US Patent 7917408 Parcel tracing system, parcel tracing method and program

The parcel distribution system attaches a radio tag into which the identification information of the parcel is written to the parcel, and arranges radio tag readers/writers having an internet communication function arranged on the distribution route. The arrival scheduling unit of the server prepares and holds a scheduled passage date when the parcel arrives at the tag communicable areas of the radio tag readers/writers arranged on the distribution route. The parcel retrieving unit instructs the radio tag reader having the scheduled arrival date corresponding to the current date to read the radio tag with reference to the scheduled arrival date held by the arrival scheduling unit, determines the identification information of the traced parcel from the result of the read of the radio tag retrieved from the radio tag reader, and responds with the current position of the parcel.