System and method for tracking assets within a monitored environment

• US 8,842,002 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2011
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: ZIH Corp. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Rado, Rodrigo
• Primary Examiner(s): Syed, Nabil
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUN, NAY L
• Application Number:
  US13/045,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20110163895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.1, 340/679, 340/686.1, 340/539.26, 700/115, 700/116, 700/213, 700/215, 414/139.4, 414/803, 705/22, 702/90, 702179-186, 701300-301, 701/224
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0294 Trajectory determination or predictive filtering, e.g. target tracking or Kalman filtering

Abstract

A system associates change in the state of an asset to an event trigger within a monitored environment. This environment includes a plurality of assets and a tag transmitter positioned on each asset and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in location of the asset. A plurality of spaced apart access points receive an RF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter. A processor is operatively connected to the access points and collect possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.

Claims

1. A method for location over-determination within a monitored environment, comprising:

receiving one or more data elements from a plurality of information sources that are configured to monitor state changes in a plurality of assets in the monitored environment, wherein the plurality of information sources are at least positioned on each of the plurality of assets and are operative for transmitting a wireless radio frequency signal comprising the one or more data elements;

detecting a data element error source in at least one data element of the one or more data elements received from the plurality of information sources, wherein the detection is performed at least in part by a plurality of spaced apart access points positioned at known locations within the monitored environment that are configured to receive the wireless radio frequency signal transmitted from the plurality of information sources;

generating an event trigger;

determining possible candidate assets that are associated with the event trigger;

generating, using a processor, a numerical score for each of the possible candidate assets, wherein the numerical score for each of the possible candidate assets is based on a comparison between the possible candidate asset and an event associated with the event trigger according to at least one rule; and

determining a candidate asset associated with the event trigger from the possible candidate assets based on the numerical score.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining the candidate asset based on the information source of the plurality of information sources that provided the one or more data elements that are inconsistent with the event trigger.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data element error source is detected in an instance in which an information source of the plurality of information sources does not provide a data element.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data element error source is determined based on an accumulated history of results.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each asset of the plurality of assets is monitored by at least two or more information sources.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of information source comprise at least one of a tag, an access point, a sensor, an interrogator or a camera.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the numerical score for each possible candidate asset based on a weight value assigned to the data element error source.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein a candidate asset of the plurality of candidate assets with the highest numerical score above a predetermined minimum score is selected as the candidate asset associated with the data element error source.

9. A computer program product for location over-determination within a monitored environment, comprising:

at least one computer readable non-transitory memory medium having program code instructions stored thereon, the program code instructions which when executed by an apparatus cause the apparatus at least to;

receive one or more data elements from a plurality of information sources that are configured to monitor state changes in a plurality of assets in the monitored environment, wherein the plurality of information sources are positioned on each of the plurality of assets and are operative for transmitting a wireless radio frequency signal comprising the one or more data elements;

detect a data element error source in at least one data element of the one or more data elements received from the plurality of information sources, wherein the detection is performed at least in part by a plurality of spaced apart access points positioned at known locations within the monitored environment that are configured to receive the wireless radio frequency signal transmitted from the plurality of information sources;

generate an event trigger;

determine possible candidate assets that are associated with the event trigger;

generate, using a processor, a numerical score for each of the possible candidate assets, wherein the numerical score for each of the possible candidate assets is based on a comparison between the possible candidate asset and an event associated with the event trigger according to at least one rule; and

determine a candidate asset associated with the event trigger from the possible candidate assets based on the numerical score.

10. A computer program product according to claim 9, wherein the data element error source is detected in an instance in which an information source of the plurality of information sources does not provide a data element.

11. A computer program product according to claim 9, wherein the data element error source is determined based on an accumulated history of results.

12. A computer program product according to claim 9, wherein each asset of the plurality of assets is monitored by at least two or more information sources.

13. A computer program product according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of information sources comprise at least one of a tag, an access point, a sensor, an interrogator or a camera.

14. A computer program product according to claim 9, further comprising program code instructions configured to:

adjust the numerical score for each candidate asset based on a weight value assigned to the data element error source.

15. A computer program product according to claim 9, wherein a candidate asset of the plurality of candidate assets with the highest score above a predetermined minimum score is selected as the candidate asset associated with the data element error source.

16. A system for location over-determination within a monitored environment, comprising:

a plurality of assets;

a plurality of information sources positioned on each of the plurality of assets and operative for transmitting a wireless radio frequency signal comprising one or more data elements;

a plurality of spaced apart access points positioned at known locations within the monitored environment that are configured to receive the wireless radio frequency signal transmitted from the plurality of information sources; and

an apparatus in data communication with at least one of the plurality of information sources or the plurality of spaced apart access points, the apparatus comprising at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least;

receive the one or more data elements from the plurality of information sources that are configured to monitor state changes in the plurality of assets in the monitored environment;

detect a data element error source in at least one data element of the one or more data elements received from the plurality of information sources;

generate an event trigger;

determine possible candidate assets that are associated with the event trigger;

generate a numerical score for each of the possible candidate assets, wherein the numerical score for each of the possible candidate assets is based on a comparison between the possible candidate asset and an event associated with the event trigger according to at least one rule;

adjust the numerical score for each of the possible candidate assets based on a weight value assigned to the data element error source; and

determine a candidate asset associated with the event trigger from the possible candidate assets based on the numerical score.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of information sources comprise at least one of a tag, an access point, a sensor, an interrogator or a camera.