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WO2006105380A1 - Dispositif de signalisation de position portatif active au mouvement - Google Patents

Dispositif de signalisation de position portatif active au mouvement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006105380A1
WO2006105380A1 PCT/US2006/011868 US2006011868W WO2006105380A1 WO 2006105380 A1 WO2006105380 A1 WO 2006105380A1 US 2006011868 W US2006011868 W US 2006011868W WO 2006105380 A1 WO2006105380 A1 WO 2006105380A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
component
reporting device
controller
position reporting
geographic location
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/011868
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dennis Workman
Jeffrey Hamilton
Original Assignee
Trimble Navigation Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/096,923 external-priority patent/US7398153B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/097,425 external-priority patent/US20060220955A1/en
Application filed by Trimble Navigation Limited filed Critical Trimble Navigation Limited
Priority to CN2006800145220A priority Critical patent/CN101371449B/zh
Priority to DE112006000754.8T priority patent/DE112006000754B4/de
Publication of WO2006105380A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006105380A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/20—Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Definitions

  • Embodiments here described are related to a device for determining and reporting the position of a person or object.
  • Position reporting devices are frequently used to locate and report the position of a person or object.
  • Atypical position reporting device combines a navigation system such as the Global Positioning System (QPS) module with a GPS navigation system (GPS) module.
  • QPS Global Positioning System
  • a mobile communications system such as a cellular modem to determine the
  • Position reporting devices are used in a variety of
  • Fleet tracking systems allow a user to monitor the position of a ship or
  • vehicle carrying a position reporting device For example, the course of a vehicle
  • Asset recovery systems report the position of stolen or missing
  • reporting devices have a manufacturing cost in the range of $200-$300 and a
  • position reporting devices Another drawback associated with position reporting devices is the amount of power they consume. While battery powered position reporting devices do exist, the amount of power they consume when turned on necessitates frequent battery changes in order to continue operating. This makes using position reporting devices inconvenient to some users in that they require an excessive amount of maintenance to continue operating.
  • rental fleets typically rent only a fraction of all of their vehicles at any given time. For example, a rental fleet of 500 vehicles may, on average, have only 300 vehicles rented at a given time. As a result, there is typically no need for a dedicated position reporting device for each vehicle. Therefore, a dedicated position reporting device for each vehicle is not needed and can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
  • a controller is coupled with an interrogator component, a position determining component, a wireless communications component, and an initiating component. In one embodiment, the initiating
  • the interrogator component detects motion of the position reporting device and generates a signal to the controller indicating the motion.
  • the controller in response to the signal, activates the interrogator component and the position reporting device.
  • the interrogator component Upon being activated, the interrogator component automatically receives the identity of the asset being tracked.
  • the identity of an asset which is being tracked is stored on a data storage device which is disposed with that asset.
  • the data storage device may be coupled with the asset which is being tracked.
  • the data storage device conveys the identity of the asset being tracked to the position reporting device.
  • the data storage device communicates with the interrogator of the position reporting device using a wireless communication system.
  • the position monitoring device uses the interrogator component to wirelessly access the identity of the vehicle when movement of the position monitoring device is detected.
  • the position monitoring device uses the interrogator component to wirelessly access the identity of the vehicle when movement of the position monitoring device is detected.
  • This facilitates moving the position reporting device from one asset to another by reducing the amount of time needed to identify which asset is being monitored by a particular position reporting device.
  • embodiments of the present invention reduce the likelihood of a transcription error when recording the identification numbers of the vehicle and position reporting device and/or matching them in a database.
  • FIGURE 1 is a diagram of a position tracking system utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary portable motion-activated position reporting device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 3 is a diagram showing the operating states of a portable position reporting device utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 4 is a flow chart of a method for monitoring the geographic position of an asset in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • the present invention is a portable motion-activated position reporting device and a system utilizing this device to automatically identify an asset being monitored.
  • Embodiments of the present invention may be to monitor the position of an asset (e.g., property or a person) and can be used to detect and report unauthorized movement of the asset and in recovering it when unauthorized movement occurs.
  • Embodiments of the present invention may utilize a geo- fencing system in which a set of position coordinates are provided which define an area in which the asset can be moved without triggering an alarm.
  • a monitoring service notifies the owner of the asset and/or law enforcement agencies in order to facilitate recovering the asset.
  • Embodiments of the present invention utilize an initiating component to detect movement of the device and send a signal which initiates activating the device when the asset it is monitoring is moved. This extends the battery life of the reporting device by allowing it to remain in an operating state which draws a minimal amount of power until movement of the device is detected. When movement is detected, the device automatically transitions to an active operating state and determines its geographic location using a position determining system and transmits this position to the monitoring service.
  • Embodiments of the present invention further utilize an automatic identification system to identify an asset which is being monitored by the position reporting device. This facilitates moving the position reporting device from one asset to another without the need to manually record the identification number of the asset. When the position monitoring device is activated, it can wirelessly communicate with a data storage device to access the identify the asset which is being monitored. The position reporting device can also store geographic position information on the data storage device.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of a position tracking system 100 utilized in
  • System 100 comprises a position reporting device 101 , a position determining system (e.g., position determining system 102 or 103), and a position tracking service provider 104.
  • reporting device 101 is carried in a vehicle 120 and is used to report its position to service provider 104 or to a user.
  • device 101 is used to monitor and report the position of an asset (e.g., vehicle 120). While Figure 1 shows position reporting device 101 being used to report the position of a vehicle, the present invention is well suited to monitor and report the position of a variety of assets which a user may want monitored.
  • device 101 detects the movement, determines its geographic location using position determining system 102 or 103, and reports its position, and thus the position of vehicle 120, to service provider 104.
  • data storage device 130 comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
  • RFID is a type of automatic identification technology which typically uses radio waves to transmit the identity of a person or object.
  • a typical RFID tag e.g., 130
  • a typical RFID tag comprises a microchip which is coupled with an antenna and is mounted on a substrate.
  • data storage device 130 will be referred to as RFID tag 130.
  • embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this type of data storage device alone and may use another data storage devices and transmission
  • RFiD tag 130 is coupled with vehicle 120 using, for example, a mechanical fastener. RFlD tag 130 thus stays with vehicle 120 when it is moved. In another embodiment, RFID tag may simply be placed in vehicle 120 is a place where it is not likely to be disturbed.
  • Passive RFID tags do not have a power source or transmitter. Instead, they gather electromagnetic energy from an interrogating device (e.g., geographic data interrogator 110). The microchip within the RFID tag then uses this energy to change the load on the antenna to reflect back an altered signal which conveys information to the interrogating device.
  • an interrogating device e.g., geographic data interrogator 110
  • Active RFID tags have a transmitter and a power source such as a battery.
  • the power source is used to run the circuitry of the RFID tag and to transmit a
  • Active RFID tags may either be transponders, which "wake up” when they detect a signal from an interrogating device, or beacons which emit a signal at pre-set intervals.
  • RFID tag 130 may comprise an
  • RFID tags may also be classified in the way data is stored, or accessed. Read only RFID tags have information stored on them during the manufacturing process which cannot be changed or appended in the field. Read/write RFID
  • tags information can be added to, or written over, existing information on the tag. Typically, a serial number written on the tag at the time of manufacture cannot be written over. Additionally, some information that is subsequently written to the tag may be locked to prevent overwrite.
  • Write once, read only (WORM) tags can only be written to once, and thereafter can only be read.
  • RFID tag 130 may be a read only RFID tag, read/write RFID tag, or a WORM RFID tag.
  • RFID tag 130 is used to store information which uniquely identifies an asset (e.g., vehicle 120). For example, the serial number of vehicle 120, or another unique identification of the asset, is stored by RFID tag 130. In another embodiment, RFID tag 130 has a unique identification which is permanently stored thereupon when manufactured.
  • RFID tag 130 is placed in vehicle 120, it is associated with vehicle 120 in, for example, a database maintained by service provider 104 of by a user of system 100.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary position reporting device 101 utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • a controller 201 is coupled with a power source 202.
  • Controller 201 is for receiving and executing commands for determining a geographic location and for transmitting that position to service provider 104.
  • power source 202 is a long term power source such as a battery or plurality of batteries (e.g., 4 alkaline AA batteries).
  • the present embodiment recites a long term power source, the present invention is well suited for utilizing other power sources as well.
  • power source 202 may be coupled with an external power source such as the electrical system of vehicle 120.
  • power source 202 may be hard wired to the electrical system of vehicle 120, or may be coupled to an accessory outlet or cigarette lighter outlet in vehicle 120 using an adapter plug.
  • Controller 201 is also coupled with a wireless communications component 203 and a position determining component 206.
  • Wireless communications component 203 is for transmitting and receiving wireless messages (e.g., data and commands).
  • wireless communications component is comprised of a cellular wireless antenna 204 and a cellular wireless modem 205.
  • device 101 sends and receives messages using the Short Message Service (SMS).
  • SMS Short Message Service
  • the present invention is well suited to utilize other message formats as well.
  • Position determining system 206 is for determining the location of device 101.
  • position determining component 206 comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna 207 and a GPS receiver 208.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the present embodiment specifically recites a GPS position determining system, the present invention is well suited to utilize a variety of terrestrial-based and satellite-based position determining systems as
  • controller 201 is also coupled with an initiating component 209.
  • Initiating component 209 is for detecting changes in the state of motion of device 101.
  • initiating component 209 detects the vibration associated with the movement of device 101 and indicates this movement to controller 201 when changes in the vibration of device 101 are detected.
  • initiating component 209 may be an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a rotation sensor, a gyroscope, and a motion sensor.
  • the present embodiment recites these particular implementations of initiating component 209, the present invention is well suited to utilize a variety of devices for detecting movement of device 101 and for generating a signal to controller 201 indicating this movement.
  • initiating component 209 detects when device 101 transitions from a substantially stationary state to a moving state. Initiating component 209 can also detect when device 101 transitions from a moving state to a substantially stationary state and/or changes in the rate of movement of device 101. Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, initiating component 209 detects changes in the state of motion of device 101 such as starting or stopping of motion, as well as acceleration/deceleration and generates an interrupt to controller 201.
  • controller 201 changes the operating state of device 101 from an idle operating state, in which a few components of device 101 draw a minimal amount of power from power source 102, to an active operating state in which other components of device 101 draw additional power from power source 202.
  • an initiating component which detects movement with a position reporting device is seemingly counter-intuitive or at least redundant in the current position reporting environment which relies upon successive position fixes to imply movement of the reporting device. For example, receiving a series of position reports which come from different locations implies that the position
  • Coupling initiating component 209 with position reporting device 101 is advantageous because it reduces the amount of time that device 101 is activated in order to provide position fixes to service provider 104 and thus extends the battery life of the device.
  • determining whether the device was moving or stationary depended upon determining and comparing successive position fixes. If successive position fixes were from the same location, it was inferred that the device was stationary and if successive position fixes were from different locations, it was inferred that the device was in motion. These position fixes had to be provided at a regular interval in order to provide timely notification that the device was being moved.
  • providing successive position fixes for a device which has not moved is an unnecessary drain of battery power, especially when the device remains stationary for extended periods of time. This in turn is burdensome to users of the device who are required to frequently replace the batteries of the position reporting device or to couple the device to an external power source.
  • the present invention overcomes these obstacles by using a self contained power source and providing a method for reducing the power consumption of the position reporting device in order to simplify maintaining the device.
  • Embodiments of the present invention overcome these limitations by providing a battery powered position reporting device which draws minimal power when the device is not being moved and thus extends the battery life of the device.
  • Controller 201 is also coupled with a memory 210.
  • Memory 210 can be used for storing instructions and position information which has been determined by position determining component 206. This allows embodiments of device 101 to store a log of positions it has been at over a period of time.
  • Interrogator 211 is for wirelessly communicating with RFID tag 130 and for 5 accessing information (e.g., a serial number or other identification of an asset such as vehicle 120) stored thereon. Furthermore, interrogator 211 conveys this information to controller 201 which can then initiate sending this information to service provider 104. Interrogator 211 is also for wirelessly conveying data (e.g.,
  • controller 201 In embodiments of the present invention, controller 201 , power source 202, wireless communications component 203, position determining component 206, initiating component 209, memory 210, and interrogator 211 are disposed within a housing 250.
  • Housing 250 defines a portable package which allows 15 device 101 to be easily concealed in or upon the asset which it is monitoring.
  • device 101 It is important for device 101 to be small enough to be easily concealed from observation. If position reporting device 101 is so large as to be readily apparent, it may be vandalized or discarded by someone trying to steal the asset 20 being monitored.
  • Current GPS receivers are in the range of approximately one inch by one inch (1"X1") by a few millimeters in thickness.
  • Current cellular modems are now approximately three and one half by two inches (3 1/2"X2”) by a few millimeters in thickness.
  • device 101 may be as small as three by four inches (3"X4") by less than an inch in thickness. This size allows device 101 to be easily concealed in a glove box, under a car seat, or in the trunk of a vehicle. Additionally, device 101 is portable enough to be
  • device 101 may be left unattended for extended periods of time while monitoring an asset, the necessity for a user interface upon device 101 is
  • device 101 may include an LED (not shown) to indicate that position determining component 106 is receiving a signal and an LED (not shown) to indicate that wireless communications component 103 is receiving a signal.
  • position reporting device 101 is a small form factor, portable device which can determine its position and transmit this information to service provider 104. Additionally, in embodiments of the present invention, device 101 is powered by a battery or plurality of batteries. This is advantageous because it allows a user to utilize device 101 quickly and
  • a user does not need expertise in electronics to couple device 101 with the electrical system of vehicle.120 and does not need the services of a third party in order to install device 101.
  • embodiments of device 101 utilize a self contained power supply, it can be used to monitor the position of assets which do not usually have
  • Embodiments of the present invention utilize an initiating component which detects when the device is being moved and generates a signal which initiates activating the device. This reduces the power consumption of the present invention and therefore extends the battery life of the position reporting device.
  • Figure 3 is a diagram showing the operating states of a portable position reporting device 101 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • device 101 In operating state S1 of Figure 3, device 101 is in an idle operating state.
  • the only components drawing power are a real time clock and the initiating component (e.g., initiating component 209 of Figure 2). This allows device 101 to remain in an operating state in which a minimal amount of power is drawn from power source 202.
  • the initiating component e.g., initiating component 209 of Figure 2
  • initiating component 209 detects movement and generates an interrupt to the controller of device 101 (e.g., controller 201 of Figure 2).
  • controller 201 causes device 101 to transition to operating state S2.
  • Operating state S2 is
  • Controller 201 causes interrogator 211 to attempt to communicate with an RFID tag (e.g., 130) which is in range of device 101. If communication with RFID tag 130 is initiated, the serial number or other identification of an asset (e.g., vehicle 120) is wirelessly conveyed to interrogator 211. Controller 201 also causes component 206 to attempt to determine the location. of device 101 and, if successful, to transmit the position of vehicle 120 the identification number off vehicle 120 (e.g., received via interrogator 211) and/or a serial number of device 101 , to service provider 104 via wireless communications component 203. In embodiments of the present invention, current drain during operating state S3 is estimated to be 7OmA while device 101 is determining its location and 400mA while transmitting its position.
  • an RFID tag e.g., 130
  • the serial number or other identification of an asset e.g., vehicle 120
  • Controller 201 also causes component 206 to attempt to determine the location. of device 101 and, if successful, to transmit the position of vehicle 120 the identification
  • device 101 transitions to operating state S4.
  • device 101 transitions to operating state S4 from operating state S2 after successfully transmitting its position, or after a pre-determined time period. For example, if device 101 successfully determines its location using component 206, it then transmits its position to service provider 104. Alternatively, if a pre-determined time period expires before device 101 successfully determines its position, device 101 will transmit a message to service provider 104 conveying that it has been moved but was not able to determine its position using component 206 and then transition to
  • the pre-determined time period can be a default setting, set by the user of device 101 , or by service provider 104.
  • Operating state S5 is a delay state in which device 101 is forced to remain idle for a pre-determined time period. This sets a time interval for repeated position fixes of device 101 and prevents device 101 from drawing excessive battery power from power source 202 in attempting to constantly determine its position while it is being moved. In embodiments of the present invention, device 101 draws as little as 10 ⁇ A of power while in operating state S5.
  • time period is an operating parameter which can be a default setting, set by the user of device 101 , or by service provider 104.
  • the length of the pre-determined time period of operating state S5 can be changed during the query operating state (e.g., operating state S4) as a result of receiving operating parameters from service provider 104.
  • the length of the time period can be changed during operating state S4 to cause device 101 to continuously or more frequently send its position to service provider 104. This facilitates locating and recovering the asset which device 101 is monitoring.
  • device 101 After the pre-determined time period has expired, device 101 again enters operating state S1 at event 304 and can repeat the above described process if initiating component 209 detects that device 101 is being moved.
  • Time period 305 can be a default setting, a pre-determined parameter set by the user of device 101-, or by service provider 104.
  • device 101 reports its status to service provider 104 while in operating state S3. This allows service provider 104 to verify that device 101 is still correctly operating; Information sent during operating state S3 may include the current time, position, operating parameters of device 101 , and/or the identity of the asset being
  • device 101 can send battery status information during operating state S3. This allows service provider 104 to monitor the battery status of device 101 and inform the user of device 101 when the batteries need to be changed. For example, service provider can send an E-mail or other message to the user of device 101 reminding them to change the batteries of the device when necessary.
  • only wireless communications component 203 draws power from power source 202 in operating state S3. Current drain from power source 202 during operating state S3 is estimated to be 400mA in embodiments of the present invention.
  • device 101 transitions to operating state S4.
  • device 101 can receive commands and parameters from service provider 104. While in operating state S4, the length of time period 305 can be changed. After this, device 101 transitions to operating state S5 at event 303 in which device 101 remains in a forced idle state for a pre-determined time period. When the pre-determined time period expires, device 101 transitions to operating state S1 at event 304.
  • power source 202 comprises 4 AA alkaline batteries (assuming a 5000 mAh total capacity)
  • device 101 should have a usable battery life of up to 6 months or more using current cellular and GPS technology. This assumes that the asset which device 101 is monitoring is in motion 2 hours a day and position determining component 206 is determining the geographic location of device 101 at 15 minute intervals. This is a significant increase in usable- battery life over prior art position determining devices, especially for a portable device which is not coupled with an external power source.
  • device 101 while device 101 is in idle operating state S1 , it draws a minimum amount of power from its power source. For example, in one embodiment, device 101 only draws enough power to operate an initiating component and a real time clock. When the initiating component 209 detects movement, it generates an interrupt to controller 201. In response to this interrupt, controller 201 causes device 101 to transition to active operating state S2. Device 101 then automatically attempts to wirelessly access RFID tag 130 to determine the identity of the asset being monitored. Device 101 also attempts to automatically determine its position using a position determining system (e.g., position determining system 102 or 103). In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, position determining system 102 is a terrestrial-based position determining system.
  • position determining system 102 is a terrestrial-based position determining system.
  • terrestrial-based position determining systems which can be utilized by embodiments of the present invention such as LORAN-C, Decca, radio beacons, etc.
  • the present invention is well suited to utilize future implementations of terrestrial-based position determining systems.
  • device 101 utilizes a satellite-based position determining system 103 to determine its position.
  • satellite-base position determining systems which can be utilized by embodiments of the present invention such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), Differential GPS (DGPS) 1 Eurofix DGPS, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), etc.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • DGPS Differential GPS
  • GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System
  • the present invention is well suited to utilize future implementations of satellite-based position determining systems.
  • device 101 attempts to determine its position, as well as the serial number or other identification of the asset being monitored, within a predetermined time period. If device 101 can not determine its position within the pre-determined time period, it will automatically transmit a "no-fix" message to position tracking service provider 104.
  • the no-fix message conveys to service provider 104 that device 101 has detected movement of vehicle- 1 * 20 and that its position could not be determined using a position determining system (e.g., position determining system 102 or 103) within the pre-determined time period.
  • the position of device 101 may be checked against the cellular ID sector information contained in the SMS message or roughly triangulated using a plurality of cellular towers.
  • device 101 When device 101 successfully determines its position within the predetermined time period, it automatically sends a "fix" message to service center 104 providing the current time and present position of the device, as well as the • serial number or other identification of the asset being monitored. Device 101 will then continue to periodically determine its position and send that position information to service provider 104 while initiating component 209 detects that device 101 is being moved. This allows service provider 104 to track device 101 , and thus the asset that device 101 is monitoring, as it is being moved. The time period between position fixes is determined by the pre-determined time period of operating state S5 of Figure 3.
  • initiating component 209 of device 101 when initiating component 209 of device 101 detects that vehicle 120 is no longer being moved, it sends an interrupt to controller 201 indicating the lack of movement, in response to this indication, controller 201 causes device 101 to automatically determine its position, and to send this position information to service provider 104 along with the current time. Device 101 may also include information in this message indicating that it is no longer in
  • fix and no-fix messages may contain additional information such as the current operating parameters and battery condition of
  • the present invention reduces the amount of maintenance a user needs to perform to keep device 101 operating properly.
  • service provider 104 can send a message to the user reminding them to change the batteries in device 101 when it has determined that the batteries are low.
  • a text message can be sent to the user's cell phone 105, or an E-mail message can be sent to the user's home or office computer 106 reminding them to change the batteries in device 101.
  • service provider 104 when service provider 104 receives the position fix message from device 101 , it compares the data in the message with a set of pre-determined position parameters set by the user of device 101. If the position of device 101 is outside of the pre-determined position parameters, a message can be sent to the user and/or law enforcement agencies telling them that the asset which device 101 is monitoring has been moved outside of the authorized position parameters. Additionally, service provider 104 can provide the position of device 101 , as well as a description of the asset, to assist in recovering the asset. Additionally, service provider 104 can change the operating parameters of device 101 during operating state S4 so that position fixes are sent more often in order to assist in recovering the asset which is being monitored.
  • service provider 104 when a user initiates device 101 , service provider 104 will ask for the authorized position of device 101 and may ask the user if they want to utilize geo-fencing. The user will provide the authorized position for device 101 and, if the user chooses to utilize geo-fencing, they may enter position parameters which specify an area in which device 101 is permitted to move without initiating a warning message to the user. If, for example, vehicle 120 is moved outside of this position or area, service provider 104 contacts the user and/or law enforcement agencies and informs them that unauthorized movement of vehicle 120 has occurred. Service provider 104 may send a text message to the user's cellular telephone 105, an E-mail to the user's computer 106, etc. As described above, service provider 104 may send commands which change the operating parameters of device 101 to cause it to send more frequent position reports when unauthorized movement of the asset is detected to assist in recovering the asset.
  • the user can also provide time parameters which specify time periods when device 101 may be at a particular position or within a specified area. For example, the user can provide the time and route of their daily commute. While commuting to work, the time and position information sent from device 101 tells service provider 104 that vehicle 120 is within its authorized area as specified by the time and position parameters. However, if vehicle 120 is moved at some other time than the user's specified parameters (e.g., 12 PM on a work day), service provider 104 will contact the user and/or law enforcement agencies to inform them that device 101 has detected unauthorized movement of vehicle 120.
  • time parameters which specify time periods when device 101 may be at a particular position or within a specified area. For example, the user can provide the time and route of their daily commute. While commuting to work, the time and position information sent from device 101 tells service provider 104 that vehicle 120 is within its authorized area as specified by the time and position parameters. However, if vehicle 120 is moved at some other time than the user's specified parameters (e.g., 12 PM
  • device 101 when device 101 is able to successfully determine its position using a position determining system, that position is logged in memory 210. A user could then use device 101 to track where vehicle 120 has been driven in a given time period. This can be used by, for example, car rental agencies or insurance companies in order to bill a customer according to their mileage within a given time period.
  • embodiments of the present invention After sending a fix or no-fix message to service provider 104, embodiments of the present invention then enter query state S4 during which
  • device 101 can receive commands and information from service provider 104. For example, if a user decides to change operating parameters of device 101 , such as the time interval for attempting to determine its position from position determining system 102 or 103, the new parameters can be sent to device 101 at this time. As another example, service provider 104 can send a command for
  • provider 104 can send a command which changes the operating parameters of
  • device 101 can
  • the controller in device 101 causes the
  • Information contained in the status report can include the
  • device 101 may only send the
  • a car rental agency which maintains a fleet of vehicles may move device 101 from a first car, which is not
  • an employee of the rental agency can move device 101 from the first vehicle to the second vehicle.
  • initiating component 209 detects the movement, and causes the device to transition to an active operating state.
  • interrogator 211 attempts to communicate with RFID tag 130.
  • interrogator 211 will communicate with the RFID tag in the first vehicle from which device 101 is being moved and receive identifying information from the RFID tag.
  • initiating component 209 again detects the movement, or the cessation of movement, of device 101.
  • Device 101 is again caused to enter an active operating state wherein interrogator 211 automatically attempts to communicate with an RFID tag.
  • interrogator 211 is now communicating with the RFID tag of the second vehicle and automatically receives information which uniquely identifies the second vehicle.
  • Device 101 then sends this identification, as well as geographic position data, to service provider 104.
  • service provider 104 may be the owner of the asset being monitored. Thereafter, device 101 only sends geographic position data to service provider 104 until it detects that it has been moved to a new vehicle.
  • device 101 may send a report to service provider 104 comprising the current time and geographic position of the device.
  • service provider 104 comprising the current time and geographic position of the device.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for monitoring the geographic position of an asset in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • the motion of a portable position reporting device is detected using an initiating component disposed within the' position reporting device.
  • an initiating component (e.g., initiating component 209 of Figure 2) is disposed within a housing (e.g., housing 250 of Figure 2) of portable position reporting device 101 .
  • Initiating component 209 is for detecting changes in the state of motion of device 101.
  • initiating component 209 can detect when device 101 transitions from a moving state to a substantially moving state and/or changes in the rate of movement of device 101.
  • initiating component 209 detects changes in the state of motion of device 101 such as starting or stopping of motion, as well as acceleration/deceleration.
  • step 420 of Figure 4 the motion is indicated to a controller disposed within the portable position reporting device.
  • initiating component 209 detects the vibration associated with the movement of device 101 and indicates this movement to a controller 201 disposed within device 101
  • step 430 of Figure 4 the portable position reporting device is activated in response the indicating of step 420.
  • initiating component 209 detects movement it generates an interrupt to controller 201.
  • controller 201 causes device 101 to transition to an active operating state (e.g., operating state S2 of Figure 3).
  • Coupling an initiating component which detects motion with device 101 is a novel method of reducing power consumption because it allows device 101 to continuously monitor an asset while drawing a minimal amount of power from power source 202.
  • device 101 while device 101 is in an idle operating state, only a real time clock of controller 201 and initiating component 209 are drawing power.
  • Device 101 does not attempt to determine its geographic location unless initiating component 209 detects that it is being moved. Thus, the number of position fixes, which draw far greater amounts of power, are minimized.
  • an identity which is unique to an asset is
  • controller 201 when initiating component 209 detects movement it generates an interrupt to controller 201. In response to the interrupt from initiating component 209, controller 201 causes device 101 to transition to an active operating state ⁇ e.g., operating state S2 of Figure 3).
  • device 101 while device 101 is in an idle operating state, only a real time clock of controller 201 and initiating component 209 are drawing power. Device 101 does not attempt to communicate with RFID tag 130 unless initiating component 209 detects that it is being moved. Thus, attempts to automatically determine the identity of the asset being monitored, which draw far greater amounts of power, is minimized.
  • interrogator component 211 when device 101 is in an active operating state, interrogator component 211 attempts to communicate with RFID tag 130 in order to access information stored thereon which identifies the asset being monitored (e.g., vehicle 120).
  • position reporting device automatically accesses identity information of a monitored asset in response to detecting movement of position reporting device 101. Because this is done in response to detecting movement of position reporting device 101, less power is drawn from power source 202, thus extending the life of the batteries.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif de signalisation de position portatif activé au mouvement. Selon une variante, un contrôleur est couplé avec une composante d'interrogation, une composante de détermination de position, une composante de communications sans fil et une composante d'initialisation. Selon une variante, la composante d'initialisation détecte le mouvement du dispositif et envoie un signal au contrôleur pour indiquer le mouvement, et le contrôleur répond au signal en activant la composante d'interrogation et le dispositif.
PCT/US2006/011868 2005-03-31 2006-03-30 Dispositif de signalisation de position portatif active au mouvement WO2006105380A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2006800145220A CN101371449B (zh) 2005-03-31 2006-03-30 便携的运动激活的位置报告装置
DE112006000754.8T DE112006000754B4 (de) 2005-03-31 2006-03-30 Tragbare bewegungsaktivierte Positionsberichterstattungsvorrichtung

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/096,923 US7398153B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2005-03-31 Portable motion-activated position reporting device
US11/096,923 2005-03-31
US11/097,425 US20060220955A1 (en) 2005-03-31 2005-03-31 Geographic marking device with RFID transponder
US11/097,425 2005-03-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006105380A1 true WO2006105380A1 (fr) 2006-10-05

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US11496473B2 (en) 2014-10-17 2022-11-08 Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd. Systems and methods for interaction among terminal devices and servers
US11665160B2 (en) 2014-10-17 2023-05-30 Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd. Systems and methods for interaction among terminal devices and servers

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DE112006000754B4 (de) 2014-05-22

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