US 7623033

Here is a concise summary of US Patent 7623033:

Title: Methods and systems for tracking items using a sensor web

Assignee:

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corp (as of 2024-07-08, following a merger from FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.)
• Original Assignee: Federal Express Corp (as of 2006-06-16)

Inventors: Miley Ainsworth, Ole Petter Skaaksrud, Randy Jacobs, Tim Gregory, Marshall Veitenheimer

Filing Date: 2006-06-16

Issue Date: 2009-11-24

Abstract: A system and method for tracking items involves storing association data in memory between an item tracking device and a beacon device when they are within a certain range. The item tracking device tracks a specific item, and the beacon device covers an area containing multiple items, including the specific item. The system and method also periodically send sensor data from the beacon device to a database, providing environmental information for the group of items within the beacon device's range.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1 (Method for tracking items): This claim describes a method that involves:

  1. Storing data in memory about an association between an item tracking device (attached to a specific item) and a beacon device (covering an area with multiple items, including that specific item) when they are close enough.
  2. Detecting environmental data using a sensor on the beacon device.
  3. Connecting this detected environmental data to a group of items that are within the beacon device's close range.
  4. Regularly sending this connected environmental data from the beacon device to a central database.

• Claim 15 (System for tracking items): This claim describes a system comprising:

  1. At least one item tracking device, linked to an item that needs to be tracked.
  2. At least one beacon device, which covers an area containing multiple items including the tracked item. This beacon device includes:
     • A sensor to detect environmental data around the beacon device.
     • Memory to store the connection data between the item tracking device and the beacon device.
     • A processor that links the detected environmental data to a group of items within the beacon device's close range.
  3. A tracking center that is set up to regularly receive this linked environmental data from the beacon device.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
The patent document indicates that litigation has been filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with case number 24-1235. While this case number suggests a filing in 2024, implying it is likely active in 2026, general searches for "CAFC 2026 dockets 7623033" did not yield specific detailed docket entries for this patent number in 2026 beyond what is stated in the patent information. The CAFC website provides general scheduled cases for upcoming months (e.g., May, June, July 2026) and information on accessing case records, but no direct confirmation of specific docket entries for US7623033 in 2026 was found through web search at this time.