US 8766797

US Patent 8766797: Concise Summary

Title: Sensor based logistics system

Assignee: Federal Express Corp (Current Assignee)
Original Assignee: FedEx Corporate Services Inc

Inventors: Mark D. Hamm, James B. Greer, Daniel A. Ost, Miley E. Ainsworth, William S. Murphy, Zachary S. Perry, Ole Petter Skaaksrud, Kenneth L. Milman, Michael R. West, James Randy Jacobs

Filing Date: 2012-09-14

Issue Date: 2014-07-01 (Publication date for granted patent US8766797B2)

Abstract:
The patent describes systems, methods, and computer program products for accessing information related to one or more shipments. The method involves a tracking center receiving sensor information from shipments, then analyzing rules associated with a party to determine if that party is authorized to access the received sensor information. Based on these rules, the party may be restricted from accessing certain sensor information.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a computer-implemented method for tracking items. It involves a sensor device repeatedly detecting and transmitting sensor data about one or more items. A key aspect is determining if a party is authorized to receive this sensor information based on a set of permissions, and then only transmitting the information to those authorized parties.

• Independent Claim 13: This claim outlines a system designed for accessing shipment information. The system includes a sensor device to detect and transmit sensor information, and a tracking center to receive and store this data. The tracking center has a certificate server that uses a set of permissions to determine which parties are authorized to access the sensor information. It then restricts access to unauthorized parties.

• Independent Claim 19: This claim describes a computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium. This product contains instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method similar to Claim 1. This method involves periodically detecting sensor information, transmitting it, determining party authorization based on permissions, and then transmitting the sensor information only to the authorized parties.

Litigation Note:
The patent family for US8766797 has been involved in litigation, including a case filed in the Delaware District Court and a case filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) with case number 24-1236. There is also a PTAB case, IPR2022-00585, which has reached a Final Written Decision. The specific details or outcomes of these cases regarding patent 8766797 were not fully detailed in the direct search for CAFC dockets for 2026, but their existence is noted on the patent's information page.