SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSET TRACKING AND MONITORING

• US 20070273505A1
• Filed: 08/06/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jay Brosius
• Original Assignee: Jay Brosius
• Inventors: Brosius, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,545,266 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

A multi-mode asset tracking and monitoring system and method is provided that enables comprehensive reporting of asset position, status, and alerts. In one embodiment, the multi-mode system and method is based on the addition of a local network monitoring system to a wide area satellite network monitoring system. In this example, the local network monitoring system would add container presence and status monitoring in crowded environments (e.g., within a port facility, on-board a ship, etc.), while the wide area satellite network monitoring system would provide tracking and monitoring coverage when the container is in dispersed environments. Both the local and wide area monitoring systems work together to provide end-to-end container tracking and monitoring to thereby ensure continuous container tracking and monitoring from container loading to container unloading.

Claims

1. An asset monitoring system fixed to an asset, comprising

a first monitoring system portion being operable to communicate directly with a service center via a satellite communication link;

and

a second monitoring system portion being operable to communicate information to a remote monitoring unit using a local network, wherein said remote monitoring unit forwards information to said service center via a non-satellite communication link.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a server that stores sensor information from a plurality of monitoring systems affixed to assets, said server being operable to communicate sensor information to said remote monitoring unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first monitoring system portion and said second monitoring system portion are separate physical units fixed to the asset.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-satellite communication link is a terrestrial Internet link.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-satellite communication link is a leased line.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-satellite communication link is a wireless telephone or data service link.

7. An asset monitoring system fixed to an asset, comprising

a first monitoring system portion being operable to communicate directly with a service center via a satellite communication link when the asset is not in proximity to a local area terminal;

and

a second monitoring system portion being operable to communicate information to said local area terminal when the asset comes into proximity with said local area terminal, wherein said local area terminal forwards information to said service center via an alternative communication link.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said first monitoring system portion and said second monitoring system portion are separate physical units fixed to the asset.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said first monitoring system portion and said second monitoring system portion are parts of an integrated physical unit fixed to the asset.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said alternative communication link is a satellite communication link

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said alternative communication link is a terrestrial Internet link.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein said alternative communication link is a leased line.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein said alternative communication link is a wireless telephone or data service link.

14. An asset monitoring method, comprising

when an asset is outside the range of a local area terminal, transmitting information from a first monitoring system portion fixed to said asset to a service center via a satellite communication link;

and

when said asset is inside the range of a local area terminal, transmitting information from a second monitoring system portion fixed to said asset to said local area terminal, wherein said local area terminal forwards said transmitted information to said service center via an alternative communication link.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said first monitoring system portion and said second monitoring system portion are separate physical units fixed to the asset.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said first monitoring system portion and said second monitoring system portion are parts of an integrated physical unit fixed to the asset.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said alternative communication link is a satellite communication link

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said alternative communication link is a terrestrial Internet link.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said alternative communication link is a leased line.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said alternative communication link is a wireless telephone or data service link.