Asset tracking system
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a transport structure configured to carry items;
a tracking device coupled to the transport structure, the tracking device includinga processor,a short-range communication module operatively connected to the processor,a satellite navigation module operatively connected to the processor, anda mobile communication module operatively connected to the processor;
wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the transport structure using the short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility;
wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the transport structure using the satellite navigation module when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility;
wherein the processor is configured to use the mobile communication module to at least in part determine the location of the transport structure when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility and the satellite navigation module is unable to solely determine the location of the transport structure;
wherein the processor is configured to determine that the transport structure is stationary within the storage facility using the short-range communication module; and
wherein the tracking device is configured to communicate data at reporting intervals that increase when the transport structure is stationary within the storage facility.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inventory tracking system includes a tracking device coupled to a transport structure that is designed to carry items. The tracking device includes a processor as well as several modules operatively connected to the processor for determining the location of the transport structure. The tracking device determines location using a short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility. When outside of the storage facility, the tracking device determines a location of the transport structure using a satellite navigation module. A mobile communication module is used to determine the location of the transport structure if neither the short-range communication module nor the satellite navigation module is successful.
112 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a transport structure configured to carry items; a tracking device coupled to the transport structure, the tracking device including a processor, a short-range communication module operatively connected to the processor, a satellite navigation module operatively connected to the processor, and a mobile communication module operatively connected to the processor; wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the transport structure using the short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility; wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the transport structure using the satellite navigation module when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility; wherein the processor is configured to use the mobile communication module to at least in part determine the location of the transport structure when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility and the satellite navigation module is unable to solely determine the location of the transport structure; wherein the processor is configured to determine that the transport structure is stationary within the storage facility using the short-range communication module; and wherein the tracking device is configured to communicate data at reporting intervals that increase when the transport structure is stationary within the storage facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system, comprising:
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a transport structure configured to carry items; a tracking device coupled to the transport structure, the tracking device including a processor, a short-range communication module operatively connected to the processor, a satellite navigation module operatively connected to the processor, a mobile communication module operatively connected to the processor, a battery configured to supply sufficient energy to power the tracking device when the battery is at least at a minimum temperature, a temperature sensor operatively connected to the processor configured to measure temperature, and memory operatively connected to the processor; wherein the tracking device is configured to store data in the memory when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is at or below the minimum temperature; and wherein the tracking device is configured to communicate the data stored in the memory when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is greater than the minimum temperature. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system, comprising:
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a pallet configured to carry items, wherein the pallet includes opposing decks separated by a spacer structure that includes a spacer support; a tracking device attached to the spacer support of the pallet, the tracking device including a processor, a short-range communication module operatively connected to the processor, a satellite navigation module operatively connected to the processor, and a mobile communication module operatively connected to the processor; wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the pallet using the short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility; wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the pallet using the satellite navigation module when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility; and wherein the processor is configured to use the mobile communication module to at least in part determine the location of the pallet when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility and the satellite navigation module is unable to solely determine the location of the pallet. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A system, comprising:
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a transport structure configured to carry items; a tracking device coupled to the transport structure, the tracking device including a processor, a short-range communication module operatively connected to the processor, a satellite navigation module operatively connected to the processor, and a mobile communication module operatively connected to the processor; wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the transport structure using the short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility; wherein the tracking device is configured to determine the location of the transport structure using the satellite navigation module when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility; wherein the processor is configured to use the mobile communication module to at least in part determine the location of the transport structure when the tracking device is outside of the storage facility and the satellite navigation module is unable to solely determine the location of the transport structure; and a content sensor attached to the transport structure, wherein the content sensor is configured to measure a load carried by the transport structure; wherein the content sensor is configured to determine when the transport structure is empty; and wherein the tracking device is configured to conserve power when the content sensor signals that the transport structure is empty. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification