SYSTEM FOR, AND METHOD OF, MONITORING THE MOVEMENT OF MOBILE ITEMS

• US 20120086552A1
• Filed: 07/11/2011
• Published: 04/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vecima Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Contigo Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Fast, Raymond D., Goehring, Robert R., Ng, Kai Loon
• Granted Patent: US 8,350,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/8.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/006 for emergency situations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0263 by combining or switching between positions derived from two or more separate positioning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0291 Housing and user interface of child unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A system monitors parameters (e.g., speed, position, threshold boundaries) of mobile items attached to beacons and produces signals indicating these parameters. The system also monitors non-mobile parameters (e.g., battery life, door locks, windows) in the items. Different technologies (e.g., wireless) are provided for communicating between the beacons and a beacon controller interface. Different technologies are provided for locating and indicating item positions. The beacons and the interface provide for new beacons to be added to the system with different characteristics than the existing beacons for monitoring the operation of new beacons without affecting the operation of existing beacons. The system includes resellers, retailers, users and subscribers in a flexible relationship to enhance the ease in the system operation. Beacons can perform more than one function (e.g. tracking, threshold monitoring) simultaneously. Scenarios for the beacons can be created and monitored. Recovery personnel can intervene to resolve crises.

Claims

1-122. -122. (canceled)

123. A system for monitoring the operations, including location indication, of a plurality of mobile items, comprising:

a plurality of beacons each having individual location determining technologies distinguishing it from the location determining technologies of the other beacons, each of the beacons being coupled to an individual one of the items for movement with the items; and

a plurality of handsets, at least one of which is a mobile phone, the plurality of handsets having capabilities for providing indication of the location of the items, in accordance with signals utilized in the location determining technologies of the beacons coupled to the items.

124. The system of claim 123, further comprising:

at least one monitoring station in operable communication with the plurality of beacons;

a receiver in each of the beacons for receiving signals in the individual ones of the wireless location technologies; and

wherein the at least one monitoring station monitors the operations of the individual ones of the beacons in accordance with the signals in the individual ones of the wireless location technologies.