Wireless reader tags (WRTs) with sensor components in asset monitoring and tracking systems

• US 8,315,563 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2009
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Twitchell, Robert W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Tuan
• Application Number:
  US12/349,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20090124303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/574, 455/127.5, 455/343.1, 455/343.2, 340/428, 340/447, 340/442, 340/445, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/854.6, 340/854.8, 340/539.3, 340/7.32, 340/10.34
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• 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 wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Claims

1. A remote communications device comprising:

communication circuitry configured to communicate wireless communication signals; and

sensor circuitry configured to sense at least one condition with respect to the remote communications device and to generate data indicative of the at least one sensed condition;

wherein the communication circuitry is coupled with the sensor circuitry and is configured to receive and to process some of the wireless communication signals and to output the data generated by the sensor circuitry externally of the remote communications device based on a duty cycle of the remote communication device; and

wherein the remote communications device is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, and further includes a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal in order to power up the remote communications device, the second receiver being adapted to draw less current than the communication circuitry while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency transmission.

2. A device comprising a wireless reader tag (WRT) comprising:

a lower power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component configured to communicate wireless communication signals; and

sensor components configured to sense at least one condition with respect to the WRT and to generate data indicative of the at least one sensed condition;

wherein the LPRF communications component is coupled with the sensor components and is configured to receive and to process some of the wireless communication signals and to output the data generated by the sensor components externally of the WRT based on a duty cycle of the WRT; and

wherein the WRT tag is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, and further includes a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal in order to power up the WRT tag, the second receiver being adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component of the WRT tag while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency transmission.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to output the data at the different moments in time according to a duty cycle of a class of which the WRT is a member.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to process the some of the wireless communication signals responsive to the some of the wireless communication signals comprising an identifier which matches an identifier of the WRT.

5. A remote communications device comprising:

communication circuitry configured to communicate wireless communication signals externally of the remote communications device; and

sensor circuitry configured to sense at least one condition with respect to the remote communications device;

wherein the communication circuitry is coupled with the sensor circuitry and is configured to communicate data indicative of the at least one sensed condition externally of the remote communications device to a reader based on a duty cycle;

wherein the remote communications device is configured for dynamic adjustment of the duty cycle; and

wherein the remote communications device is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, and further includes a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal in order to power up the remote communications device, the second receiver being adapted to draw less current than the communication circuitry while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency transmission.

6. A device comprising a wireless reader tag (WRT) comprising:

a lower power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component configured to communicate wireless communication signals externally of the WRT; and

sensor components configured to sense at least one condition with respect to the WRT;

wherein the LPRF communications component is coupled with the sensor components and is configured to communicate data indicative of the at least one sensed condition externally of the WRT to a reader based on a duty cycle;

wherein the WRT is configured for dynamic adjustment of the duty cycle; and

wherein the WRT tag is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, and further includes a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal in order to power up the WRT tag, the second receiver being adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component of the WRT tag while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency transmission.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to implement radio frequency identification device communications.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the data is communicated at the different moments in time independent of communications from the reader.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to determine the different moments in time according to a plurality of different duty cycles of respective classes of which the WRT is a member.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to communicate an identifier of the device with the data.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein the at least one condition is sensed during a first period of time and the LPRF communications component is configured to store in memory sensor acquired data relating to the sensed condition and subsequently communicate the data at a later time.

12. The device of claim 6 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to obtain data from the sensor components, and communicate the sensor derived data, upon the occurrence of predetermined sensor derived information.

13. The device of claim 6 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to obtain data from the sensor components, and store the sensor derived data in memory, upon the occurrence of predetermined sensor derived information.

14. The device of claim 6 wherein the sensor components are configured to detect a change in the location of the Wireless Reader Tag, wherein the WRT is configured to migrate from a current class to a new class in response to a change in location, wherein the new class has a duty cycle and a revolving communication schedule that are different from the duty cycle and revolving communication schedule of the prior class, and wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to be in a power-savings mode between duty cycles.

15. The device of claim 6 wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to:

initiate operations of the WRT in a first mode at a first moment in time;

detect a triggering event; and

initiate operations of the WRT in a second mode having increased power consumption compared with the first mode at a second moment in time and responsive to the detection, wherein the LPRF communications component is configured to communicate the data during the second mode.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein processing circuitry of the LPRF communications component is operable between the first and the second modes.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein the sensor components are operable between the first and the second modes.

18. The device of claim 6 further comprising an energy source configured to supply operational energy to the LPRF communications component.

19. The device of claim 6 wherein the wireless communication signals comprise a plurality of transmitted wireless communication signals which are outputted from the WRT, and the LPRF communications component is configured to receive and to process a plurality of received wireless communication signals which are received by the WRT.