US 12008509B2

Summary of US Patent 12008509B2: Actively Managed Food Delivery

Title: Actively managed food delivery
Assignee: Zest Labs Inc
Inventors: Peter A. Mehring, Thomas C. Reese, Dean M. Kawaguchi, Sameer Dekate, Russell Shikami
Filing Date: June 8, 2021
Issue Date: June 11, 2024
Abstract: A computer-implemented method involves obtaining ideal delivery conditions for food products, accumulating sensor data from a product container holding a food product, and analyzing this data to identify conditions within the container. A food product history is generated from this condition data and compared to the ideal delivery conditions to analyze the performance of entities involved in the food product's delivery. Finally, a report of these analysis results is generated.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a computer-implemented method for managing food product delivery. The core idea is to obtain ideal delivery conditions for food products, where these conditions can change over time according to a defined profile. During delivery, sensor data from a product container (which includes at least one sensor) is collected and analyzed by a computer to identify current conditions. If the conditions are outside the ideal ranges, a first command is sent for a corrective action. If the entity responsible for the product doesn't perform this action, a second command is automatically sent to an environmental control unit within the product container to maintain the ideal conditions. The method also involves creating a history of the food product's conditions, comparing this history to ideal conditions to evaluate the performance of delivery entities, and then generating and outputting a report on this performance.
• Independent Claim 12: This claim also outlines a computer-implemented method focused on monitoring and managing product container conditions during delivery. It involves receiving status information, including temperature and light levels, from a product container as it travels. The system determines preferred environmental ranges for the product based on a profile, which includes pre-heating or pre-cooling instructions for the container. If the conditions fall outside these preferred ranges for a first predetermined time, a command for corrective action is sent. If the entity with the product fails to act, a second command is sent to an environmental control unit in the container to maintain ideal conditions. If conditions remain outside the preferred range for a second (longer) predetermined time, the system alerts the receiver of the product not to accept the delivery.
• Independent Claim 17: This claim details another computer-implemented method for managing product delivery, with a focus on real-time corrective actions and performance analysis during delivery. It involves obtaining ideal delivery conditions for a food product and continuously accumulating and analyzing sensor data from its container throughout the delivery. A food product history is generated from this real-time condition data. The system compares this history to ideal conditions to determine if corrective actions are needed. If conditions are outside preferred ranges, a command for corrective action is sent during delivery. Similar to Claim 1, if inactivity is detected from the entity meant to perform the corrective action, a second command is sent to the container's environmental control unit. Finally, the method includes analyzing the performance of delivery entities using the food product history, condition data, and ideal conditions, and then generating and outputting a report based on this analysis.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A direct, authoritative search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 12008509B2 using general search tools did not yield specific results confirming or denying ongoing litigation. Therefore, I cannot provide authoritative information regarding any CAFC 2026 dockets for this patent. Accessing such specific docket information would typically require direct use of the CAFC's case search system or PACER.