Monitoring and tracking of assets by utilizing wireless communications

• US 20030137968A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Baggerman, Robert W., Welch, Gisele, Lareau, Neil William, Wagner, Ronald Earl
• Granted Patent: US 6,972,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/349
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Systems, devices, methods, and programs disclosed herein provide a solution for monitoring and tracking assets by utilizing wireless communications. A representative system for monitoring assets includes a remote monitoring station (RMS) and a network of identification (ID) tags. Each ID tag is coupled to an asset and is configured to wirelessly communicate with other ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity. Each tag is also configured to relay communications from other ID tags so that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring assets, the system comprising:

a remote monitoring station (RMS);

a network of identification (ID) tags, wherein each ID tag is coupled to an asset, and wherein each ID tag is configured to;

wirelessly communicate with other ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity; and

relay communications from other ID tags, such that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the RMS and the ID tags are configured to communicate with a radio frequency (RF) communication protocol.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the RMS and the ID tags are further configured to communicate via a variable length data frame.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the variable length data frame comprises:

a message destination field for storing a future communication path in which the data frame will travel between the RMS and a destination ID tag;

a source destination field for storing a past communication path in which the data frame has traveled; and

a payload field for storing information to be conveyed.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each ID tag is further configured to communicate with the RMS to convey the existence of the ID tag in the network.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each ID tag of the network is further configured to store the location of the asset to which the ID tag is coupled.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein each ID tag is further configured to communicate with the RMS to convey the location of the asset to which the ID tag is coupled.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each ID tag further comprises:

at least a first sensor each configured to sense an environmental condition of the asset to which the ID tag is coupled.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the environmental condition that is sensed by the at least first sensor is temperature, pressure, humidity, radiation, or vibrations.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein each ID tag is further configured to communicate with the RMS to convey data sensed by the at least first sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least a first dummy ID tag not coupled to an asset, wherein the at least first dummy ID tag is configured to;

wirelessly communicate with the ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity; and

relay communications from ID tags, such that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the RMS is housed in a storage facility.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a second RMS positioned in a cargo container and wherein the network of ID tags is configured to communicate with the second RMS when placed within the cargo container.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a third RMS positioned on a shipping vessel and wherein the network of ID tags is configured to communicate with the third RMS when placed on the shipping vessel.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second and third RMS are configured to communicate with a central monitoring station (CMS) via a satellite communication link.

16. A wireless identification (ID) tag coupled to an asset, wherein the wireless ID tag is one of a network of ID tags configured to communicate with a remote monitoring station (RMS), the wireless ID tag comprising:

a portable power supply;

a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with other ID tags within a predetermined proximity, wherein the proximity is a function of the power supplied by the portable power supply;

memory configured to store information about the asset upon which the ID tag is coupled, the memory being further configured to store logic for various algorithms; and

a processor for executing the logic for the various algorithms stored in memory, wherein one of the various algorithms comprises relaying communications from other ID tag, such that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.

17. The wireless ID tag of claim 16, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a radio frequency (RF) communication protocol.

18. The wireless ID tag of claim 16, wherein the memory is further configured to store:

location data pertaining to the location of the asset to which the wireless ID tag is coupled; and

a unique identifier of the wireless ID tag used for identification purposes.

19. The wireless ID tag of claim 16, further comprising:

at least a first sensor configured to sense an environmental condition of the asset to which the wireless ID tag is coupled.

20. The wireless ID tag of claim 19, wherein the environmental condition that is sensed by the at least first sensor is temperature, pressure, humidity, radiation, or vibrations.

21. The wireless ID tag of claim 19, wherein the memory is further configured to store:

data sensed by the at least first sensor; and

sensor parameters for operating the at least first sensor.

22. A system for monitoring assets across a supply chain, the system comprising:

a plurality of wireless radio frequency (RF) identification (ID) tags each coupled to an asset to be monitored, wherein each wireless RF ID tag comprises;

means for communicating with other wireless RF ID tags within a predetermined proximity, such that a plurality of networks of wireless RF ID tags are formed across the supply chain, wherein each network comprises those wireless RF ID tags within proximity of each other;

a plurality of remote monitoring stations (RMSs) positioned across the supply chain, wherein each RMS comprises;

means for communicating with any network of the plurality of networks that is within proximity of the RMS; and

a central monitoring station (CMS) comprising;

means for communicating with the plurality of RMSs.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein each wireless RF ID tag further comprises:

means for relaying communications from other wireless RF ID tags, such that a communication path is established between an RMS and any wireless RF ID tag in a network, either directly or via intermediate wireless RF ID tags.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein each wireless RF ID tag further comprises:

means for sensing at least a first environmental condition of the corresponding asset to which each wireless RF ID tag is coupled.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein each RMS further comprises:

means for periodically forming a network of wireless RF ID tags such that existence in the network conveys the existence and location of the corresponding assets in the supply chain; and

means for periodically polling a network of wireless RF ID tags to monitor environmental conditions surrounding the corresponding assets.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for periodically forming a network comprises:

means for broadcasting a communication message to be received by any wireless RF ID tag within immediate proximity of the RMS or within the proximity of any intermediate wireless RF ID tag; and

means for receiving a reply message from any wireless RF ID tag within immediate proximity or within the proximity of any intermediate wireless RF ID tag;

whereby multiple intermediate wireless RF ID tags may be utilized to relay either message.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for periodically polling the network comprises:

means for transmitting a communication message to each tag in the network, either directly or via intermediate wireless RF ID tags in the network; and

means for receiving a reply message from each wireless RF ID tag in the network, either directly or via intermediate wireless RF ID tags in the network, whereby each reply message conveys the environmental conditions experienced by the asset to which the wireless RF ID tag is coupled.

28. The system of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of communication units, wherein each communication unit comprises:

means for communicating with the CMS; and

means for communicating with any network of the plurality of networks of wireless RF ID tags that is within proximity of the communication unit.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for communicating with the CMS of each communication unit further comprises:

means for communicating with the CMS via a satellite communication link.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for communicating with the CMS of the communication unit further comprises:

means for communicating with other communication units within a determined proximity; and

means for relaying communications from other communication units, such that a communication path is established between any communication unit and the CMS, either directly or via intermediate communication units.

31. A method of monitoring assets across a supply chain, whereby each asset has an ID tag coupled thereto, the method comprising:

forming a network of ID tags such that existence in the network conveys the existence and location of the corresponding assets in the supply chain; and

polling the network of ID tags to monitor the environmental conditions surrounding the corresponding assets.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein forming the network comprises:

broadcasting a communication message that would be received by any ID tag within immediate proximity or within the proximity of any intermediate ID tag; and

receiving a reply message from any ID tag within immediate proximity or within the proximity of any ID intermediate tag;

whereby multiple intermediate ID tags may be utilized to relay either message.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein polling the network comprises:

transmitting a communication message to each tag in the network of ID tags, either directly or via intermediate ID tags in the network; and

receiving a reply message from each ID tag in the network, either directly or via intermediate ID tags in the network, whereby each reply message conveys the environmental conditions experienced by the asset to which the ID tag is coupled.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein forming the network and polling the network is performed periodically.

35. A computer readable medium having a program for monitoring assets across a supply chain, whereby each asset has an ID tag coupled thereto, the program comprising:

logic configured to form a network of ID tags such that existence in the network conveys the existence and location of the corresponding assets in the supply chain; and

logic configured to poll the network of ID tags to monitor the environmental conditions surrounding the corresponding assets.

36. The program of claim 35, wherein the logic configured to form the network comprises:

logic configured to generate a broadcasted communication message that would be received by any ID tag within immediate proximity or within the proximity of any intermediate ID tag; and

logic configured to process a received reply message from any ID tag within immediate proximity or within the proximity of any ID intermediate tag;

whereby multiple intermediate ID tags may be utilized to relay either message.

37. The program of claim 36, wherein the logic configured to form the network further comprises:

logic configured to map a network path to each ID tag in the network.

38. The program of claim 35, wherein the logic configured to poll the network comprises:

logic configured to generate a communication message to be transmitted to each tag in the network of ID tags, either directly or via intermediate ID tags in the network; and

logic configured to process a received reply message from each ID tag in the network, either directly or via intermediate ID tags in the network, whereby each reply message conveys the environmental conditions experienced by the asset to which the ID tag is coupled.

39. The program of claim 35, wherein the logic configured to form the network is further configured to periodically form the network and the logic configured to poll the network is further configured to periodically poll the network.