Activation of tracking device

• US 7,501,944 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2003
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Envirotainer AB
• Original Assignee: Envirotainer AB
• Inventors: Hyde, Dominic
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees; Edny
• Application Number:
  US10/541,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20060152357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,253 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/988, 340/438, 340/825.49, 340/10.5, 340/10.51, 340/10.36, 340/40.49, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/024 of beacon transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A tracking device obtains container position information, which is communicated wirelessly to a remote site. It is determined if the container is in proximity to an aircraft by detection of electromagnetic fields, and if so, the communication is disabled. Re-enabling of the communication is allowed if simultaneously no electromagnetic fields are detected and the tracking device is able to determine a container position. Re-enabling is also allowed if the lack of characteristic electromagnetic fields has lasted for a time period exceeding a predetermined value. This predetermined value is preferably larger than a maximum flight time from a globally most remote flight position. Alternatively, the predetermined value is larger than a maximum flight time on battery backup. The positioning information is preferably performed using GPS positioning. The detection comprises detection of electromagnetic field frequencies in the range of 400 Hz.

Claims

1. Method for operating a tracking device operatively connected to a container and having at a remote communication device, comprising the steps of:

performing a positioning information obtaining procedure concerning said container;

sensing whether said tracking device is in proximity to an aircraft by detecting electromagnetic fields emitted by said aircraft;

disabling emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device if proximity to said aircraft is indicated in said step of sensing; and

re-enabling emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device only if a lack of electromagnetic fields emitted by said aircraft is established simultaneously as a positioning information obtaining procedure is successfully performed.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

measuring a time period during which lack of proximity to the aircraft continuously is indicated in said step of sensing; and

re-enabling emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device if said time period exceeds a predetermined value.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined value is larger than a maximum flight time from a globally most remote flight position.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined value is larger than a maximum flight time for said aircraft on battery backup.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step of performing a positioning information obtaining procedure in turn comprises the step of determining a GPS position.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step of detecting in turn comprises the step of detecting electromagnetic field frequencies in the range of 400 Hz.

7. Tracking device for remote monitoring of a container to which said tracking device is operatively connected, said tracking device comprising:

a positioning system to obtain positioning information concerning said container;

a remote communication device;

a control system connected to said positioning system and said remote communication device; and

a detector for sensing whether said tracking device is in proximity to an aircraft and comprising an electromagnetic field sensor, sensing electromagnetic fields emitted by said aircraft, said detector being connected to said control system,

said control system being arranged to disable emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device responsive to an output of said detector indicating proximity to said aircraft, and

said control system being arranged to re-enable emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device only responsive to a simultaneously established lack of an output of electromagnetic fields emitted by said aircraft and a successfully performed positioning information obtaining procedure by said positioning system being able to obtain the positioning information.

8. Tracking device according to claim 7, wherein said control system being arranged to also re-enable emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device responsive to a lack of an output of said detector indicating proximity to an aircraft during a time period exceeding a predetermined value.

9. Tracking device according to claim 8, wherein said control system further comprises a timer arranged to clock said time period.

10. Tracking device according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined value is larger than a maximum flight time from a globally most remote flight position.

11. Tracking device according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined value is larger than a maximum flight time on battery backup.

12. Tracking device according to 7, wherein said positioning system is a GPS system.

13. Tracking device according to claims 7, wherein said electromagnetic field sensor is arranged to sense electromagnetic field frequencies in the range of 400 Hz.

14. Container for airfreight, having tracking device for remote monitoring of said container, said tracking device comprising:

a positioning system to obtain positioning information concerning said container;

a remote communication device;

control system connected to said positioning system and said remote communication device; and

a detector for sensing whether said container is in proximity to an aircraft and comprising an electromagnetic field sensor, sensing electromagnetic fields emitted by said aircraft, said detector being connected to said control system,

said control system being arranged to disable emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device responsive to an output of said detector indicating proximity to an aircraft;

said control system being arranged to re-enable emission of radio frequency signals from said remote communication device only responsive to a simultaneously established lack of electromagnetic fields emitted by said aircraft and successfully performed positioning information obtaining procedure by said positioning system being able to obtain the positioning information.