Asset sealing and tracking system and method

• US 7,528,719 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Issued: 05/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hopman, Nicholas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk; Samuel J
• Application Number:
  US11/304,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20070139197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

A system and method of asset sealing and tracking includes a first RFID device with a first identity that is permanently affixed to a container door, and removable second RFID device with a second identity is coupled to the first RFID device—and inserted through a locking hasp of the container door. The first RFID device inherits the second identity of the second RFID device thereby automatically associating the two devices. Thereafter the first RFID device broadcasts both identities. When the second RFID device is opened, so that the container door is allowed to open, the first RFID device can sense this and change its broadcast message to include that the second RFID device was opened.

Claims

1. A system for tracking an asset by an RFID reader, the system comprising:

a mechanism disposed on the asset to allow access to the asset when the mechanism is in a first position and to deny access to the asset when the mechanism is in a second position;

a first RFID device having a first identity affixable to the asset; and

a second RFID device disposed with the mechanism and comprising a second identity and a measurable parameter indicating whether the mechanism is in the first or second position, wherein the first RFID device receives the second identity and the measurable parameter from the second RFID device and communicates the first and second identity and the measurable parameter to the RFID reader.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the RFID device comprises a transmitter for communicating the first and second identity and the measurable parameter to the RFID reader.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the measurable parameter comprises detection of presence of the second RFID device.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the measurable parameter comprises detection of absence of the second RFID device.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first RFID device further comprises a communication device for communicating the first and second identity to an RFID reader.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first RFID device comprises an active RFID device.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second RFID device comprises a passive RFID device.

8. A method for asset tracking by a reader comprising the steps of:

affixing a first RFID device having a first identification symbol to an asset;

affixing a second RFID device having a second identification symbol to a locking mechanism affixed to the asset, the second identification symbol including behavior information indicating whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked; and

communicating the a second identification symbol to the first RFID device for subsequent transmission to the reader.