Sensor device having configuration changes

• US 10,482,419 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2018
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tive Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tive Inc.
• Inventors: Komoni, Krenar
• Primary Examiner(s): Barbee, Manuel L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nimox, Raymond L
• Application Number:
  US16/039,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20180322454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for configuring a sensor device in accordance with a first configuration defining data collection for a plurality of sensors and defining when the collected data for the sensors is transmitted to a remote network. The sensor device can coupled to a shipping container for collecting environmental data as the shipping container is en route to a destination. The sensor device can receive a transition signal from the remote network instructing the sensor device to transition to a second configuration with different transmission parameters.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

configuring a sensor device in accordance with a first configuration defining environmental data collection for a plurality of sensors and defining when the collected environmental data for the sensors is transmitted to a remote network, wherein the sensor device is coupled to an asset or good being shipped for collecting the environmental data as the asset or good is en route to a destination, wherein the environmental data includes at least temperature data; and

receiving a transition signal by the sensor device from the remote network instructing the sensor device to transition to a second configuration, wherein the second configuration defines transmission of the collected environmental data less frequently than the first configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transition signal corresponds to an employee strike.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transition signal corresponds to a deviation from a selected route for the shipping container to the destination.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transition signal corresponds to an anomaly in the collected environmental data.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first configuration corresponds to a first waypoint and the second configuration corresponds to a second waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are located on a selected route.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transition signal corresponds to a weather condition.

7. The method according to claim 1, further including receiving the transition signal when the asset or good will remain in a given location for some period of time.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the given location comprises a warehouse.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the period of time includes at least one day of the weekend.

10. The method according to claim 1, furthering including transitioning to a third configuration defining environmental data collection for the plurality of sensors and defining when the collected environmental data for the sensors is transmitted to a remote network when the environmental data comprises a temperature deviation above a first threshold, wherein the third configuration defines collection of the environmental data more frequently than the second configuration.

11. The method according to claim 1, furthering including transitioning to a third configuration defining environmental data collection for the plurality of sensors and defining when the collected environmental data for the sensors is transmitted to a remote network when the asset or good arrives or departs a predetermined location, wherein the third configuration defines collection of the environmental data more frequently than the second configuration.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transition signal corresponds to an anomaly in the collected data, wherein the anomaly comprises a shock event to the sensor device.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the shock event comprises multiple shocks within a given period of time.

14. A sensor device, comprising:

a plurality of sensors to collect environmental data;

a processor and memory configured to provide;

a first configuration defining collection of the environmental data collection for the plurality of sensors and defining when the collected environmental data for the sensors is transmitted to a remote network, wherein the sensor device is configured to be coupled to an asset or good being shipped for collecting the environmental data as the asset or good is en route to a destination, wherein the environmental data includes at least temperature data; and

wherein the sensor device is configured to receive a transition signal from a remote network instructing the sensor device to transition to a second configuration, wherein the second configuration defines transmission of the collected environmental data less frequently the first configuration.

15. The sensor device according to claim 14, wherein the transition signal corresponds to an employee strike.

16. The sensor device according to claim 14, wherein the transition signal corresponds to a deviation from a selected route for the shipping container to the destination.

17. The sensor device according to claim 14, wherein the transition signal corresponds to an anomaly in the collected environmental data, wherein the anomaly comprises a shock event to the sensor device.

18. The sensor device according to claim 14, wherein the first configuration corresponds to a first waypoint and the second configuration corresponds to a second waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are located on a selected route.

19. The sensor device according to claim 14, wherein the transition signal corresponds to a weather condition.

20. The sensor device according to claim 14, further including receiving the transition signal when the asset or good will remain in a given location for some period of time.

21. The sensor device according to claim 14, furthering including transitioning to a third configuration defining environmental data collection for the plurality of sensors and defining when the collected environmental data for the sensors is transmitted to a remote network when the environmental data comprises a temperature deviation above a first threshold, wherein the third configuration defines collection of the environmental data more frequently than the second configuration.