Method For Testing and Locating a Tag Unit of an Asset Tracking System

1 . A method for testing and locating a tag unit of an asset tracking system, the tag unit transmitting data periodically to a station to facilitate location of the tag unit, comprising:

transmitting a notification to the tag unit in advance of a transmission of data to the station; and

in response to the notification, generating an alarm with the tag unit in conjunction with the transmission of the data.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tag unit includes an actuator, the tag unit terminating the alarm in response to actuation of the actuator.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tag unit repeatedly transmits the data to the station in response to the notification.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the tag unit includes an actuator, the tag unit terminating the repeated transmission of the data in response to actuation of the actuator.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting the tag unit to a wireless network, the tag unit communicating with the station over the wireless network.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

periodically transmitting a probe signal with the tag unit; and

receiving signals of various strengths from a plurality of transmitting points in response to the probe signal;

wherein the data periodically transmitted to the station corresponds to the strengths of the signals received.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising calculating the location of the tag unit in response to the data periodically transmitted to the station.

8 . A method for testing and locating tag units of an asset tracking system, comprising:

transmitting data periodically from at least one of a plurality of tag units to a station, the data corresponding to a location of the at least one of the plurality of tag units;

transmitting a notification to the at least one of the plurality of tag units in advance of a transmission of data to the station; and

generating an alarm with the at least one of the plurality of tag units in conjunction with a subsequent transmission of data after receipt of the notification.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of tag units includes an actuator, the at least one of the plurality of tag units terminating the alarm in response to actuation of the actuator.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of tag units repeatedly transmits the data to the station in response to the notification.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of unit includes an actuator, the at least one of the plurality of tag units terminating the repeated transmission of the data in response to actuation of the actuator.

12 . The method of claim 8 , comprising connecting each of the plurality of tag units to a wireless network, each of the plurality of tag units communicating with the station over the wireless network.

13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

periodically transmitting a probe signal with the at least one of the plurality of tag units; and

receiving signals of various strengths from a plurality of transmitting points with the at least one of the plurality of tag units in response to the probe signal;

wherein the data periodically transmitted by the at least one of the plurality of tag units to the station corresponds to the strengths of the signals received.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising calculating the location of the at least one of plurality of tag units in response to the data periodically transmitted to the station.

15 . A method for testing and locating tag units of an asset tracking system, comprising:

periodically transmitting a probe signal from each of a plurality of tag units, each of the plurality of tag units receiving signals of various strengths from a plurality of transmitting points in response to the probe signal;

transmitting data periodically from each of the plurality of tag units to a station, the data corresponding to the signals of various strengths from the plurality of transmitting points by each of the plurality of tag units;

transmitting a notification to at least one of the plurality of tag units in advance of a transmission of data to the station; and

generating an alarm with the at least one of the plurality of tag units in conjunction with a subsequent transmission of data after receipt of the notification.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of tag units includes an actuator, the at least one of the plurality of tag units terminating the alarm in response to actuation of the actuator.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of tag units repeatedly transmits the data to the station in response to the notification.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising determining the location of the at least one of the plurality of tag units in response to the data periodically transmitted to the station.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of tag units includes an actuator, the at least one of the plurality of tag units terminating the repeated transmission of the data in response to actuation of the actuator.

20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising connecting each of the plurality of tag units to a wireless network, each of the plurality of tag units communicating with the station over the wireless network.