FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The embodiments herein are generally related to the field of transport. The embodiments herein are particularly related to automated container in transport.
BACKGROUND
[002] In distribution and logistics different types of goods/products are transported across geographical locations by tracking and tracing the current and past locations of the products. Reckoning and reporting the position of vehicles and containers with the property of concern, stored, for example, in a real-time database. Delivery in urban towns like Mumbai, Delhi, Sydney, New York, London & Berlin is getting difficult due to limited infrastructure and unlimited increase of passenger traffic. The governments are investing billions in augmenting infrastructure but have not cracked segregation of passenger traffic and cargo traffic. Thereby, the only solution seen by Governments to keep increasing the no entry/exit timings of cargo traffic. Organizations / users have been working on incremental solutions to improve truck turnaround time but nothing transformational. Touching the last mile logistics because of the complexities it brings in. There has been tailgate solutions but it is challenging to have a detachable cargo.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] The following details present a simplified summary of the embodiments herein to provide a basic understanding of the several aspects of the embodiments herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the embodiments herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the embodiments herein or to delineate the scope of the embodiments herein. Its sole purpose is to present the concepts of the embodiments

herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
[004] The other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein will become readily apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. [005] The method for goods transported using automated container, according to one embodiment is explained. Upon determining that an automated container reached a destination based on a global positioning system, the automated container is automatically detached from a truck at the destination. The automated container is self-moved using an autonomous supports structure acting as hydraulic legs of the automated container. The contents of the automated container is automatically unload at the destination after authentication of a receiver at the destination. The extent of automated container being unloaded is tracked. A notification of the tracked information is sent to a predetermined set of users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[006] The claims set forth the embodiments with particularity. The embodiments are illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. Various embodiments, together with their advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating high level architecture of a system of
transport using automated container, according to one embodiment.
[008] FIG. 2 is an exemplary automated container in various positions on a truck,
according to one embodiment.
[009] FIG. 3 is an exemplary use case of an automated container in fast moving
container goods, according to one embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exemplary use case of an air-conditioned automated container in fast
moving container goods, according to one embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exemplary use case of an automated container in e-commerce,
according to one embodiment.
[0012] FIG.6 is a flowchart illustrating method for goods transported using automated
container, according to one embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system, according to one
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Embodiments of techniques of automated container are described herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail. [0015] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “this embodiment” and similar phrases, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one of the one or more

embodiments. Thus, the appearances of these phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0016] Cargo covers all types of freight, including that carried by train, van, truck or intermodal container. An intermodal container is a large standardized shipping container, designed and built for intermodal freight transport used across different modes of transport from ship to rail to truck without unloading and reloading their cargo. Multi-modal container units, designed as reusable carriers to facilitate unit load handling of the goods contained, are also referred to as cargo, specially by shipping lines and logistics operators. Similarly, boxes are also documented as cargo, with associated packing list of the items contained within. When empty containers are shipped each unit is documented as a cargo and when goods are stored within, the contents are termed as containerized cargo.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating high level architecture of a system 100 of transport using automated container, according to one embodiment. The automated container 102 is a container with built-in intelligence and hydraulic legs autonomous support structure acting as legs to the automated container 102. The hydraulic legs enable movement of the automated container 102. The automated container 102 is attached and detached to a truck automatically based on the built-in intelligence. At source 104, the automated container 102 is loaded with products/materials to be delivered at destination A 106 and destination B 108. The truck may include multiple automated containers for the same destination or different destinations. Based on the order received, the destinations are predetermined and planned ahead of time. The automated containers are attached in the sequence to be delivered at the various delivery locations such as

destination A 106 and destination B 108. For example, the automated container 102 is automatically attached to the truck associated with the delivery location destination B 108, and the automated container B 110 is automatically attached to the truck associated with the delivery location destination A 106. Once the automated container 102 is loaded with the required products/materials, the truck sent to the destination A 106 for first drop off. As soon as the truck reaches the destination A 106, the receiver at the destination receives authentication message and once the authentication is performed, the automated container 102 automatically detaches itself from the truck and unloads the contents of the automated container 102. The truck moves to the destination B 108. As soon as the truck reaches the destination B 108, the receiver at the destination receives authentication message and once the authentication is performed, the automated container 110 automatically detaches itself from the truck and unloads the contents of the automated container 110. The detached automated container 102 remains at the destination or customer site as long as it is completely unloaded. The progress or extent of unloading the automated container is monitored and notified to the sender and receiver or a predetermined set of users that includes sender, receiver, vendor, etc. The notification is in the form of a message or email to a mobile device or any handheld device of the predetermined set of users.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exemplary automated container 200A in various positions on a truck, according to one embodiment. The automated container 202 when attached to the truck is secured using slider lock mechanism as shown in 204. When the automated container 202 detaches from the track, the slider lock mechanism is released and the automated container 202 is automatically detached from the truck. The detached automated container 202 is shown in 206, and here the automated 202 is shown lifted from the base of the truck and it is not physically attached to the truck anymore. The detached automated

container 202 self-moves using the hydraulic legs and the automated container 202 stays at the destination. FIG. 200B shows the attachment mechanism in detail. Figure 208 shows the slider lock mechanism of the truck where the automated container is secured to the truck. Figure 210 shows a close view of the lock and the slider mechanism. When the slider is in unlock position the automated container 202 is positioned on the truck such that the automated container 202 can be fastened and locked by moving the slider and fastening to attach it to the truck.
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exemplary use case 300 of an automated container in fast moving container goods, according to one embodiment. An automated container 302 is loaded at a manufacturing or storage location. The manufacturing or storage location is referred to as source 304. The automated container 302 is automatically attached to a truck 306, and the truck 306 leaves for a destination 308 which could be a manufacturing location, storage location or a customer referred to as destination 310. The destination 310 is pre-determined based on the order placed by the manufacturing location, storage location or the customer. When the truck arrives at the destination 310, a global positioning system (GPS) installed on the automated container 302 determines that the automated container 302 has reached the destination 310. Upon determining that the automated container 302 had reached the destination 310, the automated container 302 detaches itself from the truck 306. The automated container 302 has hydraulic legs that provides the ability to the automated container to self-move and be independent. The automated container 302 is able to detach itself from the truck 306 and is able to stand on the hydraulic legs without the truck 306 having to wait for the automated container 302. The GPS installed in the automated container 302 is used to track the latitude and longitude of the automated container 302 in a wireless mode in real-time. The GPS installed in the automated container 302 cannot be disabled or tampered with. The detached automated container

302 is unloaded at the destination 310 location after authentication with a predetermined set of people. The authentication may be a combination of one time password sent to a users mobile device and a radio frequency identification (RFID) access card used by the predetermined set of people or users. The automated container 302 and RFID Lock is connected to an alarm similar to any vehicle security system, and the alarm sends alert to a portal, send an SMS alert to a list of pre-configured/ pre-determined contacts like consignor, consignee, transporter, etc. The portal may be a tracking portal managed by the vendor or logistics provider. The predetermined set of people include the sender, customer, etc. The automated container 302 is unloaded at the destination 310 location and an alert is sent in a wireless mode to the predetermined set of people on phone or computer. The extent of the automated container 302 being unloaded is also tracked in a wireless mode through a camera device installed on the automated container 302 which sends information to a predetermined set of people on phone or computer. The sender of the consignment can track the information at every stage of movement of container until unloading and decide for loading a fresh order to the same destination 310 or different destination. If the automated container 302 is unloaded, the sender can load a fresh consignment in a fresh container and dispatch it to the same destination 310 again. Once the truck 306 arrives at the destination 310 for the next time, the automated container 302 is automatically detached from the truck 306 and the old unloaded container is picked up from the destination 310 for a fresh load. The automated container 302 is an equipment pooled between multiple users and the steps explained above iteratively continues. [0020] FIG. 4 is an exemplary use case 400 of an air-conditioned automated container in fast moving container goods, according to one embodiment. The automated container 402 that is air-conditioned is loaded at a manufacturing or storage location referred to as source 404. The air-conditioned automated container 402 is automatically attached to a

truck 406, and the truck 406 leaves for destination A 408 which could be a manufacturing location, storage location or a customer. The truck 406 starts from source 404 and arrives at destination A 408 and the automated container 402 detaches itself from the truck 406. The moment the air-conditioned automated container 402 is detached automatically from the truck 406, the air-conditioned automated container 402 can be plugged in to an electric port for pulling power for air-conditioning the materials or products inside the air conditioned automated container 402. The detached air-conditioned automated container 402 has hydraulic legs that provides the ability to the air-conditioned automated container to self-move and be independent and stand on its own legs without the truck waiting for it. The air-conditioned automated container location can be tracked in a wireless mode using the global positioning system (GPS) that helps determine the longitude & latitude of the air-conditioned automated container 402. The air-conditioned automated container 402 is unloaded at the destination A 408 location and an alert is sent in a wireless mode to a predetermined set of people on phone or computer. The extent of the air-conditioned automated container 402 being unloaded is also tracked in a wireless mode through a camera device installed in the air-conditioned automated container 402 which sends information to a predetermined set of people on phone or computer. The predetermined set of people include the sender, receiver, vendor, etc. The sender of the consignment can track the information of the extent to which the air-conditioned automated container 402 is unloaded and decide to load a fresh order to the same destination A 408 or to a different or next destination B 410. If the air-conditioned automated container 402 is unloaded, the sender can load a fresh consignment on a fresh air-conditioned automated container and dispatch it to the same destination again. Once the truck 406 arrives the destination A 408 for the next time, it can release the fresh air-conditioned automated container and pick up the old empty air-conditioned automated container 402 back for a fresh load. The

automated container 402 is an equipment pooled between multiple users and the process of loading reaching the destination unloading and being picked up by the truck 406 continues in a loop. The air-conditioned automated container 402 is automatically detached at the destination A 408 first and the automated container 412 is automatically detached at the destination B 410 next.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exemplary use case 500 of an automated container in e-commerce, according to one embodiment. An automated container 502 is loaded at a manufacturing or storage location referred to as source 504. Multiple loads are loaded in different containers for same or different customers which are loaded in one truck 506. The automated container 502 is automatically attached to the truck 506, and the truck 506 leaves for a destination which could be a e-commerce destination 508. The e-commerce destination 508 is pre-determined based on the order placed by the manufacturing location, storage location or the customer 510. The truck 506 arriving at the e-commerce destination 508 detaches itself from the automated container 502 or the cargo related to that particular destination. The same truck 506 can repeatedly go to multiple destination locations and drop the cargo one by one. Each automated container 502 has hydraulic legs and is able to stand on its own without the truck waiting. The automated container 502 location can be tracked through wireless mode by using GPS, and the location can be tracked by determining the longitude and latitude of the location of the automated container 502. The automated container 502 is unloaded at the e-commerce destination 508 location and an alert is sent in a wireless mode to a predetermined set of people on phone or computer. The extent of the container being unloaded is also tracked in a wireless mode through a camera device installed inside the automated container 502 which sends information to a predetermined set of people on phone or computer. The sender of the consignment can track the information at every stage and decide for loading

a fresh order to the same destination such as e-commerce destination 508 or any other location. If the container is unloaded, the sender can load a fresh consignment on a fresh container and dispatch it to the same destination again. Once the truck arrives the e-commerce destination 508 for the next time, it can release the fresh container and pick up the old unloaded automated container 502 back for a fresh load for each delivery of the truck. The automated container 502 is an equipment pooled between multiple users and the process of loading the automated container 502, unloading the container continues iteratively based on the orders received from the customer. [0022] In an embodiment, one or more of the legs of the container can lock themselves with the truck, e.g., in a single motion using the hydraulics of the system. [0023] FIG.6 is flowchart 600 illustrating method for goods transported using automated container, according to one embodiment. At 602, upon determining that an automated container reached a destination based on a global positioning system, the automated container is automatically detached from a truck at the destination. At 604, self-move the automated container using an autonomous supports structure acting as hydraulic legs of the automated container. At 606, automatically unload contents of the automated container at the destination after authentication of a receiver at the destination. At 608, track the extent of automated container being unloaded. At 610, send notification of the tracked information to a predetermined set of users. There are various advantages as explained below. Because the automated container can be automatically detached and operated, manual intervention and manual labour is reduced. If the entire city can be fed during night hours through our solution, it is imperative that the trucks will be out of the roads before no exit hits in the morning. So the morning to evening traffic on the roads will only be passenger vehicles and not cargo. The security measures in the automated

container is enhanced such that even after theft, the GPS is connected safely so the location tracking cannot be switched off and the automated container can be traced easily. [0024] Some embodiments may include the above-described methods being written as one or more software components. These components, and the functionality associated with each, may be used by client, server, distributed, or peer computer systems. These components may be written in a computer language corresponding to one or more programming languages such as functional, declarative, procedural, object-oriented, lower level languages and the like. They may be linked to other components via various application programming interfaces and then compiled into one complete application for a server or a client. Alternatively, the components maybe implemented in server and client applications. Further, these components may be linked together via various distributed programming protocols. Some example embodiments may include remote procedure calls being used to implement one or more of these components across a distributed programming environment. For example, a logic level may reside on a first computer system that is remotely located from a second computer system containing an interface level (e.g., a graphical user interface). These first and second computer systems can be configured in a server-client, peer-to-peer, or some other configuration. The clients can vary in complexity from mobile and handheld devices, to thin clients and on to thick clients or even other servers.
[0025] The above-illustrated software components are tangibly stored on a computer readable storage medium as instructions. The term “computer readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media that stores one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer readable storage medium” should be taken to include any physical article that is capable of undergoing a set of physical changes to physically store, encode, or otherwise carry a set of instructions for execution by a computer system

which causes the computer system to perform any of the methods or process steps described, represented, or illustrated herein. Examples of computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media, such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs and holographic devices; magneto-optical media; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer readable instructions include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, an embodiment may be implemented using Java, C++, or other object-oriented programming language and development tools. Another embodiment may be implemented in hard-wired circuitry in place of, or in combination with machine readable software instructions. [0026] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system 700 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 7, the computing system 700 can include a processor 702, a memory 704, network communicator 706, a storage device 708, and input/output devices 710. The processor 702, the memory 704, network communicator 706, the storage device 708, and the input/output device 710 can be interconnected via a system bus 712. The processor 702 is capable of processing instructions for execution within the computing system 700. Such executed instructions can implement one or more components of, for example, application A. In some example embodiments, the processor 702 can be a single-threaded processor. Alternately, the processor 702 can be a multi-threaded processor. The processor 702 is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory 704 and/or on the storage device 708 to display graphical information for a user interface provided via the input/output device 710.

[0027] The memory 704 is a computer readable medium such as volatile or non-volatile that stores information within the computing system 700. The memory 704 can store instructions and/or other data associated with the processes disclosed herein. The storage device 708 is capable of providing persistent storage for the computing system 700. The storage device 708 can be a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, or other suitable persistent storage means. The input/output device 710 provides input/output operations for the computing system 700. In some example embodiments, the input/output device 710 includes a keyboard and/or pointing device. In various implementations, the input/output device 710 includes a display unit for displaying graphical user interfaces.
[0028] According to some example embodiments, the input/output device 710 can provide input/output operations for a network device. For example, the input/output device 710 can include Ethernet ports or other networking ports to communicate with one or more wired and/or wireless networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet).
[0029] In some example embodiments, the computing system 700 can be used to execute various interactive computer software applications that can be used for organization, analysis and/or storage of data in various formats. Alternatively, the computing system 700 can be used to execute any type of software applications. These applications can be used to perform various functionalities, e.g., planning functionalities (e.g., generating, managing, editing of spreadsheet documents, word processing documents, and/or any other objects, etc.), computing functionalities, communications functionalities, etc. Upon activation within the applications, the functionalities can be used to generate the user interface provided via the input/output device 710. The user interface can be generated

and presented to a user by the computing system 700 (e.g., on a computer screen monitor, etc.).
[0030] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.
[0031] These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device, such as for example magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

The machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitory, such as for example as would a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.
[0032] To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as for example a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as for example a mouse or a trackball, by which the user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as for example visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive track pads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated interpretation software, and the like. [0033] In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however that the embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, techniques, etc. In other instances, well-known operations or structures are not shown or described in detail.

[0034] Although the processes illustrated and described herein include series of steps, it will be appreciated that the different embodiments are not limited by the illustrated ordering of steps, as some steps may occur in different orders, some concurrently with other steps apart from that shown and described herein. In addition, not all illustrated steps may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the one or more embodiments. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the processes may be implemented in association with the apparatus and systems illustrated and described herein as well as in association with other systems not illustrated. [0035] The above descriptions and illustrations of embodiments, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the one or more embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the one or more embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. These modifications can be made in light of the above detailed description. Rather, the scope is to be determined by the following claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with established doctrines of claim construction.

We Claim:
1. A computer-implemented method of automated container, the method comprising:
upon determining that an automated container reached a destination based on a
global positioning system, automatically detaching the automated container from a truck at the destination;
self-moving the automated container using an autonomous support structure acting as hydraulic legs of the automated container;
automatically unloading contents of the automated container at the destination after authentication of a receiver at the destination;
tracking the extent of automated container being unloaded; and
sending notification of the tracked information to a predetermined set of users.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining using the global positioning system is based on determining a latitude and a longitude of the location of the automated container.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the authentication includes a combination of one time password sent to a device of the receiver and a radio frequency identification (RFID) access card associated with the receiver.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
upon determining that the automated container is completely unloaded, automatically attaching the automated container to a new truck that arrives at the destination.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
upon determining that a plurality of automated containers reached the destination based on global positioning system, automatically detaching the plurality of automated containers from the truck at the destination;
self-moving the plurality of automated containers using the corresponding autonomous support structure acting as hydraulic legs of the plurality of automated containers;
automatically unloading contents of the plurality of automated containers at the destination after authentication of the receiver at the destination;
tracking the extent of the plurality of automated containers being unloaded; and
sending the notification of the tracked information to the predetermined set of users.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:
upon determining that the plurality of automated containers reached one of a plurality of destination based on the global positioning system, automatically detaching one of the plurality of automated containers from the truck at one of the plurality of destination; and
self-moving one of the plurality of automated containers using the corresponding autonomous support structure acting as hydraulic legs.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:
charging the plurality of automated containers from a battery associated with the truck.

8. A computer system for automated container, comprising:
a computer memory to store program code; and a processor to execute the program code to:
upon determining that an automated container reached a destination based on a global positioning system, automatically detach the automated container from a truck at the destination;
self-move the automated container using an autonomous support structure acting as hydraulic legs of the automated container;
automatically unload contents of the automated container at the destination after authentication of a receiver at the destination;
track the extent of automated container being unloaded; and
send notification of the tracked information to a predetermined set of users.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein determining using the global positioning system is based on determining a latitude and a longitude of the location of the automated container.
10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium to store instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:
upon determining that an automated container reached a destination based on a global positioning system, automatically detach the automated container from a truck at the destination;
self-move the automated container using an autonomous support structure acting as hydraulic legs of the automated container;
automatically unload contents of the automated container at the destination after authentication of a receiver at the destination;

track the extent of automated container being unloaded; and
send notification of the tracked information to a predetermined set of users.