Method and apparatus for handling 2-D fixes

• US 8,842,041 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Inventors: Meyers, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LIU, HARRY K
• Application Number:
  US13/446,905
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.44
• US Class Current: 342/357.44
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/876 Combination of several spaced transponders or reflectors of known location for determining the position of a receiver G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/021 Calibration, monitoring or correction G01S5/0252 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for increasing the reliability of location data received from a container monitoring unit. According to a first embodiment, the system includes a GPS mesh network device to communicate with existing GPS devices and a remote monitoring station which receives data from unit devices applying back-end analysis for determining the most accurate and robust geo-location for each unit. The present invention provides a method to coordinate analysis of data to improve determination of the exact location and status of assets. This increased visibility will enable the customer to pinpoint the real time location of a single box more. This level of real time asset management translates into greater operational efficiency and performance, cost reductions, and improved safety and security.

Claims

1. In a transportation system including at least a first container monitored by a first monitoring unit and having a first GPS transponder, and a second container monitored by a second monitoring unit and having a second GPS transponder, a method for determining the location of at least one container, the method comprising:

determining the location for the first container from the first GPS transponder;

determining the location of the second container from the second GPS transponder;

initiating a request by the first monitoring unit for location and identifying data from the second container;

reporting the location and identifying data from the first and second containers to a remote monitoring station;

initiating a request by the second monitoring unit for location and identifying data from at least a third container;

reporting data collected by the second container to a remote monitoring station;

determining a derived location for the first and second containers based on the time and direction of the signals received from the first and second container monitoring units at the remote monitoring station;

comparing the derived location of the first and second containers to the GPS determined locations of the first and second containers;

creating adjusted location data for the first container based on a comparison of the derived location of the first container and the GPS determined location of the first container; and

transmitting the adjusted location data to the first container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining the relative distance between the first and second containers.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of creating adjusted location data for the first container is based on a comparison of:

the derived location of the first container, the GPS determined location of the first container, and the relative distance between the first and second containers.

4. An apparatus for determining the location of a shipping container, the apparatus comprising:

a first GPS transponder for determining the location of a first container;

a second GPS transponder for determining the location of a second container;

a first processing unit configured to initiate a request for location and identifying data from the second container;

a transmitting element for reporting the location and identifying data from the first and second containers to a remote monitoring station;

a second processing unit configured to initiate a request by the second monitoring unit for location and identifying data from at least a third container;

a third processing unit configured to determine a derived location of the first and second containers based on the time and direction of the signals received from the first and second container monitoring units at the remote monitoring station;

wherein the third processing unit is further configured to compare the derived location of the first and second containers to the GPS determined locations of the first and second containers; and

further wherein the third processing unit is further configured to create adjusted location data for the first container based on a comparison of the derived location of the first container and the GPS determined location of the first container; and

a transmitting element for transmitting the adjusted location data to the first container.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises a distance measuring element to determining the relative distance between the first and second containers.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third processing unit is further configured to create adjusted location data for the first container based on a comparison of:

the derived location of the first container, the GPS determined location of the first container, and the relative distance between the first and second containers.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the distance measuring element comprises a laser range finder.

8. In a transportation system including at least a first container monitored by a first monitoring unit and having a first GPS transponder, and a second container monitored by a second monitoring unit and having a second GPS transponder, a method for determining the location of at least one container, the method comprising:

determining the location for the first container from the first GPS transponder;

determining the location of the second container from the second GPS transponder;

initiating a request by the first monitoring unit for location and identifying data from the second container;

reporting the location and identifying data from the first and second containers to a remote monitoring station;

determining a derived location for the first and second containers based on the time and direction of the signals measured between the first and second container monitoring units and an RF transceiver at known point;

comparing the derived location of the first and second containers to the GPS determined locations of the first and second containers;

creating adjusted location data for the first container based on a comparison of the derived location of the first container and the GPS determined location of the first container; and

transmitting the adjusted location data to the first container.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises determining the relative distance between the first and second containers.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of creating adjusted location data for the first container is based on a comparison of the derived location of the first container, the GPS determined location of the first container, and the relative distance between the first and second containers.