Transport box, system and method for tracking and position determination, and for operating a tracking network

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport box (1) for transporting in particular foodstuffs, foodstuff raw materials and meat by-products, which transport box has a chip (2) that can be located wirelessly. The invention also relates to a system (100) for tracking a transport box (1), to a tracking network (200), to a method for determining the position of a transport box (1), and to a method for operating a tracking network (200).

Description

[0001] Dr. Ludwig Decker Molenweg 11 9761VB Eelde Netherlands

[0002] Transport box for the transport of, in particular, foodstuffs, food raw materials and meat by-products, system for locating such a transport box, locating network, method for determining the position of a transport box and method for operating a locating network

[0003] The present invention relates to a transport box for transporting foodstuffs, food raw materials and meat by-products, a system for locating a transport box, a locating network comprising a transport box, a method for determining the position of a transport box and a method for operating a locating network.

[0004] Modern food production is geographically fragmented. This is primarily due to the fact that the individual steps in the process from raw product to finished food are carried out at highly specialized locations. This specialization enables a high degree of food safety and economic efficiency.

[0005] Besides the positive effects of segmentation, this also means that food production involves complex logistics. Using the production of a meat-based food product as an example, this includes the animal's journey to the slaughterhouse, the meat's journey to processing plants, the journey of meat by-products to companies that (re)produce food raw materials from them, and the journey of the food raw materials to processing plants.

[0006] The foodstuffs, raw food ingredients, and meat by-products are transported in transport boxes. These boxes must meet a variety of requirements. They must be robust in both positive and negative temperatures and withstand impacts and other mechanical stresses during transport, loading, and unloading. The transport boxes must be easy to clean thoroughly to ensure adequate food hygiene. Finally, they must be lightweight to maximize logistics efficiency.

[0007] In the food industry, a system has become established where a provider rents out transport boxes. Billing is based on the dwell time at each individual market participant and relies largely on manually collected data on the arrival and departure of the transport boxes at each participant's location. This is time-consuming and prone to errors.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transport box for transporting foodstuffs, food raw materials and meat by-products, a system for locating such a transport box, a locating network comprising a transport box, a method for determining the position of a transport box and a method for operating a locating network, which do not have the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, but enable a safe and simple collection of the dwell times at the individual market participants.

[0009] This problem is solved by a transport box for transporting foodstuffs, food raw materials and meat by-products according to claim 1. Furthermore, this problem is solved by a system for locating a transport box according to claim 8, by a locating network according to claim 11, by a method for determining the position of a transport box according to claim 12 and by a method for operating a locating network according to claim 14.

[0010] The transport box according to the invention is, in particular, a transport box for transporting foodstuffs, food raw materials, and meat products. Preferably, the transport box is molded from a plastic. It is particularly intended that the transport box is a single piece. This advantageously makes it possible to keep the production costs of the transport box low and to largely avoid mechanical damage. It is conceivable that the transport box is molded from a plastic containing metal particles. This would allow for the detection of fragments of the transport box using X-rays or metal detectors.

[0011] According to the invention, the transport box is equipped with a wirelessly locatable chip. This chip can be registered, for example, by a terminal device. Based on the terminal device's location, the transport box's position can be determined to within a few meters. This allows the transport box to be assigned to a specific business of a market participant. When the transport box arrives at a market participant's location, this is registered. Similarly, when the transport box leaves the market participant's location, the duration of the transport box's stay at each location can be automatically recorded. By registering the transport box with the wirelessly locatable chip, the need for, for example, the invasive application of barcodes to the transport box is eliminated. The transport box can be registered in any spatial orientation and regardless of the optical conditions.It is conceivable, for example, that the wirelessly locatable chip is registered by an end device of an employee of a market participant, an end device permanently installed at the market participant and / or by an end device of the employees of a logistics company.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and in the description with reference to the drawings.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transport box is a pallet box. This advantageously allows the transport box to be easily transported and stored using a forklift. It is also conceivable that the transport box is stackable.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chip includes a radio communication unit for communicating with an end device. The radio communication unit is preferably designed for communication via Bluetooth. However, it is also conceivable that the radio communication unit is designed for communication via Bluetooth and / or WLAN and / or NFC. This advantageously means that the transport box does not have to determine its own position, but rather that only the transport box is registered by the end device. If the transport box is registered by the end device, it can be concluded that the transport box is located near the end device. The transport box is thus localized to the location of the end device. An end device is a device that is connected to a network termination point of a data or telecommunications network.

[0015] The end device can be, for example, a mobile phone. It could also be a tablet or a desktop computer. The end device can be permanently installed. If the transport box is registered by the permanently installed end device, the transport box can be located using the known location of the permanently installed end device. However, it is also conceivable that the end device is not permanently installed. In this case, if the end device registers the transport box, it can determine its own position, for example, using a GPS receiver, and thus locate the transport box. This makes it advantageously possible to establish a large tracking network for locating transport boxes with very little effort.

[0016] Preferably, the chip includes a temperature sensor, and the radio communication unit is designed to transmit the temperature determined by the temperature sensor to the terminal device. This allows for advantageous monitoring of compliance with the cold chain.

[0017] A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is one in which the chip is encased in the transport box. This advantageously ensures that the chip is protected from moisture and mechanical damage. In particular, it ensures that the chip is mechanically fixed and does not strike the transport box when it is moved. The chip could be encased in a side wall or corner of the transport box. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transport box includes a battery for powering the chip. This enables the chip to operate autonomously without requiring an external power supply. The battery could have a capacity of at least 1,000 mAh. This ensures a long operating time for the chip, even in cold storage.It is also conceivable that the battery storage is spatially separated from the chip. In particular, it is conceivable that the battery storage is potted separately from the chip in the transport box. Alternatively, it is also possible that the battery storage is arranged separately from the chip in the transport box, but not potted within it. This advantageously allows the battery storage to be replaced independently of the chip. Preferably, it is further provided that the wireless communication unit transmits the battery's state of charge and, more preferably, its aging state to the terminal device.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery storage unit can be charged externally without damage. This makes it possible to extend the battery's service life. It is conceivable that the battery storage unit is charged when the transport box is delivered to the supplier as part of its everyday use. Preferably, the transport box has external charging contacts or a receiver for inductive charging. This advantageously allows the battery storage unit to be arranged within the transport box in such a way that it is difficult or impossible to access without damage, but is very securely mounted, while still enabling external charging. Overall, this increases the reliability of the transport box and extends its service life.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the battery pack can be removed from the transport box without damage. For example, the battery pack could be located behind a flap or screw-on cover inside the transport box. This would allow for easy replacement of the battery pack when it is discharged or has reached the end of its service life.

[0020] A further object of the present invention for solving the problem formulated at the outset is a system for locating a transport box. For this purpose, the system comprises a transport box according to the invention and an end device. The end device is configured to communicate with the chip's radio communication unit. Furthermore, the end device is configured to communicate with a computing unit via a network. This advantageously minimizes the technical effort required to locate the transport box within the transport box itself. The chip of the transport box is registered by the end device through communication between the radio communication unit and the end device. The end device knows its own location, for example, through user input on the end device, or can determine its own location. This can be done, for example, with a GPS receiver in the end device.Once the terminal device has registered the transport box and knows its own location, the transport box's location is transmitted to the processing unit via the network. This network can include, for example, a mobile network, a data network, a telephone network, and / or the internet. The transport box's chip preferably contains an identification number. This identification number is assigned to a specific transport box, allowing for its precise identification.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device is a mobile device. The terminal device can, for example, be a mobile phone. It is conceivable that the mobile phones of employees of a company in whose sphere of influence the transport box is located could be used as terminal devices. It is also conceivable that the mobile phone of a driver of a transport company, who is currently transporting the transport box, could be used as the terminal device. However, it is also conceivable that the terminal device is a mobile device that is permanently installed at a location. For example, it is conceivable that one or more terminal devices are permanently installed, for instance, in a warehouse. This makes it possible not to be dependent on employees' mobile phones. A further object for solving the problem stated at the outset is a tracking network comprising a system according to the invention.The tracking network includes an additional terminal device and a processing unit. The chip is configured to communicate with both the terminal device and the additional terminal device. The additional terminal device is configured to communicate with the processing unit via the network and / or another network. This allows for the advantageous tracking of the transport box and the centralized monitoring and management of its movement at the processing unit. The terminal device and the additional terminal device are spatially separated. For example, the terminal device could be located at the location of one market participant and the additional terminal device at the location of a second market participant. When the transport box is located at the location of the first market participant, it is registered by the terminal device. The terminal device then transmits the location of the transport box to the processing unit via the network.When the transport box leaves the first market participant, it is no longer registered by the terminal device, and this information is transmitted from the terminal device to the processing unit. This allows the processing unit to determine the duration for which the transport box was with the first market participant. When the transport box is moved to the second market participant, the terminal device registers the arrival of the transport box at the second market participant and informs the processing unit. The central processing unit thus ensures that a clear overview of the current location of transport boxes is always readily available.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention that addresses the problem stated at the outset is a method for determining the position of a transport box according to the invention. The position of the transport box is determined using the chip. Preferably, the chip is registered by the terminal device, and the position of the transport box is determined based on the position of the terminal device.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention, aimed at solving the problem posed at the outset, is a method for operating a tracking network according to the invention. The chip is registered by the terminal device or by another terminal device. When the terminal device registers the chip, information about this is transmitted from the terminal device to the processing unit via the network. When the terminal device registers the chip, information about this is transmitted to the processing unit via the network and / or another network. The position of the transport box is determined based on the position of the transmitting terminal device.

[0024] All details, features and advantages previously disclosed in connection with the transport box according to the invention also relate to the system according to the invention, the localization network according to the invention, the method according to the invention for determining the position, and the method according to the invention for operating the localization network, and vice versa.

[0025] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings merely illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, which do not limit the inventive concept.

[0026] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a transport box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a localization network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, comprising a transport box 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The transport box 1 is intended for transporting foodstuffs, food raw materials, and meat by-products. This intended use of the transport box 1 places certain demands on it. For example, the transport box 1 must be safe and easy to clean thoroughly enough to meet food hygiene requirements. Furthermore, the transport box 1 must be robust yet as lightweight as possible. For this purpose, the transport box 1 is molded from a plastic material. In the embodiment shown here, the transport box 1 is designed as a pallet box, so that it can be picked up and transported, for example, by a forklift.Furthermore, several transport boxes 1 can be safely stacked on top of each other.

[0029] A wirelessly locatable chip 2 is embedded in the transport box 1. The chip 2 contains an identification number for the transport box 1. The chip 2 includes a radio communication unit 3, which, in the embodiment shown here, is designed to communicate with an end device 10 via Bluetooth. Furthermore, the chip 2 includes a temperature sensor 5.

[0030] To power the chip 2, a battery storage unit 4 is embedded in the transport box 1. It is conceivable, though not shown here, that the battery storage unit 4 is not embedded, but rather located, for example, behind a flap or screw cap inside the transport box 1. For charging the battery storage unit 4, it has external contacts 4.1 or a receiver 4.2 for inductive charging. For clarity, both the external contacts 4.1 and the receiver 4.2 for inductive charging are shown here. In fact, for everyday operation of the transport box 1, either of these alternatives is sufficient.

[0031] The system 100 shown here includes a transport box 1 and an end device 10. The end device 10 is depicted here as a mobile phone. However, the end device 10 could also be a tablet computer, a laptop, or a desktop computer.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a tracking network 200. The depicted tracking network 200 has several transport boxes 1, as shown in Figure 1. The transport boxes 1 are used by different market participants A, B, and C and distributed between them by a logistics company D. In the depicted situation, the first market participant A has two transport boxes 1 stored there. The transport boxes 1 at the first market participant A communicate with the terminal device 10 of the first market participant A, whereby the two transport boxes 1 are registered as being stored at the first market participant A based on their respective identification numbers and a location determination by the terminal device 1. This information is transmitted from the terminal device 10 to a central processing unit 201 via a network 202.In addition to information about the location of the transport boxes 1, information about the state of charge of the battery storage units 4 of the transport boxes 1 and the temperature measured by the temperature sensors 5 of the transport boxes 1 is also transmitted to the central computing unit 201.

[0033] In the depicted situation, another transport box 1 is located on a truck belonging to logistics company D, en route from the first market participant A to the third market participant C. Upon leaving the premises of the first market participant A, the tracking of the transported transport box 1 by the terminal device 10 of the first market participant A ceases. Consequently, the transmission of information about the storage of this transport box 1 at the first market participant A to the processing unit 201 also ends. Instead, a third terminal device 13 of logistics company D now registers the transported transport box 1 and sends information about it, along with location information, temperature information from the temperature sensor 5 of the transport box 1, and information about the charge level of the battery storage 4 of the transport box 1, to the processing unit 201.

[0034] Once the transport box 1 has arrived at the third market participant C, it is registered by the second terminal device 12 of the third market participant C and corresponding information is sent via the network 202 to the computing unit 201.

[0035] Currently, no transport boxes 1 are stored at the second market participant B, which is why no information is transmitted from the other terminal devices 11 of the second market participant B to the computing unit 201. The computing unit 201 is thus able to track and manage the routes of the transport boxes 1 and their dwell time at the respective market participants A, B, and C. The transmitted temperatures also allow conclusions to be drawn about compliance with the cold chain. If one of the terminal devices 10, 11, 12, or 13 transmits information about a low charge level of the battery storage 4, it can be recharged at the next opportunity.

[0036] Reference symbol list

[0037] 1 transport box

[0038] 2 Chip

[0039] 3 radio communication unit

[0040] 4 battery storage units

[0041] 4.1 Contacts

[0042] 4.2 Recipient

[0043] 5 Temperature sensor

[0044] 10 End device

[0045] 11 additional end devices

[0046] 12 second additional device

[0047] 13 third additional device

[0048] 100 System

[0049] 200 location network

[0050] 201 computing unit

[0051] 202 Network

[0052] A First market participant

[0053] B Second market participant

[0054] C Third market participant

[0055] The logistics entrepreneur

Claims

Patent claims 1. Transport box (1) for transport, in particular for transport of foodstuffs, foodstuffs and meat by-products, characterized in that the transport box has a wirelessly locatable chip (2).

2. Transport box (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the transport box (1 ) is a pallet box.

3. Transport box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chip (2) has a radio communication unit (3) for communicating with an end device (10), wherein the radio communication unit (3) is preferably provided for communicating via Bluetooth.

4. Transport box (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chip (2) is embedded in the transport box (1 ).

5. Transport box (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport box (1 ) has a battery storage (4) for supplying power to the chip (2), wherein the battery storage is preferably potted separately from the chip (2) in the transport box (1 ).

6. Transport box (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the battery storage (4) can be charged non-destructively from the outside, wherein the transport box (1 ) has externally leading contacts (4.1 ) or a receiver (4.2) for inductive charging.

7. Transport box (1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the battery storage (4) can be removed from the transport box (1 ) without damage.

8. System (100) for locating a transport box (1), wherein the system (100) comprises a transport box (1) according to one of the preceding claims and an end device (10), wherein the end device (10) is configured to communicate with the radio communication unit (3) of the chip (2), wherein the The terminal (10) is configured to communicate with a computing unit (201) via a network (202).

9. System (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the terminal device (10) is a mobile terminal device (10).

10. System (100) according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the network (202) comprises a mobile network and / or the Internet.

11. Location network network (200) comprising a system (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the location network network (200) comprises a further terminal device (11) and the computing unit (201), wherein the chip (2) is configured to communicate with the terminal device (10) and the further terminal device (11), wherein the further terminal device (11) is configured to communicate with the computing unit (201) via the network (202) and / or another network.

12. Method for determining the position of a transport box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the position of the transport box (1) is determined using the chip (2).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the chip (2) is registered by the terminal device (10), wherein the position of the transport box (1) is determined based on the position of the terminal device (10).

14. Method for operating a location network (200) according to claim 11, characterized in that the chip (2) is registered by the terminal device (10) or by the further terminal device (11), wherein, upon registration of the chip (2) by the terminal device (10), information about this is transmitted by the terminal device (10) via the network (202) to the computing unit (201), wherein, upon registration of the chip (2) by the further terminal device (11), information about this is transmitted via the network (202) and / or the further network to the computing unit (201), wherein the position of the transport box (1) is determined on the basis of the position of the transmitting terminal device (10, 11).

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