Method and apparatus for control or monitoring of a container

US8258950B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Savi Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ravindra U. Rajapakse · San Francisco, US
• Roderick E. Thorne · Palo Alto, US
• Robert Fraser Jennings · San Mateo, US
• Steven J. Farrell · Sunnyvale, US
• Liping Zhu · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 15, 2005
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 24, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/00
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus includes a carrier, and a system that is responsive to wireless signals transmitted by tags on items carried by the carrier for maintaining a local inventory of items carried by the carrier. A different apparatus involves a carrier having a container with an interior, a sensor for detecting a condition externally of the container that can be related to an environment within the container, and a system that handles information from the sensor in a manner facilitating an evaluation of the likelihood that a problem exists within the container. Another apparatus involves a carrier for a plurality of items, and a system that is responsive to wireless signals received from a remote location for determining a current location of the carrier and for evaluating whether the carrier is proceeding along an intended route.