Method and apparatus for tracking and monitoring containers

• US 8,319,643 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Mim, Reiner G., Zmrzli, Robert, Evans, Allan M., Cargonja, Nikola, Nardelli, Albert, Brand, Timothy K.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US12/236,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5728, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.11, 455/414.1, 455/422.1, 455/427
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0294 Trajectory determination or predictive filtering, e.g. target tracking or Kalman filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

A tag can communicate according to a cellular telephone network communication protocol, and includes one of: passive circuitry, semi-passive circuitry, or circuitry capable of communicating according to a radio frequency identification communication protocol or a satellite communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag can receive satellite signals containing positioning information, and can transmit according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. According to yet another aspect, a tag can transmit according to each of first and second communication protocols that are each one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:

a first portion capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to a cellular telephone network communication protocol;

a second portion that includes one of;

circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol, circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a satellite communication protocol, passive circuitry responsive to a wireless signal, and semi-passive circuitry responsive to a wireless signal; and

a third portion that includes a processor for executing a program that performs a geofencing analysis for selectively operating said first and second portions in response to results from said geofencing analysis.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cellular telephone network communication protocol is the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second portion includes said circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a satellite communication protocol, and said satellite communication protocol is the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol.

4. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:

a first portion capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to a cellular telephone network communication protocol; and

a second portion that includes circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol and circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a satellite communication protocol, wherein said wireless signal conforming to said radio frequency identification communication protocol is a near field signal, and the wireless signal conforming to a satellite communication protocol is a wireless signal conforming to the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol and is used to determine a location of the tag for use in a geofencing analysis.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said near field signal is a signpost signal.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second portion includes further circuitry capable of receiving a further wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol, and said further wireless signal is an ultrahigh frequency signal.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said cellular telephone network communication protocol is the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

8. A method of operating a tag having circuitry that includes first, second and third portions, comprising:

transmitting with said first portion a wireless signal conforming to a cellular telephone network communication protocol;

configuring said second portion to include one of circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol, circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a satellite communication protocol, passive circuitry responsive to a wireless signal, and semi-passive circuitry responsive to a wireless signal; and

performing a geofencing analysis with said third portion for selectively operating said first and second portions in response to results from said geofencing analysis.

9. A method according to claim 8, including selecting as said cellular telephone network communication protocol the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

10. A method according to claim 8,

wherein said second portion includes said circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a satellite communication protocol;

and

including selecting as said satellite communication protocol the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol.

11. A method of operating a tag having circuitry that includes first and second portions, comprising:

transmitting with said first portion a first wireless signal conforming to a cellular telephone network communication protocol;

receiving with said second portion a second wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol, the second wireless signal being a near field signal;

receiving, with the second portion, third wireless signals conforming to the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol;

determining a location of the tag using the receiving third wireless signals; and

using the determined location in a geofencing analysis.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising

receiving, by the second portion, a fourth wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol, wherein the fourth wireless signal comprises an ultrahigh frequency signal.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

selecting as said cellular telephone network communication protocol the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

14. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:

a first portion capable of receiving a wireless signal remotely generated by a satellite and containing positioning information;

a second portion that includes circuitry capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol; and

a third portion that includes a processor for executing a program that performs a geofencing analysis for selectively operating said first and second portions in response to results from said geofencing analysis.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the wireless signal received by said first portion conforms to the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said satellite communication protocol, and said satellite communication protocol is a Satcom communication protocol.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said cellular telephone network communication protocol, and said cellular telephone network communication protocol is the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

18. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:

a first portion capable of receiving a wireless signal remotely generated by a satellite and containing positioning information; and

a second portion that includes circuitry capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol;

wherein said second portion includes circuitry capable of receiving a wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol, and said wireless signal conforming to said radio frequency identification communication protocol is an ultrahigh frequency signal; and

wherein said second portion includes further circuitry capable of receiving a further wireless signal conforming to a radio frequency identification communication protocol, said further wireless signal being a near field signal; and

wherein the wireless signal received by said first portion conforms to the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said satellite communication protocol, and said satellite communication protocol is a Satcom communication protocol.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said cellular telephone network communication protocol, and said cellular telephone network communication protocol is the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

21. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said wireless computer network communication protocol.

22. A method of operating a tag having circuitry that includes first, second, and third portions, comprising:

receiving with said first portion a wireless signal remotely generated by a satellite and containing positioning information;

transmitting with said second portion a wireless signal that conforms to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol; and

performing a geofencing analysis with said third portion for selectively operating said first and second portions in response to results from said geofencing analysis.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said receiving is carried out so that the received wireless signal containing positioning information conforms to the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein said transmitting is carried out so that said wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said satellite communication protocol, said satellite communication protocol being a Satcom communication protocol.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein said transmitting is carried out so that said wireless signals transmitted by said second portion confoiin to said cellular telephone network communication protocol, said cellular telephone network communication protocol being the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

26. A method of operating a tag having circuitry that includes first and second portions, comprising:

receiving with said first portion a wireless signal remotely generated by a satellite and containing positioning information;

transmitting with said second portion a wireless signal that conforms to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol;

receiving in said second portion a wireless signal that conforms to a radio frequency identification communication protocol and that is an ultrahigh frequency signal; and

receiving in said second portion a wireless signal that conforms to a radio frequency identification communication protocol and that is a near field signal; and

wherein said receiving by said first portion is carried out so that the received wireless signal containing positioning information conforms to the Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein said transmitting is carried out so that the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said satellite communication protocol, said satellite communication protocol being a Satcom communication protocol.

28. A method according to claim 26, wherein said transmitting is carried out so that the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said cellular telephone network communication protocol, said cellular telephone network communication protocol being the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

29. A method according to claim 26, wherein said transmitting is carried out so that the wireless signals transmitted by said second portion conform to said wireless computer network communication protocol.

30. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:

a first portion capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to a first communication protocol;

a second portion capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to a second communication protocol different from said first communication protocol, said first and second communication protocols each being one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol; and

a third portion that includes a processor for executing a program that performs a geofencing analysis for selectively operating said first and second portions in response to results from said geofencing analysis.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein one of said first and second communication protocols is said cellular telephone network communication protocol, said cellular telephone network communication protocol being the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

32. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein one of said first and second communication protocols is said satellite communication protocol, said satellite communication protocol being a Satcom communication protocol.

33. An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:

a first portion capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to a first communication protocol; and

a second portion capable of transmitting a wireless signal conforming to a second communication protocol different from said first communication protocol, said first and second communication protocols each being one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol;

wherein said circuitry of said tag includes a third portion that responds to information to be transmitted by initially supplying the information to a selected one of said first and second portions and then, if said selected one of said first and second portions fails to successfully transmit the information, supplying the information to the other of said first and second portions.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein information received from externally of said tag specifies which of said first and second portions is to be treated by said third portion as said selected one of said first and second portions.

35. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein if said third portion supplies the information to said other of said first and second portions and the information is then successfully transmitted by said other of said first and second portions, said third section thereafter effects a swap regarding which of said first and second portions is considered to be said selected one thereof, and which is considered to be said other thereof.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35,

wherein said first and second portions each have a normal operational mode and a reduced power operational mode, wireless transmissions by each of the first and second portions occurring during said normal operational mode thereof;

and

wherein said third section can selectively switch said other of said first and second portions to said reduced power operational mode thereof.

37. A method of operating a tag having circuitry that includes first, second and third portions, comprising:

transmitting with said first portion a wireless signal conforming to a first communication protocol;

transmitting with said second portion a wireless signal conforming to a second communication protocol different from said first communication protocol, said first and second communication protocols each being one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol; and

performing a geofencing analysis with said third portion for selectively operating said first and second portions in response to results from said geofencing analysis.

38. A method according to claim 37, including selecting as said one of said first and second communication protocols said cellular telephone network communication protocol, said cellular telephone network communication protocol being the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol.

39. A method according to claim 37, including selecting as said one of said first and second communication protocols said satellite communication protocol, said satellite communication protocol being a Satcom communication protocol.

40. A method of operating a tag having circuitry that includes first and second portions, comprising:

transmitting with said first portion a wireless signal conforming to a first communication protocol;

transmitting with said second portion a wireless signal conforming to a second communication protocol different from said first communication protocol, said first and second communication protocols each being one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol; and

responding to information to be transmitted by initially supplying the information to a selected one of said first and second portions and then, if said selected one of said first and second portions fails to successfully transmit the information, supplying the information to the other of said first and second portions.

41. A method according to claim 40, including receiving from externally of said tag information that specifies which of said first and second portions is to be treated as said selected one of said first and second portions.

42. A method according to claim 40, wherein if the information is supplied to and successfully transmitted by said other of said first and second portions, then thereafter effecting a swap regarding which of said first and second portions is considered to be said selected one thereof, and which is considered to be said other thereof.

43. A method according to claim 42,

wherein said first and second portions each have a normal operational mode and a reduced power operational mode, said transmitting by each of said first and second portions occurring during said normal operational mode thereof;

and

including selectively switching said other of said first and second portions to said reduced power operational mode thereof.