Patent attributes
A hierarchical aggregation tracking and monitoring system using “smart” tracking labels on packages and on the items contained in the packages. The labels may have printed information on the top and electronics and sensors embedded in thin, flexible layers underneath. Multiple levels of packaging may be tracked, such as boxes aggregated into pallets, which are in turn aggregated into larger containers. Smart labels on packages may communicate with smart labels on the contained items to retrieve item-level sensor data and forward this data to a central server. By using the package labels as gateways, item labels may be made simpler and less expensive. Package labels may detect when an item label does not respond and may notify a server that an item may be missing. Sensors and communications interfaces on labels may be used to automate generation and confirmation of containment data that indicates which items are in which packages.
