METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POWER MANAGEMENT OF ASSET TRACKING SYSTEM FOR NON-STATIONARY ASSETS

• US 20150154427A1
• Filed: 12/03/2013
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trapeze Software ULC (Constellation Software Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Trapeze Software ULC (Constellation Software Incorporated)
• Inventors: BARNES, Sharon Ann Irma, BROOKS, Marty Charles
• Granted Patent: US 9,576,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking

Abstract

There is system for power management for radio frequency identification (RFID) tag asset tracking systems where the tag has a transceiver, configured to control RFID communication of the RFID tag, an accelerometer, configured to determine and communicate whether the tag is in motion and a microcontroller unit (MCU), to control operation of the RFID tag and operably connected to, and in communication with, the accelerometer and the transceiver, wherein the MCU awakens, based on a trigger and receives, from the accelerometer, whether the accelerometer is moving, and if it is moving then provide power to other parts of the tag, otherwise transition to a sleep mode to conserve power.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:

an accelerometer, configured to communicate an acceleration reading of the RFID tag; and

a microcontroller unit (MCU), configured to transition the RFID tag through one or more states, and operably connected to the accelerometer, wherein the MCU is further configured to;

awaken, based on a trigger;

receive, from the accelerometer, the acceleration reading of the RFID tag;

calculate, based on the acceleration reading of the RFID tag, whether the RFID tag is in motion or not; and

if the RFID tag is in motion then;

transition to an in motion state.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein transitioning to an in motion state comprises powering on essential components.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the essential components comprise a transceiver.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger comprises a clock cycle timeout.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the clock cycle timeout can be configured.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the calculating further comprises comparing the acceleration reading to a previous acceleration reading.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein transitioning to an in motion state comprises powering down the accelerometer and MCU.

8. A method for transitioning an RFID tag, comprising an accelerometer and a microcontroller unit (MCU), through one or more states based on its motion, comprising:

receiving a trigger to enter a motion detection state;

determining if the RFID tag is in motion;

if the RFID tag is not in motion;

transitioning to an in motion state; and

if the RFID tag is in motion;

transitioning to a not in motion state.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the transitioning to an in motion state comprises powering on essential components.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the essential components comprise a transceiver.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the trigger comprises a clock cycle timeout.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the clock cycle timeout can be configured.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining further comprises:

receiving an acceleration reading; and

comparing the acceleration reading to a previous acceleration reading.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the transitioning to an in motion state comprises powering down the accelerometer and the MCU.