Power management in wireless tracking device operating with restricted power source

• US 10,061,033 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2017
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Turon, Martin, Yang, Xin, Dierks, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Brian
• Application Number:
  US15/610,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20170269220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless tracking device operating in at least two modes to reduce power consumption and extend the operable period of the wireless tracking device. In an active mode, the wireless tracking device samples sensor signals at a higher resolution and may also actively communicate with a remote device via wireless connection. In a hibernation mode, most of the components or modules in the wireless tracking device are shut down to reduce power consumption. The wireless tracking device may switch to the active mode When a predetermine event is detected.

Claims

1. A wireless tracking device, comprising:

a locating device configured to determine a geographic location of the wireless tracking device;

a sensor configured to generate a signal representing a characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device;

at least one controller coupled to the location device, the at least one controller configured to;

generate a message indicating the geographic location of the wireless tracking device or the characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device;

set the wireless tracking device in the first mode; and

switch the wireless tracking device from the first mode to a second mode at a predetermined time, wherein the second mode consumes more power than the first mode and increases a sensitivity of the sensor as compared to the first mode; and

a communication module operable in the second mode but not the first mode, and configured to send the message via a wireless network.

2. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device is a condition or a property associated with the wireless tracking device.

3. The wireless tracking device of claim 2, wherein the condition or property is a condition or property relating to the surroundings of the wireless tracking device.

4. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to maintain the wireless tracking device in the second mode in response to receiving the signal from the sensor.

5. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to switch the wireless tracking device to the first mode at a second pre-determined time.

6. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller comprises a first controller and a second controller consuming more power than the first controller during operation.

7. The wireless tracking device of claim 6, wherein the first controller is configured to communicate with the sensor, and wherein the second controller is configured to operate the locating device and the communication module.

8. The wireless tracking device of claim 7, wherein the first controller is configured to turn off the second controller, the locating device, and the communication module in the first mode.

9. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, further comprising a restricted power source for providing power to the locating device, the at least one controller, and the communication module.

10. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the locating device receives ephemeris data from a remote server via the communication module.

11. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured to switch the wireless tracking device from the first mode to the second mode at the predetermined time based on a passage of a period of time.

12. The wireless tracking device of claim 11, wherein the period of time is altered based on the signal from the sensor.

13. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured to switch the wireless tracking device from the first mode to the second mode at the predetermined time based on a signal from a timer indicating a time.

14. The wireless tracking device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer and the at least one controller is further configured to receive a signal from the accelerometer indicating movement of the wireless tracking device.

15. A method of operating a wireless tracking device, comprising:

setting the wireless tracking device in a first mode;

switching the wireless tracking device to a second mode at a predetermined time;

when in the second mode,

(a) determining a geographic location of the wireless tracking device;

(b) generating a message indicating the geographic location; and

(c) sending the message via a wireless network; and

maintaining the wireless tracking device in the second mode in response to receiving a signal from a sensor indicating a change in a characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device;

wherein the second mode consumes more power than the first mode and increases a sensitivity of the sensor as compared to the first mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device is a condition or a property associated with the wireless tracking device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the condition or property is a condition or property relating to the surroundings of the wireless tracking device.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising switching the wireless tracking device to the first mode at a second pre-determined time.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless tracking device comprises a location device for determining the geographic location of the wireless tracking device and a communication module for sending the message, and wherein the location device and communication module are turned off while the wireless tracking device is in the first mode and are turned on while the wireless tracking devices is in the second mode.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving ephemeris data from a remote server via the wireless network.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein switching the wireless tracking device to the second mode at the predetermined time is based on the passage of a period of time.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the period of time is modified based on the signal from the sensor.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein switching the wireless tracking device to the second mode at the predetermined time is based on a signal from a timer indicating a time.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer and the signal from a sensor indicating a change in a characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device is a signal from the accelerometer indicating movement of the wireless tracking device.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium structured to store instructions executable by a processor in a wireless tracking device, the instructions, when executed cause the processor to:

set the wireless tracking device in a first mode;

switch the wireless tracking device to a second mode at a predetermined time;

when in the second mode,

(a) determine a geographic location of the wireless tracking device;

(b) generate a message indicating the geographic location; and

(c) send the message via a wireless network; and

maintain the wireless tracking device in the second mode based on a signal from a sensor indicating a change in a characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device;

wherein the second mode consumes power differently than the first mode and increases a sensitivity of the sensor as compared to the first mode.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device is a condition or a property associated with the wireless tracking device.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the condition or property is a condition or property relating to the surroundings of the wireless tracking device.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to switch the wireless tracking device to the first mode at a second pre-determined time.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the wireless tracking device comprises a location device for determining the geographic location of the wireless tracking device and a communication module for sending the message, and wherein the location device and communication module are turned off while the wireless tracking device is in the first mode and are turned on while the wireless tracking devices is in the second mode.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor receive ephemeris data from a remote server via the wireless network.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the predetermined time is based on the passage of a period of time.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium claim 31, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to shorten the period of time for switching to the second mode based on the signal from the sensor.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the predetermined time is based on a signal from a timer indicating a time.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer and the signal from a sensor indicating a change in a characteristic associated with the wireless tracking device is a signal from the accelerometer indicating movement of the wireless tracking device.