Monitoring and tracking of assets by utilizing wireless communications
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for monitoring assets, the system comprising:
- identification (ID) tags each related to an asset to be monitored, wherein each ID tag is capable of wirelessly communicating with other ID tags such that a communication path exists between an RMS and any ID tag in the system, either directly or via other ID tags; and
an RMS that originates or is the end-destination, either directly or indirectly, of all communications transmitted by any ID tag in the system.
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Abstract
Systems, devices, methods, and programs disclosed herein provide a solution for monitoring and tracking assets by utilizing wireless communications. A representative system for monitoring assets includes a remote monitoring station (RMS) and a network of identification (ID) tags. Each ID tag is coupled to an asset and is configured to wirelessly communicate with other ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity. Each tag is also configured to relay communications from other ID tags so that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring assets, the system comprising:
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identification (ID) tags each related to an asset to be monitored, wherein each ID tag is capable of wirelessly communicating with other ID tags such that a communication path exists between an RMS and any ID tag in the system, either directly or via other ID tags; and
an RMS that originates or is the end-destination, either directly or indirectly, of all communications transmitted by any ID tag in the system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of monitoring assets across a supply chain, whereby each asset has an RFID tag coupled thereto and whereby the RFID tags can communicate via other RFID tags, the method comprising:
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forming a network of RFID tags by conducting a BFS for all tags within proximity, whereby existence in the network conveys the existence and location of the corresponding assets in the supply chain; and
polling the network of RFID tags to monitor the environmental conditions surrounding the corresponding assets. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer readable medium having a program for monitoring assets across a supply chain, whereby each asset has an RFID tag coupled thereto, the program comprising:
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logic configured to form a network of RFID tags by conducting a BFS for all tags within proximity, whereby existence in the network conveys the existence and location of the corresponding assets in the supply chain; and
logic configured to poll the network of RFID tags to monitor the environmental conditions surrounding the corresponding assets. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 29)
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24. A system for monitoring assets, the system comprising:
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a plurality of RFID tags, each related to an asset to be monitored, wherein each RFID tag comprises;
means for communicating with other RFID tags communications originating from or destined for an RMS; and
an RMS comprising;
means for conducting a breadth-first search (BFS) to identify the plurality of RFID tags and to establish a shortest communication path to each RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification