Asset tracking system activated by predetermined pattern of asset movement
An asset tracking system that optimizes the value per ping by tying the ping to a pattern of movements of the asset. The asset tracking device will send a ping to a remote host (i.e., receiver) when pre-determined condition(s) regarding the movement are met, conditions such as the pattern of movement, and number of movements within a time period. In such a manner, the value per ping is optimized, leading to increased battery life and decreased operational cost. To satisfy these conditions, the asset tracking device is equipped with appropriate sensors, actuators, and trigger mechanism(s). The sensors and actuators detect movements and/or confirm or recognize a sequence of movements. When the detected movements and/or sequence of movements match a predetermined, recognized pattern or condition, the trigger mechanism is activated, after which a data ping is sent.
1. A method of tracking an asset with a wireless RF system comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:
(a) beginning with the transmitter in a sleep state;
(b) monitoring for movement with the transmitter in the sleep state;
(i) if movement is detected, the transmitter switching to a pattern recognition state;
(A) if no pattern of movements is recognized, the transmitter returning to the sleep state;
(B) if a pattern of movements is recognized, the transmitter switching to an idle state;
(ii) if a sequence of at least N 1 movements, where N 1 is 2 or more, is detected within a third time period T 3 , switching to a transit state and then to a second sleep state;
(c) monitoring for movement from the second sleep state and checking a timer;
(i) if movement is detected the device will remain in the sleep state;
(ii) if no movement is detected within a fourth time period T 4 , the transmitter switching to the ping state, sending data regarding the location of the transmitter, and then switching to the idle state;
(d) the transmitter switching to a ping state from the idle state if a time period T 2 has expired, and sending a data ping from the transmitter to the receiver; and
(e) after sending the data ping, the transmitter returning to the idle state.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein switching to a transit state and then to a second sleep state occurs if a sequence of at least 3 movements is detected.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the time period T 2 is between 20 and 60 seconds.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the time period T 3 is between 30 and 120 seconds.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the time period T 4 is between 5 and 30 minutes.
6. An RF tracking system comprising:
a transmitter comprising a power source, a Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning element, a motion sensor, a two-way wireless radio frequency (RF) communication module, a timer and control circuitry; and
a receiver; the transmitter configured to send data regarding the location of the transmitter to the receiver, and the receiver configured to receive the data from the transmitter;
the transmitter having a first sleep state, an idle state, a pattern recognition state, a ping state, and a transit state, wherein:
from the sleep state, the transmitter will switch to the pattern recognition state if movement of the transmitter is detected by the motion sensor;
if no pattern of movements is recognized, the transmitter will return to the sleep state, but if a pattern of movements is recognized, the transmitter will switch to the idle state;
if a time period T 2 has expired, the transmitter will switch to a ping state from the idle state and send a data ping from the transmitter to the receiver, after which it will return to the idle state; and
if a sequence of at least N 1 movements, where N 1 is 2 or more, is detected within a third time period T 3 , the transmitter will switch to the transit state and then to the sleep state; when in the sleep state, if movement is detected, the device will remain in the sleep state, but if no movement is detected within a time period T 4 , the transmitter will switch to the ping state, send data regarding the location of the transmitter, and then switch to the idle state.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein:
T 2 is between 20 and 60 seconds;
T 3 is between 30 and 120 seconds; and
T 4 is between 5 and 30 minutes.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein the motion sensor comprises at least 3 degrees of freedom.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the motion sensor comprises at least 6 degrees of freedom.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the motion sensor comprises at least 9 degrees of freedom.
11. The system of claim 6 wherein the communication module is a ZigBee, ZigBee/LBT, or Low Energy BlueTooth communication module.
12. The system of claim 6 wherein the communication module is a CDMA and/or GSM communication module.
13. An RF tracking system comprising:
a transmitter comprising a power source, a Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning element, a motion sensor, a two-way wireless radio frequency (RF) communication module, a timer and control circuitry; and
a receiver; the transmitter configured to send data regarding the location of the transmitter to the receiver, and the receiver configured to receive the data from the transmitter;
the transmitter having a first sleep state, an idle state, a pattern recognition state, a ping state, and a transit state, wherein:
from the sleep state, the transmitter will switch to the pattern recognition state if movement of the transmitter is detected by the motion sensor;
if no pattern of movements is recognized, the transmitter will return to the sleep state, but if a pattern of movements is recognized, the transmitter will switch to the idle state;
if a time period T 2 has expired, the transmitter will switch to a ping state from the idle state and send a data ping from the transmitter to the receiver, after which it will return to the idle state;
if a sequence of at least N 1 movements is detected within a third time period T 3 , the transmitter will switch to the transit state and then to the sleep state; and
when in the sleep state, if movement is detected, device will remain in the sleep state, but if no movement is detected within a time period T 4 , the transmitter will switch to the ping state, send data regarding the location of the transmitter, and then switch to the idle state.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the motion sensor comprises at least 9 degrees of freedom.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication module is a ZigBee, ZigBee/LBT, or Low Energy BlueTooth communication module.
16. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication module is a CDMA and/or GSM communication module.