Self-Addressed Parcel Tracking Devices and Methods
A self-addressed parcel tracking device comprises a housing; a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing; a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module; a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; and a mailing address of an originator of a parcel. The mailing address is on an exterior surface of the housing, and configured to enable a recipient of the parcel to return the self-addressed tracking device to the originator of the parcel.
1 . A parcel assembly, comprising:
a container;
parcel contents within the container; and
a self-addressed tracking device within the container, wherein the self-addressed tracking device includes
a housing;
a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing;
a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module;
a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; and
a mailing address of an originator of the parcel assembly, the mailing address being on an exterior surface of the housing, and being configured to enable a recipient of the parcel assembly to return the self-addressed tracking device to the originator of the parcel assembly.
2 . The parcel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing that postage for returning the self-addressed tracking device to the originator will be paid by the addressee.
3 . The parcel assembly of claim 2 , wherein the addressee is the originator of the parcel assembly.
4 . The parcel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device further comprises postage on the exterior surface of the housing.
5 . The parcel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing to return the self-addressed tracking device by depositing it in any mailbox.
6 . The parcel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a box, a carton, a crate, an envelope, or a pouch.
7 . The parcel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device comprises a satellite navigation system tracking unit.
8 . The parcel assembly of claim 6 , wherein the satellite navigation system tracking unit comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking unit or a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking unit.
9 . The parcel assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a notice on an outer surface of the container, wherein the notice indicates that the parcel assembly contains an anti-theft device.
10 . A self-addressed parcel tracking device, comprising:
a housing;
a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing;
a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module;
a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; and
a mailing address of an originator of a parcel, the mailing address being on an exterior surface of the housing, and being configured to enable a recipient of the parcel to return the self-addressed tracking device to the originator of the parcel.
11 . The self-addressed parcel tracking device of claim 10 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing that postage for returning the self-addressed tracking device to the originator will be paid by the addressee.
12 . The self-addressed parcel tracking device of claim 11 , wherein the addressee is the originator of the parcel assembly.
13 . The self-addressed parcel tracking device of claim 10 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device further comprises postage on the exterior surface of the housing.
14 . The self-addressed parcel tracking device of claim 10 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing to return the self-addressed tracking device by depositing it in any mailbox.
15 . The self-addressed parcel tracking device of claim 10 , wherein the self-addressed tracking device comprises a satellite navigation system tracking unit.
16 . The self-addressed parcel tracking device of claim 15 , wherein the satellite navigation system tracking unit comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking unit or a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking unit.