Satellite aided location tracking with user interface

• US 8,362,900 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2011
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Battista, Rich
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US13/234,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20120001753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/572.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.23, 340/539.2, 340/539.15, 455/456.1, 455/456.4
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

A satellite aided location tracking and data services with user interface. A graphical user interface is provided that enables users to monitor the status of movable assets. Detailed information in a position history enables the user to obtain status information (e.g., starts and stops) at each position report. This status information promotes visibility into the journey of each movable asset.

Claims

1. A location tracking method, comprising:

receiving first user input that is specified in a first user interface, wherein said first user input enables definition of a perimeter associated with a destination location;

receiving, via a communication satellite, a no-motion position report from an asset, said no-motion position report being transmitted when it is determined that said asset has achieved a stopped condition, wherein a no-motion position report from an asset located inside said defined perimeter is based on an analysis of a first non-zero amount of time that said asset is moving while inside said defined perimeter and a second amount of time that said asset is stationary at a location inside said defined perimeter;

determining, based on location information contained in said no-motion position report, whether said stopped condition occurs inside said perimeter; and

sending a notification message to a user when it is determined that said stopped condition occurs inside said perimeter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user input defines a circular perimeter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user input defines a polygon shaped perimeter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said stopped condition is based on a determination that said second amount of time is greater than said first non-zero amount of time by a threshold amount.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first non-zero amount of time and said second amount of time are measured during the same predefined time period.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said notification message is sent via email.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said notification message is sent via telephone.

8. A location tracking method, comprising:

transmitting first information that enables a user device to display a first user interface, said first user interface enabling a user to enter first user input that enables an identification of an asset; and

transmitting second information that enables a user device to display a position history of said asset, said position history including a plurality of positions of said asset, wherein a first of said plurality of positions has an associated indication that said asset has stopped, wherein said associated indication that said asset has stopped is based on an analysis during a predefined time period of a first non-zero amount of time that said asset is moving and a second amount of time that said asset is stationary.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said stopped condition is based on a determination that said second amount of time is greater than said first non-zero amount of time by a threshold amount.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said first non-zero amount of time and said second amount of time are measured during the same predefined time period.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein a second of said plurality of positions has an associated indication that said asset is moving, wherein said associated indication that said asset is moving is based on an analysis during a second predefined time period of a third non-zero amount of time that said asset is stationary and a fourth amount of time that said asset is moving.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said position history is a listing of a plurality of positions from an origin location to a destination location.