Marine asset security and tracking (MAST) system

• US 7,394,381 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2004
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Navigational Sciences, Inc., UT-Battelle LLC
• Original Assignee: Navigational Sciences, Inc., UT-Battelle LLC
• Inventors: Lenarduzzi, Roberto, Blair, Jeffrey Scott, Duncan, Christopher Allen, Dobson, Eric Lesley, Smith, Stephen Fulton, Hanson, Gregory Richard, Moore, Michael Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/840,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/573.4, 340/571, 340/505, 340/539.13, 340/539.16, 340/539.17, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 340/10.3, 340/10.4, 455/3.05, 455/517, 701/2, 701/16, 705/28, 705/34, 235/383, 235/492
• US Class Current: 340/572.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• 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

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for marine asset security and tracking (MAST). A method includes transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from a radio frequency tag. An apparatus includes a radio frequency tag that transmits identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data. Another method includes transmitting identification data and location data from a radio frequency tag using hybrid spread-spectrum modulation. Another apparatus includes a radio frequency tag that transmits both identification data and location data using hybrid spread-spectrum modulation.

Claims

1. A method, comprising transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from a radio frequency tag,

wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts, with regard to the environmental state sensor data, a set point to lower power consumption,

wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode that permits tag to tag communication and

wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to the transceiver mode when an alarm state is activated.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transceiver mode includes the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomized transmission interval and then receiving and buffering.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a power source including an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag at a reader.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein transceiver mode includes the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomized transmission interval and then receiving and buffering.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to a tag to tag mode when the radio frequency tag does not receive a response from the reader.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts, with regard to the sensor, a set point to lower power consumption.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the radio frequency tag.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a power source that is not necessary for the tag to transmit identification data and location data.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the power source includes an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag is transmitted within a first frequency band and the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag at a reader and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to a site server that provides data accumulation and analysis.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag occurs within a first frequency band and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server occurs within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server can include wireless transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes transmission on a reader power supply line.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes transmission by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes wireless transmission by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein wireless transmission by hybrid spread-spectrum modulation includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising receiving identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader at the site server and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to at least one server of a common database that provides analysis, comparison and tracking.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the common database defines a global database.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to the common database can include transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of satellite, cellphone, acoustic, power line, telephone line, coaxial line, optical fiber and optical cable.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to the common database includes transmission by internet.

34. An apparatus, comprising:

a radio frequency tag that transmits identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data,

wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts, with regard to the environmental state sensor data, a set point to lower power consumption,

wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode that permits tag to tag communication and

wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to the transceiver mode when an alarm state is activated.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a power source including an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

39. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a sensor coupled to the radio frequency tag.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the sensor includes a power source that is not necessary for the tag to transmit identification data, location data and environmental state data.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the power source includes an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

44. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag is transmitted within a first frequency band and the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

46. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the radio frequency tag is coupled to a shipping container.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein environmental state sensor data includes an environmental state inside the shipping container.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising an antenna coupled to the shipping container.

49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the shipping container includes a shipping container power supply and the radio frequency tag can tap into the shipping container power supply.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the shipping container includes one member selected from the group consisting of a dry box and a reefer.

51. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a reader wirelessly coupled to the radio frequency tag, the reader receiving identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to a site server that provides data accumulation and analysis.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag occurs within a first frequency band and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server occurs within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server can include wireless transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

54. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the reader is electrically coupled to the site server via a reader power supply line and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes transmission on the reader power supply line.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes transmission by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

57. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes wireless transmission by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein wireless transmission by hybrid spread-spectrum modulation includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

59. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising a site server wirelessly coupled to the reader, the site server receiving identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to at least one server of a common database that provides analysis, comparison and tracking.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the common database defines a global database.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to the common database can include transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of satellite, cellphone, acoustic, power line, telephone line, coaxial line, optical fiber and optical cable.

62. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to the common database includes transmission by internet.

63. A method, comprising transmitting identification data and location data from a radio frequency tag using hybrid spread-spectrum modulation,

wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts, with regard to the environmental state sensor data, a set point to lower power consumption,

wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode that permits tag to tag communication and

wherein the radio frequency tap is switched to the transceiver mode when an alarm state is activated.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

65. The method of claim 63, further comprising transmitting environmental state sensor data from the radio frequency tag using hybrid spread-spectrum modulation.

66. The method of claim 63, wherein transceiver mode includes the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomized transmission interval and then receiving and buffering.

67. The method of claim 63, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a power source including an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

68. The method of claim 63, further comprising receiving identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag at a reader.

69. The method of claim 63, wherein transceiver mode includes the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomized transmission interval and then receiving and buffering.

70. The method of claim 63, wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to a tag to tag mode when the radio frequency tag does not receive a response from the reader.

71. The method of claim 63, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

72. The method of claim 63, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

75. The method of claim 63, further comprising a sensor coupled to the radio frequency tag.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

78. The method of claim 75, wherein the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag is transmitted within a first frequency band and the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

80. The method of claim 63, wherein the sensor includes a power source that is not necessary for the tag to transmit identification data and location data.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the power source includes an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

82. The method of claim 63, further comprising receiving identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag at a reader and re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to a site server that provides data accumulation and analysis.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

84. The method of claim 82 wherein transmitting identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag occurs within a first frequency band and re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server occurs within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

85. The method of claim 82, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server can include wireless transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

86. The method of claim 82, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server includes transmission on a reader power supply line.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server includes by transmission at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein re-transmitting identification data and, location data from the reader to the site server includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

89. The method of claim 82, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes wireless transmission by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein wireless transmission by hybrid spread-spectrum modulation includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

91. The method of claim 82, further comprising receiving identification data and location data from the reader at the site server and re-transmitting identification data and location data from the site server to at least one server of a common database that provides analysis, comparison and tracking.

92. The method of claim 91, further comprising depicting a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system.

93. The method of claim 91, wherein the common database defines a global database.

94. The method of claim 91, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the site server to the common database can include transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of satellite, cellphone, acoustic, power line, telephone line, coaxial line, optical fiber and optical cable.

95. The method of claim 91, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to the common database includes transmission by internet.

96. An apparatus, comprising:

a radio frequency tag that transmits both identification data and location data using hybrid spread-spectrum modulation,

wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts, with regard to the environmental state sensor data, a set point to lower cower consumption,

wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode that permits tag to tag communication and

wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to the transceiver mode when an alarm state is activated.

97. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a power source including an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

98. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the radio frequency tag transmits environmental state data using hybrid spread-spectrum modulation.

99. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor.

100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

101. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

102. The apparatus of claim 98, further comprising a sensor coupled to the radio frequency tag.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical moieties, biological species.

104. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the sensor characterizes at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration and mechanical interlock.

105. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the sensor includes a power source that is not necessary for the tag to transmit identification data and location data.

106. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the power source includes an energy storage device that is recharged by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic charger, a thermo-electric generator and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device.

107. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

108. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag is transmitted within a first frequency band and the sensor is coupled to the radio frequency tag wirelessly within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

109. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the radio frequency tag is coupled to a shipping container.

110. The apparatus of claim 109, wherein the radio frequency tag transmits environmental state data using hybrid spread-spectrum modulation.

111. The apparatus of claim 110, wherein environmental state sensor data includes an environmental state inside the shipping container.

112. The apparatus of claim 109, further comprising an antenna coupled to the shipping container.

113. The apparatus of claim 109, wherein the shipping container includes a shipping container power supply and the radio frequency tag can tap into the shipping container power supply.

114. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the shipping container includes one member selected from the group consisting of a dry box and a reefer.

115. The apparatus of claim 96, further comprising a reader wirelessly coupled to the radio frequency tag, the reader receiving identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag and re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to a site server that provides data accumulation and analysis.

116. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein transmitting identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag occurs within a first frequency band and re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server occurs within a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band.

117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server can include wireless transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

118. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein the reader is electrically coupled to the site server via a reader power supply line and re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes transmission on the reader power supply line.

119. The apparatus of claim 118, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server includes transmission by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

120. The apparatus of claim 118, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

121. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the reader to the site server includes wireless transmission by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread-spectrum, direct sequence spread-spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and infrared.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein wireless transmission by hybrid spread-spectrum modulation includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of approximately 50 Hz and approximately 60 Hz and substantially all harmonics thereof and diversifying.

123. The apparatus of claim 115, further comprising a site server wirelessly coupled to the reader, the site server receiving identification data and location data from the reader and re-transmitting identification data and location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to at least one server of a common database that provides analysis, comparison and tracking.

124. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein the common database defines a global database.

125. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein re-transmitting identification data and location data from the site server to the common database can include transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of satellite, cellphone, acoustic, power line, telephone line, coaxial line, optical fiber and optical cable.

126. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein re-transmitting identification data, location data and environmental state sensor data from the site server to the common database includes transmission by internet.