ASSET TRACKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED BY PREDETERMINED PATTERN OF ASSET MOVEMENT

• US 20160105868A1
• Filed: 12/15/2015
• Published: 04/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roambee Corporation
• Original Assignee: Senaya Inc
• Inventors: Lee, Brian, Chakraborty, Mrinmoy, Dubash, Jamshed, Nakra, Jahangir
• Granted Patent: US 10,624,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An asset tracking system that optimizes the value per ping by tying the ping to a pattern of movements of the asset. The asset tracking device will send a ping to a remote host (i.e., receiver) when pre-determined condition(s) regarding the movement are met, conditions such as the pattern of movement, and number of movements within a time period. In such a manner, the value per ping is optimized, leading to increased battery life and decreased operational cost. To satisfy these conditions, the asset tracking device is equipped with appropriate sensors, actuators, and trigger mechanism(s). The sensors and actuators detect movements and/or confirm or recognize a sequence of movements. When the detected movements and/or sequence of movements match a predetermined, recognized pattern or condition, the trigger mechanism is activated, after which a data ping is sent.

Claims

1. A method of tracking an asset with a wireless RF system comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:

with the transmitter in a sleep state, monitoring for an environmental change with the transmitter;

when the transmitter detects a change in the environment that is a recognized pattern, the transmitter switching to an idle state; and

when in the idle state, if the change in the environment is above a predetermined value within a time period T;

(a) the transmitter switching to a ping state,

(b) sending data regarding the location of the transmitter from the ping state, and

(c) after sending the data, the transmitter switching to the idle state.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the time period T is between 10 and 60 seconds.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the time period T is between 30 and 120 seconds.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the environment comprises temperature.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the environment comprises a location.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the location is a repair location.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the location is a transit location.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the location is an RF shielded location.

9. A method of tracking an asset with a wireless RF system comprising a transmitter having an environmental sensor and a motion sensor, and a receiver, the method comprising:

monitoring for a recognized pattern of movement with the motion sensor;

monitoring for an environmental change with the environmental sensor; and

when the motion detector detects a recognized pattern and the environmental sensor detects a change in the environment, sending data regarding the location of the transmitter to the receiver.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the environmental sensor is a temperature sensor.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the motion sensor comprises at least one of a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis magnetometer, and an altitude sensor.

12. The method of claim 9, the transmitter further having a battery, and the method further comprising checking the battery.

13. A method of tracking an asset with a wireless RF system comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:

(a) defining an event at a defined time and location;

(b) after a predetermined pattern of movement is detected by the transmitter, the transmitter collecting a raw time and location data point directed to the event,

(c) comparing the defined time and location data to the raw time and location data collected, and

(d) if the raw time and location data are sufficiently similar to the defined time and location data, replacing the raw time and location data with the defined time and location data, and transmitting the defined time and location data to the receiver.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the event is a repair event.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the event is a transit event.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the event is a loading or unloading event.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein prior to detecting the predetermined pattern of movement the transmitter is in a sleep state.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein after detecting the predetermined pattern of movement the transmitter is in an idle state.