Method and system for obtaining information about objects in an asset

• US 8,310,363 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2007
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US11/843,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20080174423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,909 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/988, 340/989, 340/825, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/10.34, 340/5
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1016 : Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 : including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 : using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 : EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Asset including an arrangement for monitoring inanimate objects in an interior thereof includes a sensor system arranged on each object in the asset and arranged to obtain data about the object, a location determining system arranged on the asset to monitor the location of the asset, and a communication system arranged on the asset and coupled to the sensor system and the location determining system. The communication system transmits the data about each object obtained by the sensor system and the location of the asset provided by the location determining system to one or more remote facilities, these remote facilities being those interested in the information about the objects in the asset being monitored.

Claims

1. An asset including an arrangement for monitoring inanimate objects that are movable into and out of an interior of the asset, comprising:

a frame defining an object-containing interior;

a sensor system adapted to be arranged on each of at least one inanimate object that is movable relative to the asset and situated in said interior defined by said frame, said sensor system being arranged to obtain data about the at least one object other than location of the at least one object and process the obtained data to determine whether a condition about the at least one object has occurred;

an event monitoring sensor coupled to said sensor system and that monitors whether an event related to movement of the at least one object relative to said frame occurs, said sensor system obtaining the data about the at least one object only when said event monitoring sensor detects occurrence of the event;

a power source coupled to or integral with said sensor system to enable said sensor system to obtain data about the at least one object, said power source providing power only to said sensor system;

a location determining system arranged to monitor the location of the asset; and

a communication system coupled to said sensor system and said location determining system, said communication system transmitting the determination of whether the condition about the at least one object has occurred by said sensor system and the location of the asset provided by said location determining system to a remote facility using a cellular telephone network or the Internet whenever said sensor system obtains data about the at least one object as a result of detection of the occurrence of the event bys aid event monitoring sensor,

whereby the remote facility can take appropriate action when it receives a transmission from said communication system that the condition about the at least one object has occurred and the location of the asset including the object.

2. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises at least one sensor that senses a property or condition of the at least one object or an environment around the at least one object and a processor that analyzes data obtained by said at least sensor to determine whether the condition about the at least one object has occurred.

3. The asset of claim 2, wherein said communication system is arranged such that when said processor determines that the condition about the at least one object has occurred, said communication system transmits the status of the at least one object to the remote facility.

4. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises at least one sensor that senses a property or condition of the at least one object or an environment around the at least one object, further comprising a processor located on the asset and that analyzes data obtained by said at least sensor to determine whether the condition about the at least one object has occurred.

5. The asset of claim 4, wherein said communication system is arranged such that when said processor determines that the condition about the at least one object has occurred, said communication system transmits the status of the at least one object to the remote facility.

6. The asset of claim 1, further comprising

a door;

and

a door status sensor arranged to detect when said door is closed, said sensor system being coupled to said door status sensor and arranged to obtain data about the at least one object only when said door status sensor detects when said door is closed after having been opened.

7. The asset of claim 1, further comprising

at least one light-detecting sensor arranged to detect any change in light in the proximity of the at least one object, said sensor system being coupled to said at least one light-detecting sensor and arranged to obtain data about the at least one object only when a change in light is detected by said at least one light-detecting sensor.

8. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system is arranged to detect motion of the at least one object within the interior of the asset relative to the asset.

9. The asset of claim 8, further comprising an inertial device coupled to said sensor system on the at least one object and arranged to detect movement of the at least one object, said sensor system receiving information about movement of the asset and analyzing the movement of the at least one object in conjunction with the movement of the asset to ascertain whether the detected movement is caused by the movement of the asset or by independent movement of the at least one object in the interior of the asset.

10. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises at least one chemical sensor.

11. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises a sensor selected from a group consisting of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a humidity sensor, a hydrocarbon sensor, a narcotics sensor, a mercury vapor sensor, a radioactivity sensor, a microphone, an electromagnetic wave sensor, electric or magnetic field sensor and a light sensor.

12. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises an initiation device that periodically initiates said sensor system to obtain data about the at least one object.

13. The asset of claim 12, further comprising a wakeup sensor system that detects the occurrence of an internal or external event, or the absence of an event for a time period, requiring a change in the frequency of monitoring of the at least one object, said initiation device being coupled to said wakeup sensor system and being arranged to change the rate at which it initiates said sensor system to obtain data about the at least one object in response to the detected occurrence of an internal or external event by said wakeup sensor system.

14. The asset of claim 1, further comprising a motion or vibration detection system arranged to detect motion or vibration of the at least one object or a part thereof, said sensor system being coupled to said motion or vibration detection system and being arranged to obtain data about the at least one object only after the at least one object or a part thereof is determined to have moved from a stationary position or vibrated.

15. The asset of claim 1, further comprising a wakeup sensor system that detects the occurrence of an internal or external event relating to the condition or location of the asset, said communication system being coupled to said wakeup sensor system and being arranged to transmit a signal relating to the detected occurrence of an internal or external event.

16. The asset of claim 1, further comprising a memory unit that stores data relating to the location of the asset or objects in the interior of the asset.

17. The asset of claim 16, further comprising:

a door; and

a door status sensor arranged to detect when said door is closed,

said memory unit being arranged to store data relating to the opening and closing of said door in conjunction with the location of the asset or objects in the interior of the asset.

18. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system includes an RFID or SAW device, further comprising a system comprising a radio frequency transmitter and receiver unit arranged to transmit signals into the interior of the asset and receive signals from said RFID or SAW device of said sensor system.

19. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system utilizes a trained pattern recognition technique to process data.

20. The asset of claim 1, wherein said power source of said sensor system is a battery coupled to said sensor system.

21. The asset of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises a plurality of sensors, each arranged on a respective one of the objects and monitoring the object on which it is arranged.

22. The asset of claim 1, wherein said frame is a frame of a truck, a frame of a truck trailer, a frame of a shipping container, a frame of a boat, a frame of an airplane or a frame of another vehicle.

23. The asset of claim 1, further comprising a wired or wireless network that couples said sensor system to said communication system.

24. The asset of claim 1, wherein:

said sensor system is formed as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor integral with said power source;

or

said sensor system is configured to be powered via radio frequency (RF) such that said power source is RF power.