Method for tracking containers using a low-rate wireless personal area network system
US7541913B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q20/203
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for tracking a plurality of containers each joined to an electronic tracking device having routing capabilities and a WPAN-enabled radio receiver/transmitter configured to attempt to connect to a pre-configured WPAN upon being activated comprises activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each tracking device joined to a container being loaded onto a cargo vessel; receiving an indication from each tracking device that fails to connect to the WPAN; intermittently performing a network scan to locate each WPAN-connected tracking device; intermittently configuring the WPAN to include each WPAN-connected tracking device in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology; intermittently configuring routing information stored on each WPAN-connected tracking device to maintain mutual communication with each WPAN-connected tracking device and enable mutual communication between each WPAN-connected tracking device; receiving transport-related data from each WPAN-connected tracking device; transmitting the transport-related data to a control station through a LAN on the vessel; broadcasting a request to be routed between the WPAN-connected tracking devices in a depth-first traversal of the net…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.