Computer platform for tracking cargo from a shipper to a consignee including an electronic consignment note

Abstract

The invention relates to a cloud-based computing platform for tracking cargo in road transport using an electronic consignment note (eCMR). The platform comprises a distributed server system, relational and file databases for storing structured and unstructured eCMR data, user applications for senders, carriers, drivers and recipients, and a web portal for governmental authorities. The system integrates a telematics unit installed in a vehicle, including a tachograph and GPS module, and communicates via an API connection to retrieve vehicle status and geographic location data, with backup GPS data obtained from a driver's mobile device. The server application performs asynchronous background processing, caching of frequently used data, load balancing and distributed data processing in a cloud environment. The platform enables real-time tracking of cargo, automated status assignment of eCMRs, electronic signatures, and controlled access to transport data by authorized authorities.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Computer Platform for Tracking Cargo from a Shipper to a Consignee Including an Electronic Consignment Note

[0003] 1. Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to a computer platform and to a computer-implemented method of said platform for tracking cargo in road transport from a shipper to a consignee.

[0005] The platform includes an electronic consignment note (eCMR) and enables real-time monitoring of cargo, vehicle location, vehicle status, and related transport data by multiple authorized users, including commercial entities and governmental authorities.

[0006] 2. Background Art

[0007] Traditional consignment note management relies on paper documentation, manual handling, and delayed information exchange, which results in inefficiencies, errors, and delayed invoicing.

[0008] Patent application NL 2020749 discloses a centralized system for managing electronic consignment notes, where drivers retrieve eCMRs via reference numbers and GPS tracking relies primarily on the driver’s smartphone.

[0009] However, NL 2020749 does not disclose:

[0010] - integrated telematics-based vehicle tracking,

[0011] - hybrid relational and document database architecture,

[0012] - automated synchronization with transactional consistency,

[0013] - load balancing and distributed processing,

[0014] - caching optimization,

[0015] - microservice architecture,

[0016] - inclusion of governmental authority access portals.3. Technical Problem

[0017] The invention solves the technical problem of providing:

[0018] - efficient, secure digital management of electronic consignment notes, - real-time synchronization of structured and unstructured transport data, - automated acquisition of telemetry data from external systems,

[0019] - scalable cloud-based processing under high user load,

[0020] - reliable and fault-tolerant architecture,

[0021] - controlled access by governmental authorities.

[0022] 4. Summary of the Invention

[0023] The invention provides a cloud-hosted computer platform comprising:

[0024] - a distributed server system,

[0025] - a server application,

[0026] - multiple user applications,

[0027] - a web portal for governmental authorities,

[0028] - at least one relational database for structured data,

[0029] - at least one file-based database for unstructured data,

[0030] - external APIs for integration with external systems,

[0031] - a synchronization module,

[0032] - a caching module,

[0033] - a load balancing module,

[0034] - microservice-based distributed execution.

[0035] The platform enables real-time data entry, updating, querying, and monitoring of cargo transport via eCMRs.5. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] Figure 1 - Computer platform architecture.

[0037] Figure 2 - Server system architecture.

[0038] Figure 3 - Method of operation of the computer platform.

[0039] 6. Detailed Description of the Technical Solution

[0040] 6.1 Cloud-Based Hardware Architecture

[0041] The platform is hosted in a scalable cloud computing environment comprising:

[0042] - multiple servers,

[0043] - processors,

[0044] - memory units,

[0045] - storage units,

[0046] - network equipment including load balancing components.

[0047] The hardware supports horizontal and vertical scaling.

[0048] 6.2 Server Application

[0049] The server application:

[0050] - coordinates communication between user applications and external systems, - manages user accounts,

[0051] - processes and stores eCMR data,

[0052] - ensures real-time data synchronization,

[0053] - retrieves data from external APIs,

[0054] - maintains audit trails,

[0055] - performs background data processing.6.3 Hybrid Database Architecture

[0056] The platform employs a hybrid data storage model:

[0057] Relational Database (Structured Data)

[0058] Stores:

[0059] - eCMR sequential numbers,

[0060] - user accounts,

[0061] - vehicle data,

[0062] - cargo attributes,

[0063] - geographic locations,

[0064] - inspection report numbers.

[0065] Data are organized in tables with primary and foreign keys and indexed for fast retrieval.

[0066] Document / File Database (Unstructured Data)

[0067] Stores:

[0068] - digital signatures,

[0069] - company seals,

[0070] - attachments,

[0071] - photographs,

[0072] - videos,

[0073] - comments.

[0074] Unstructured data are stored in semi-structured JSON format and linked to relational data via reference keys (e.g., cmr_id).6.4 Automated Data Synchronization

[0075] The server application includes a synchronization module that:

[0076] - updates eCMR data in real time,

[0077] - ensures transactional consistency,

[0078] - executes atomic database operations,

[0079] - maintains timestamped history of changes,

[0080] - synchronizes relational and file databases,

[0081] - updates vehicle and company data via APIs.

[0082] 6.5 Caching Mechanism

[0083] A high-speed cache stores frequently accessed data, including:

[0084] - user account data,

[0085] - eCMR lists,

[0086] - vehicle location and status,

[0087] - cargo status.

[0088] The server application analyzes request frequency and automatically stores relevant data in cache during active transport periods.

[0089] 6.6 Load Balancing

[0090] The load balancing module distributes user requests across multiple servers in the cloud environment to prevent overload and maintain performance.

[0091] 6.7 Microservice Architecture

[0092] Individual functionalities are implemented as independent microservices, including:

[0093] - eCMR data entry,

[0094] - vehicle tracking,

[0095] - report generation.These microservices operate independently to reduce system load and improve execution speed.

[0096] 6.8 Distributed Data Processing

[0097] Processing tasks are distributed across multiple servers forming a distributed computing system to ensure high availability and scalability.

[0098] 6.9 Asynchronous Execution

[0099] Key platform functionalities are executed asynchronously, including:

[0100] - login processing,

[0101] - viewing eCMRs,

[0102] - entering data,

[0103] - saving updates.

[0104] This improves responsiveness and real-time operation.

[0105] 6.10 External API Integration

[0106] The server application integrates with external systems via APIs, including:

[0107] - telematics systems (vehicle status, tachograph data, GPS),

[0108] - company tax databases,

[0109] - digital map systems,

[0110] - email and push notification systems.

[0111] 6.11 Telematics and GPS Tracking

[0112] Vehicle data are retrieved from:

[0113] - telematics units installed in vehicles (VIN-based identification),

[0114] - tachograph systems,

[0115] - GPS modules.

[0116] Backup GPS data are obtained from the driver’s mobile device.Location data are displayed in real time via integrated digital maps.

[0117] 6.12 Audit Trail

[0118] All modifications to eCMR data are logged with timestamps and user identifiers in an audit table to ensure traceability and compliance.

[0119] 6.13 Indexing and Data Optimization

[0120] The relational database uses:

[0121] - primary keys,

[0122] - foreign keys,

[0123] - composite indexes,

[0124] - dynamic indexing,

[0125] - spatial indexing,

[0126] - temporal partitioning.

[0127] This ensures optimized real-time access.

[0128] 6.14 Decentralized Identifiers (UUlDs)

[0129] Universally unique identifiers (UUlDs) are assigned to track digital identities and eCMRs within the system.

[0130] 6.15 Data Replication and Fault Tolerance

[0131] Data replication across cloud servers ensures redundancy and fault tolerance.

[0132] 7. Industrial Applicability

[0133] The platform is applicable in road transport logistics and digital consignment management systems.

[0134] PRIORITY STATEMENT

[0135] The present European patent application claims priority from Slovenian patent application No. P-202500021 filed on 19th February 2025.

Claims

CLAIMSClaim 1 (Independent - System)A computing platform for tracking cargo from a sender to a recipient, comprising an electronic consignment note (eCMR), wherein multiple eCMRs exist and each eCMR is a set of data stored in the computing platform and linked to a unique serial number, the computing platform comprising hardware and software,wherein the hardware comprises:- a cloud computing environment including a server system, processors, memory units and storage units for storing at least one relational database for structured data and at least one file database for unstructured data,- network equipment including load-balancing components and cache units, - user devices selected from smartphones, tablets, desktop and laptop computers, - a tachograph installed in a vehicle transporting cargo,- a telematics unit installed in said vehicle and comprising a GPS module,- a GPS module in a driver’s mobile device,- and wherein the software comprises:- a server application,- user applications adapted to different user types,- a web application forming part of a web portal for governmental authorities, - relational and file databases,- external application programming interfaces (APIs),wherein the computing platform enables real-time input, storage, updating, querying and monitoring of eCMR data and vehicle tracking data.Claim 2The computing platform according to claim 1 , wherein vehicle status and GPS location data are retrieved via an API connection between the server application and an external telematics system, with backup GPS data retrieved from the driver’s mobile device.Claim 3The computing platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein users comprise senders, carriers, drivers, recipients and governmental authorities accessing data via the web portal.Claim 4The computing platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the server application comprises:- a background data processing unit executing complex processing asynchronously,- a caching unit storing frequently used data in a fast cache,- a load-balancing unit distributing user requests across multiple servers.Claim 5The computing platform according to claim 4, wherein frequently used data are synchronized between the relational database and the cache for at least the duration of cargo transport.Claim 6The computing platform according to claim 5, wherein said duration runs from issuance of the eCMR by the sender or carrier until completion of the eCMR by the recipient.Claim 7The computing platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the load-balancing unit automatically scales computing resources in real time according to platform load.Claim 8The computing platform according to any preceding claim, wherein platform functionalities including eCMR data entry, vehicle tracking and report generation are separated into independent microservices.Claim 9The computing platform according to any preceding claim, wherein data processing is distributed across multiple servers forming a distributed computing system.Claim 10The computing platform according to any preceding claim, wherein key functionalities including login, data access and updating of eCMRs are executed asynchronously.Claim 11The computing platform according to any preceding claim, wherein relational database data are stored in connection with loading and unloading locations and according to eCMR dates.Claim 12The computing platform according to any preceding claim, configured to enable automated data sharing with governmental authorities via the web portal.Claim 13The computing platform according to any preceding claim, wherein upon issuance of an eCMR and entry of loading data, the server application stores the data in real time in the relational database, assigns a serial number and status “issued”, and automatically instructs an email and push notification system to send status notifications to users involved in the eCMR.Claim 14The computing platform according to claim 13, wherein upon receipt of sender and driver signatures confirming receipt of cargo, the server application stores the signature data in the relational and file databases, assigns the status “in progress”, and automatically sends corresponding notifications to users involved in the eCMR.Claim 15The computing platform according to claim 14, wherein upon receipt of unloading data and recipient signature confirming delivery of cargo, the server application stores the data in real time, assigns the status “completed”, and automatically sends corresponding notifications, and wherein governmental authorities may access and input inspection-related data via the web portal.

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