U.S. patent application number 16/997645 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-03 for active and passive asset monitoring system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seeonic, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Seeonic, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicholas F. SINGH.
Application Number | 20200380325 16/997645 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005023152 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200380325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SINGH; Nicholas F. |
December 3, 2020 |
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ASSET MONITORING SYSTEM
Abstract
Methods and systems for providing an asset communication system
are described. One asset communication system includes an active
communication subsystem including a first radio transceiver, a
passive communication subsystem including a second radio
transceiver configured to transmit and receive data using radio
waves for communication and power, and a sensory subsystem. The
sensory subsystem can include one or more sensors, for example, an
ambient environment sensor. The asset communication system further
includes a synchronous trigger controller for activating the active
communication subsystem according to a schedule, and an
asynchronous trigger controller for activating the active
communication subsystem based on a signal received from a sensor or
the second radio transceiver.
Inventors: |
SINGH; Nicholas F.; (Eden
Prairie, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Seeonic, Inc. |
Plymouth |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Seeonic, Inc.
Plymouth
MN
|
Family ID: |
1000005023152 |
Appl. No.: |
16/997645 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16460868 |
Jul 2, 2019 |
10783419 |
|
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16997645 |
|
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62693339 |
Jul 2, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 5/0062 20130101;
H04B 5/0037 20130101; H04W 52/0274 20130101; G06K 7/10297 20130101;
H04B 1/38 20130101; G06K 19/0705 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 19/07 20060101
G06K019/07; H04B 5/00 20060101 H04B005/00; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; H04B 1/38 20060101 H04B001/38; H04W 52/02 20060101
H04W052/02 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling the battery life of an asset
communication system, the method comprising: receiving at least one
activation criterion; determining the frequency of the occurrence
of an activation event over a predetermined period of time, the
activation event being determined based on at least one signal
received during the predetermined period of time satisfying the at
least one activation criterion; receiving a target battery life;
determining a predicted battery life based on the determined
frequency of occurrence of the activation event; and adjusting the
at least one activation criterion based on the predicted battery
life being less than the target battery life.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signal received
during the predetermined period of time is received from at least
one of a synchronous trigger controller, an asynchronous trigger
controller, and at least one sensor.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one activation
criterion includes at least one parameter filtering and processing
the at least one signal.
4. The method of claim 3, where adjusting the at least one
activation criterion includes adjusting the at least one parameter
for filtering and processing the at least one signal.
5. A method of asset communication comprising: receiving an
activation event trigger from at least one of: a synchronous
trigger controller configured to activate a first radio transceiver
and a processor according to a schedule; and an asynchronous
trigger controller configured to activate the first radio
transceiver and the processor based on an event signal from at
least one of: a second radio transceiver configured to transmit and
receive data using radio waves for communication and power; and at
least one sensor; activating the processor and the first radio
transceiver based on the received activation event trigger; and
sending and receiving asset data via at least one of the first
radio transceiver and the second radio transceiver.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the activation event trigger is
determined by the event signal satisfying at least one activation
criterion.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one activation
criterion includes parameters for filtering and processing the
event signal.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising adjusting the at least
one activation criterion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/460,868 filed on Jul. 2, 2020, which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/693,339, filed Jul. 2, 2018,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entireties. To the extent appropriate a claim of priority is
made to each of the above-disclosed applications.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless communication devices, such as Internet of things
(IoT) enabled devices and wireless tracking devices, can utilize a
variety of communication technologies to transmit and receive data.
Wireless communication devices can be attached to an asset, for
example as a tag attached object. Typically, wireless communication
devices for assets utilize short-range or medium-range or
long-range wireless technologies, exclusively, depending on the
application or the asset. However, there exist applications where
assets require tracking at a long-range and medium-range and
short-range, inclusively. Moreover, since many assets are mobile
and cannot be wired to energy grids, the use of ultra-low-power,
intelligent wakeup triggering regimes that enable long battery life
is desirable.
SUMMARY
[0003] In general terms, this disclosure is directed to wireless
communication devices. In some embodiments, and by non-limiting
example, the wireless communication device can be a tag attached to
an asset, or the wireless communication device can be an electronic
module integrated with an asset.
[0004] One aspect is asset communication system comprising: an
active communication subsystem including a first radio transceiver;
a passive communication subsystem including a second radio
transceiver configured to transmit and receive data using radio
waves for communication and power; a sensory subsystem comprising
at least one of: at least one ambient environment sensor, at least
one electrical sensor, and at least one electromagnetic sensor; a
processing subsystem comprising: a programmable circuit including
at least one processor operably connected to the active
communication subsystem, the passive communication subsystem and
the sensory subsystem; and a memory operatively connected to the
programmable circuit, the memory storing an asset communication
application comprising instructions which, when executed, cause the
programmable circuit to: move data from the sensory subsystem and
active communication subsystem to the passive communication
subsystem, and move data from the sensory subsystem and passive
communication subsystem to the active communication subsystem.
[0005] Another aspect is an asset communication system comprising:
a processor; an active communication subsystem comprising: a first
radio transceiver; and a synchronous trigger controller configured
to activate the first radio transceiver and processor according to
a schedule; and a passive communication subsystem comprising: a
second radio transceiver configured to transmit and receive data
using radio waves for communication and power; at least one sensor;
and an asynchronous trigger controller, the asynchronous trigger
controller configured to activate the first radio transceiver and
the processor based on a signal received from at least one of: the
second radio transceiver and the at least one sensor.
[0006] A further aspect is method of controlling the battery life
of an asset communication system, the method comprising: receiving
at least one activation criterion; determining the frequency of the
occurrence of an activation event over a predetermined period of
time, the activation event being determined based on at least one
signal received during the predetermined period of time satisfying
the at least one activation criterion; receiving a target battery
life; determining a predicted battery life based on the determined
frequency of occurrence of the activation event; and adjusting the
at least one activation criterion based on the predicted battery
life being less than the target battery life.
[0007] Yet another aspect is an asset communication system
comprising: a processor; a first radio transceiver; a synchronous
trigger controller configured to activate the first radio
transceiver and the processor according to a schedule; a second
radio transceiver configured to transmit and receive data using
radio waves for communication and power; at least one sensor; an
asynchronous trigger controller configured to activate the first
radio transceiver and the processor based on an event signal from
at least one of: the second radio transceiver; and at least one
sensor; a programmable circuit; and a memory operatively connected
to the programmable circuit, the memory storing an asset
identification application comprising instructions which, when
executed, cause the programmable circuit to: receive an activation
signal from at least one of: the synchronous trigger controller;
and the asynchronous trigger controller; activate the processor and
the first radio transceiver based on the activation signal received
from the synchronous trigger controller; activate the processor and
the first radio transceiver based on the signal received from the
asynchronous trigger controller; send and receive asset data via at
least one of: the first radio transceiver and the second radio
transceiver.
[0008] A further aspect is a method of asset communication
comprising: receiving an activation event trigger from at least one
of: a synchronous trigger controller configured to activate a first
radio transceiver and a processor according to a schedule; and an
asynchronous trigger controller configured to activate the first
radio transceiver and the processor based on an event signal from
at least one of: a second radio transceiver configured to transmit
and receive data using radio waves for communication and power; and
at least one sensor; activating the processor and the first radio
transceiver based on the received activation event trigger; and
sending and receiving asset data via at least one of the first
radio transceiver and the second radio transceiver.
[0009] Another aspect is an asset monitoring system for remotely
monitoring the identification and state of an asset comprising: an
asset tag comprising: an active communication subsystem including a
first radio transceiver; a passive communication subsystem
including a second radio transceiver configured to transmit and
receive data using radio waves for communication and power; a
sensory subsystem comprising at least one of: at least one ambient
environment sensor; at least one electrical sensor; at least one
electromagnetic sensor; and at least one geographic location
sensor; a processing subsystem comprising: a programmable circuit
including at least one processor operably connected to the active
communication subsystem, the passive communication subsystem and
the sensory subsystem; and a memory operatively connected to the
programmable circuit, the memory storing an asset communication
application comprising instructions which, when executed, cause the
programmable circuit to store asset identification information
including at least one identification code and at least one asset
state, the asset state including data received from at least one
of: the sensory subsystem, the active communication subsystem, and
the passive communication subsystem; a power source; and a housing
configured to be attached to an asset and house the active
communication subsystem, the passive communication subsystem, the
sensory subsystem, the processing subsystem and the power source;
and a data evaluation subsystem arranged and configured to: receive
the asset identification information and asset state information
from the active communication subsystem; transmit commands to the
active communication subsystem that change a configuration of the
first asset tag device; and transmit automatic alerts based on the
asset identification information and the asset state
information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example asset
management system including a wireless asset data communication
device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example
wireless asset data communication tag in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example
wireless asset data communication device in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a computing
device that can be used to implement aspects of the present
disclosure, including any of the plurality of computing devices
described herein.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of
wireless data communication in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example asset
monitoring system including at least one wireless asset data
communication tag in accordance with some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an image of an example dashboard of an asset
monitoring system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example asset
including a wireless asset data communication tag in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating example
environments in which an asset monitoring system can be used in
accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Various embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.
Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the
claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in
this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set
forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended
claims.
[0020] The logical operations of the various embodiments of the
disclosure described herein are implemented as: (1) a sequence of
computer implemented steps, operations, or procedures running on a
programmable circuit within a computer, and/or (2) a sequence of
computer implemented steps, operations, or procedures running on a
programmable circuit within a directory system, database, or
compiler.
[0021] Further, spatially relative terms, such as "beneath,"
"below," "lower," "above," "upper" and the like, may be used herein
for ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation in
addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus
may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other
orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
[0022] In general, the present disclosure relates to a wireless
asset data communication device and a method of wireless asset data
communication. The methods and systems described herein allow for
wireless asset data communication via long-range, medium-range, and
short-range wireless technologies using both passive and active
electronic circuits. Wireless data communication technologies
typically use radio waves in specific narrow-band or broad-band
frequencies to transmit and receive data, however, other
modalities, such as light waves or sound waves, can be used as
well.
[0023] Long-range wireless communications technologies typically
include those with a distance range on the order of miles, for
example, those using radio communications standards such as LoRa
(Long Range) spread spectrum modulation techniques using a LoRaWAN
protocol, the cellular LTE-M (Long-Term Evolution Machine Type
Communication) standard, and the NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of
Things) standard. In some embodiments, long-range wireless
communication technologies use active, e.g. powered by a power
source such as a battery, radios for radio communications and data
processing operations.
[0024] Medium-range wireless communications technologies typically
include those with a distance range on the order of hundreds of
feet, for example, 10 feet to several hundred feet. Examples
include BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), Wi-Fi technologies and RFID
(Radio Frequency Identification) UHF (ultra-high frequency)
technologies. In some embodiments, medium-range wireless
communication technologies can be implemented as zero-power passive
technologies by using the received radio waves to power radio
communications and data processing operations.
[0025] Short-range wireless communications technologies typically
include those with a distance range on the order of feet or less,
for example about one inch to several feet. Examples of short-range
wireless communication technologies include RFID HF (high
frequency) and NFC (Near-Field Communication) protocols. In some
embodiments, short-range wireless communication technologies can be
implemented as a zero-power passive technologies by using the
received radio waves to power radio communications and data
processing operations.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example asset
management system 100 including a wireless asset data communication
device 108 in accordance with some embodiments. In the example
shown, the asset management system 100 includes an active
communication system 102, a passive communication system 104, an
asset 106, an asset data communication device 108, a network 110,
and a server 112. Also shown in FIG. 1 are radio transceiver 114,
mobile device 116, and RFID reader 118.
[0027] In the example shown, the active communication system 102
includes the asset data communication device 108, the radio
transceiver 114, and the network 110. In the embodiment shown, the
radio transceiver 114 is a cellular tower or a radio tower in a
fixed location that can both send and receive data via long-range
or medium-range wireless communication technologies, e.g. LoRa,
LTE-M, NB-IoT, BLE, Wi-Fi, etc., and can connect to the network 110
to send and receive data over the network 110. In other
embodiments, the radio transceiver 114 can be another asset
communication device, a mobile device such as the mobile device
116, or any other device configured to send and receive data using
long-range or medium-range wireless communication technologies and
also connect to the network 110 and send and receive data over the
network 110. In some embodiments, the data communication device 108
includes an active radio antenna and a circuit configured to send
and receive data via radio waves using an antenna. The active radio
antenna and circuit are powered by a power source, such as by a
battery or a connection to a source of AC or DC power, and are
therefore termed "active." When activated, the circuit and antenna
of the asset data communication device 108 are using power from an
external source to send, receive, and process data, in contrast
with a passive circuit and antenna which do not need an external
power source to send, receive, and process data. Further details
regarding the asset data communication device 108 are described
with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 below.
[0028] The passive communication system 104 includes the asset data
communication device 108, the mobile device 116, the RFID reader
118, and the network 110. In the embodiment shown, the mobile
device 116 is a mobile computing device such as a smartphone, or a
laptop computer, including a radio transceiver configured to send
and receive data via short-range wireless communication
technologies, e.g. NFC or RFID-HF, and to connect to the network
110 to send and receive data over the network 110. An example of a
mobile computing device is illustrated and described in more detail
with reference to FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the mobile device
116 can also include a radio transceiver configured to send and
receive data via long-range and medium-range communication
technologies. In the example shown, the RFID reader 118 is a
handheld RFID reader including a radio transceiver configured to
send and receive data via medium-range wireless communication
technologies, e.g. RFID-UHF, and to connect to the network 110 to
send and receive data over the network 110. In other embodiments,
the RFID reader 118 is a fixed location reader for automatically
tracking in/out events of the asset 106 via the asset communication
device 108 moving in or out of an area or volume (e.g. a room or a
truck) past a threshold, or through an opening, entrance/exit,
etc., such as a reader in a service vehicle or a service dock
portal reader. In other embodiments, the mobile device 116 and the
RFID reader 118 can be any other device configured to send and
receive data using short-range wireless communication technologies
and also connect to the network 110 and send and receive data over
the network 110. In the example shown, the data communication
device 108 includes a passive radio antenna and a circuit
configured to send and receive data via radio waves using an
antenna. The passive radio antenna and circuit are powered by the
radio waves received by the antenna, such as from the mobile device
116 or the RFID reader 118. In some embodiments, the passive
wireless communication technology, e.g. NFC, RFID, etc., are
"zero-power" such that the asset data communication device 108
receives both power and data via the radio waves send from the
mobile device 116 and the RFID reader 118, and can use the received
radio waves to power the passive radio antenna and circuit in order
to perform communication operations, e.g. sending data and
read/write operations. As such, the passive radio antenna and
circuit of the asset communication device 108 do not need an
external power source, such as a battery or a connection to AC or
DC power, and are therefore termed "passive."
[0029] In the example shown, the asset 106 can be any object to
which the asset communication device 108 can be in close proximity.
In some embodiments, the asset 106 is an object to which the asset
data communication device 108 can be fixably attached, and in other
embodiments the asset 106 is an object within which the asset data
communication device 108 is electrically and physically integrated.
In other embodiments, the asset 106 is an object within which the
asset data communications device 108 can be placed, such as a
high-value package or shipment.
[0030] In the example shown, the network 110 can, in some cases,
represent an at least partially public network such as the
Internet. In the example shown, the server 112 can represent an
asset management server, as well as one or more additional
servers.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example
wireless asset data communication tag 120 in accordance with some
embodiments. In the example shown, the wireless asset data
communication tag 120 includes the wireless asset data
communication device 108, an external power source 152, such as the
battery 152 illustrated in FIG. 2, and a housing 130.
[0032] In the example shown, the wireless asset data communication
device 108 includes an active antenna 124, an active sub-circuit
122, a passive antenna 144, a passive sub-circuit 142, and a
processor 150. In some embodiments, the wireless asset data
communication device 108 can also include memory communicatively
connected to the processor 150, such as the memory 154 illustrated
in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the passive antenna 144 may include
a plurality of passive antennas corresponding to different passive
wireless communication technologies. In some embodiments, the
passive antenna 144 can also receive power from the external power
source 152, for example, in conjunction with battery assisted
passive RFID to extend the range of the passive short-range
communication technology being used. In some embodiments, the
active antenna 124 can include a plurality of antennas
corresponding to different active wireless communication
technologies.
[0033] In the example shown, the active antenna 124 is
communicatively connected to the active sub-circuit 122, which is
communicatively connected to the processor 150. In addition, the
passive antenna 144 is communicatively connected to the passive
sub-circuit 142, which is communicatively connected to the
processor 150. The external power source 152 in electrically
connected to the processor 150 and both the active sub-circuit 122
and the passive sub-circuit 142. In the example shown, the active
sub-circuit 122 receives power from the external power source 152
for its operations as well as to power the active antenna 124, and
the passive sub-circuit 142 receives power from the external power
source 152, as needed such as with battery-assisted passive RFID
communications, for its operations as well as to power the passive
antenna 144 to extend the range of the passive antenna 144.
[0034] In some embodiments, the active antenna 124 and the active
sub-circuit 122 are configured to implement long-range wireless
communication technologies, such as LoRa or LTE-M. LoRa is a
powerful radio standard engineered to provide an ideal
communications modality for IoT deployments in challenging RF
environments. LoRa has robust features ideal for low-bandwidth
applications including an approximate 2 mile (urban) or 10 mile
(rural) range, high immunity to RF interference, superior
performance within dense buildings and low cost. A benefit of LoRa
is that it works well within challenging RF environments, such as
large facilities that have dense structures that can be
underground.
[0035] In some embodiments, the passive antenna 144 and the passive
sub-circuit 142 are configured to implement medium-range wireless
communication technologies, such as RFID-UHF, and can include
onboard RAIN RFID compatibility. For example, any off-the-shelf
RAIN RFID fixed or handheld interrogator can be used to either read
or write to the wireless asset data communication device 108 via
the passive sub-circuit 142 and antenna 144.
[0036] In some embodiments, the passive antenna 144 and the passive
sub-circuit 142 are configured to implement short-range wireless
communication technologies, such as NFC and RFID-HF, and can
include onboard RAIN RFID compatibility. For example, any
off-the-shelf RAIN RFID fixed or handheld interrogator or any
smartphone with NFC compatibility can be used to either read or
write to the wireless asset data communication device 108 via the
passive sub-circuit 142 and antenna 144.
[0037] In the example shown, the processor 150 is an ultra-low
energy central processing unit (CPU) coupled to both the active
sub-circuit 122 and the passive sub-circuit 142. In addition, the
active sub-circuit 122 and active antenna 124 can be implemented as
an ultra-low energy active sub-circuit 142 and ultra-low energy
antenna 144, for example, so as to function as an ultra-low energy
active asset tag. In some embodiments, the wireless asset data
communication device 108 can automatically synchronize all
identification data between active sub-circuit 122 and the passive
sub-circuit 142. In some embodiments, both the active antenna 124
and the passive antenna 144 can be planar antennas.
[0038] In the example shown, the external power source 152 is
illustrated as a slimline battery 152. The external power source
152, e.g. the slimline battery 152, can provide power to the
ultra-low energy active sub-circuit 122 and also provide additional
range to the passive sub-circuit 142 and passive antenna 144.
However, even if the external power source 152 is not present, e.g.
the slimline battery 152 is low, or not present, the passive
portion of the wireless asset data communication device 108, e.g.
the passive sub-circuit 142 and the passive antenna 144, will still
be able to be read by an interrogator, e.g. an RFID reader or NFC
device.
[0039] In some embodiments the enclosure surrounding the wireless
asset data communication tag 120 can be customized for particular
applications. For example, the wireless asset data communication
tag 120 can be arranged on the outside of the asset 106 or inside
of the asset 106.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example
wireless asset data communication device 108 in accordance with
some embodiments. The example shown includes an active antenna 124,
an active sub-circuit 122, a processor 150, a memory 154, a passive
antennas 144 and 145, a passive sub-circuit 142, one or more
peripheral connections 160, and a plug-in expansion 170.
[0041] In the example shown, the wireless asset data communication
device 108 corresponds to the wireless asset data communication
device 108 illustrated in FIG. 2 and is shown in FIG. 3 with
additional detail.
[0042] In the example shown, the active sub-circuit 122 includes
active communication circuitry 126 and an ultra-low power
synchronous trigger controller including a real time clock. In some
embodiments, the active communications circuitry 126 is configured
to send and receive data via long-range communications technologies
using the active antenna 124. For example, the active
communications circuitry 126 can implement LoRa, LTE-M, NB-IoT,
etc., communications. In some embodiments, the active
communications circuitry 126 and the active antenna 124, in
combination, serve as an active radio transceiver for sending and
receiving data via radio waves. Additionally, in some embodiments,
the active communications circuitry 126 can be configured to
provide geolocation, for example, by using RF location methods such
as Time Difference of Arrival, cell tower triangulation, or any
other appropriate method.
[0043] In some embodiments, the ultra-low power synchronous trigger
controller 128 is configured to activate the active communications
circuitry 126 for sending and receiving data. For example, the
active sub-circuit 122 and the processor 150 can reside in a
"sleep" state, e.g. an ultra-low power state, until "woken up" to
send and receive data according to a schedule. The ultra-low power
synchronous trigger controller 128 can be configured to "wake up,"
or activate, the active sub-circuit 122 and the processor 150 for
sending and receiving data according to a schedule. The schedule
can be periodic, for example once every 24 hours, or can be a
predetermined time or set of times and dates, or can be aperiodic.
In some embodiments, the schedule can be programmed into ultra-low
power synchronous trigger controller 128 or the memory 154, and can
be changed via instructions received at the active or passive
communications using the active sub-circuit 122 or the passive
sub-circuit 142 and stored in the ultra-low power synchronous
trigger controller 128 or the memory 154. In some embodiments, the
ultra-low power synchronous trigger controller 128 includes a real
time clock with which to implement periodic or aperiodic scheduling
of activation of the active sub-circuit 122. In general, the
ultra-low power synchronous trigger controller 128 is configured to
activate the active sub-circuit 122 according to a deterministic
schedule.
[0044] In the example shown, the passive sub-circuit 142 includes
the passive communication circuitry 146, an ultra-low power
asynchronous trigger controller, and one or more sensor 155. In
some embodiments, the passive communications circuitry 146 is
configured to send and receive data via short-range or medium-range
communications technologies using the passive antennas 144 and 145.
For example, the passive communications circuitry 146 can implement
RFID communications using the passive antenna 144 and NFC
communications using the passive antenna 145. In some embodiments,
the passive communications circuitry 146 and the passive antennas
144-145, in combination, serve as a passive radio transceiver for
sending and receiving data via radio waves.
[0045] In the example shown, the sensors 155 include a temperature
sensor 156, a humidity sensor 157, a light sensor 158, and an
accelerometer 159. In some embodiments, the sensors 155 can include
a connected reed switch sensor, a mechanical contact sensor or any
type of appropriate sensor. The sensors 155 are communicatively
coupled to the ultra-low power asynchronous trigger controller 148
and are configured to send a signal to the ultra-low power
asynchronous trigger controller 148. For example, the temperature
sensor 156 can send a signal to the ultra-low power asynchronous
controller 148 indicating a temperature, including temperature data
and values, or a change in temperature; the humidity sensor 157 can
send a signal to the ultra-low power asynchronous controller 148
indicating a humidity, including humidity data and values, or a
change in humidity; the light sensor 158 can send a signal to the
ultra-low power asynchronous controller 148 indicating a light
level, including UV, IR, or visible light data and values, or a
change in detected radiance at the sensor; and the accelerometer
159 can send a signal to the ultra-low power asynchronous
controller 148 indicating that the wireless asset data
communication device 108 has moved.
[0046] In some embodiments, the ultra-low power asynchronous
trigger controller 148 is configured to activate the passive
communications circuitry 146 for sending and receiving data. For
example, the passive sub-circuit 142 and the processor 150 can
reside in a "sleep" state, e.g. an ultra-low power state, until
"woken up" to send and receive data according to a determined
activation event. The ultra-low power synchronous trigger
controller 148 can be configured to "wake up," or activate, the
passive sub-circuit 142 and the processor 150 for sending and
receiving data upon the determination of the occurrence of an
activation event.
[0047] In some embodiments, an activation event includes a signal
received at either of the passive antennas 144 or 145 indicating a
read/write or other operation by an RFID reader or an NFC device.
For example, an RFID reader or NFC device can interrogate the
wireless asset data communication device 108 for identification or
other data by sending radio waves received by the antennas 144 and
145. The antennas 144 and 145 convert the radio waves into an
electrical signal, and transmit the electrical signal to the
passive communication circuitry 146 which convert the electrical
signal into an analog or digital electronic signal. The electronic
signal can then be processed, e.g. via a programmable circuit
including instructions stored in the memory 154, to determine if
the electronic signal signifies an activation event, such as an
interrogation by an RFID reader, or just radio wave noise or other
radio wave signals not relevant to asset data communication or
short-range radio communications, e.g. radio waves received by the
antennas 144 and 145 that need to be filtered out and not register
as an activation event.
[0048] In some embodiments, an activation event includes a signal
sent by one or more of the sensors 155. For example, the
accelerometer 159 can detect movement, and send an analog or
digital signal that can be processed, e.g. via a programmable
circuit including instructions stored in the memory 154, to
determine if the electronic signifies an activation event, such as
the wireless asset data communication device 108 being moved, or if
the electronic signal from the accelerometer 159 represents "noise"
such as a slight movement or "bump" of the wireless asset data
communication device 108 that needs to be filtered out and not
register as an activation event.
[0049] In some embodiments, the determination of whether a signal
from the sensors 155 or the passive communication circuitry 146 is
based on predetermined criteria which can be stored in the memory
154 or otherwise provided to the programmable circuit executing the
instructions to make the determination. For example, the criteria
can include amplitude and frequency content criteria which the
programmable circuit can compare the electronic signal received by
the accelerometer 159 to determine if the electronic signal
represents "movement" or noise, such as a "bump," of the wireless
asset data communication device 108. As another example, the
criteria can include parameters for filtering and processing of the
electronic signal received from the passive communication circuitry
146 to determine whether the radio waves received by the antennas
144 or 145 represent relevant data or communications with a
reader.
[0050] In some embodiments, the frequency of occurrence of
activation events over a predetermined period of time can be
determined. For example, the number of activation events resulting
from signals sent by the sensors 155 and the passive communication
circuitry 146 over a period of time, e.g. an hour or less, a day, a
week, a month, a year or more, etc., can be determined, e.g. by a
programmable circuit including instructions stored in the memory
154, or at the server 112 based on data sent from the wireless
asset data communication device 108.
[0051] In some embodiments, the power used by the wireless asset
data communication device 108 results from both the scheduled
activation events of the ultra-low power synchronous trigger
controller 128 and the activation events of the ultra-low power
asynchronous trigger controller 148; e.g. both the scheduled
wake-ups from the active portion and wake-ups occurring from the
sensors 155 and the passive communication circuitry 146 from the
passive portion. As such, in some embodiments, for example
embodiments in which the wireless asset data communication device
108 is included in a wireless asset data communication tag 120
including a battery 152, the schedule and criteria can be adjusted
so as to minimize the power used over time, and thereby achieve a
predetermined battery life. For example, for a schedule for
activating the active sub-circuit 122 can be adjusted from every 24
hours to every 48 hours to reduce the frequency of activation
events occurring from the ultra-low power synchronous trigger
controller 128. In the alternative, or in addition, the criteria
for determining activation events from the sensors 155 or
read/write interrogations, e.g. from the passive communication
circuitry, can be adjusted to reduce the frequency of activation
events occurring from the ultra-low power asynchronous trigger
controller 148. In some embodiments, limits to the frequency of
activation of the passive sub-circuit 142 from activation signals
from the ultra-low power asynchronous trigger controller 148
resulting from determined activation events can be applied in
addition to, or rather than, adjusting the criteria for determining
activation events from the sensors 155 or the passive communication
circuitry 146. In some embodiments, the schedule or criteria can be
adjusted to increase activation events.
[0052] In the example shown, the peripheral connections 160 include
a XBee-compatible port, a Molex-compatible port, and a USB port.
The peripheral connections 160 allow for host control of the
wireless asset data communication device 108. For example, the
wireless asset data communication device 108 can be directly
connected to the electronics of an asset 106 through XBee, Molex,
or USB connections. In the example shown, each of the XBee, Molex,
and USB ports include data, "wake" or activation, power, and
general purpose input/output (GPIO) connections.
[0053] In the example shown, the wireless asset data communication
device 108 includes the plug-in expansion 170. The plug-in
expansion 170 allows for circuitry to be added to the wireless
asset data communication device 108 that includes radio
transceivers for other active or passive wireless communication
technologies, for example, BLE, WiFi, a geographic location sensor,
such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, additional LoRa
or cellular radios, etc., for example, by providing connections for
such circuitry and radio transceivers. In some embodiments, the
wireless asset data communication device 108 can include circuitry
and radio transceivers for other active or passive wireless
communication technologies. In other embodiments, the wireless
asset data communication device 108 can include circuitry for other
active or passive wireless communication technologies and utilize
any of the antennas 124, 144, and 145. In some embodiments, any
circuitry and radio transceivers added to, or included in, the
plug-in expansion 170 can be communicatively connected to the
processor 150 or the ultra-low power asynchronous trigger
controller 148 or the ultra-low power synchronous trigger
controller.
[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a computing
device 162 that can be used to implement aspects of the present
disclosure, including any of the plurality of computing devices
described herein. The computing device 162 illustrated in FIG. 4
can be used to execute the operating system, application programs,
and software described herein. By way of example, the computing
device 162 will be described below as the server 112 shown in FIG.
1. To avoid undue repetition, this description of the computing
device 162 will not be separately repeated herein for each of the
other computing devices, including the mobile device 116, but such
devices can also be configured as illustrated and described with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0055] The server 112 includes, in some embodiments, at least one
processing device 180, such as a central processing unit (CPU). A
variety of processing devices are available from a variety of
manufacturers, for example, Intel or Advanced Micro Devices. In
this example, the server 112 also includes a system memory 182, and
a system bus 184 that couples various system components including
the system memory 182 to the processing device 180. The system bus
184 is one of any number of types of bus structures including a
memory bus, or memory controller; a peripheral bus; and a local bus
using any of a variety of bus architectures.
[0056] Examples of computing devices suitable for the server 112
include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a
mobile computing device (such as a smart phone, an iPod.RTM. or
iPad.RTM. mobile digital device, or other mobile devices), or other
devices configured to process digital instructions.
[0057] The system memory 182 includes read only memory 186 and
random access memory 188. A basic input/output system 190
containing the basic routines that act to transfer information
within server 112, such as during start up, is typically stored in
the read only memory 186.
[0058] The server 112 also includes a secondary storage device 192
in some embodiments, such as a hard disk drive, for storing digital
data. The secondary storage device 192 is connected to the system
bus 184 by a secondary storage interface 194. The secondary storage
devices 192 and their associated computer readable media provide
nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions (including
application programs and program modules), data structures, and
other data for the server 112.
[0059] Although the exemplary environment described herein employs
a hard disk drive as a secondary storage device, other types of
computer readable storage media are used in other embodiments.
Examples of these other types of computer readable storage media
include magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video
disks, Bernoulli cartridges, compact disc read only memories,
digital versatile disk read only memories, random access memories,
or read only memories. Some embodiments include non-transitory
media. Additionally, such computer readable storage media can
include local storage or cloud-based storage.
[0060] A number of program modules can be stored in secondary
storage device 192 or memory 182, including an operating system
196, one or more application programs 198, other program modules
200 (such as the software described herein), and program data 202.
The server 112 can utilize any suitable operating system, such as
Microsoft Windows.TM., Google Chrome.TM., Apple OS, and any other
operating system suitable for a computing device. Other examples
can include Microsoft, Google, or Apple operating systems, or any
other suitable operating system used in tablet computing
devices.
[0061] In some embodiments, a user provides inputs to the server
112 through one or more input devices 204. Examples of input
devices 204 include a keyboard 206, mouse 208, microphone 210, and
touch sensor 212 (such as a touchpad or touch sensitive display).
Other embodiments include other input devices 204. The input
devices are often connected to the processing device 180 through an
input/output interface 214 that is coupled to the system bus 184.
These input devices 204 can be connected by any number of
input/output interfaces, such as a parallel port, serial port, game
port, or a universal serial bus. Wireless communication between
input devices and the interface 214 is possible as well, and
includes infrared, BLUETOOTH.RTM. wireless technology, NFC,
802.11a/b/g/n, cellular, or other radio frequency communication
systems in some possible embodiments.
[0062] In this example embodiment, a display device 216, such as a
monitor, liquid crystal display device, projector, or touch
sensitive display device, is also connected to the system bus 184
via an interface, such as a video adapter 218. In addition to the
display device 216, the server 112 can include various other
peripheral devices (not shown), such as speakers or a printer.
[0063] When used in a local area networking environment or a wide
area networking environment (such as the Internet), the server 112
is typically connected to the network through a network interface
220, such as an Ethernet interface. Other possible embodiments use
other communication devices. For example, some embodiments of the
server 112 include a modem for communicating across the
network.
[0064] The server 112 typically includes at least some form of
computer readable media. Computer readable media includes any
available media that can be accessed by the server 112. By way of
example, computer readable media include computer readable storage
media and computer readable communication media.
[0065] Computer readable storage media includes volatile and
nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any
device configured to store information such as computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.
Computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to,
random access memory, read only memory, electrically erasable
programmable read only memory, flash memory or other memory
technology, compact disc read only memory, digital versatile disks
or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium that can be used to store the desired information and
that can be accessed by the server 112.
[0066] Computer readable communication media typically embodies
computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or
other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or
other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery
media. The term "modulated data signal" refers to a signal that has
one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner
as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, computer
readable communication media includes wired media such as a wired
network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as
acoustic, radio frequency, infrared, and other wireless media.
Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope
of computer readable media.
[0067] The computing device illustrated in FIG. 4 is also an
example of programmable electronics, which can include one or more
such computing devices, and when multiple computing devices are
included, such computing devices can be coupled together with a
suitable data communication network so as to collectively perform
the various functions, methods, or operations disclosed herein.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 500 of
wireless data communication in accordance with some embodiments.
The method 500 analyzes signals sent from radio transceivers and
sensors to determine whether wireless communications are to be
activated based on criteria and to adjust the criteria to satisfy a
predetermined power usage or battery life target, or target
value.
[0069] In the example shown, the method 500 includes receiving a
predetermined activation criteria and target power usage and
battery life at step 502. The activation criteria can include
criteria regarding the sensors 155 and the active sub-circuit 122
and the passive sub-circuit 142. For example, the activation
criteria can include the amplitude and frequency content, or other
attributes of a signal from the accelerometer 159, the temperature
or temperature change or difference from a temperature sensor 156,
the humidity or humidity change or difference from a humidity
sensor 157, the radiance, luminescence, wavelength and spectral
content, polarization, or other attributes of a signal from the
light sensor 158, the acceleration amplitude or change or event
interpretation of tilt, drop, tap or orientation change from the
3-axis accelerometer 159, attributes of radio waves received by the
active antenna 124 and the passive antenna 144 and 145, and
attributes signals received from peripheral connections 160 or the
plug-in expansion 170. The activation criteria can also include a
schedule for activation, e.g. a period or aperiodic specification
of when an activation event is to be generated to activate the
wireless asset data communication device 108.
[0070] In the embodiment shown, the method 500 includes receiving a
signal from one or more sensors 155, the ultra-low power
asynchronous trigger controller 148, the ultra-low power
synchronous trigger controller 128, the active sub-circuit 122, or
the passive sub-circuit 142 at step 504. The signal can be an
analog or digital signal, and can be in response to a sensor 155
sensing a physical occurrence or state, e.g. temperature or
temperature change, motion, light or a change in light, movement or
change in movement, orientation or change in orientation, etc., or
an antenna receiving radio waves such as a medium-range RFID reader
interaction or a short-range NFC smartphone interaction.
[0071] In the embodiment shown, the method 500 includes determining
whether the received signal indicates an activation event based on
the predetermined activation criteria at step 506. Determination of
whether the received signal indicates an activation event can
include comparing the received signal to the activation criteria
and any appropriate processing steps, for example, filtering and
pre- and/or post-processing of the signal.
[0072] In the embodiment shown, the method 500 includes activating
the processor and/or long-range, medium-range, and short-range
radio transceivers and executing communication and/or data
operations at step 508. Data operations can include, for example,
sending and receiving asset data via the active antenna 124, the
passive antenna 144 or 145, or the peripheral connections 160,
sending and receiving asset identification and state information,
receiving and executing commands that change the configuration of
the wireless asset data communication device 108, sending automatic
alerts based on asset information and data and asset state
information and data, adjusting scheduled activation events,
adjusting predetermined criteria, adjusting activation event
frequency thresholds, changing the power usage and batter lift
targets, changing the predetermined period of time for determining
activation event frequency, etc.
[0073] In the example shown, the method 500 includes recording the
number and type of activation events over a predetermined period of
time at step 510. At step 512, a predicted power usage of the
wireless asset data communication device 108 and battery life based
on the recorded frequency of activation events is determined.
[0074] In the embodiment shown, the method 500 includes adjusting
the activation criteria based on whether the predicted power usage
and battery life is greater than the target power usage and battery
life at step 514.
[0075] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an example asset monitoring system 600
including at least one wireless asset data communication tag 120.
The examples of FIGS. 6-9 are presented in the context of delivery,
transport, and storage of oxygen tanks, e.g. assets 106, for acute
healthcare needs, and include delivery vehicles and locations such
as hospitals.
[0076] Although the examples presented in FIGS. 6-9 illustrate one
example application involving oxygen tank tracking, the concepts
disclosed herein also apply to other applications. In some
embodiments the disclosure is directed to one or more of: a
tracking system, a tracking device, an identification system, and
an identification device.
[0077] The examples shown illustrate an example transport oxygen
product 607. The products can include integrated, portable medical
gas regulators that are permanently attached to a medical gas
cylinder 606. These systems require no extra parts which allows for
easy use and storage. Reordering is also streamlined by offering
these products within a service model. Additionally, the cylinders
606 and/or the transport oxygen products 607 have the ability to
measure the amount of gas remaining via either a mechanical or
digital gauge. Such products and services can be deployed at
hundreds of hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Such
business success can simultaneously generate operational challenges
in the pursuit of efficient, quality services. Such challenges can
include the ability to precisely track hospital tank inventory,
leading to inaccurate service billing, the necessity for in-person
hospital or facility visits to search for and evaluate the status
of hospital or facility inventory, increasing operational overhead,
and the lack of the ability to proactively identify and replace
partially-filled or empty tanks, impacting quality of service. In
the examples presented, it is desired that products be tracked
automatically.
[0078] In some embodiments, the asset monitoring system 600 can
provide the ability to scale rapidly and economically to many
different facilities or hospitals. In some embodiments, the asset
monitoring system 600 can include affixing wireless asset data
communication tags 120 to a plurality of oxygen transport products,
and interfacing those tags to additional oxygen cylinder systems
for additional data (such as tank level). In some embodiments,
collecting, storing and analyzing data from the asset monitoring
system 600 can be accomplished on a cloud platform, such as the
SEENIQ.RTM. cloud platform from Seeonic, Inc.
[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example asset
monitoring system 600 including at least one wireless asset data
communication tag 120 in accordance with some embodiments. In the
example shown, the asset monitoring system 600 includes a facility
602, a cloud service 610, the radio transceivers 114, a facility
gateway 612, a hotspot gateway 614, assets 606, and wireless asset
data communication tags 120. In some embodiments, the asset
monitoring system illustrated includes at least one wireless asset
data communication device 108, for example, instead of the at least
one wireless asset data communication tag 120.
[0080] In some embodiments, the facility 602 can be a building,
hospital, or other location. In the example shown, the facility is
a hospital 602. In some embodiments, the hospital 602 can be harsh
radio frequency (RF) environment, or portions of the hospital 602
can be harsh RF environments, for example, dense structures that
can be underground and include conductive structures that interfere
with radio wave communication.
[0081] In the example shown, a plurality of oxygen tanks 606 are
located within the hospital 602. A wireless asset data
communication tag 120 is attached to each of the plurality of
oxygen tanks 606. In some embodiments, when cylinders enter the
hospital 602, they are read by a LoRa transceiver 114. In some
embodiments, it may be possible to utilize a city or regional
LoRaWAN network. In other embodiments, a city or regional LoRaWAN
network may not be available, and a facility gateway 612 is
deployed in the hospital 602.
[0082] In the example shown, the facility gateway 612 can connect
directly to the cloud service 610 via cellular communications, e.g.
3G/4G-LTE cellular communications. In lieu of, or in addition to, a
LoRa connection between the wireless asset data communication tags
120 and a LoRa transceiver 114, the facility gateway 612 can
connect to the wireless asset data communication tags 120 to send
and receive asset data, and transmit the data via a secure
connection, for example, a secure TCP/IP-based communication
protocol to the cloud service 610. In some examples, the cloud
service 610 is hosted over a network, such as the network 110.
[0083] In some embodiments, the facility gateway 612 is configured
to be plugged in to a power source, such as an electrical wall
outlet, and can also, or alternatively, have a battery backup
option. In some embodiments, the facility gateway 612 does not need
access to any local hospital 602 networks, which can allow for
rapid deployment of the asset monitoring system 600 nationwide by
obviating coordination with facility IT departments and security
audits and firewalls.
[0084] In some embodiments, a single centrally-positioned facility
gateway 612 is used within the hospital 602. In other embodiments,
a plurality of facility gateways 612 can be used within the
hospital 602. In the example shown, each facility gateway 612 can
be encoded with a location ID and can locate wireless asset data
communication tags 120 as being within the hospital 602.
[0085] In some embodiments, the asset monitoring system 600
includes the hotspot gateway 614. The hotspot gateway 614 is a
facility gateway 612 placed within a select location, such as a
dock door or storage room, to locate wireless asset data
communication tags 120 with greater precision and accuracy. In some
embodiments, a wireless asset data communication tags 120 near a
hotspot gateway 614, e.g. within several feet, will have a very
high signal strength, in which case the cloud service 610 can
locate that wireless asset data communication tags 120 as being
near the respective hotspot gateway 614. In the example shown, each
hotspot gateway 614 can be encoded with a facility ID and a "room"
ID, allowing the cloud service 610 to more specifically locate the
cloud service 610.
[0086] In some embodiments, the wireless asset data communications
tag 120 can be configured to receive wireless signals from one or
more beacon communications tags 616. In some embodiments, a beacon
communications tag 616 is a wireless asset data communications tag
120 in a fixed location that can receive wireless signals and also
transmit wireless signals based on a schedule or a received
command. In some examples, each beacon communication tag 616 has an
identification code that associates the beacon communication tag
616 with a location. In some examples, the wireless asset data
communication tag 120 can receive data wirelessly from a beacon
communication tag 616 and determine a received signal strength
indication (RSSI) or other electromagnetic measure that is
proportional to a distance separating the wireless asset data
communication tag 120 from the beacon communication tag 616. In
some embodiments, the wireless asset data communication tag 120 can
determine the associated location information and identification
code of the beacon communication tag 616 and thereby determine the
location of the wireless asset data communication tag 120, for
example, such as being located in a building and proximate to the
beacon communication tag 616. In some embodiments, if several
beacon communication tags 616 are detected by the wireless asset
data communications tag 120, the wireless asset data communication
tag 120 can determine the location of the beacon communications tag
616 with the highest RSSI or highest electromagnetic measure, which
can then be used to determine the location of the wireless asset
data communication tag 120.
[0087] In some embodiments, the asset data communication tag 120
can be configured such that it is able to receive medium-range
signals from existing hospital infrastructure such as BLE or WiFi.
These signals can be used to locate an asset within a building
602.
[0088] In some embodiments, the asset data communications tag 120
can be configured such that it is able to send or receive data from
long-range wireless communications technologies such as LTE-M
cellular.
[0089] In some embodiments, the asset monitoring system 600 can
locate the wireless asset data communication tags 120 using
geolocation, as described above in more detail with respect to FIG.
3.
[0090] FIG. 7 is an image of an example dashboard 700 of an asset
monitoring system 600 in accordance with some embodiments. The
dashboard 700 can be displayed, for example, by a computing device
such as the mobile computing device 116, the server 112, or any
other computing device. In the example shown, the dashboard 700 can
include an asset ID 702, a facility name or ID 704, a hotspot
location 706, asset data or information 708, a battery level 710,
transport and storage data 712, and additional information or data
714. In some embodiments, the dashboard can be customized based on
specific operational and business requirements to display more or
fewer categories than are illustrated in FIG. 7. In some
embodiments, data and information for asset monitoring can be
presented as graphical visualizations and include predictive and
prescriptive analytics. In some embodiments, data and information
for asset monitoring can be presented via email, text alerts,
social media posts, etc., in addition to the dashboard 700.
[0091] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example asset
607 including a wireless asset data communication tag 120 in
accordance with some embodiments. The example shown in FIG. 8
illustrates a wireless asset data communication tag 120 fixably
attached to the transport oxygen product 607, which is attached to
the oxygen cylinder 606.
[0092] In some embodiments, the transport oxygen product 607
includes a digital display and electronics that can include asset
information, for example, the pressure or amount of oxygen in the
oxygen tank 606 that the transport oxygen product 607 is attached
to. In some embodiments, the wireless asset data communication
device 108 can be within the housing of the transport oxygen
product 607, and can be integrated with the electronics of the
transport oxygen product 607, for example, via the peripheral
connections 160, so as to be able to read asset information from
the transport oxygen product 607 electronics, e.g. the pressure or
amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank 606. Asset data can be stored
in the memory 154, and transmitted or received by the active
sub-circuit 122, the passive sub-circuit 142, the plug-in expansion
170, or the peripheral connections 160.
[0093] In some embodiments, the transport oxygen product 607
includes a mechanical gauge, and the wireless asset data
communication tag 120 can be located and fixably attached to the
outside of the transport oxygen product 607 housing.
[0094] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating example
environments in which an asset monitoring system 600 can be used in
accordance with some embodiments. The example shown in FIG. 9
illustrates a facility-wide environment in which a facility gateway
612 can be used, automatic tracking of the movement in and out of a
service vehicle of an asset 106 including a wireless asset data
communication tag 120 via a passive fixed reader 118 fixed on or in
the vehicle, automatic tracking of movement in and out of a service
dock of an asset 106 including a wireless asset data communication
tag 120 via a passive portal reader 118, and scanning a wireless
asset data communication tag 120 attached to an asset 106 with a
hand-held RFID reader 118. FIG. 9 illustrates the passive/active
and long-range to short-range communication cross-functionality of
the wireless asset data communication tag 120 and the wireless
asset data communication device 108.
[0095] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, the asset
monitoring system 600 including the wireless asset data
communication device 108 and the wireless asset data communication
tag 120 can provide long-range, robust, automatic visibility for
oxygen units 606 in hospitals 602 and field facilities 602 in
challenging RF environments without need to install extensive
hospital infrastructure. In some embodiments, the wireless asset
data communication device 108 and the wireless asset data
communication tag 120 can include passive RAIN RFID communication
capability, enabling medium-range visibility with supply chain
operations, such as fixed readers 118 to auto-scan the cylinders
606 in/out of service vehicles, portal readers 118 at dock doors to
auto-monitor the in/out transfer of cylinders 606 at a service
facility 602, handheld readers 118 to track cylinders 606 at a unit
level, e.g. as "seek mode" or "Geiger counter" mode in hospitals
602 or service facilities 602. Moreover, smartphones with NFC
capabilities can be used to identify and/or configure the tag in
short-range scenarios.
[0096] In addition, the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, the
asset monitoring system 600 including the wireless asset data
communication device 108 and the wireless asset data communication
tag 120 can provide enterprise-wide automation with active/passive
cross-functionality including active LoRa technology or LTE-M
cellular technology for long-range field visibility, and passive
RAIN RFID technology for medium-range reading and NFC-enabled
smartphones for short-range reading. In some embodiments, the RAIN
RFID feature can be used to further digitize and streamline
operational supply and service chain such as auto-scanning the
cylinders 606 that pass in/out of a service facility dock, service
vehicle, etc.
[0097] In the examples shown, the asset monitoring system 600 can
also provide robust RF performance with a flexible architecture,
including a range of several miles and incorporate robust
communications protocols designed to withstand the rigors of use in
complex RF environments and within deep, dense structures, and
dynamic tuning of locatability requirements to each hospital 602
without adding extra complexity.
[0098] In the examples shown, the asset monitoring system 600 can
also provide an alternative to reliance on existing hospital
infrastructure, such as legacy communications systems, e.g. WiFi or
Bluetooth, while still maintaining the option of utilizing such
legacy communications systems.
[0099] In the examples shown, the asset monitoring system 600 can
also provide use of LoRa and cellular networks without the need to
interact or use hospital networks or the need for special
permission or security coordination as required by hospital
facility IT departments.
[0100] In the examples shown, the asset monitoring system 600 can
also provide smaller, cost-effective tags. In some embodiments, the
wireless asset data communication device 108 and the wireless asset
data communication tag 120 can be smaller and more cost-effective
than other "no infrastructure" approaches such as cellular asset
tags, require less infrastructure overhead cost as compared with
WiFi or Bluetooth communication devices, and be more energy
efficient than comparable technology. For example, in some
embodiments the wireless asset data communication tag 120 can have
a battery life of 5 years or more on a battery that is smaller with
less capacity than comparable technologies and asset tags.
[0101] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily
recognize various modifications and changes that may be made
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *