WIRELESS DATA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK SYSTEM FOR TRACKING CONTAINER
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless data communications network system for establishing communication between a server and a plurality of containers that are loaded onto a cargo vessel. The system includes a data communications device configured to establish and manage a pre-configured wireless data communications network and to communicate with the server through a local area network, and a plurality of electronic tracking devices each having a wireless transceiver and routing capabilities and configured to be joined to a container and to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated. The data communications device is configured to intermittently perform a network scan to locate each tracking device connected to the network and reconfigure the network topology to include each connected tracking devices such that the data communications device maintains mutual communication with each connected tracking device using the routing capabilities of the tracking devices.
-
Citations
61 Claims
-
1. (canceled)
-
2. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using a pre-configured low-rate wireless personal area network (WPAN), whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a WPAN-enabled radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to the WPAN upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers as the container is being loaded onto the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the WPAN upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN; intermittently configuring the WPAN to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a control station of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the WPAN to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the WPAN in a depth-first traversal of the network topology, the request directing each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN to enter a low-power mode when the depth-first traversal backtracks from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the WPAN when the electronic tracking device enters the low-power mode.
-
-
3. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using a pre-configured wireless data communications network, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network; intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network; transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device; broadcasting a request to the wireless data communications network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the wireless data communications network in a depth-first traversal of the network topology, the request directing each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to enter a low-power mode when the depth-first traversal backtracks from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
-
41. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using a wireless data communications network, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers as the container is being loaded onto the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network; intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network; transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to a control station of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the wireless data communications network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the wireless data communications network in a depth-first traversal of the network topology, the request directing each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to enter a low-power mode when the depth-first traversal backtracks from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network when the electronic tracking device enters the low-power mode.
-
-
42. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a vessel using wireless networks, whereby each container is associated with an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radiofrequency transceiver, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to a wireless network upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; intermittently configuring the network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a local network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network being configured to enter a low-power mode when the traversal backtracks from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 55, 61)
-
-
43. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using wireless networks, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to a wireless network upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; intermittently configuring the network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a local network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network being configured to enter a low-power mode when the traversal backtracks from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode.
-
-
44. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a vessel using wireless networks, whereby each container is associated with an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radiofrequency transceiver, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to a wireless network upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; intermittently configuring the network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a local network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network being configured to enter a low-power mode when a communication is sent from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode.
-
-
45. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using wireless networks, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to a wireless network upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; intermittently configuring the network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a local network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network being configured to enter a low-power mode when a communication is sent from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode.
-
-
46. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a vessel using wireless networks, whereby each container is associated with an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radiofrequency transceiver, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; intermittently configuring the network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a local network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network being configured to enter a low-power mode when a communication is sent from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode.
-
-
47. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using wireless networks, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; intermittently configuring the network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a local network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network being configured to enter a low-power mode when a communication is sent from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode.
-
-
48. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using wireless class-based networks, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to a network corresponding to a class of the electronic tracking device upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; intermittently configuring the network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data to a local gateway network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network being configured to enter a low-power mode when a communication is sent from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode.
-
-
49. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using wireless class-based networks, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a network-enabled radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to a wireless network upon being activated, the method comprising:
-
activating each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers prior to the container being loaded on the cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to a network corresponding to a class of the electronic tracking device upon being activated; intermittently performing a network scan of a particular class-based network to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the particular class-based network; intermittently configuring the particular class-based network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the network in a hierarchical network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the particular class-based network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the particular class-based network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the particular class-based network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices; receiving GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the particular class-based network; transmitting the GPS-recorded position data, environmental parameter data, and sensory reading data from the class-based network to a local gateway network on the cargo vessel; broadcasting a request to the particular class-based network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the particular class-based network in a traversal of the network topology, each electronic tracking device that is connected to the particular class-based network being configured to enter a low-power mode when a communication is sent from the electronic tracking device; and receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the particular class-based network prior to the electronic tracking device entering the low-power mode.
-
-
52. The method of 51, wherein the predetermined condition comprises movement of the electronic tracking device.
-
53. The method of 51, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a change, exceeding a threshold amount, in the location of the electronic tracking device as determined based on GPS data.
-
54. The method of 51, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a temperature associated with the electronic tracking device exceeding a predetermined threshold.
- 56. The method of 55, wherein the asset tracking system is a class-based asset tracking system.
-
57. The method of 56, wherein the data representative of a general inquiry as to the presence of electronic tracking devices comprises a predefined class designation.
-
59. The method of 51, wherein the electronic tracking device comprises a node in one or more common designation networks.
-
60. The method of 59, wherein the data representative of a general inquiry as to the presence of electronic tracking devices comprises a predefined common designation.
Specification