SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING AND/OR TRACKING ASSETS

• US 20080266131A1
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wherenet Corporation (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Romero, Santiago, Richardson, Tom, Wohl, Michael A., Wisherd, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,880,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.49
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/074 providing integrity data, e.g. WAAS
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/09 providing processing capability normally carried out by the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system

Abstract

A system is provided for tracking an asset within a geographic area. The system includes an antenna mast supportable by, and extending upward from, an object configured to move or facilitate movement of the asset. The antenna mast is capable of supporting a plurality of wireless locating units of a plurality of geo-spatial positioning systems, which are configured to locate a respective one or more locating units, and thereby the asset, within the geographic area. The system also includes a controller positionable on the object and configured to control operation of the wireless locating units. The controller is further configured to direct transmission of data to a host via one of the locating units or another wireless transmitter, and in a manner that accounts for a wireless link between the respective locating unit or other wireless transmitter and the host.

Claims

1. An apparatus for tracking an asset within a geographic area, the apparatus comprising:

a controller configured to control operation of one or more wireless locating units of one or more geo-spatial positioning systems, the one or more locating units being positionable on an object configured to move or facilitate movement of the asset, the one or more geo-spatial positioning systems being configured to locate a respective one or more locating units, and thereby the asset, within the geographic area,

wherein the controller is further configured to direct transmission of data including sensor data received from one or more sensors also positionable on the object, the controller being configured to direct transmission of the data to a host via one of the locating units or another wireless transmitter, and in a manner that accounts for a wireless link between the respective locating unit or other wireless transmitter and the host.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to collect and compile the data over one or more data collection periods, and configured to direct transmission of the compiled data.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to direct transmission of the data at one or more random or pseudorandom time periods.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller is further triggerable to direct transmission of the data independent of a random or pseudorandom time period.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to compress at least a portion of the data before directing transmission of the data, including being configured to at least one of:

compress redundant data over a data collection period, or

replace a larger set of data with a smaller set of data from which the larger set of data is determinable or approximable.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to buffer the data when the wireless link is broken, the controller being configured to transmit the buffered data across the wireless link or another wireless link when the wireless link is re-established or the other wireless link is established.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of one or more wireless locating units of one or more geo-spatial positioning systems configured to locate the asset within the geographic area in response to an event affecting location of the asset.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to detect the event or verify the detected event, or communicate with a processor configured to detect the event or verify the detected event, based on a route traversed by the object over a period of time, the route being determinable based on location data from the one or more geo-spatial positioning systems.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to detect the event or verify the detected event, or communicate with a processor configured to detect the event or verify the detected event, based on a signature defined based on speed or acceleration values, or ranges of speed or acceleration values, over a period of time.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine, or communicate with a processor configured to determine, a bearing of the asset when the event occurs based on a route traversed by the object over a period of time, the route being determinable based on location data from the one or more geo-spatial positioning systems.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a route traversed by the object over a period of time is determinable based on location data from the one or more geo-spatial positioning systems, the controller being configured to control operation of the one or more locating units to set or adjust a granularity of the route.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of a plurality of wireless locating units of a plurality of different geo-spatial positioning systems, including being configured to at least one of:

selectively control operation of the plurality of wireless locating units, or

control operation of the plurality of wireless locating units such that the asset is locatable at one or more instances based on data from the plurality of geo-spatial positioning systems.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more wireless locating units corresponds to at least one of the one or more sensors.

14. A system for tracking an asset within a geographic area, the system comprising:

an antenna mast supportable by, and extending upward from, an object configured to move or facilitate movement of the asset;

a plurality of wireless locating units of a plurality of geo-spatial positioning systems, the wireless locating units being supportable by the antenna mast, the geo-spatial positioning systems being configured to locate respective locating units, and thereby the asset, within the geographic area; and

a controller positionable on the object and configured to control operation of the wireless locating units, the controller further being configured to direct transmission of data including sensor data received from one or more sensors also positionable on the object, the controller being configured to direct transmission of the data to a host via one of the locating units or another wireless transmitter, and in a manner that accounts for a wireless link between the respective locating unit or other wireless transmitter and the host.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein one of the geo-spatial positioning systems includes a plurality of spaced-apart, wireless locating access points configured to receive wireless RF signals from one or more of the wireless locating units for the respective geo-spatial positioning system, and wherein the respective one or more of the wireless locating units are supportable by the antenna mast at a position permitting line of sight transmission of the wireless RF signals to the wireless locating access points.

16. A system according to claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to direct transmission of the data at one or more random or pseudorandom time periods, and is further triggerable to direct transmission of the data independent of a random or pseudorandom time period.

17. A system according to claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to compress at least a portion of the data before directing transmission of the data, including being configured to at least one of:

compress redundant data over a data collection period, or

replace a larger set of data with a smaller set of data from which the larger set of data is determinable or approximable.

18. A system according to claim 14, wherein a route traversed by the object over a period of time is determinable based on location data from one or more of the geo-spatial positioning systems, the controller being configured to control operation of the locating units to set or adjust a granularity of the route.

19. A system according to claim 14, wherein the controller being configured to control operation of the wireless locating units includes being configured to at least one of:

selectively control operation of the plurality of wireless locating units, or

control operation of the plurality of wireless locating units such that the asset is locatable at one or more instances based on data from the plurality of geo-spatial positioning systems.

20. A system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the wireless locating units corresponds to at least one of the one or more sensors.

21. A method for tracking an asset within a geographic area, the method comprising:

controlling operation of one or more wireless locating units of one or more geo-spatial positioning systems, the one or more locating units being positionable on an object configured to move or facilitate movement of the asset, the one or more geo-spatial positioning systems being configured to locate a respective one or more locating units, and thereby the asset, within the geographic area; and

directing transmission of data including sensor data received from one or more sensors also positionable on the object, transmission of the data being directed to a host via one of the locating units or another wireless transmitter, and in a manner that accounts for a wireless link between the respective locating unit or other wireless transmitter and the host.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein directing transmission comprises directing transmission of the data at one or more random or pseudorandom time periods.

23. A method according to claim 21 further comprising compressing at least a portion of the data before directing transmission of the data, compressing at least a portion of the data comprising at least one of:

compressing redundant data over a data collection period, and configured to direct transmission of the compressed data, or

replacing a larger set of data with a smaller set of data from which the larger set of data is determinable or approximable.

24. A method according to claim 21 further comprising:

buffering the data when the wireless link is broken; and

transmitting the buffered data across the wireless link or another wireless link when the wireless link is re-established or the other wireless link is established.

25. A method according to claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of one or more wireless locating units of one or more geo-spatial positioning systems configured to locate the asset within the geographic area in response to an event affecting location of the asset.

26. A method according to claim 21, wherein controlling operation comprises controlling operation of a plurality of wireless locating units of a plurality of different geo-spatial positioning systems, including at least one of:

selectively controlling operation of the plurality of wireless locating units, or

controlling operation of the plurality of wireless locating units such that the asset is located at one or more instances based on data from the plurality of geo-spatial positioning systems.

27. A method according to claim 21, wherein a route traversed by the object over a period of time is determinable based on location data from the one or more geo-spatial positioning systems, and wherein controlling operation comprises controlling operation of the one or more locating units to set or adjust a granularity of the route.