Method and apparatus for performing predetermined actions by a device upon completion of given job functions

• US 8,502,672 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Tech LLC (OnAsset Intelligence Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: OnAsset Intelligence Incorporated
• Inventors: Crossno, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/857,345
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 3405271-5727
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/186 Fuzzy logic; neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/188 Data fusion; cooperative systems, e.g. voting among different detectors

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for initiating procedures whereby a smart device is able to analyze situational data sensed by the device, compare one or more event signatures representative of the sensed data with one or more sets of event signatures in a library of event signatures to logically determine completion of a job function and to then cause a specific action to be taken.

Claims

1. RF tag apparatus comprising:

a RF transmitter operable to communicate with a remote central computer over a network;

a plurality of sensors operable to provide output signals indicative of sensed parameters;

a CPU, connected to said RF transmitter and said plurality of sensors; and

CPU programming means operable to compare event signatures representative of signals received from said plurality of sensors with previously stored event signatures to determine when completion of use has occurred and upon the occurrence of a positive determination to subsequently cause transmission of data to initiate pickup procedures of said RF tag apparatus.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises

an RFID tag;

attachment means for attaching said tag to an asset; and

memory storage means having at least one event signature indicative of completion of use.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said CPU programming means is operable, in combination with said RF transmitter to retrieve at least one of sets of event signatures from remotely situated memory storage and remotely generated responses to remotely compared presently generated event signatures with remotely stored event signatures.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes:

location circuitry operable to determine present location of said tag;

means operable to retrieve destination location data;

interconnection means whereby said CPU is connected to receive present location data from said location circuitry; and

instructions in said CPU programming means whereby said event signature set of data indicative of completion of use includes events indicative of forces typically applied to a RF tag over a period of time subsequent to being received at a scheduled destination.

5. Theft detection apparatus comprising:

a RF transmitter operable to communicate with a remote central computer over a network;

at least one sensor operable to detect at least one of magnitude and direction of forces to which said apparatus is subjected while being attached to one of a container and an asset;

a CPU, connected to said RF transmitter and said at least one sensor; and

CPU instructions operable to compare event signature signals representative of sensed force data received with previously stored event signatures indicative of forces typically applied to said apparatus while attached to an asset or container during illegal removal of goods in different theft and/or container situations to determine when it is probable that an illegal removal of goods is occurring and upon the occurrence of a positive determination to subsequently cause transmission of data to notify appropriate authorities.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said apparatus comprises an attachable tag and includes:

location circuitry operable to determine location of said tag;

memory storage means including at least destination location data;

connection means whereby said CPU is connected to receive present location data from said location circuitry; and

instructions in said CPU programming means whereby said CPU uses said location data as part of the data transmitted to the appropriate authorities.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

said CPU is operating to use detected present tag location data in determining contact data for law enforcement authorities near the detected present tag location; and

law enforcement authorities are included in the notification transmission of data.

8. The method of automating a communication to authorities that theft of assets from and/or in a container is probably occurring by a device attached to said container comprising:

monitoring signatures of movement events to which said device is exposed;

monitoring location of said device as a sensed event;

comparing event signatures representative of sensed data with a library of at least one set of event signatures;

determining theft of assets is likely occurring when the comparison of recently collected event signatures positively compares with a given set of event signatures in said library; and

contacting, through M2M communication, appropriate authorities that theft of assets is likely occurring.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising in addition:

activating countermeasures to aid in minimizing the probability of a successful theft of assets subsequent to a determination that theft of assets is likely occurring.

10. RF tag apparatus comprising:

a RF transmitter operable to communicate with a remote central computer over a network;

at least one force sensor operable to detect at least one of magnitude and direction of forces to which said apparatus is subjected that result in motion of said tag apparatus;

a CPU, connected to said RF transmitter and said at least one sensor; and

a CPU instruction set operable to analyze motion data as detected by and received from said at least one force sensor, to generate event signature data as a function of the analysis of the motion data, and to then compare generated event signature data to a library of stored motion data event signatures for deriving a logical conclusion as to the status of said tag apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the motion analysis performed by said CPU instruction set comprises at least one of wave analysis and pattern recognition.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said CPU instruction set additionally includes instructions for initiating the sending of data to a given entity over a network upon a likely positive comparison with a given event signature in said library of event signatures.

13. Theft deterrent apparatus comprising:

an asset container;

theft deterrent apparatus attached to said asset container;

motion detection circuitry operable to detect motions of said container consistent with motions occurring upon removal of assets from said container;

location determining circuitry; and

logic circuitry connected to receive output signals from said motion detection circuitry and said location determining circuitry, said logic circuitry being operable to activate said theft deterrent apparatus when said logic circuitry determines that assets are being removed at a location inconsistent with normal location asset removal sites.

14. A method of deterring theft of assets from a moveable container comprising:

incorporating theft deterrent apparatus with an asset container;

detecting motions of said container consistent with motions occurring upon removal of assets from said container;

determining present location of said moveable container; and

activating said theft deterrent apparatus when said logic circuitry determines that assets are being removed at a location inconsistent with normal location asset removal sites.

15. A method of determining completion of function of a device comprising:

monitoring conditions to which a device is exposed;

comparing a plurality of recently collected event signatures obtained as a result of the condition monitoring with a library of at least one set of event signatures;

determining the function has been completed when the comparison of recently collected event signatures positively compares with a given set of event signatures in said library; and

initiating a new job function in accordance with the specific library event signature comparison.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein a least one of the conditions monitored comprises sensed forces to which a device is exposed, location of said device as determined by said device and movement of said device as determined by said device.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein:

the at least one set of event signatures is related to a at least potential theft situation; and

the new job function that is initiated includes wireless transmission of data relating to the at least potential theft situation to an authorized entity.

18. RF tag apparatus comprising:

a RF transmitter operable to communicate with a remote central computer over a network;

at least one force sensor operable to detect at least one of magnitude and direction of forces to which said apparatus is subjected that result in motion of said tag apparatus;

a CPU, connected to communicate with said RF transmitter, said at least one force sensor and said at least one further sensing device; and

a CPU instruction set operating to initiate an analysis of motion data as detected by and received from said at least one force sensor a period of time, to initiate generation of event signature data as a function of an analysis of the motion data over said period of time, and to then initiate comparison of generated event signature data to a library of stored motion data event signatures for deriving a logical conclusion as to which, if any, of the stored motion data event signatures is substantially comparable to the presently generated event signature data.