Systems and methods for tracking a wood pallet using an embedded tracking device
US10846648B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2019 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/37355
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cavity is cut into a wooden structure (e.g., stringer, block, or deckboard) of a wood pallet such that an electronic tracking device can be embedded into the wooden structure for tracking the pallet. The cavity is shaped to allow for a sufficient thickness of remaining wood material surrounding the cavity to remain strong and also to allow for sufficient thinness so wireless signals can be reliably transmitted to/from electronics within the cavity. The remaining space within the cavity around the embedded tracking device is filled with a potting material to secure and protect the tracking device within the cavity. The tracking device monitors the location of the pallet and provides location data to a back-end system over a communication channel either directly or via a local hub. The back-end system performs analytics on the location data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.