Wireless interface module
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring the condition of an item, comprising:
- at least one wireless monitoring device for monitoring the item;
at least one wireless interface module in data communication with the at least one wireless monitoring device;
a monitoring facility for remotely receiving the condition of the item; and
a satellite configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the at least one wireless interface module and the monitoring facility.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method that allows remote monitoring by satellite of cargo carried on a mobile conveyance. The system and method provide for a wireless information module (WIM) on the conveyance for transmitting and receiving data from a plurality of wireless devices on the conveyance over a short range wireless network. The WIM relays data to a remote monitoring facility via satellite. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, remotely controlling wireless devices on a conveyance such as door lock sensors and electronic seals, remotely upgrading the software loaded on the devices within the mobile conveyance, and creating an ad-hoc network of multiple WIMs to maintain satellite communication with all WIMs in the network when certain of the WIMs are unable to communicate directly with a satellite.
33 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring the condition of an item, comprising:
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at least one wireless monitoring device for monitoring the item; at least one wireless interface module in data communication with the at least one wireless monitoring device; a monitoring facility for remotely receiving the condition of the item; and a satellite configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the at least one wireless interface module and the monitoring facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of cargo conveyance units, the system comprising:
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a plurality of wireless interface modules associated with the plurality of cargo conveyance units, wherein each cargo conveyance unit is associated with at least one wireless interface module; a plurality of wireless monitoring devices for monitoring the condition of a cargo conveyance unit, the wireless monitoring device in data communications with at least one wireless interface module; a satellite communications terminal in data communications with the wireless interface module; a monitoring facility for remotely receiving the condition of the cargo conveyance unit; and a satellite configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the satellite communications terminal and the monitoring facility. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method for remotely monitoring the condition of an item, comprising, the steps of:
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receiving at a wireless interface module over a short range wireless communications network data from a set of one or more wireless monitoring devices for monitoring the item; transmitting said data to a communications satellite for relay to a monitoring facility; receiving the data at the monitoring facility; and processing the data at the facility to monitor the status of the item. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification