NETWORK FORMATION IN ASSET-TRACKING SYSTEM BASED ON ASSET CLASS

• US 20110047015A1
• Filed: 11/03/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: TWITCHELL, Robert W. JR.
• Application Number:
  US12/938,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20110047015A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/20 using a distributed architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A plurality of wireless transceivers are associated with assets and each transceiver is assigned a class designation representative of an attribute, characteristic, relation, or behavior of its respective asset. Class based network formation routines are utilized to establish hierarchical networks based on asset classes, and the asset class is used by each transceiver to screen communications intended for receipt by transceivers of the same class. The overall wireless data communication network results in reduced power consumption and signal interference in asset tracking applications. The transceivers may include a query handling routine for forming a dynamically distributed hierarchical database system. Furthermore, a recipient transceiver selectively receives communications from other local transceivers by transmitting at incrementally stronger power levels to successive groups of transceivers, and receiving reply transmissions only from a limited number of the transceivers that excludes those transceivers from which communications already are received.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method comprising:

detecting a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of a device,

putting said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said device and transmitting at least one advertising message via the radio frequency communication interface in response to detection of said wake up event,

determining whether a response to said at least one advertising message is received at the radio frequency communication interface within a defined time frame; and

putting said device into a passive operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface for a predetermined period of time, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said passive mode wake up events are ignored.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

if a response is received within said defined time frame, setting up a connection and transmitting data in accordance with said response.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

activating only necessary radio components which are needed to detect said wake up event prior to said detection of said wake up event.

5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

putting said radio device into an operative mode after said predetermined period of time has expired.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting an advertising message via said radio frequency communication interface after putting said radio device into an operative mode.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein said detecting said wake up event comprises receiving energy transmitted from another device in a determined frequency band, amplifying said received energy, and detecting the increased energy level after amplifying.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said detecting said wake up event comprises receiving transmitted energy from another device, and utilizing the received energy for putting said device into an operational mode.

9. The method according to claim 2, further comprising receiving a sensor output from a sensor provided in said radio device said sensor responsive to physical contact of a person or another device, and putting said device into an operative mode responsive to said sensor output.

10. A computer readable medium comprising program code stored thereon, said program code for running on a processor configured to:

detect wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of a device,

put said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said device in response to detection of said wake up event,

transmit at least one advertising message via the radio frequency communication interface,

determine whether a response to said at least one advertising message is received at the radio frequency communication interface within a defined time frame, and

put said device into a passive operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface for a predetermined period of time if no response to is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said passive mode wake up events are ignored.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data wirelessly,

a controller configured to control the operative mode of said apparatus,

a timer, and

a detector configured to detect a wake up event and to notify said controller to put said apparatus into an operative mode if a wake up event is detected,

wherein said transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one advertising message,

wherein said controller is further configured to put said apparatus into a passive mode in response to said transceiver receiving no response to said at least one transmitted advertising message,

wherein said timer is configured to be active for a predetermined period of time when the apparatus is put into a passive mode, and said controller is further configured to be inactive while said timer is active so as to avoid said apparatus responding to wake up events while in said passive mode.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a data interface connected to said controller, being adapted to exchange data with components connected to said controller.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said controller further comprises at least one sensor responding to physical proximity.

14. An apparatus comprising:

means controlling the operative mode of said apparatus,

means for detecting a wake up event and for notifying said means for controlling to put said apparatus into an operative mode in response to detecting said wake up even,

means for transmitting at least one advertising message in response to said apparatus being put into an operative mode, and

means for notifying said means for controlling to put said apparatus into a passive mode in response to receiving no response to said at least one transmitted advertising message;

wherein said means for controlling further comprises timer means for being active for a predetermined period of time when the apparatus is put into a passive mode, and for keeping said means for controlling inactive while said timer means is active so as to avoid said apparatus responding to wake up events while in said passive mode.

15. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

detect a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of said apparatus;

put said apparatus into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said apparatus and transmitting at least one advertising message via the radio frequency communication interface in response to detection of said wake up event;

determine whether a response to said at least one advertising message is received at the radio frequency interface within a defined time frame; and

put said apparatus into a passive operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface for a predetermined period of time, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said passive mode wake up events are ignored.

16. A method comprising:

detecting a wake up event through a radio frequency interface of a device,

putting said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said device and transmitting at least one ping transmission via the radio frequency communication interface in response to detection of said wake up event,

determining whether a response to said at least one ping transmission is received at the radio frequency communication interface within a defined time frame; and

putting said device into an off-duty mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface for a predetermined period of time until a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

17. A method comprising:

detecting a wake up event via a radio frequency component of a device,

putting said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication component of said device and transmitting at least one ping transmission via the radio frequency communication component in response to detection of said wake up event,

determining whether a response to said at least one ping transmission is received at the radio frequency communication component within a defined time frame; and

putting said device into an off-duty mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication component for a predetermined period of time until a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

18. A computer readable medium comprising program code stored thereon, said program code for running on a processor configured to:

detect a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of a device,

put said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said device in response to detection of said wake up event,

transmit a ping transmission via the radio frequency communication interface,

determine whether a response to said ping transmission is received at the radio frequency communication interface within a defined time frame, and

put said device into an off-duty mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface for a predetermined period of time if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

19. A computer readable medium comprising program code stored thereon, said program code for running on a processor configured to:

detect a wake up event via a radio frequency component of a device,

put said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication component of said device in response to detection of said wake up event,

transmit a ping transmission via the radio frequency communication component,

determine whether a response to said ping transmission is received at the radio frequency communication component within a defined time frame, and

put said device into an off-duty mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication component for a predetermined period of time if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data wirelessly,

a controller configured to control the operative mode of said apparatus,

a timer, and

a detector configured to detect a wake up event and to notify said controller to put said apparatus into an operative mode if a wake up event is detected,

wherein said transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one ping transmission,

wherein said controller is further configured to put said apparatus into a off-duty mode in response to said transceiver receiving no response to said at least one ping transmission,

wherein said timer is configured to be active for a predetermined period of time when the apparatus is put into off-duty mode, and said controller is further configured to be inactive while said timer is active so as to avoid said apparatus responding to wake up events while in said off-duty mode.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data wirelessly,

a controller configured to control the operative mode of said apparatus,

a timer, and

a detector configured to detect a wake up event and to notify said controller to put said apparatus into an operative mode if a wake up event is detected,

wherein said transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one ping transmission,

wherein said controller is further configured to put said apparatus into a off-duty mode in response to said transceiver receiving no response to said at least one ping transmission,

wherein said timer is configured to be active when the apparatus is put into off-duty mode until a predetermined time when a next duty cycle begins, and said controller is further configured to be inactive while said timer is active so as to avoid said apparatus responding to wake up events while in said off-duty mode.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data wirelessly,

a controller configured to control the operative mode of said apparatus,

a timer, and

a detector configured to detect a wake up event and to notify said controller to put said apparatus into an operative mode if a wake up event is detected,

wherein said transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one ping transmission,

wherein said controller is further configured to put said apparatus into a off-duty mode in response to said transceiver receiving no response to said at least one ping transmission,

wherein said apparatus is configured to remain in the off-duty mode, when put into the off-duty mode, until a predetermined time representing the start of a next duty cycle, the predetermined time being determined via use of a timer, and said controller is further configured to be inactive while in said off-duty mode so as to avoid said apparatus responding to wake up events while in said off-duty mode.

23. An apparatus comprising:

means controlling the operative mode of said apparatus,

means for detecting a wake up event and for notifying said means for controlling to put said apparatus into an operative mode in response to detecting said wake up event,

means for transmitting at least one ping transmission in response to said apparatus being put into an operative mode, and

means for notifying said means for controlling to put said apparatus into an off-duty mode in response to receiving no response to said at least one transmitted advertising message;

wherein said means for controlling further comprises timer means for being active for a predetermined period of time when the apparatus is put into an off-duty mode, and for keeping said means for controlling inactive while said timer means is active so as to avoid said apparatus responding to wake up events while in said passive mode.

24. An apparatus comprising:

means controlling the operative mode of said apparatus,

means for detecting a wake up event and for notifying said means for controlling to put said apparatus into an operative mode in response to detecting said wake up event,

means for transmitting at least one ping transmission in response to said apparatus being put into an operative mode, and

means for notifying said means for controlling to put said apparatus into an off-duty mode in response to receiving no response to said at least one transmitted advertising message;

wherein said means for controlling further comprises timer means for being active when the apparatus is put into off-duty mode until a predetermined time representing the beginning of a next duty cycle, and for keeping said means for controlling inactive while said timer means is active so as to avoid said apparatus responding to wake up events while in said passive mode.

25. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

detect a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of said apparatus;

put said apparatus into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said apparatus and transmitting at least one ping transmission via the radio frequency communication interface in response to detection of said wake up event;

determine whether a response to said at least one ping transmission is received at the radio frequency interface within a defined time frame; and

put said apparatus into an off-duty operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface for a predetermined period of time, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

26. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

detect a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor component of said apparatus;

put said apparatus into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication component of said apparatus and transmitting at least one ping transmission via the radio frequency communication component in response to detection of said wake up event;

determine whether a response to said at least one ping transmission is received at the radio frequency component within a defined time frame; and

put said apparatus into an off-duty operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication component for a predetermined period of time, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

27. A method comprising:

detecting a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of a device,

putting said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said device and transmitting at least one communication via the radio frequency communication interface in response to detection of said wake up event,

determining whether a response to said at least one communication is received at the radio frequency communication interface within a defined time frame; and

putting said device into an off-duty operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface until a predetermined time representing the beginning of a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

28. A method comprising:

detecting a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor component of a device,

putting said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication component of said device and transmitting at least one communication via the radio frequency communication component in response to detection of said wake up event,

determining whether a response to said at least one communication is received at the radio frequency communication component within a defined time frame; and

putting said device into an off-duty operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication component until a predetermined time representing the beginning of a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

29. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

detect a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of said apparatus;

put said apparatus into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said apparatus and transmitting at least one communication via the radio frequency communication interface in response to detection of said wake up event;

determine whether a response to said at least one communication is received at the radio frequency interface within a defined time frame; and

put said apparatus into an off-duty operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface until a predetermined time corresponding to the beginning of a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

30. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

detect a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor component of said apparatus;

put said apparatus into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication component of said apparatus and transmitting at least one communication via the radio frequency communication component in response to detection of said wake up event;

determine whether a response to said at least one communication is received at the radio frequency component within a defined time frame; and

put said apparatus into an off-duty operation mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication component until a predetermined time representing the beginning of a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

31. A method comprising:

detecting a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor interface of a device,

putting said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication interface of said device in response to detection of said wake up event,

transmitting at least one ping transmission via the radio frequency communication interface

determining whether a response to said at least one ping transmission is received at the radio frequency communication interface within a defined time frame; and

putting said device into an off-duty mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication interface until a predetermined time representing the beginning of a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.

32. A method comprising:

detecting a wake up event through a radio frequency sensor component of a device,

putting said device into an operative mode including powering a radio frequency communication component of said device in response to detection of said wake up event,

transmitting at least one ping transmission via the radio frequency communication component

determining whether a response to said at least one ping transmission is received at the radio frequency communication component within a defined time frame; and

putting said device into an off-duty mode including shutting down the radio frequency communication component until a predetermined time representing the beginning of a next duty cycle, if no response is received within said defined time frame, wherein in said off-duty mode wake up events are ignored.