System and Method for Asset Tracking and Monitoring
First Claim
1. An asset monitoring system fixed to an asset, comprisinga first monitoring system portion that transmits monitoring information to a communication satellite for delivery to a service center;
- anda second monitoring system portion that transmits monitoring information to a remote monitoring unit using a local network for delivery by said remote monitoring unit to said service center via a non-satellite communication link.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An asset monitoring system fixed to an asset, comprising
a first monitoring system portion that transmits monitoring information to a communication satellite for delivery to a service center; - and
a second monitoring system portion that transmits monitoring information to a remote monitoring unit using a local network for delivery by said remote monitoring unit to said service center via a non-satellite communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method in a monitoring system affixed to an asset, comprising
when an asset is outside the range of a local area terminal, transmitting information to a service center via a satellite communication link; - and
when said asset is inside the range of a local area terminal, transmitting information to said local area terminal for forwarding of said transmitted information to said service center via an alternative communication link. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A monitoring system in an asset collection area in which a plurality of assets reside, comprising:
a local area terminal that communicates with an asset monitoring terminal affixed to an asset residing in said asset collection area, said local area terminal relaying asset information to a centralized location on behalf of said asset monitoring terminal as an alternative to a direct transmission from said asset monitoring terminal to said centralized location. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification