Method and a system for preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units each having associated a wireless logger device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023805091
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-18
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-24
AI Technical Summary
Current logger devices in the supply chain struggle to provide accurate tracking of sensitive assets like pharmaceutical products, as they are typically identified at the shipment level, making it difficult to track individual units when they are split, leading to potential risks in temperature and environmental monitoring during transportation.
A method and system where each shipment unit is equipped with a wireless logger device that transmits positional and environmental data, with a unique identifier paired to the logger device, allowing for real-time tracking and monitoring down to the unit level, even when units are split, using technologies like RFID and QR codes for data transmission and storage.
This solution provides full visibility and accurate monitoring of assets throughout the supply chain, ensuring the integrity of sensitive products by enabling tracking at the individual unit level, reducing reliance on estimations and enhancing safety during transportation.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR PREPARING A SHIPMENT CONSISTING OF MULTIPLE SHIPMENT UNITS EACH HAVING ASSOCIATED A WIRELESS LOGGER DEVICE
[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a method and a system for preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units each having associated a wireless logger device.
[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] With the expansion and growth of global sourcing in the supply chain industry, more prevalent interest has been placed on the automatic monitoring of time and environmental related parameters to increase food and drug safety and improve food defense systems throughout all areas of production, processing, storage, transportation and operations. Food and drugs require proper handling of environment related parameters such as temperature during transport to assure shelf quality, longevity, and safety.
[0006] Logger devices are electronic monitoring devices commonly used for these purposes, namely, to be associated to assets such as food, beverages, or drugs to automatically monitor and record various environmental related parameters of the assets throughout a supply chain, such as temperature, humidity, acceleration, and air pressure over time. A recent example of importance of such logger devices is the temperature monitoring of the CO VID-19 vaccines, which is a critical monitoring parameter.
[0007] Supply chains contains different transport legs, such as a primary transport leg where a primary distribution from manufacturing facility to regional distribution site takes place, a secondary transport leg where secondary distribution from the regional distribution site to e.g. local market distribution takes place, and last mile transport leg where the last mile distribution from the regional distribution to pharmacies, hospitals or direct to patient takes place.
[0008] Logger devices that are used today to monitor a shipment are uniquely identified with a barcode ID, which when scanned gives a unique number for this particular logger, e.g. CMS30119343. This code is known by the logistics provider and in some cases also by the manufacturer of the asset, e.g. said pharmaceutical product, where this number only makes sense in the internal system of the logistics provider where it is linked to a particular shipment of pharmaceutical products. This shipment may as an example be a container containing e.g. 20 pallets of a pharmaceutical product.
[0009] Tracking on the shipment level, e.g. said container or pallet level, makes all tracking later in the supply chain difficult, and in some cases impossible, when the container is split into pallet levels, and the pallets are divided into box levels etc.. This lack of visibility in e.g. the temperature tracking causes a risk to the integrity of the sensitive products during transport in the supply chain, and particularly in the secondary transport leg, and last mile transport leg, where the tracking is often based on estimations which obviously is not a favourable way of tracking sensitive assets such as pharmaceutical products.
[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide an improvement to the tracking of sensitive assets such as pharmaceutical products where the tracking is not on a shipment level but instead is on a unit level. In the following, for simplicity, it is assumed that the asset is a pharmaceutical but the asset may just as well be, but is not limited to, food or beverage.
[0012] In general, the invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art singly or in any combination. In particular, it may be seen as an object of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a method and a system that solves the above-mentioned problems, or other problems.
[0013] To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect of the invention a method is provided of preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units, where each shipment unit has an associated wireless logger device and is configured to carry an asset, where the wireless logger device is configured to, while transporting the asset from an origin location to a destination location, regularly transmit positional data of the logger device to an external data processing device, wherein for each shipment unit selected from the multiple shipment units and the associated logger device, the method comprises:
[0014] • uniquely identifying the shipment unit with a unique shipment unit identifier (ID) at an outer side of the shipment unit, where the unique shipment unit ID contains data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit,
[0015] • uniquely identifying the wireless logger device with a unique logger device identifier (ID), • pairing the unique logger device ID with the unique shipment unit ID,
[0016] • storing the paired unique logger device ID and the unique shipment unit ID at the external data processing device, and
[0017] • placing the logger device into the shipment unit before closing the shipment unit such that the logger device is physically separated from the shipment unit ID, wherein while transporting the asset contained in the shipment unit from the origin location to the destination location the logger device is further configured to, in addition to the regularly transmitted positional data, to transmit the logger device ID to the external data processing device.
[0018] The shipment unit may be on a consumer packing level (e.g. a package with a single medicine), or box level packing (e.g. multiple consumer packages in a single box) as an example.
[0019] Accordingly, such a “unit pairing” enables full tracking down to the “unit level” when multiple of such shipment units are initially transported within the supply chain as a larger package, e.g. multiple shipment units placed on a pallet, where this larger package is later on split into smaller packaging units in a (e.g. distribution centre) and down into the shipment unit level.
[0020] Due to the pairing of the logger device ID and the unique shipment unit ID, the external data processing device, via the received logger device ID, contains the necessary data to link the received positional data for each individual logger device to the characteristic information of the asset in the individual shipment units. Thus, a full visibility of the assets in the shipment units is provided throughout the whole supply chain where multiple transport legs are present.
[0021] The term supply chain may as an example be understood as a transport from a manufacturing and / or the packaging side where the asset is manufactured and / or packed to a first destination which may be a first distribution centre, e.g. at a harbour (this may be understood as the primary transport), from the first destination to at least one second destination (e.g. one or more distribution centre(s)). This second one or more transport legs may be understood as the secondary transport. From there the shipment units (one or more together) are transported to a final destination, which may e.g. be hospital, pharmacy, patient etc.. This last transport leg may be understood as the last mile transport. The wireless logger device may according to the present invention be understood as an loT label or “smart-label” where the power source may contain an ultra-thin flexible battery, e.g. a ZincPoly solid-state battery, where the thickness of the wireless logger device may be within the millimeter range.
[0022] The wireless logger device may also be referred to as a real time logger, or as a multi-use data logger, containing a re-chargeable battery, e.g. lithium-ion or dry cell battery, where the thickness of the logger device may be between 1-3 cm thick.
[0023] In an embodiment, the logger device is further configured to measure, via at least one sensor comprised in the logger device, at least one environment related parameter while transporting the asset from the origin location to a destination location, wherein the method further comprises additionally transmitting the measured at least one environment related parameter together with the positional data and the logger device ID to the external data processing device. Thus, additionally a real time tracking of the at least one environment related parameter while transporting the asset from the origin location to a destination location is provided. This could as an example include the temperature, and / or humidity, and / or light intensity, and / or acceleration / decel eration, and / or air pressure etc..
[0024] In an embodiment, the multiple shipment units comprise at least two shipment units containing assets having different characteristic property and where the unique shipment unit IDs’ for the at least two shipment units contains data structures having different characteristic information. This is relevant when the asset is a sensitive product such as a pharmaceutical product that requires different handling and is e.g. differently affected by parameters such as the temperature during the shipment. Thus, by additionally transmitting the measured at least one environment related parameter together with the positional data and the logger device ID to the external data processing device it is possible to carry out accurate monitoring procedures during the transport and e.g. issuing an alarm when one asset is being jeopardized.
[0025] In an embodiment, when transporting two or more shipment units together the logger devices for each shipment unit regularly transmit the positional data of the logger device to the external data processing device. Referring to the example above, where multiple shipment units are arranged on a pallet, all the logger devices in the shipment units would regularly transmit said data.
[0026] In another alternative embodiment, the shipment might be created such that only one of the logger devices transmit said data on a regular basis. In an embodiment, the step of pairing the unique logger identifier with the unique shipment unit ID comprises:
[0027] • scanning the unique shipment unit ID on the shipment unit, and
[0028] • storing the unique shipment unit ID in the memory of the logger device.
[0029] Accordingly, a simple solution is provided of performing said pairing where the unique logger identifier is directly linked to the unique ID of the shipment unit.
[0030] The storing may in one embodiment be formed by use of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that receives the scanned unique ID on the shipment unit and interacts with the memory of the wireless logger device resulting in said storing.
[0031] In an embodiment, the unique shipment unit ID comprises GS1 code in a form of a barcode or Quick Response (QR) code or data matrix code comprising at least one of a: serialization identifier, Product identifier (GTIN), expiration date identifier and / or Batch / Lot number identifier.
[0032] In an embodiment, the unique shipment unit ID comprises plurality of application identifiers including serial number identifier for the asset, where scanning the unique shipment unit ID subsequent to preparing the shipment gives an access to a manufacturer Uniform Resource Locator (URL) portal address where at least some of the following information is accessible:
[0033] • measured environmental parameters,
[0034] • information related to the characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit such as one or more of the: amount of assets, type of assets, expiry date of the assets,
[0035] • information related to the wireless logger device such as information related to the power source.
[0036] The measured environment related parameters may e.g. include temperature measurements and where the data may also contain information about the so-called stability time budget of the asset, which indicates if the measurements of possible temperature excursions have exceeded the excursion time window assigned to the asset. Other information may also be the type of the asset, e.g. what kind of pharmaceutical product is there, the amount of assets etc.. Other highly relevant information that the scanner may obtain is the health status of the logger device, e.g. whether it is performing as expected, and where is the next service center for the wireless logger device in case something is not performing as it should be.
[0037] In an embodiment, prior to providing the access to the manufacturer URL portal address, the method further comprises an intermediate step of accessing a general URL portal address where at least some of the application identifiers in the unique shipment unit ID are utilized in identifying the manufacturer URL portal address. Thus, the URL portal address already incorporated into the unique shipment unit ID may still be utilized, but detailed data in the application identifiers may be utilized to find the exact detailed address for this particular asset.
[0038] In another embodiment, the step of providing the access to the manufacturer URL portal address comprises incorporating the manufacturer URL portal address preferably with the serial number into the unique shipment unit ID as an additional application identifier.
[0039] The term manufacturer URL address may in one embodiment be understood as a specific URL address that is intended to guide the person performing the scanning, e.g. enduser, to a web portal to get further information on the asset. Thus, adding a new application identifier identical to a so-called GS1 Resolver in the digital link version makes it possible to use the information in the barcode or the QR code to guide the person to a web portal that is linked to said pharmaceutical product.
[0040] In an embodiment, the method further comprises utilizing location information of the scanning, such as IP address or WiFi address, to apply a filter on the accessible information. In that way, it may be possible to fully control who has access to the data based on the location that data is accessed.
[0041] In an embodiment, the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor and where the measured environment related parameter includes the measured temperature of the asset.
[0042] In a second aspect of the invention a system is provided for preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units, where each shipment unit has an associated wireless logger device and is configured to carry an asset, where the wireless logger device is configured to, while transporting the asset from an origin location to a destination location, regularly transmit positional data of the logger device to an external data processing device, where each wireless logger device comprises:
[0043] • a power source, • a communication module for transmitting positional data to the external data processing device,
[0044] • a processor for controlling the power source and the communication module, and
[0045] • a unique logger device identifier (ID) for uniquely identifying the wireless logger device, wherein the system comprises:
[0046] • an identifier for uniquely identifying each shipment unit with a unique shipment unit identifier (ID) at an outer side of the shipment unit, where the unique shipment unit ID contains data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit, and
[0047] • an identifier device for uniquely identifying each of the wireless logger devices with a unique logger device identifier (ID),
[0048] • a pairing device for pairing the unique logger device ID with the unique shipment unit ID for each shipment unit, and
[0049] • means for placing the logger devices into the shipment units and subsequently closing the shipment units.
[0050] In an embodiment, the pairing device comprises a scanner for scanning the unique shipment ID on the shipment unit, and a transmitter for transmitting the unique shipment ID to the wireless logger device, where the unique shipment unit ID is received by the communication module. The communication module of the wireless logger device in one embodiment subsequently transmits the received unique shipment unit ID and the unique logger identifier to the external data processing device where the wireless logger device is paired with the shipment unit via the unique logger identifier being paired with the unique shipment unit ID.
[0051] The packages may in an embodiment be conveyed by a conveyor apparatus and where the unique shipment unit ID on the packages may be attached to an outer surface of the shipment unit e.g. via adhesive layer, or the unique ID may be printed directly on the shipment unit.
[0052] As already mentioned, said storing may in one embodiment be formed by use of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that receives the scanned unique ID on the shipment unit and interacts with the memory of the wireless logger device resulting in said storing. The RFID device and the scanner may be placed relative to each other and be stationary while the shipment unit with the asset is conveyed and passed by these devices. In a third aspect of the invention a use use of the method according to previous embodiments is provided.
[0053] In general the various aspects of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects, features and / or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
[0054] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which,
[0056] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the present invention method of preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units, where each shipment unit has an associated wireless logger device and is configured to carry an asset which in the following will be assumed to be a pharmaceutical product,
[0057] Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of a system according to the present invention for preparing a shipment with a pharmaceutical asset arranged within a shipment unit having associated a wireless logger device,
[0058] Figure 3 shows different packing levels, starting with primary packing being a pallet packing level,
[0059] Figure 4 depicts a unique shipment unit ID tree,
[0060] Figure 5 depicts the different packing levels discussed in relation to figure 3 and 4,
[0061] Figure 6 depicts a real time monitored supply chain where the asset is being transported from a beginning location to a destination location,
[0062] Figures 7-8 depict different packing levels where figure 7 shows a consumer level packing and where figure 8 shows a carton level packing,
[0063] Figure 9 shows another type of a logger device which is different from the thin bendable logger device with respect to its conventional batteries, which may be any type of dry cell batteries, and
[0064] Figure 10 depicts a similar scenario where when the scanning of the GS1 data matrix may guide the user to a web page. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0065] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the present invention method of preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units, where each shipment unit has an associated wireless logger device and is configured to carry an asset, where the wireless logger device is configured to, while transporting the asset from an origin location to a destination location, regularly transmit positional data of the logger device to an external data processing device. The logger device may further be configured to measure environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, air pressure etc..
[0066] The wireless logger device comprises a power source, and it further comprises at least one sensing device for measuring at least one environmental parameter of the asset, a communication module for transmitting the measured environmental parameter to the external data processing device, a storage medium for storing the measured environment related parameters and a processor for controlling the at least one sensing device, the communication module and the storage medium.
[0067] The logger device is uniquely identified with a unique logger device identifier (ID).
[0068] In the following figures it will be assumed that the asset is a pharmaceutical product, but it might of course also be a food product, beverage or any other type of sensitive product.
[0069] In a first step (SI) 101, the shipment unit is uniquely identified with a unique shipment unit identifier (ID) at an outer side of the shipment unit, where the unique shipment unit ID contains data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit. The unique shipment unit ID in an embodiment comprises a barcode or a Quick Response (QR) code comprising at least one of: serialization identifier, Product identifier (GTIN), expiration date identifier and / or Batch / Lot number identifier.
[0070] In a second step (S2) 102, the unique logger device ID is paired with the unique shipment unit ID, where the pairing comprises scanning the unique shipment unit ID on the shipment unit and storing the unique shipment unit ID in the memory of the wireless logger device.
[0071] In a third step (S3) 103, the wireless logger device transmits via the communication module the received unique shipment unit ID and the unique logger device ID to the external data processing device, which may be any type of a cloud platform where this paired data is stored. In a fourth step (S4) 104, the logger device is placed into the shipment unit before closing the shipment unit such that the logger device is physically separated from the shipment unit ID, wherein while transporting the asset contained in the shipment unit from the origin location to the destination location the logger device is further configured to, in addition to the regularly transmitted positional data, to transmit the logger device ID to the external data processing device.
[0072] Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of system 200 according to the present invention for preparing a shipment of a pharmaceutical material 202 arranged within a shipment unit 201 having associated a wireless logger device 203.
[0073] As shown here, the shipment unit 201 with the pharmaceutical product placed therein is conveyed by a conveyor apparatus 205 in a direction as indicated by the arrow, where the shipment unit has a unique shipment unit ID 204, and the wireless logger device has a unique logger device ID 211 for uniquely identifying the wireless logger device 203.
[0074] The system 200 comprises means such as a scanner 206 for uniquely identifying the shipment unit 201 via the unique shipment unit ID 204, where the unique shipment unit ID contains data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit. As already addressed, the unique shipment unit ID may consist of a Quick Response (QR) code where the characteristic information may comprise at least one of: serialization number, Product identifier (GTIN), expiration date and / or Batch / Lot number.
[0075] The system further comprises a pairing device 207 for pairing the unique logger device ID with the unique shipment unit ID. As depicted here, the scanner may extract the GS1 data structure 208 and transmit it to the pairing device 207, which may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that receives the GS1 code and interacts with the memory of the wireless logger device resulting in said storing of the GS1 code.
[0076] Subsequently at a downstream side of the conveying direction the wireless logger device transmits the unique logger device ID 211 and the GS1 code 212 to an external data processing device 209, which may be any type of a cloud platform system, where these ID’s are paired and stored in the external data processing device 209.
[0077] As shown here, the shipment unit 201 is on a consumer packing level (e.g. a package with a single medicine 202), but this may just as well be on a box level packing(e.g. multiple consumer packages) or on larger packing level pallet level packing, as will be discussed in relation to figure 5, where multiple of such box level packings each containing a logger device to communicate with an external data processing device the position of each of the box level packings.
[0078] It should be noted that at this point in time the “unit pairing” provided enables full tracking on the “unit level”, which improves the tracking greatly later in the supply chain when the number of transports with different units increases, e.g. boxes being transported to different pharmacies or hospitals, or from distribution centres to different wholesalers.
[0079] The logger device may be a thin bendable logger device such as an loT label or “smartlabel”, which height and width is similar to a credit card, and the thickness is only a few millimeters. Such logger devices have a power source or a battery that is an ultra-thin flexible battery, e.g. a ZincPoly solid-state battery.
[0080] Figure 3 shows different packing levels, starting with primary packing level, secondary box packing level where the package is uniquely identified with a GS1 QR code data matrix 305, the same applies with case packing level 303 that is uniquely identified with QR code data matrix 306, and the largest package shown is on a pallet packing level 304 that is uniquely identified with a GS1 QR code data matrix 307.
[0081] Just for explanatory purposes, all e.g. such secondary box packings have the same Product identifier (GTIN), and all case packages 303 have the same Product identifier, i.e. Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) but different from the one for secondary box packing302, and pallet packing304 have the same Product identifier (GTIN) but different from the previous packing mentioned above.
[0082] Within case packing level 303, there are several secondary box packages 302 that are uniquely identified with a GS1 QR code data matrix, and same applies for the pallet that contains multiple case packages 303 all of which are uniquely identified with a GS1 QR code data matrix, where, as discussed, each case package contains multiple secondary box packages 302 which are also uniquely identified with a GS1 QR code data matrix.
[0083] Accordingly, a unique shipment unit ID tree is provided as depicted in figure 4 430, starting e.g. with the pallet level, under that level is case packing level 403, and under case packing is secondary box packing level 402.
[0084] In this way, a unit level tracking becomes possible when e.g. the case package’s are separated from pallet packing and where the packages inside the box packing level is removed from the case packing. Figure 5 depicts the different packing levels discussed in relation to figure 3 and 4, starting with the topmost pallet packing level 501 GTIN D and where the lowest packing level is the box secondary packing level GTIN B 503, with case packing level 503 being between GTIN C.
[0085] During the transport of the pallet from a first location (e.g. first distribution center) the shipment may be organized such that only one of the logger devices communicates with the external data processing device 514. In another exemplary embodiment, all the logger device in the secondary box packages may communicate with the external data processing device 514 while being on the pallet.
[0086] Upon splitting the pallet up as shown here, said unit level tracking becomes possible, as is illustrated graphically in figure 6 where a pallet 605 of an asset, e.g. pharmaceutical product, is transported to a distribution centre 602 where the pallet is split up and each unit 606 (e.g. case, secondary box) is transported further up to the end-destination 604 which may be directly to a patient, pharmacy, hospital etc., where during this the logger devices transmit data 610-614 including the positional data, the logger device ID and the shipment unit ID to the external data processing device 607.
[0087] As shown here, on the pallet level, only a single logger may transmit said data 610, but in this first transport leg all the logger devices may just as well transmit the data (not shown).
[0088] As already mentioned, since the external data processing device 607 has stored said paired data, it is capable of tracking each package 606 and it’s asset up to the final destination 604.
[0089] Figures 7-8 depict different packing levels where figure 7 shows a consumer packing 701 (also referred to as a secondary box level) as shown in figure 3 302, and where figure 8 shows a carton level packing 701. Different alternatives of placing the wireless logger device 703 into the packaging 701, where figures 7 shows the wireless logger device being folded in the packaging 701, whereas in figure 8 the logger device 703 is flat in the packaging.
[0090] Figure 9 shows another type of a logger device 903 which is different from the thin bendable label (e.g. loT label) discussed previously in the sense of the conventional batteries, being any type of dry cell batteries or similar batteries, which obviously makes the thickness dimension of the wireless logger device larger.
[0091] A manufacturer URL address, e.g. https: / / ctrltrack.com / CMS30000095E is incorporated into the GS1 data matrix 904 which is paired with the serial number 901, where by utilizing the so-called GS1 Resolver in the digital link version it is possible to use the information in the barcode or the QR code to guide the person to a web portal that may present various information such as the status of the wireless logger device at origin location or destination location. As depicted here, at the origin, information such as whether the logger is safe to use, battery status, when it was last connected, calibration status, may be displayed. The information may also state that the logger is not safe to use.
[0092] At the destination location, upon scanning the code 904 information such as the country of origin, destination market, release states, whether the wireless logger device is safe to use, may be displayed.
[0093] Figure 10 depicts a similar scenario where by scanning the GS1 data matrix 904 the user may be guided to a web page, that shows some basic information about the shipment and / or the logger device, where a further questionary may be provided where the user may be requested to enter an email address, where in case the email address is validated to be correct, further information may be provided regarding e.g. temperature measurements, stability time budget, excursions etc. during the transport in the supply chain. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
[0094] LIST OF NUMBERED EMBODIMENTS
[0095] 1. A method of preparing a shipment consisting of multiple of shipment units each having associated a wireless logger device, where the wireless logger device is configured to measure environmental parameter while transporting the asset from an origin location to a destination location and regularly transmit the measured environmental parameters together with position data of the logger devices to an external data processing device, where the wireless logger device comprises:
[0096] • a power source, • at least one sensing device for measuring at least one environmental parameter of the asset,
[0097] • a communication module for transmitting the measured environmental parameter to the external data processing device,
[0098] • a storage medium for storing the measured environment related parameters,
[0099] • a processor for controlling the at least one sensing device, the communication module and the storage medium, and
[0100] • a unique logger identifier for uniquely identifying the wireless logger device, wherein for each shipping unit and the associated logger device the method comprises:
[0101] • uniquely identifying each shipment unit with a unique identifier (ID), where the unique ID contains data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipping unit, and
[0102] • pairing the unique logger identifier with the unique ID.
[0103] 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the step of pairing the unique logger identifier with the unique ID comprises:
[0104] • scanning the unique ID on the shipment unit, and
[0105] • storing the unique ID in the memory of the wireless logger device and subsequently.
[0106] 3. The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the wireless logger device subsequently transmits via the communication module the received unique ID and the unique logger identifier to the external data processing device.
[0107] 4. The method according to any of the embodiments 2, wherein the step of storing is performed by use of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that receives the scanned unique ID on the shipment unit and interacts with the memory of the wireless logger device resulting in said storing. 5. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the unique ID comprises barcode or Quick Response (QR) code comprising at least one of: serialization identifier, Product identifier (GTIN), expiration date identifier, Batch / Lot number identifier.
[0108] 6. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein where the unique ID comprises plurality of application identifiers including serial number identifier for the asset, where scanning the unique ID subsequent to preparing the shipment gives an access to a manufacturing Uniform Resource Locator (URL) portal address where at least some of the following information are accessible:
[0109] • measured environmental parameters,
[0110] • information related to the characteristic information about the asset within the shipping unit such as one or more of: the amount of asset, type of asset, expiry date of the asset,
[0111] • information related to the wireless logger device such as information related to the power source.
[0112] 7. The method according to embodiment 6, wherein prior to providing the access to the manufacturing URL portal address, the method further comprises an intermediate step of accessing general URL portal where at least some of the application identifiers in the unique ID are utilized in identifying the manufacturing URL portal address.
[0113] 8. The method according to embodiment 6, wherein the step of providing the access to the manufacturing URL portal address comprises incorporating the manufacturing URL portal address preferably with the serial number into the unique ID as additional application identifier.
[0114] 9. The method according to embodiment 6, further comprising utilizing location information of the scanning, such as IP address or WiFi address, to apply a filter on the accessible information.
[0115] 10. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor and where the measured environment related parameter including measured temperature of the asset. 11. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the asset comprises a pharmaceutical product.
[0116] 12. A system for preparing a shipment consisting of multiple of shipment units each having associated a wireless logger device, where the wireless logger device is configured to measure environmental parameter while transporting the asset from an origin location to a destination location and regularly transmit the measured environmental parameters together with position data of the logger devices to an external data processing device, where the wireless logger device comprises:
[0117] • a power source,
[0118] • at least one sensing device for measuring at least one environmental parameter of the asset,
[0119] • a communication module for transmitting the measured environmental parameter to the external data processing device,
[0120] • a storage medium for storing the measured environment related parameters,
[0121] • a processor for controlling the at least one sensing device, the communication module and the storage medium, and
[0122] • a unique logger identifier for uniquely identifying the wireless logger device, the system comprises:
[0123] • means for uniquely identifying each shipment unit with a unique identifier (ID), where the unique ID contains data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipping unit, and
[0124] • a pairing device for pairing the unique logger identifier with the unique ID for each shipment unit..
[0125] 13. The system according to embodiment 12, wherein the pairing device comprises a scanner for scanning the unique ID on the shipment unit, and a transmitter for transmitting the unique ID to the wireless logger device, where the unique ID is received by the communication module. 14. The system according to embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the communication module of the wireless logger device subsequently transmits the received unique ID and the unique logger identifier to the external data processing device where the wireless logger device is paired with the shipment via the unique logger identifier with the unique ID.
[0126] 15. A use of method according to any of the embodiments 1 to 11 for tracking the asset from the origin location to a destination location and for acquiring information about the asset and / or status of the wireless logger device by means of scanning the unique ID subsequent to preparing the shipment gives an access to a manufacturing Uniform Resource Locator (URL) portal address where at least some of the following information are accessible:
[0127] • measured environmental parameters,
[0128] • information related to the characteristic information about the asset within the shipping unit such as one or more of: the amount of asset, type of asset, expiry date of the asset,
[0129] • information related to the wireless logger device such as information related to the power source.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A method of preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units, where each shipment unit has an associated wireless logger device with a memory, each shipment unit being configured to carry an asset, where each wireless logger device is configured to, while transporting the asset from an origin location to a destination location, regularly transmit positional data of the logger device to an external data processing device,Wherein, for each shipment unit selected from the multiple shipment units, and for each associated logger device, the method comprises:• uniquely identifying the shipment unit based on a unique shipment unit identifier (ID) located on an outer surface of the shipment unit, where the unique shipment unit ID contains a data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit,• uniquely identifying the wireless logger device with a unique logger device identifier (ID),• pairing the unique logger device ID with the unique shipment unit ID,• storing the paired unique logger device ID and the unique shipment unit ID at the external data processing device, and• placing the logger device into the shipment unit before closing the shipment unit such that the logger device is physically separated from the shipment unit ID, wherein, while transporting the asset contained in the shipment unit from the origin location to the destination location, the logger device is further configured to, in addition to the regularly transmitted positional data, to transmit the logger device ID to the external data processing device.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of pairing the unique logger identifier with the unique shipment unit ID comprises:• scanning the unique shipment unit ID on the shipment unit, and• storing the unique shipment unit ID in the memory of the wireless logger device.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, subsequent to the scanning and the storing steps, the wireless logger device subsequently transmits via a communication module the received unique shipment unit ID to the external data processing device.
4. The method according to claim any of the preceding claims, wherein the logger device is further configured to measure, via at least one sensor including a temperature sensor comprised in the logger device, at least one environment related parameter including the temperature of the asset while transporting the asset from the origin location to a destination location, wherein the method further comprises additionally transmitting the measured at least one environment related parameter together with the positional data to the external data processing device.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the multiple shipment units comprise at least two shipment units containing assets having different characteristic property and where the unique shipment unit IDs’ for the at least two shipment units contains data structures having different characteristic information.
6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, when transporting two or more shipment units together, the logger device for each shipment unit regularly transmits the positional data of the logger device to the external data processing device.
7. The method according to any of claims 2 or 6, wherein the step of storing is performed by use of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that receives the scanned unique ID on the shipment unit and interacts with the memory of the wireless logger device resulting in said storing.
8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the unique shipment unit ID comprises a barcode or a Quick Response (QR) code comprising at least one of a: serialization identifier, a Product identifier (GTIN), an expiration date identifier and / or a Batch / Lot number identifier.
9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the unique shipment unit ID comprises a plurality of application identifiers including a serial number identifier for the asset, where scanning the unique shipment unit ID subsequent to preparing the shipment gives an access to a manufacturer Uniform Resource Locator (URL) portal address where at least some of the following information is accessible:• measured environmental parameters,• information related to the characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit such as one or more of the: amount of assets, type of assets, and expiry date of the asset,• information related to the wireless logger device such as information related to the power source.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of providing the access to the manufacturer URL portal address comprises incorporating the manufacturer URL portal address preferably with the serial number into the unique shipment unit ID as an additional application identifier.
11. The method according to claim 9, further comprises utilizing location information of the scanning, such as IP address or WiFi address, to apply a filter on the accessible information.
12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the asset comprises a pharmaceutical product.
13. A system for preparing a shipment consisting of multiple shipment units, where each shipment unit has an associated wireless logger device and is configured to carry an asset, where the wireless logger device is configured to, while transporting the asset from an origin location to a destination location, regularly transmit positional data of the logger device to an external data processing device, where each wireless logger device comprises:• a power source,• a communication module for transmitting the positional data to the external data processing device,• a processor for controlling the power source and the communication module, and• a unique logger device identifier (ID) for uniquely identifying the wireless logger device, the system comprising:• an identifier device for uniquely identifying each shipment unit based on a unique shipment unit identifier (ID) located on an outer surface of the shipment unit, where the unique shipment unit ID contains a data structure containing characteristic information about the asset within the shipment unit,• an identifier device for uniquely identifying each of the wireless logger devices with a unique logger device identifier (ID),• a pairing device for pairing the unique logger devices ID with the unique shipment unit ID for each shipment unit, and• means for placing the logger devices into the shipment units and subsequently closing the shipment units.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the pairing device comprises a scanner for scanning the unique shipment unit ID on the shipment unit, and a transmitter for transmitting the unique shipment unit ID to the wireless logger device, where the unique shipment unit ID is received by the communication module.
15. The system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the communication module of the wireless logger device subsequently transmits the received unique shipment unit ID and the unique logger device ID to the external data processing device where the wireless logger device is paired with the shipment via the unique logger device ID with the unique shipment unit ID.
16. The system according to any of the claims 13 to 15, wherein the communication module is further configured to additionally transmit the unique shipment unit ID to the external data processing device, wherein the logger device further comprises at least one sensor configured to measure at least one environment related parameter of the asset while transporting the asset from the origin location to a destination location, wherein the communication module is further configured to transmit the measured at least one environment related parameter together with the positional data to the external data processing device.