Patent Application
20230359851
This disclosure generally relates to wireless internet of things (IOT) devices.
Installing additional IOT devices, sensors, and other electronics devices increases the complexity of managing an environment and workflows. For applications where tracking of assets and wireless communications are required, it is desirable to be able to implement wireless network infrastructure and tracking capabilities without increasing the number of objects, devices, and other factors that need to be installed or placed in an environment.
Disclosed herein is a smart cone that has the appearance and structure of a cone, pylon, a sign, a post, a delineator tube, or another marker object, all of which may be referred to herein as a “cone,” while being integrated with electronics for wireless communication and asset tracking capabilities. The smart cone acts as an infrastructure node for a wireless IOT device network that is configured to communicate with wireless nodes of the IOT network while also functioning as a cone for other practical purposes.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a portable device for enhancing network of a plurality of wireless nodes, including: a housing sized and shaped to enclose: a power source; a wireless communication module including an antenna and associated transceiver circuitry coupled with the antenna to receive and transmit wireless signals; a human-interaction interface; a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a processor in communication with the power source, the wireless communication module, and the memory; the housing being sized and shaped to self-stand when placed at a location; the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: scan, using the wireless communication module, for ones of the plurality of wireless nodes within operating range of the wireless communication module; receive, in response to the scan, wireless-node data from responding ones of the plurality of wireless nodes; generate a user-interpretable signal based on the wireless-node data; and output, using the human-interaction interface, the user-interpretable signal.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for performing a task using a portable wireless network enhancement device, the method including: assigning a task to the portable wireless network enhancement device; receiving, at the portable wireless network enhancement device, wireless node data from at least one wireless node; generating a user-interpretable signal based on the wireless-node data; and, control a human-interaction interface based on the user-interpretable signal.
The present invention is not limited in any way to the illustrated embodiments. Instead, the illustrated embodiments described below are merely examples of the invention. Therefore, the structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting the claims. The disclosure merely provides bases for the claims and representative examples that enable one skilled in the art to make and use the claimed inventions. Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are intended to provide a comprehensible description of the invention without being limiting.
In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of actual embodiments nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements and are not drawn to scale.
The term “tape node” refers to an adhesive tape platform or a segment thereof that is equipped with sensor, processor, memory, energy source/harvesting mechanism, and wireless communications functionality, where the adhesive tape platform (also referred to herein as an “adhesive product” or an “adhesive tape product”) has a variety of different form factors, including a multilayer roll or a sheet that includes a plurality of divisible adhesive segments. Once deployed, each tape node can function, for example, as an adhesive tape, label, sticker, decal, or the like, and as a wireless communications device.
In some contexts, the term “agent” may refer to a “node”, and an “agent” or “node” may be adhesively applied to a surface and denoted as a “tape node” or “tape agent”. These terms may be used interchangeably, depending on the context. Further, the “agent” or “node” may have two forms of hierarchy: one depending on the functionality of the “agent” or “node”, such as the range of a wireless communication interface, and another depending on which “agent” or “node” may control another “agent” or “node”. For example, an agent with a low-power wireless-communication interface may be referred to a “master agent”.
In some embodiments, a low-power wireless communication interface may have a first wireless range and be operable to implement one or more protocols including Zigbee, near-field communication (NFC), Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Classic, Wi-Fi, and ultra-wideband. For example, the low-power wireless-communication interface may have a range of between 0 and 300 meters or farther, depending on the implemented protocol. The communication interface implementation, e.g., Zigbee or Bluetooth Low Energy, may be selected based upon the distance of communication between the low-power wireless-communication interface and the recipient, and/or a remaining battery level of the low-power wireless-communication interface.
An agent with a medium-power wireless communication-interface may be referred to as a “secondary agent”. The medium-power wireless communication interface may have a second wireless range and be operable to implement one or more protocols including Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy interface, LoRa. For example, the medium-power wireless-communication interface may have a range of between 0 and 20 kilometers. The communication interface implementation, e.g., Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy, or LoRa, may be selected based upon the distance of communication between the medium-power wireless-communication interface and the recipient, and/or a remaining battery level of the medium-power wireless-communication interface.
An agent with a high-power wireless communication-interface may be referred to as a “tertiary agent”. The high-power wireless communication interface may have a third wireless range and be operable to implement one or more protocols including Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRa, Global System for Mobile Communication, General Packet Radio Service, cellular, near-field communication, and radio-frequency identification. For example, the high-power wireless-communication interface may have a global range, where the high-power wireless-communication interface may communicate with any electronic device implementing a similar communication protocol. The communication interface protocol selected may depend on the distance of communication between the high-power wireless-communication interface and a recipient, and/or a remaining battery level of the high-power wireless-communication interface.
In some examples, a secondary agent may also include a low-power wireless-communication interface and a tertiary agent may also include low and medium-power wireless-communication interfaces, as discussed below with reference to
With regard to the second form of hierarchy, the “agent”, “node”, “tape agent”, and “tape node”, may be qualified as a parent, child, or master, depending on whether a specific “agent” or “node” controls another “agent” or “node”. For example, a master-parent agent controls the master-child agent and a secondary or tertiary-parent agent controls a master-child agent. The default, without the qualifier of “parent” or “child” is that the master agent controls the secondary or tertiary agent Further, the “master tape node” may control a “secondary tape node” and a “tertiary tape node”, regardless of whether the master tape node is a parent node.
Further, each of the “agents”, “nodes”, “tape nodes”, and “tape agents” may be referred to as “intelligent nodes”, “intelligent tape nodes”, “intelligent tape agents”, and/or “intelligent tape agents” or any variant thereof, depending on the context and, for ease, may be used interchangeably.
Further, each of the “agents”, “nodes”, “tape nodes”, and “tape agents” may include flexible or non-flexible form factors unless otherwise specified. Thus, each of the “agents”, “nodes”, “tape nodes”, and “tape agents” include flexible and non-flexible (rigid) form factors, or a combination thereof including flexible components and non-flexible components.
An adhesive tape platform includes a plurality of segments that may be separated from the adhesive product (e.g., by cutting, tearing, peeling, or the like) and adhesively attached to a variety of different surfaces to inconspicuously implement any of a wide variety of different wireless communications-based network communications and transducing (e.g., sensing, actuating, etc.) applications. In certain embodiments, each segment of an adhesive tape platform has an energy source, wireless communication functionality, transducing hardware/functionality (e.g., sensor and energy harvesting functionality), and processing hardware/functionality that enable the segment to perform one or more transducing functions and report the results to a remote server or other computer system directly or through a network (e.g., formed by tape nodes and/or other network components). The components of the adhesive tape platform are encapsulated within a flexible adhesive structure that protects the components from damage while maintaining the flexibility needed to function as an adhesive tape (e.g., duct tape or a label) for use in various applications and workflows. In addition to single function applications, example embodiments also include multiple transducers (e.g., sensing and/or actuating transducers) that extend the utility of the platform by, for example, providing supplemental information and functionality relating characteristics of the state and/or environment of, for example, an article, object, vehicle, or person, over time.
Systems and processes for fabricating flexible multifunction adhesive tape platforms in efficient and low-cost ways also are described in US Patent Application Publication No. US-2518-0165568-A1. For example, in addition to using roll-to-roll and/or sheet-to-sheet manufacturing techniques, the fabrication systems and processes are configured to optimize the placement and integration of components within the flexible adhesive structure to achieve high flexibility and ruggedness. These fabrication systems and processes are able to create useful and reliable adhesive tape platforms that may provide local sensing, wireless transmitting, and positioning functionalities. Such functionality together with the low cost of production is expected to encourage the ubiquitous deployment of adhesive tape platform segments and thereby alleviate at least some of the problems arising from gaps in conventional infrastructure coverage that prevent continuous monitoring, event detection, security, tracking, and other logistics applications across heterogeneous environments.
In certain contexts, the terms “parcel,” “envelope,” “box,” “package,” “container,” “pallet,” “carton,” “wrapping,” and the like are used interchangeably herein to refer to a packaged item or items.
In certain contexts, the terms “wireless tracking system,” “hierarchical communications network,” “distributed agent operating system,” and the like are used interchangeably herein to refer to a system or network of wireless nodes.
As used herein, the term “or” refers an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in the specification and claims mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to refer the singular form.
The terms “module,” “manager,” “component”, and “unit” refer to hardware, software, or firmware, or a combination thereof. The term “processor” or “computer” or the like includes one or more of: a microprocessor with one or more central processing unit (CPU) cores, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system-on-chip (SoC), a microcontroller unit (MCU), and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a memory controller, bus controller, and other components that manage data flow between said processor associated memory, and other components communicably coupled to the system bus. Thus the terms “module,” “manager,” “component”, and “unit” may include computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the functionality discussed herein with respect to said “module,” “manager,” “component”, and “unit”.
To avoid damaging the functionality of the segments of the adhesive tape agent platform 112, the cut lines 226 may demarcate the boundaries between adjacent segments at locations that are free of any active components of the wireless transducing circuit 114. The spacing between the wireless transducing circuit 114 and the cut lines 226 may vary depending on the intended communication, transducing and/or adhesive taping application. In the example illustrated in
In some examples, the wireless transducing circuits 114 embedded in one or more segments 113 of the adhesive tape-agent platform 112 are activated when the adhesive tape agent platform 112 is cut along the cut line 226. In these examples, the adhesive tape-agent platform 112 includes one or more embedded energy sources (e.g., thin film batteries, which may be printed, or conventional cell batteries, such as conventional watch style batteries, rechargeable batteries, or other energy storage device, such as a super capacitor or charge pump) that supply power to the wireless transducing circuit 114 in one or more segments of the adhesive tape-agent platform 112 in response to being separated from the adhesive tape-agent platform 112 (e.g., along the cut line 226).
In some examples, each segment 113 of the adhesive tape agent platform 112 includes its own respective energy source. In some embodiments, the energy source is a battery of a type described above, an energy harvesting component or system that harvests energy from the environment, or both. In some of these examples, each energy source is configured to only supply power to the components in its respective adhesive tape platform segment regardless of the number of contiguous segments that are in a given length of the adhesive tape-agent platform 112. In other examples, when a given length of the adhesive tape agent platform 112 includes multiple segments 113, the energy sources in the respective segments 113 are configured to supply power to the wireless transducing circuit 114 in all of the segments 113 in the given length of the adhesive tape agent platform 112. In some of these examples, the energy sources are connected in parallel and concurrently activated to power the wireless transducing circuit 114 in all of the segments 113 at the same time. In other examples, the energy sources are connected in parallel and alternately activated to power the wireless transducing circuit 114 in respective ones of the segments 113 at different time periods, which may or may not overlap.
In some examples, segments of the adhesive tape platform 330 are deployed by a human operator. The human operator may be equipped with a mobile phone or other device that allows the operator to authenticate and initialize the adhesive tape platform 330. In addition, the operator can take a picture of a parcel including the adhesive tape platform and any barcodes associated with the parcel and, thereby, create a persistent record that links the adhesive tape platform 330 to the parcel. In addition, the human operator typically will send the picture to a network service and/or transmit the picture to the adhesive tape platform 330 for storage in a memory component of the adhesive tape platform 330.
In some examples, the wireless transducing circuit components 334 that are embedded in a segment 332 of the adhesive tape platform 330 are activated when the segment 332 is removed from the backing sheet 336. In some of these examples, each segment 332 includes an embedded capacitive sensing system that can sense a change in capacitance when the segment 332 is removed from the backing sheet 336. As explained in detail below, a segment 332 of the adhesive tape platform 330 includes one or more embedded energy sources (e.g., thin film batteries, common disk-shaped cell batteries, or rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices, such as a super capacitor or charge pump) that can be configured to supply power to the wireless transducing circuit components 334 in the segment 332 in response to the detection of a change in capacitance between the segment 332 and the backing sheet 336 as a result of removing the segment 332 from the backing sheet 336.
Sensing transducers 424 may represent one or more of a capacitive sensor, an altimeter, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a strain sensor, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a weight sensor, an optical or light sensor (e.g., a photodiode or a camera), an acoustic or sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), a smoke detector, a radioactivity sensor, a chemical sensor (e.g., an explosives detector), a biosensor (e.g., a blood glucose biosensor, odor detectors, antibody based pathogen, food, and water contaminant and toxin detectors, DNA detectors, microbial detectors, pregnancy detectors, and ozone detectors), a magnetic sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, a humidity sensor, a light emitting units (e.g., light emitting diodes and displays), electro-acoustic transducers (e.g., audio speakers), electric motors, and thermal radiators (e.g., an electrical resistor or a thermoelectric cooler).
Wireless transducing circuit 410 includes a memory 426 for storing data, such as profile data, state data, event data, sensor data, localization data, security data, and/or at least one unique identifier (ID) 428 associated with the wireless transducing circuit 410, such as one or more of a product ID, a type ID, and a media access control (MAC) ID. Memory 426 may also store control code 430 that includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor 420, cause processor 420 to perform one or more autonomous agent tasks. In certain embodiments, the memory 426 is incorporated into one or more of the processor 420 or sensing transducers 424. In other embodiments, memory 426 is integrated in the wireless transducing circuit 410 as shown in
An example method of fabricating the adhesive tape platform 500 according to a roll-to-roll fabrication process is described in connection with
The instant specification describes an example system of adhesive tape platforms (also referred to herein as “tape nodes”) that can be used to implement a low-cost wireless network infrastructure for performing monitoring, tracking, and other asset management functions relating to, for example, parcels, persons, tools, equipment and other physical assets and objects. The example system includes a set of three different types of tape nodes that have different respective functionalities and different respective cover markings that visually distinguish the different tape node types from one another. In one non-limiting example, the covers of the different tape node types are marked with different colors (e.g., white, green, and black). In the illustrated examples, the different tape node types are distinguishable from one another by their respective wireless communications capabilities and their respective sensing capabilities.
In certain embodiments including the optional flexible substrate 644, the optional flexible substrate 644 is a prefabricated adhesive tape that includes the adhesive layers 642 and 646 and the optional release liner. In other embodiments including the optional flexible substrate 644, the adhesive layers 642, 646 are applied to the top and bottom surfaces of the flexible substrate 644 during the fabrication of the adhesive tape platform. The adhesive layer 642 may bond the flexible substrate 644 to a bottom surface of a flexible circuit 648, that includes one or more wiring layers (not shown) that connect the processor 650, a low-power wireless-communication interface 652 (e.g., a Zigbee, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) interface, or other low power communication interface), a clock and/or a timer circuit 654, transducing and/or transducer(s) 656 (if present), the memory 658, and other components in a device layer 660 to each other and to the energy storage device 662 and, thereby, enable the transducing, tracking and other functionalities of the segment 640. The low-power wireless-communication interface 652 typically includes one or more of the antennas 415, 418 and one or more of the wireless communication circuits 413, 416 of
In certain embodiments, a planarizing polymer 694, 694′, 694″ encapsulates the respective device layers 660, 660′, 660″ and thereby reduces the risk of damage that may result from the intrusion of contaminants and/or liquids (e.g., water) into the device layer 660, 660′, 660″. The flexible polymer layers 694, 694′, 694″ may also planarize the device layers 660, 660′, 660″. This facilitates optional stacking of additional layers on the device layers 660, 660′, 660″ and also distributes forces generated in, on, or across the segments 640, 670, 680 so as to reduce potentially damaging asymmetric stresses that might be caused by the application of bending, torquing, pressing, or other forces that may be applied to the segments 640, 670, 680 during use. In the illustrated example, a flexible cover 690, 690′, 690″ is bonded to the planarizing polymer 694, 694′, 694″ by an adhesive layer (not shown).
The flexible cover 690, 690′, 690″ and the flexible substrate 644, 644′, 644″ may have the same or different compositions depending on the intended application. In some examples, one or both of the flexible cover 690, 690′, 690″ and the flexible substrate 644, 644′, 644″ include flexible film layers and/or paper substrates, where the film layers may have reflective surfaces or reflective surface coatings. Compositions for the flexible film layers may represent one or more of polymer films, such as polyester, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other plastics. The optional adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the flexible cover 690, 690′, 690″ and the adhesive layers 642, 642′, 642″, 646, 646′, 646″ on the top and bottom surfaces of the flexible substrate 644, 644′, 644″ typically include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., a silicon-based adhesive). In some examples, the adhesive layers are applied to the flexible cover 690, 690′, 690″ and the flexible substrate 644, 644′, 644″ during manufacture of the adhesive tape-agent platform (e.g., during a roll-to-roll or sheet-to-sheet fabrication process). In other examples, the flexible cover 690, 690′, 690″ may be implemented by a prefabricated single-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and the flexible substrate 644, 644′, 644″ may be implemented by a prefabricated double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape; both kinds of tape may be readily incorporated into a roll-to-roll or sheet-to-sheet fabrication process. In some examples, the flexible substrate 644, 644′, 644″ is composed of a flexible epoxy (e.g., silicone).
In certain embodiments, the energy storage device 662, 662′, 662″ is a flexible battery that includes a printed electrochemical cell, which includes a planar arrangement of an anode and a cathode and battery contact pads. In some examples, the flexible battery may include lithium-ion cells or nickel-cadmium electro-chemical cells. The flexible battery typically is formed by a process that includes printing or laminating the electro-chemical cells on a flexible substrate (e.g., a polymer film layer). In some examples, other components may be integrated on the same substrate as the flexible battery. For example, the low-power wireless-communication interface 652, 652′, 652″ and/or the processor(s) 650, 650′, 650″ may be integrated on the flexible battery substrate. In some examples, one or more of such components also (e.g., the flexible antennas and the flexible interconnect circuits) may be printed on the flexible battery substrate.
In examples of manufacture, the flexible circuit 648, 648′, 648″ is formed on a flexible substrate by one or more of printing, etching, or laminating circuit patterns on the flexible substrate. In certain embodiments, the flexible circuit 648, 648′, 648″ is implemented by one or more of a single-sided flex circuit, a double access or back-bared flex circuit, a sculpted flex circuit, a double-sided flex circuit, a multi-layer flex circuit, a rigid flex circuit, and a polymer-thick film flex circuit. A single-sided flexible circuit has a single conductor layer made of, for example, a metal or conductive (e.g., metal filled) polymer on a flexible dielectric film. A double access or back bared flexible circuit has a single conductor layer but is processed so as to allow access to selected features of the conductor pattern from both sides. A sculpted flex circuit is formed using a multi-step etching process that produces a flex circuit that has finished copper conductors that vary in thickness along their respective lengths. A multilayer flex circuit has three of more layers of conductors, where the layers typically are interconnected using plated through holes. Rigid flex circuits are a hybrid construction of flex circuit consisting of rigid and flexible substrates that are laminated together into a single structure, where the layers typically are electrically interconnected via plated through holes. In polymer thick film (PTF) flex circuits, the circuit conductors are printed onto a polymer base film, where there may be a single conductor layer or multiple conductor layers that are insulated from one another by respective printed insulating layers.
In the example segments 640, 670, 680 shown in
The various units of the segments 640, 670, 680 shown in
In some examples, the network 702 (e.g., a wireless network) includes one or more network communication systems and technologies, including any one or more of wide area networks, local area networks, public networks (e.g., the internet), private networks (e.g., intranets and extranets), wired networks, and wireless networks. For example, the network 702 includes communications infrastructure equipment, such as a geolocation satellite system 770 (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR), cellular communication systems (e.g., GSM/GPRS), Wi-Fi communication systems, RF communication systems (e.g., LoRa), Bluetooth communication systems (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy system), Z-wave communication systems, and ZigBee communication systems.
In some examples, the one or more network service applications leverage the above-mentioned communications technologies to create a hierarchical wireless network of tape nodes improves asset management operations by reducing costs and improving efficiency in a wide range of processes, from asset packaging, asset transporting, asset tracking, asset condition monitoring, asset inventorying, and asset security verification. Communication across the network is secured by a variety of different security mechanisms. In the case of existing infrastructure, a communication link uses the infrastructure security mechanisms. In the case of communications among tapes nodes, the communication is secured through a custom security mechanism. In certain cases, tape nodes may also be configured to support block chain to protect the transmitted and stored data.
A network of tape nodes may be configured by the network service to create hierarchical communications network. The hierarchy may be defined in terms of one or more factors, including functionality (e.g., wireless transmission range or power), agent “identity” or “role” (e.g., master-tape node vs. peripheral-tape node), or cost (e.g., a tape node equipped with a cellular transceiver vs. a peripheral tape node equipped with a Bluetooth LE transceiver). As described above with reference to the agents, tape nodes may be assigned to different levels of a hierarchical network according to one or more of the above-mentioned factors. For example, the hierarchy may be defined in terms of communication range or power, where tape nodes with higher-power or longer-communication range transceivers are arranged at a higher level of the hierarchy than tape nodes with lower-power or lower-range power or lower range transceivers. In another example, the hierarchy is defined in terms of role, where, e.g., a master tape node is programmed to bridge communications between a designated group of peripheral tape nodes and a gateway node or server node. The problem of finding an optimal hierarchical structure may be formulated as an optimization problem with battery capacity of nodes, power consumption in various modes of operation, desired latency, external environment, etc. and may be solved using modern optimization methods e.g. neural networks, artificial intelligence, and other machine learning computing systems that take expected and historical data to create an optimal solution and may create algorithms for modifying the system's behavior adaptively in the field.
The tape nodes may be deployed by automated equipment or manually. In this process, a tape node typically is separated from a roll or sheet and adhered to a parcel (e.g., asset 720) or other stationary (e.g., stationary gateway 714) or mobile object (e.g., a, such as a delivery truck, such as mobile gateway 712) or stationary object (e.g., a structural element of a building). This process activates the tape node (e.g., the tape node 718) and causes the tape node 718 to communicate with the one or more servers 704 of the network service 708. In this process, the tape node 718 may communicate through one or more other tape nodes (e.g., the tape nodes 742, 744, 746, 748) in the communication hierarchy. In this process, the one or more servers 704 executes the network service application 706 to programmatically configure tape nodes 718, 724, 728, 732, 742, 744, 746, 748, that are deployed in the network communications environment 700. In some examples, there are multiple classes or types of tape nodes (e.g., the master agent, secondary agent, or tertiary agent discussed herein), where each tape node class has a different respective set of functionalities and/or capacities, as described herein with respect to the “agents.”
In some examples, the one or more servers 704 communicate over the network 702 with one or more gateways 710, 712, 714 that are configured to send, transmit, forward, or relay messages to the network 702 in response to transmissions from the tape nodes 718, 724, 728, 732, 742, 744, 746, 748 that are associated with respective assets and within communication range. Example gateways include mobile gateways 710, 712 and a stationary gateway 714. In some examples, the mobile gateways 710, 712, and the stationary gateway 714 are able to communicate with the network 702 and with designated sets or groups of tape nodes.
In some examples, the mobile gateway 712 is a vehicle (e.g., a delivery truck or other mobile hub) that includes a wireless communications unit 716 that is configured by the network service 708 to communicate with a designated network of tape nodes, including tape node 718 (e.g., a master tape node) in the form of a label that is adhered to a parcel 721 (e.g., an envelope) that contains an asset 720, and is further configured to communicate with the network service 708 over the network 702. In some examples, the tape node 718 includes a lower-power wireless-communications interface of the type used in, e.g., segment 640 (shown in
In some examples, a mobile gateway 710 is a mobile phone that is operated by a human operator and executes a client application 722 that is configured by a network service to communicate with a designated set of tape nodes, including a secondary or tertiary tape node 724 that is adhered to a parcel 726 (e.g., a box), and is further configured to communicate with a server 704 over the network 702. In the illustrated example, the parcel 726 contains a first parcel labeled or sealed by a master tape node 728 and containing a first asset 730, and a second parcel labeled or sealed by a master tape node 732 and containing a second asset 734. The secondary or tertiary tape node 724 communicates with each of the master tape nodes 728, 732 and also communicates with the mobile gateway 710. In some examples, each of the master tape nodes 728, 732 includes a lower-power wireless-communications interface of the type used in, e.g., segment 640 (shown in
In some embodiments, the client application 722 is installed on a mobile device (e.g., smartphone) that may also operate as mobile gateway 710. The client application 722 may cause the mobile device to function as a mobile gateway 710. For example, the client application 722 runs in the background to allow the mobile device to bridge communications between tape nodes that are communicating on one protocol to other tape nodes that are communicating on another protocol. For example, a tape node transmits data to the mobile device through Bluetooth, and the mobile device (running the client application 722) relays that data to the server 704 via cellular (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) or Wi-Fi. Further, the client application 722 may cause the mobile device to establish a connection with, and receive pings (e.g., alerts to nearby assets that an environmental profile threshold has been exceeded), from the tape nodes or from the server 704. The tape nodes or server may request services (e.g., to display alert messages within a graphical user interface of the mobile device, relay messages to nearby tape nodes or mobile or stationary gateways, delegate tasks to the mobile device, such as determining the location of the tape node, etc.) from the mobile device. For example, the mobile device running the client application 722 may share location data with the tape node, allowing the tape node to pinpoint its location.
In some examples, the stationary gateway 714 is implemented by a server 704 executing a network service application 706 that is configured by the network service 708 to communicate with a designated set 740 of master tape nodes 742, 744, 746, 748 that are adhered to respective parcels containing respective assets 750, 752, 754, 756 on a pallet 758. In other examples, the stationary gateway 714 is implemented by a secondary or tertiary tape node 760 (e.g., segments 670 or 680, respectively shown in
In one embodiment, each of the master tape nodes 742-748 is a master tape node and is configured by the network service 708 to communicate individually with the stationary gateway 714, which relays communications from the master tape nodes 742-748 to the network service 708 through the stationary gateway 714 and over the network 702. In another embodiment, one of the master tape nodes 742-748 at a time is configured to transmit, forward, relay, or otherwise communicate wireless messages to, between, or on behalf of the other master nodes on the pallet 758. In this embodiment, the master tape node may be determined by the master tape nodes 742-748 or designated by the network service 708. In some examples, the master tape nodes 742-748 with the longest range or highest remaining power level is determined to be the master tape node. In some examples, when the power level of the current master tape node drops below a certain level (e.g., a fixed power threshold level or a threshold level relative to the power levels of one or more of the other master tape nodes), another one of the master tape nodes assumes the role of the master tape node. In some examples, a master tape node 759 is adhered to the pallet 758 and is configured to perform the role of a master node for the other master tape nodes 742-748. In these ways, the master tape nodes 742-748, 759 are configurable to create different wireless networks of nodes for transmitting, forwarding, relaying, bridging, or otherwise communicating wireless messages with the network service 408 through the stationary gateway 714 and over the network 702 in a power-efficient and cost-effective way.
In the illustrated example, the stationary gateway 714 also is configured by the network service 708 to communicate with a designated network of tape nodes, including the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 that is adhered to the inside of a door 762 of a shipping container 764, and is further configured to communicate with the network service 708 over the network 702. In the illustrated example, the shipping container 764 contains a number of parcels labeled or sealed by respective master tape nodes 766 and containing respective assets. The secondary or tertiary tape node 760 communicates with each of the master tape nodes 766 within the shipping container 764 and communicates with the stationary gateway 714. In some examples, each of the master tape nodes 766 includes a low-power wireless communications-interface (e.g., the low-power wireless-communication interface 652, with reference to
In some examples, when the doors of the shipping container 764 are closed, the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 is operable to communicate wirelessly with the master tape nodes 766 contained within the shipping container 764. In some embodiments, both a secondary and a tertiary node are attached to the shipping container 764. Whether a secondary and a tertiary node are used may depend on the range requirements of the wireless-communications interface. For example, if out at sea a node will be required to transmit and receive signals from a server located outside the range of a medium-power wireless-communications interface, a tertiary node will be used because the tertiary node includes a high-power wireless-communications interface.
In an example, the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 is configured to collect sensor data from master tape nodes 766 and, in some embodiments, process the collected data to generate, for example, statistics from the collected data. When the doors of the shipping container 764 are open, the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 is programmed to detect the door opening (e.g., using a photodetector or an accelerometer component of the secondary or tertiary tape node 760) and, in addition to reporting the door opening event to the network service 708, the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 is further programmed to transmit the collected data and/or the processed data in one or more wireless messages to the stationary gateway 714. The stationary gateway 714, in turn, is operable to transmit the wireless messages received from the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 to the network service 708 over the network 702. Alternatively, in some examples, the stationary gateway 714 also is operable to perform operations on the data received from the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 with the same type of data produced by the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 based on sensor data collected from the master tape nodes 742-748. In this way, the secondary or tertiary tape node 760 and master tape node 766 create a wireless network of nodes for transmitting, forwarding, relaying, or otherwise communicating wireless messages to, between, or on behalf of the master tape node 766, the secondary or tertiary tape nodes 760, and the network service 708 in a power-efficient and cost-effective way.
In an example of the embodiment shown in
In the illustrated example, the mobile gateway 712 and the stationary gateway 714 are implemented by, e.g., segment 680. The segments 680 typically communicate with other nodes using a high-power wireless-communication protocol (e.g., a cellular data communication protocol). In some examples, the wireless communications unit 716 (a secondary or tertiary tape node) is adhered to a mobile gateway 712 (e.g., a truck). In these examples, the wireless communications unit 716 may be moved to different locations in the network communications environment 700 to assist in connecting other tape nodes to the wireless communications unit 716. In some examples, the stationary gateway 714 is a tape node that may be attached to a stationary structure (e.g., a wall) in the network communications environment 700 with a known geographic location (e.g., GPS coordinates). In these examples, other tape nodes in the environment may determine their geographic location by querying the stationary gateway 714.
In some examples, in order to conserve power, the tape nodes typically communicate according to a schedule promulgated by the network service 708. The schedule usually dictates all aspects of the communication, including the times when particular tape nodes should communicate, the mode of communication, and the contents of the communication. In one example, the server (not shown) transmits programmatic Global Scheduling Description Language (GSDL) code to the master tape node and each of the secondary and tertiary tape nodes in the designated set. In this example, execution of the GSDL code causes each of the tape nodes in the designated set to connect to the master tape node at a different respective time that is specified in the GSDL code, and to communicate a respective set of one or more data packets of one or more specified types of information over the respective connection. In some examples, the master tape node simply forwards the data packets to the server 704, either directly or indirectly through a gateway tape node (e.g., the long-range tape node, such as wireless communication unit 716, adhered to the mobile gateway 712, or a long-range tape node, such as stationary gateway 714, that is adhered to an infrastructure component of the network communications environment 700). In other examples, the master tape node processes the information contained in the received data packets and transmits the processed information to the server 704.
In some examples, the different types of tape nodes are deployed at different levels in the communications hierarchy according to their respective communications ranges, with the long-range tape nodes generally at the top of the hierarchy, the medium range tape nodes generally in the middle of the hierarchy, and the short-range tape nodes generally at the bottom of the hierarchy. In some examples, the different types of tape nodes are implemented with different feature sets that are associated with component costs and operational costs that vary according to their respective levels in the hierarchy. This allows system administrators flexibility to optimize the deployment of the tape nodes to achieve various objectives, including cost minimization, asset tracking, asset localization, and power conservation.
In some examples, one or more network service servers 804 designates a tape node at a higher level in a hierarchical communications network as a master node of a designated set of tape nodes at a lower level in the hierarchical communications network. For 4example, the designated master tape node may be adhered to a parcel (e.g., a box, pallet, or shipping container) that contains one or more tape nodes that are adhered to one or more packages containing respective assets. In order to conserve power, the tape nodes typically communicate according to a schedule promulgated by the one or more network service servers 804. The schedule usually dictates all aspects of the communication, including the times when particular tape nodes should communicate, the mode of communication, and the contents of the communication. In one example, the one or more network service servers 804 transmits programmatic Global Scheduling Description Language (GSDL) code to the master tape node and each of the lower-level tape nodes in the designated set. In this example, execution of the GSDL code causes each of the tape nodes in the designated set to connect to the master tape node at a different respective time that is specified in the GSDL code, and to communicate a respective set of one or more data packets of one or more specified types of information over the respective connection. In some examples, the master tape node simply forwards the data packets to the one or more network service servers 804, either directly or indirectly through a gateway tape node (e.g., the long-range wireless communication unit 716 adhered to the mobile gateway 712 (which could be a vehicle, ship, plane, etc.) or the stationary gateway 714 is a long-range tape node adhered to an infrastructure component of the environment 700). In other examples, the master tape node processes the information contained in the received data packets and transmits the processed information to the one or more network service servers 804/704.
As used herein, the term “node” refers to both a tape node and a non-tape node unless the node is explicitly designated as a “tape node” or a “non-tape node.” In some embodiments, a non-tape node may have the same or similar communication, sensing, processing and other functionalities and capabilities as the tape nodes described herein, except without being integrated into a tape platform. In some embodiments, non-tape nodes can interact seamlessly with tape nodes. Each node is assigned a respective unique identifier.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a distributed software operating system that is implemented by distributed hardware nodes executing intelligent agent software to perform various tasks or algorithms. In some embodiments, the operating system distributes functionalities (e.g., performing analytics on data or statistics collected or generated by nodes) geographically across multiple intelligent agents that are bound to logistic items (e.g., parcels, containers, packages, boxes, pallets, a loading dock, a door, a light switch, a vehicle such as a delivery truck, a shipping facility, a port, a hub, etc.). In addition, the operating system dynamically allocates the hierarchical roles (e.g., master and slave roles) that nodes perform over time in order to improve system performance, such as optimizing battery life across nodes, improving responsiveness, and achieving overall objectives. In some embodiments, optimization is achieved using a simulation environment for optimizing key performance indicators (PKIs).
In some embodiments, the nodes are programmed to operate individually or collectively as autonomous intelligent agents. In some embodiments, nodes are configured to communicate and coordinate actions and respond to events. In some embodiments, a node is characterized by its identity, its mission, and the services that it can provide to other nodes. A node's identity is defined by its capabilities (e.g., battery life, sensing capabilities, and communications interfaces). A node may be defined by the respective program code, instructions, or directives it receives from another node (e.g., a server or a master node) and the actions or tasks that it performs in accordance with that program code, instructions, or directives (e.g., sense temperature every hour and send temperature data to a master node to upload to a server). A node's services may be defined by the functions or tasks that it is permitted to perform for other nodes (e.g., retrieve temperature data from a peripheral node and send the received temperature data to the server). At least for certain tasks, once programmed and configured with their identities, missions, and services, nodes can communicate with one another and request services from and provide services to one another independently of the server.
Thus, in accordance with the runtime operating system every agent knows its objectives (programmed). Every agent knows which capabilities/resources it needs to fulfill objective. Every agent communicates with every other node in proximity to see if it can offer the capability. Examples include communicate data to the server, authorize going to lower-power level, temperature reading, send an alert to local hub, send location data, triangulate location, any boxes in same group that already completed group objectives.
Nodes can be associated with logistic items. Examples of a logistic item includes, for example, a package, a box, pallet, a container, a truck or other conveyance, infrastructure such as a door, a conveyor belt, a light switch, a road, or any other thing that can be tracked, monitored, sensed, etc. or that can transmit data concerning its state or environment. In some examples, a server or a master node may associate the unique node identifiers with the logistic items.
Communication paths between tape and/or non-tape nodes may be represented by a graph of edges between the corresponding logistic items (e.g., a storage unit, truck, or hub). In some embodiments, each node in the graph has a unique identifier. A set of connected edges between nodes is represented by a sequence of the node identifiers that defines a communication path between a set of nodes.
Referring to
In an example scenario, in accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, node 1026 (Node B) requires a connection to node 1020 (Node A) to perform a task that involves checking the battery life of Node A. Initially, Node B is unconnected to any other nodes. In accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, Node B periodically broadcasts advertising packets into the surrounding area. When the other node 1020 (Node A) is within range of Node B and is operating in a listening mode, Node A will extract the address of Node B and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from an advertising packet. If, according to its programmatic code, Node A determines that it is authorized to connect to Node B, Node A will attempt to pair with Node B. In this process, Node A and Node B determine each other's identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a communication path 1032 with Node A (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy formatted communication path), Node B determines Node A's identity information (e.g., master node), Node A's capabilities include reporting its current battery life, and Node A's services include transmitting its current battery life to other nodes. In response to a request from Node B, Node A transmits an indication of its current battery life to Node B.
Referring to
In an example scenario, in accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, Node D requires a connection to Node C to perform a task that involves checking the temperature in the vicinity of Node C. Initially, Node D is unconnected to any other nodes. In accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, Node D periodically broadcasts advertising packets in the surrounding area. When Node C is within range of Node D and is operating in a listening mode, Node C will extract the address of Node D and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from the advertising packet. If, according to its programmatic code, Node C determines that it is authorized to connect to Node D, Node C will attempt to pair with Node D. In this process, Node C and Node D determine each other's identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a communication path 1044 with Node C (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy formatted communication path), Node D determines Node C's identity information (e.g., a peripheral node), Node C's capabilities include retrieving temperature data, and Node C's services include transmitting temperature data to other nodes. In response to a request from Node D, Node C transmits its measured and/or locally processed temperature data to Node D.
Referring to
The pallet 1050 provides a structure for grouping and containing packages 1059, 1061, 1063 each of which is associated with a respective peripheral node 1058, 1060, 1062 (Node E, Node F, and Node G). Each of the peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062 includes a respective low power communications interface 1064, 1066, 1068 (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy communications interface). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the nodes E, F, G, and the master node 1051 are connected to each of the other nodes over a respective low power communications path (shown by dashed lines).
In some embodiments, the packages 1059, 1061, 1063 are grouped together because they are related. For example, the packages 1059, 1061, 1063 may share the same shipping itinerary or a portion thereof. In an example scenario, the master pallet node 1051 scans for advertising packets that are broadcasted from the peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062. In some examples, the peripheral nodes broadcast advertising packets during respective scheduled broadcast intervals. The master node 1051 can determine the presence of the packages 1059, 1061, 1063 in the vicinity of the pallet 1050 based on receipt of one or more advertising packets from each of the nodes E, F, and G. In some embodiments, in response to receipt of advertising packets broadcasted by the peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062, the master node 1051 transmits respective requests to the server to associate the master node 1051 and the respective peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062. In some examples, the master tape node requests authorization from the server to associate the master tape node and the peripheral tape nodes. If the corresponding packages 1059, 1061, 1063 are intended to be grouped together (e.g., they share the same itinerary or certain segments of the same itinerary), the server authorizes the master node 1051 to associate the peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062 with one another as a grouped set of packages. In some embodiments, the server registers the master node and peripheral tape node identifiers with a group identifier. The server also may associate each node ID with a respective physical label ID that is affixed to the respective package.
In some embodiments, after an initial set of packages is assigned to a multi package group, the master node 1051 may identify another package arrives in the vicinity of the multi-package group. The master node may request authorization from the server to associate the other package with the existing multi-package group. If the server determines that the other package is intended to ship with the multi-package group, the server instructs the master node to merge one or more other packages with currently grouped set of packages. After all packages are grouped together, the server authorizes the multi-package group to ship. In some embodiments, this process may involve releasing the multi-package group from a containment area (e.g., customs holding area) in a shipment facility.
In some embodiments, the peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062 include environmental sensors for obtaining information regarding environmental conditions in the vicinity of the associated packages 1059, 1061, 1063. Examples of such environmental sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, acceleration sensors, vibration sensors, shock sensors, pressure sensors, altitude sensors, light sensors, and orientation sensors.
In the illustrated embodiment, the master node 1051 can determine its own location based on geolocation data transmitted by a satellite-based radio navigation system 1070 (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR) and received by the GPS receiver 1054 component of the master node 1051. In an alternative embodiment, the location of the master pallet node 1051 can be determined using cellular based navigation techniques that use mobile communication technologies (e.g., GSM, GPRS, CDMA, etc.) to implement one or more cell-based localization techniques. After the master node 1051 has ascertained its location, the distance of each of the packages 1059, 1061, 1063 from the master node 1051 can be estimated based on the average signal strength of the advertising packets that the master node 1051 receives from the respective peripheral node. The master node 1051 can then transmit its own location and the locations of the package nodes E, F, and G to a server over a cellular interface connection with a cellular network 1072. Other methods of determining the distance of each of the packages 1059, 1061, 1063 from the master node 1051, such as Received Signal-Strength Index (RSSI) based indoor localization techniques, also may be used.
In some embodiments, after determining its own location and the locations of the peripheral nodes, the master node 1051 reports the location data and the collected and optionally processed (e.g., either by the peripheral nodes peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062 or the master node 1051) sensor data to a server over a cellular communication path 1071 on a cellular network 1072.
In some examples, nodes are able to autonomously detect logistics execution errors if packages that are supposed to travel together no longer travel together and raise an alert. For example, a node (e.g., the master node 1051 or one of the peripheral nodes 1058, 1060, 1062) alerts the server when the node determines that a particular package 1059 is being or has already been improperly separated from the group of packages. The node may determine that there has been an improper separation of the particular package 1059 in a variety of ways. For example, the associated peripheral node 1058 that is bound to the particular package 1059 may include an accelerometer that generates a signal in response to movement of the package from the pallet. In accordance with its intelligent agent program code, the associated peripheral node 1058 determines that the master node 1051 has not disassociated the particular package 1059 from the group and therefore broadcasts advertising packets to the master node, which causes the master node 1051 to monitor the average signal strength of the advertising packets and, if the master node 1051 determines that the signal strength is decreasing over time, the master node 1051 will issue an alert either locally (e.g., through a speaker component of the master node 1051) or to the server.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the communications interfaces 1184 and 1186 (e.g., a LoRa communications interface and a Bluetooth Low Energy communications interface) on the node on the truck 1180 is programmed to broadcast advertisement packets to establish connections with other network nodes within range of the truck node. A warehouse 1188 includes medium range nodes 1190, 1192, 1194 that are associated with respective logistic containers 1191, 1193, 1195 (e.g., packages, boxes, pallets, and the like). When the truck node's low power interface 1186 is within range of any of the medium range nodes 1190, 1192, 1194 and one or more of the medium range nodes is operating in a listening mode, the medium range node will extract the address of truck node and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from the advertising packet. If, according to its programmatic code, the truck node determines that it is authorized to connect to one of the medium range nodes 1190, 1192, 1194, the truck node will attempt to pair with the medium range node. In this process, the truck node and the medium range node determine each other's identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a communication path with the truck node (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy formatted communication path 1114 or a LoRa formatted communication path 1117), the truck node determines the identity information for the medium range node 1190 (e.g., a peripheral node), the medium range node's capabilities include retrieving temperature data, and the medium range node's services include transmitting temperature data to other nodes. Depending of the size of the warehouse 1188, the truck 1180 initially may communicate with the nodes 1190, 1192, 1194 using a low power communications interface (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy interface). If any of the anticipated nodes fails to respond to repeated broadcasts of advertising packets by the truck 1180, the truck 1180 will try to communicate with the non-responsive nodes using a medium power communications interface (e.g., LoRa interface). In response to a request from the medium-power communication interface 1184, the medium range node 1190 transmits an indication of its measured temperature data to the truck node. The truck node repeats the process for each of the other medium range nodes 1192, 1194 that generate temperature measurement data in the warehouse 1188. The truck node reports the collected (and optionally processed, either by the medium range nodes 1190, 1192, 1194 or the truck node) temperature data to a server over a cellular communication path 1116 with a cellular network 1118.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the master and peripheral nodes 1230, 1238, 1240 include environmental sensors for obtaining information regarding environmental conditions in the vicinity of the associated logistic items 1232, 1234, 1236. Examples of such environmental sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, acceleration sensors, vibration sensors, shock sensors, pressure sensors, altitude sensors, light sensors, and orientation sensors.
In accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, the master node 1230 periodically broadcasts advertising packets in the surrounding area. When the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 are within range of master node 1230, and are operating in a listening mode, the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 will extract the address of master node 1230 and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from the advertising packets. If, according to their respective programmatic code, the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 determine that they are authorized to connect to the master node 1230, the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 will attempt to pair with the master node 1230. In this process, the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 and the master node 1230 determine each other's identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a respective communication path 1258, 1260 with each of the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 (e.g., a LoRa formatted communication path), the master node 1230 determines certain information about the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240, such as their identity information (e.g., peripheral nodes), their capabilities (e.g., measuring temperature data), and their services include transmitting temperature data to other nodes.
After establishing LoRa formatted communications paths 1258, 1260 with the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240, the master node 1230 transmits requests for the peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 to transmit their measured and/or locally processed temperature data to the master node 1230.
In the illustrated embodiment, the master node 1230 can determine its own location based on geolocation data transmitted by a satellite-based radio navigation system 1266 (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR) and received by the GPS receiver 1242 component of the master node 1230. In an alternative embodiment, the location of the master node 1230 can be determined using cellular based navigation techniques that use mobile communication technologies (e.g., GSM, GPRS, CDMA, etc.) to implement one or more cell-based localization techniques. After the master node 1230 has ascertained its location, the distance of each of the logistic items 1234, 1236 from the master node 1230 can be estimated based on the average signal strength of the advertising packets that the master node 1230 receives from the respective peripheral node. The master node 1230 can then transmit its own location and the locations of the package nodes H, J, and I to a server over a cellular interface connection with a cellular network 1272. Other methods of determining the distance of each of the logistic items 1234, 1236 from the master node 1230, such as Received Signal-Strength Index (RSSI) based indoor localization techniques, also may be used.
In some embodiments, after determining its own location and the locations of the peripheral nodes, the master node 1230 reports the location data, the collected and optionally processed (e.g., either by the peripheral nodes peripheral nodes 1238, 1240 or the master node 1230) sensor data to a server over a cellular communication path 1270 on a cellular network 1272.
Referring to
In some examples, each of one or more of the segments of a tracking adhesive product includes a respective sensor and a respective wake circuit that delivers power from the respective energy source to the respective one or more components of the respective tracking circuit 1378 in response to an output of the sensor. In some examples, the respective sensor is a strain sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in strain in the respective segment. In some of these examples, the strain sensor is affixed to a tracking adhesive product and configured to detect the stretching of the tracking adhesive product segment as the segment is being peeled off a roll or a sheet of the tracking adhesive product. In some examples, the respective sensor is a capacitive sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in capacitance in the respective segment. In some of these examples, the capacitive sensor is affixed to a tracking adhesive product and configured to detect the separation of the tracking adhesive product segment from a roll or a sheet of the tracking adhesive product. In some examples, the respective sensor is a flex sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in curvature in the respective segment. In some of these examples, the flex sensor is affixed to a tracking adhesive product and configured to detect bending of the tracking adhesive product segment as the segment is being peeled off a roll or a sheet of the tracking adhesive product. In some examples, the respective sensor is a near field communications sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in inductance in the respective segment.
A wireless sensing system includes a plurality of wireless nodes configured to detect tampering in assets. Tampering may include, but is not limited to, opening assets such as boxes, containers, storage, or doors, moving the asset without authorization, moving the asset to an unintended location, moving the asset in an unintended way, damaging the asset, shaking the asset in an unintended way, orienting an asset in a way that it is not meant to be oriented. In many cases, these actions may compromise the integrity or safety of assets. Wireless nodes associated with the asset are configured to detect a tampering event. In an embodiment, a tampering event is associated with an action, a time, and a location. In an embodiment, the wireless nodes communicate the tampering event to the wireless sensing system. The wireless sensing system is configured to provide a notification or alert to a user of the wireless sensing system. In some embodiments, a wireless node may directly transmit the notification or alert to the user. In other embodiments, a wireless node may include a display that indicates whether or not a tampering event has occurred (e.g., the display may be an indicator light or LED).
Alerts may be transmitted to server/cloud, other wireless nodes, a client device, or some combination thereof. For example, in an embodiment, a wireless node of the wireless sensing system captures sensor data, detects a tampering event, and transmits an alarm to a user of the wireless sensing system (e.g., without communicating with a server or cloud of the wireless sensing system). In another embodiment, a wireless node of the wireless sensing system captures sensor data and transmits the sensor data to a gateway, parent node (e.g., black tape), or client device. The gateway, parent node, or client device detects a tampering event based on the received sensor data and transmits an alarm to a user of the wireless sensing system. In another embodiment, the wireless node of the wireless sensing system captures sensor data, detects a tampering event, and transmits information describing the tampering event to a server or cloud of the wireless sensing system. The server or cloud of the wireless sensing system transmits an alarm to a user of the wireless sensing system.
In some examples, after a tape node is turned on, it will communicate with the network service to confirm that the user/operator who is associated with the tape node is an authorized user who has authenticated himself or herself to the network service. In these examples, if the tape node cannot confirm that the user/operator is an authorized user, the tape node will turn itself off.
The systems and methods described herein are described with the realization that for wireless networks, there is limited infrastructure resources to provide the necessary hardware to implement coverage for providing ubiquitous functionality within the wireless network. For example, in wireless tracking systems that utilize a plurality of wireless nodes to track a plurality of assets, there may be dead zones within the wireless network that are difficult to add the necessary hardware to resolve said dead zones. Moreover, as the assets move around, such as in warehousing and distribution centers, there may be locations within the warehouse or the warehouse yard that, at certain times but not others, have more assets with associated tracking nodes. These situations may result in desirable additional fidelity at the locations with higher-density of wireless tracking nodes than typical where existing infrastructure hardware implementing the wireless network is limited in ability to provide coverage at the high-density area.
The systems and methods described herein resolve the above-discussed problems by providing a portable wireless network enhancement device that, when deployed to a desired location, enhances and coordinates with the current infrastructure hardware to improve the functionality of the wireless network. Said enhancement and coordination may include a variety of functionality that is not available by the currently deployed infrastructure hardware, or is redundant to the current deployed infrastructure hardware but reassigned to the portable wireless network enhancement device to save resources (e.g., bandwidth, power management, sensor availability, etc.) of the current deployed infrastructure hardware. As an example, certain embodiments of the systems and methods herein may provide ad-hoc geofencing and cordoning systems where one or more portable wireless network enhancement devices are deployed within an area and act as a geofence to prevent and alert when assets (or the wireless nodes attached thereto) breach a defined geofence. As another example, certain embodiments of the systems and methods may be deployed to a high-density area of wireless nodes and coordinate with said wireless nodes and additional infrastructure hardware devices (such as wireless gateways) to shift functionality of the wireless nodes to the temporarily-deployed portable wireless network enhancement device to reduce power consumption of the wireless gateways and/or wireless tracking nodes.
The systems and methods described herein are described with the additional realization that, in certain environments, human interfacing with a wireless tracking system should not have undesirable lag, such as when data must go to a cloud network prior to being presented to a human that is interpreting said data; or such as when a human must pull out a user device (e.g., user phone, tablet, computer, screen, etc.). Users may be loading packages into a distribution vehicle, or working on an assembly line, or other environments where it is impractical to stop what the user is doing and pull out the user device in order to be alerted of events occurring and detectable within the wireless tracking nodes data generated by wireless tracking nodes attached to assets. Additionally, alerts that are transmitted to a user device may not always be noticed or received by a distracted user or by a user in an environment that is noisy or has low signal reception. Certain embodiments of the systems and methods described herein resolve the above-discussed problems by providing a portable wireless network enhancement device that includes a human-interface that allows the user to directly interact with the portable wireless network enhancement device to obtain and request information associated with wireless nodes of the wireless network. As an example, a portable wireless network enhancement device may be deployed to a location to provide functionality that is not achievable by current infrastructure of the wireless network such as being alerted about an event within the data and the human using voice or other interaction with the portable wireless network enhancement device to directly obtain definition of the event. As another example, a user may interact directly with a portable wireless network device to ensure that all necessary assets for performing a job (e.g., surgical procedure, mechanical work, etc.) having associated wireless nodes attached thereto, are in vicinity of the portable wireless network enhancement device before performing the job. As another example, a user may interact directly to ensure that proper assets are being loaded and/or unloaded from a delivery vehicle, airplane cargo, train cargo, marine cargo, etc.
The example wireless network 1400 of
Wireless network 1400, and associated portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, addresses a problem that occurs in environments where a human operator (also referred to as a “user”) is manipulating assets or other tangible things that have wireless nodes (e.g., wireless node 1410) that provide data associated therewith. In typical such environments, the user (e.g., user 1402) must stop what they are doing to use a user device 1420 and associated application 1422 thereon to obtain any information associated with the wireless node 1410. The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 solves this problem by including a human-interaction interface 1424 that allows the user to, without stopping what they are doing, obtain information from the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. This allows for users to receive critical information to a task that indicates an event that may demand immediate intervention or disruption of a task by the users, with minimal delay. Similarly, users may interact with the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to quickly initiate follow-up actions to be performed by the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 or by members of the wireless network 1400. In some embodiments, the user 1404 may interact with a component of the wireless network 1400 to confirm that a human is aware of an event that is being signaled by the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. In further embodiments, interaction may include the user 1404 pressing a button, touching a touchscreen display, or actuating another component of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. Similarly, the user 1404 may interact with a component of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to confirm to the system that the event being signaled is now resolved.
The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may optionally be in communication directly with the gateway 1412 (or other infrastructure hardware) and implement a communication bridge between the wireless node 1410 within delivery vehicle cargo area 1408 and the stationary gateway 1412. Alternatively, in situations where high latency is acceptable, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may store data received from wireless node 1410 and upload it to external server 1414 or stationary gateway 1412 when it reaches communication range of the stationary gateway external server 1414 or another location that provides adequate signal strength and connectivity between external server 1414 and portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. For example, this may be done for specific sets of data that do not need to be instantaneously processed or uploaded to the external server 1414 (such as diagnostic data of one or more of the wireless nodes 1410). In some situations, to conserve battery of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may opt to have the gateway 1412 upload on behalf of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
Portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may take the form of a cone, pylon, or other self-standing form factor that enables the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to be placed anywhere within wireless network 1400 and provide said enhancement functionality to the wireless network 1400 while standing in the placed location.
In the specific embodiment of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 shown in
In the specific embodiment of
Wireless communication module 1508 includes at least one antenna 1516 and associated transceiver circuitry coupled with the antenna 1516 to receive and transmit wireless signals. In some embodiments, a single multi-radio antenna of the at least one antenna 1516 is used for multiple radio frequency communication protocols and is coupled to more than one respective wireless communication interfaces or transceiver circuits. For example, the single multi-radio antenna may be used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals used in some combination of Bluetooth-based, WiFi-based, and RFID communications. In at least some embodiments, the antenna 1516 has a length (shown in
In at least one embodiment, wireless communication module 1508 includes at least one interface and antenna (e.g., at least one antenna 1516) that implements an RFID reading capability so that wireless communication module 1508 may receive RFID-based wireless node data from one or more wireless nodes 1410. The one or more wireless nodes 1410 may include one or more RFID tags (passive or active RFID tags). The wireless communication module 1508 may read the RFID tags, receiving data and identifiers stored on the RFID tags and then relay that data to other wireless nodes of the network 1400 using another wireless communication channel such as Bluetooth-based communications or cellular-based communications, for example. In at least one embodiment, wireless communication module 1508 includes at least one interface and antenna that implements an RFID illuminating capability so that wireless communication module 1508 may illuminate an area proximate the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 with an RFID-based wireless signal to trigger one or more wireless nodes 1410 to transmit an RFID response signal with wireless data from the one or more wireless nodes 1410. The features associated with illuminator 1420 and illumination signal 1421 discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2423/0024103, entitled “Multi-communication-interface system for fine locationing”, and filed Sep. 12, 2422, may apply to the RFID illuminating capability and devices that implement said RFID illuminating capability herein. As such, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2423/0024103 is incorporated by reference herein to the extent that the illumination and response discussed therein, and associated devices, apply to illuminating capabilities discussed herein.
In some embodiments, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 includes multiple wireless communication and sensor hardware capabilities, including a plurality of different types of sensors and wireless communication systems for various wireless communication protocols. The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may be configured to only use a subset of the wireless communication and sensor capabilities for an assigned task, while deactivating or disabling other wireless communications and sensor capabilities and/or components when those capabilities/components are not needed for a given assigned task. Deactivating or disabling certain capabilities and/or components may allow the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to conserve battery, while still performing functions critical to completing an assigned task. The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may take on an agent identity/role that defines the subset of wireless communication and sensor capabilities, as well as hierarchical roles and tasks to complete in the scheme of the wireless network 1400. The agent identity/role may be assigned by the server 1414 or by other wireless nodes (e.g., wireless nodes 1410, user device 1420, stationary gateway 1412 or other portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402), as described above.
Housing 1502 may include further carrying means for assisting in maneuvering the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 within a given area. The carrying means may be a handle, or other shape, protrusion, indention, or the like within housing 1502. As one example, in the briefcase embodiment 1800, a handle 1802 is shown that assists in maneuvering the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
Power source 1504 may be any source of power including rechargeable and non-rechargeable forms. In at least some embodiments, the power source 1504 is a line-power source including a plug for plugging in the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to an electrical outlet. An example of line-power source is shown as plug 1902 in
Similarly the energy harvesting device 1518 may be positioned elsewhere relative to the housing, in other embodiments. For example,
Human-interaction interface 1424 may include one or more devices that enable portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to interact, with or without user 1404 touching the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. If the user 1404 does not need to interact with the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, their use of wireless network 1400 is more efficient because they do not have to stop what they are doing to access user device 1420 to obtain information about wireless nodes 1410.
In at least some embodiments, human-interaction interface 1424 includes display 1520. Display 1520 may be a low-power use display, such as an E-ink display, or other type of display that uses minimal power from power source 1504. Display 1520 may be a higher-resolution display that uses more power, such as LED, LCD, OLED, or other types of displays that provide better resolution than E-ink displays (for example), but require more power to use. This are particularly useful in embodiments where power source 1504 is a line-powered device. Display 1520 may also be a single light that causes user 1404 to visually interpret information from portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
In at least some embodiments, human-interaction interface 1424 includes one or more speaker 1522. Portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 in
In at least some embodiments, human-interaction interface 1424 includes one or more microphone 1524 used to detect voice and sound-related input from user 1404 into portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
Portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may include any combination of one or more additional sensors 1526, in at least some embodiments. For example, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may include one or more of a light sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, an orientation sensor, and a location sensor (e.g., cellular triangulation, GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR and the like).
Human-interaction interface 1424 may include additional input/output devices, such as button 1528 that allows user 1404 to physically interact with portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. Button 1528 may be a component of display 1520, particularly when display 1520 is a touch-screen display.
Any of the components, or any subset thereof, within
As shown in
In one embodiment, enhancement controller 1506 includes a wireless-node analyzer module 1606. Wireless-node analyzer module 1606 operates to transmit, using the wireless communication module, a node request signal 1608 to ones of the plurality of wireless nodes 1410 within operating range of the wireless communication module 1508. Wireless-node analyzer module 1606 receives, in response to the node request signal 1608, wireless-node data 1610 within a response signal 1612 from responding ones of the plurality of wireless nodes. In certain embodiments, the scanning and receiving implemented by the wireless-node analyzer module 1606 includes RFID-based scanning/receiving protocol. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the node request signal 1608 may be an RFID-based illumination signal which triggers one or more wireless nodes 1410 to respond to the illumination signal. The wireless-node data 1610 may include an identifier of the wireless node 1410 that generated the data within wireless-node data 1610, as well as one or more other data features such as sensor data, power level data, location data, etc. Moreover, the wireless-node data 1610 may include prior-stored data within the wireless node 1410 generating the response signal 1612, such as data stored but not already transmitted to another device, or data received from another device (e.g., another wireless node) at the wireless node 1410 for relay to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 and/or external server 1414 for further processing and/or storage. Moreover, response signal 1612 may be a relayed response signal in that in response to the node request signal 1608, a first wireless node 1410 transmits data to one or more additional wireless nodes 1410 or another device such as stationary gateway 1412, which then in turn transmits the wireless-node data 1610 ultimately to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. Thus, the wireless-node data 1610 as stored within memory 1604 is ultimately a database of data obtained from one or more wireless node 1410 or other devices.
Wireless-node analyzer module 1606 generate a user-interpretable signal 1614 based on the wireless-node data 1610, and outputs, using the human-interaction interface 1424 the user-interpretable signal 1614. Thus, the user-interpretable signal 1614 may cause human-interaction interface 1424 to activate to interact with user 1404. For example, where the human-interaction interface 1424 includes display 1520, the user-interpretable signal 1614 may cause display 1520 to display some or all of the wireless-node data 1610 that was associated with an event therein (e.g., the ID of the wireless node 1410 associated with the event). For example, where the human-interaction interface 1424 includes display 1520, the user-interpretable signal 1614 may cause display 1520 to flash, flash a specific color, illuminate with a specific color, illuminate with a given image, flash at a specific frequency/periodicity, show a graphic, text, or video, or other configuration of display 1520. As another example, where the human-interaction interface 1424 includes one or more speaker 1522, the user-interpretable signal 1614 may cause one or more speaker 1522 to audibly indicate an alert, or other user-interpretable sound that causes user 1404 to interact with portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
In one example of operation, when a given asset 1406, as indicated by the wireless-node data 1610, is in a correct location, or has characteristics (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) necessary for that asset, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may indicate a positive indication such as a noise or a light of a certain color (e.g., green). Alternatively, when a given asset 1406, as indicated by the wireless-node data 1610 associated with said asset 1406, is in a wrong location or has characteristics (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) that contradict necessary requirements for the given asset (as defined in mission-necessary data 1634, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may indicate a negative indication such as a noise or a light of a certain color (e.g., red). Additionally, display 1520 or one or more speaker 1522 of human-interaction interface 1424 may indicate that user 1404 associated with that asset (e.g., a worker on a distribution line 2004 that is to be loading said asset into a specific bin or container) is to skip the task for the user 1404, or modify the task for the user 1404 (such as remove or replace the asset 1406 from distribution line 2004). The user-interpretable signal 1614 or another external-device signal 1613 may also be transmitted, using wireless communication module 1508, to external device 1615 to provide data associated with an event within wireless-node data 1610 such that display 1520 indicates that the user 1404 should look at external device 1615 and receive the indication that the user should modify its working task. As an example, where a given asset is located nearby a given portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, the external-device signal 1613 may cause the external device 1615 to indicate that the given asset, as identified within wireless-node data 1610, is nearby a specific portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may also serve as a portable gateway to one or more wireless node 1410 located on assets 1406 moving alone distribution line 2004. For example, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may be monitoring wireless-node data 1610 from wireless node 1410 of assets 1406 on distribution line 2004 and identify positive or negative information therein. For example, when wireless-node data 1610 indicates that a misload occurs, or that an asset 1406 does not have appropriate environmental characteristics (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.), portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may report back to a server (e.g., external server 1414), either directly or through a gateway (e.g., 1412) so that the error is reported to mission control.
As a working example of use of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, assume a sorting environment that sorts hundreds of unit load devices (ULD). Each ULD, and the associated assets, may be associated with a wireless node 1410. “Package 5” may be identified (by wireless-node analyzer module 1606 analyzing base 1510, or another device) as in container B, but it should be in a container C. The user-interpretable signal 1614 may cause display 1520 and/or one or more speaker 1522 to indicate to the users associated with handling the packages and loading them into containers B and C to look at external device 1615 (or directly at human-interaction interface 1424) to figure out who they should coordinate with to resolve the location of “package 5.” The user associated with container B can stop container B and take package 5 out of the container B, and hand it to the appropriate user associated with container C.
In at least some embodiments, the wireless-node analyzer module 1606 generates the user-interpretable signal 1614 in response to an event being detected by the wireless-node analyzer module 1606 within the wireless-node data 1610. For example, where the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is monitoring location of one or more assets 1406, and the wireless-node data 1610 associated with a given asset indicates that that given asset has entered a location it is not supposed to be, then the user-interpretable signal 1614 maybe generated such that it causes human-interaction interface 1424 to indicate to user 1404 that the given asset is not where it is supposed to be. As an example, if the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is located proximate a delivery vehicle where user 1404 is loading and/or unloading asset 1406 into/out of the delivery vehicle, then user-interpretable signal 1614 may case display to flash green when the asset is properly being loaded/unloaded, or red when the asset is not properly loaded or unloaded.
Wireless-node analyzer module 1606 may include, or work in collaboration with, a location module 1616 that monitors a current characteristic 1618 of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. As such, location module 1616 operates as further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processor 1602 operate to cause portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to implement the following functionality. Current characteristic 1618 may be determined based on an on-board GPS sensor on the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 (e.g., within the one or more additional sensors 1526). Current characteristic 1618 may be determined using a location signal that is used to triangulate the current characteristic 1618 based on cellular, or Wi-Fi, or other wireless protocol triangulation using the wireless communication module 1508. Current characteristic 1618 may be received from another device, such as stationary gateway 1412 that has a known location. The current characteristic 1618 may be used by location module 1616 in connection with a geofence 1620. When the wireless-node data 1610 indicates that one or more assets has breached geofence 1620, the wireless-node analyzer module 1606 (or location module 1616) may generate the user-interpretable signal 1614 such that human-interaction interface 1424 indicates that the given asset has breached the geofence 1620. For example, the user-interpretable signal 1614 may cause display 1520 to show the location of the breached asset, or display a warning that one or more assets, and their corresponding ID based on the wireless-node data 1610 has breached the geofence 1620. As another example, the user-interpretable signal 1614 may cause one or more speaker 1522 to audibly indicate the location of the breached asset, or audibly indicate a warning that one or more assets, and their corresponding ID based on the wireless-node data 1610 has breached the geofence 1620.
Location module 1616 may also analyze wireless-node data 1610 to store an asset location list 1622. Asset location list 1622 may be used to query for location of specific assets. For example, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may receive indication of a specific wireless node, or asset associated with the specific wireless node, to be searched. Location module 1616 determine if the specific wireless node is within the wireless node data 1610 (or where the wireless node is based on asset location list 1622). Location module 1616 (or wireless-node analyzer module 1606) may then generate the user-interpretable signal 1614 to cause human-interaction interface 1424 to indicate that the specific wireless node is nearby the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 when asset location list 1622 includes the specific wireless node. For example, the display 1520 may display a text indication, or specific location of, the specific wireless node with respect to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. As another example, the one or more speaker 1522 may generate a noise, or play a given sound/voice playback, indicating location of the specific wireless node, or that the specific wireless node is nearby portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
Portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may further coordinate with additional portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402. For example, where a specific wireless node is being searched for, when a first portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 finds the specific wireless node (e.g., it is located in wireless-node data 1610 or asset location list 1622), the user-interpretable signal 1614 may not only cause the first portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to indicate that the specific wireless node is there, but it may also be transmitted to the additional portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402 to cause them to display location of the specific wireless node. Thus, a network of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may determine and/or indicate which of the plurality of portable devices is closest to the specific wireless node.
Location module 1616 may further use current characteristic 1618 to optimize intended location of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. Location module 1616 may optimize location of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 by comparing current characteristic 1618 against network characteristics of other wireless devices (e.g., one or more of wireless nodes 1410, infrastructure components of wireless network 1400 such as stationary gateway 1412, and/or additional portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402). In one example of optimizing intended location of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, includes analyzing received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data 1624 (within or based on wireless-node data 1610) to determine an optimized location 1626 of the portable device within the network. The generated user-interpretable signal 1614 may then cause the human-interaction interface 1424 to indicate direction and/or distance the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 should be moved to result in a better coverage within wireless network 1400. In particular embodiments, the optimized location 1626 is determined based solely on RSSI data 1624 associated with only additional portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. Optimized location 1626 may result in positioning of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 with respect to one or more additional portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. In particular embodiments, the optimized location 1626 is determined based solely on RSSI data 1624 associated with only infrastructure components of wireless network 1400, such as one or more stationary gateways 1412. In another embodiments, location module 1616 may analyze the position of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 and determine that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 needs to change locations to complete a task or optimally fulfill a role assigned to it in the network 1400, based on other characteristics of the location, besides signal strength. For example, if the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 requires light exposure to complete a task or charge one of its batteries, the location module 1616 may determine an optimized location 1626 that is different than its current location based on incident light on the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402.
The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may generate a variety of user-interpretable signals 1614 to cause human-interaction interface 1424 to indicate that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 needs to be moved. In an example, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may display a red light when the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is in an invalid or non-optimal location, and may display a green light when it enters a location that is near a optimized location 1626. In some embodiments, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 emits audio through a speaker that indicates if the location of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is acceptable for a current task or role. For example, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may emit audio cues that indicate the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 being closer or further away from the optimized location 1626. In other examples, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may emit audio including verbal instructions for a user to move the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to a location, towards a trajectory, or towards a general area. The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may emit audio including verbal instructions that say “please move the portable wireless network enhancement device to a location with better cellular signal strength,” for example.
Wireless-node analyzer module 1606 may include, or work in collaboration with, a mission assignment module 1630 which assigns (e.g., determines or otherwise configures the operational settings of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402) a mission task 1632 for the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. As such, mission assignment module 1630 operates as further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processor 1602 operate to cause portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to implement the following functionality. Since the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may act as a gateway node mission assignment module 1630 may also assign tasks to other wireless nodes (for example if a long relay of communication bridges is required for data transfer). Control rights of mission assignment module 1630 may be defined based on whether the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is made a parent agent role or a child agent role with respect to surrounding wireless nodes of a given hierarchy of wireless nodes.
The mission assignment module 1630 may operate to receive a mission task from an external device (e.g., external server 1414, stationary gateway 1412, user device 1420, or one or more of the wireless nodes 1410). The mission assignment module 1630 may override a current mission task for the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 using the received mission task, or may add to a list of current mission tasks for the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. For example, an asset 1406 with critical temperature parameters may have a sensor tape node 1410 which reports an out of threshold temperature reading. The sensor tape node may transmit a request to the mission assignment module 1630 with high priority that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 change its operational mission task to signaling for intervention and uploading the event to the cloud (e.g. External server 1414), regardless of what the portable wireless network enhancement device's previous mission task was. Mission assignment module 1630 may cause portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to prioritize executing the new mission task in parallel with previous mission task or may even deprioritize the previous mission task. An example of the portable wireless network enhancement device's previous mission task may be to perform diagnostic measurements for signal reception in the network, a task that is deprioritized or executed in parallel to the high priority task assigned to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 when it receives the request from the sensor tape node 1410.
The mission assignment module 1630 may operate in conjunction with one or more other functionality discussed herein. Mission assignment module 1630 may analyze the current characteristic 1618, and automatically assign or set its own mission task 1632 when the current characteristic 1618 meets a given threshold, according to some embodiments. The current characteristic 1618 may be a current location determined using location module 1616. Current characteristic 1618 may be any other characteristic of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, such as but not limited to: a specific available power of power source 1504, signal reception available using wireless communication module 1508, priority of a request from another wireless node wireless node 1410, assignment by mission control (e.g., server 1414), a specific temperature determined using one or more additional sensors 1526, override or request by a nearby user (e.g., using user device 1420), a specific role determined using mission assignment module 1630, and the like. For example, in a distribution center application, when current characteristic 1618 indicates that portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is located within a pre-defined threshold distance to a loading/unloading dock, mission task 1632 may be set to monitor loading and unloading of assets 1406 (based on received wireless-node data 1610 associated with wireless node 1410 coupled to assets 1406.
Mission assignment module 1630 analyze each assigned mission task 1632 to determine if mission-necessary data 1634 is already stored within memory 1604. For example, continuing the loading/unloading example in the above paragraph, if mission task 1632 is set to monitor loading/unloading of assets, mission assignment module 1630 may query memory 1604 to determine if 1634 includes a manifest for assets that are to be loaded/unloaded to a given vehicle.
The analysis of mission task 1632 against mission-necessary data 1634 may be further or alternatively based on available wireless-node data 1610. Mission assignment module 1630 may further analyze wireless-node data 1610 to identify types of assets, specific IDs of assets, or other information about the environment of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. For example, wireless-node data 1610 may indicate that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is nearby a specific delivery vehicle, airplane, ULD, manufacturing line, conveyor belt, etc. This indication may cause mission assignment module 1630 to assign a mission task 1632 and/or determine if the necessary mission-necessary data 1634 is already available in memory 1604.
When mission-necessary data 1634 is not already within memory 1604, mission assignment module 1630 may transmit a data request 1636 to external device, such as external server 1414. Mission assignment module 1630 may then receive an data response 1638 including mission-necessary data 1634 and/or an update thereto.
In certain embodiments, the mission task 1632 may set a hierarchical role of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 within a hierarchy of a plurality of wireless nodes within wireless network 1400. This hierarchical role may be transmitted to all other wireless components (e.g., wireless nodes 1410, infrastructure components such as gateway 1412, and the like). In embodiments, the hierarchical role is configured without input from external devices such as server 1414. By automatically configuring the mission task 1632 as a hierarchical role of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, and transmitting said hierarchical role to other devices within wireless network 1400, the wireless network 1400 is able to operate autonomously without intervention from external cloud-based servers. This provides the advantage of expediting the functionality of wireless network 1400, and allows for operational functionality even when there is limited or no access to external networks such as server 1414.
Moreover, in certain embodiments, the hierarchical role set by the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may override hierarchical roles set by all other nodes within wireless network 1400. In certain embodiments, the hierarchical role set by the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may override hierarchical roles set by other wireless nodes within wireless network 1400, but not line-powered infrastructure nodes such as line-powered gateways. This provides the advantage that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 utilizes its temporary nature to provide enhanced functionality that saves power for the wireless nodes within wireless network 1400.
Mission assignment module 1630 may also generate node mission tasks 1640 that assign a specific task to one or more of the wireless nodes 1410. For example, the node mission tasks 1640 may instruct one or more of a plurality of wireless nodes 1410 to transmit sensed data from one or more of a plurality of wireless nodes and let the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 relay the received sensed data to an external server using the wireless communication module 1508. As another example, node mission tasks 1640 may instruct one or more wireless node 1410 to use portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 for communication to external devices, such as external server 1414 or stationary gateway 1412. This reduces power consumption particularly when the wireless nodes can use a low-power communication interface to transmit data to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, and then the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 can use a higher-power communication interface to get said data to the external server. Moreover, a plurality of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may coordinate with each other to define a virtual transmission line. The virtual transmission line may allow for relay of data between multiple ones of the portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402.
Wireless-node analyzer module 1606 may include, or work in collaboration with, a power management module 1642 that operates to control power usage of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. As such, power management module 1642 operates as further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processor 1602 operate to cause portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to implement the following functionality.
In one embodiment, power management module 1642 monitors a power level 1644 of power source 1504 and generates 1614 when the power level 1644 reaches a predetermined threshold. This indicates to user 1404 that power source 1504 needs replacing.
In certain embodiments, power management module 1642 may generate a wake signal 1646. Wake signal 1646 may cause one or more components of the portable device to transition from an inactive state to an active state in response to detection of a user in proximity to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. For example, the human-interaction interface 1424 may transition from an inactive state to an active state. “Inactive” for purposes of said wake signal 1646 may mean off in a no-power state, or merely in a low-power state. “Active” for purposes of said wake signal 1646 may mean “on” or otherwise in a higher-power state than inactive.
In at least one embodiment, the wake signal 1646 is generated based on detection of an authorized user in image or video data. For example, the one or more additional sensors 1526 discussed above may include a camera. the power management module 1642 may analyze image or video data from the camera to detect a user within a field of view of the camera. The power management module 1642 may then output the wake signal 1646 to the human-interaction interface (or other component(s) of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402) in response to detection of the user in the image or video data. In other embodiments, the wake signal 1646 is generated in response to receiving a wireless communication from a wireless node associated with an authorized user (e.g., a wireless node 1410 worn or attached to the user, or the user device 1420) or a wireless node associated with an asset tracked in the network 1400. For example, the wireless communication may be from a smart badge, wearable device, or user device associated with a user that is requesting services from the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. In other embodiments, the wake signal 1646 may be generated based on receiving a corresponding input from a user via the input 1528 of the human-interaction interface 1424. For example, a user may indicate that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is being deployed and needs to transition to an active state by pressing a button of the input 1528. In response, the power management module 1642 generates a wake signal for one or more components.
In certain embodiments, the transition from inactive to active state occurs when the user is determined to be authorized. In the above-embodiment based on image or video data, the authorized user may be determined based on facial recognition, clothing color and/or pattern, or other image-based authorization techniques. In certain embodiments, the power management module 1642 utilizes wireless communication module 1508 to authorize a given user. For example, the power management module 1642 may output wake signal 1646 to the human-interaction interface (or other component(s) of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402) in response to detection of an authorization device via wireless signal between the authorization device and wireless communication module 1508. The authorization device being an RFID tag, a wearable device, or a handheld device (such as but not limited to user device 1420).
Wireless-node analyzer module 1606 may include, or work in collaboration with, a human-interaction module 1650 that operates to detect user-interactions with one or more of display 1520 (when the display is a touch-screen), microphone 1524, or input button 1528 to receive and/or detect input 1652 from user 1404. As such, human-interaction module 1650 operates as further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processor 1602 operate to cause portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to implement the following functionality.
In at least some embodiments, human-interaction module 1650 and mission assignment module 1630 cooperate to determine mission task 1632 for the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 based on input 1652. The mission task 1632 may be to provide further information or action related to previously provided user-interpretable signal 1614. For example, the mission task 1632 may include terminating the user-interpretable signal 1614 when the input 1652 is user voice input (obtained using microphone 1524) indicates that a user has resolved an event defined within the wireless node data. This provides the advantage that the user 1402 need not stop what they are doing to physically interact with portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, but instead can just speak to portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to stop the alert caused by user-interpretable signal 1614. Alternatively, the user input 1652 may be detection of user touching input button 1528 and/or display 1520 (when display 1520 is a touch screen) to stop the action of human-interaction interface 1424 caused by the user-interpretable signal 1614.
In at least some embodiments, the user input 1652 may be a request by the user 1404 for additional information in response to noticing the human-interaction interface 1424 action in response to user-interpretable signal 1614. In such situations, the mission task 1632 may include outputting an additional user-interpretable signal that causes human-interaction interface 1424 to indicating further information associated with wireless data wireless-node data 1610. For example, the human-interaction interface 1424 may display or sound out the an event defined based on the wireless node data 1610. As an example, a loader/unloader may, in response to hearing an alarm or noticing a displayed notification, request for an indication of “what is wrong.” In response, the wireless-node analyzer module 1606 may provide additional information describing the event that triggered the user-interpretable signal 1614 in the first place, such as “Package being wrongly loaded or unloaded”, or (if the wireless node data 1610 indicates that a package experienced a fall) “Package was dropped, don't ship this one”, or (if the wireless node data 1610 indicates a given asset experienced a temperature event) “put package back in cold storage, temperature is too high”, or the like.
Enhancement controller 1506 may also implement self-monitoring to verify operational status of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. For example, enhancement controller 1506 may monitor an orientation sensor or accelerometer (e.g., example of one or more additional sensors 1526), to verify that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is properly oriented (e.g., in an upright position). When the data from the orientation sensor or accelerometer indicates that the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 is not properly positioned, enhancement controller 1506 may trigger an alert that is transmitted to external device such as stationary gateway 1412 or external server 1414, or user device 1420, or that is presented to a user 1404 via human-interaction interface 1424.
In at least some embodiments, the user input 1652 defines an action 1654 that the user intends to perform. In response, mission assignment module 1630 may analyze mission-necessary data 1634 and determine necessary assets to perform the action 1654 that the user intends to perform. Then, wireless-node analyzer module 1606 may generate the user-interpretable signal 1614 including indication that all of the one or more necessary assets are in proximity to (e.g., within a certain threshold distance) or that one or more of the one or more necessary assets are missing. One particular application of action 1654 may be when the one or more assets being medical supplies needed to perform a surgery or dental procedure. By the doctor working with portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, the doctor can implement a quick “check” to confirm all medical supplies are accounted for both before and after the medical procedure. As another example, the one or more assets may be tools needed to perform a job.
In an embodiment, a set of a plurality of portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402 may include one or more subsets of portable wireless network enhancement devices, where each subset of devices includes different capabilities. In the example of
When user goes to perform a task that requires a portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, a device (e.g., server 1414, stationary gateway 1412, or the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 (using mission assignment module 1630 for example) may determine which subsets of a plurality of portable wireless network enhancement devices are capable of performing the task. In response, the human-interaction interface 1424 of those subsets may be triggered (e.g., via user-interpretable signal 1614) to indicate (e.g., light up or flash a display with a graphic that indicates to the user, or output a sound, etc.) which of the portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402 are good candidates for the task.
The process of indicating which subset of a plurality of portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402 should be used at a given time may be initiated by the user 1404 inputting or selecting a given task using an app on a smartphone or tablet (e.g., user device 1420). Alternatively, this may be initiated by the cloud at server 1414 which issues instructions or a request to perform the task to the user 1404 and automatically alerts the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to check their capabilities and signal based on the check, or directly trigger human-interaction interface 1424 when the external server 1414 knows that a given portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 has the requisite capabilities. In other embodiments, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may light up based on a wearable (e.g., a smart badge) or a smartphone automatically requesting the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to signal when the wearable or smartphone is in range.
User 1404 may interact with associated application 1422 on user device 1420 to request information about assets 1406 or wireless node 1410 associated therewith. For example, user device 1420, using associated application 1422 thereon, may detect user input 2204 defining a request for information about a specific asset, such as asset 1406(1), or grouping of assets, or type of asset, or asset having specific characteristics associated therewith. The specific characteristic may be an error, such as wrong temperature or temperature history, improper location, improper loading, etc., or a positive event, such as appropriate temperature or temperature history, proper location, properly loaded, etc. In one example, the user input 2204 is a voice request input into user device 1420, such as via a Siri (on Apple devices), Alexa® (Amazon devices), Google Assistant, or other voice or virtual assistance applications. In another example, the user input 2204 is a text input via a touch screen.
In response to the user input 2204, user device 1420, using associated application 1422 thereon, may query wireless network 1400 for data 2206 regarding the requested asset 1406, grouping of assets, type of asset, or asset having specific characteristics associated therewith. The user input 2204 may not be limited to lost assets. Other examples of requests received as user input 2204 include: light up all portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 near ULDs that are misloaded before starting to load up planes. Light up all portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 that are near package cars that have damaged or compromised packages. Light up all portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 that are near equipment tape nodes that is signaling a rule violation or failure state. Light up all portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 near tape nodes that are signaling working/good conditions. In the above examples, the term “light up” refers to causing a respective portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to generate a user-interpretable signal which may cause a human-interaction interface one the portable wireless network enhancement device to display a light, color, or image, emit audio through a speaker, vibrate the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 using an integrated vibration device, or some other signal of the human-interaction interface. These examples are non-limiting and other requests may be input without departing from the scope hereof.
If the user device 1420 already has the necessary data regarding the requested asset 1406 (e.g., the data is already stored in memory of user device 1420), the query need not go to an external device. In one embodiment, user device 1420, using associated application 1422 thereon, obtains data 2206 as the wireless node data 1610 discussed above from one or more portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. Alternatively or additionally, user device 1420, using associated application 1422 thereon, obtains wireless node data 2206 from stationary gateway 1412. Alternatively or additionally, user device 1420, using associated application 1422 thereon, obtains wireless node data 2206 from external server 1414, either directly from external server 1414, or through an intermediary device such as stationary gateway 1412.
In response to the received wireless node data 2206, the user device 1420, using associated application 1422 thereon, may generate a query response 2208. The query response 2208 may be a listing of the data 2206. The query response 2208 may be the data 2206 in processed format. The processed format may be a navigation screen including directions for moving to the requested asset. The processed format may be a map displaying location of the requested asset in user input 2204, or a graph displaying historical sensed data (such as temperature, pressure, etc.), or any other processed information derived from data 2206.
In embodiments, the wireless network 1400, based on user input 2204 may coordinate with one or more other devices, such as one or more portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. In the embodiment of
Where the requested asset is nearby more than one portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, such as asset 1406(2), more than one human-interaction interface 1424 may be triggered via a user-interpretable signal 1614 received or generated thereat) to signal to user 1404 that the asset 1406(1) is closest to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402(1). This may allow the user to interact (listen or view) with each respective human-interaction interface 1424 to pinpoint proximate location of the requested asset.
Where query response 2208 includes a map, the map may include a virtual representation of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402(1) as well as the known wireless monitoring area radius 2210(1). In the virtual representation, the wireless monitor area radius 2210(1) may be shaded, highlighted, or otherwise distinguished from other ones of the wireless monitor area radius 2210 that are not nearby the requested asset.
The query response 2208 may include a history of communication with the asset being searched for. For example, where portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 has received wireless-node data 1610 from the wireless node 1410 within a threshold period, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may trigger its human-interaction interface 1424 to emit a light via display 1520 or display an image that corresponds to how recently it has been in communication with the asset (such as green for current, yellow for somewhat recently, red for a long time ago). Similarly, this historical information may transmitted to user device 1420 for presentation to the user 1404 on user device 1420.
The above-discussed working example includes user 1404 interacting with user device 1420 to initiate obtaining information about assets 1406. However, it should be appreciated that the user 1404 may interact directly with one or more portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 instead of utilizing user device 1420. For example, user input 2204 may be user interaction with human-interaction interface 1424. In such example, the user input 2204 is a voice request input into portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 using microphone 1524, where portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 implements a Siri (on Apple devices), Alexa® (Amazon devices), Google Assistant, or other voice or virtual assistance applications. In another example, the user input 2204 is a text input via a touch screen embodiment of display 1520. Data 2206 may be wireless-node data 1610, or other data received by portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 from stationary gateway 1412 or external server 1414, or another device. Query response 2208 may be an example of user-interpretable signal 1614 that causes human-interaction interface 1424 to interact with user 1404 to provide information about the requested asset in user input 2204. This provides the advantage that the user 1404 need not access user device 1420 to obtain information about a specific asset.
One or more wireless nodes (e.g., wireless node 1410) may track the location of assets 2410 within the hospital 2401. Assets 2410 are an example of one or more assets 1406, and may be any medical device, such as, but not limited to, bladder scanners, imaging machines (ultrasound, X-Ray, etc.), IV pumps, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, or non-device information, such as the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff wearing or otherwise having a wireless node attached thereto. A user may perform voice queries to request tasks or information from the network 400. A voice query may include the user saying to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, “Where is the IV Pump”, which is received as input 1652, discussed above. In response, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may obtain wireless-node data 1610 and search for location information for IV pumps or a specific IV pump. If a given information is not found in wireless-node data 1610, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may request information from an external server (e.g., external server 1414), or another device such as another portable wireless network enhancement device 1402. The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may then use human-interaction interface 1424 to present relevant location information to the requesting user. For example, display 1520 may display at least a portion of the location information and/or speaker 1522 may play audio which describes at least a portion of the location information using text-to-speech.
Other voice queries include a user asking portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 additional questions. The user, for example, may ask “is there a patient currently in Patient Room 2?” Another example query may include, “what is the temperature in the Storage Room?” The portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may retrieve relevant data (e.g., wireless-node data 1610) and generate a user-interpretable signal for the user, in response. The relevant data may be retrieved from wireless nodes in Patient Room 2 or from a server of the network 1400. The response may include displaying relevant information on a display or providing information over audio.
In other embodiments, voice queries and/or the generated responses are performed using a user device (e.g., user device 1420). The relevant information or location information shown in response to a voice query may be displayed on a user device via an app executing on user device or a web dashboard accessed using the user device. Similarly, the user device may generate audio in response to voice queries. A user app may display information or generate audio in response to a voice query received at a portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, according to some embodiments. See
The displayed information may further be filterable, such as via filters 2430 which include last known location, previous check-in locations, and live check-in locations. See filters 2430, in
As discussed above, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may also display information using external device external device 1615. In certain embodiments, the external device 1615 may be a user device (e.g., user device 1420).
In response to user inputting and selecting a device to be searched for, the user device 1420 may transmit a search signal to the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, which is received as input 1652. The search signal may also be transmitted to and received by other wireless nodes of the network 1400 in an environment. In response, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may implement the above-discussed functionality of location module 1616 to search asset location list 1622 to identify where the requested device is. Once the device is found, the device location may be displayed using display 1520, or otherwise transmitted back to user device 1420 for display thereon.
In the above-discussion, much of the user input received (e.g., input 1652) is initiated by the user. However, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may have an assigned task (e.g., mission task 1632) that enables the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to proactively request user input. For example, by monitoring wireless-node data 1610, and comparing that to a given manifest, or other set of conditions associated with the wireless network 1400, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may identify when a condition is not met or out of the ordinary. For example, using the medical environment of
At step 2901, method 2900 includes assigning a task to the portable wireless network enhancement device. In one example of operation of step 2901, a mission task is received by mission assignment module 1630. For example, the mission task may be an unloading/unloading task, or a task for searching for a specific asset, or a task for relaying information from wireless nodes to an external device, such as server 1414. Step 2901 may include any of the above-discussed functionality of mission assignment module 1630. Step 2901 may include determining a mission task for the portable device based on current location of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 implementing method 2900. Step 2901 may include determining a mission task for the portable device based on user input received using the microphone 1524. Step 2901 may include determining a mission task for the portable device based on user input received using the human-interaction interface 1424. Step 2901 may include determining a mission task for the portable device based on a received mission task from an external device, such as any one or more of stationary gateway 1412, external server 1414, user device 1420, and wireless node 1410. Step 2901 may include configuring a hierarchical role of the portable device, and/or other wireless nodes, within a hierarchy of the plurality of wireless nodes. Step 2901 may include one or both of overriding a current mission task of the portable device, and adding an additional mission task.
At step 2902, method 2900 includes placing the portable wireless network enhancement device at a location corresponding to the task. In one example of step 2902, prior to placing the portable wireless network enhancement device at the location, determining the location based on a signal reception level of an area associated with the location. For example, one or more of the wireless node 1410, stationary gateway 1412, user device 1420 may identify available signal reception level at various locations within an area and report to external server 1414 or stationary gateway 1412 to allow wireless network 1400 to indicate that additional signal level is needed at a given area. Portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 allows for temporary enhancement of the signal reception level at those locations. As such, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may function as a communication bridge for wireless nodes in the area associated with the location having a signal reception level that is inadequate for a given task.
At step 2904, method 2900 includes receiving, at the portable wireless network enhancement device, wireless node data from at least one wireless node. In one example of operation of step 2904, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 receives wireless-node data 1610 from one or more wireless node 1410.
At step 2906, method 2900 includes generating a user-interpretable signal based on the wireless-node data. In one example of operation of step 2904, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 generates user-interpretable signal 1614 as discussed above.
At step 2908, method 2900 includes control a human-interaction interface based on the user-interpretable signal. In one example of operation of step 2904, portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, controls human-interaction interface 1424 based on user-interpretable signal 1614. In one example of operation of step 2908, human-interaction interface 1424 is display 1520. In such example, step 2908 includes illuminating the display. In such example, step 2908 may flash the display, flash the display a specific color corresponding to a specific notification, illuminate the display (with or without flashing) with a specific color, display a given image on the display, flash the display at a specific frequency/periodicity, cause the display to show a graphic, text, or video, cause another configuration of display 1520, or some combination thereof. In one example of operation of step 2904, human-interaction interface 1424 is one or more speaker 1522. In such example, step 2904 may cause the one or more speaker 1522 to audibly indicate an alert, or other user-interpretable sound.
Step 2908 may alternatively or additionally include controlling an external device based on the user-interpretable signal. For example, the user-interpretable signal may be the above-discussed external-device signal 1613 that controls external device 1615.
In one example of steps 2901-2908, the mission task assigned in step 2901 may be based on user input defining an action that the user intends to perform. In such example, the mission task may specifically include identifying one or more assets required to perform the action that the user intends to perform. In such situation, step 2906 may include analyzing the wireless-node data to determine if asset-specific wireless nodes of the plurality of wireless nodes are in proximity to the portable device; and generate the user-interpretable signal including indication that all of the one or more assets are present or that one or more of the one or more assets are missing. Particular assets in this example may include medical supplies and/or tools needed to perform a job.
As another example of step 2901, the mission task assigned in step 2901 may include an asset-finding task. In such example, in step 2901, method 2900 may include receiving indication of a specific wireless node, or asset associated with the specific wireless node to be searched. Step 2906 may include determining if the specific wireless node is within the wireless-node data; and generating the user-interpretable signal to indicate that the specific wireless node is nearby the portable device. This example illustrates that aspects of method 2900 may be performed at portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, or at user device 1420, such as the functionality discussed above with respect to
Steps 2910-2912 are optional. At step 2910, method 2900 receives a request for more information related to the user-interpretable signal. At step 2912, if included also with step 2910, method 2900 may output an additional user-interpretable signal indicating an event defined based on the wireless-node data. Step 2912 may also be performed without step 2910, where method 2900 may output additional user-interpretable signal that causes the human-interaction interface 1424 to cease implementing the original user-interpretable signal of steps 2906 and 2908. Steps 2910-2912 provide the advantage that the user 1402 need not stop what they are doing to physically interact with portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, but instead can just speak (or otherwise interact with portable wireless network enhancement device 1402) to portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 to stop the alert caused by user-interpretable signal 1614.
Step 2914 is optional. At step 2914, method 2900 coordinates with additional portable devices to implement the task. For example, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may be one of a plurality of portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 within the network of a plurality of wireless nodes. The plurality of portable wireless network enhancement devices 1402 may coordinate with one another to implement a given task. For example, if the task is finding an asset associated with a specific wireless node, the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402 may coordinate to determine which of a plurality of portable devices is closest to the specific wireless node.
As another example of step 2914, coordinating with other portable devices may include optimizing position of the portable device relative to another portable device to more efficiently implement the mission task. Optimizing the position of the portable device may include, using received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data within the wireless-node data, determining at least one of direction and distance that would yield an optimized location of the portable device within the network. In examples that optimize position of the portable wireless network enhancement device 1402, the user-interpretable signal generated in step 2908 may indicate at least one of the direction and the distance.
Step 2916 is optional. At step 2916, method 2900 outputs a wake signal to the human-interaction interface or other components of the portable device. Step 2916 is implemented using any of the above-functionality discussed above with respect to power management module 1642. In one example of step 2916, method 2900 includes transitioning one or more components of the portable device from an inactive state to an active state in response to detection of a user in proximity to the portable device. In another example of step 2916, the portable device includes a camera, and the method 2900 includes: analyze image or video data from the camera to detect a user within a field of view of the camera; and outputting the wake signal to the human-interaction interface in response to detection of the user.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.
Some portions of this description describe the embodiments of the disclosure in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work effectively to others skilled in the art. These operations, while described functionally, computationally, or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs or equivalent electrical circuits, microcode, or the like. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operations as modules, without loss of generality. The described operations and their associated modules may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combinations thereof.
Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may be performed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, a software module is implemented with a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium containing computer program code, which can be executed by a computer processor for performing any or all of the steps, operations, or processes described.
Embodiments of the disclosure may also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, and/or it may comprise a general-purpose computing device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, which may be coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, any computing systems referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.
Embodiments of the disclosure may also relate to a product that is produced by a computing process described herein. Such a product may comprise information resulting from a computing process, where the information is stored on a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium and may include any embodiment of a computer program product or other data combination described herein.
Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims.
A user may interact (e.g., input commands or data) with the computer apparatus 3020 using one or more input devices 3030 (e.g. one or more keyboards, computer mice, microphones, cameras, joysticks, physical motion sensors, and touch pads including human-interaction interface 1424 discussed above). Information may be presented through a graphical user interface (GUI) that is presented to the user on a display monitor 3032, which is controlled by a display controller 3034 and is an example of display 1520. The computer apparatus 3020 also may include other input/output hardware (e.g., peripheral output devices, such as speakers and a printer). The computer apparatus 3020 connects to other network nodes through a network adapter 3036 (also referred to as a “network interface card” or NIC) which is an example of wireless communication module 1508.
A number of program modules may be stored in the system memory 3024, including application programming interfaces 3038 (APIs), an operating system (OS) 3040 (e.g., the Windows® operating system available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington U.S.A.), software applications 3041 including one or more software applications programming the computer apparatus 3020 to perform one or more of the steps, tasks, operations, or processes of the positioning and/or tracking systems described herein, drivers 3042 (e.g., a GUI driver), network transport protocols 3044, and data 3046 (e.g., input data, output data, program data, a registry, and configuration settings).
The following establishes a list of clauses that relate to potential claims. It should be appreciated that the following clauses may be combined in any manner without departing from scope hereof.
Clause 1. A portable device for enhancing network of a plurality of wireless nodes, comprising: a housing sized and shaped to enclose: a power source; a wireless communication module including an antenna and associated transceiver circuitry coupled with the antenna to receive and transmit wireless signals; a human-interaction interface; a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a processor in communication with the power source, the wireless communication module, and the memory; the housing being sized and shaped to self-stand when placed at a location; the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: scan, using the wireless communication module, for ones of the plurality of wireless nodes within operating range of the wireless communication module; receive, in response to the scan, wireless-node data from responding ones of the plurality of wireless nodes; generate a user-interpretable signal based on the wireless-node data; and output, using the human-interaction interface, the user-interpretable signal.
Clause 2. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the housing comprising: a base; an extension extending upward from the base; and a top area at an opposite end of the extension from the base.
Clause 3. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the base having a first width and a first height, the extension having a second width and a second height, the first width being greater than the second width.
Clause 4. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the second height being greater than the first height.
Clause 5. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the power source being located closer to the base than the top area.
Clause 6. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the antenna extending within the extension.
Clause 7. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the antenna having a length greater than 50% of a height of the extension.
Clause 8. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the antenna comprising a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna.
Clause 9. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the extension having a width that tapers from the base to the top area.
Clause 10. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, further comprising a wireless energy harvesting coil implementing a wireless charging protocol and located in the base, the wireless energy harvesting coil configured to charge a power source using electromagnetic energy received from a wireless energy harvesting pad external to the portable device.
Clause 11. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the housing having a box form-factor.
Clause 12. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the housing having a handle for maneuverability of the portable device.
Clause 13. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the power source being a rechargeable battery.
Clause 14. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: monitor a charge level of the rechargeable battery; and output a charge-signal using the wireless communication module indicating that the rechargeable battery needs charging.
Clause 15. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the housing having a battery slot configured to releasably retain the rechargeable battery.
Clause 16. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the portable device further comprising an energy harvesting device.
Clause 17. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the energy harvesting device including one or more of a solar panel, a wireless energy harvesting device, and a vibration-based energy harvesting device.
Clause 18. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the power source being a line-power source.
Clause 19. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the human-interaction interface including a display.
Clause 20. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, wherein the user-interpretable signal includes illuminating the display.
Clause 21. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the human-interaction interface including a speaker.
Clause 22. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the human-interaction interface including a microphone.
Clause 23. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the portable device to: determine a mission task for the portable device based on user input received using the microphone.
Clause 24. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the mission task including terminating the user-interpretable signal when the user input indicates that a user has resolved an event defined within the wireless-node data.
Clause 25. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the user input requesting more information related to the user-interpretable signal; the mission task including outputting an additional user-interpretable signal indicating an event defined based on the wireless-node data.
Clause 26. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the user input defining an action that the user intends to perform; the mission task including: identify one or more assets required to perform the action, analyze the wireless-node data to determine if asset-specific wireless nodes of the plurality of wireless nodes are in proximity to the portable device, and generate the user-interpretable signal including indication that all of the one or more assets are present or that one or more of the one or more assets are missing.
Clause 27. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the one or more assets being medical supplies needed to perform a surgery.
Clause 28. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the one or more assets being tools needed to perform a job.
Clause 29. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, further comprising one or more of a light sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and an orientation sensor.
Clause 30. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the wireless communication module implementing a plurality of wireless communication protocols.
Clause 31. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, at least one of the plurality of wireless communication protocols including RFID reading capability.
Clause 32. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the portable device to: receive indication of a specific wireless node, or asset associated with the specific wireless node, to be searched; determine if the specific wireless node is within the wireless-node data; and generate the user-interpretable signal to indicate that the specific wireless node is nearby the portable device.
Clause 33. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the portable device further comprising a display integral with the housing; the user-interpretable signal causing the display to indicate that the specific wireless node or asset is nearby the portable device.
Clause 34. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the portable device being in wireless communication with a display external to the portable device; the user-interpretable signal causing the display to indicate that the specific wireless node or asset is nearby the portable device.
Clause 35. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the user-interpretable signal further indicating that a user is to look at the display external to the portable device.
Clause 36. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the portable device including a speaker; the user-interpretable signal causing the speaker to indicate that the specific wireless node or asset is nearby the portable device.
Clause 37. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the portable device being one of a plurality of portable devices within the network of a plurality of wireless nodes; the portable device comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the portable device to: coordinate with additional portable devices to determine which of the plurality of portable devices is closest to the specific wireless node.
Clause 38. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the memory storing a current location of the portable device; the portable device comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: set a mission task of the portable device based on the current location.
Clause 39. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the memory storing a current location of the portable device; the portable device comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to optimize position of the portable device relative to another portable device.
Clause 40. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising additional computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: using received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data within the wireless-node data, determine at least one of direction and distance that would yield an optimized location of the portable device within the network; wherein the user-interpretable signal indicates at least one of the direction and the distance.
Clause 41. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the RSSI data including RSSI data from another portable device, wherein the optimized location results in positioning of the portable device with respect to the another portable device.
Clause 42. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the current location being defined based on a GPS device located within the housing.
Clause 43. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the current location being defined based on a location signal received using the wireless communication module.
Clause 44. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising a node manager as further computer-readable instructions stored within the memory that, when executed by the processor, further cause the portable device to: configure, based at least in part on result of the scan, a hierarchical role of the portable device within a hierarchy of the plurality of wireless nodes.
Clause 45. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the hierarchical role configured by the portable device overriding any other hierarchical roles within the network.
Clause 46. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the hierarchical role including receiving sensed data from one or more of the plurality of nodes and relaying the received sensed data to an external server using the wireless communication module.
Clause 47. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, further comprising transitioning one or more components of the portable device from an inactive state to an active state in response to detection of a user in proximity to the portable device.
Clause 48. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, further comprising: a camera; and, further computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: analyze image or video data from the camera to detect a user within a field of view of the camera; output a wake signal to the human-interaction interface in response to detection of the user.
Clause 49. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: output a wake signal to the human-interaction interface and/or other components of the portable device in response to detection of an authorization device associated with a user.
Clause 50. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the authorization device being an RFID tag, a wearable device, or a handheld device.
Clause 51. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to: coordinate with additional portable devices to define a virtual transmission line via relay of data between the portable devices.
Clause 52. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to analyze the wireless-node data to identify when one or more of the wireless nodes breaches a geofence defined within the memory of the portable device; wherein the user-interpretable signal indicates that a wireless node has breached the geofence.
Clause 53. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, comprising further computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable device to receive a mission task from an external device.
Clause 54. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the external device being a server.
Clause 55. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the external device being one of the plurality of wireless nodes.
Clause 56. The portable device of any preceding clause or combination of preceding clauses, the mission task one or both of overriding a current mission task of the portable device, and adding an additional mission task.
Clause 57. A method for performing a task using a portable wireless network enhancement device, the method comprising: assigning a task to the portable wireless network enhancement device; receiving, at the portable wireless network enhancement device, wireless node data from at least one wireless node; generating a user-interpretable signal based on the wireless-node data; and, control a human-interaction interface based on the user-interpretable signal.
Clause 58. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, the task being a loading or unloading task.
Clause 59. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, the at least one wireless node being associated with assets being loaded and unloaded, and/or at least one container in which the assets are being loaded into or unloaded from.
Clause 60. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, the user-interpretable signal indicating an asset being improperly loaded.
Clause 61. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, the user-interpretable signal indicating an asset being properly loaded.
Clause 62. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, further comprising generating the user-interpreted signal when the wireless node data indicates a wireless node is improperly being loaded into a container.
Clause 63. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, further comprising outputting a misload signal to an external server when the wireless node data indicates a wireless node is improperly being loaded into a container and not unloaded after a period of time.
Clause 64. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, further comprising placing the portable wireless network enhancement device at a location corresponding to the task.
Clause 65. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, further comprising: prior to placing the portable wireless network enhancement device at the location, determining the location based on a signal reception level of an area associated with the location.
Clause 66. The method of any preceding clause after clause 57 or combination of preceding clauses after clause 57, wherein the portable wireless network enhancement device functions as a communication bridge for wireless nodes in the area associated with the location.
Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
This application claims priority to, and benefits from, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/338,031, entitled “Smart Cone” and filed May 4, 2022. This application also claims priority to, and benefits from, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/339,386, entitled “Interface and Software for Locating an Asset Using a Wireless IOT System and Method Thereof” and filed May 6, 2022. Each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63338031 | May 2022 | US | |
| 63339386 | May 2022 | US |
