Monitoring and tracking of assets by utilizing wireless communications
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring assets, the system comprising:
- a remote monitoring station (RMS);
a network of identification (ID) tags, wherein each ID tag is coupled to an asset, and wherein each ID tag is configured to;
wirelessly communicate with other ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity; and
relay communications from other ID tags, such that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, devices, methods, and programs disclosed herein provide a solution for monitoring and tracking assets by utilizing wireless communications. A representative system for monitoring assets includes a remote monitoring station (RMS) and a network of identification (ID) tags. Each ID tag is coupled to an asset and is configured to wirelessly communicate with other ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity. Each tag is also configured to relay communications from other ID tags so that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring assets, the system comprising:
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a remote monitoring station (RMS);
a network of identification (ID) tags, wherein each ID tag is coupled to an asset, and wherein each ID tag is configured to;
wirelessly communicate with other ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity; and
relay communications from other ID tags, such that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A wireless identification (ID) tag coupled to an asset, wherein the wireless ID tag is one of a network of ID tags configured to communicate with a remote monitoring station (RMS), the wireless ID tag comprising:
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a portable power supply;
a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with other ID tags within a predetermined proximity, wherein the proximity is a function of the power supplied by the portable power supply;
memory configured to store information about the asset upon which the ID tag is coupled, the memory being further configured to store logic for various algorithms; and
a processor for executing the logic for the various algorithms stored in memory, wherein one of the various algorithms comprises relaying communications from other ID tag, such that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for monitoring assets across a supply chain, the system comprising:
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a plurality of wireless radio frequency (RF) identification (ID) tags each coupled to an asset to be monitored, wherein each wireless RF ID tag comprises;
means for communicating with other wireless RF ID tags within a predetermined proximity, such that a plurality of networks of wireless RF ID tags are formed across the supply chain, wherein each network comprises those wireless RF ID tags within proximity of each other;
a plurality of remote monitoring stations (RMSs) positioned across the supply chain, wherein each RMS comprises;
means for communicating with any network of the plurality of networks that is within proximity of the RMS; and
a central monitoring station (CMS) comprising;
means for communicating with the plurality of RMSs. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of monitoring assets across a supply chain, whereby each asset has an ID tag coupled thereto, the method comprising:
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forming a network of ID tags such that existence in the network conveys the existence and location of the corresponding assets in the supply chain; and
polling the network of ID tags to monitor the environmental conditions surrounding the corresponding assets. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A computer readable medium having a program for monitoring assets across a supply chain, whereby each asset has an ID tag coupled thereto, the program comprising:
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logic configured to form a network of ID tags such that existence in the network conveys the existence and location of the corresponding assets in the supply chain; and
logic configured to poll the network of ID tags to monitor the environmental conditions surrounding the corresponding assets. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification