Passive mode tracking through existing and future wireless networks

• US 7,974,637 B1
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mikael Bror Taveniku
• Original Assignee: Mikael Bror Taveniku
• Inventors: Taveniku, Mikael Bror
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin; Jean A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Taylor; Nathan
• Application Number:
  US12/284,703
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-4566, 455/574, 455/127.5, 455/466, 455/41.2, 455/461, 705/1, 705 6- 8, 705/22, 705 25- 28, 342/357, 340/531, 340/539.22, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• 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 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method and system of Passive Mode Tracking of an item, object or cargo associated with a wireless communication device through existing and future wireless networks is described. The method builds on the observation that for many applications, cargo tracking included, an exact GPS or comparable accuracy method of location is not always necessary, however, the progress or rough movement, is. Therefore it is possible to utilize the tracking units'"'"' geographical location based on the registration process of a wireless service and its associated networks to locate the tracking unit. This method improves the size, weight, power consumption and complexity of the tracking unit by removing work from the tracking unit and utilizing the information collected by the wireless system(s) and the network(s) it attaches to. The location of the tracking unit is determined by inquiring of the wireless network the location of the wireless communication device.

Claims

1. A power efficient method for wireless remote health monitoring and tracking of items across multiple modes of transportation using existing wireless infrastructures;

wherein the method comprises;

registering a wireless radio tracking device located with tracked items using an application processor on a network through a base station to facilitate location and health determination;

determining by the backend system of the network, utilizing appropriate software and accessing databases, the health and location of items tracked wherein progress information of the items tracked is stored in a database; and

providing the progress information to authorized users, through an access point via at least one of the internet, web-service, email, SMS, or automated phone calls;

wherein determining the health and location of tracked items comprises;

obtaining a rough geographical location of tracked items, comprising;

retrieving from a network database or from stored cell-tower location information in the backend system a rough geographical position of the tracked items and providing a rough estimate of the location of the wireless radio tracking device within 1.5 miles or less, wherein the network comprises a cellular network;

obtaining a finer geographical location resolution, when requested by the application processor on the wireless tracking device;

wherein obtaining a finer location resolution comprises;

augmenting the rough geographical location information by sending additional data about the surrounding base stations and recent historical base station information;

wherein recent historical base station information comprises;

the base stations or networks to which the wireless radio tracking device is connected, the radio networks or bases stations detected by the wireless radio tracking device and global positioning location data of the wireless radio tracking device;

if the network comprises a WiFi network in combination with the cellular network, obtaining a rough geographical location of tracked items additionally comprises;

determining of a geographical location by the wireless radio tracking device;

sending one data packet to the backend system;

retrieving by the backend system the access point location by looking up the IP address location of the access-point, or requesting the access point location from the operator or third party location provider; and

providing a rough estimate of the location of the wireless radio tracking device within 3 miles or better accuracy;

if the network comprises a LTE or VII network in combination with the cellular network, obtaining a rough geographical location of tracked items additionally comprises;

requesting by the tracking unit location information of the local access point;

sending an information package to the backend system including the location information;

wherein determining the health and location of tracked items further comprises;

retrieving, other information, which is not from the wireless radio tracking unit or the network, the other information comprising;

known schedules for carriers of the tracked items, wherein the schedules for carriers of the tracked items comprise at least one of shipping company schedules, and airline schedules;

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, flight tracking information and airport location;

locations of known sorting and reloading facilities wherein the locations of known sorting and reloading facilities includes at least one of locations of airports and major on the road work sites;

historical data from previous transports on the same or similar route;

fusing the other information with the geographical location of the tracked items;

using the additional information and the geographical location to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein the other information that is retrieved further comprises known schedules, determining when expected pickup time is past due using the additional information including known schedules and triggering an alarm regarding the health an location of tracked items;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein other information that is retrieved further comprises;

weather data, determining possible delays in transports using the additional information including weather data and raising alert levels regarding the health and location of tracked items for possible item damage due to hot, cold, or damp conditions;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein other information that is retrieved further comprises;

airline schedules, flight tracking information and airport location determining if the tracked items missed the expected flights and triggering an alarm regarding the health an location of tracked items;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein other information that is retrieved further comprises;

historical data from previous transports on the same or similar route, comparing current tracked items progress and routing, measuring the current items progress relative to the historical data and detecting anomalies regarding the tracked items progress using the historical data.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

changing the wireless radio tracking device behavior based on the current environment and prediction of the future environment wherein the current environment or future environment of the wireless radio device is determined based on local data and information provided by the backend system; and

wherein the current environment or future environment is one of;

airport, inside closed metal containers, warehouse, storage/transfer facilities and locations where no connection signal is expected;

determining, by the back end system, where the wireless radio device is located, a predicted path and environment going forward and devising an appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device relative to the location and environment;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises, when the environment is a airport or aircraft, the wireless radio tracking device behavior is modified to guarantee that the external transmitters are turned off when required by regulations and that the device comply with FAA DO-182, DO-294/FCC recommendations for portable electronic devices aboard aircraft;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device further comprises;

using multiple external sensors to ensure the-transmitters are powered down when it is unsafe to operate;

turning transmitters of the wireless radio tracking device back on from aircraft mode so it safely can return to normal operation when on the ground based on external sensor information;

wherein the external sensor information comprises at least one of acoustics engine sound, altitude, motion, lack of motion and rapid deceleration;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises causing causes a power down of the radio devices for a certain period of time, in order to save power, or better conceal the device;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises causing the wireless radio tracking device to connect to an aircraft communication or passenger WiFi system when it is safe to do so, and communicate with the backend system;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises causing the wireless radio tracking device to wake-up from a powered down state if some pre-set condition is true even if the device is in a low-power mode, wherein the pre-set condition is at least one of a phone call or a sensor attached to the wireless radio device registers an event;

wherein a sensor registering an event causes the tracking device to wake-up even if a units wireless modem of the wireless radio tracking device is turned off;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises;

processing the event registered by the sensors by the application processor of the wireless radio tracking device; and

transmitting event information to the backend system, wherein that sensors include least one of;

shock, vibration, magnetic contact, external current or voltage loop, light, and motion; and

the sensors have set limits on when to register an event.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless radio tracking device is capable of “

real time”

item tracking and detects tampering using sensors associated with the wireless radio tracking device which trigger an alarm that is sent to the backend system; and

wherein the wireless radio tracking device is concealed within the tracked items due to the size of the wireless radio tracking unit, wherein the operational time of the wireless radio tracking device is field is more than 14 days.

4. A power efficient system for wireless remote health monitoring and tracking of items across multiple modes of transportation using existing wireless infrastructures comprising a wireless radio tracking device, and a backend system wherein in the wireless radio tracking device comprises:

a rugged enclosure;

a radio device;

an application processor;

at least one sensor; and

a battery pack or alternate power source; and

the backend system comprises appropriate software and databases;

wherein the wireless radio tracking device is located with tracked items and registers using an application processor on a network through a base station to facilitate location and health determination;

backend system of the network comprises a determining unit which determines, utilizing appropriate software and accessing databases, the health and location of items tracked wherein progress information of the items tracked is stored in a database; and

providing the progress information to authorized users, through an access point via at least one of the internet, web-service, email, SMS, or automated phone calls;

wherein determining the health and location of tracked items comprises;

obtaining a rough geographical location of tracked items, comprising;

retrieving from a network database or from stored cell-tower location information in the backend system a rough geographical position of the tracked items and providing a rough estimate of the location of the wireless radio tracking device within 1.5 miles or less, wherein the network comprises a cellular network;

obtaining a finer geographical location resolution, when requested by the application processor on the wireless tracking device;

wherein obtaining a finer location resolution comprises;

augmenting the rough geographical location information by sending additional data about the surrounding base stations and recent historical base station information;

wherein recent historical base station information comprises;

the base stations or networks to which the wireless radio tracking device is connected, the radio networks or bases stations detected by the wireless radio tracking device or global positioning location data of the wireless radio tracking device;

if the network comprises a WiFi network combination with the cellular network, obtaining a rough geographical location of tracked items additionally comprises;

determining of a geographical location by the wireless radio tracking device;

sending one data packet to the backend system;

retrieving by the backend system the access point location by looking up the IP address location of the access-point, or requesting the access point location from the operator or third party location provider; and

providing a rough estimate of the location of the wireless radio tracking device within 3 miles or better accuracy;

if the network comprises a LTE or VII network in combination with the cellular network, and obtaining a rough geographical location of tracked items additionally comprises;

requesting by the tracking unit location information of the local access point;

sending an information package to the backend system including the location information;

wherein determining the health and location of tracked items further comprises;

retrieving, other information, which is not from the wireless radio tracking unit or the network, the other information comprising;

known schedules for carriers of the tracked items, wherein the schedules for carriers comprise at least one of shipping company schedules, and airline schedules;

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, flight tracking information and airport location;

locations of known sorting and reloading facilities wherein the locations of known sorting and reloading facilities includes at least one of locations of airports and major on the road work sites;

historical data from previous transports on the same or similar route;

fusing the other information with the geographical location of the tracked items;

using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein the other information that is retrieved further comprises;

known schedules, determining when expected pickup time is past due using the additional information including known schedules and triggering an alarm regarding the health an location of tracked items;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein other information that is retrieved further comprises;

weather data, determining possible delays in transports using the additional information including weather data and raising alert levels regarding the health and location of tracked items for possible item damage due to hot, cold, or damp conditions;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein other information that is retrieved further comprises;

airline schedules, flight tracking information and airport location determining if the tracked items missed the expected flights and triggering an alarm regarding the health an location of tracked items;

wherein using the additional information to determine the health and location of items currently being tracked and future tracked items comprises;

wherein other information that is retrieved further comprises;

historical data from previous transports on the same or similar route, comparing current tracked items progress and routing, measuring the current items progress relative to the historical data and detecting anomalies regarding the tracked items progress using the historical data.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising changing the wireless radio tracking device behavior based on the current environment and prediction of the future environment wherein the environment or future environment if the wireless radio device is determined based on local data or information provided by the backend system;

and wherein the environment is one of;

airport, inside closed metal containers, warehouse, storage/transfer facilities and locations where no connection signal is expected;

determining, by the back end system, where the wireless radio device is located, a predicted path and environment going forward and devising an appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device relative to the location and environment;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises, when the environment is a airport or aircraft, the wireless radio tracking device behavior is modified to guarantee that the external transmitters are turned off when required by regulations and that the device comply with FAA DO-182, DO-294/FCC recommendations for portable electronic devices aboard aircraft;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device further comprises;

using multiple external sensors to ensure the-transmitters are powered down when it is unsafe to operate;

turning transmitters of the wireless radio tracking device back on from aircraft mode so it safely can return to normal operation when on the ground based on external sensor information;

wherein the external sensor information comprises at least one of acoustics engine sound, altitude, motion, lack of motion and rapid deceleration;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises causing causes a power down of the radio devices for a certain period of time, in order to save power, or better conceal the device;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises causing the wireless radio tracking device to connect to an aircraft communication or passenger WiFi system when it is safe to do so, and communicate with the backend system;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises causing the wireless radio tracking device to wake-up from a powered down state if some pre-set condition is true even if the device is in a low-power mode, wherein the pre-set condition is at least one of a phone call or a sensor attached to the wireless radio device registers an event;

wherein a sensor registering an event causes the tracking device to wake-up even if a units wireless modem of the wireless radio tracking device is turned off;

wherein devising the appropriate behavior for the wireless radio tracking device comprises;

processing the event registered by the sensors by the application processor of the wireless radio tracking device; and

transmitting event information to the backend system, wherein that sensors include least one of;

shock, vibration, magnetic contact, external current or voltage loop, light, and motion; and

the sensors have set limits on when to register an event.