information by means of a communication unit to a central server from where it is available to subscribers of the service.

A potential disadvantage of reporting and processing events in an asset tracking system includes the high power consumption of the devices involved, e.g. the tracking unit, its sensors and its communication unit. Furthermore, it is possible to misuse these tracking methods, for instance by attaching a tracking unit to someone's clothing or belongings and then using the system to track the movements of this person. Thus, in the known solutions a user's privacy is not always protected in an optimal way.

DE 44 04 195 C 1 (AEG Postautomation GmbH) discloses a tracking unit comprising an acceleration sensor for monitoring the movements of the transported goods. The correspondingly measured values are stored on a memory of the unit and analyzed at a central facility in order to retrospectively identify the used means of transportation and to reconstruct the progression of the transport process.

Other asset tracking systems are based on stationary detectors that that are arranged along the transport path of the goods, i. e. in distribution terminals, post offices, airports, train stations etc. Using these detectors the transport of the goods is tracked. For that purpose the goods or the packaging of the goods is often provided with a visual identification such as a bar code or data matrix code or with an electromagnetic identification such as an RFID tag. However, these tracking systems often require a complex infrastructure, requiring tag readers or barcode scanners throughout the whole distribution chain. This leads to high costs, especially if the system is to work on an essentially worldwide basis.

In addition to the availability of tracking information, it is often desired by a sender to receive a reliable acknowledgment of receipt when the goods have arrived at their final destination. Usually, a responsible person of the transport service asks the addressee for a signature and will forward this signature to a service center which will accordingly inform the sender. However, the person signing and the actual addressee usually do not correspond and therefore, the sender does not know whether the addressee really got the shipment.

Until now, none of the known devices meets all requirements, e. g. concerning to its geometrical dimensions, the amount of information that may be tracked, data privacy protection issues, system costs or timeliness of the reported information.

Summary of the invention It is therefore the object of the invention to create a method of tracking a location of transported goods, pertaining to the technical field initially mentioned, that is reliable and provides up-to-date and comprehensive information about the transport process.

The solution of the invention is specified by the features of claim 1 . According to the invention the method comprises the following steps:

a) providing a tracking module comprising a communication unit and an acknowledgment unit;

b) packing the tracking module together with the transported goods, in particular packing the tracking module and the transported goods in a common packaging; c) repeatedly determining a position of the tracking module;

d) communicating the determined position to a first authorized recipient; e) after receipt of the transported goods by the addressee and upon actuation of the acknowledgment unit communicating an acknowledgment of receipt to a second authorized recipient using the communication unit.

The acknowledgment unit being part of the tracking module allows for a rapid and simple transmission of the addressee's acknowledgment of receipt to the sender.

Furthermore, being able to determine the position of the tracking module allows for checking the position of the tracking module at the time of actuation of the acknowledgment unit. This allows for checking whether the goods have indeed arrived at their destination.

Usually, there will be a provider of the tracking service (in the following: "service provider") distributing the tracking modules to the users (either directly or via partners such as providers of postal or courier services), operating central servers and databases, collecting used modules, etc. Furthermore, there will be a transport service actually transporting the goods such as cargo containers, parcels, mail or other goods, including the tracking modules. The responsibilities may be distributed to the service provider and the transport service in various ways. It may even be the case that the same corporation is responsible for both services.

It is to be noted that the first authorized recipient may be the sender as well as the addressee of the goods but also the service provider, the transport service or even authorized third parties, including the data processing systems of these entities. Similarly, the second authorized recipient may be again the sender, the service provider, the transport service or authorized third parties, including the data processing systems of these entities. Therefore, the first and the second authorized recipient may be the same person, service or entity or different people, services or entities. Furthermore, the information mentioned above may be communicated to a plurality of recipients, either simultaneously or in succession. An authorized recipient may forward or make available the information to further authorized recipients. As an example, the information may be communicated to a central server of the transport service, where it may be made available to all users being able to enter the correct tracking number and password (typically the sender and the addressee).

In particular, the communication unit comprises a sender and receiver for a wireless network such as a cellular radio network. The communication unit and the acknowledgment unit may be separate components of the tracking module or they may be partially or completely integrated, e. g. by sharing a common central processing unit, memory and/or power supply.

The tracking module may be put into a common packaging, together with the goods to be transported. Alternatively, the tracking module may e. g. be attached to these goods or to the packaging or it may be part of the packaging.

The position of the tracking module may be partially or totally determined at the tracking module itself, e. g. by a dedicated localization unit of the tracking module. Alternatively, the position is partially or totally determined at a server of the service provider or of a third party. In order to determine the position information may be used that has been gathered by the tracking module itself (such as GPS data or data received from a wireless communication network, such as a cellular network or an accessible WLAN network) and/or information that has been obtained from other sources (such as from the wireless communication network itself).

Correspondingly, in first embodiments of the invention the tracking module comprises a localization unit including a GPS receiver, and using the GPS data the localization unit is capable of determining the tracking module's position without any interaction with further services. In second embodiments of the invention, data received from a wireless communication network, such as a cellular network or an accessible WLAN network is transmitted to a server of the service provider and/or of a dedicated localization service in order to determine the tracking module's position based on the data received from the network, i. e. localization is effected outside the tracking module. Suitable data may include the SSID of the WLAN network or information relating to one or several cells of the cellular network, such as cell IDs (e. g. obtained from the BCCH) or RSSI values. The data may be transmitted from the tracking module to the further service in raw form or after preprocessing. Furthermore, the location may be determined using even further techniques such as radio frequency identification, etc or using data obtained from a wireless communication network the communication unit of the tracking module connects to. The inventive method is suitable for the tracking of letters, parcels or other goods transported by services such as postal or courier services using a variety of means of transport such as trucks, ships, railways and airplanes, including passenger airplanes.

In principle, the inventive method works with all shipment types (like economic or express) and is independent of new infrastructure in the domain of the transport service. Depending on the kind of communication unit, the system may work essentially worldwide. In preferred embodiments, the used network is based on a cellular mobile network such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and the sender/receiver is able to communicate on as many bands as possible. However, in principle, the system is applicable to all present and future wireless networks offering certain coverage in the region that should be covered by the service. It does not require substantial adaptation if it is to be used in other countries or regions and can be easily integrated into systems of transport services.

Preferably, the device comprises an opening sensor, whereas an opening of the packaging is detected by the opening sensor and communicated to one of the authorized recipients using the communication unit. Opening of the packaging is an important event. It may in particular be an indication of the goods having arrived at the addressee, of the goods being checked at customs or of unauthorized activities. Depending on the time and position of the transported goods, one or several of these options may be ruled out.

Being aware of the packaging being opened, the sender or the transport service may take the appropriate measures. In case of unauthorized opening, a replacement delivery may be commanded, sensitive data stored on a transported mobile device may be remotely deleted or passwords communicated by tracked mail may be deactivated. In other cases it is helpful if the sender is aware of the fact that the packaging has not been opened even after some time of delivery to the addressee. In case the packaging contains perishable goods, living plants or animals or urgent information, the sender may inform the addressee about the necessity of opening the packaging as soon as possible.

Preferably, the opening sensor comprises a light sensor. Provided that the packaging is substantially opaque, detection of a substantial change of light intensity or type is a dependable indication of the packaging being opened. It is conceivable to use other types of sensors such as mechanical sensors or sound sensors. However, most packagings are not sound proof and it involves a complex analysis of recorded sounds in order to correlate sound with the opening of the packaging. Furthermore, mechanical sensors usually require some adaptation of the geometry or placement of the module. Whereas they may be suitable for tracking modules that are integrated into the packaging (such as a cardboard box or plastics container) they are much less for a standalone module that should be useable with most containers and packagings to be transported.

In certain embodiments, it may be useful to actuate the acknowledgment unit upon detection of the opening of the packaging by the opening sensor. Usually, the outside of the packaging will show a corresponding inscription, informing the addressee that opening of the packaging will correspond to acknowledging receipt of the goods. In order to avoid false positive detections, actuation may be delayed until the opening condition has persisted a certain amount of time. As an example in case of the opening sensor comprising a light sensor the acknowledgment unit may be actuated after 3 minutes of detected increased light intensity. The acknowledgment unit may be controlled using the data obtained from the further sensors mentioned below. For example, the acknowledgement unit may receive data from a fingerprint sensor or a signature scanner, such that it may be ensured that it is indeed the intended addresse that opened the shipment and acknowledged receipt thereof. Furthermore, upon detection of the opening of the packaging the acknowledgment of receipt may be communicated to the second authorized recipient only if the determined position of the tracking module is within specified geographical areas. For example, an acknowledgment may be communicated only if the determined position of the tracking module is within a certain distance of the address the goods are to be transported to. In an alternative embodiment, the acknowledgment is communicated only if the determined position of the tracking module is not within a certain distance of excluded geographical areas such as customs offices.

Comparison of the determined position and included or excluded geographical areas may be performed at the tracking module or at a central server of the service provider. In case opening of the packaging is detected when the determined position is neither in vicinity of the final destination nor in vicinity of one of the excluded areas where packagings may be opened, an alarm message may be communicated to the sender or the transport service.

In further embodiments, the acknowledgment unit is actuated by manual operation of an actuator. Therefore, the addressee acknowledges receipt of the goods by operating the actuator such as pressing a push-button on the outside of the tracking module.

Even in that embodiment it is preferable to have an opening sensor, as this allows for noticing that the goods have arrived at their destination (based on the determined position), that the packaging has been opened but that receipt has not (yet) been acknowledged.

In an alternative embodiment, the acknowledgment unit is actuated by direct communication with a local sender. This allows for acknowledging the receipt of the goods and opening of the packaging even in cases where the received items are processed automatically. Actuation may happen in different ways: First of all, the local sender may cause the acknowledgment unit to actively or passively emit signals such as electromagnetic signals identifying itself. For that purpose, the acknowledgment unit may e. g. include a sender or comprise an RFID tag. The local sender is connected to a local system that itself communicates the acknowledgment to the second authorized recipient, either direct or via the central server of the service provider. In order to ensure that the acknowledgment is genuine the local system will transmit an identification code read from the RFID tag or submitted by the sender of the tracking module. In another embodiment, the local sender will identify itself at the tracking module and the module itself will communicate the acknowledgment of receipt to the second authorized recipient, including identification information of the local sender, again direct or via the central server of the service provider.

Advantageously, the tracking module comprises an activation unit, whereas the position of the tracking module is determined and/or communicated to the first authorized recipient only after actuation of the activation unit. This ensures that position information is only collected and communicated upon activation by the sender, i. e. once the goods are en route. By doing so the charge condition of the tracking module's battery is conserved.

In some embodiments, activation may include switching on the module, i. e. providing the module's electronics with power. However, preferably the module is in a standby state already before activation and activation means that the module starts to actively communicate with the central servers and databases of the service provider in order to allow the determination of its position as well as the communication thereof to the first authorized recipient. Alternatively, activation changes the operation of a server of the service provider relating to the collection of data, the determination of the tracking module's position or the communication of the determined position to the first authorized receipient.

The activation unit may be activated by manual operation of an actuator such as a pushbutton on the outside of the tracking module. This solution is simple, easy to use and does not require any additional equipment at the sender. Preferably, a same component constitutes the actuator of the acknowledgment unit and the actuator of the activation unit. In particular, the component is a push-button, e. g. arranged on the outside of the tracking module. This allows for having a tracking module that gets by a single control element. This reduces complexity and space requirements. Furthermore, possible ambiguities in operation of the device are avoided.

As an alternative to the push-button, other types of actuators may be used such as switches or sliders or even touch screens. In any case it is preferred that the actuator is clearly visible even by people with visual impairments. As an alternative to manual actuation, the activation unit may be actuated by direct communication with a local sender. This allows for simple activation of the module even in cases where the items to be sent are processed automatically. In a preferred embodiment, the activation unit is connected to a receiver. Once the receiver picks up a corresponding signal of the local sender the activation unit is automatically actuated. The local sender may transmit further information to the tracking module such as information about the geometry, weight, destination or susceptibilities of the packaged goods.

As an alternative to determining and communicating the position only upon actuation by an activation unit, the tracking module may constantly determine the position and send corresponding information to the central server of the service provider. However, this will require that the user's privacy is ensured by the service provider, i. e. until it is detected that the tracking module is on route the service provider may not permanently store the location information or communicate the information to third parties.

Preferentially, the communication of determined positions to the first authorized receipient is permanently deactivated upon actuation of the acknowledgment unit. This means that the recipient, a transport service or other users may not reactivate the tracking module in such a way that any positioning information is communicated to the first authorized recipient until the device is reset by the provider of the tracking service. This avoids re-use of the same device without proper servicing and/or without proper reassignment to a new tracking instance. Furthermore, it avoids the misuse of the device by the recipient or third parties for other purposes.

Advantageously, determined positions are communicated to the first authorized recipient only upon the tracking module passing a certified checkpoint of a transporting service. This ensures that the tracking capabilities of the tracking module may only used in the context of a transport process carried out by an authorized transporting service. This inhibits misuses of the device: On one hand it may not be used for other purposes than tracking goods transported by a transporting service, on the other hand the device may not be used by further transporting services that do not have an authorization from the provider of the tracking service. Furthermore, as an alternative to activation by manual operation of an actuator, the activation of the tracking module may happen only upon the tracking module passing the certified checkpoint. This will ensure that every tracking module is activated and avoid "sleeping" tracking modules due to forgotten activation by the sender. However, this will mean that no retrospective tracking information will be sent to authorized recipients prior to passing the certified checkpoint.

Preferably, positions determined before the passing of the certified checkpoint are retrospectively communicated to the first authorized recipient. This allows for providing the first authorized recipient with a complete history of the transport process despite the transmission of position information only after passing the checkpoint.

Advantageously, the position information is communicated to the first authorized recipient (including a database or server of the service provider making the information available to the users) in predetermined time intervals. In usual transport processes the availability of a position information each hour or every 30 minutes is usually sufficient. By thus limiting · the number of communications the charge condition of the tracking module's battery is · conserved. This allows for building the module in a more compact way, which enhances ^ the field of application of the tracking module to smaller packagings such as e. g. blister ^■ envelopes or even usual letter envelopes. <

In a preferred embodiment, the communication of position information occurs only after several, temporally separated determinations of the position of the tracking module, whereafter the determined positions are communicated retrospectively to the first authorized recipient. This largely preserves the battery-saving effect of a comparably small number of communications. However, at the same time the path of the tracked goods is captured with better resolution than if the number of determinations of the position corresponds to the number of communications. Furthermore, if the detected position indicates an alarm situation, the tracking device may correspondingly react (see below).

Advantageously, in a close monitoring mode of the tracking module the position information is determined and communicated to the first authorized recipient in shorter intervals, whereas the close monitoring mode may be activated by an authorized person. This allows for quickly obtaining up to date location information (and status information if applicable). The authorized person may be the first authorized recipient, the second authorized recipient, the transporting service and/or an authorized third person.

In addition to activation by an authorized person the close monitoring mode may be activated automatically if certain conditions (e. g. concerning time and/or location, the measurements of status sensors etc.) are met. The close monitoring mode may be activated for a certain time interval (which may be fixedly predetermined or depend from conditions as mentioned above). Furthermore, the close monitoring mode may be deactivated by the authorized person or upon acknowledgment of receipt or deactivation of the tracking module.

Preferably, the tracking module monitors at least one status parameter measured by a status sensor. Status information derived from the status parameter is communicated to one of the authorized recipients. Depending on the kind of measured status parameters, this enhances the field of application. In advantageous embodiments of the invention the monitored status comprises at least one of the following: a) motion;

This includes linear or rotational acceleration, vibrations etc. It may be measured by an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope, vibration sensor etc. The motion of the tracking module may provide information about the currently used means of transportation, it may indicate whether the goods are indeed transported or whether they just sit in a storage area. Furthermore, there are sensitive goods that do not bear accelerations that exceed a certain limit. Using acceleration sensors, it may be checked whether this limit is met along the entire transport route of the shipment.

b) air pressure;

Based on air pressure, the altitude of the transported goods may be determined. In a cabin or cargo hold of an aircraft, the air pressure is reduced compared to ground air pressure as well. Therefore, air pressure may also provide information about the currently used means of transportation as well as complement the location information obtained from the localization unit. Again, sensitive goods may not bear pressures outside a given range. Therefore, using air pressure sensors it may be checked that this range is not left.

c) humidity;

Similar to air pressure, humidity in a cabin or cargo hold of an aircraft changes in a characteristic way during a flight. Similarly, other means of transport such as ships or trucks show other characteristic humidity values or progressions. Readings of a humidity sensor may therefore also be used to imply the currently used means of transportation and/or its current status. As sensitive goods often do not stand high or low humidity, monitoring humidity may again ensure that the environment of the goods does not do any harm to them.

d) temperature;

Similar to air pressure and humidity temperature is another environmental parameter which may be used to imply the currently used means of transportation, and again many sensitive goods are vulnerable to temperatures outside a given range. As an example, living tissue should be kept at cold temperatures, however it should not freeze. In contrast, the temperature of deep-frozen foodstuffs should not rise above - 18°C etc.

e) air quality;

Certain goods such as e. g. foodstuffs or textiles should not be exposed to polluted or loaded air. Therefore, monitoring air quality allows for determining whether the goods could have been affected or damaged during transport. Furthermore, certain goods such as chemicals or biologic material may affect the quality of the surrounding air if they break down or they are released e. g. due to a defective packaging. In these cases it may be important that countermeasures are initiated as quickly as possible.

f) charge of battery;

Another status to be monitored could be the charge of a battery, namely the battery of the tracking module of a transported item that consumes battery power or of the packaging if it is e. g. provided with battery-powered air condition, ventilation, heating etc. Detecting low battery charge allows for initiating countermeasures such as lowering the activity of the battery-powered component in order to save energy or taking out the goods at the next occasion in order to replace or charge the battery.

g) sound;

Information about ambient noises allows for obtaining indications about the current means of transportation. Furthermore, some items to be transported generate sounds themselves which allow for supervising their status.

h) presence of liquids;

It may be important to detect whether liquids are present using a corresponding sensor of the tracking module. First of all, if liquid goods are transported, detecting liquids by the tracking module's sensor might imply that a packaging of the liquid goods is defective. Furthermore, many goods are sensitive to moisture. Detecting liquids proves whether the goods have been affected during transport.

i) light intensity;

In the case of a tracking module being packed together with the goods in an opaque packaging, a substantial rise of light intensity may indicate that the packing has been opened. In the case of a (partially) transparent packaging or a tracking module (or at least a light sensor of the tracking module) arranged at the outside of the packaging measuring the light intensity may be used to determine the current means of transportation. Furthermore, during the transport of light-sensitive goods compliance with corresponding requirements may be checked.

j) scanned hand writing;

The tracking module may comprise a scanner for hand writing. This allows e. g. to obtain a signature of the addressee of the transported goods and therefore to transmit an acknowledgment of receipt which meets certain standards. Similary, the addresse is offered the possibility of easily submitting a message to the sender by means of the scanner.

k) biometrical data;

The tracking module may be provided by a biometrical reader such as a finger print reader or a camera for iris or face recognition. This allows for ensuring the identity of the addressee. As an example the acknowledgment of receipt may only be accepted if it is confirmed by biometrical data that the intended addresse has in fact received the shipment.

I) keyboard input;

The tracking module may be provided by a keyboard. The entered (alphanumeric) data may be communicated to one of the authorized recipients using the communication unit. As an example, the addressee may submit a mesage to the sender.

m) weight;

Often it is useful to know the weight of the transported goods (including the packaging and tracking module). In order to obtain corresponding information the tracking module may be provided by a sort of scales: If the tracking module is positioned lowermost in the packaging (or has this position during the transport process) it will be able to obtain weight information. However, it has to be taken into account that the mass of at least a part of the packaging and possibly also of a part of the goods will not contribute to the weight reading. The weight information may be improved, if a number of measurements are taken in different orientations of the packaging and if they are subsequently averaged in an appropriate way. In a preferred alternative the weight of the complete shipment is determined using an acceleration sensor of the tracking module which measures the acceleration of the shipment in reaction to a predefined force. This predefined force is acted upon the shipment at a corresponding station of a cargo handling facility of the transporting service. The acceleration sensor is either activated by a wireless signal or if it detects a characteristic acceleration pattern due to a number of defined impulses. Finally, instead of having a sensor within the tracking module, a weight sensor (such as a scales) may be arranged at the cargo handling facility and transmit its measurements to the tracking module using wireless communication (such as radio communication).

n) image information;

The tracking module may be provided with a camera that allows for visually monitoring the surroundings of the shipment. The images taken by the camera may be displayed as such to the authorized recipient or they may be analyzed automatically using corresponding image processing methods. o) information obtained from a third party device or system.

The tracking module may contain an interface to an object, system or device in possession of the addressee, like a security token or a identification USB key, in order to provide a possibility for the addresse to correctly identify [himself or to ensure that the shipment got to the correct destination. J[BSIJ

In principle, measuring a status parameter (or a plurality of status parameters) by one or several status sensors allows for: i. monitoring the environmental conditions of the shipped goods, assuring that the goods reach their final address unaffected; ii. more closely monitoring the quality of the transport process itself (detecting interrupted transport or damages to the goods or the packaging); iii. avoiding damage to the shipment's surroundings due to leaking substances or similar; iv. avoiding unauthorized actions such as unauthorized opening, theft (even of only parts of the shipment) etc.

An alarm may be triggered upon detection of a status deviating from a predefined range and/or of rate of change of a status exceeding a certain value. Triggering of the alarm may happen directly in the tracking module, in a central server of the service provider or only in a corresponding unit of the transport service or the end user. Deviation from a predefined range includes exceeding a predefined maximum value or falling below a predefined minimum value.

For example, an alarm may be triggered if measured status parameters indicate conditions that may be damaging to the transported goods. In this case the triggering of the alarm triggers a replacement delivery at a sender of the transported goods. This may even include the production of replacement goods at a manufacturer for these goods. This allows for a rapid replacement delivery in urgent cases, e. g. when biological material is shipped that is essential for the survival of a patient. Advantageously, the determined position is communicated to a central server and the central server displays the position and/or the path of the tracking module constituted of the present and previous positions to the first authorized recipient on a map. Visualization of the path of the goods allows for user-friendly communication of the results of the tracking. The user is used to map displays from existing services (such as Google Maps or Google Earth etc.). The display on the map might even be based on these existing services.

The inventive process may include the further step of refurbishing the tracking module comprising at least the charging or replacement of a battery, the deletion of a memory of the tracking module and the preparation for another activation. This allows for reusing the device, ensures reliability and avoids misuses of the device by unauthorized parties or for unauthorized purposes.

Other advantageous embodiments and combinations of features come out from the detailed description below and the totality of the claims.

Brief description of the drawings The drawings used to explain the embodiments show: Fig. 1 a flow chart of the inventive method;

Fig. 2A, B schematical representations of the tracking device as used in the context of the inventive method; and

Fig. 3 a block diagram of the tracking device. In the figures, the same components are given the same reference symbols.

Preferred embodiments

Figure 1 is a flow chart of the inventive method. A customer, such as a private person, who aims at sending a parcel goes to a post office or another shop and buys a tracking device (see below, Figures 2 and 3). At the time the customer wants to send a shipment, he follows the instructions printed onto the device, thus removes a label and operates a push button, which activates the device (step 101 ) and puts it into the parcel (step 102) which is to be sent to an addressee.

The customer then goes to a post office and posts the parcel in the usual way (step 103). There is no requirement that the postal employee or even the post knows about the device in the shipment. Alternatively, the customer can insert a device into its shipment by the counter, but in this case, he needs to reopen its shipment, which may be cumbersome. In yet another alternative, a tracking device may be attached to the parcel, e. g. glued to the outside of the parcel. In any of these alternative cases, the postal employee will be able to explain the customer how to use the device.

The shipment will be transported by the transport service as any other parcel. During the transport the location of the shipment will be periodically determined. In the described embodiment, the determination of the location is done using cell-based localization which is known as such: a sender/receiver for a mobile network communicates with a cell site. The coordinates (longitude/latitude) of the cell site are deemed to be the location of the shipment at the time of communication. The determined locations (or cell-IDs) and the corresponding times are stored in a memory of the tracking device. Initially however, no such information will be communicated from the tracking device.

At one point, the parcel with the tracking device will pass a certified checkpoint, e. g. a corresponding station of an automated parcel processing center of the transportation service. This is when the tracking device will be switched to communicating its time/location information to a central data processing system (central system 200) of the service provider (step 104). The central system 200 comprises a database engine known as such that allows for updating, processing and querying data stored within storage of the central system 200. The first communication (step 105) will include the communication of all the previously stored data (step 105) related to the transport of the given tracking device. Communication is effected by means of the mobile cellular network which is also used for the localization. It may be effected by standard SMS text messages or by a dedicated data protocol. After that, the gathered information will be periodically sent to the central system 200, such as every hour (steps 106.1 ... 106.n). Usually, a communication will comprise more than one time/location record as they will be generated more often, such as every 1 5 minutes. If a link on the mobile network cannot be established at the time of the planned communication this will be retried several times, such as up to 5 times, every 3 minutes. The time/location information will be stored in the central system 200, assigned to the tracking number of the tracking device, whereas each record includes location and time information, such as latitude and longitude as well as GMT.

After having posted the shipment and after the communication is switched on when the shipment passes the certified checkpoint, the customer will be able to track his shipment using a service, e. g. a web-based portal. For that purpose, the label removed from the device carries a tracking number which may be entered into the user interface of the online service (step 151). The customer is the only one at this stage who knows this number. However, he can transmit it to someone else, if he wishes to, such as the addressee. This will allow the other person to enter the tracking number to the user interface of the online service as well (step 161 ).

The service provider will be able to monitor the shipment as well. When the number is correctly entered, the online service will consult the central system 200 (step 152 or step 162 respectively) for retrieving tracking information, a window pops up displaying a map where the path of the shipment, including the last seen position is graphically marked (step 1 53 or step 163 respectively). If the tracking device only stores the cell-IDs these will be mapped to geographical coordinates in the central system 200 where the locations of the cell sites are known or where they may be retrieved from existing specialized services.

The map is interactive and the customer can zoom in or out or move around. A specific text relating to the final destination or the next sub-ordinate target can be inserted to reassure the customer if he thinks that the package took the wrong way. This reduces the number of customers making enquiries at the service provider, suspecting that there was something wrong with the handling of their shipment.

The path displayed on the map is composed of a number of records received from the central system 200. When displaying the map, temporally adjacent points are preferably connected by lines. In addition to the map (or as an alternative) the records may be displayed in table form, ordered by ascending (or descending) time. Finally, there may be a simple view, which only displays the latest location (in a map or in textual form). The time indications are preferably all given in the local time of the user. In addition to the path records, further information may be displayed such as the time and place of activation of the device or other characteristic events (see below).

In order to meet demands relating to data protection or in order to prevent misuses, e. g. for terrorist attacks, the information provided to the customer could be limited as follows:

• It is shown only after a predetermined delay after the localization. The delay may be fixed (such as e. g. 30 minutes) or it may be varied within the transport process, e. g. depending from the current speed of transportation, the current location etc.

• The tracing is not available to the customer, only the last position.

• In order to avoid a routing reverse-engineering, a user shall not be able to log in from the same IP address more than a given number of times within a certain time interval, such as not more than 3 times in 1 hour.

All the information mentioned above including the location reports before passing the certified checkpoint may either be filtered on the device itself or only in the database. More information, like time since last moving, can be shown, if desired.

Alternatively or in addition the users of the service will have to identify themselves if they like to obtain more detailed information such as by a digital ID or other suitable authentification.

During the transport, above all in the case of international shipments, the parcel may be opened, especially by customs authorities. Opening of the parcel will be detected by a light sensor of the tracking device (step 107). This triggers the determination of the current location (step 108) as well as communicating that location to the central system 200 (step 109). The central system 200 will compare the location to the known locations of customs authorities. If the locations match, it is assumed that the parcel is opened by the customs authorities and no further actions are effected. If the locations do not match, a corresponding record will be added to the path of the shipment and displayed to the user when displaying the tracking information. Additionally or alternatively, the user will be immediately informed about the opening event such as by e-mail, SMS or another suitable communication means. After that, the tracking process (steps 106.1 ... 106. n) will continue.

After receipt of the shipment by the final addressee, it will be opened as well. This is again detected by the light sensor (step 1 10). The addressee is requested by further instructions printed onto the device to press a red button (step 1 1 1 ) in order to acknowledge receipt of the shipment. A corresponding message will be sent to the central system 200 (step 1 12) and be available for display to the customer. Again, the customer may be immediately informed about receipt of his shipment, preferably by SMS. If receipt is not acknowledged during a certain time period after detection of the opening of the parcel, a corresponding record will be added to the tracking history.

Finally, the addressee may drop the device in any letterbox (step 1 13). It carries the address of a refurbishing center of the service provider and will be sent to that address by business reply mailing (step 1 14).

The data is stored in the database and available on the website during a certain period of time, e. g. 6 months. After that, it may be finally deleted.

For a corporate customer the process may be slightly different, as usually a large number of parcels to be shipped will be prepared at the same time. However, in principle also the corporate customer will (manually or automatically) remove the label from the envelope. As this piece contains a barcode, the tracking number may be read using a barcode reader and assigned to the given parcel in a database of the customer. From then on, the database will be able to assign the parcel to the tracking number and vice versa. As a matter of course, the tracking number may be stored and transmitted to the database of the customer by other means. As examples, the label may comprise an RFID tag storing the number or the tracking number is stored in a storage of the tracking device itself and communicated by means of the sender/receiver for the mobile network or other wireless communication means. The customer will be able to log onto the online service as well. It will have the possibility of logging into his own account allowing for displaying all current shipments, either one by one or a group or selection or all of its shipments at the same time, in graphical or textual form. Furthermore, there is an interface allowing for synchronizing the information of the central system 200 with the customer's database. For that purpose the web service provider offers a documented API (application programming interface).

Both the private as well as the corporate customer may modify notification parameters. Standard values are set, but the customers can also set specific parameters for a shipment, like adding a phone number or removing a value. The customers can as well include dynamic information, like assigning an internal shipment number to the service's tracking number.

The Figure 2 is a schematical representation of the tracking device as used in the context of the inventive method. Figure 2A shows the front side of the device packed into an envelope, Figure 2B shows the back side of the device packed into the envelope. When the device 300 is distributed to the customer it is packed in an envelope 301. During use, the customers shall not open the package. They are able to use all the available functionality of the device 300 without having to open it. The packed device looks like a letter and contains all the necessary information, that the device 300 can be sent back to the service center. In order to comply with international standards for Business Reply mail, the minimum size of the envelope 301 is 140mm x 90mm. Its maximum thickness is 5 mm. It is to be noted that the addressee is detained from opening the envelope as he will not be able to use it anymore for free shipment if it has been opened.

On the front side shown in Figure 2A, the envelope 301 is provided by an indication 302 that it is to be sent by International Business Reply mail. Furthermore, it is provided by the address 303 of a center of the service provider, where the devices 300 are refurbished. Finally, it is as well provided by a customs declaration 304 stating that the content of the envelope is of no commercial value.

Prior to use, default addresses (such as IP addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers) for sending location and/or status information are stored within the device 300. These addresses may be changed by the transport service prior to distribution to the customers or they may be changed even at a later time by authorized instances using a mobile network the device 300 is capable of connecting to.

The back side of the envelope as shown in Figure 2B features instructions 31 1 for the receiver of the envelope instructing him to press a button 312 of the device 300, the position of which being marked on the envelope by a striking red circle, and to return the tracking device 300 free of charge using the envelope 301.

A removable label 313 provides instructions for the sender. He is instructed to press the button 31 2 for at least two seconds to activate the device, whereas activation will be confirmed by a LED flashlight 314 arranged besides the button 312 and shining through the material of the envelope. Furthermore, the sender is instructed to remove the label 313 and to visit an indicated internet site to obtain tracking information. Finally, the label 313 states the tracking number, which may be e. g. a 10-digit number including one or more check digits, as well as a machine-readable representation of the tracking number such as a bar code. This allows for automatically processing the envelope, e. g. by corporate customers. The tracking numbers are distributed by the service provider and shall enable to identify which partner (transport service) has sold the device.

The device 300 itself packed into the envelope 301 comprises a plastic housing surrounded at least in the main plane of the device by foamed plastic (or another shock- absorbing material) in such a way that the planar size of the device 300 corresponds to about the internal space of the envelope 301 , such that the device 300 does not substantially move within the envelope 301 during transport. A printed-circuit board (PCB) is contained within the housing carrying electrical components as well as a battery, the push button 312 and the LED flashlight 314. The housing carries a bar code ( 1 or 2D bar code) to identify the device during the refurbishment process. This number, as opposed to the tracking number, is fixed to the device and never changes.

The Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the device 300. Its functional components comprise a central processing unit (CPU) 321 with a storage 322, a GSM sender/receiver module 323 connected to an antenna 324, the push button 312 and the LED flashlight 314, both connected to the CPU 321. All components are directly or indirectly supplied with power from a power source such as battery 325. During normal use the battery will provide power for at least 30 days, usually for about 40 days. The GSM sender/receiver module 323 is a quad-band module which will allow operation in all GSM networks worldwide.

Furthermore, the device 300 comprises a light sensor 326 which is as well connected to CPU 321. The light sensor 326 includes a photoresistor which is exposed to the outside of the housing through a small opening therein. It allows for measuring the light penetrating the envelope. Detecting a sudden increase in light intensity using the light sensor 326 the opening of the parcel may be detected. In such an event, the tracking device 300 tries to obtain its present position or cell ID respectively, using the GSM sender/receiver module 323. After that, the position will be communicated to the central database, again using the GSM sender/ receiver module 323, together with a code indicating opening of the parcel.

At the database the corresponding engine will check whether the location of the tracking device 300 matches

a) a location of customs offices;

b) the location of the addressee of the shipment; or

c) none of a) or b).

In case a) the corresponding information (time, event "opened at customs offices") will be stored in a record that will be available to the users together with the usual tracking information.

In case b) the corresponding information will as well be added to the tracking information accessible by the users, this time as a usual additional location record.

In case c) the sender, the addressee and/or a specific instance of the transport service will be alerted in order to check whether the shipment could have been stolen or opened by unauthorized people. The tracking device 300 may comprise further sensors as mentioned above. E. g., they may be used in order to monitor the environment of sensitive shipped goods (temperature, humidity, light intensity, acceleration etc.). Again, the detection of values outside of given acceptable ranges may trigger an alarm and communication of certain data (value of the respective parameter with or without location information) to the database and further to the sender, the addressee and/or a specific instance of the transport service.

As mentioned, the addressee has the possibility of sending back the device to a refurbishment center for free. He just has to drop it into any mailbox and it is sent back to the center. Alternatively, a corporate customer who receives devices can store them somewhere and receive some money back to send them bulk.

In the refurbishment center, the device will be taken out of the envelope. Then, the ID printed onto the housing of the device is read. Then, the storage of the device will be dependably erased. It will then be checked whether the device can be reused or not. If not, the cause of not being reusable will be entered into the refurbishment center's database,. in order to have information for future improvement of the lifetime of the device. If the device is reusable the battery will be recharged or replaced.

Then, a system check is performed. If it turns out positively, the device is put into a new envelope and the envelope is closed.

The invention is not restricted to the preferred embodiment disclosed above. Many aspects of the method or the used device may be changed as mentioned in the introductory portion of the description.

For example, the determination of the location of the tracking device may be done differently. As mentioned above, the actual determination of the location may be performed outside of the device such as in the central system of the service provider, using location dependent information gathered by the tracking module or by other means and communicated to where the localization is done. In addition, the gathering of such information as well as the communication of position information to the recipients may be totally or partially initiated, controlled or prohibited by the central system instead of by the tracking device itself. Specifically and in addition, instead of the LED flashlight another kind of means such as another kind of light source, a display, a vibration unit or a buzzer may be used.

The transmission of location and status data may be effected using different protocols based on different kind of networks/services such as E-Mails, SMS or MMS on GSM, UMTS, CDMA etc.

Instead of pressing the red button, the receipt may be acknowledged differently: As an example, the addressee may provide a signature on a touch screen, he or she may provide proof about his or her identity such as by presenting a usual ID to a camera or a machine- readable ID to a corresponding reader. Furthermore, the tracking device may feature sensors for sensing biometrical features of the addressee such as fingerprints, the iris, the voice etc. Alternatively, the addressee enters or presents a code obtained through another way of communication in order to prove his or her identity.

Furthermore, it is possible to continue tracking the tracking device during return transport to the refurbishment center. The corresponding information will be sent to the database of the service provider but it will not be made available to third persons.

In summary, it is to be noted that the invention creates a method of tracking a location of transported goods that is reliable and provides up-to-date and comprehensive information about the transport process.

Claims

1. A method of tracking a location of transported goods, comprising the following steps: a) providing a tracking module comprising a communication unit and an acknowledgment unit;

d) communicating the determined position to a first authorized recipient;

e) after receipt of the transported goods by the addressee and upon actuation of the acknowledgment unit communicating an acknowledgment of receipt to a second authorized recipient using the communication unit.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , characterized in that the device comprises an opening sensor, whereas an opening of the packaging is detected by the opening sensor and communicated to one of the authorized recipients using the communication unit.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, characterized in that the opening sensor comprises a light sensor.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the acknowledgment unit is actuated upon detection of the opening of the packaging by the opening sensor.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, characterized in that upon detection of the opening of the packaging the acknowledgment of receipt is communicated to the second authorized recipient only if the determined position of the tracking module is within specified geographical areas.

6. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the acknowledgment unit is actuated by manual operation of an actuator.

7. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the acknowledgment unit is actuated by direct communication with a local sender.

8. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tracking module comprises an activation unit, whereas the position of the tracking module is determined and/or communicated to the first authorized recipient only after actuation of the activation unit.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, characterized in that the activation unit is activated by manual operation of an actuator.

10. The method as recited in claims 6 and 9, characterized in that a same component constitutes the actuator of the acknowledgment unit and the actuator of the activation unit, whereas in particular the component is a push-button.

1 1. The method as recited in one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the activation unit is actuated by direct communication with a local sender.

12. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized in that the communication of determined positions to the first authorized receipient is permanently deactivated upon actuation of the acknowledgment unit.

13. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that determined positions are communicated to the first authorized recipient only after the tracking module has passed a certified checkpoint of a transporting service.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, characterized in that positions determined before the passing of the certified checkpoint are retrospectively communicated to the first authorized recipient.

15. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the position information is communicated to the first authorized recipient in predetermined time intervals.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, characterized in that the communication of position information occurs only after several, temporally separated determinations of the position of the tracking module, whereas the determined positions are communicated retrospectively to the first authorized recipient.

17. The method as recited in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that in a close monitoring mode of the tracking module the position information is determined and communicated to the first authorized recipient in shorter intervals, whereas the close monitoring mode may be activated by an authorized person.

18. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the tracking module monitors at least one status parameter measured by a status sensor and in that status information derived from the status parameter is communicated to one of the authorized recipients.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, characterized in that the monitored status comprises at least one of the following:

a) motion;

b) air pressure;

c) humidity;

d) temperature; e) air quality; f) charge of battery; g) sound; h) presence of liquids; i) light intensity; j) scanned hand writing; k) biometrical data;

1) keyboard input;

m) weight; n) image information; o) information obtained from a third party device or system

20. The method as recited in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that an alarm is triggered upon detection of a status deviating from a predefined range and/or of rate of change of a status exceeding a certain value.

21 . The method as recited in claim 20, characterized in that the triggering of an alarm triggers a replacement delivery at a sender of the transported goods.

22. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 21 , characterized in that the determined position is communicated to a central server, and in that the central server displays the position to the first authorized recipient on a map.

23. The method as recited in one of claims 1 to 22, characterized by the further step of refurbishing the tracking module comprising at least the charging or replacement of a battery, the deletion of a memory of the tracking module and the preparation for another activation.