WO2022269502A1

WO2022269502A1 - Package transportation handling system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2022269502A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/055776
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christiaan Hendrik Gert VAN DE MERWE
Original assignee: Van De Merwe Christiaan Hendrik Gert
Priority date: 2021-06-23
Filing date: 2022-06-22
Publication date: 2022-12-29
Also published as: ZA202310752B

Abstract

A package transportation handling system is disclosed as well as a method of linking up a package sender (15) to a transporter (11) travelling a route x from a first location to an nth location, wherein the transporter (11) indicates to the transportation handling system that the transporter (11) is available to convey at least one package (13) of the sender (15), which package (13) requires conveyance along a route y, being from a point A, at or in proximity to the first location, to a point B, at or in proximity to the nth location, during travel from the first to the nth location. The method incorporates software instructions permitting a suitable interrogation module to interrogate routes x and y and disaggregate data about the transporter (11) in view of matching a package sender (15) with an appropriate transporter (11).

Description

PACKAGE TRANSPORTATION HANDLING SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD TO THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to electronic digital data processing, mobile, and wireless communication systems, more particularly, to location informatics and a package transportation handling system, a method of implementing same on, inter alia, a mobile device, and a method of using same to assist in delivery of packages and access to improved delivery options to persons in need thereof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Thanks to the development of e-commerce the courier, express, and parcel (CEP) market is experiencing strong growth, especially in industrialized countries. Online retail is believed to be the main driver of growth in parcel delivery volumes. However, conventional courier and parcel delivery companies struggle to cope with the increase in demand worldwide, but it is not the only factor contributing to the struggle shipping companies are experiencing currently.

Charges for international traffic have spiked recently as service providers cite exceptional circumstances associated with operating in the COVID-19 pandemic as reason. This indicates that the traditional way of shipping packages and parcels from one person to another requires a re-look.

Everyday thousands of vehicles travel national and provincial roads, most road users are on holiday and others on business trips. Included in this is transportation, everyday thousands of packages travel throughout the country to deliver packages and freight. A common irritation for society is courier prices especially on small packages which does not require immediate delivery. For packages that require immediate delivery such as parts required for a breakdown or much anticipated documents etc., couriers have limited travel time and is not always available over the weekends and overnight. The irony to this is that vehicles with free space are travelling between any given pick-up point and delivery point of a package or parcel at a particular point in time. The objective of this patent is to serve as a potential solution to this problem. The inventor believes that this invention can address the abovementioned shortcomings by describing a computer implemented package transportation handling system and associated method of use together with its accompanying apparatus.

In this specification a selection of terms, commonly known in the art to which the invention relates, are used. The terms are named and have the meaning described in the table below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a broad aspect of this invention there is provided a package transportation handling system, being computer implemented and apt to establish communication between any common person travelling a route x from a first location to a n^th location and available to act as a transporter of at least one package during travel from the first to n^,h location; and a sender of at least one package, which package requires conveyance along a route y, being from a point a, at or in proximity to said first location, to a point b, at or in proximity to the n^th location, the package transportation handling system comprising: a route logging module on which the transporter agrees to have the route x to be travelled recorded and made accessible for interrogation; and an interrogation module having software instructions to assist said package sender to interrogate and gather from said route logging module, disaggregated data about the package transporter and route x so that a decision can be made as to appropriateness of making use of transport services of said available common person who confirmed availability as transporter and who is traveling along route x from said first location to the n^th location on any given date and time with route x logged onto the route logging module for comparison with route y.

In an embodiment of the invention, the route logging module may be programmed to permit multiple package senders to respectively log routes yi to y_n onto the system. Similarly, multiple transporters may respectively log routes xi to x_n onto the system.

In an embodiment of the invention, the decision about transporter appropriateness may be made by the interrogating module programmed to compare geographic positional coordinates of routes xi to x_n with that of routes yi to y_n to thereby recommend provisionally suitable transporters for transport service delivery of packages along the respective routes.

In an embodiment of the invention, the interrogating module may be programmed to further filter out provisionally suitable transporters by assessing prior history of successful transport service delivery of same before selecting same as appropriate transporter of any given package.

In an embodiment of the invention, the decision about transporter appropriateness is made by the package sender, upon receipt of an instant alert by the interrogation module about an available transporter who is due to travel along route x in circumstances where route y equals or approaches route x.

The instant alert may be selected from the group consisting of a text message, email message, pager message, audio message or the like.

The package transportation handling system may include a positional location system operable to determine geographic positional coordinates for sequential locations of any transporter vehicle as it travels along the route x. Live data from the positional location system may be interrogated by the interrogation module to determine any deviation from route x, which deviation may be recorded on suitable memory means and forwarded to the package sender.

The package transportation handling system may include a wireless transmitter means linked to a computing device (such as a cell phone link) carried by a vehicle of the transporter, for transferring the geographic positional coordinates to a central processing centre.

In an embodiment of the invention, the route logging module may be provided to be on, or operatively in wireless communication with, a monitored device of the package transporter which monitored device may be wearable or carryable by the transporter or connected to a vehicle of the transporter.

In an embodiment of the invention, the interrogating module may be provided to be on, or operatively in wireless communication with, a monitoring device of the package sender who subscribed to use the package transportation handling system.

In an embodiment of the invention, the disaggregated data may be selected from any of the following: transporter name, identification, transporting vehicle licence information, type and colour, live location, place of residence, performance scoring based on prior package sender ratings about successful transport service delivery and monitoring after the transporter provided transportation services via the system, first location travelled from, n^,h location travelled to, space available in traveling vehicle for package transport, time of travel, date of travel, and closest hub for package loading/offloading.

In an embodiment of the invention, the package transportation handling system may comprise a visual surveillance incorporation unit, in communication with both the monitored device and monitoring device, said unit having software instructions to enable selectable communication between the monitoring device and monitored device via video or photo surveillance equipment.

In an embodiment of the invention, two-way communication means may be provided between the monitored device, monitoring device, and visual surveillance incorporation unit. As such, the monitored device may comprise a wireless transmitter and receiver for communication with the monitoring device and visual surveillance incorporation unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the visual surveillance incorporation unit is apt to acquire video live streams or recorded video footage or photo events before same are fed to the monitoring device.

The invention also provides for the visual surveillance incorporation unit to comprise a unit communicator, being a data input/output system for monitoring conditions on a dedicated software application on the monitoring device and store it on a local database. The unit communicator may also comprise software instructions to enable the visual surveillance incorporation unit to understand communication with the monitoring device and the monitored device.

The invention may further provide for thresholds and configurable data to be modifiable on the monitoring device for a specific transporter to be monitored.

In an embodiment of the invention, the monitored device may be wearable by the transporter to be monitored, may comprise a detachable sensor electronics module comprising processing means, memory means, and communications means for communicating with the monitoring device.

The monitored device may comprise a request and response component which is wrist- worn or carryable. The monitored device may also comprise one or more sensors and/or a watch. The sensors may be selected from a GPS sensor and an accelerometer.

Moreover, the monitored device may be adapted to include a motion sensor to detect the presence of motion and a GPS module for determining package position of the package being monitored via the transporter.

Furthermore, the visual surveillance unit may be arranged to upload to the monitoring device contextual information and/or configurable information and/or photos and/or video footage.

In addition, the monitoring device may be adapted to firstly perform real-time analysis of the sensed information received from the monitored device or visual surveillance unit; and secondly, compute a real-time indication of the transporter complying with travelled route expectancies thereby to permit onwards transmission/communication thereof to the one or more package senders or package transportation handling system controllers or authorities.

In an embodiment of the invention, the package transportation handling system may be linked to a payment system via which funds can be transferred from the package sender to the transporter upon successful completion of the transport services.

In accordance with an additional aspect of this invention there is provided a method of linking up a package sender to a common person travelling a route x from a first location to a n^,h location and available to act as a transporter of at least one package of the sender, which package requires conveyance along a route y, being from a point a, at or in proximity to said first location, to a point b, at or in proximity to the n^,h location, during travel from the first to n^th location; the system comprising: providing a package transportation handling system as described herein above; permitting a route logging module of said system to accept the transporter entering an agreement to have the route x to be travelled recorded and made accessible for interrogation; permitting said route logging module of said system to accept the package sender entering an agreement to have route y to be recorded and made accessible for interrogation; and permitting an interrogation module of said system to be loaded with software instructions to interrogate route x, route y, and disaggregate data about the transporter in view of matching a package sender with an appropriate transporter.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided for the respective modules to be built into software comprising software instructions which may be fixed or stored in any manner and which, when used directly or indirectly in the computing device or main computer system, directs its operation to bring about the service or functionality, as set out above, of the respective modules.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided for the respective modules to be stored on server means remote from the computing device but operable to communicate with said computer software on the computing device.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computing device or main computer system remote from said computing device, directs its operation to bring about: gathering, by means of a data logging module, disaggregated data about route x, route y, the transporter and the package sender which data all may have an influence on a package being monitored while in transport; forwarding, by means of a forwarding module, said disaggregated data to a main computer system on a monitoring device having a database for storing the disaggregated data; investigating and collating, by means of an interrogation module, said disaggregated data to create and store a displayable version of said data within said database; and permitting access, by means of an access module, to the displayable version of said data and for presenting same to an authorised user of said system such as a package sender or authorised security personnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying non-limiting diagrammatic figures. In the figures:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic layout of a package transportation handling system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic layout of a package transportation handling apparatus for the package transportation handling system of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 shows a method of linking up a package sender with a transporter utilizing the apparatus and system of Figure 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following is presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. The description taken with the Figures making apparent to those skilled in the art to demonstrate how at least one of the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

Further, in the following description, similar features in the Figures may have been given the same reference numeral or similar reference numerals. Arrow heads of connector lines in the drawings indicate the flow of instructions, information and/or data in at least the direction of the arrow head. In this application, the term service is to be given a broad meaning in the context of the computing device(s) and/or software providing the service(s). Referring to Figure 1 , a package transportation handling system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is depicted. System (100) is a computer implemented system for information collection and sharing with authorised users, the system is understood to be used with a package transportation handling apparatus (10), as depicted in Figure 2 of the drawings.

As a platform, the system (100) collates, visualizes and makes available data and information collected as disaggregated data about the identification, location, availability, and route x to be travelled of a common person to be monitored when he/she agrees to function as a transporter (11 ) of a package (13) on route x from a first location to a second location and up to a n^th location (where n depicts any number larger or equal to two), as best shown in Figure 2. The agreement typically occurs electronically on the system (100) by clicking on an agreement of terms and conditions icon after perusal of same. The disaggregated data and information collected about the agreement is then presented in aggregated data format after being subjected to an interrogation module of the system (100). Thereafter, in one preferred embodiment, the aggregated data and information is made accessible to the package sender (15) who wishes to have the package transported along a route y after being firstly collected at a point a close to or at the first location and thereafter transported and delivered to a point b close to or at the second location or n^th location. An authorised user may be the sender or another person such as a controller of system (100) and may have access to the system (100). It may also optionally include security personnel or police, paramedics, or the like, depending on their level of clearance when the system is set up for first use.

In creating an account on the system (100), identification of transporter (11), proof of transporter (11) residence, live location, prior successful deliveries on the system (100), route x, dates and times travelling along route x will be information and data that can be regarded as disaggregated and which will be considered as sensitive. Similarly, identification of package sender, proof of sender residence, pick-up location, drop off location, prior successfully transported packages and payments via the system (100), route y, points a and b will be information and data that can be regarded as disaggregated and which will be considered as sensitive. The system (100) will typically have a display wherein the sender will, upon request, see a rating of the transporter (11) and vice versa.

System (100) is apt to assist in obtaining much more usable information about a transporter (11) being monitored when transporting a package of a sender compared to existing tracking and monitoring device technology in that it may include a visual surveillance incorporation unit (16), best shown in Figure 2, which can be located or positioned on a vehicle (not shown) where a transporter (11 ) being monitored finds him or herself and which can operatively be brought into communication with a monitoring device (14) of the package sender (15) and a monitored device (12) located on the vehicle of the transporter (11) or wearable by the transporter (11). The monitored device (12) may be arranged to allow two-way communication to and from the monitored device (14), which is a typical computing device. Therefore, when the transporter (11) finds him or herself along route x, active monitoring of such transportation can be monitored and local camera means (22), such as on the cell phone of the transporter (11) adapted to record material being either photographs or video footage, obtainable via tie in with a visual surveillance incorporation unit (16), can be obtained.

It is envisaged that the computing device will typically, but not necessarily be selected from a mobile phone, phablet, tablet, smartwatch, smart band, or smart key chain. A displayable version of the aggregated data will include custom tables and/or graphical and visual representations such as interactive dashboards of the disaggregated data in a database (112).

Referring to Figure 1 , the system (100), which is used with the apparatus (10), consists of the database (112), disaggregated data collecting or route logging module (114), optional forwarding module (116), investigative module (118), and an access module (120).

The database (112) can be any device capable of storing data, but will typically be a server (12) configured to establish a real-time connection between aggregated data and information recorded on a user’s computing device (14), collated and stored on the database (12) and screened on a display of the computing device such as, for example, a smart mobile device of an authorized user (15), typically, personnel working on the system (100) or a package sender to thereby monitor potentially unexpected incidents occurring along route x when the package is transported, remote from the authorized user or sender (15). Important to refer to is that a feature of the system (100) will be that it includes in its software application an educational component of “how to operate the system (100) and apparatus (10)”.

The database (12) is anticipated to be located and stored within a memory of a main computer system (not shown) adapted to in use communicate wirelessly with the computing device or monitoring device (14), which would typically, but not necessarily, be a smart mobile device. Although the invention will be described herein by way of reference to a smart mobile device, it will be appreciated that any one of a number of computing devices may be employed by an authorized user or package sender (15) who may find use in monitoring the transporter (11) and his/her route x. These may include, for example, desktop computers, laptops and even non-smart phones.

Referring to Figure 3, a method (200) is shown of implementing use of the monitoring system (100) and apparatus (10) via a communication network, in accordance with the invention.

Firstly, provision (210) is made for a package transportation handling system (100). Then a wearable or carryable monitored device (12) is positioned (220) on any common person (the transporter (11 )), or on his/her vehicle, after he or she agreed to recording of his travel route x on the system (100). The system (100), after agreement, is activated on a smart device of the transporter (11), to be monitored and, by means of a data collecting module or route logging module (114), disaggregated data and information about the transporter (11) being monitored, is gathered.

The method (200) optionally includes the step of forwarding (230), by means of a forwarding module (116), the disaggregated data to a main computer system having a database (112) for storing the data. The method (200) also includes an investigative module (118) for investigation and collation (240) of the data and information into an aggregated format such that a displayable version of said data and information can be created and stored within said database (112). Finally, the method (200) includes the step of permitting access (250), by means of an access module (120) on the visual surveillance incorporation unit (16), to the displayable version of said data and for presenting same to an authorised user.

There is envisaged to be a background application that monitors the transporter (11 )’s movement. It will also have a call the package sender and alert feature. It is also anticipated that anti-tampering detection technology may be incorporated with the package to enable the authorised user to detect if the package was tampered with. This will be a smart device and can be used for day to day tracking. The monitored device (12) will also come in all types of shapes and sizes and can also include a smart phone of the transporter (11).

In the event of the monitored transporter (11 ) being exposed to a predicament such as vehicle breakdown, unexpected and unavoidable date and time of travel changes, public violence along route x, the system (100) and method (10) can be utilized on the mobile device of the authorized user (15) to collect and record by way of a dedicated software application or collecting module or route logging module (114), installed thereon, a sequence of events relating to the predicament as it happened in real time. The recording is typically, but not necessarily envisaged to occur by way of self-, or assisted-, button pushing, typing, or completion of the questionnaire, it is envisaged that recording can also happen by way of simply clicking on a selection of most suitable pre-configured answer to a specific question, which answer is posed to the transporter (11) upon use of the system (100). Recording is alternatively envisaged to occur by way of live audio or visual recording of audio-visual data. It is further envisaged that Mapping, GIS and polygon will be employed show areas on a scale of intensity that have dangerous conditions occurring more frequently as others.

The recorded disaggregated data, as shown in Figure 1 , is then transferred or forwarded (230) in accordance with method (100) to the database (112) via the forwarding module (16) where such disaggregated data is temporarily stored before being collated and edited (240) to a useable format so that it can be displayed (250) to authorized users (15) using the system (100) when they gain access to the system (100) from their smart devices (12) or computers. It is important to realize that different users will be able to only tap into certain information within the different platforms i.e. a computing device user (15) such as the package sender will not be able to gather details of another transporter (11) not actively involved with his/her package delivery. It would remain confidential for instance but only be able to see the live feed as a marked incident/predicament on the map with coordinates of the area given and contact number to be contacted for attending to the incident/predicament. For example, control personnel of the system (100) is envisaged to have access to most data, while security or police users only gain access information or data related to a specifically reported incident, if required.

Although not shown in the drawings, the system (100) may also include a location determination module configured to locate the computing device of the user by utilization of known location determination WAP when an input signal is received. Typically, the investigative/interrogation module will be arranged to map out the location of various computing device users (transporters (11)) as they enter disaggregated potentially delaying incident data. Polygon mapping with Arch and Google maps is anticipated to be utilized to show areas where incidents occur along route x, whereas Tableau can produce user friendly reports dependent on which authorized user (15) and the data in which they have access to.

It is further envisaged that system (100) may include signalling means for sending a distress signal with important identification and medical information of the computing device user’s (monitored transporter (11)) and coordinates where he or she may be located at a specific date and time to medical, police, security and other relevant response teams and/or family members upon receipt of an input signal. The transmission may occur via a GSM, GPRS, voice prompt, or SMS.

The information typically, but not necessarily, includes material relating to the identity of the transporter (11 ) in distress, contact details, medical details, or conditions or treatment experienced at a healthcare service provider. The screen display on the monitoring device (14) may be configured to contain important identification and medical information related to the monitored person (transporter (11 )), which information can be accessed by the authorized authority to intervene if and when the need exists.

The respective modules (114), (116), (118), and (120) may be built into on the mobile phone or may be in downloadable application format apt for download from a digital distribution platform that hosts digital media content.

The modules (114), (116), (118), and (120) provide specific sets of functions which, by definition, do not include the running of the mobile phone itself. The modules may be combined in an application available in downloadable format and may be designed to run on specific mobile phones. The software instructions may also be written in suitable code for a variety of mobile operating systems (such as iOS, MacOS, Windows, or Android).

Moreover, the respective modules (114), (116), (118), and (120) are built into software comprising a set of instructions fixed or stored in any manner and which, when used directly or indirectly in the mobile phone, directs its operation to bring about the results, as set out in the description above. A WASP is envisaged to be controlling installation, functioning and maintenance of the applications written for the respective modules (114), (116), (118), and (120). It is envisaged that a specified set of instructions exists, which respective sets of instructions are dependent on the computing device user (transporter (11)) input relating to route x vs the authorized user (15) input of data relating to route y.

System (100) reports would be collected through the application and analyzed, providing statistics through ratings of facilities and experiences by the service users and providers. This will allow the interface to display routes being problematic areas in a geographical area.

The System (100) may be operative on a website as well and may provide contact and resource information, analyses, maps, and interactive statistical tools that specific authorized user (15) can use to create their own graphs and diagrams.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the extent of the invention, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate methods, including: methods, for manufacturing and putting together the system (100), code written to find the best match between transporter (11) and package sender (15) based on information about route (x) and route (y), as well as the apparatus (10) associated therewith and method (200) of implementing system (100) and of using same, falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The applicant believes that the method (200), apparatus (10), and system (100) of the present invention, at least in part, addresses shortcomings in existing package transport handling systems, while providing adaptability and comfort of use by package senders or authorized users of the system (100) whose packages may otherwise take much longer to deliver from point a to point b; or cost a whole lot more to courier.

The invention for which protection is sought is defined in the set of claims that follows herein.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of linking up a package sender (15) to a transporter (11) travelling a route (x) from a first location to a (nth) location, wherein the transporter (11) indicates to a transportation handling system (100) that the transporter (11) is available to convey at least one package (13) of the sender (15), which package (13) requires conveyance along a route (y), being from a point (a), at or in proximity to the first location, to a point (b), at or in proximity to the (nth) location, during travel from the first to (nth) location, the method comprising: providing a package transportation handling system (100) comprising: a route logging module (114) on which the transporter agrees to have the route (x) to be travelled recorded and made accessible for interrogation, an interrogation module (118) having software instructions to assist the package sender (15) to interrogate and gather from said route logging module (114), disaggregated data about the transporter (11 ) and route (x) so that a decision can be made as to appropriateness of making use of services of the transporter (11) who confirmed availability as package (13) conveyor and who is traveling along route (x) from said first location to the (n^th) location on any given date and time with route (x) logged onto the route logging module (114) for comparison with route (y), and positional location system (120) operable to determine geographic positional coordinates for sequential locations of the transporter (11) as the transporter (11) travels along the route (x); permitting the route logging module (114) to accept the transporter entering an agreement to have the route (x) to be travelled recorded and made accessible for interrogation; permitting the route logging module (114) to accept the package sender (15) entering an agreement to have route (y) to be recorded and made accessible for interrogation; permitting the interrogation module (118) to be loaded with software instructions to interrogate route (x), route (y), and disaggregate data about the transporter (11 ) in view of matching a package sender (15) with an appropriate transporter (11); and providing live data from the positional location system (120) by the interrogation module (118) to the package sender (15), allowing the package sender (15) to determine any deviation from route (x), which deviation may be recorded on suitable memory means by the package sender (15).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the route logging module (114) is programmed to permit multiple package senders (15) to respectively log routes (y1) to (yn) onto the transportation handling system (100).

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the route logging module (114) is programmed to permit multiple transporters to respectively log routes (x1) to (xn) onto the transportation handling system (100).

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a decision about transporter (11) appropriateness, after matching a package sender (15) with an appropriate transporter (11), is made by the interrogating module (118) programmed to compare geographic positional coordinates of routes (x1) to (xn) with that of routes (y1) to (yn) to thereby recommend provisionally suitable transporters (11) for transport service delivery of packages (13) along the respective routes.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interrogating module (118) comprises software instructions to further filter out provisionally suitable transporters by assessing prior history of successful transport service delivery of same before selecting same as appropriate transporter of any given package.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a decision about transporter (11 ) appropriateness is made by the package sender (15), upon receipt of an instant alert by the interrogation module (118) about an available transporter who is due to travel along route (x) in circumstances where route (y) equals or approaches route (x) and wherein transporter (11) loaded data about route (x) via the route logging module (114) onto system (100) and agreed to interrogation of said data by means of said interrogation module (118).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said instant alert is selected from the group consisting of a text message, email message, pager message, audio message or the like.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the positional location system (120) includes a wireless transmitter means linked to a computing device carried by a vehicle of the transporter (11) for transferring the geographic positional coordinates to a central processing centre.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the route logging module (114) is provided to be disposed on, within, and operatively in wireless communication with a monitored device (12) of the package transporter (11 ).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the monitored device (12) is wearable or carryable by the transporter (11 ) or connected to a vehicle of the transporter (11).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the interrogation module (118) is provided to be on, within, and operatively in wireless communication with a monitoring device (14) of the package sender (15) who subscribed to use the package transportation handling system (100).

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said disaggregated data is selected from any one or more of the following: transporter name, identification, transporting vehicle licence information, type and colour, live location, place of residence, performance scoring based on prior package sender ratings about successful transport service delivery and monitoring after the transporter provided transportation services via the system (100), first location travelled from, (n^th) location travelled to, space available in traveling vehicle for package transport, time of travel, date of travel, and closest hub for package loading/offloading.

13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 , comprising the addition of an audio/visual surveillance incorporation unit (22) to the package transportation handling system (100), which unit is in communication with both the monitored device (12) and monitoring device (14), and includes software instructions to enable selectable communication between the monitoring device (14) and monitored device (12) via video and/or photo surveillance equipment.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising adding two-way communication means between the monitored device (12), monitoring device (14), and audio/visual surveillance incorporation unit (22).

15. The method of claim 11 , comprising adding thresholds and configurable data which is modifiable on the monitoring device (14) for a selected transporter (11) to be monitored.

16. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 , comprising adding a monitored device (12) having a detachable sensor electronics module with processing means, memory means, and communications means for communicating with the monitoring device (14).

17. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the monitored device (12) includes a motion sensor to detect the presence of motion and a GPS module for determining position of the package (13) being monitored via the transporter (11).

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the monitoring device (14) is configured to firstly perform real-time analysis of the sensed information received from the monitored device (12) and/or visual surveillance unit (22); and secondly, compute a real-time indication of the transporter (11) complying with travelled route expectancies thereby to permit onwards transmission/communication thereof to the one or more package senders or package transportation handling system controllers or authorities (15).

19. The method of claim 18, comprising a payment system via which funds can be transferred from the package sender (15) to the transporter (11) upon successful completion of the transport services.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computing device or main computer system remote from a computing device, directs its operation to bring about: gathering, by means of a data collecting and route logging module (114), disaggregated data about a route x, route y, a transporter (11 ) and a package sender (15), any of which may have an influence on a package (13) being monitored while in transport; forwarding, by means of a forwarding module (116), said disaggregated data to a main computer system on a monitoring device (14) having a database for storing said disaggregated data; interrogating and collating, by means of an interrogation module (118), route (x), route (y), and disaggregate data about the transporter (11) in view of matching a package sender (15) with an appropriate transporter (11 ); and providing live data from the positional location system (120) by the interrogation module (118) to the package sender (15), allowing the package sender (15) to determine any deviation from route (x), which deviation may be recorded on suitable memory means by the package sender (15).

21 . A package transportation handling system (100) comprising: a database for storing disaggregate data about a package sender (15) and a package transporter (11 ); a route logging module (114) on which the transporter agrees to have the route (x) to be travelled recorded and made accessible for interrogation, an interrogation module (118) having software instructions to assist the package sender (15) to interrogate and gather from said route logging module (114), disaggregated data about the transporter (11) and route (x) so that a decision can be made as to appropriateness of making use of services of the transporter (11) who confirmed availability as package (13) conveyor and who is traveling along route (x) from said first location to the (nth) location on any given date and time with route (x) logged onto the route logging module (114) for comparison with route (y), and a positional location system (120) operable to determine geographic positional coordinates for sequential locations of the transporter (11 ) as the transporter (11) travels along the route (x).