Passive tracking device and method of performing the same

Abstract

The present application provides a passive tracking device and methods performed thereby. A passive tracking device includes one or more transceivers and is energized by an energizing signal. Some of these passive tracking devices can operate in a first communication mode or a second communication mode based on the energizing signal. Some tracking devices can include an encryption module or an authentication module. Some of these devices can incorporate a bulk acoustic wave oscillator.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on May 31, 2019, with application number 201980051198.7 and title "Intelligent Tracking System and Method Thereof".

[0002] Priority requirements

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 679,327, filed June 1, 2018, entitled "INTELLIGENT TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS THEREFOR"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 771,320, filed June 2, 2018, entitled "INTELLIGENT TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS THEREFOR"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 812,442, filed March 1, 2019, entitled "INTELLIGENT TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS THEREFOR", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] This disclosure relates to an intelligent tracking system, which includes a tracking system and a backend server system supporting the tracking system. This disclosure also relates to different configurations of devices that can be used in the tracking system, including configurations of powered tracking devices, passive tracking devices, and aggregator devices that can be used in the tracking system. Background Technology

[0005] Tracking devices are used to track a wide variety of items. Typically, these devices include a GPS module. GPS modules can be power-intensive. Therefore, a typical tracking device requires a constant power supply, making it unsuitable for tracking cargo on long-haul routes (e.g., ships, trains, and long-haul trucks). GPS modules can also be expensive. Therefore, due to the cost associated with placing a large number of tracking devices on a single shipment or a group of items, a typical tracking device cannot be used to track many items. GPS modules can also be large. Therefore, a typical tracking device may not be suitable for tracking smaller items. Furthermore, while small tracking tags can be used to track smaller items, most of these tags rely on the use of a cellular modem and include batteries, and can be quite expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a passive tracking device is disclosed. The passive tracking device includes: a first antenna that transmits a first response signal in a first frequency band; a second antenna that receives a first excitation signal in a second frequency band; and a third antenna that transmits a second response signal and receives the second excitation signal in a third frequency band. The passive tracking device also includes an energy harvesting module that receives the excitation signal from a remote device via the second and / or third antenna and converts the excitation signal from RF power into DC power to excite the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes a first transmission module that, when the passive tracking device operates in a first mode according to a first communication protocol, modulates the first response signal for transmission in the first frequency band and outputs the modulated first response signal to the first antenna for transmission, wherein the first response signal includes a first message indicating a first device identifier of the passive tracking device. The passive device also includes a second transmission module that, when the passive tracking device operates in a second mode according to a second communication protocol, prepares the second response signal for transmission in the third frequency band and facilitates the transmission of the prepared second response signal by switching the impedance of the third antenna. The second response signal includes a second message indicating a second device identifier for the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes a mode selection module that determines whether the passive tracking device should operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the excitation signal.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first communication protocol is one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi, and the first frequency band is adapted to carry signals according to one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi. In these embodiments, the second frequency band is equal to the first frequency band, the second communication protocol is an RFID communication protocol, and the third frequency band is adapted to carry signals according to the RFID communication protocol. In some of these embodiments, the first and second frequency bands are substantially equal to 2.4 GHz, and the third frequency band is substantially equal to 900 MHz. In some embodiments, the second communication protocol is the EPC UHF RFID communication protocol.

[0008] In embodiments, the passive tracking device modulates and transmits a first response signal according to one of the Bluetooth communication protocol, Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, and Wi-Fi communication protocol when operating in a first mode, and prepares and transmits a second response signal according to the RFID communication protocol when operating in a second mode. In some of these embodiments, the mode selection module defaults to modulating and transmitting the first response signal according to the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol unless an excitation signal is received on a third frequency band and that excitation signal contains an identified RFID command.

[0009] In one embodiment, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode in response to receiving an excitation signal in a second frequency band via a second antenna.

[0010] In one embodiment, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode in response to determining that the received excitation signal does not contain an RFID header or command. In some of these embodiments, the first mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode in response to determining that the received excitation signal does not contain an EPC UHF RFID header or command.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first transmission module determines when the passive tracking device will transmit a modulated first response signal based on the amount of energy stored by the passive tracking device. In some of these embodiments, when the energy stored by the passive tracking device exceeds a first power threshold, the first transmission module determines that the passive tracking device will transmit the modulated first response signal substantially immediately. In some of these embodiments, when the energy stored by the passive tracking device exceeds a second power threshold but is less than the first power threshold, the first transmission module determines that the passive tracking device will transmit the modulated first response signal after a delay, where the second power threshold is less than the first power threshold. In some of these embodiments, the first power threshold is 0 dBm, and the second power threshold is -20 dBm.

[0012] In one embodiment, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal via a third antenna in a third frequency band.

[0013] In some embodiments, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode based on the content of the excitation signal. In these embodiments, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode in response to determining that the excitation signal includes an RFID-formatted header. In some embodiments, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal containing a message in full RFID format.

[0014] In this embodiment, the first mode is the default transmission mode, and the mode selection module selects the second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal via a third antenna in a third frequency band, wherein the excitation signal contains an RFID-format header and a full RFID-format message containing an EPC command. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting module outputs DC power to one or more of the first and second transmission modules and the mode selection module. In some embodiments, the first device identifier and the second device identifier are the same.

[0015] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device further includes a sensor module comprising one or more sensors. When the passive tracking device operates in a first mode, the sensor module outputs sensor data generated by the one or more sensors to a first transmission module, and the first transmission module includes at least a portion of the sensor data in a modulated first response signal for transmission via a first antenna. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors include one or more of a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a humidity sensor, a motion sensor, an impact sensor, and an acceleration sensor. In some embodiments, when the value of the sensor data meets a predefined condition, the first transmission module includes at least a portion of the sensor data in the modulated first response signal for transmission via the first antenna.

[0016] In some of these embodiments, when the temperature value exceeds an upper threshold, the first transmission module includes the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor in the first response signal. In some embodiments, when the temperature value is less than a lower threshold, the first transmission module includes the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor in the first response signal. In some embodiments, when the sensor data value has met and / or exceeded a threshold, the first transmission module includes sensor data generated by one or more sensors in the first response signal. In some of these embodiments, when the sensor data does not meet predefined conditions, the first transmission module avoids including the sensor data in the first response signal.

[0017] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device includes an encryption module that encrypts messages and outputs the encrypted messages to a first transmission module when the passive tracking device communicates in a first mode. The first transmission module includes at least a portion of the encrypted messages in a modulated first response signal for transmission via a first antenna. In another embodiment, the encryption module encrypts a first device identifier of the passive tracking device based on a secret mode and a secret key to obtain an encrypted message, and outputs the encrypted message to the first transmission module.

[0018] In one embodiment, the energy harvesting module includes a transformer that essentially impedance-matches the excitation signal to the passive tracking device.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a passive tracking device is disclosed. The passive tracking device includes: a first antenna that transmits a first response signal in a first frequency band; a second antenna that receives a first excitation signal in a second frequency band; and a third antenna that transmits both a second response signal and receives the second excitation signal in a third frequency band. The passive tracking device also includes an energy harvester that receives the excitation signal from a remote device via the second and / or third antennas and converts the excitation signal at least partially from RF power to DC power. The passive tracking device also includes a clamping circuit that receives the excitation signal from the energy harvester and, together with the energy harvester, converts the excitation signal at least partially from RF power to DC power. The passive tracking device further includes: a storage capacitor that receives and stores DC power from the clamping circuit; and a voltage regulator that receives DC power from one or both of the clamping circuit and the storage capacitor and regulates the voltage of the DC power. The passive tracking device further includes: a power bus that receives regulated DC power from a voltage regulator and drives the passive tracking device; and a phase-locked loop (PLL) that, when the passive tracking device operates in a first mode according to a first communication protocol, modulates a first response signal for transmission in a first frequency band and outputs the modulated first response signal to a first antenna for transmission, wherein the first response signal includes a first message indicating a first device identifier of the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device further includes: an amplifier that receives the modulated first response signal from the PLL and amplifies the modulated first response signal for transmission via the first antenna; and an AC power supply that provides a signal to the PLL for modulation. The passive tracking device further includes a reference oscillator that provides a reference frequency for the AC power supply, and a Gaussian frequency-shift keying modulator that works with the PLL to modulate the first response signal. The passive tracking device further includes: a state machine that outputs information to the Gaussian frequency-shift keying modulator for inclusion in the modulated first response signal; and a non-volatile memory that stores information that can be retrieved by the state machine and included in the modulated first response signal. The passive tracking device also includes a backscatter switch that, when the passive tracking device operates in a second mode according to a second communication protocol, prepares a second response signal for transmission in a third frequency band and facilitates the transmission of the prepared second response signal by switching the impedance of a third antenna, wherein the second response signal includes a second message indicating a second device identifier of the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes: an EPC modem that actuates the backscatter switch to prepare the second response signal; and a mode selector that receives an excitation signal from a second or third antenna and determines whether the passive tracking device should operate in a first or second mode based on the excitation signal.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first communication protocol is one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi; the first frequency band is adapted to carry signals according to one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi; the second frequency band is equal to the first frequency band; the second communication protocol is an RFID communication protocol; and the third frequency band is adapted to carry signals according to the RFID communication protocol. In some of these embodiments, the first and second frequency bands are substantially equal to 2.4 GHz, and the third frequency band is substantially equal to 900 MHz.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second communication protocol is the EPC UHF RFID protocol. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device modulates and transmits a first response signal according to one of the Bluetooth communication protocol, Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, and Wi-Fi communication protocol when operating in a first mode, and prepares and transmits a second response signal according to the RFID communication protocol when operating in a second mode. In some embodiments, the mode selection module defaults to modulating and transmitting the first response signal according to the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol unless an excitation signal is received on a third frequency band and the excitation signal contains an identified RFID command. In some embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the first mode in response to receiving an excitation signal in a second frequency band via a second antenna. In some embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the first mode in response to determining that the excitation signal does not contain an RFID header or command. In some embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the first mode in response to determining that the excitation signal does not contain an EPC UHF RFID header or command.

[0022] In some embodiments, the state machine determines when the passive tracking device will transmit a modulated first response signal based on the amount of energy stored in the storage capacitor. In some of these embodiments, the state machine determines that the passive tracking device will transmit the modulated first response signal substantially immediately when the amount of energy stored in the storage capacitor exceeds a first power threshold. In some embodiments, the state machine determines that the passive tracking device will transmit the modulated first response signal after a delay when the amount of energy stored in the storage capacitor exceeds a second power threshold but is less than the first power threshold, the second power threshold being less than the first power threshold. In some of these embodiments, the first power threshold is 0 dBm and the second power threshold is -20 dBm.

[0023] In some embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal in a third frequency band via a third antenna. In some embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode based on the content of the excitation signal. In some of these embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode in response to determining that the excitation signal includes an RFID-formatted header. In some embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode in response to the received excitation signal containing a message in full RFID format.

[0024] In some embodiments, the mode selector determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode in response to the amount of energy converted from the excitation signal by the energy harvester and clamping circuitry. In some embodiments, the first mode is the default transmission mode, and the mode selector selects the second mode in response to receiving the excitation signal via a third antenna in a third frequency band, wherein the excitation signal contains an RFID-format header and a full RFID-format message containing an EPC command. In some embodiments, a power bus transmits DC power to one or more of the first and second transmission modules and the mode selector. In some embodiments, the first device identifier and the second device identifier are the same.

[0025] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device further includes a sensor module. This sensor module includes one or more sensors. When the passive tracking device operates in a first mode, the sensor module outputs sensor data generated by the one or more sensors to a state machine and / or non-volatile memory, and the state machine includes at least a portion of the sensor data in a modulated first response signal for transmission via a first antenna. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors include one or more of a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a humidity sensor, a motion sensor, an impact sensor, and an acceleration sensor. In some of these embodiments, the state machine includes at least a portion of the sensor data in the modulated first response signal for transmission via the first antenna when the value of the sensor data meets a predefined condition. In some embodiments, the state machine includes a temperature value obtained from a temperature sensor in the first response signal when the temperature value exceeds an upper threshold. In some of these embodiments, the state machine includes a temperature value obtained from a temperature sensor in the first response signal when the temperature value is less than a lower threshold.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the sensor data value meets and / or exceeds a threshold, the sensor module outputs the sensor data generated by one or more sensors to the state machine and / or non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, when the sensor data does not meet predefined conditions, the state machine avoids including the sensor data in the first response signal.

[0027] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device further includes an encryption module that encrypts messages and outputs the encrypted messages to a state machine when the passive tracking device communicates in a first mode. The state machine includes at least a portion of the encrypted messages in a modulated first response signal for transmission via a first antenna. In some embodiments, the encryption module encrypts a first device identifier of the passive tracking device based on a secret mode and a secret key to obtain an encrypted message, and outputs the encrypted message to the state machine.

[0028] In this embodiment, the reference oscillator is a bulk acoustic wave oscillator.

[0029] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device also includes a transformer connected to the second antenna and the energy harvester, which essentially impedance-matches the excitation signal received via the second antenna to the passive tracking device and outputs the impedance-matched excitation signal to the energy harvester.

[0030] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a passive tracking device is disclosed. The passive tracking device includes: a first antenna that transmits a response signal in a first frequency band; and a second antenna that receives an excitation signal in a second frequency band. The passive tracking device also includes an energy harvesting module that receives the excitation signal from a remote device via the second antenna and converts the excitation signal from RF power into DC power to excite the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes a transmission module that modulates the response signal for transmission in the first frequency band and outputs the modulated response signal to the first antenna for transmission according to a communication protocol, wherein the response signal includes a message indicating a device identifier of the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes a sensor module that includes one or more sensors. In response to being excited by the energy harvesting module, the sensor module outputs sensor data generated by the one or more sensors to the transmission module, and the transmission module includes at least a portion of the sensor data in the modulated response signal for transmission via the first antenna.

[0031] In an embodiment, one or more sensors include one or more of a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a humidity sensor, a motion sensor, a vibration sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

[0032] In some embodiments, when the sensor data value meets a predefined condition, the transmission module includes at least a portion of the sensor data in the modulated response signal. In some embodiments, when the temperature value exceeds an upper threshold, the transmission module includes the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor in the modulated response signal. In some embodiments, when the temperature value is less than a lower threshold, the transmission module includes the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor in the modulated response signal. In some embodiments, the transmission module includes sensor data generated by one or more sensors in the modulated response signal when the sensor data value has met and / or exceeded a threshold. In some embodiments, when the sensor data does not meet the predefined condition, the transmission module avoids including the sensor data in the response signal.

[0033] In this embodiment, the transmission module is a first transmission module, the response signal is a first response signal, the excitation signal is a first excitation signal, the communication protocol is a first communication protocol, the message is a first message, and the device identifier is a first device identifier. In some of these embodiments, when the passive tracking device operates in a first mode, the first transmission module modulates the first response signal and outputs the modulated response signal to the first transmission module, and when the passive tracking device operates in the first mode, the sensor module outputs sensor data to the first transmission module.

[0034] In an embodiment, the passive tracking device further includes a third antenna that transmits both the second response signal and receives the second excitation signal in a third frequency band, and a second transmission module that prepares the second response signal for transmission in the third frequency band and facilitates the transmission of the prepared second response signal by switching the impedance of the third antenna when the passive tracking device operates in a second mode according to a second communication protocol. The second response signal includes a second message indicating a second device identifier of the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes a mode selection module that determines whether the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the excitation signal received from a remote device via the second antenna and / or the third antenna.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first communication protocol is one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi. A first frequency band is adapted to carry signals according to one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi. A second frequency band is equal to the first frequency band. The second communication protocol is an RFID communication protocol. A third frequency band is adapted to carry signals according to an RFID communication protocol. In some embodiments, the first and second frequency bands are substantially equal to 2.4 GHz, and the third frequency band is substantially equal to 900 MHz. In some of these embodiments, the second communication protocol is the EPC UHF RFID communication protocol.

[0036] In embodiments, the passive tracking device modulates and transmits a first response signal according to one of the Bluetooth communication protocol, Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, and Wi-Fi communication protocol when operating in a first mode, and prepares and transmits a second response signal according to the RFID communication protocol when operating in a second mode. In some embodiments, the mode selection module defaults to modulating and transmitting the first response signal according to the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol unless an excitation signal is received on a third frequency band and the excitation signal contains an identified RFID command. In some embodiments, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the first mode in response to receiving an excitation signal in a second frequency band via a second antenna.

[0037] In one embodiment, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode in response to determining that the received excitation signal does not contain an RFID header or command. In some of these embodiments, the first mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode in response to determining that the received excitation signal does not contain an EPC UHF RFID header or command.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first transmission module determines when the passive tracking device will transmit a modulated first response signal based on the amount of energy stored by the passive tracking device. In some of these embodiments, when the amount of energy stored by the passive tracking device exceeds a first power threshold, the first transmission module determines that the passive tracking device will transmit the modulated first response signal substantially immediately. In some embodiments, when the amount of energy stored by the passive tracking device exceeds a second power threshold but is less than the first power threshold, the first transmission module determines that the passive tracking device will transmit the modulated first response signal after a delay, where the second power threshold is less than the first power threshold. In some embodiments, the first power threshold is 0 dBm and the second power threshold is -20 dBm.

[0039] In one embodiment, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal via a third antenna in a third frequency band.

[0040] In some embodiments, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode based on the content of the excitation signal. In some embodiments, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode in response to determining that the excitation signal includes an RFID-formatted header. In some embodiments, the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal containing a message in full RFID format.

[0041] In the embodiment, the first mode is the default transmission mode, and the mode selection module selects the second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal via the third antenna in the third frequency band, and the excitation signal contains an RFID format header and a full RFID format message containing an EPC command.

[0042] In this embodiment, the energy harvesting module outputs DC power to one or more of the first and second transmission modules and the mode selection module. In this embodiment, the first device identifier and the second device identifier are the same.

[0043] In one embodiment, the sensor module includes a bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor.

[0044] In one embodiment, the transmission module includes a reference oscillator, which is a bulk acoustic wave oscillator.

[0045] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a tracking device is disclosed. The tracking device includes a first antenna that transmits a response signal in a first frequency band. The tracking device also includes a transmission module that modulates the response signal for transmission in the first frequency band and outputs the modulated response signal to the first antenna for transmission according to a communication protocol. The tracking device also includes an encryption module. The encryption module obtains a device identifier that uniquely identifies the tracking device, generates an fuzzy device identifier based on the device identifier and a secret pattern, generates a message based on the fuzzy device identifier, encrypts the message using a secret key to obtain an encrypted message, and outputs the encrypted message to the transmission module. The transmission module includes the encrypted message in the modulated response signal for transmission via the first antenna.

[0046] In some embodiments, generating an obfuscated device identifier includes generating a random N-bit string and inserting the random N-bit string into the device identifier according to a secret pattern. In some of these embodiments, the secret pattern defines N distinct insertion slots, where each insertion slot defines a bit position of the device identifier, in which the corresponding bit of the random N-bit string is inserted. In some embodiments, the authenticating device uses a secret key to decrypt a message to obtain the obfuscated device identifier, and authenticates the tracking device by removing the random N-bit string from the decrypted message to obtain the tracked device identifier and verifying the device identifier from a list of known device identifiers.

[0047] In some embodiments, the encrypted message includes an encrypted portion and an unencrypted portion, the unencrypted portion including a secret key identifier that identifies a secret key to an authentication device. In some of these embodiments, the authentication device retrieves a secret key based on the secret key identifier and uses that secret key to decrypt the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the encrypted message also includes a secret pattern identifier that identifies a secret pattern to the authentication device. In some of these embodiments, the secret pattern is included in the unencrypted portion of the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the secret pattern is included in the encrypted portion of the encrypted message.

[0048] In some embodiments, the tracking device is a passive tracking device that is activated upon receiving an activation signal from a remote device. In some of these embodiments, a response signal is received by a reading device, which then transmits an encrypted message contained therein to an authentication device, which authenticates the tracking device based on the encrypted message, a secret key, and a secret pattern. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device is a dual-mode tracking device that selectively operates in a first mode and a second mode based on the frequency band and content of the activation signal. In some embodiments, the encryption module generates the encrypted message only when the dual-mode tracking device operates in the first mode. In some embodiments, the first mode corresponds to the Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, and the second mode corresponds to the RFID communication protocol.

[0049] In some embodiments, the tracking device includes a power source. In some of these embodiments, the tracking device directly transmits encrypted messages to an authentication device.

[0050] In some embodiments, the tracking device is authenticated by an authentication device based on encrypted messages, a secret pattern, and a secret key. In some of these embodiments, the authentication device is an authentication server that authenticates the tracking device.

[0051] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a method for generating an encrypted message used by an authentication device to authenticate a tracking device is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a device identifier uniquely identifying the tracking device by an encryption module of a passive tracking device. The method also includes generating an obfuscated device identifier by the encryption module based on the device identifier and a secret pattern. The method further includes generating a message by the encryption module based on the obfuscated device identifier. The method also includes encrypting the message using a secret key by the encryption module to obtain the encrypted message. The method further includes outputting the encrypted message to a transmission module of the tracking device by the encryption module. The method also includes modulating a response signal including the encrypted message by the transmission module for transmission via an antenna of the tracking device.

[0052] In some embodiments, generating an obfuscated device identifier includes generating a random N-bit string and inserting the random N-bit string into the device identifier according to a secret pattern. In some embodiments, the secret pattern defines N distinct insertion slots, where each insertion slot defines a bit position of the device identifier, and the corresponding bit of the random N-bit string is inserted into that position. In some embodiments, the authenticating device uses a secret key to decrypt a message to obtain the obfuscated device identifier, and authenticates the tracking device by removing the random N-bit string from the decrypted message to obtain the tracked device identifier and verifying the device identifier in a list of known device identifiers.

[0053] In some embodiments, the encrypted message includes an encrypted portion and an unencrypted portion, the unencrypted portion including a secret key identifier that identifies a secret key to an authentication device. In some of these embodiments, the authentication device retrieves a secret key based on the secret key identifier and uses that secret key to decrypt the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the encrypted message also includes a secret pattern identifier that identifies a secret pattern to the authentication device. In some embodiments, the secret pattern is included in the unencrypted portion of the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the secret pattern is included in the encrypted portion of the encrypted message.

[0054] In some embodiments, the tracking device is a passive tracking device that is activated upon receiving an activation signal from a remote device. In some of these embodiments, a response signal is received by a reader, which then transmits the encrypted message contained therein to an authentication device, which authenticates the tracking device based on the encrypted message, a secret key, and a secret pattern. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device is a dual-mode tracking device that selectively operates in a first mode and a second mode based on the frequency band and content of the activation signal. In some embodiments, the encryption module generates the encrypted message only when the dual-mode tracking device operates in the first mode. In some embodiments, the first mode corresponds to the Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, and the second mode corresponds to the RFID communication protocol.

[0055] In some embodiments, the tracking device includes a power source. In some of these embodiments, the tracking device directly transmits encrypted messages to an authentication device.

[0056] In some embodiments, the tracking device is authenticated by an authentication device based on encrypted messages, a secret pattern, and a secret key. In some of these embodiments, the authentication device is an authentication server that authenticates the tracking device. In some embodiments, the authentication device is an aggregator device. In some embodiments, the authentication device is a backend server system. In some embodiments, the authentication device is a user device.

[0057] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a system for authenticating a tracking device is disclosed. The system includes a tracking device that generates an encrypted message indicating a tracking identifier uniquely identifying the tracking device, and modulates a response signal including the encrypted message for transmission via the tracking device's antenna. The system also includes an authentication server that receives the encrypted message, determines a device identifier based on the encrypted message, and verifies the device identifier based on a list of known device identifiers, wherein the list of known device identifiers indicates device identifiers of valid tracking devices.

[0058] In this embodiment, the tracking device includes an encryption module. The encryption module generates an obfuscated device identifier based on a device identifier and a secret pattern. The encryption module also generates a message based on the obfuscated device identifier. Furthermore, the encryption module encrypts the message using a secret key to obtain an encrypted message, and outputs the encrypted message to the transmission module.

[0059] In some embodiments, generating an obfuscated device identifier includes generating a random N-bit string and inserting the random N-bit string into the device identifier according to a secret pattern. In some of these embodiments, the secret pattern defines N distinct insertion slots, where each insertion slot defines a bit position of the device identifier, and the corresponding bit of the random N-bit string is inserted into that position. In some embodiments, the authentication device uses a secret key to decrypt an encrypted message to obtain the obfuscated device identifier, and determines the tracking device's device identifier by removing the random N-bit string from the decrypted message.

[0060] In some embodiments, the encrypted message includes an encrypted portion and an unencrypted portion, the unencrypted portion including a secret key identifier that identifies a secret key to an authentication device. In some of these embodiments, the authentication device retrieves a secret key based on the secret key identifier and uses that secret key to decrypt the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the encrypted message also includes a secret pattern identifier that identifies a secret pattern to the authentication device. In some of these embodiments, the secret pattern is included in the unencrypted portion of the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the secret pattern is included in the encrypted portion of the encrypted message.

[0061] In some embodiments, the system further includes a reading device. This reading device receives a response signal from the tracking device and transmits an encrypted message contained in the response signal to an authentication server via a communication network. In some of these embodiments, the tracking device is a passive tracking device, and the reading device broadcasts an excitation signal that excites the passive tracking device. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device is a dual-mode tracking device that selectively operates in a first mode and a second mode based on the frequency band and content of the excitation signal. In some of these embodiments, the encryption module generates an encrypted message only when the dual-mode tracking device operates in the first mode. In some embodiments, the first mode corresponds to the Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, and the second mode corresponds to the RFID communication protocol.

[0062] In some embodiments, the tracking device includes a power source. In some of these embodiments, the tracking device directly transmits encrypted messages to an authentication device. In some embodiments, the authentication device confirms the presence of the tracking device at a general location based on the encrypted messages.

[0063] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a passive tracking device is disclosed. The passive tracking device includes a first antenna transmitting a response signal in a first frequency band and a second antenna receiving an excitation signal in a second frequency band. The passive tracking device also includes an energy harvesting module that receives the excitation signal from a remote device via the second antenna and converts the excitation signal from RF power into DC power to excite the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes a transmission module that modulates the response signal for transmission in the first frequency band and outputs the modulated response signal to the first antenna for transmission according to a communication protocol. The response signal includes a message indicating a device identifier of the passive tracking device. The transmission module includes a bulk acoustic wave reference oscillator that generates an output frequency, the bulk acoustic wave reference oscillator including a bulk acoustic wave delay reference. The transmission module modulates the response signal such that the response signal has a carrier frequency based on the output frequency of the bulk acoustic wave reference oscillator.

[0064] In some embodiments, the bulk acoustic wave reference oscillator includes a master clock, a time difference detector, a phase-frequency detection module, and a loop filter. In some embodiments, the master clock outputs its frequency to other components of the first transmission module for use as a carrier frequency reference and outputs the frequency to the time difference detector. In some embodiments, the time difference detector detects multiple echoes of the bulk acoustic wave delay reference, generates a first echo signal and a second echo signal based on a first echo and a second echo among the multiple echoes, compares the first echo signal with the output frequency to generate a termination pulse, and outputs both the termination pulse and the second echo signal to the phase-frequency detection module. In some embodiments, the phase-frequency detection module compares the phase of the termination pulse with the phase of the second echo signal to generate a pump pulse and generates a current based on the pump pulse. In some embodiments, the loop filter amplifies the current and outputs the amplified current to the master clock, thereby forming a feedback loop and correcting the output frequency.

[0065] In some embodiments, when the phase of the end pulse is earlier than the phase of the second echo signal, the pump pulse is a pump-down pulse, and the phase frequency detection module generates a negative current based on the pump-down pulse. In some of these embodiments, when the phase of the end pulse is later than the phase of the second echo signal, the pump pulse is a pump-up pulse, and the phase frequency detection module generates a positive current based on the pump-up pulse. In some embodiments, the time difference detector includes a temperature compensation module that receives a temperature reading and outputs a temperature adjustment signal to the time difference detector based on the temperature reading, and the time difference detector adjusts one or both of the echo signal and the end pulse based on the temperature adjustment signal.

[0066] In some embodiments, the bulk acoustic delay reference is a first bulk acoustic delay reference, and the plurality of echoes are a first plurality of echoes. In some of these embodiments, the bulk acoustic wave oscillator includes a bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor. The bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor detects a second plurality of echoes from the bulk acoustic delay reference, generates a first echo signal and a second echo signal based on the first and second echoes in the second plurality of echoes, generates a coarse temperature reading based on the first and second echo signals based on the first and second echoes in the second plurality of echoes, and outputs the coarse temperature reading to a time difference detector of the bulk acoustic wave oscillator. In some embodiments, the bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor receives an output frequency from a bulk acoustic wave generator and generates a precise temperature reading based on the fifth and sixth echo signals and the output frequency. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device further includes a bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor that generates one or both of the coarse and precise temperature readings, the bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor including a second bulk acoustic delay reference.

[0067] In one embodiment, a bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor detects a second plurality of echoes from a second bulk acoustic wave delay reference, generates a first echo signal and a second echo signal based on a first echo and a second echo among the second plurality of echoes, generates a coarse temperature reading based on the first and second echo signals based on the first and second echoes among the second plurality of echoes, and outputs the coarse temperature reading to a bulk acoustic wave oscillator. In some of these embodiments, the bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor receives an output frequency from a bulk acoustic wave generator and generates a precise temperature reading based on both the output frequency and the first and second echo signals of the first and second echoes among the second plurality of echoes. In some embodiments, the bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor outputs the precise temperature reading to a transmission module to be included in a response signal.

[0068] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device further includes a bulk acoustic wave transducer that transforms the excitation signal received via a second antenna, the bulk acoustic wave transducer including a second bulk acoustic wave delay reference. In some of these embodiments, the bulk acoustic wave transducer increases the impedance of the excitation signal.

[0069] In one embodiment, the transmission module modulates the response signal such that the response signal has a carrier frequency that is substantially equal to a factor of the output frequency of the bulk acoustic wave reference oscillator.

[0070] In some embodiments, the transmission module is a first transmission module, the response signal is a first response signal, the excitation signal is a first excitation signal, the communication protocol is a first communication protocol, the message is a first message, and the device identifier is a first device identifier. In some of these embodiments, the passive tracking device further includes a third antenna that transmits and receives both the second response signal and the second excitation signal in a third frequency band. The passive tracking device also includes a second transmission module that, when the passive tracking device operates in a second mode according to the second communication protocol, prepares the second response signal for transmission in the third frequency band and facilitates the transmission of the prepared second response signal by switching the impedance of the third antenna, wherein the second response signal includes a second message indicating a second device identifier of the passive tracking device. The passive tracking device also includes a mode selection module that determines whether the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the excitation signal received from a remote device via the second antenna and / or the third antenna. In some of these embodiments, the first frequency band is equal to the second frequency band.

[0071] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, an aggregator device for an intelligent tracking system is disclosed. The aggregator device may include one or more storage devices; one or more long-range communication units that communicate with external devices using one or more long-range communication protocols; at least one short-range communication unit that communicates with nearby devices using one or more short-range communication protocols; a GPS device; and one or more processors that execute executable instructions. The instructions cause the processing device to: broadcast an excitation signal to a tracking device within the read range of the aggregator device via the short-range communication unit, wherein the excitation signal triggers the tracking device to broadcast a tracking message; receive one or more response signals from one or more corresponding response tracking devices via the short-range communication unit, wherein each response signal includes a tracking message from the corresponding response tracking device, the tracking message including tracking information; generate a tracking record based on the corresponding response signal; and report the tracking record to a backend server system.

[0072] In some embodiments, one or more short-range communication units include a Multiple-Output Multiple-Input (MOMI) communication device configured to receive a response signal from a responding tracking device and determine the range and orientation of the responding tracking device relative to an aggregator device based on the response signal. In some of these embodiments, the MOMI communication device includes at least one MOMI transceiver comprising: a first radio frequency (RF) antenna; and a second RF antenna positioned very close to the first RF antenna and at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than 180 degrees from the first RF antenna. In some of these embodiments, the MOMI device is configured to: receive an excitation command from one or more processors; modulate an excitation signal to the tracking device between the first and second RF antennas within the read range of the aggregator device; receive a first response signal at the first RF antenna and a second response signal at the second RF antenna from the responding tracking device; determine the range and orientation of the responding tracking device based on a first signal strength of the first response signal and a second signal strength of the second response signal; and output the range and orientation to a processing device.

[0073] In some embodiments, the aggregator device further includes a collection of one or more environmental sensors that each output sensor data. In some of these embodiments, executable instructions also cause one or more processors to: receive sensor data; classify the presence of environmental events based on the sensor data and a machine learning model; and in response to classifying the environmental events: generate an environmental event record; and report the environmental event to a backend server system.

[0074] In some embodiments, the executable instructions further cause one or more processors to receive camera signals. In some of these embodiments, the executable instructions further cause one or more processors to classify trackable objects in one or more frames of the camera signals using an image classifier trained to recognize trackable objects. In some of these embodiments, the executable instructions further cause one or more processors to determine that a tracking device is lost, damaged, or otherwise unreadable in response to classifying a trackable object and not receiving a tracking message corresponding to that trackable object. In some embodiments, the executable instructions further cause one or more processors to classify visual markers attached to trackable objects in one or more frames of the camera signals using an image classifier trained to recognize trackable objects and visual markers. In some of these embodiments, the executable instructions further cause one or more processors to: scan the visual markers; and decode the visual markers to obtain values ​​indicating tracking information for the object to which the visual markers are attached. In some of these embodiments, the executable instructions further cause one or more processors to determine that a tracking device is lost, damaged, or otherwise unreadable in response to not receiving a tracking message corresponding to a value decoded from the visual markers.

[0075] In some embodiments, the aggregator device further includes a camera that outputs camera signals. In some embodiments, one or more processors receive video signals from a remote camera via a long-range communication unit or a short-range communication unit or via a connector cable. In some embodiments, the video signal is a 3D video signal, which includes high-resolution color video and depth video. In some embodiments, executable instructions further cause one or more processors to: receive first range and orientation data derived from a first response signal from a first tracking device; determine first tracking data corresponding to the first tracking device based on the first response signal; receive second range and orientation data derived from a second response signal from a second tracking device; determine second tracking data corresponding to a second tracking device based on the second response signal; classify the first trackable item and the second trackable item in one or more frames of the camera signal using an image classifier trained to identify trackable items; and perform ambiguity cancellation on the first trackable item and the second trackable item based on the first range and orientation data and the second range and orientation data, such that, based on the ambiguity cancellation, the first tracking data is associated with the first trackable item and the second tracking data is associated with the second trackable item.

[0076] In some embodiments, the responsive tracking device includes a passive tracking device. In some of these embodiments, the passive tracking device includes a multimedia tracking device configured with an RFID tag and a BLE transmitter, enabling the multimedia tracking device to be read via an RFID interrogator or a BLE scanner. In some of these embodiments, the RFID tag and BLE transmitter are integrated into a single ASIC.

[0077] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, an intelligent tracking system is disclosed. The intelligent tracking system includes one or more passive tracking devices, an exciter, and a tracker. Each passive tracking device includes one or more transceivers and is excited by an electromagnetic frequency. In response to being excited, each passive tracking device transmits a short message. The exciter emits an electromagnetic frequency to power the passive tag. The tracker receives short messages from the one or more passive tracking devices and confirms the presence of the one or more passive tracking devices in the vicinity of the tracker based on the received messages.

[0078] In some embodiments, the short message is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon. In some of these embodiments, each BLE beacon includes a corresponding device identifier of the corresponding passive tracking device that transmitted the BLE beacon in one or more passive tracking devices. In some embodiments, each short message includes a corresponding device identifier of the corresponding passive tracking device that transmitted the short message in one or more passive tracking devices. In some of these embodiments, the corresponding passive tracking device uses a low-power encryption algorithm to encrypt the corresponding device identifier in the short message. In some of these embodiments, the corresponding passive tracking device encrypts the corresponding device identifier in the short message based on a shared secret key and a shared secret pattern. The shared secret pattern can define a pattern in which random bits are inserted into the short message before encryption with the shared secret key. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the smart tracking system includes an authentication device that uses the shared secret pattern and the shared secret key to authenticate the corresponding passive device. In some of these embodiments, the authentication device is a tracker. In other embodiments, the authentication device is a backend server system that communicates with the tracker.

[0079] In one embodiment, the actuator is embedded in the tracker. In other embodiments, the actuator is a standalone device. In some embodiments, the smart tracking system includes a back-end server system that maintains the location of one or more passive tracking devices. In some of these embodiments, the back-end server system manages the inventory of items via the location of one or more passive tracking devices.

[0080] In one embodiment, each of the one or more passive tracking devices includes a temperature sensor that outputs a current temperature upon activation, wherein each passive tracking device includes the current temperature data in a short message output by the passive tracking device. In some embodiments, the intelligent tracking system includes a backend server system that maintains a temperature log based on the current temperature data in the corresponding short message transmitted by the passive tracking device and a timestamp associated with the temperature data. In one embodiment, the intelligent tracking system includes a backend server system that receives motion data and determines a motion profile corresponding to an item associated with a particular passive tracking device based on the motion data. In one embodiment, each of the one or more passive tracking devices includes a light sensor that outputs a value indicating the detection of ambient light near the passive tracking device, wherein this value is included in a short message after the passive tracking device is activated. In one embodiment, each of the one or more passive tracking devices includes a motion sensor that outputs motion data indicating a corresponding motion of the passive tracking device, wherein this motion data is included in a short message after the passive tracking device is activated. In some embodiments, the smart tracking system includes an augmented reality enabling device configured to display a marker of the passive tracking device when the augmented reality enabling device is oriented in the direction of the passive tracking device.

[0081] In one embodiment, one or more passive tracking devices include a multi-band antenna, such that each passive tracking device receives an electromagnetic frequency at a first frequency and transmits a short message at a second frequency. In another embodiment, the exciter includes a multi-band antenna, such that the exciter transmits an electromagnetic frequency at the first frequency and receives a short message at the second frequency.

[0082] In this embodiment, the tracker is a user equipment configured to communicate with one or more passive tracking devices.

[0083] In one embodiment, the intelligent tracking system includes a backend server system that receives location data corresponding to one or more passive tracking devices from the tracker and generates a virtual map of the area corresponding to the one or more passive tracking devices based on the location data.

[0084] In one embodiment, the tracker is configured to determine a characterization of the tracker's environment and, based on that characterization, determine a communication method for the tracker to communicate with a backend server, wherein the tracker is configured to select from more than one different communication method.

[0085] In an embodiment, each of one or more passive tracking devices includes a plurality of antennas and is configured to: transmit an advertising packet to a tracker in response to being activated using one of the plurality of antennas, wherein the advertising packet indicates the antenna used; receive a response packet from the tracker in response to the advertising packet, the response packet including a received signal strength indication indicating the strength of the signal containing the advertising packet; and selectively transmit a short message to the tracker using one of the plurality of antennas based on the received signal strength indication.

[0086] In one embodiment, each of the one or more passive tracking devices has an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection mechanism at the connection between the passive tracking device's antenna and its silicon chip. In some of these embodiments, the ESD protection is removed after the silicon chip is embedded in the housing of the passive tracking device.

[0087] In one embodiment, each of the one or more passive tracking devices includes a MEMS oscillator.

[0088] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device includes a multimedia tracking device configured with an RFID tag and a BLE transmitter, enabling the multimedia tracking device to be read via an RFID interrogator or a BLE scanner. In some of these embodiments, the RFID tag and BLE transmitter are integrated into a single ASIC.

[0089] A more complete understanding of this disclosure will be gained from the following description, drawings and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0090] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a better understanding of this disclosure. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0091] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an example intelligent tracking system, which includes a tracking system and a backend server system.

[0092] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example lifecycle of a product according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0093] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a passive tracking device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0094] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a passive tracking device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating a set of example operations for determining whether a passive tracking device will operate in a first mode or a second mode, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] Figure 6 This is a flowchart depicting an example operation of a method 600 for operating a passive tracking device 108 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0097] Figure 7 This is a flowchart depicting example operations of a method for authenticating a tracking device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0098] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating example operations of a method for generating encrypted messages for authenticating tracking devices, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0099] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating example operations of a method for authenticating a tracking device based on received encrypted transmission messages, according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0100] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0101] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of the master clock of a bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a time difference detector for a bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0103] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a phase frequency detector and a loop filter for a bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0104] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0106] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0107] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a bulk acoustic wave oscillator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0108] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a passive tracking device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0109] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example set of components of an aggregator device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0110] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example multiple-output multiple-input device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0111] Figure 1 The illustration shows an intelligent tracking system 10. The intelligent tracking system 10 (or "system 10") may include one or more tracking device systems 100 (or "tracking system 100") and a backend server system 120. In embodiments, the intelligent tracking system 10 may also include a user device 130 and / or an augmented reality (AR) enabled user device 140. System 10 may include additional components not shown.

[0112] Tracking system 100 may include one or more tracking devices. In an embodiment, tracking system 100 includes any combination of one or more multi-mode tracking devices 102, one or more aggregator devices 104, one or more paired tracking devices 106, one or more passive tracking devices 108, one or more actuators 110, one or more dual-media tracking devices 112, one or more visual marker trackers 114, and one or more vision systems 116.

[0113] In this embodiment, the multimodal tracking device 102 is an electronic device configured to determine its geographic location and report it to a backend server system 120 via a communication network. The multimodal tracking device 102 may be configured to communicate with the server system 120 using long-range communication (e.g., directly via a communication network (e.g., using a cellular connection)) or short-range communication (e.g., via an intermediate device in the tracking system 100 (e.g., aggregator device 104)). For example, in some scenarios, the multimodal tracking device 102 may be in an environment where it is prohibited from connecting to a cellular network, or it may be configured to exclude communication via a cellular network. In these scenarios, the multimodal tracking device 102 may transmit its location data to the aggregator device 104, which in turn transmits the location data to the backend server system 120. In this embodiment, the multimodal tracking device 102 may also be configured to determine other types of data besides location data, or alternatives to location data, that can be reported. The multi-mode tracking device 102 may include one or more environmental sensors that collect data corresponding to the multi-mode tracking device 102 or its environment. For example, the multi-mode tracking device 102 may determine and / or report temperature data indicating the ambient temperature in the environment of the multi-mode tracking device 102, motion data describing the movement of the multi-mode tracking device 102, humidity data indicating the humidity of the environment of the multi-mode tracking device 102, light data indicating the intensity of ambient light sensed in the environment of the multi-mode tracking device 102, etc. In embodiments, the multi-mode tracking device 102 may periodically record the collected data, enabling it to track the status of items being transported or stored in a log. For example, the multi-mode tracking device 102 may maintain a temperature log that defines the temperature of the environment near the device over a period of time. These types of logs may be requested when transporting items such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food. In some embodiments, the multi-mode tracking device 102 may maintain a temperature log (or other data log) on ​​behalf of other devices that do not have sufficient processing or storage capacity to maintain such a log.

[0114] The multi-mode tracking device 102 may include a rechargeable battery (e.g., a 3.7V 6800mAh lithium-ion battery), allowing it to be placed in environments where the multi-mode tracking device 102 can be mobile and not connected to a power source for weeks or months (e.g., trucks, warehouses, shipping containers, etc.).

[0115] Aggregator device 104 is an electronic device configured to aggregate location data from one or more devices in tracking system 100 (e.g., multi-mode tracking device 102, paired tracking device 106, and / or passive tracking device 108) and report the location data to backend server system 120. In an embodiment, aggregator device 104 is configured to authenticate the various devices in tracking system 100. In this way, reverse assembly of devices in tracking system 100 can be avoided.

[0116] In this embodiment, aggregator device 104 is a mobile aggregator device 104. The mobile aggregator device 104 may be configured for portability. The mobile aggregator device 104 may include a rechargeable battery (e.g., a 3.7V 6800mAh lithium-ion battery) so that it can be placed in an environment where the aggregator device 104 can be moved and not connected to a power source for weeks or months.

[0117] In this embodiment, aggregator device 104 may be a stationary aggregator device. A stationary aggregator device may be configured to be located in a fixed position. The stationary aggregator device may be connected to a power source (e.g., an AC outlet). The stationary aggregator device may also be configured to perform more power-intensive operations, such as determining the location of other devices in the tracking system, performing power-intensive encryption operations, etc.

[0118] In some embodiments, aggregator device 104 may maintain data logs (e.g., temperature logs, humidity logs, etc.) on behalf of other devices (e.g., passive tracking device 108) that do not have sufficient processing or storage capacity to maintain such logs. In this way, aggregator device 104 may maintain a separate log for each passive tracking device 108. Each corresponding log may correspond to the corresponding passive tracking device 108 and may include a device identifier of the corresponding passive tracking device 108, a timestamp of each corresponding data item collected from the passive tracking device 108, and the data item corresponding to the timestamp.

[0119] In some embodiments, the multi-mode tracking device 102 may be configured to function as an aggregator device 104. In embodiments, the aggregator device 104 may be configured to include an exciter device 110 (discussed further below).

[0120] The paired tracking device 106 may be an electronic device configured to determine its geographic location and report it to a backend server system via the aggregator device 104. The paired tracking device 106 may utilize short-range communication protocols to communicate with the aggregator device. In an embodiment, the paired tracking device 106 may implement Bluetooth. TM Or Bluetooth Low EnergyTM A communication protocol is used to communicate with aggregator device 104. Paired tracking device 106 may include one or more environmental sensors that collect data about paired tracking device 106 or its environment, which paired tracking device 106 can monitor, to report the collected sensor data to aggregator device 104. For example, paired tracking device 106 may determine and / or report temperature data indicating the ambient temperature in the environment of paired tracking device 106, motion data describing the movement of paired tracking device 106, humidity data indicating the humidity of the environment of paired tracking device 106, light data indicating the level of ambient light sensed in the environment of paired tracking device 106, etc. In an embodiment, paired tracking device 106 may periodically record the collected data, enabling paired tracking device 106 to track the status of items being transported or stored in a log (e.g., a temperature log).

[0121] The paired tracking device 106 may include a rechargeable battery (e.g., a 30V 6800mAh lithium-ion battery) so that it can be placed in an environment where the paired tracking device 106 can be moved and not connected to a power source for weeks or months (e.g., trucks, warehouses, shipping containers, etc.).

[0122] Passive tracking device 108 is a small, low-cost electronic device that communicates with another device in tracking system 100. Unlike paired tracking device 106 or multi-mode tracking device 102, passive tracking device 108 does not include onboard long-term power storage (e.g., no battery). More specifically, passive tracking device 108 is configured to be excited by an electromagnetic field (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) signal). This allows passive tracking device 108 to be a small and relatively low-cost tracking solution. Note that passive tracking device 108 may include short-term power storage mechanisms, such as capacitors, to store charge acquired via excitation for a short period. As will be discussed below, tracking system 100 may include one or more exciters 110 configured to emit electromagnetic signals that excite passive tracking device 108. Exciters 110 may be standalone devices or may be integrated into another device in tracking system 100 (e.g., in aggregator 104 or multi-mode tracking device 102). A more detailed discussion of the use of RF-related technologies can be found in U.S. Patent No. 8,774,329 granted to Kawaguchi, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0123] Refer again Figure 1In this embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 may include a small integrated circuit that can be integrated into a small form factor (e.g., <2mm x 2mm). For example, the passive tracking device 108 may be integrated into a tag or tile with an area of ​​less than 1cm x 1cm. In this way, the passive tracking device 108 can be attached to packaging being shipped, inserted into boxes of valuable items (e.g., medical supplies), embedded in clothing (e.g., shoes), or used in any other suitable scenario.

[0124] Passive tracking device 108 can transmit a short message to another device (e.g., aggregator device 104) including a device identifier (“device ID”) that identifies the passive tracking device 108 from other passive tracking devices 108. By transmitting the short message, the passive tracking device 108 can confirm its presence in the vicinity of aggregator device 104. In an embodiment, passive tracking device 108 includes Bluetooth-enabled features configured according to one or more Bluetooth communication protocols. TM The passive tracking device 108 can communicate with other devices (e.g., aggregator device 108) that have a Bluetooth-enabled transceiver. In this embodiment, the Bluetooth-enabled transceiver utilizes the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol (e.g., a BLE-enabled transceiver). BLE is a short-range communication protocol developed by the Bluetooth SIG that requires less power than other Bluetooth communication protocols. In this embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 is configured to transmit a beacon when activated. The beacon can be one or more fixed-length data packets that, according to a communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth...). TM Encoding may be performed using either BLE (or Browsing Elementary Language). A beacon is a non-limiting example of a short message. In an embodiment, a beacon may indicate a device identifier (ID) of the passive tracking device 108 transmitting the short message (e.g., a beacon). The passive tracking device 108 may include additional data in the short message (e.g., a beacon), including but not limited to temperature data, motion data, and / or ambient light data. Note that an upstream tracker (e.g., aggregator 104, multi-mode tracking device, or user device 120) or a backend server system 120 may apply timestamps to the temperature data, motion data, and / or ambient light received from the passive tracking device 108, because the passive tracking device 108 transmits the short message within a short period of time during which the passive tracking device 108 samples this data.

[0125] Each passive tracking device 108 may include one or more antennas for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals. In this way, the antennas can receive electromagnetic signals to excite the passive tracking device 108 and / or can transmit the electromagnetic signals to another device in the tracking system 100 via a short-range communication link (e.g., BLE). The passive tracking device 108 can transmit over very short distances (e.g., <2m). In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can be configured to transmit over longer distances (e.g., ~10m) if sufficiently excited by another device. As mentioned, the passive tracking device 108 can be excited after receiving electromagnetic signals via the antenna. In embodiments, the antenna may be a metallic coating or material applied to the exterior of the passive tracking device 108. In these embodiments, the antenna may be coated to cover the entire housing to improve the reception of the passive tracking device 108.

[0126] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 may be configured with a dual-band antenna. For example, the passive tracking device 108 may include a dual-band antenna that allows efficient power harvesting at 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz and beacon transmission at 2.4 GHz. In another embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 may be configured with a multi-band antenna. For example, the passive tracking device 108 may be configured with a multi-band antenna that allows efficient power harvesting from user equipment 130 (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) in 700, 850, 1900 MHz and 900 and 24 GHz ISM band signals.

[0127] One potential issue with BLE-enabled transceivers in passive tracking device 108 is that while a BLE-enabled transmitter can be implemented with very simple RF and digital designs, the receiver implementation is far more complex. The limited ability to securely receive and write data to the tag significantly enhances simple "transmit-only" passive BLE tracking devices. These limitations can include dedicated devices with only very short range and consistent high signal levels. The BLE protocol in the Bluetooth 5.0 specification requires the use of connection events to transfer data from the master device to the slave device. Given the power and processing constraints of passive tracking device 108, this can require the passive tracking device 108 to implement a more complex state machine and receiver than desired.

[0128] Therefore, in some embodiments, the tracking system 100 may implement a proprietary version of BLE advertising packets to transmit both RF power and data from the powered device (e.g., exciter 110) to the passive tracking device 108. Traditionally, BLE advertising data packets are data packets that can be transmitted from a BLE peripheral device to another BLE-enabled device (or a Bluetooth-enabled device) to announce the presence of that peripheral device. In embodiments, command structures may be embedded in advertising data fields. In some of these embodiments, commands may include, but are not limited to: (i) write patterns (e.g., very short and unique commands to inform the passive tracking device 108 to listen); (ii) authentication of the sender; (iii) write address and data; (iv) requests for confirmation of the write address and status; and (v) sending a beacon with confirmation (by the passive tracking device 108).

[0129] In some embodiments, data writing to the tag can be accomplished using an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation scheme on a constant wave, reducing receiver complexity. In these embodiments, if the passive tracking device 108 implements, for example, a basic C1G2 (Class-1, Generation-2) interface portion and has a multi-band antenna, then the passive tracking device 108 may include a UHF RFID reader. Additionally or alternatively, the passive tracking device 108 may combine a near-field communication (NFC) tag and a passive BLE module.

[0130] Passive tracking device 108 can communicate with many different types of devices. In an embodiment, passive tracking device 108 can communicate with aggregator device 104, multi-mode tracking device 102, exciter 110, user device 130, AR-enabled user device 140, and / or reader device 150. In an embodiment, passive tracking device 108 is configured to transmit a beacon upon being excited. As mentioned, the beacon can indicate the device identifier (ID) of the passive tracking device 108 transmitting the beacon. In this way, whenever passive tracking device 108 is excited, passive tracking device 108 announces its proximity to another device in tracking system 100. In response to the beacon, a device receiving the beacon from passive tracking device 108 can read the device ID of that device and can record the presence of the passive tracking device and any other data transmitted in the beacon.

[0131] In this embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 can encrypt the device ID, thereby preventing the forgery of the passive tracking device. This is generally very important in inventory management systems or tracking applications. For example, a malicious actor might attempt to forge a passive tracking device to steal a package containing a genuine passive tracking device 108. In this embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 can implement a low-power encryption algorithm to encrypt the device ID (or any other data that needs to be encrypted). In this embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 can encrypt the device ID using a shared secret key and a shared secret pattern. The shared secret key can be a numerical value used to encrypt the device ID. The shared secret key can be stored on the corresponding passive tracking device and can be used to encrypt messages (e.g., bit strings). Authentication devices (e.g., aggregator device 104, backend server system 120, user device 130, or exciter 110) also know the shared secret key and the shared secret pattern. The shared secret pattern defines the pattern for inserting bits into the message to be encrypted. For example, in a message containing up to 8 bytes, the example pattern could indicate the insertion of bits between the first and second bits, between the fifth and sixth bits, between the sixteenth and seventeenth bits, between the 30th and 31st bits, between the 42nd and 43rd bits, and between the 50th and 51st bits. The passive tracking device can generate a random N-bit string (e.g., 5 bits in the example above) and insert the corresponding bits from the N-bit string into the message to be encrypted according to the secret pattern. The passive tracking device can then encrypt the message with the inserted N bits using a shared secret key and can transmit the encrypted message. By inserting a different random N-bit string into the message to be encrypted (e.g., device ID) in each iterative transmission, it is ensured that the encrypted message is different between transmissions, even though it contains the same device ID and is encrypted with the same secret key. The authentication device can receive the encrypted message and can decrypt it using the shared secret key. The authentication device can also remove bits from the decrypted message according to a shared secret pattern to obtain the original message (e.g., removing the second, seventh, 18th, 34th, 47th, and 56th bits). After authenticating the passive tracking device 108, the authentication device or its associated device can confirm the presence of the passive tracking device at a general location.

[0132] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 may include one or more integrated sensors that allow the passive tracking device 108 to collect additional types of data. In another embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be a thermistor included in an integrated circuit, used for other functions of the integrated circuit. In this way, the passive tracking device 108 can carry temperature readings from the temperature sensor without adding any additional sensors to the passive tracking device 108. After reading temperature data from the temperature sensor, the passive tracking device 108 may include the temperature data in a beacon to be transmitted, thereby providing the instantaneous or current temperature of the environment of the passive tracking device 108. Because the passive tracking device 108 is not powered and has little or no storage capacity, the passive tracking device 108 may only provide current temperature data. Another device (e.g., aggregator device 104 or backend server system 120) may receive temperature data from the collection of passive tracking devices 108, may apply timestamps to the temperature data, and / or may maintain a temperature log for each corresponding passive tracking device 108. In this way, passive tracking devices 108 can be used to track transported items for which temperature records must be maintained. In these embodiments, a recording device (aggregator device 104 with an integrated actuator 110) or a combination of devices (e.g., aggregator device 104 and actuator 110) can periodically stimulate nearby passive tracking devices 108 to obtain temperature data from each respective passive tracking device 108, and the obtained temperature data can be recorded in a temperature log, as discussed above. Note that in some embodiments, certain passive tracking tags can be configured as "passive temperature tracking tags." In these embodiments, passive temperature tracking tags can be included within packaging to measure the temperature of items (e.g., food) inside the packaging. Passive temperature tracking tags can allow the system to track the ambient temperature inside the packaging, thereby allowing comparison of the temperature inside and outside the packaging.

[0133] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may include a light sensor. In some of these embodiments, the light sensor is a photodetector. If the photodetector has been exposed to a sufficient amount of light, it may output a first signal, and if it has not been exposed to a sufficient amount of light, it may output a second signal. Upon activation, the passive tracking device 108 may include light data indicating whether it has been exposed to light transmitted to the aggregator device 108. In some embodiments, the photodetector may also be configured to activate the passive tracking device 108 upon exposure to light. In these embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may transmit a beacon containing light data indicating the presence of light after activation. In this way, the aggregator device 104 may determine whether a particular package or item has been opened. In some embodiments, a visible or infrared laser may be directed at one of the passive tracking devices 108. A passive tracking device 108 illuminated by visible or infrared light may be triggered to output a beacon, wherein the light data in the beacon indicates that the passive tracking device 108 is illuminated.

[0134] In embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may be configured to include one or more motion sensors. For example, the passive tracking device 108 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a MEMS accelerometer). In these embodiments, the accelerometer may be integrated into the passive tracking device 108 to enable the identification of a moving passive tracking device. The accelerometer may output a signal indicating the magnitude of movement of the passive tracking device in any direction. This information may be used to determine whether the passive tracking device 108 is moving with walking acceleration, driving acceleration, planar acceleration, etc. In embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may be configured to transmit beacons more frequently, less frequently, or not at all when it is determined that the passive tracking device is in motion.

[0135] In this embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 can transmit the beacon to the user equipment 120 and / or the AR-enabled device 130. The user equipment 120 can be any suitable electronic device with a user interface. For example, the user equipment 120 can be a smartphone, tablet, gaming device, scanner, etc. The AR-enabled device 130 can be a device configured to display a computer-generated overlay on a screen. Examples of AR-enabled devices include smartphones, tablets, smart glasses (e.g., ...). ), video game equipment, etc.

[0136] In embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 includes one or more oscillators to enable the transmission of electromagnetic signals. In some scenarios, BLE requires an accurate carrier frequency to transmit the beacon. Crystals are very accurate but are typically packaged in very large packages. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the oscillator of the passive tracking device 108 is a MEMS oscillator that uses a tiny resonator bonded to a single silicon chip. This enables a low-cost and low-size solution for a fully integrated passive tracking device. While MEMS oscillators have limitations (e.g., long on-time, high phase noise, die mounting directly on the silicon wafer, tuning calibration, etc.), the passive tracking device 108 can be configured to schedule the oscillator's on-time with a lower energy storage level than the main circuitry. In some embodiments, the crystal oscillator silicon die is integrated into the same package as the silicon chip of the passive tracking device 108.

[0137] One problem that may arise from using available silicon technology in the passive tracking device 108 is that an RF voltage level of 100mV or higher is desired at the input of the voltage rectifier circuit for energy harvesting. These types of circuits begin to follow a square-law behavior at these voltages, meaning that the harvesting efficiency varies with the input voltage. To obtain the desired voltage at lower power levels (e.g., <-20dBM), a higher parallel equivalent input resistance may be required. The Q of the resulting circuit can be composed of the impedance of this parallel resistance relative to the parallel input impedance of the circuit. To construct a usable passive tracking device 108, it is desirable that the input Q of the circuit not become too high. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the input capacitance to the lowest possible value. A significant contribution of the input capacitance is to the electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure, which is typically used at the antenna input to protect the device during manufacturing and handling. Therefore, to reduce the input capacitance, ESD protection can be applied in a manner that allows the device to be removed after it has been mounted to its form factor. For example, ESD protection can be removed after the silicon chip of the passive tracking device 108 is attached to the inlay of the passive tracking device (e.g., a plastic sheet with a metal coating that acts as an antenna). It is assumed that the antenna terminals in the inlay may be short-circuited via a DC path, thus making ESD protection unnecessary. Initially, during manufacturing, handling, and testing, the ESD device is connected to the antenna input via one or more links. In embodiments, the links can be circuit connections made within the silicon chip of the passive tracking device. The links can be metal traces formed in the silicon substrate during manufacturing. After attaching the antenna circuitry and establishing a DC path between the antenna circuitry and the silicon chip, one or more links can be removed, thereby reducing the effective input capacitance and improving the performance of the passive tracking device. The links can be removed in any suitable manner. For example, links can be removed mechanically (e.g., physically cut), chemically (etched), or optically.

[0138] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 can be excited by the exciter 110. The exciter 110 can be a standalone device or can be integrated into another device of the tracking system 100 (e.g., in the multi-mode tracking device 102 or the aggregator device 104). In one embodiment, the exciter 110 can broadcast an electromagnetic signal (e.g., an RF signal) that can excited any passive tracking device 108 in the vicinity of the tracking device 108. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the exciter 110 can be configured to receive beacons encoded with electromagnetic signals from one or more passive tracking devices 108 in the vicinity of the exciter 110. In one embodiment, the exciter 110 can be configured in a multi-band manner, whereby the exciter 110 can transmit electromagnetic signals at a first frequency (e.g., 900 MHz) and receive electromagnetic signals at a second frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz).

[0139] One problem that arises is that the range of the passive tracking device 108 is limited by the minimum RF level required to power the device's chip. Once the passive tracking device 108 has sufficient power to transmit the beacon, other devices (e.g., actuator 110) can hear the beacon from a greater distance. Therefore, in some embodiments, an auxiliary actuator 110 that provides RF power to the passive tracking device 108 can be placed in a critical location, enabling other devices (e.g., user equipment 120, aggregator device 104, and / or multi-mode tracking device 102) to receive the beacon from the passive tracking device 108 without powering the passive tracking device itself.

[0140] In embodiments, exciter 110 is placed in a critical location and transmits electromagnetic signals with a predefined duty cycle and up to a predefined power level. For example, in some embodiments, exciter 110 may be configured to transmit a 2.4 GHz power source signal with a transmit power up to 30 dBm and an antenna gain up to 6 dBi at a given duty cycle. In this way, exciter 110 can be configured to increase the excitation range in a specific area. In embodiments, exciter 110 may be a one-watt 900 MHz frequency funnel. This can reduce or eliminate any interference problems at 2.4 GHz and provide more power at a lower carrier frequency with less path loss. In embodiments, exciter 110 may form a self-coordinating network via Ethernet, WiFi, and / or Bluetooth. FCC Part 15.247, which specifies the maximum power and spread spectrum requirements in the ISM band, can be found at: https: / / www.gpo.gov / fdsys / pkg / CFR-2013-title47-vol1 / pdf / CFR-2013-titie47-vol1-sec15-247.pdf, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0141] In one embodiment, exciter 110 may also implement a 2.4 GHz receiver to listen for BLE beacons from passive tracking device 108, while transmitting energy at a frequency of 900 MHz and building up an inventory in the cloud. In another embodiment, the 2.4 GHz antenna in exciter 110 may include multiple antennas and radios for angle-of-arrival calculation. In these embodiments, exciter 110 (or may include exciter 110 or an aggregator 104 communicating with exciter 110) may determine the approximate location of the corresponding passive tracking device 108 based on the different signal strengths and / or angles of arrival of the received signals sensed at each antenna or radio transceiver and the known location of exciter 110, utilizing the signal strengths at different multiple antennas and / or radio transceivers. In another embodiment, the location, pointing orientation, exciter power output, etc., of one or more exciters 110 may be calibrated using a single beacon device and / or an application running on a user equipment. In another embodiment, passive tracking device 108 may be configured with a dual-band antenna. For example, passive tracking device 108 may include a dual-band antenna that allows for efficient energy harvesting at 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz and beacon transmission at 2.4 GHz. In embodiments, passive tracking device 108 may be configured with a multi-band antenna (e.g., 700, 850, 1900 MHz and 900 and 2.4 GHz ISM antennas). For example, multi-band antennas can provide efficient energy harvesting from user equipment (e.g., cellular phone signals) at 700, 850, 1900 MHz and 900 and 2.4 GHz ISM band signals.

[0142] Note that in some embodiments, the supplemental transmission and beacon reading functions described with respect to exciter 110 / aggregator 104 can be embedded in a smart home central device. In these embodiments, user equipment applications can access the data when it is near the supplemental transmitter.

[0143] The dual-media passive tracking device 112 can be a type of passive tracking device 108 that supports two different communication methods. Therefore, in embodiments, the dual-media passive tracking device 112 can be configured according to the passive tracking device 108 discussed above, but may include additional configurations to support the transmission of data (e.g., short messages) via an RFID backscatter radio transceiver in addition to the BLE radio transceiver. In this way, the dual-media passive tracking device 112 can be excited by electromagnetic signals and can output messages via one or both radio transceivers (BLE and / or RFID). Adding an RFID backscatter radio transceiver to the passive tracking device 108 increases the cost of the dual-media passive tracking device by only, for example, half a cent per unit, but provides many advantages because the dual-media passive tracking device 112 achieves the advantages of both media. For example, due to BLE capability, the dual-media passive tracking device 112 can maintain a longer read distance of up to 40 meters, while also maintaining the security measures provided by RFID. Furthermore, the dual-media passive tracking device 112 allows tracking of a product throughout its entire lifecycle, rather than being limited through the supply chain or after the point of sale.

[0144] Figure 2 The illustration depicts an example product lifecycle. This exemplary lifecycle is divided into a supply chain side 200 and an after-sales side 202. On the example supply chain side, a product may begin its lifecycle in a manufacturing facility 210, from where it is transported via delivery vehicles 214 (e.g., trucks, trains, airplanes, and / or ships). In some scenarios, the product is transported to a warehouse 218, where it awaits delivery. In some scenarios, the product may then be loaded onto a delivery vehicle 222 (e.g., a truck or car) and delivered to a retail store 226. Note that in other scenarios, if the purchase is made via, for example, an e-commerce website or by phone, the seller of the product may ship the product directly to the consumer. Once the product arrives at the retail store 226, it may be placed on a shelf or kept in inventory until it is purchased at a point of sale 230. Once the product is purchased, this can be considered the after-sales phase of the product lifecycle (e.g., at home 234, in a business (not shown), etc.).

[0145] On the supply chain side 200 of the product lifecycle, most legacy systems rely heavily on RFID. Products are routinely scanned throughout the supply chain, and the common form of scanning is using RFID tags and readers. At the point of sale, and once the product reaches its final destination (e.g., home or business), Bluetooth-enabled devices are more prevalent, making BLE a more convenient form of tracking. In the example above, RFID functionality allows for product tracking using aggregator device 104 in manufacturing settings 210, transport vehicles 214, warehouses 218, delivery vehicles 222, and / or retail facilities 226. During this process, parties involved in the supply chain can also scan dual-media passive tracking devices 112 using legacy RFID devices in their routine business operations. Furthermore, with the emergence of new technologies (e.g., smart glasses 240), these new devices can begin to fully utilize the Bluetooth scanning capabilities of tracking device 112 and / or the ability to scan visual tag trackers 114 attached to items. Once the product reaches the point of sale 230, the dual-media passive tracking device 112 can be scanned using either Bluetooth or RFID, depending on the retailer's capabilities. Once a product is sold, the owner can rely on Bluetooth capabilities to track or otherwise inventory the product.

[0146] Visual tags 114 can be any text, mark, pattern, and / or image encoded with a value. Examples of visual tags 114 may include UPCs and QR codes. In embodiments, visual tags 114 (e.g., UPCs and / or QR codes) can be used in tracking system 100 as a means of tracking items using scanning techniques and / or machine vision. In embodiments, visual tags 114 can be used as redundancy with other tracking devices described above. For example, vision system 116 can be used to track visual tags in environments such as transportation facilities or production lines. The value embedded in each visual tag 114 can be a unique value that identifies the item to which it is attached from other items. In some embodiments, a central system (e.g., a back-end system) can assign a value to be embedded in the visual tag 114 before it is printed. In other embodiments, a scheme can be implemented in which each entity has the ability to generate visual tags. For example, any company that prints a visual tag 114 to be used in the tracking system 100 can be assigned a unique value, which forms part of the overall value. This value can then be combined with another value generated by that company and unique to that company, thereby associating the unique value with the item to be tracked. Note that these techniques for printing values ​​can be used to embed values ​​in other tracking devices within the tracking system. Once printed and assigned to an item, the value can be associated with that specific item.

[0147] The vision system 116 may include cameras monitoring one or more areas, as well as any devices required to route video / depth streams to the aggregator device 104 and / or the backend system 120. In some embodiments, the cameras include 3D cameras that capture video and depth information. Alternatively, the camera system may include any combination of camcorders, infrared cameras, depth cameras, etc. The vision system 116 may include network devices (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE, etc.) and / or short-range communication devices (e.g., Bluetooth-enabled chips) that transmit the captured stream(s) to the aggregator device 104 and / or the backend system 120.

[0148] Figure 3 An example passive tracking device 108 (e.g., a dual-media tracking device 112) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 allows multi-band operation by simultaneously harvesting energy in a first frequency band and transmitting it in the same or different frequency bands. According to some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 is configured for multi-mode multi-band operation by communicating as a passive BLE or Wi-Fi (e.g., 2.4 GHz) or EPC RFID (e.g., 900 MHz) tag, depending on the signal it receives.

[0149] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 includes a first antenna 302, a second antenna 304, a third antenna 306, an energy harvesting module 308, a first transmission module 310, a second transmission module 312, and a mode selection module 314. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may further include a sensor module 316, which includes one or more different types of sensors and / or an encryption module for encrypting packets transmitted by the passive tracking device 108.

[0150] In an embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 receives an excitation signal and transmits a response signal on one or more of multiple frequency bands via first, second, and third antennas 302, 304, and 306. As used herein, a response signal can refer to any type of signal transmitted by the passive tracking device 108 in response to an excitation. The response signal can include an RFID signal, a beacon signal transmitted according to Bluetooth, BLE, or WiFi protocol signals, or a signal transmitted according to any other suitable protocol. The first antenna 302 is configured to transmit the response signal on a first frequency band. The second antenna 304 is configured to receive the excitation signal on a second frequency band. The third antenna 306 is configured to both receive the excitation signal and transmit the response signal on a third frequency band. The first, second, and third frequency bands can be frequency bands commonly used for WiFi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BTE), RFID, or any other suitable form of signal transmission and / or reception. Example frequency bands on which the antennas can receive or transmit can include 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 900 MHz, 700 MHz, and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the first and second frequency bands are the same. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second frequency bands may be 2.4 GHz, while the third frequency band is 900 MHz. The first, second, and third antennas 302, 304, and 306 allow the passive tracking device 108 to receive excitation signals from several different types of devices on several different frequency bands and transmit response signals to them. Each of the first, second, and third antennas 302, 304, and 306 may be a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, an array antenna, a loop antenna, or any other suitable type of antenna. It should also be noted that in embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may include fewer (e.g., two or fewer) or more (four or more) antennas.

[0151] Energy harvesting module 308 is configured to at least partially convert RF electrical energy in the form of AC power from excitation signals received via first, second, and third antennas 302, 304, 306 into DC power and provide the DC power to one or more of the mode selection module 314, first and second transmission modules 310, 312, encryption module 318, and sensor module 316. In embodiments, energy harvesting module 308 receives excitation signals, at least partially composed of RF electrical energy, from second and / or third antennas 304, 306. In some embodiments, energy harvesting module 308 receives RF electrical energy (also referred to as the “excitation signal”) from one or both of second antenna 304 and third antenna 306. In some embodiments, energy harvesting module 308 is configured to convert the excitation signal received from second antenna 304 from a low-impedance signal to a high-impedance signal, thereby increasing the energy harvested from the transformed signal via impedance matching. By converting RF power from excitation signals received from the second and / or third antennas 304, 306 into DC power and supplying the DC power to other components of the passive tracking device 108, the passive tracking device 108 is able to operate substantially independently of discrete power sources (such as batteries or AC-DC adapters connected to the grid).

[0152] In some embodiments, the energy harvesting module 308 includes an energy storage device, such as a storage capacitor, which stores energy for transfer to other components of the passive tracking device 108. In some embodiments, the energy harvesting module 308 indicates to the mode selection module 314 when sufficient energy has been harvested to supply the components of the passive tracking device 108. When the energy harvesting module 308 has harvested sufficient energy, the mode selection module 314 can determine whether to operate the passive tracking device in a first mode (e.g., BLE or WiFi) or a second mode (e.g., RFID). The mode selection module 314 can then determine whether to operate the passive tracking device 109 in the first or second mode based on the frequency band of the energy harvesting signal and / or its content (e.g., whether an excitation signal is received at a frequency of 2.5 GHz or 900 MHz and / or whether the excitation signal contains an RFID command).

[0153] In an embodiment, the first transmission module 310 is configured to modulate a response signal for transmission over a first frequency band. For example, when the energy harvested by the energy harvesting module 314 sufficiently excites the passive tracking device 108, the first transmission module 310 may modulate the response signal (e.g., a beacon signal modulated according to the BLE protocol at 2.4 GHz), and the mode selection module 314 determines that the passive tracking device 102 will operate in a first mode (e.g., based on the content of the excitation signal harvested by the energy harvesting module 314). The first transmission module 310 outputs a modulated response signal having a carrier frequency substantially equal to that of the first frequency band, such that a device capable of receiving signals in the first frequency band can receive the response signal.

[0154] In embodiments, each response signal may include one or more data packets or other suitable data structures. For example, in an embodiment, the response signal may include the device ID of the passive tracking device 108, which may be encrypted / masked or not encrypted / masked by the encryption module 318. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first transmission module 310 may include additional data in the response signal. For example, the first transmission module 310 may obtain sensor data from one or more sensors of the sensor module 316, and the first transmission module 310 encodes the sensor data into the response signal. In some of these embodiments, the first transmission module 310 may be configured with logic (e.g., one or more rules and / or conditions) to control the inclusion of additional data (e.g., sensor data) in the response signal. For example, the first transmission module 310 may be configured to include sensor data in the response signal only when one or more values ​​included in the sensor data are higher or lower than a threshold. In a specific example, the first transmission module 310 may be configured to include thermal sensor data in the response signal only when the measured temperature value exceeds an upper temperature threshold (e.g., >60°C) or is lower than a lower temperature threshold (e.g., <5°C). In another specific example, the first transmission module 310 may be configured to include impact sensor data in the response signal only if the measured impact value exceeds an acceleration threshold (e.g., >2G). The foregoing specific examples of rules and conditions are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0155] In embodiments, the second transmission module 312 is configured to prepare a response signal for transmission in a third frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz). In these embodiments, the second transmission module 312 may be configured to output the prepared response signal to the third antenna 306 for transmission when the passive tracking device 108 operates in a second mode. In some embodiments, the second transmission module 312 prepares the response signal by modulating the response signal. The passive tracking device 108 operating in the second mode can be advantageous for several reasons, such as communicating with a device that can receive signals in the third frequency band, communicating with a device that can understand the communication protocol implemented by the second transmission module 312 when transmitting in the third frequency band, transmitting within a suitable range, etc. In embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may operate in the second mode when the response signal is read by a device that receives signals via the third frequency band. For example, the reading device may stimulate the passive tracking device 108 with an excitation signal modulated at 900 MHz, and the excitation signal may contain an EPC RFID command instructing the reading device to receive and read the signal provided according to the EPC RFID protocol.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second transmission module 312 outputs a prepared response signal having a carrier frequency substantially equal to that of the third frequency band, enabling a device capable of receiving signals on the third frequency band to receive the signal. For example, in some embodiments, the second transmission module 312 transmits and receives signals within an RFID frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz). In these embodiments, the second transmission module 312 may comply with RFID communication protocols. For example, the second transmission module 312 may output signals according to the EPC communication protocol, the ISO RFID standard, the ISO / IEC RFID standard, the ASTM RFID standard, or any other suitable standard or protocol. In some embodiments, the second transmission module 312 includes a backscatter switch. In these embodiments, the second transmission module 312 is configured to actuate the backscatter switch to prepare a carrier frequency substantially equal to that of the third frequency band for transmission on the third antenna 306. In some embodiments, the second transmission module 312 may switch the impedance of the third antenna by actuating the backscatter switch to prepare and transmit the response signal. In some embodiments, for example, the second transmission module 312 may allow the passive tracking device 108 to transmit via a third frequency band using substantially zero or very little energy by backscattering the incoming RFID signal. In some embodiments, the second transmission module 312 may also be configured to transmit a limited number of data types according to, for example, an EPC communication protocol. In these embodiments, the response signal output by the second transmission module 312 may be limited to information such as the device identifier of the tracking device, and may exclude, for example, sensor dates collected by the sensor module 316. Avoiding including one or more types of information in the response signal may allow the passive tracking device 108 to further conserve energy when operating in the second mode and transmitting via the second transmission module 312, rather than consuming more energy when operating in the first mode and transmitting via the first transmission module 310.

[0157] In embodiments, the mode selection module 314 is configured to determine whether the passive tracking device 108 will transmit in a first mode or a second mode. For example, in an embodiment, the mode selection module 314 may determine whether to transmit the response signal using BLE (first mode) via the first transmission module 310 or using RFID (second mode) via the second transmission module 312. In an embodiment, the mode selection module 314 may receive an excitation signal and may determine the operating mode based on the frequency of the excitation signal and / or the content of the signal (e.g., whether an RFID header is present in the signal, followed by the complete RFID message). In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 may default to operating in the first mode unless the mode selection module 314 determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the second mode. In an embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 may operate in the first mode unless one or more conditions are met (in which case the passive tracking device 108 operates in the second mode). In some of these embodiments, the mode selection module 314 may receive signals from the third antenna 306. After receiving the excitation signal from the third antenna 306, the mode selection module 314 is configured to determine whether the passive tracking device 108 operates in the first mode or the second mode based on the content of the excitation signal.

[0158] In an example embodiment where the first mode corresponds to the BLE communication mode and the second mode corresponds to the RFID communication mode, the third antenna can be an RFID antenna that receives and transmits data according to an RFID protocol. The passive tracking device 108 can be configured to operate in the first mode by default, and the mode selection module 314 can select the second mode based on the received excitation signal. For example, when a signal is received via the third antenna 306, the mode selection module 314 can determine whether the signal contains an EPC header and a corresponding EPC command. In this scenario, the mode selection module 314 can instruct the second transmission module 312 to respond in the second mode. If an excitation signal is received via the second antenna 304 and / or the received signal does not contain an EPC header and / or contains a command to operate in the first mode, then the mode selection module 314 operates in the first mode. When the mode selection module 314 determines that the passive tracking device 108 is operating in the second mode, the passive tracking device 108 transmits a signal via the third antenna 306 in the third frequency band, so that a device capable of receiving signals in the third frequency band can receive the signal. In some embodiments, if no signal is received on the third antenna 306, the mode selection module 314 determines that the passive tracking device 108 operates in a first mode, and only determines that the passive tracking device 108 operates in a second mode if both signals are received on the third antenna 306 (e.g., on a third frequency band) and the signal received on the third antenna 306 contains a message of a specified type (e.g., a message containing an RFID header). If the message is not of the specified type, for example, the message does not contain an RFID header or is otherwise invalid, then the mode selection module 314 determines that the passive tracking device 108 operates in the first mode.

[0159] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device includes a sensor module 316. In these embodiments, the sensor module 316 may include one or more sensors that generate sensor data. Examples of sensors may include, but are not limited to, temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors, heat flux sensors, or bulk acoustic wave temperature sensors), light sensors (e.g., photon detectors), sound sensors (capacitive-based sound sensors), humidity sensors (capacitive-based humidity sensors, resistive humidity elements, thermal humidity sensors), motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes), vibration sensors (e.g., sensors triggered when a threshold amount of vibration is detected), acceleration sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes), or any other suitable sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors are configured to provide real-time (e.g., substantially instantaneous) readings indicating one or more conditions of the environment of the passive tracking device 108 when it is powered on. For example, values ​​such as temperature and humidity may be measured after the passive tracking device 108 is energized. In some embodiments, the sensors are configured to indicate whether one or more conditions have been met at a point before the passive tracking device 108 is energized. For example, the sensor may record whether a certain condition has been met (e.g., the sensor detects light, detects a minimum force, or the temperature or humidity exceeds or falls below a lower limit). In these embodiments, the state of the sensor may indicate the occurrence of a specific condition such that sensor data read before the specific condition occurs differs from sensor data read after the specific condition occurs. In this way, an approximation of when a specific condition occurs can be determined based on a series of responses from the passive tracking device 108. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensors may record that a condition has been met even when one or more sensors are not powered on. For example, a light sensor may include a photosensitive film that undergoes a measurable change when exposed to light, or a vibration sensor may include a component that changes its physical position only when the vibration sensor receives a force of a threshold value, thereby indicating that a condition has been met. Upon receiving an excitation signal or otherwise preparing a signal for transmission, the sensor module 316 may indicate to one or more of the first and second transmission modules 310, 312 that a condition has been met, such that the passive tracking device 108 may include a timestamp indicating when a condition has been met in one or more signal transmissions. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensors may be a bulk acoustic wave sensor (e.g., a bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor).

[0160] In one embodiment, sensor module 316 is configured to output sensor data generated by one or more sensors to first transmission module 310 only when passive tracking device 108 is communicating in a first mode. In some embodiments, sensor data is not transmitted when operating in a second mode. Alternatively, in some embodiments, sensor module 316 is configured to transmit sensor data generated by one or more sensors to second transmission module 312 when passive tracking device 108 is communicating in either the second or first mode. In these embodiments, upon receiving sensor data from sensor module 316, first transmission module 310 and second transmission module 312 are each configured to include the sensor data in modulated signals transmitted by first antenna 304 and third antenna 306, respectively.

[0161] In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 includes a storage device, such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). In some of these embodiments, the sensor module 316 may be configured to store sensor data in the storage device.

[0162] It should be recognized that although the sensor module 316 is described in the context of the multi-mode embodiment of the passive tracking device 108, the sensor module 316 may be implemented similarly or substantially identically in the single-mode embodiment of the passive tracking device 108, the multi-mode tracking device 102, the paired tracking device 104, etc.

[0163] In some embodiments, encryption module 318 is configured to encrypt messages transmitted by passive tracking device 108. In some of these embodiments, when the protocol used in the second mode (e.g., EPC RFID) does not support a similar encryption algorithm, encryption module 318 only encrypts messages transmitted using the first mode (e.g., BLE or Wi-Fi). In some embodiments, encryption module 318 is configured to output encrypted messages (e.g., output to first transmission module 310) after being excited by energy harvesting module 308. In some embodiments, as discussed throughout this disclosure, encryption module 318 encrypts a response message using a secret key and a secret pattern to obtain encrypted messages (e.g., encrypted data packets). Encryption module 318 may output encrypted messages to, for example, first transmission module 310, which then transmits the encrypted messages via first antenna 302.

[0164] In some embodiments, encryption module 318 may also be configured to output encrypted messages to, for example, a second transmission module 312, which in turn transmits the encrypted message via a third antenna 364. Upon receiving the encrypted message from encryption module 318, the first transmission module 310 and the second transmission module 312 are each configured to include the encrypted message in modulated and / or prepared signals transmitted by the second antenna 304 and the third antenna 306, respectively. The encrypted message encrypted by encryption module 318 may include an identifier of the passive tracking device 108, such as an RFID identifier or a BLE identifier. In some embodiments, the EPC identifier is encrypted for transmission via BLE. It should be recognized that although encryption module 318 is described in the context of a multi-mode embodiment of passive tracking device 108, encryption module 318 may be implemented similarly or substantially identically in single-mode embodiments of passive tracking device 108 (e.g., a passive tracking device 108 that uses only BLE for transmission), multi-mode tracking device 102, paired tracking device 104, and other suitable tracking devices.

[0165] Note that in some embodiments... Figure 3 The passive tracking device can be a single-mode passive tracking device. For example, in some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can be implemented as a BLE tracking device without the third antenna 308, the second transmission module 312, and the mode selection module 314. In some of these embodiments, the second antenna can be used to excite the passive tracking device 108 in a first frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz), and the first antenna can be used to transmit a response signal in the same frequency band (e.g., using 2.5 GHz). In other embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can be implemented as a BLE tracking device without the second transmission module 312 and the mode selection module 314. In these embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can use the second antenna 304 in the first frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz) or the third antenna 306 in the second frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz) to harvest energy, but only transmits in the first frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz). The passive tracking device 108 can be configured to support RFID transmission only in a similar manner, thereby eliminating the need for the first transmission module 310 and the mode selection module 314.

[0166] Figure 4 The illustration shows a passive tracking device 108 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., Figure 3Example components of the passive tracking device 108. In some embodiments, the first antenna 302 is configured to transmit Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in the 2.4 GHz band. In an embodiment, the second antenna 304 is configured to receive BLE in the 2.4 GHz band, which can activate the passive tracking device 108. Note that the first antenna 302 and the second antenna 304 can transmit and receive signals according to other suitable protocols, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, and other suitable short-range communication protocols. In an embodiment, the third antenna 306 is configured to transmit and receive RFID signals in the 900 MHz band, for example, according to the Electronic Product Code (EPC) C1G2 standard, such that the passive tracking device 108 can be activated and a response can be transmitted via the third antenna 306.

[0167] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 includes a transformer 408, an energy harvester 410, a clamping circuit 412, a storage capacitor 414, and a voltage regulator 416, which can be configured to harvest energy to power the passive tracking device 108. In another embodiment, the transformer 408 receives low-impedance RF energy in the form of low-impedance AC power from BLE and / or Wi-Fi signals received via a second antenna 304 and converts the low-impedance RF energy into high-impedance RF energy. The transformer 408 outputs the high-impedance RF energy to the energy harvester 410. Due to impedance matching, the energy harvester 410 can harvest more energy from the high-impedance RF energy than it can harvest from the low-impedance RF energy received by the transformer 408 from the second antenna 304. The transformer 408 can be a bulk acoustic wave RF voltage transformer, an air-core transformer, a ferrite core transformer, a transmission line transformer, or any other suitable type of transformer. In some embodiments, the energy harvester 410 receives RF energy from the second antenna 304 and a third antenna 306 and performs smoothing on the RF energy. RF energy can pass through one or more diodes (not shown) before reaching energy harvester 410, thereby removing the negative portion of the RF energy. In some embodiments, energy harvester 410 outputs a smoothed energy wave, such as a sine wave with a peak approximately equal to 6V-10V, to clamping circuit 412. Clamping circuit 412 is configured to shift the DC value of the smoothed energy wave and limit its peak, making the smoothed energy wave suitable for storage in storage capacitor 414 and for powering other components of passive tracking device 108. Clamping circuit 412 then transmits the smoothed energy wave to storage capacitor 414 and voltage regulator 416. Storage capacitor 414 is configured to store energy and output energy to energy regulator 416 because energy is needed to power passive tracking device 108. Voltage regulator 416 is configured to provide energy from clamping circuit 412 and storage capacitor 414 to other components of passive tracking device 108 via power bus 418, and to ensure that other components of passive tracking device 108 receive a relatively constant voltage, such as 2V. In an embodiment, voltage regulator 416 may be a low-dropout regulator.

[0168] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 is configured to modulate BLE for transmission in the 2.4 GHz band when operating in a first mode. In another embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 includes a reference oscillator 404, an AC power supply 407, a phase-locked loop (PLL) 402, an amplifier 403, a GFSK modulator 405, and a state machine 426. Before transmission via the first antenna 302, the state machine 426 transmits one or more of identification information (e.g., EPC ID) and sensor data to the GFSK modulator 405 in a BLE-compliant format. In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 includes a non-volatile memory (NVM) 424, and the GFSK modulator 405 reads the identification information and / or sensor data from the NVM 424. The GFSK modulator 405, PEL 402, AC power supply 407, and reference oscillator 404 cooperate to modulate a signal 405 with a carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz, containing information supplied to the GFSK modulator by the state machine 426. The amplifier 403 then amplifies the signal and transmits it to the first antenna 302 for transmission. In some embodiments, to facilitate the need for small size, low cost, heat resistance, contamination resistance, vibration resistance, moisture resistance, or combinations thereof, the reference oscillator 404 may be a bulk acoustic wave oscillator, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0074818 granted to Lal et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the reference oscillator 404 may be any other suitable type of oscillator, such as a MEMS oscillator or a crystal.

[0169] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 is configured to prepare a REID signal (e.g., RFID C1G2) for transmission in a 900MHz frequency band when operating in a second mode. In another embodiment, the passive tracking device includes an EPC modem 422 (such as an EPC C1G2 modem) and a backscatter switch 406. When the passive tracking device 108 operates in the second mode in response to receiving an RFID signal with a carrier frequency of 900MHz via a third antenna 306, the EPC modem 422 generates an RFID message according to the C1G2 RFID standard format. The EPC modem 422 then actuates the backscatter switch 406 to prepare the same 900MHz signal previously received via the third antenna 306, such that the same 900MHz signal contains the RFID message generated by the EPC modem 422. This message is then transmitted via the third antenna 306. In some embodiments, the RFID message includes one or more of the passive tracking device's device identifier and sensor data. The EPC modem 422 may read the identifier from the NVM 424 before generating the RFID message. In this embodiment, the EPC modem 422 can obtain sensor data from the sensor module 316.

[0170] In one embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 includes a mode selector 420 configured to receive RFID signals in a 900 MHz band via a third antenna 306. Upon receiving the RFID signal from the third antenna 306, the mode selector 420 is configured to determine whether the passive tracking device 108 operates in a first mode or a second mode. When the mode selector 420 determines that the passive tracking device 108 is operating in the first mode, the passive tracking device 108 transmits a response signal (e.g., a BLE beacon signal) in a 2.4 GHz band via the first antenna 302, enabling a device capable of receiving a response signal (e.g., a BLE beacon signal) in the 2.4 GHz band to receive the signal. When the mode selector 420 determines that the passive tracking device 108 is in the second mode, the passive tracking device 108 transmits the RFID signal in a 900 MHz band via the third antenna 306, enabling a device capable of receiving RFID signals in the 900 MHz band to receive the response signal. In some embodiments, the mode selector 420 includes a low-power timer (e.g., a low-power 32kHz timer) (not shown).

[0171] In some embodiments, the mode selection module 314 is configured to determine when to transmit a response signal when operating in a first mode based on the amount of energy collected by the energy harvester 410 and / or stored by the storage capacitor. For example, if the passive tracking device 108 receives at least 0 dBm of RE power, then the passive tracking device 108 may transmit the BLE beacon signal as soon as possible and as frequently as possible. If the passive tracking device 108 receives RF power between -20 dBm and 0 dBm, then the passive tracking device 108 may transmit the BLE beacon signal only at intervals according to an interval timer to conserve energy. If the passive tracking device 108 receives less than -20 dBm of RF power, then the passive tracking device 108 may only transmit the BLE beacon signal when the amount of stored energy exceeds approximately 1 μjoule. The threshold power values ​​(0 dBm and -20 dBm) provided above are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0172] In some embodiments, when the passive tracking device 108 operates in a first mode (e.g., BLE), state machine 426 can be configured to determine whether to include sensor data in a response signal based on whether one or more values ​​of sensor data meet necessary conditions (e.g., whether one or more values ​​included in the sensor data are higher or lower than a threshold). For example, if one or more temperature values ​​included in the thermal sensor data exceed a temperature threshold (e.g., 50°C) or are less than a lower temperature threshold (e.g., <0°C), then state machine 426 can be configured to include the sensor data in a response signal (e.g., a BLE beacon signal). In another example, state machine 426 can be configured to include sensor data in a response signal (e.g., a BLE and / or Wi-Fi signal) if the acceleration value included in the vibration sensor data exceeds a vibration threshold (e.g., 3G).

[0173] Note that in some embodiments... Figure 4The passive tracking device can be a single-mode passive tracking device (e.g., BLE only, WiFi only, or RFID only). For example, in some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can be implemented as a BLE tracking device without a third antenna 306, backscatter switch 406, EPC modem 422, or mode selector 4230. In some of these embodiments, the second antenna 304 can be used to excite the passive tracking device 108 in a first frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz), and the first antenna 302 can be used in the same frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz) to transmit a response signal. In other embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can be implemented as a BLE tracking device without a backscatter switch 406, EPC modem 422, or mode selector 4230. In these embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can use the second antenna 304 in a first frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz) or the third antenna 306 in a second frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz) to harvest energy, but only transmits in the first frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz). The passive tracking device 108 can be configured to support RFID transmission only in a similar manner, thereby eliminating the need for components for transmission in the first mode.

[0174] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example set of operations for a method 500 for determining whether a passive tracking device 108 should operate in a first mode or a second mode, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Method 500 can be performed by any suitable component of the multi-mode passive tracking device 108 (e.g., mode selection module 314 or mode selector 420). For illustrative purposes, regarding... Figure 3 The passive tracking device 108 and its components are described in the method 500. It should be understood that method 500 can be performed substantially similarly by any other suitable device without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0175] At 502, the passive tracking device 108 supplies power to the mode selection module 314. Since the mode selection module 314 generally requires very little power to operate, it can remain powered after method 500 has been executed and can remain powered from previous execution of method 500 before subsequent execution of method 500. In some embodiments, when a stimulus signal is received, the mode selection module 314 is powered before any other component of the passive tracking device 108, thereby allowing the mode selection module 314 to execute method 500 while one or more other components 108 of the passive tracking device remain unpowered.

[0176] At 504, the passive tracking device 108 receives the excitation signal via the second antenna 304 or the third antenna 306.

[0177] At 506, the mode selection module determines whether an excitation signal is received via the second antenna 304 or the third antenna 306. If an excitation signal is received via the second antenna 304, the passive tracking device 108 operates in the first mode (518). If an excitation signal is received via the third antenna 306, the passive tracking device 108 performs operation 508. In embodiments where the first mode is the default operating mode, the passive tracking device 108 proceeds to operation 518 unless an excitation signal is received via the third antenna 306.

[0178] At 508, the mode selection module waits for a first duration (e.g., 2.5ms) to determine whether the excitation signal contains an RFID header, such as the start of a command (UHF) in EPC UHF RFID format.

[0179] At 510, the passive tracking device 108 determines whether an RFID header is detected during the first duration. If the excitation signal contains an RFID header, then the passive tracking device 108 performs operation 510. If the excitation signal does not contain an RFID header, then the passive tracking device 108 operates in a first mode, as shown in operation 518.

[0180] At 512, the mode selection module 314 waits for a second duration (e.g., up to 10 ms) to allow the second transmission module sufficient time to receive and parse the RFID-formatted command (e.g., an EPC UHF RFID-formatted command) received via the excitation signal.

[0181] At 514, the passive tracking device 108 determines whether an RFID-formatted command has been received and parsed during the second duration. If an RFID-formatted command is received and parsed, the passive tracking device 108 operates in a second mode, as shown in operation 516. If no RFID-formatted command is received and parsed, the passive tracking device 108 operates in a first mode, as shown in operation 518.

[0182] At 516, the passive tracking device 108 operates in a second mode (e.g., RFID). In some embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 operates in the second mode for a period of time (e.g., 40 ms), or until a certain condition is met (e.g., no command in RFID format is received within 40 ms). At 518, the passive tracking device 108 operates in a first mode (e.g., BLE).

[0183] Figure 6This is a flowchart depicting example operations of a method 600 for operating a passive tracking device 108 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a mode selection module 314, a first transmission device 310, a second transmission device 312, a sensor module 316, and an encryption module 318 perform portions of method 600. Figure 4 The mode selection 420, EPC modem 422, energy harvester 410, state machine 426, and other components shown in the diagram execute part of method 600. For the sake of simplicity, regarding... Figure 3 The passive tracking device 108 describes method 600. It should be understood that method 600 can be comprised of, among other things, a passive tracking device 108. Figure 4 The passive tracking device 108, which contains the components shown in the illustration and described in the relevant description of the embodiments, is implemented in a substantially similar manner.

[0184] At 602, the passive tracking device 108 supplies power to the mode selection module 314. Since the mode selection module 314 generally requires very little power to operate, it can remain powered after method 600 has been executed and can remain powered from previous executions of method 600 until subsequent executions of method 600 are performed. In some embodiments, when a stimulus signal is received, the mode selection module 314 is powered before any other component of the passive tracking device 108, thereby allowing the mode selection module 314 to execute method 600 while one or more other components 108 of the passive tracking device remain unpowered.

[0185] At 604, the passive tracking device 108 receives the excitation signal via the second antenna 304 or the third antenna 306.

[0186] At 606, the mode selection module 314 determines whether an excitation signal is received via the second antenna 304 or the third antenna 306. If an excitation signal is received via the second antenna 304, the passive tracking device 108 proceeds to operation 618. If an excitation signal is received via the third antenna 306, the passive tracking device 108 performs operation 608. In an embodiment where the first mode is the default operating mode, the passive tracking device 108 proceeds to operation 618 unless an excitation signal is received via the third antenna 306.

[0187] At 608, the mode selection module waits for a first duration (e.g., 2.5ms) to determine whether the excitation signal contains an RFID header, such as the start of a command in EPCUHF RFID format.

[0188] At 610, the passive tracking device 108 determines whether an RFID header is detected during the first duration. If the excitation signal contains an RFID header, then the passive tracking device 108 performs operation 612. If the excitation signal does not contain an RFID header, then the passive tracking device 108 proceeds to operation 618.

[0189] At 612, the mode selection module 314 waits for a second duration (e.g., up to 10 ms) to allow the second transmission module sufficient time to receive and parse the RFID-formatted command (e.g., an EPC UHF RFID-formatted command) received via the excitation signal.

[0190] At 614, the passive tracking device 108 determines whether an RFID-formatted command has been detected (e.g., received and parsed) during the second duration. If an RFID-formatted command is detected, the passive tracking device 108 performs operation 616. If no RFID-formatted command is received and parsed, the device 108 proceeds to operation 618.

[0191] At 616, the second transmission module 312 prepares and transmits the second response signal in a second mode. In this embodiment, the passive tracking device 108 uses the RFID protocol to transmit the second response signal in the EPC UHF RFID message.

[0192] At 618, the first transmission module 310 determines whether the passive tracking device 108 will include sensor data in the first response signal. If the passive tracking device 108 intends to include sensor data in the first response signal, then the passive tracking device 108 performs operation 620. If the passive tracking device 108 does not need to include sensor data in the first response signal (e.g., the device does not include sensor module 316 or has no sensor data to report), then the passive tracking device 108 proceeds to operation 622.

[0193] At 620, the first transmission module 310 acquires sensor data collected by the sensor module 316. In some embodiments, the first transmission module 310 receives sensor data from the sensor module 316 in response to the sensor module 316 being activated. The sensor data may be substantially instantaneous (e.g., captured when the device 108 is activated) or may be predetermined (e.g., the state of the device sensor tripping before the device 108 is activated). Additionally or alternatively, the first transmission module 310 may acquire the sensor data from the storage device of the passive tracking device 108. In embodiments, the first transmission module 310 encodes the sensor data in data packets or other suitable data structures, which are modulated in the first response signal discussed below.

[0194] At 622, the first transmission module 310 begins modulating the first response signal on a first frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz). If the passive tracking device 108 is configured to include sensor data in the first response signal, then the first transmission module 310 modulates the first response signal such that the modulated first response signal includes the sensor data. In an embodiment, the content of the first response signal is encoded according to the BLE protocol or any other suitable protocol (e.g., WiFi).

[0195] At 624, the first transmission module 310 determines whether the power available for transmission by the passive tracking device 108 is greater than a first threshold (e.g., 0 dBm). If the power available for transmission is greater than the first threshold, then the first transmission module 310 outputs a first modulated response signal for transmission via the first antenna 302, and the first antenna 302 transmits the first modulated response signal, as shown at 9126. If the power available for transmission is not greater than the first threshold, then the passive tracking device 108 determines whether the power available for transmission by the passive tracking device 108 is greater than a second threshold (e.g., -20 dBm), as shown at 628. If the power available for transmission is greater than the second threshold, then the passive tracking device 108 outputs a first modulated response signal for transmission via the first antenna 302 after a time interval (e.g., 5 s), and the first antenna 302 transmits the first modulated response signal after receiving it, as shown at 630. This time interval allows the passive tracking device 108 to receive more energy than it gained after performing operation 628 to transmit the modulated first response signal. If the power available for transmission by the passive tracking device 108 is not greater than the second threshold, then the passive tracking device 108 determines whether the mode selection module 314 is still powered. If the mode selection module 314 is still powered, then when the energy stored in the passive tracking device 108 is sufficient to power the device 108 (e.g., the amount of energy required to transmit the first modulated response signal), the passive tracking device 108 outputs the first modulated response signal for transmission via the first antenna 302, and the first antenna 302 transmits the first modulated response signal after receiving it, as shown at 634. Otherwise, as shown at 636, the passive tracking device 108 resets itself and then returns to operation 602.

[0196] Figure 7 This is a flowchart depicting a method 700 for authenticating a tracking device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 700 is disclosed with respect to a tracking device, a reading device, and an authentication device. The tracking device can be any suitable tracking device, including passive tracking devices 108, 112 or powered tracking devices 102, 106. In embodiments, the authentication device can be a backend server including an authentication server (e.g., Figure 1 (Backend server 120). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the authentication device may be a separate authentication server that performs authentication services for the tracking device. In some embodiments, the authentication device may be the aggregator device 104 that authenticates the tracking devices 102, 106, 108, and / or 112 in the vicinity of the aggregator device 104. The reading device is optional. In these embodiments, the reading device may be, for example, the aggregator device 104, the user device 130, or the AR-enabled user device 140. Furthermore, although the reading device is described below as stimulating the tracking device, it should be understood that the passive tracking device 108 may be stimulated by a device different from the reading device. For example, the stimulater 110 may stimulate the device, while the aggregator device 104, the user device 130, or the AR-enabled user device 140 receives the response signal.

[0197] At point 702, the reading device excites the tracking device. In an embodiment, the reading device broadcasts an excitation signal over a frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz or 900 MHz).

[0198] At 704, the tracking device receives an excitation signal. In embodiments where the tracking device is a passive tracking device, the excitation signal can stimulate the passive tracking device, causing it to begin operation.

[0199] At 706, the tracking device generates an encrypted message indicating a device identifier for the tracking device. In some embodiments, the tracking device generates a message containing its device identifier, such that the device identifier uniquely identifies the tracking device. In these embodiments, the tracking device may, for example, use a secret key known to both the tracking device and the authentication device to encrypt the message to obtain an encrypted message. In other embodiments, the tracking device may, for example, use both its secret key and the authentication device's public key to encrypt the message to obtain an encrypted message.

[0200] In some embodiments, the tracking device may first obfuscate the device identifier before encrypting the message containing the device identifier. In some of these embodiments, the tracking device uses a random N-bit string generated after activating the device, along with a secret pattern known to both the tracking device and the authentication device, to obfuscate the device identifier. About Figure 8 An example method for generating encrypted messages is described. It should be recognized that other methods for encrypting messages can be implemented by the tracking device without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0201] At point 708, the tracking device transmits the encrypted message to the receiving device. The tracking device can transmit the encrypted message in any suitable manner, including the various methods described in this disclosure. For example, the tracking device can modulate a response signal on the frequency band used to receive the excitation signal, such that the modulated response signal includes the encrypted message.

[0202] At 710, the reading device receives an encrypted message and transmits the encrypted message to the authentication device. In some embodiments, the reading device receives a modulated response signal and reads the encrypted message from the modulated response signal. The reading device can extract the encrypted message from the modulated response signal and can route the encrypted message to the authentication device, for example, via a communication network (e.g., the Internet or a cellular network).

[0203] At position 712, the authentication device receives encrypted messages.

[0204] At 714, the authentication device authenticates the tracking device based on the encrypted message. In some embodiments, authentication can use, for example, the tracking device's secret key to decrypt the message. In some of these embodiments, the unencrypted header portion of the encrypted message may include a secret key identifier for the secret key used to encrypt the message. The authentication device can retrieve a secret key from a set of secret keys based on the secret key identifier and can use the retrieved secret key to decrypt the encrypted message. In embodiments where the encrypted message is encrypted using a secret key / public key, the unencrypted header portion of the encrypted message may include the tracking device's public key. In these embodiments, the authentication device can use the tracking device's public key and the authentication device's private key to decrypt the encrypted message. Once decrypted, the authentication device can determine the device identifier contained in the decrypted message. In embodiments where the tracking device uses a secret pattern to obscure the device identifier, the tracking device can determine the device identifier (e.g., regarding the secret pattern) from the obscure device identifier. Figure 9 (As discussed). The authentication device can then determine whether the device identifier is a valid device identifier. In some embodiments, the authentication device maintains a list of known device identifiers, indicating the device identifiers of all tracking devices that can be authenticated by the authentication device. In these embodiments, the authentication device can cross-reference the device identifier obtained from the decrypted message with the list of known device identifiers to determine whether the device identifier appears in the list. If so, the authentication device determines that the tracking device has been authenticated. Otherwise, the authentication device will determine that it cannot authenticate the device. Once a determination is made regarding the authenticity of the tracking device, the authentication device can provide notification to the relevant devices or systems. For example, the authentication device can notify the reader device and / or backend system that the device has been authenticated.

[0205] In an embodiment, the aforementioned method 700 can be implemented as an authentication service to authenticate the tracking device, thereby preventing spoofing of the tracking device. The authentication service can be provided by the tracking device manufacturer or a third-party provider.

[0206] Figure 8 This is a flowchart depicting a method 800 for generating encrypted messages for authenticating a tracking device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 800 can be performed by any suitable type of tracking device. In some embodiments, the method is performed by the encryption module of a passive tracking device (e.g., Figure 3 or Figure 4 ) Execution. In some of these embodiments, the method is activated in a passive tracking device 108 and executed in response to a signal included in the response.

[0207] At point 802, the tracking device obtains its device identifier. The device identifier can uniquely identify the tracking device from other tracking devices. In this embodiment, the tracking device can obtain the device identifier from its non-volatile memory.

[0208] At 804, the tracking device generates a random N-bit string. In an embodiment, the tracking device may generate a different N-bit string each time the method is executed to ensure that the N-bit string is not repeated. The tracking device may include a random number generator for generating random N-bit strings, or may generate random N-bit strings in any other suitable manner.

[0209] At 806, the tracking device inserts an N-bit string into the device identifier according to a shared secret pattern known to the tracking device to obtain an obfuscated device identifier. The tracking device and one or more authentication devices capable of authenticating the tracking device may know the shared secret pattern (or "secret pattern"). In some embodiments, the secret pattern defines N distinct insertion slots, such that each insertion slot defines a bit position of the device identifier into which the corresponding bit of a random N-bit string is inserted. For example, in a message containing at most 8 bytes and where the N-bit string is a 6-bit string, an example secret pattern might define six bit positions (e.g., 1, 5, 16, 30, 42, 50) for inserting bits of a random 6-bit string into the tracking device's device identifier. In this example, the passive tracking device may insert a 6-bit string as the first bit between the first and second bits of the device identifier, a 6-bit string as the second bit between the fifth and sixth bits, a 6-bit string as the third bit between the 16th and 17th bits, a 6-bit string as the fourth bit between the 30th and 31st bits, a 6-bit string as the fifth bit between the 42nd and 43rd bits, and a 6-bit string as the sixth bit between the 50th and 51st bits. In this example, the resulting string is an obfuscated device identifier. In some embodiments, the transmitting device may also store a secret pattern identifier that identifies a shared secret pattern from secret patterns used by other devices. As discussed with respect to operation 808, the secret pattern identifier may be included in the encrypted portion of an encrypted transmission message or in the unencrypted header of an encrypted transmission message.

[0210] By inserting different random N-bit strings into each iteration of the transmission to be encrypted (e.g., device ID), it can be ensured that the encrypted message differs between transmissions, even though it contains the same device ID and is encrypted with the same secret key. In this way, it prevents intruders wishing to replicate the tracking device from copying encrypted transmission messages transmitted by the tracking device and intercepted by the intruder.

[0211] At 808, the tracking device generates a transmission message based on an obfuscated device identifier and encrypts the transmission message. In some embodiments, the body of the transmission message contains only the obfuscated device identifier. In other embodiments, the body of the transmission message also contains additional data. For example, in some embodiments, the body of the transmission message may include a secret pattern identifier of a secret pattern. The tracking device may then encrypt the body of the transmission message. The tracking device may encrypt the body of the transmission message in any suitable manner.

[0212] In some embodiments, the tracking device may use a shared secret key known to both the tracking device and the authentication device to encrypt the body of the transmitted message. The shared secret key may be a numerical value used to encrypt a device ID. The shared secret key (and secret key identifier) ​​may be stored in the tracking device's non-volatile memory and may be used by the passive tracking device therein to encrypt the body of the transmitted message (e.g., a string of bits). In these embodiments, the tracking device may include the secret key identifier of the shared secret key in the unencrypted header of the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the unencrypted header of the encrypted transmitted message may also include a secret pattern identifier of a shared secret pattern used to generate an obfuscated device identifier.

[0213] In some embodiments, the tracking device may use a secret key / public key pair to encrypt the body of the transmitted message. In these embodiments, the tracking device may use a tracking device's secret key, known only to the tracking device, and a public key of an authentication device, also known to the tracking device and / or received in an excitation signal, to encrypt the body of the transmitted message. In some of these embodiments, the tracking device may include the tracking device's public key in the unencrypted header of the encrypted message. In some embodiments, the unencrypted header of the encrypted transmitted message may also include a secret pattern identifier for generating an obfuscated device identifier, based on a shared secret pattern.

[0214] At point 810, the tracking device can transmit encrypted transmission messages. The tracking device can transmit encrypted transmission messages in any suitable manner (including the various methods described in this disclosure). For example, the tracking device can modulate a response signal in a frequency band (e.g., 2.5 GHz) used for receiving excitation signals, such that the modulated response signal includes the encrypted transmission message.

[0215] Figure 9 This is a flowchart depicting a method 900 for authenticating a tracking device based on received encrypted transmission messages, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 900 can be performed by any suitable type of authentication device. In embodiments, the authentication device may be a backend server including an authentication server (e.g., Figure 1 (Backend server 120). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the authentication device may be a separate authentication server that performs authentication services for tracking devices. In some embodiments, the authentication device may be the aggregator device 104 that authenticates tracking devices 102, 106, 108 and / or 112 near the aggregator device 104.

[0216] At position 902, the authentication device receives the encrypted transmission message. The authentication device can receive the encrypted transmission message directly from the tracking device, or it can receive the encrypted transmission message from an intermediate device (e.g., a reading device).

[0217] At position 904, the authentication device decrypts the encrypted transmitted message. The authentication device can decrypt the encrypted transmitted message in any suitable manner.

[0218] In embodiments where a shared secret key is used to encrypt messages, the authentication device can read the secret key identifier from the unencrypted header portion of the encrypted transmitted message. In these embodiments, the authentication device can use the shared secret key to decrypt the encrypted portion of the encrypted message to obtain the body of the transmitted message, which includes an obscured device identifier.

[0219] In embodiments where messages are encrypted using a secret key / public key, the authentication device can read the tracking device's public key from the unencrypted header portion of the encrypted transmitted message. In these embodiments, the authentication device can use the tracking device's public key and the authentication device's private key to decrypt the encrypted portion of the encrypted message to obtain the body of the transmitted message, which includes an obscured device identifier.

[0220] At position 906, the authentication device extracts N bits from the obfuscated device identifier to obtain the device identifier. In some embodiments, the authentication device can obtain the secret pattern identifier from the transmitted message. As discussed, the secret pattern identifier can appear in the unencrypted portion of the transmitted message or in the encrypted body of the transmitted message. Once the authentication device determines the secret pattern identifier, it can retrieve a shared secret pattern for tracking the device from memory. The authentication device can then extract N bits from the obfuscated device identifier to obtain the secret pattern identifier. For example, borrowing... Figure 8 For example, an authentication device can remove the second, seventh, 18th, 34th, 47th, and 56th bits from an obfuscated device identifier to obtain an 8-byte device identifier.

[0221] At point 908, the authentication device authenticates the tracking device based on an unobfuscated device identifier. In embodiments, the authentication device may determine whether the unobfuscated device identifier is a valid device identifier. As discussed, in some embodiments, the authentication device maintains a list of known device identifiers indicating the device identifiers of all tracking devices that can be authenticated by the authentication device. In these embodiments, the authentication device may cross-reference the unobfuscated device identifier obtained from the decrypted transmission message with the list of known device identifiers to determine whether the device identifier appears in the list. If so, the authentication device determines that the tracking device is authenticated. Otherwise, the authentication device determines that the device cannot be authenticated. Once a determination is made regarding the authenticity of the tracking device, the authentication device may provide notification to the relevant device or system.

[0222] In some embodiments, before authenticating a device, the authenticating device may also ensure that no encrypted messages or obscured device identifiers have been previously received. In these embodiments, the authenticating device may maintain a list of previously received encrypted messages and / or obscured device identifiers. When a duplicate encrypted message and / or obscured device identifier is received, the authenticating device may determine that the encrypted message has previously been intercepted by a malicious party and used to deceive the tracking device. In these scenarios, the authenticating device may request the tracking device to retransmit a new encrypted message such that the new message should change between transmissions due to a new random N-bit string (which is used to obscure the device identifier in subsequent new encrypted messages). In other embodiments, the tracking device may send more than one (i.e., two or more) encrypted response messages, where each encrypted message is generated using a different random N-bit string. In these embodiments, the authenticating device may decrypt multiple encrypted messages and may remove N bits from each obscured device identifier using the same secret pattern to obtain the device identifier from each obscured device identifier. If the obscured device identifier changes while the obtained device identifier matches, the authenticating device may determine whether the obtained device identifier is a known tracking device identifier.

[0223] Figure 10 An example bulk acoustic wave (BAW) oscillator 1000 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some embodiments, the BAW oscillator 1000 may be Figure 3 The oscillator of the first transmission module 310. In some embodiments of the passive tracking device 108, the BAW oscillator 1000 may be... Figure 4 The BAW oscillator 1000 can be used as an oscillator in other suitable tracking devices without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0224] In some embodiments, the BAW oscillator 1000 is a high-accuracy reference oscillator based on a monolithic CMOS chip, which is inexpensively mounted in a tracking device (e.g., a multi-mode tracking device 102, a paired tracking device 106, a passive tracking device 108, and / or a dual-medium tracking device 112). These tracking devices can use a carrier signal having a frequency based on the output of the BAW oscillator 1000 to achieve the desired accuracy of the carrier frequency used for signal transmission. In embodiments, the BAW oscillator 1000 includes a master clock 1002, a time difference detector 1004, a phase frequency detector 1006, and a loop filter 1008, which will be described in more detail below.

[0225] In this embodiment, the master clock 1002 is a voltage-controlled oscillator that is locked to delay the time between successive echoes. In this embodiment, the master clock 1002 may be a continuously operating oscillator at a frequency (FI) suitable for clock burst functionality (e.g., a low GHz frequency). A clock burst may refer to a predefined number of consecutive clock bursts. The number of clock bursts can be selected so that the clock bursts provide sufficient power to pass through the substrate of the tracking device with a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio. In this embodiment, the number of clock cycles is between 20 and 40. In this embodiment, the frequency FI is the RF oscillator frequency, which is a low GHz frequency (e.g., 1024 MHz). In this embodiment, a counter driven by this clock counts the set of master clock pulses and outputs a signal with a peak at a frequency corresponding to the rate at which the master clock pulses forming the clock burst complete their count.

[0226] In one embodiment, the time difference detector 1004 includes one or more envelope detectors (also referred to as echo detectors) driven by an aluminum nitrate (AIN) receiving transducer. In some of these embodiments, an envelope detector is used to recover the envelopes of the first and second echoes of a clock burst (i.e., a measurement of the time between pulses). The first echo enables a counter that counts a fixed number N4 of master clock cycles and then generates an end pulse. In one embodiment, a temperature compensation signal is used to adjust the envelope detector thresholds of the first and second echoes, and a fractional N divider is controlled using, for example, jitter between multiple N4 values.

[0227] In this embodiment, phase frequency detector 1006 compares the time of the second echo with the end pulse. If the end pulse arrives before the second echo, phase frequency detector 1006 generates a "pump down" pulse because the master clock is too fast. If the second echo arrives before the end pulse, the master clock is too slow, and a "pump up" pulse is generated. The pump up and pump down pulses drive complementary current sources (i.e., charge pumps), which in turn drive loop filter 1008, which is connected to the control port of the master clock VCO, thus forming a frequency-locked loop. The frequency-locked loop forces the master clock frequency to be the product of a count N1 and the reciprocal of the echo time, where N1 is the product of F1 and the repetition rate of the ultrasonic pulses. After several echo times, this entire cycle is repeated periodically, with a total recycle time of several hundred nanoseconds. Finally, the locked master clock signal is divided by another counter (e.g., N1) to produce the output of an oscillator, i.e., a stable reference clock frequency F2.

[0228] Figure 11 An example embodiment of a master clock 1002 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. In the embodiment, the master clock 1002 is a precision clock that provides a timing signal (i.e., a reference frequency) to synchronize a reference clock 1010 (such as included in...). Figure 4(The clock in the AC power supply 407). In an embodiment, the master clock 1002 includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 1102, a plurality of master clock counters 1104-1, 1104-2, 1104-3 (generally referred to as 1104), one or more master clock latches 1106, and one or more gates 1108. In an embodiment, the master clock 1002 is locked to a delay time. The delay time is the time between successive echoes of a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator. In some embodiments, the master clock 1002 receives input from a free-running VCO 1102. In an embodiment, the VCO 1102 is a ring oscillator. The VCO 1102 tunes the master clock 1002 to an RF oscillator frequency F1. The frequency F1 may be a low GHz frequency suitable for clock burst functionality. In some embodiments, the VCO 1102 is configured such that F1 is substantially equal to 1024 MHz.

[0229] In some embodiments, the master clock counter 1104 is a digital counter, each configured to store a corresponding count (e.g., counts N1-N3) indicating the number of times a particular event or process has occurred. In some embodiments, one or more master clock counters 1104 count the oscillations of VCO 1102. In some of these embodiments, the master clock counter 1104 is a digital counter that may include latches and / or flip-flops. In some embodiments, one or more master clock gates 1108 are digital logic gates that perform logical operations on the counts received from the master clock counter 1104 to form a clock burst. In some embodiments, one or more master clock gates 1108 include AND gates. The AND gate receives a count signal (e.g., a factor of frequency N1) and a frequency signal (e.g., a signal having frequency F1) and performs an AND operation on the count signal and the frequency signal to generate and output a clock burst. In some embodiments, a clock burst is a signal whose frequency is equal to the logical AND value of a signal having a peak corresponding to a fractional count of a signal having frequency F1 and a signal having frequency F1. In one embodiment, one or more master clock gates 1108 output clock bursts to a time difference detector 1004. In some embodiments, the VCO 1102 and one or more master clock counters 1104 may be configured to output pulses, signals, and / or counts to one or more master clock latches 1106 (e.g., triggers). One or more master clock latches 1106 may be configured to output signals or avoid outputting signals based on a periodic reset input.

[0230] Figure 12An example time difference detector 1004 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. In an embodiment, the time difference detector 1004 is configured to receive a clock burst from a master clock 1002, detect echoes of BAW delays, and output the echo signal, an end pulse, or a combination thereof to a phase difference detector 1004. In an embodiment, the time difference detector 1004 includes a BAW delay reference 1202 (e.g., a BAW delay 1202), a plurality of echo detectors 1204-1, 1204-2 (also referred to as “envelope detectors”), one or more time difference detector latches 1206, one or more time difference detector gates 1208, one or more time difference detector counters 1210, and a temperature compensation module 1212.

[0231] In this embodiment, the BAW delay 1202 is configured to receive a clock burst from the master clock 1002 and output a BAW signal to the echo detector 1204. Upon receiving the clock burst, energy from the clock burst passes through the bulk of the silicon substrate of the BAW delay 1202, causing it to bounce off one or more edges of the silicon substrate and generate one or more echoes. For example, the echoes can be measured in the BAW signal by measuring the time between the rise edges of the pulses of the BAW signal, and this timeframe can vary depending on the temperature of the BAW delay 1202.

[0232] In an embodiment, the echo detector 1204 is configured to receive the BAW signal and measure the time between echoes (e.g., via envelope detection). Figure 12 An embodiment of a time difference detector 1004 including two echo detectors 1204 is illustrated, wherein each echo detector 1204 measures different echoes among a plurality of echoes of a BAW delay 1202. In some embodiments, after measuring the time between echoes, each corresponding echo detector 1204 outputs a corresponding echo signal indicating the measurement of the corresponding echo to one or more time difference detector latches 1206, one or more time difference detector gates 1208, and / or one or more time difference detector counters 1210.

[0233] In one embodiment, the time difference detector counter 1210 is a digital counter configured to store a count (e.g., a variable count N4) indicating the number of master clock cycles following the rising edge of the first echo. In some embodiments, when the count reaches N4, the time difference detector counter 1210 issues a stop pulse. In one embodiment, the count value N4 can vary between one cycle and the next, thereby affecting the fractional count value in the average across multiple cycles. In one embodiment, the time difference detector counter 1210 is a digital counter that may include a latch or a trigger. In some embodiments, the time difference detector counter 1210 outputs an echo count to the phase frequency detector 1006.

[0234] In some embodiments, a first echo detector 1204-1 of the plurality of echo detectors 1204 detects a first echo of the BAW delay 1202 and transmits the first echo signal to a time difference detector counter 1210, wherein the first echo signal contains a metric of the first echo. A second echo detector 1204-2 of the plurality of echo detectors 1204 can detect a second echo of the BAW delay 1202 and can generate a second echo signal, wherein the second echo signal contains a metric of the second echo. The time difference detector counter 1210 is configured to work with a time difference detector latch 1206 and / or a time difference detector gate 1208 to perform a logical AND operation on the first echo signal and a pulse from the master clock 1002 to generate a termination pulse, wherein the termination pulse is a signal indicating that a predefined count N4 of the master clock cycle has elapsed since the first echo detection signal. The time difference detector 1004 outputs the termination pulse and the second echo detection signal to a phase frequency detector 1006.

[0235] In an embodiment, the temperature compensation module 1212 is configured to receive temperature readings from a temperature sensor (e.g., a coarse temperature reading from a bulk acoustic wave temperature sensor) and output a temperature adjustment signal to a plurality of echo detectors 1204 and / or a time difference detector counter 1210, wherein the temperature adjustment signal is based on the temperature reading. In an embodiment, after receiving the temperature adjustment signal from the temperature compensation module 1212, the plurality of echo detectors 1204 adjust the echo detection based on the temperature adjustment signal and / or the time difference detector counter 1210 adjusts a count, such as a count N4, based on the temperature adjustment signal, thereby allowing the time difference detector 1004 to accurately detect and count echoes regardless of temperature fluctuations in the BAW oscillator 1000. In some embodiments, the echo detectors 1204 are configured to adjust an echo detection threshold based on a corresponding temperature adjustment signal received from the temperature compensation module 1212. In some embodiments, the time difference detector counter 1210 is configured to adjust the count using, for example, jitter between multiple count values, such as adjusting a fractional N divider, based on a corresponding temperature adjustment signal received from the temperature compensation module 1212. It should be recognized that, although Figure 12 The illustration shows a time difference detector 1004 comprising two echo detectors 1204, wherein each echo detector 1204 measures different echoes among multiple echoes of BAW delay 1202, but some embodiments of the time difference detector 1004 include a single echo detector 1204, wherein the single echo detector 1204 measures a single echo of BAW delay 1202.

[0236] Figure 13An exemplary embodiment of a phase frequency detector 1006 and a loop filter 1008 is illustrated. In an embodiment, the phase frequency detector 1006 includes a phase frequency detection module 1302 configured to receive a second echo signal and an end pulse from a time difference detector 1004 and generate a pump pulse based thereon. Based on the time difference between the first and second echoes, the pump pulse can be a "pump down" pulse or a "pump up" pulse. If the phase of the end pulse is earlier than the phase of the second echo signal, the master clock 1002 may be too fast, and the phase frequency detection module 1302 generates a pump down pulse. If the phase of the end pulse is later than the phase of the second echo signal, the master clock 1002 may be too slow, and the phase frequency detection module 1302 generates a pump up pulse.

[0237] In one embodiment, the phase frequency detector 1006 includes complementary current sources 1304, 1306 (e.g., charge pumps). The phase frequency detection module 1302 outputs a pump-falling pulse or a pump-rising pulse to the complementary current sources 1304, 1306. The complementary current sources 1304, 1306 selectively output current to the loop filter 1008 based on whether they receive a pump-falling pulse or a pump-rising pulse from the phase frequency detection module 1302. If a pump-falling pulse is received from the phase frequency detection module 1302, the negative current source 1304 of the complementary current sources 1304, 1306 transmits a negative current to the loop filter 1008. If a pump-rising pulse is received from the phase frequency detection module 1302, the positive current source 1306 of the complementary current sources 1304, 1306 transmits a positive current to the loop filter 1008.

[0238] In one embodiment, the loop filter 1008 includes a loop amplifier 1308. The loop amplifier 1308 is configured to amplify the current received from the negative current source 1304 or the positive current source 1306 and output the amplified current to the input of the master clock VCO 1102, thereby forming a feedback loop and decreasing or increasing the output frequency of the BAW oscillator 1000 based on the pump-down pulse or the pump-up pulse. In some embodiments, the loop amplifier 1308 is a third-order type-2 phase-locked loop.

[0239] Figure 14-17 The illustration shows example variations of a bulk acoustic wave oscillator 1000 according to different embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0240] exist Figure 14 In this example, the master clock of the BAW oscillator 1000 operates at a burst frequency as a burst clock. In this example, a counter counts the clock cycles from the start of the clock burst transmission to the start of the first received echo of the clock burst. In this example, the BAW oscillator 1000 compares the terminal count with the timing of the first echo, disregarding the second echo.

[0241] exist Figure 15 In the example, a standalone ring oscillator is bursted by a master clock for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 ns), which operates at, for example, 1 / 176 ns or 5.68 MHz. The rising edge of the next master clock cycle is compared with the first echo pulse, without considering the second echo.

[0242] exist Figure 16 In this example, the master clock operates as a burst clock at a burst frequency. In this example, the first echo enables a counter to count clock cycles until a certain number (i.e., counted) of clock cycles have elapsed (e.g., 180 clock cycles have elapsed). In this example, the BAW oscillator 1000 compares the terminal count with the edge of the second echo. When the counter is enabled (e.g., at + / - half of the master clock cycle), a second phase frequency detector is used to track phase ambiguity.

[0243] exist Figure 17 In the example, a single ring oscillator is burst by the master clock, such as Figure 15 As shown in the example. In this example, the master clock frequency can now be a relatively low multiple of 5.68MHz, even as low as 1MHz. In this case, the counter can be completely removed. Alternatively, a "medium" lower master clock frequency of 2, 3, 4, 5, or higher multiples of 5.68MHz can be used, and then a counter of this size can be required.

[0244] Figure 18 The illustration shows an example configuration of a passive tracking device 108 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The passive tracking device may include a low-power encryption module, one or more sensors, a state machine, non-volatile memory (NVRAM), a voltage regulator, a resonator, an integer synthesizer, an oscillator (e.g., a BAW oscillator), a charge pump, and a demand module. The passive tracking device 108 may also include capacitors, one or more antennas, one or more inverters, and other suitable components.

[0245] Figure 19An example aggregator device 104 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. In embodiments, the aggregator device 104 may include a processing device 2102, one or more long-range communication units 2104 (WIFI chip, LTE chip, Ethernet card, etc.), one or more short-range communication units 2106 (RFID chipset, Bluetooth chipset, etc.), a GPS device 2108, a power supply 2110 (e.g., continuous power supply, rechargeable battery, inductive power supply, etc.), one or more environmental sensors 2112 (e.g., thermistor, thermometer, pressure sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, camera, IR camera, etc.), one or more storage devices 2114 (e.g., RAM, ROM, flash memory, etc.), and an internal clock 2116.

[0246] In one embodiment, the long-range communication unit 2104 enables communication with a communication network (e.g., the Internet, cellular networks, etc.). The processing device 2102 can transmit messages to external devices, such as the backend server 120, via the long-range communication unit. In another embodiment, the long-range communication unit 2104 can be configured to receive messages containing tracking information and any other suitable information from a tracking device with the necessary communication capabilities (e.g., via Wi-Fi).

[0247] The short-range communication unit 2106 enables short-range communication with tracking devices (e.g., multi-purpose tracking device 102, paired tracking device 106, passive tracking device 108, dual-mode tracking device 112, and actuator 102). In embodiments, the short-range communication unit 2106 can broadcast signals to excite nearby devices or otherwise trigger reports from nearby devices. The short-range communication unit 2106 can receive return signals (or “response signals”) from devices containing short messages, which may include tracking information and / or any other suitable data (e.g., sensor readings).

[0248] In some embodiments, the short-range communication unit 2102 includes one or more multiple-input multiple-output (MOMI) devices. Figure 20 An example MOMI device 2200 is illustrated. In an embodiment, the MOMI device 2200 includes one or more MOMI transceivers 2202, each MOMI transceiver 2202 including two or more antennas 2204 spaced close to each other (e.g., <20 cm), these antennas 2204 being arranged at an angle to each other (e.g., between 60 degrees and 120 degrees). The MOMI device 2200 may also include signal processing circuitry 2206 (e.g., R / F analog front-end 2212, ADC and DAC converters 2210, FGPA 2208, etc.) for controlling, modulating, converting, and / or filtering analog and digital signals. Figure 20(As shown in the diagram). In an embodiment, MOMI device 2200 may modulate an RF signal from MOMI transceiver 2202 that excites any nearby tracking device, which in turn provides a response RF signal (or response signal), which may be a weaker signal. The response signal may contain a message that includes tracking information (e.g., tracking device ID) of the excited tracking device. MOMI device 2200 routes the response RF signal to processing device 2102, which can use the tracking information encoded therein to identify messages received from different tracking devices.

[0249] In an embodiment, MOMI device 2200 may use a response signal received from an activated tracking device (e.g., passive tracking devices 108, 112) to determine the range and orientation of the activated tracking device relative to MOMI device 2200, which is described in more detail below. The range may be a value indicating the distance between MOMI device 2200 and the activated tracking device. The orientation may be a value indicating the orientation of the activated tracking device relative to MOMI device 2200 (e.g., the angle between a reference vector and a direction vector from MOMI device 2200 to the activated tracking device). MOMI device 2200 may output the determined range and orientation values ​​to processing device 2102.

[0250] An example method of operating the MOMI device 2200 according to some embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail. In an embodiment, the controller sends a command to the modulator signal processing block, wherein the command is to initiate an excitation transmission. The modulator module creates a digitized baseband signal to be sent to a digital-to-analog converter. The digitized signal is converted into an analog signal, filtered, and then upconverted from the baseband to an RF frequency, which will be used for over-the-air transmission. In an embodiment, the RF signal may be amplified in a power amplifier (e.g., amplified to 33 dBm or 2 watts). The amplified signal may be split into two or more signals of equal power and sent to two or more corresponding couplers. Each coupler routes the transmitted signal from the transmitter path to a corresponding antenna 2204 of the MOMI transceiver 2202, and also routes the received signal (also referred to as the “response signal”) from the corresponding antenna 2204 to the receiver path. In some embodiments, each coupler is connected to a switch that is connected to the corresponding antenna 2204. In an embodiment, each split signal is transmitted from a pair of antennas of equal gain that are co-located but point in slightly different directions, for example, separated by 60 to 120 degrees. In an embodiment, the MOMI device 2200 may have multiple MOMI transceivers 2202 to use switches to create multiple non-simultaneous read areas.

[0251] In response to an RF signal from MOMI transceiver 2202, a tracking device in the readout area of ​​MOMI transceiver 2202 responds to an RF command from MOMI device 2200 by backscattering its identification number (e.g., tracking device ID) on a subcarrier (e.g., 160 kHz from the main carrier). In most cases, the response level of the activated tracking device is closer to the line of sight of one antenna 2204 and will be stronger on that antenna. If the activated tracking device is located between the lines of sight of the two antennas, then the response levels will be effectively equal. Therefore, MOMI device 2200 can estimate the angle between the lines of sight of the tag and the two antennas 2204 based on the response level measured from each antenna 2204. The change in signal level will be a function of antenna gain and angle. In embodiments, the angle estimation can be calibrated either a priori or in real-time for a given antenna pair using camera input.

[0252] The response backscattered signal transmitted by the excited tracking device is received by each antenna 2204 of the MOMI transceiver 2202 and routed back through corresponding switches and couplers. The received signal from each antenna 2204 of the MOMI transceiver 2202 can be amplified by a low-noise amplifier and down-converted to complex in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) tracks. The I and Q analog signals can be low-pass filtered and converted into digital samples by an analog-to-digital converter. In an embodiment, each I and Q signal pair is processed separately in the demodulator signal processing block. In an embodiment, the processed output from one demodulator can be used to improve the processing in another demodulator. If the signal-to-noise ratio is sufficient, each demodulator will extract tracking information from the response signal. Each demodulator also extracts Received Signal Strength Information (RSSI) and Phase Difference of Arrival (PDOA) of the returned signal relative to the carrier phase of the transmitted signal. The RSSI and PDOA from each demodulator module are used to calculate the azimuth and range estimates. Before each transmission, the MOMI device 2200 may perform a carrier cancellation process to minimize leakage of a strong transmission signal back to the receiver, such as 30 dBm, thereby improving receiver sensitivity to a low level, such as -80 dBm tag response. In an embodiment, if the signal is "0", the MOMI device 2200 may implement the link budget equation.

[0253] The foregoing are exemplary embodiments of the MOMI device 2200, and other embodiments of the MOMI device 2200 are contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure.

[0254] Go back to reference Figure 19In one embodiment, the processing device 2102 may include one or more processors that execute executable instructions. In another embodiment, the processing device is a multi-core mobile processor with a neural processing engine. In yet another embodiment, the processing device 2102 may execute and / or include a tracking system 2130, a monitoring system 2132, a machine vision module 2134, a machine learning module 2136, and a reporting module 2138. These modules may be implemented as executable instructions, circuitry, and / or hardware components. Without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the processing device may execute or include additional or alternative modules.

[0255] In one embodiment, tracking module 2130 tracks items near aggregator device 104. In another embodiment, tracking module 2130 may initiate the broadcast of an output signal that may stimulate passive tracking devices 108, 112, or otherwise trigger reporting from other tracking devices 102, 106 near aggregator device 104. In some embodiments, the stimulation signal may include a command to report tracking data (and any other suitable data). Tracking module 2130 may track items based on short messages transmitted from the respective tracking devices 102, 106, 108, and / or 112 that receive the output signal. In response to receiving a short message from a tracking device, tracking module 2130 may read tracking information from the transmitting device (e.g., tracking device ID) and any other relevant data provided in the short message (e.g., temperature data, ambient light data, humidity data, timestamp, etc.). In some embodiments, tracking module 2130 may decrypt the short message received from the respective tracking device. For example, tracking module 2130 according to the method described above. If the tracking module 2130 receives multiple instances of a short message, then the tracking module 2130 can perform duplicate data deletion on the short message.

[0256] In some embodiments, the tracking module 2130 may receive tracking information from the machine vision module 2134. In these embodiments, the machine vision module 2134 may read visual tags captured by a camera on the aggregator device or a camera streaming video to the aggregator device 104. In some of these embodiments, the value in the visual tag may be the same as the tracking device ID assigned to the tracking device, allowing the visual tag and the tracking device to track the same item. In these embodiments, the tracking module 2130 may perform deduplication on two separate tracking events (i.e., one from the tracking device and the other from the visual tag) to avoid reporting the same item repeatedly.

[0257] In embodiments, tracking module 2130 may generate a tracking event record for each unique tracking event. Examples of tracking events may include receiving messages from the tracking device and / or reading tracking information from visual markers by machine vision module 2134. In these embodiments, the tracking event record may be any suitable data structure that includes data related to the tracking event. The corresponding tracking event record may include, but is not limited to, a device identifier of the tracking device provided by a message or read from a visual marker, a geographic location corresponding to the tracking device (or item), and a timestamp. The geographic location may be reported by the tracking device (e.g., tracking device 102 or 106), or may be obtained by tracking module 2130 from GPS device 2108 of the aggregator device when the tracking device is not reporting GPS or other location-based functionality. In some embodiments, the geographic location may be determined based on GPS readings from GPS device 2108, and may be refined based on range and orientation values ​​determined by MOMI device 2200. In these embodiments, the geographic location of an individual item may be estimated better than using only the geographic location of aggregator device 104. The timestamp may be reported by the tracking device, or may be obtained from clock 2116. In this embodiment, the tracking module 2130 may include other data in the tracking event log, such as sensor measurements obtained in the message and / or read from the environmental sensor 2112. The tracking module 2130 may output the tracking event log to the reporting module 2138 and / or write the tracking event log to the storage device 2114. Alternatively or additionally, the tracking module 2130 may maintain data logs, such as tracking logs, temperature logs, light logs, environmental pressure logs, etc. The tracking module 2130 may write these data logs to the storage device 2114, while the reporting module 2138 reports the data logs to the backend server 120 (or another suitable device).

[0258] In some embodiments, monitoring system 2132 monitors one or more conditions to determine the presence of an event. An event can be any condition deemed noteworthy (e.g., conditions known by experts and / or from training datasets, including training datasets related to the event and training datasets not related to the event). In some embodiments, monitoring system 2132 may apply rule-based logic to determine whether one or more conditions triggering an environmental event are met. In some embodiments, monitoring system 2132 may monitor the environment of aggregator device 104 to determine if any environmental events (e.g., excessively high or low temperatures, excessively high humidity, etc.). In these embodiments, monitoring system 2132 may utilize machine learning module 2136 to obtain classifications or predictions about the environment, such as trends in sensor data, which may indicate that an environmental event has been triggered (classification) or is likely to be triggered (prediction). In these embodiments, monitoring system 2132 may provide sensor data to machine learning module 2136, which fully utilizes one or more classification models trained to classify environmental events and / or one or more prediction models trained to predict whether an environmental event may occur based on sensor data. When monitoring system 2132 determines that an environmental event has occurred or that an environmental event may occur, monitoring system 2132 may generate an event log. In these embodiments, the event report may include the type of event that has been identified, classified, or predicted (e.g., the type of environmental event), data read for identifying, classifying, or predicting the event, and a timestamp.

[0259] In embodiments, monitoring system 2132 can monitor one or more items to determine whether a tag with a visual marker or tracking device has been lost, damaged, or otherwise unreadable or unreported. In these embodiments, monitoring system 2132 may receive input from machine vision module 2134 and / or tracking module 2130 to determine whether a visual marker or tracking device has been lost, damaged, or otherwise unreadable or unreported. In some embodiments, monitoring system 2132 may receive tracking data from tracking module 2130 and read values ​​from visual markers in machine vision module 2134. If monitoring system 2132 receives a value but does not receive the corresponding tracking data, then monitoring system 2132 may determine that the item associated with the value does not have a tracking device or the tracking device is not responding. Similarly, if monitoring system 2132 does not receive tracking data from tracking module 2130 but receives a value from machine vision module 2134, then monitoring system 2132 may determine that the item associated with the value does not have a tracking device or the tracking device is not responding. In some embodiments, the monitoring system 2132 may receive reports from the machine vision module 2134 indicating when a trackable item (e.g., an item on which a tracking device or visual tag should be attached) is in the field of view of a camera communicating with the machine vision module 2134. In some of these embodiments, the machine vision module 2134 may also provide an estimated distance of the item from the aggregator device (e.g., based on 3D video including depth data and calibration between the camera and the aggregator device). When the monitoring system 2132 does not receive tracking information and the estimated distance is less than the read range of the aggregator device 104, the monitoring system 2132 may determine that the tracking device corresponding to the item is missing, damaged, or otherwise not reported. Furthermore, if the machine vision module 2134 (e.g., using an image classifier) ​​detects a tracking device attached to the detected item, the machine vision module 2134 may determine that the tracking device is damaged or otherwise malfunctioning. In response to determining that the tracking device is lost, damaged, malfunctioning, or otherwise unreadable, the monitoring system 2132 may generate an event log, which is reported to the reporting module 2138 and / or stored in the storage device 2114.

[0260] In an embodiment, monitoring system 2132 receives a report of a damaged item from machine vision module 2134. In these scenarios, monitoring system 2132 may obtain tracking data (i.e., scanned values) from tracking module 2130 and / or machine vision module 2134. Monitoring system 2132 may generate an event log indicating the damaged item event and associated tracking data (e.g., tracking device ID) of the damaged item. In an embodiment, monitoring system 2132 may include additional data, such as an image of the damaged item, in the event log. Monitoring system 2132 may report the event log to reporting module 2138 and / or store the event log in storage device 2114.

[0261] In one embodiment, the machine vision module 2134 receives camera signals from one or more cameras of the aggregator device 104 and / or from one or more external cameras of the vision system 116 to which camera signals are streamed. In these embodiments, the cameras may include, but are not limited to, high-resolution cameras, depth cameras, IR cameras, and / or 3D cameras, and the camera signals may include, but are not limited to, video signals, depth signals, IR signals, and / or 3D video signals (which may include video data and depth data), etc.

[0262] In some embodiments, the machine vision module 2134 may include one or more image classifiers trained to detect one or more conditions based on one or more frames of camera signals. The image classifiers may be trained to recognize trackable items (e.g., trained to recognize boxes, specific products, bags, pallets, etc.), potentially damaged items, visual markers attached to the outer surface of an item, and / or tracking devices attached to the outer surface of an item. For example, the image classifiers may be trained on images containing items that should be tracked (and images not depicting any items that should be tracked), images depicting items that have been marked as damaged (and images depicting items that have been marked as “undamaged”), images depicting items with tracking devices / visual markers attached to their outer surfaces (and images depicting items without tracking devices / visual markers attached to their uncovered outer surfaces). The image classifiers may implement any suitable techniques, such as performing feature extraction on the images, clustering (e.g., k-means clustering, KNN clustering, etc.) features of images with characteristics of the labeled images, fully utilizing image classification models (e.g., one or more of various types of neural networks, regression models, etc.), etc.

[0263] In some embodiments, when the classifier classifies an image as depicting a trackable item (e.g., an item that should be attached to a tracking device and / or visual tag), the machine vision module 2134 can report the detection of the item to the monitoring system 2132, regardless of whether a tracking device or visual tag is attached. Such a report can serve as notification that an item that should be tracked is near the aggregator device 104.

[0264] In some embodiments, when a classifier classifies an image as depicting a visual marker, machine vision module 2134 can scan and decode the visual marker to obtain the value encoded in the visual marker. In some of these embodiments, machine vision module 2134 may be implemented in conjunction with or communicate with a decoder that decodes the scanned visual marker (e.g., a barcode decoder or a QR code decoder). Machine vision module 2134 may output a report of visual marker detection to monitoring system 2132 and / or may report the value encoded therein to tracking module 2130.

[0265] In some embodiments, when the image classifier classifies an image as depicting an item with a tracking device attached thereto, the machine vision module 2134 can report the detection of the tracking device to the monitoring system 2132. In this way, the monitoring system 2132 can determine whether the tracking device is operating correctly, as it should receive tracking data from the detected tracking device.

[0266] In some embodiments, when the image classifier classifies an image as depicting a damaged item, the machine vision module 2134 can report the detection of the damaged item to the monitoring system 2132. In some of these embodiments, the image classifier can be trained using a labeled training dataset, which includes images of items and labels indicating whether the items depicted in the images are damaged or undamaged. During training, features of these respective images can be extracted and combined with the labels (damaged or undamaged) attributed to the respective images. In some of these embodiments, the labels can indicate the type of damage (e.g., broken seal, torn packaging, opened packaging, etc.), allowing the image classifier to classify the type of detected damage. In embodiments, the report can indicate tracking information corresponding to a tracking device associated with the damage, and in some of these embodiments, it indicates the type of damage.

[0267] In some embodiments, the machine vision module 2134 may perform video processing / analysis on received camera signals. In some of these embodiments, the machine vision module 2134 may be configured to determine the distance between a detected object and the aggregator device 104. In some of these embodiments, the vision module 2134 may be configured to receive a 3D video stream including video and depth data. In these embodiments, the 3D video may be analyzed to determine an estimated distance between the camera and the detected object. The machine vision module 2134 may use this value based on the calibration between the camera and the aggregator device 104 to determine the distance between the object and the aggregator device 104. In some embodiments, the video may be analyzed based on, for example, the position of the detected object in a frame of video and the inherent calibration of the camera that captured the video to determine the size of the detected object.

[0268] In some embodiments, the machine vision module 2134 may receive signals from the short-range communication unit 2106 (e.g., Figure 20 The range and orientation values ​​are determined by the MOMI device, such that each set of range and orientation values ​​is associated with tracking information of the tracking device to which the range and orientation values ​​belong. The range and orientation values ​​can indicate the distance of the tracking device from the aggregator device 104 (and thus the distance of the tracked item), and the range can indicate the orientation relative to the aggregator device 104 (e.g., the angle relative to a reference line corresponding to the aggregator device 104). In some embodiments, when tracking information for two or more items is received and two or more items are observed in a video frame, the machine vision module 2134 (or the monitoring system 2132 or the tracking module 2130) can use the range and orientation values ​​and image classification to resolve ambiguities between the two or more items. In these embodiments, the aggregator device 104 can be calibrated with each camera, which provides the machine vision module 2134 with the orientation of the aggregator device 104 relative to the camera's field of view. Therefore, the aggregator device 104 can determine which item corresponds to a particular tracking device based on the range and orientation associated with that particular tracking device and the video frames depicting the two or more items. In these embodiments, the ability to eliminate ambiguity among multiple items transmitting tracking information provides the aggregator device 104 with improved reliability and cross-validation of the tracking data. For example, if a particular item is classified as damaged, the machine vision module 2.134 can identify the tracking information of the damaged item when multiple items are available.

[0269] In some embodiments, machine learning module 2136 performs machine learning and artificial tasks on behalf of aggregator device 104. In some embodiments, machine learning module 2136 may implement the TensorFlow library. In some embodiments, machine learning module 2136 may train models used by aggregator device 104. Additionally or alternatively, machine learning module 2136 may obtain trained models from backend server 120, which trains models based on expert-generated training datasets and / or training datasets received from one or more aggregator devices 104. In these embodiments, backend server 120 may maintain a library of models that can be used for various artificial intelligence-based tasks. In some embodiments, machine learning models may include neural networks (e.g., recurrent neural networks, convolutional neural networks, deep neural networks), regression-based models, hidden Markov models, Bayesian models, decision trees, etc. In some embodiments, these machine learning models may include models that can be used to configure the deployment configuration of aggregator device 104. Models may additionally or alternatively include image classification models, environment prediction models, environment classification models, etc.

[0270] In an embodiment, the machine learning module 2136 may use input from the tracking device (such as tracking information and range and orientation calibration) and / or input from a camera (e.g., a 3D camera) to train and / or fully utilize the model used to configure the aggregator to accurately read and disambiguate the items to be tracked. In an embodiment, the machine learning module 2136 may also use GPS, cellular data, and / or Wi-Fi data to automatically configure the aggregator device 104.

[0271] In some embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may fully utilize classification or prediction models trained to classify or predict changes in the environment of the aggregator device 104 and / or changes in the sensors of the aggregator device 104. In these embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may obtain sensor data from environmental sensors 2112 and / or from tracking devices, and may input the sensor data into classification and / or prediction models to determine changes in the environment or in the sensors 2112 of the aggregator device 104. Furthermore, in embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may use results associated with those predictions or classifications (e.g., user-provided results) to strengthen / retrain the model.

[0272] In an embodiment, the machine learning module 2136 can fully utilize models and / or rule sets to improve the accuracy of error handling. Exceptions are conditions previously classified as normal. Examples of exceptions include misreading tracking data and / or visual markers, ambiguity regarding identification (e.g., two packages touching each other), and / or packaging suffering only minor damage. In an embodiment, the machine learning module 2136 can execute a classification algorithm that feeds into a rule-based exception handling procedure. These rules can be hardcoded by developers and / or can be learned based on analytics. For example, the machine learning module 2136 can record how one or more people handle certain anomalies, allowing the machine learning module 2136 (or backend system 120) to learn rules for handling anomalies based on human activity.

[0273] In some embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may be configured to detect changes in the RF environment of the aggregator device and compare those changes with a knowledge base of known changes. In these embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may sample frequencies and signal strengths in the environment of the aggregator device and analyze the sampled frequencies to determine if changes exist in the RF environment (e.g., a signal that was always detected in signal noise is no longer detected). In some of these embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may compare these changes with a knowledge base of signal samples and signal sample trends to diagnose the cause of the changes.

[0274] Machine learning module 2136 can be used to perform additional or alternative machine learning tasks in relation to the environment being tracked. These tasks can be domain-specific because certain tracking features (e.g., monitoring consumer engagement in the retail sector) require different models and algorithms than other types of models and algorithms (e.g., monitoring packages in delivery facilities).

[0275] In some embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may operate in conjunction with a backend server to optimize communication with the backend server 120. In these embodiments, the machine learning module 2136 may use a predictive model to predict the optimal time to transmit individual or batches of tracking records and / or data logs, thereby training the predictive model to determine when the backend server will use the data.

[0276] In some embodiments, the reporting module 2138 reports data to external devices (e.g., the backend server 120 and / or computing infrastructure of a business entity). In some embodiments, the reporting module 2138 may receive tracking event records from the tracking module 2130 and may forward the tracking event records to external devices via the long-distance communication unit 2104. In some embodiments, the reporting module 2138 may report tracking records in batches. In some of these embodiments, the reporting module 2138 may maintain a cache storing tracking event records, allowing the reporting module 2138 to periodically report a batch of tracking event records in the cache to external devices. In some embodiments, the tracking event records are stored in storage device 2112, allowing the reporting module 2138 to periodically retrieve a batch of tracking event records and report that batch to external devices. The reporting module 2138 may report a batch of tracking event records upon request from an external device (e.g., in response to a request to report unreported tracking event records), at a predetermined time (e.g., every ten minutes), or in response to a triggering condition (e.g., a full cache).

[0277] In this embodiment, the reporting module 2138 may also report other data. For example, the reporting module 2138 may report data logs to external devices (e.g., the backend server 120 of the business entity or computing infrastructure). In other embodiments, the reporting module 2138 may report event logs. In these embodiments, the reporting module 2138 may receive event logs from the monitoring system 2132 and may transmit the event logs to external devices and / or may report them as notifications to specific persons or groups of persons.

[0278] In some embodiments, the reporting module 2138 may report data to a robotic system communicating with the aggregator equipment. For example, in an automated transport facility, the reporting module 2138 may receive sensor measurements from environmental sensors 2112 and / or reporting tracking devices, and may transmit the environmental sensor data to the robotic system, which may then take appropriate action based on the sensor data (e.g., shutting down the production line or adjusting environmental conditions in response to sensor data indicating a poor condition). In these embodiments, the reporting module 2138 may report additional or alternative data to the robotic system. For example, the reporting module 2138 may report event logs, data logs, and / or tracking event logs to the robotic system.

[0279] Aggregator device 104 may include additional or alternative components not discussed herein. For example, in some embodiments, aggregator device 104 may be configured to detect the presence of a display device (e.g., a smart monitor, smart TV, wearable device, or mobile device) and connect to a local display device. In these embodiments, aggregator device 104 may be configured to load balance and assign work instructions to the local display device.

[0280] Go back to reference Figure 1 The aggregator device 104 can be placed in different types of settings. These settings include manufacturing facilities, transportation vehicles, warehouses, delivery vehicles, and retail settings. Depending on the setting, the aggregator device 104 can perform different functions. For example, in a transportation facility setting, the aggregator device can capture video (e.g., 3D video) from one or more cameras monitoring conveyors that are pre-routing packages. The aggregator device 104 can read visual markings on tracking devices and / or packages and can determine the extent and orientation of packages. The aggregator device 104 can use this information to pre-route packages, track packages, and / or identify damaged packages or tracking devices.

[0281] In embodiments, aggregator device 104 may be placed within a retail setup, allowing aggregator 104 to track the location of items within the retail setup. In these embodiments, when consumers shop in the store, they may carry user devices that report their respective locations and / or can be tracked by aggregator device 104 (e.g., by modules in the user device's operating system). In this way, aggregator device 104 or backend server system 120 may be able to determine which items are viewed most frequently, which areas in the store receive the most traffic, etc.

[0282] In one embodiment, the tracking system 100 may communicate with the backend server system 120 via a communication network 190 (e.g., the Internet and / or a cellular network). The tracking system 100 may transmit location data to the backend server system 120, indicating the geographic location and / or approximate location of one or more devices of the tracking system 100. For example, the tracking system 100 may transmit location data to the backend server system 120 obtained by a multi-mode tracking device 102 or a paired tracking device 106 based on triangulation of the signal strength of received GPS signals or received electromagnetic signals (e.g., Wi-Fi signals and / or cellular signals). In another example, the tracking system 100 may transmit beacons collected from a passive tracking device 108 to the backend server system 120. In this example, the backend server system 120 or another tracking device (e.g., aggregator device 104 or multi-mode tracking device 102) can estimate the position of the corresponding passive tracking device 108 based on the reception of a beacon (e.g., the device ID of passive tracking device 108) from the tracking device and the known position of the tracking device (e.g., obtained from GPS signals or triangulation techniques). As described above, the tracking system 100 can transmit additional types of data. For example, the tracking system 100 can transmit one or more of the following: timestamps corresponding to the time of sampling a specific data item, temperature data, ambient light data, humidity data, motion data, etc.

[0283] The backend server system 120 can receive location data, temperature data, timestamps, ambient light data, humidity data, motion data, and / or other suitable types of data, and can perform various operations based on it. In an embodiment, the backend server system 120 is configured to support inventory tracking. For example, the backend server system 120 can verify that there is currently no inventory loss in a shipment. Additionally or alternatively, the backend server system 120 can be configured to manage the movement, check-out, check-in, or other similar actions of items from a set of items (e.g., stored medical supplies). In an embodiment, the backend server system 120 is configured to maintain logs and / or databases corresponding to data collected from the tracking system of the tracked item group. For example, the backend server system 120 can maintain indexes or logs of location data, temperature data, ambient light data, humidity data, motion data, and / or other suitable types of data. In an embodiment, the backend server system 120 is configured to support applications running on user device 130 and / or AR-enabled user device 140, as described below. In an embodiment, the backend server system 120 can manage the various devices in the tracking system 100. For example, backend server system 120 is configured to command actuator 110 or aggregator 104 to sample data from other devices in tracking system 100. In an embodiment, as discussed above, backend server system 120 is configured to authenticate devices in tracking system 100.

[0284] Together, the tracking system 100 and the back-end server system 120 can support multiple different applications. The combination can be configured to track inventory or items in a facility, track shipments of goods (e.g., food, medical supplies, and electronic goods), support user devices and / or enable AR user devices, etc. The different applications of the combination of the tracking system 100 and the back-end server system 120 are discussed in more detail below.

[0285] Medical supplies are expensive and can be difficult to maintain in emergency situations. The same applies to other industries, such as high-tech testing equipment and tools, jewelry, etc. In some applications, tracking system 100 can be used to track the inventory of medical supplies (e.g., medical devices and / or pharmaceuticals) and other high-value items. For example, in some embodiments, passive tracking devices 108 (and / or multi-mode tracking devices 102 and / or paired tracking devices 106) are configured such that they can be read by commercially available user devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, scanners, etc.). Tracking system 100 can be used to make supply room location, checkout, and inventory processes more efficient and reliable.

[0286] In this embodiment, passive tracking device 108 is applied to badges on all supplied items and employees. User device 120 may run an application (native or web application) configured to search for specific items. In these embodiments, the application may adjust the transmission power output by user device 120 to reduce the search area used for location. For example, the application may adjust the transmission power so that the range of user device 120 is less than five meters. The application and / or backend server system 120 may utilize a list of device IDs corresponding to a specific passive tracking device 108 (and / or multi-mode tracking device 102 and / or paired tracking device 106), where each device ID may be associated with a specific item or employee. In this way, the application may read the device IDs of devices near user device 130 to identify nearby items. An identifier for a specific item may also be provided to the application, allowing the application to determine whether that specific item is near user device 130. Once a specific item is confirmed to be nearby, the application and / or gateway device may check out the item and record the employee badge ID.

[0287] In some embodiments, the application can control the user equipment 130 to change the transmitter power and / or interrogation rate of the user equipment 130, depending on the proximity to the passive tracking device.

[0288] In some embodiments, each passive tracking device 108 may have two associated IDs: (i) an unencrypted model or SKU ID; and (ii) an encrypted serialized device ID. The unencrypted ID can be used to search for a specific item, while the encrypted ID can be used for item inventory management.

[0289] In some embodiments, all user devices 130 may be configured with a custom application that reports the location (or approximate location) of any object beacons detected by the application when the user devices 130 and / or objects are in motion. The application may send the data to a backend server system 120, which may maintain a database of the locations of all objects, whether the objects are stationary or in motion.

[0290] In some embodiments, trackers (e.g., aggregator 104 with actuator 110 or multi-mode device 102) may be placed at each entrance / exit gateway or corridor. Trackers may be configured to report the device ID of each passive tracking device 108 they detect. Note that a tracker can be said to have detected a passive tracking device 108 upon receiving a beacon containing the device ID of the specific passive tracking device 108 (which may be associated with an item or employee). Trackers may report the device ID, a timestamp corresponding to the time the device was detected, and / or the tracker's location at the time the passive tracking device 108 was detected. The tracker may send this data to a backend server system 120, which may maintain a database of the locations of all items moving throughout an area (e.g., a hospital).

[0291] In some embodiments, tracking system 100 can be used to track items in a user's personal space (e.g., at home). Most items in a person's space are not wirelessly visible because attaching RF tags to most items is too expensive. Low-cost passive tracking device 108 can increase the number of tagged items, making them more ubiquitous. However, reading these tags may require some changes to how user device 130 operates. Furthermore, new applications and cloud-based services may be required.

[0292] In some embodiments, user equipment (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) may be configured to transmit RF power to power the passive tracking device 108 before listening for BLE beacons transmitted from the passive tracking device 108. User equipment 130 may be optimized to power the passive tracking device 108.

[0293] In some embodiments, user device 130 may execute an application configured to identify (e.g., “sniff”) all passive tracking devices 108 near the user device and send a list of device IDs of the identified passive tracking devices 108 to a backend server system 120. Other information, such as the location of user device 130, detected WiFi networks, etc., can help locate tagged items. The application / backend server system 120 may utilize a list of device IDs corresponding to a specific passive tracking device 108 (and / or multi-mode tracking device 102 and / or paired tracking device 106), where each device ID can be associated with a specific item or employee. In this way, the application can read the device IDs of devices near user device 130 to identify items near user device 130. Given the large amount of data that can be collected when there are many passive tracking devices 108 nearby, edge processing can be performed to reduce the amount of data required. In some embodiments, machine learning can be used to identify items that do not move much in space, such that these items are reported only if they are not found during a specific scan at a specific location.

[0294] In some embodiments, the backend server system 130 may maintain a list of a user's items and a user profile. In these embodiments, the backend server system 130 may send targeted advertising emails and text messages to individuals based on the inventor and / or profile. For example, after learning the types of items stored in a user's home or office, the backend server system 130 may determine advertisements for similar products to send to the user.

[0295] In some embodiments, the tracking system 100 can be configured to operate in conjunction with an AR-enabled device 140. In embodiments, the passive tracking device 108 can be read by any Bluetooth-enabled and UR-enabled user device 140, including AR-enabled smart glasses or voice-activated audio headsets. This allows direct reading of the passive tracking device 108 on the product from the AR-enabled device 140, which can then be broken down into processes. An auxiliary transmitter (e.g., an exciter 110) can extend the reading range, but this would result in a much larger number of nearby passive tracking devices 108 transmitting beacons. In this scenario, the AR-enabled device 140 may be unable to determine which passive tracking devices 108 are nearby.

[0296] In some scenarios, the AR-enabled device 140 may not be able to transmit sufficient power to continuously stimulate the passive tag. However, a Wi-Fi access point, Bluetooth base station, or other RF transmitter can be configured to stimulate the passive tracking device 108, from which the AR-enabled device can receive beacons. In some embodiments, these AR-enabled devices 140 may include a Bluetooth receiver configured with angle-of-arrival detection to triangulate the position of the passive tracking device 108. In some embodiments, the position of each tagged item (e.g., an item with a passive tracking device 140 attached thereto) can be relayed to the AR-enabled device via an AR-enabled device cloud data manager (e.g., a backend server system). The AR-enabled device 140 can compare the position of the tagged item with its own position and orientation, and when it determines that the item is within the field of view of the AR-enabled device 140, it can display a marker on the screen of the AR-enabled device to indicate where the item is.

[0297] In this embodiment, the AR-enabled device cloud data manager can match the device ID of the detected passive tracking device 108 with the visual identifiers (such as shape, size, color, markings, etc.) of the associated item (which may be stored in memory and associated with the device ID). The AR-enabled device 140 can be highlighted or outlined on the display of the AR-enabled display 140, and can match any data (such as model, date, expiration date, correct / incorrect item in process, etc.).

[0298] In an embodiment, the AR-enabled device 140 may include an infrared or visible light laser that can be pointed at the object being viewed. The AR-enabled device 140 may display crosshairs, outlines, or other markings to indicate the location and direction of the laser beam. As discussed, the passive tracking device 108 may include a photodetector capable of detecting the level of light incident on the passive tracking device 108. Additionally or alternatively, the passive tracking device 108 may include a temperature sensor that can detect an increase in temperature after the laser has illuminated the device 108 for a period of time. In such a configuration, the BLE beacon may include fields for the light intensity status / value and / or temperature value of the photodetector. When reading the BLE beacon before and during the laser beam pointing, the reported Lux ​​value can be self-normalized for different illumination conditions. Modulating the light and implementing a low-power modulated detector (e.g., maximum and minimum values ​​over a short time range, e.g., 100 msec) can also identify specific illuminated objects. Infrared light can penetrate certain packaging materials, making it possible to even identify embedded passive tracking devices 108.

[0299] In one embodiment, a low-power accelerometer (e.g., a MEMS accelerometer) may be embedded in the passive tracking device 108. When the AR-enabled device 140 detects a tagged object, the passive tracking device 108 can report its motion in a beacon. The AR-enabled device cloud data manager can relay this detection as an identification input to the AR-enabled device 140.

[0300] In some embodiments, the AR-enabled device 140 can be configured to track a user's eye gaze. While tracking the user's eye gaze, the AR-enabled device 140 can determine a more precise location of the user's gaze. In these embodiments, the AR-enabled device 140 can be configured to display detected objects only when the user is gazing in the direction of the detected object.

[0301] In some implementations, tracking system 100 and / or backend server system 120 can be configured to maintain temperature logs on behalf of passive tracking device 108. Traditional temperature monitoring tags are rarely read, thus requiring batteries to sample at regular intervals and store the data in logs. Purely passive devices cannot sample and store data when no power is available. Therefore, in embodiments, passive tracking device 108 can be periodically activated to acquire temperature data that can be used by upstream devices (e.g., aggregator devices, multi-mode tracking device 102, and / or backend server system 120) to maintain temperature logs on behalf of tracking device 108. If passive tracking device 108 is read more frequently, it can acquire temperature samples while being activated and send these values ​​to the corresponding beacons. Trackers (e.g., aggregator device 104 and / or multi-mode tracking device 102) can send the sampled values, timestamps, and location information to backend server system 120. Backend server system 120 and / or trackers can use this information to maintain temperature logs for each corresponding passive tracking device 108. Although this is not routine sampling and only some passive tracking devices 108 can be read at any given time, cloud data analytics can group the readings from the passive tracking devices 108 and reconstruct the temperature and location history of the entire group of passive tracking devices 108.

[0302] Generally, asset trackers rely on connectivity for location. Asset trackers can use a combination of GNSS, WiFi, cellular, and Bluetooth connectivity to acquire and transmit location information. These services are not always available and can unnecessarily consume power and resources. To mitigate these issues, in some embodiments, tracking system 100 can implement activity detection and tracking based on inertial measurement unit (IMU). In the same way that a personal wearable activity tracker determines when a wearer is swimming, walking, or running, devices in tracking system 100 will detect activity associated with asset movement. In these embodiments, tracking algorithms can be designed to, for example: detect assets being loaded or unloaded from a delivery truck or van; detect whether assets have been loaded into pallets; detect pallets being stacked; detect pallets containing assets being packed or organized; detect tracking devices in pallets moving within a warehouse; detect someone picking up and carrying assets; detect whether assets have fallen from a height; and so on. In some of these embodiments, backend server 120 and / or tracking devices can sample motion data reported by the tracking devices and can compare the motion data with different motion signatures to classify the type of movement. The system can implement one or more machine learning models (e.g., neural networks) to classify the type of movement.

[0303] In some scenarios, radio transceivers integrated into low-power battery-operated consumer or industrial equipment need to be periodically turned on to transmit data or acquire location. Radio transceivers integrated into such devices are not always connected, thus potentially wasting energy. Therefore, in some embodiments, a tracking system 100 implementing activity detection can be used to characterize the radio connectivity of environments, buildings, and storage facilities based on activity detection. As the tracking system 100 collects more data, it improves its predictions of when a particular radio transceiver can be turned on to have a higher chance of acquiring connectivity. This knowledge can be used to train other asset trackers in the same system, providing immediate results without prior training. For example, a tracking device (e.g., multi-mode tracking device 102) can be trained to detect when it is first loaded into a truck, when there is a high chance of connection for WiFi connectivity but no LTE connectivity, and so on. Based on activity detection, the tracking device (e.g., multi-mode tracking device 102) can turn its WiFi functionality on or off. In another example, a tracking device associated with an asset transported on a train can determine that it has a lower probability of acquiring GNSS location. Therefore, the tracking device may never turn on its radio transceiver until it is determined that the asset is no longer on the train.

[0304] In some embodiments, the tracking device in tracking system 100 (e.g., passive tracking device 108 or paired tracking device 106) can implement antenna diversity management to maximize power efficiency. In these embodiments, BLE beacon transmission supporting antenna diversity is using an antenna in an advertising package. A receiver from a receiving device (e.g., aggregator 104) responds with an advertising response containing the received RSSI and the antenna used by the transmitted beacon. The tracking device (e.g., passive tracking device 108 or paired tracking device 106) uses this data to select the best antenna for transmission, so that the device transmits the next few (e.g., five) beacons only on the selected antennas until a significant change in the RSSI occurs or the device does not receive a response.

[0305] In some scenarios, it is difficult to locate assets while they are moving through the supply chain or during storage. Today's tracking devices rely on individual "knowledge" of the asset's location. While many tracker devices can be deployed at a single location to track assets at any given time, these tracking devices no longer rely on shared knowledge.

[0306] In some embodiments, tracking system 100 can be configured to share intelligence and / or data points collected by various tracking devices to improve the location accuracy of nearby assets. For example, tracking devices can share pressure sensor data among many tracking devices. Low-cost atmospheric pressure sensors provide relative pressure measurements. For example, the relative nature of the data does not allow the tracking system to determine how high a pallet is stored in a warehouse. By sharing data from many other asset tracking devices nearby, backend server system 120 can create a virtual map of the space. In embodiments, the map can be augmented by incorporating other sources of sensor data. For example, if an asset moves across two levels in a warehouse, we can infer two floors. Moreover, stationary assets have different pressure readings between these two levels. In this example, backend server system 120 can statistically infer the pallet height or storage rack height above these levels. As more data is collected, such estimates can be calculated more accurately. The dimensions for creating the virtual map can be given by orientation, acceleration, azimuth, temperature, pressure, humidity, ambient light, radio-based geolocation, laser interferometry, etc.

[0307] It is desirable to be able to track devices in many different environments, not just in controlled environments such as transportation or storage environments. However, implementing tracking infrastructure in many different environments presents challenges; it is an expensive approach and is not always feasible due to power consumption issues. Therefore, in some embodiments, user equipment 160 may be configured to discover tracking devices (e.g., passive tracking devices and / or powered tracking devices) associated with the tracked item and may report such discoveries to backend tracking system 120.

[0308] In some embodiments, when a tracking device receives a short message from another tracking device, the tracking device can detect the tracking device (powered or passive). The tracking device includes a powered tracking device configured to periodically announce its presence by transmitting a short message containing the tracking device's device identifier and any other suitable data. In some embodiments, the tracking device includes a passive tracking device. In these embodiments, the passive tracking device can be activated by another device (e.g., by an RF signal transmitted by another device) and, in response to activation, can transmit a short message containing the tracking device's device identifier and any other suitable data. In these embodiments, user equipment 160 can be configured to periodically transmit a signal that activates a passive device in its vicinity. User equipment 160 can activate a passive tracking device to transmit a short message when a user of user equipment 160 moves in an environment with the tracked item (e.g., walking, running, cycling, etc.) or when the tracked item moves into the environment of user equipment 160. In either scenario, the tracking device can transmit a short message containing beacon data (such as the tracking device's device identifier and any other suitable data). In response to receiving a short message from a tracking device, user equipment 160 may push any beacon data received from the discovered tracking device to backend tracking system 120. For example, user equipment 160 may transmit the tracking device's device identifier and any other data contained in the short message to backend tracking system 120. In an embodiment, user equipment 160 may also transmit its geographic location (e.g., a geographic location obtained from user equipment 160's GPS system) along with the beacon data to backend tracking system 120.

[0309] In one embodiment, the backend tracking system 120 may maintain location profiles for all items marked by BUS beacons. In another embodiment, the location profile may correspond to a tracked item. The location profile may indicate a set of one or more tracking devices associated with the tracked item (e.g., device identifiers of any items associated with the tracked item), the geographic location of the corresponding user equipment 160 when it discovered the tracking device associated with the tracked item, and for each corresponding geographic location, a timestamp indicating when the reporting user equipment 160 reported the discovery of the tracking device associated with the tracked item. The location profile may also include additional metadata, including device type and / or device identifier of the reporting user equipment 160, device identifier of the tracking device transmitting a short message to user equipment 160, etc. In another embodiment, the backend tracking system 120 may update the location profile of the tracked item in response to receiving the device identifier of the tracking device and the geographic location of user equipment 160 from user equipment 160. In some of these embodiments, the backend tracking system may aggregate data in the location profile of the tracked item to determine any number of appropriate insights on the tracked item. For example, a backend tracking system can determine the latest known location of the tracked item, its route, and patterns associated with its movement. The aforementioned technologies can be applied to consumer and / or industrial products.

[0310] In some cases, the tracked item may be located in areas where user equipment 160 is not typically occupied, or in areas where power issues are not critical. For example, the tracked item may be located in environments such as industrial, manufacturing, transportation, and / or supply chain environments. Therefore, in some embodiments, dedicated location collector node devices (or “collector node devices”), such as fixed or mobile tracking devices, may be installed in areas where more accurate and timely location information is desired. The collector node device may operate in the same manner as user equipment 160 described above, as it may receive short messages transmitted by the tracking device, which include beacon data indicating the device identifier of the tracking device. In response to receiving the short message, the collector node device may report the device identifier of the tracking device and the geographical location of the collector node device to the backend tracking system 120. The backend tracking system 120 may receive the device identifier of the tracking device and the geographical location of the collector node device in the manner described above and may update the location profile of the tracked item.

[0311] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple collector node devices can be placed in the same environment and may have overlapping communication ranges, thereby improving the accuracy of location estimation for the tracked item. For example, two collector node devices can be placed on either side of a room, so that a tracking device located in the middle of the room is within the communication range of both collector node devices, but a tracking device located at either end of the room may only be within the communication range of one of the collector node devices. Therefore, when a tracking device transmits a short message indicating its device identifier and both collector node devices report this event to the backend tracking system 120, the backend tracking system 120 can determine that the tracking device is near the middle of the room; while when only one collector node device reports this event, the backend tracking system can determine that the tracking device is located at one end of the room.

[0312] In this embodiment, the collector node device is powered via a wired connection to a power source, and thus can be implemented using a higher-power RF transmitter. In this way, the collector node device can extend its read range and detect a larger number of tracking devices in its vicinity.

[0313] However, in some scenarios, the available RF energy in the environment may be insufficient to excite the passive tracking device, or even if sufficient, the collector node device may have to collect energy between each passive tracking device for an extended period. In some embodiments, the tracking system may include an RF illuminator. The RF illuminator may be positioned to extend the tag's excitation range and / or enable more user equipment 160 to receive short messages from the passive tracking device. In embodiments, the RF illuminator may be a simple transmission-only device that does not communicate with the network. In some embodiments, the illuminator may include a wired power source (e.g., a wall socket) or a portable power source (e.g., a battery). The illuminator may transmit at a frequency selected from several different frequencies to provide the maximum amount of RF energy without interfering with other frequency bands. In embodiments, the illuminator may use a directional antenna to create a desired excitation zone, thereby allowing tracking devices entering the desired excitation zone to broadcast short messages to any user equipment 160 within the receiving range of the tracking device. Note that the radius of the receiving range is typically larger than the excitation zone. Therefore, user equipment 160 outside the excitation zone may still be located within the receiving zone.

[0314] In embodiments, the illuminator may include sensors and / or network interface devices to enable additional features. In embodiments, the illuminator may include network interface devices to enable communication with a back-end tracking system and / or other illuminators. In these embodiments, the back-end tracking system and / or another illuminator may transmit commands to the illuminator to begin or stop transmitting RF energy signals. In embodiments, the illuminator may include one or more motion sensors so that the illuminator can begin transmitting RF energy signals once motion is detected in its vicinity. In these embodiments, the motion sensors trigger the illuminator to begin stimulating nearby potential tracking devices only when motion is detected, in order to record any tracked items that have recently entered the illuminator's stimulation zone. In embodiments, the illuminator may also transmit commands to passive tracking devices via RF energy signals. These commands may include requests for specific types of data (e.g., temperature data or light data) collected by sensors integrated into the tracking device.

[0315] In embodiments, the tracking device may include embedded sensors, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, inertial sensors, shock sensors, and / or chemical sensors. These sensors collect and store data until a communication link is established, allowing the collected data to be uploaded. However, these tracking devices can be significantly more expensive than passive tracking devices without sensors and may require expensive WAN cellular models or reader infrastructure to download the collected data from the tracking device. Passive tracking devices typically lack the ability to store sensor data, even if the tracking device has collected enough RF energy to obtain a sample from the sensor.

[0316] To address these issues, in some embodiments, various sensors can be designed to be embedded and operate within a passive tracking device. In these embodiments, the passive tracking device can be configured to transmit sensor data immediately and repeatedly once it has collected sufficient power to transmit the data. The sensor data is collected by any user equipment 160 within the receiving range of the passive tracking device. Therefore, any user equipment 160 near the passive tracking device can receive sensor data from it and can upload the collected sensor data to the backend tracking system 120. While the probability of any single user equipment 160 receiving a short message containing the collected data is relatively low and random, the aggregated data logs from user equipment that passes through and uploads sensor data to the backend server can still provide sufficient data.

[0317] One issue with user device 160 tracking items / tracking devices is that the location of user device 160 does not provide a complete picture of the time of certain types of locations or events (such as concerts, lunch trucks, kiosks, emergency response events, etc.).

[0318] In this embodiment, passive tracking devices can be configured to provide contextual data in short messages. Contextual data may include codes or other markers that provide time information at a given location. Passive tracking devices (e.g., tags) applied to specialized vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, buses, lunch trucks, and delivery trucks can provide time information that is otherwise unavailable. Similarly, tags applied to temporary structures (e.g., concert venues, kiosks, race finish lines, etc.) can provide advertising opportunities for businesses on social media and / or provide contextual information for the tagged items.

[0319] In some scenarios, it may be desirable to tag important items, such as important documents requiring visual indication and / or notarization, or valuable items requiring proof of authenticity (such as jewelry, artwork, and expensive clothing). In embodiments, the tracking device may be configured to perform authentication using a distributed ledger (such as a blockchain). In these embodiments, the passive tracking device (e.g., a tag) may include a device identifier or other value corresponding to an entry stored in a distributed register, thereby associating the passive tracking device with a party (e.g., the signatory of a document, the maker of an artwork, the issuer of a bond, or the seller of expensive clothing). In this way, the party wishing to establish authenticity may attach the passive tracking device (e.g., a tag) to an important item being offered to another party. The other party may scan the passive tracking device to authenticate the item. For example, in response to scanning the item with user equipment 160, user equipment 160 may request the device storing the cryptographic ledger corresponding to the tag to verify the existence of a block with a device identifier or other marker associated with the tag, and that the tag is associated with the party establishing authenticity.

[0320] In some embodiments, passive BLE tags (such as the passive tracking devices discussed above) can be configured as low-cost hardware cryptographic wallets. In these embodiments, the passive BLE tag can store one or more private / public keys belonging to the tag owner, whereby the private keys are associated with a user's credit card and / or cryptocurrency account. The BLE tag can be incentivized / scanned at the point of sale, prompting the user to authorize transactions related to the user account associated with the tag.

[0321] This document discloses detailed embodiments of the present disclosure; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure and may be implemented in various forms. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure differently with virtually any suitable detailed structure.

[0322] As used herein, the term "an" is defined as one or more. As used herein, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "comprising" and / or "having" are defined as including (i.e., open transitions).

[0323] Although only a few embodiments of this disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the following claims. All foreign and domestic patent applications and patents cited herein, as well as all other publications, are incorporated herein in their entirety to the extent permitted by law.

[0324] The methods and systems described herein can be deployed, in part or in whole, by a machine that executes computer software, program code, and / or instructions on a processor. This disclosure can be implemented as a method on a machine, as a system or apparatus that is part of or associated with a machine, or as a computer program product implemented in a computer-readable medium that executes on one or more machines. In embodiments, the processor can be part of a server, cloud server, client, network infrastructure, mobile computing platform, fixed computing platform, or other computing platform. The processor can be any type of computing or processing device capable of executing program instructions, code, binary instructions, etc. The processor can be or can include a signal processor, digital processor, embedded processor, microprocessor, or any variant such as a coprocessor (mathematical coprocessor, graphics coprocessor, communication coprocessor, etc.) that can directly or indirectly facilitate the execution of program code or program instructions stored thereon. Furthermore, the processor can enable the execution of multiple programs, threads, and code. Threads can execute concurrently to enhance processor performance and facilitate simultaneous operation of applications. By implementation, the methods, program code, program instructions, etc., described herein can be implemented in one or more threads. A thread may spawn other threads, which may have been assigned an associated priority; the processor may execute these threads based on priority or any other order of instructions provided in the program code. A processor, or any machine utilizing a processor, may include non-transitory memory that stores methods, code, instructions, and programs as described herein and elsewhere. The processor may access non-transitory storage media through an interface, which may store methods, code, and instructions as described herein and elsewhere. Storage media associated with the processor for storing methods, programs, code, program instructions, or other types of instructions executable by a computing or processing device may include, but are not limited to, one or more of CD-ROMs, DVDs, memory, hard disks, flash drives, RAM, ROM, caches, etc.

[0325] The processor may include one or more cores that can enhance the speed and performance of the multiprocessor. In embodiments, the processor may be a dual-core processor, a quad-core processor, or other chip-level multiprocessor, etc., that combines two or more independent cores (called dies).

[0326] The methods and systems described herein can be deployed in whole or in part on a machine that executes computer software on a server, client, firewall, gateway, hub, router, or other such computer and / or network hardware. The software program can be associated with a server, which may include a file server, print server, domain server, internet server, intranet server, cloud server, and other variations (such as a secondary server, host server, distributed server, etc.). The server may include one or more of memory, processor, computer-readable medium, storage medium, ports (physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable of accessing other servers, clients, machines, and devices via wired or wireless media. The methods, programs, or code described herein and elsewhere can be executed by a server. Furthermore, other devices required to perform the methods described in this application can be considered part of the infrastructure associated with the server.

[0327] The server can provide interfaces to other devices, including but not limited to clients, other servers, printers, database servers, print servers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers, social networks, etc. Furthermore, this coupling and / or connection can facilitate remote execution of programs across the entire network. Networking some or all of these devices can facilitate parallel processing of programs or methods at one or more locations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, any device attached to the server via the interface can include at least one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, code, and / or instructions. A central repository can provide program instructions to be executed on different devices. In this embodiment, a remote repository can act as a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

[0328] The software program may be associated with a client, which may include file clients, print clients, domain clients, internet clients, intranet clients, and other variations such as auxiliary clients, host clients, distributed clients, etc. The client may include one or more of the following: memory, processor, computer-readable medium, storage medium, port (physical and virtual), communication device, and interface capable of accessing other clients, servers, machines, and devices via wired or wireless media. The methods, programs, or code described herein and elsewhere may be executed by the client. Furthermore, other devices required to perform the methods described in this application may be considered part of the infrastructure associated with the client.

[0329] The client can provide interlaced scanning to other devices, including but not limited to servers, other clients, printers, database servers, print servers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers, etc. Furthermore, this coupling and / or connection can facilitate remote execution of programs across networks. Networking of some or all of these devices can facilitate parallel processing of programs or methods at one or more locations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, any device attached to the client via an interface can include at least one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, applications, code, and / or instructions. A central repository can provide program instructions to be executed on different devices. In this embodiment, a remote repository can act as a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

[0330] The methods and systems described herein can be deployed, in whole or in part, through a network infrastructure. The network infrastructure may include elements such as computing devices, servers, routers, hubs, firewalls, clients, personal computers, communication devices, routing devices, and other active and passive devices, modules, and / or components known in the art. One or more computing and / or non-computing devices associated with the network infrastructure may include, among other components, storage media such as flash memory, buffers, stacks, RAM, and ROM. The processes, methods, program code, and instructions described herein and elsewhere can be executed by one or more of the network infrastructure elements. The methods and systems described herein are suitable for use with any kind of private, community, or hybrid cloud computing network or cloud computing environment, including those involving features of Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and / or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

[0331] The methods, program code, and instructions described herein and elsewhere can be implemented on cellular networks with multiple cells. The cellular network can be a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network. A cellular network can include mobile devices, cellular sites, base stations, repeaters, antennas, towers, etc. The cellular network can be GSM, GPRS, 3G, EVDQ, mesh networks, or other network types.

[0332] The methods, program code, and instructions described herein and elsewhere can be implemented on or through mobile devices. Mobile devices may include navigation devices, telephones, mobile phones, mobile personal digital assistants, laptops, PDAs, netbooks, pagers, e-book readers, music players, etc. These devices may also include storage media such as flash memory, buffers, RAM, ROM, and one or more computing devices, among other components. The computing devices associated with the mobile device may be enabled to execute program code, methods, and instructions stored thereon. Alternatively, the mobile device may be configured to cooperate with other devices to execute instructions. The mobile device may communicate with a base station that interfaces with a server and is configured to execute program code. The mobile device may communicate on peer-to-peer networks, mesh networks, or other communication networks. Program code may be stored on storage media associated with a server and executed by a computing device embedded within the server. A base station may include computing devices and storage media. Storage devices may store program code and instructions executed by the computing devices associated with the base station.

[0333] Computer software, program code, and / or instructions can be stored and / or accessed on a machine-readable medium, which may include: computer components, devices, and recording media that retain digital data used for computation for a certain time interval; semiconductor storage devices called random access memory (RAM); mass storage devices, typically used for more permanent storage, such as optical discs, magnetic storage forms (e.g., hard disks, magnetic tapes, drums, cards, and other types); processor registers, cache memory, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory; optical storage devices such as CDs and DVDs; removable media such as flash memory (e.g., USB sticks or keys), floppy disks, magnetic tapes, paper tapes, punch cards, individual RAM disks, Zip drives, removable mass storage devices, offline storage, etc.; and other computer memory such as dynamic memory, static memory, read / write storage devices, variable storage devices, read-only, random access, sequential access, location-addressable, file-addressable, content-addressable, network-attached storage devices, storage area networks, barcodes, magnetic ink, etc.

[0334] The methods and systems described herein can transform physical and / or intangible articles from one state to another. The methods and systems described herein can also transform data representing physical and / or intangible articles from one state to another.

[0335] The elements described and depicted herein, including in the flowcharts and block diagrams throughout the accompanying drawings, imply logical boundaries between elements. However, in accordance with software or hardware engineering practice, the depicted elements and their functions can be implemented on a machine by a computer-executable medium having a processor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as a monolithic software architecture, as a standalone software module, or as a module employing external routines, code, services, etc., or any combination thereof, and all such implementations are within the scope of this disclosure. Examples of such machines may include, but are not limited to, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, personal computers, mobile phones, other handheld computing devices, medical devices, wired or wireless communication devices, transducers, chips, calculators, satellites, tablet PCs, e-books, gadgets, electronic devices, devices with artificial intelligence, computing devices, networking devices, servers, routers, etc. Furthermore, the elements or any other logical components depicted in the flowcharts and block diagrams can be implemented on a machine capable of executing program instructions. Therefore, while the foregoing drawings and descriptions illustrate functional aspects of the disclosed system, specific arrangements of software for implementing these functional aspects should not be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitly stated or otherwise understood from the context. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the steps identified and described above can vary, and the order of the steps can be adapted to a particular application of the technology disclosed herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, unless a particular application requires or is expressly stated or otherwise clear from the context, the depiction and / or description of the order of the steps should not be construed as requiring a particular order of execution of these steps.

[0336] The methods and / or processes described above, and the associated steps, can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination of hardware and software suitable for a particular application. Hardware may include general-purpose computers and / or special-purpose computing devices or specific aspects or components of specific computing devices. These processes may be implemented in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors, or other programmable devices, as well as internal and / or external memory. Processes may also be implemented, or alternatively, in application-specific integrated circuits, programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, or any other device or combination of devices that can be configured to process electronic signals. It will also be appreciated that one or more of the processes can be implemented as computer-executable code capable of executing on a machine-readable medium. Computer-executable code can be created using structured programming languages ​​such as C, object-oriented programming languages ​​such as C++, or any other high- or low-level programming languages ​​(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, and database programming languages ​​and techniques), and can be stored, compiled, or interpreted to run on one of the aforementioned devices and heterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, combinations of different hardware and software, or any other machine capable of executing program instructions.

[0337] Therefore, on the one hand, the methods and combinations thereof described above can be implemented in computer-executable code, which performs its steps when executed on one or more computing devices. On the other hand, these methods can be implemented in a system that performs its steps and can be distributed across devices in various ways, or all functions can be integrated into a dedicated standalone device or other hardware. Furthermore, the components used to perform the steps associated with the above-described processes can include any of the aforementioned hardware and / or software. All such permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0338] While this disclosure has been made in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of this disclosure are not limited to the foregoing examples, but should be understood in the broadest sense permitted by law.

[0339] In the context of describing this disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims), the use of the terms “an” and “the” and similar references should be interpreted as covering both the singular and plural forms, unless otherwise indicated herein or obviously contradictory to the context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” should be interpreted as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including but not limited to”), unless otherwise indicated. References to numerical ranges herein are intended only as a shorthand method of referring to each individual value falling within that range, unless otherwise indicated, and each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were separately described herein. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated herein or obviously contradictory to the context. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended only to better illustrate this disclosure and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of this disclosure, unless otherwise required. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating that any unclaimed element is essential to the practice of this disclosure.

[0340] While the foregoing written description enables those skilled in the art to make and use what is currently considered the best model, they will understand and recognize the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples herein. Therefore, this disclosure should not be limited to the foregoing embodiments, methods, and examples, but rather to all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0341] No element in the claims that expressly states "component for performing the specified function" or "step for performing the specified function" shall be construed as a "component" or "step" as specified in 35 U.S.SC § 112(f). In particular, any use of "...step" in the claims is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.SC § 112(f).

[0342] Those skilled in the art will recognize that many design configurations may enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive system. Therefore, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the invention, the scope of the invention is reflected by the scope of the following claims rather than being narrowed by the foregoing embodiments.

Claims

1. A passive tracking device, comprising: The first antenna transmits a response signal in the first frequency band; The second antenna receives the excitation signal in the second frequency band; An energy harvesting module receives an excitation signal from a remote device via a second antenna and converts the excitation signal from radio frequency (RF) power into DC power to excite the passive tracking device. A transmission module that modulates a response signal for transmission in a first frequency band and outputs the modulated response signal to a first antenna for transmission according to a communication protocol, wherein the response signal includes a message indicating a device identifier of a passive tracking device. as well as A sensor module includes one or more sensors, wherein, in response to being excited by an energy harvesting module, the sensor module outputs sensor data generated by the one or more sensors to a transmission module, and the transmission module includes at least a portion of the sensor data in a modulated response signal for transmission via a first antenna, wherein the transmission module includes at least a portion of the sensor data in the modulated response signal when the value of the sensor data satisfies a predefined condition.

2. The passive tracking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more of a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a humidity sensor, a motion sensor, a vibration sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

3. The passive tracking device as described in claim 1, wherein, When the temperature value exceeds the upper limit threshold, the transmission module includes the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor in the modulated response signal.

4. The passive tracking device as described in claim 1, wherein, When the temperature value is less than the lower threshold, the transmission module includes the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor in the modulated response signal.

5. The passive tracking device of claim 1, wherein the transmission module includes the sensor data generated by the one or more sensors in a modulated response signal when the value of the sensor data has met and / or exceeded a threshold.

6. The passive tracking device as described in claim 1, wherein, When sensor data does not meet predefined conditions, the transmission module avoids including the sensor data in the response signal.

7. The passive tracking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission module is a first transmission module, the response signal is a first response signal, the excitation signal is a first excitation signal, the communication protocol is a first communication protocol, the message is a first message, and the device identifier is a first device identifier.

8. The passive tracking device as described in claim 7, wherein: When the passive tracking device operates in the first mode, the first transmission module modulates the first response signal and outputs the modulated response signal to the first transmission module; and When the passive tracking device operates in the first mode, the sensor module outputs sensor data to the first transmission module.

9. The passive tracking device as described in claim 8, further comprising: The third antenna transmits both the second response signal and receives the second excitation signal in the third frequency band; The second transmission module prepares a second response signal for transmission in a third frequency band when the passive tracking device operates in a second mode according to a second communication protocol and facilitates the transmission of the prepared second response signal by switching the impedance of the third antenna, wherein the second response signal includes a second message indicating a second device identifier of the passive tracking device. as well as The mode selection module determines whether the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the excitation signal received from the remote device via a second antenna and / or a third antenna.

10. The passive tracking device as described in claim 9, wherein: The first communication protocol is one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi communication protocols; The first frequency band is suitable for carrying signals according to one of the Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi communication protocols; The second frequency band is equal to the first frequency band; The second communication protocol is the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) communication protocol; and The third frequency band is suitable for carrying signals according to RFID communication protocols.

11. The passive tracking device of claim 10, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are equal to 2.4 GHz, and the third frequency band is equal to 900 MHz.

12. The passive tracking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second communication protocol is the Electronic Product Code (EPC) UHF RFID communication protocol.

13. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein when operating in a first mode, a first response signal is modulated and transmitted according to one of a Bluetooth communication protocol, a Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, and a Wi-Fi communication protocol, and when operating in a second mode, a second response signal is prepared and transmitted according to an RFID communication protocol.

14. The passive tracking device of claim 13, wherein the mode selection module defaults to modulating and transmitting the first response signal according to the Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol, unless an excitation signal is received on the third frequency band and the excitation signal contains an identified RFID command.

15. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode in response to receiving an excitation signal in a second frequency band via a second antenna.

16. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a first mode in response to determining that the received excitation signal does not contain an RFID header or command.

17. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the first mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in the first mode in response to determining that the received excitation signal does not contain an EPC UHF RFID header or command.

18. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the first transmission module determines when the passive tracking device will transmit a modulated first response signal based on the amount of energy stored by the passive tracking device.

19. The passive tracking device as described in claim 18, wherein, When the amount of energy stored by the passive tracking device exceeds a first power threshold, the first transmission module determines that the passive tracking device will immediately transmit a modulated first response signal.

20. The passive tracking device as described in claim 18, wherein, When the amount of energy stored by the passive tracking device exceeds a second power threshold but is less than a first power threshold, the first transmission module determines that the passive tracking device will transmit a modulated first response signal after a delay, wherein the second power threshold is less than the first power threshold.

21. The passive tracking device of claim 20, wherein the first power threshold is 0 dBm and the second power threshold is -20 dBm.

22. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode in response to receiving an excitation signal via a third antenna in a third frequency band.

23. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode based on the content of the excitation signal.

24. The passive tracking device of claim 23, wherein the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode in response to determining that the excitation signal includes a header in RFID format.

25. The passive tracking device of claim 23, wherein the mode selection module determines that the passive tracking device will operate in a second mode in response to a received excitation signal containing a message in full RFID format.

26. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the first mode is the default transmission mode, and the mode selection module selects the second mode in response to: The excitation signal was received in the third frequency band via the third antenna; and The excitation signal contains an RFID-format header and a full RFID-format message containing EPC commands.

27. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the energy harvesting module outputs DC power to one or more of the first transmission module, the second transmission module, and the mode selection module.

28. The passive tracking device of claim 9, wherein the first device identifier and the second device identifier are the same.

29. The passive tracking device of claim 1, wherein the sensor module includes a volume acoustic wave temperature sensor.

30. The passive tracking device of claim 1, wherein the transmission module includes a reference oscillator, which is a bulk acoustic wave oscillator.

31. A method performed by a passive tracking device, comprising: The response signal is transmitted in the first frequency band via the first antenna; The excitation signal is received in the second frequency band via the second antenna. The excitation signal is received from the remote device via the energy harvesting module and the second antenna, and the excitation signal is converted from radio frequency (RF) power into DC power to excite the passive tracking device. The response signal is modulated via a transmission module for transmission in a first frequency band, and the modulated response signal is output to a first antenna for transmission according to a communication protocol, wherein the response signal includes a message indicating a device identifier of a passive tracking device. In response to being excited by the energy harvesting module, sensor data generated by the one or more sensors is output to the transmission module via a sensor module including one or more sensors, and the transmission module includes at least a portion of the sensor data in a modulated response signal for transmission via a first antenna, wherein modulation includes including at least a portion of the sensor data in the modulated response signal when the value of the sensor data satisfies a predefined condition.

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