SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING ASSETS WITHIN A MONITORED ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

A system associates change in the state of an asset to an event trigger within a monitored environment. This environment includes a plurality of assets and a tag transmitter positioned on each asset and operative for transmitting a wireless RE signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in location of the asset. A plurality of spaced apart access points receive an RF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter. A processor is operatively connected to the access points and collect possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention, which follows when considered in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, environmental view of a real-time location system for locating containers in a marine terminal that can be used in accordance with one non-limiting example of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of one example of circuit architecture that can be used for a locating access point.

FIG. 3 is another high-level block diagram of one example of circuit architecture that can be used for a correlation-based, RF signal location processor.

FIG. 4 is a high-level block diagram showing a process used in the system and method, in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an event layout description for cargo containers placed on railcars such as at a marine terminal.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing detailed events for a rental car location.

Claims

1. A system for associating change in the state of an asset to an event trigger within a monitored environment, comprising: a plurality of assets;a tag transmitter positioned on each asset and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in the location of the asset;a plurality of spaced apart access points positioned at known locations within the monitored environment that receive a REF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter; anda processor operatively connected to said access points, wherein said processor is operative for collecting possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.

2. The system according to claim 1, and further comprising at least one sensor within the monitored environment and operative with the tag transmitter for sensing an event related to change in state of an asset and transmitting data to one of at least a tag transmitter and access point.

3. The system according to claim 2, and further comprising an interrogator positioned within the monitored environment and operative for interrogating a tag transmitter to begin transmission.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said monitored environment comprises a rental car lot.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said monitored environment comprises a cargo container terminal.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said monitored environment comprise a marine terminal.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is operative for geolocating a tag transmitter.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said processor is operative for correlating a signal as a first-to-arrive signal and conducting differentiation of first-to-arrive signals.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is operative for reporting the candidate associated with an event trigger when its numerical score is above a predetermined minimum numerical score.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said processor is operative for reporting the candidate with the event trigger that has the highest numerical score.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said processor is operative for waiting a predetermined time if the numerical score is not above a minimum numerical score and reporting the candidate associated with the specific event trigger having the best numerical score below the minimum numerical score.

12. A system for associating change in the state of a cargo container to an event trigger within a cargo container terminal, comprising: a plurality of cargo containers;a tag transmitter positioned on each cargo container and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in the location of the cargo container within the terminal;a plurality of spaced apart access points positioned at known locations within the terminal that receive a RF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter; anda processor operatively connected to said access points wherein said processor is operative for collecting possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.

13. The system according to claim 12, and further comprising at least one sensor within the terminal and operative with the tag transmitter for sensing an event related to change in state of a cargo container and transmitting data to one of at least a tag transmitter and access point.

14. The system according to claim 13, and further comprising container handling equipment on which said sensor is mounted.

15. The system according to claim 12, and further comprising an interrogator positioned at the terminal and operative for interrogating a tag transmitter to begin transmission.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein said processor is operative for geolocating a tag transmitter,

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said processor is operative for correlating a signal as a first-to-arrive signal and conducting differentiation of first-to-arrive signals.

18. A method for associating change in state of an asset to a specific event in a monitored environment having a plurality of assets to be tracked, which comprises: generating an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in location of the asset to indicate the gain or loss of an asset within the monitored environment;collecting possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger; andassigning a numerical score to each candidate to which asset is best associated with the event trigger.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the event trigger comprises a loader picking up a container among a plurality of containers.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the event trigger comprises an exit lane of a rectal car lot detecting the presence of a vehicle for automated check-out.

21. The method according to claim 18, which further comprises generating an event trigger from a fixed location when the asset is moved.

22. The method according to claim 18, which further comprises generating an event trigger from a cargo container terminal.

23. The method according to claim 18, which further comprises generating an event trigger from a rental car lot.

24. The method according to claim 18, which further comprises reporting the candidate associated with an event trigger when its numerical score is above a predetermined minimum numerical score.

25. The method according to claim 24, which further comprises reporting the candidate with the event trigger that has the highest numerical score.

26. The method according to claim 25, which further comprises waiting a predetermined time if the numerical score is not above a minimum numerical score and reporting the candidate associated with the specific event trigger having the best numerical score below the minimum numerical score.

27. The method according to claim 18, which further comprises collecting possible candidates as events that are sensed within the monitored environment.