System and method for wireless asset tracking

Abstract

A system and method employing a combination of long-range and short-range asset location systems, preferable a GPS-based system combined with an RFID-based system. The short-range system regularly activates itself, or is remotely polled, to determine if the asset is within range of the short-range transceivers, and the long-range system is activated to determine the location of the asset when it is outside the range of the short-range transceivers. In at least some embodiments, the asset is an automobile equipped with both RFID and GPS-based transceivers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed, in general, to systems and methods for wireless asset tracking, and, more specifically, to asset tracking systems using multiple tracking means. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Tracking assets, physical inventory, and other objects in a large-scale enterprise is a daunting task. Traditionally, this requires a manual, physical inventory that must be regularly repeated. Further, as assets move from place to place, or out of the control of the enterprise, the conventional process requires a time-intensive paperwork trail to track the movement of the assets. [0003] This already-daunting task is made even more difficult when the assets being tracked are physically similar, since in that case every specific serial number must be verified to conclusively identify the specific item. [0004] Recently, for items such as shipping containers, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags have been used to partially automa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system and method that combines two types of asset location systems: long-range and short-range. The short-range system regularly checks to see if the asset is within range of its transceivers, while the long-range system is activated when the asset is outside the range. This system is particularly useful for automobiles that have both RFID and GPS-based transceivers. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a more accurate and reliable way to locate assets, especially automobiles, using a combination of long-range and short-range systems.

Problems solved by technology

Further, as assets move from place to place, or out of the control of the enterprise, the conventional process requires a time-intensive paperwork trail to track the movement of the assets.

This already-daunting task is made even more difficult when the assets being tracked are physically similar, since in that case every specific serial number must be verified to conclusively identify the specific item.

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