Automatic and dynamic changing of class in class-based asset tracking and monitoring systems

• US 7,830,852 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2009
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Twitchell, Jr., Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TUAN
• Application Number:
  US12/367,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20090135000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 639 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/552.1, 370/310, 370/310.2, 370/312, 370/401, 370/402, 370/328, 370/338, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.33, 340/10.34, 340/7.21, 340/539, 340/372, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/20 using a distributed architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A class-based asset tracking or monitoring system includes wireless radio frequency data communication devices, each including memory in which is stored a common designation; a radio frequency transmitter component and receiver component for wirelessly sending and receiving data packets; and electronics for processing data. Each device is configured to filter a wireless communication received by it for an identification of its common designation within the communication, and process the communication if an identification of its common designation is found therein. The device includes a profile stored in its memory and is configured to automatically and dynamically change its common designation in accordance with its profile. The profile may include a plurality of common designations, which may be conditional. The foregoing common designations may be class designations for use in class-based asset tracking systems. The device may include an interface for sensor-acquired data.

Claims

1. A class-based tracking system for shipping containers, comprising:

(a) a plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices respectively attached to shipping containers, each wireless radio frequency data communication device including,

(i) memory in which is stored a class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communications device;

(ii) a radio frequency transmitter component and receiver component for wirelessly sending and receiving data packets; and

(iii) electronics for processing data;

(iv) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to filter a wireless communication received by it for an identification of its class designation within the communication, and

(A) process the communication if an identification of its class designation is found therein, and

(B) not process the communication if an identification of its class designation is not found therein,

(v) wherein the memory includes a profile stored therein, the profile including the class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communication device and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the wireless radio frequency data communication device, and

(vi) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with the profile;

(b) a plurality of gateways arranged at respective locations along transportation routes of the shipping containers, each gateway configured for communications with each of the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices attached to the shipping containers when within communication range thereof; and

(c) an application server for sending communications to, and receiving communications from, the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices attached to the shipping containers through the plurality of gateways;

(d) wherein the application server and gateways are configured for communications over the Internet, satellite communications network, cellular communications network, or combination of the foregoing.

2. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its current location.

3. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 2, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its current location.

4. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its status.

5. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 4, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its status.

6. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its operational characteristics.

7. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein the wireless radio frequency data communication devices are configured to change its class designation in response to a wireless communication representing a command to change its class designation.

8. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 2, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices each further includes an interface for receiving sensor-acquired information.

9. A class-based tracking system for assets in transit, comprising:

(a) a plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices respectively disposed in wireless radio frequency communication range of assets to be monitored, each wireless radio frequency data communication device including,

(i) memory in which is stored a class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communications device;

(ii) a radio frequency transmitter component and receiver component for wirelessly sending and receiving data packets; and

(iii) electronics for processing data;

(iv) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to filter a wireless communication received by it for an identification of its class designation within the communication, and

(A) process the communication if an identification of its class designation is found therein, and

(B) not process the communication if an identification of its class designation is not found therein,

(v) wherein the memory includes a profile stored therein, the profile including the class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communication device and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the wireless radio frequency data communication device, and

(vi) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with the profile;

(b) a plurality of gateways arranged at respective locations along transit routes of the assets, each gateway configured for communications with each of the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices when within communication range thereof; and

(c) at least one application server for sending communications to, and receiving communications from, the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices through the plurality of gateways;

(d) wherein the at least one application server and the gateways are configured for communications over the Internet, satellite communications network, cellular communications network, or combination of the foregoing.

10. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein a respective wireless tag, that is read by one of the plurality of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices, is attached to each asset to be tracked.

11. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its current location.

12. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 11, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its current location.

13. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its status.

14. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 13, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its status.

15. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its operational characteristics.

16. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein the wireless radio frequency data communication devices each is configured to change its class designation in response to a wireless communication representing a command to change its class designation.

17. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices each further includes an interface for receiving sensor-acquired information.

18. A class-based system for monitoring assets in a building, comprising:

(a) a plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices respectively disposed in wireless radio frequency communication range of assets to be monitored, each wireless radio frequency data communication device including,

(i) memory in which is stored a class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communications device;

(ii) a radio frequency transmitter component and receiver component for wirelessly sending and receiving data packets; and

(iii) electronics for processing data;

(iv) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to filter a wireless communication received by it for an identification of its class designation within the communication, and

(A) process the communication if an identification of its class designation is found therein, and

(B) not process the communication if an identification of its class designation is not found therein,

(v) wherein the memory includes a profile stored therein, the profile including the class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communication device and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the wireless radio frequency data communication device, and

(vi) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with the profile;

(b) a plurality of gateways arranged at respective locations within the building, each gateway configured for communications with each of the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices when within communication range thereof; and

(c) at least one application server for sending communications to, and receiving communications from, the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices through the plurality of gateways.

19. The class-based system for monitoring assets in a building of claim 18, wherein the at least one application server and the gateways are configured for communications over the Internet, satellite communications network, cellular communications network, a wired network, or combination of the foregoing.

20. The class-based system for monitoring assets in a building of claim 18, wherein a respective wireless tag, that is read by one of the plurality of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices, is attached to each asset to be monitored, and wherein the assets are arranged on pallets, and wherein each pallet includes one of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices attached thereto.