Method and system for tracking cable drums and the length of cable on the drums

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for tracking a cable reel and the length of a cable on the reel, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) attaching a tracker device having a tracker identifier to a cable reel having a reel identifier; b) also associating the reel identifier with the tracker identifier in a database; c) activating a first electronic circuit of the tracker device when an event occurs, storing the detected event in a local memory, and switching the first electronic circuit to a standby mode after the detected event is stored; d) activating a second electronic circuit, transmitting the tracker identifier, the detected location coordinates, and the detected event stored in the local memory to a database; e) associating the transmitted detected location coordinates and the transmitted detected event to the tracker identifier and the reel identifier in the database; f) calculating the remaining length of the cable on the cable reel using the data stored in the database.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for tracking cable reels and the length of cable on the reels. Background Art

[0002] As is known, reels of cable reels of different types and different lengths are typically stored simultaneously in a large inventory storage area from which a particular cable reel is selected and picked up depending on the particular project or construction to be performed.

[0003] Once the cable wound on the drum is used, resulting in an empty drum, the empty drum will be moved to a storage area, which can be the initial inventory storage area or a different storage area. The empty drum is then returned to the cable manufacturing plant's plant to be reused for winding new cables.

[0004] Typically, once a customer orders a cable reel, he needs to track the location of the cable reel in real time throughout the shipping and delivery process in order to improve project planning. This tracking data allows for analysis and comparison of efficiency between transport providers based on actual delivery times.

[0005] Furthermore, more and more frequently, customers request to also receive updated information about the length of cable on the reel, in order to reduce the likelihood of running out of stock, and to reduce the amount of time that empty reels remain on site waiting to be returned to the cable manufacturing plant's floor. This facilitates the management of inventory and allows for improved planning of empty reel pick-up and delivery of new orders, thereby increasing transportation efficiency.

[0006] In order to improve order planning and facilitate stock management of products in inventory storage, it is known to provide traceable cable reels with tracking devices.

[0007] US2016 / 0023863 describes a system and method for tracking the remaining length of a material wound on a reel. In the system, when a detection element mounted on the reel is close to a corresponding sensor, two sensors deployed relative to the reel (and relative to each other) generate detection signals in the order of indicating a forward reel rotation or a reverse reel rotation. The system also includes a processor that is operable to receive the detection signal to count the total number of forward rotations of the reel, which is stored in a memory. A battery powers the processor, the memory, and the sensor. The system also includes a transceiver that is removable and operably coupled between the memory and a calculator that calculates the remaining length of the material wound on the reel based on the total number of forward rotations of the reel. The system can also record the time and place associated with the rotation.

[0008] US2006 / 0202817 discloses that in GPS-based and other types of asset tracking systems, event masking rules can be applied to asset tracking units and / or to a central station to determine whether to report events detected by the asset tracking units. These events can be related to a transport vehicle such as a truck trailer or a cargo container to which the asset tracking unit is attached. Event masking rules can be defined at the central station and downloaded to the asset tracking unit via satellite communications, and / or the rules can be defined locally at the asset tracking unit. Summary of the invention

[0009] Applicants have observed that a tracking system for a cable reel should be able to track the location and remaining length of cable on the reel.

[0010] In particular, the Applicant has observed that a remote tracker device, which is attached to a cable drum and must be powered by electrical energy in order to collect and transmit data, needs to have a minimum autonomy of 24 months.

[0011] Therefore, the electronic circuitry of such a remote tracker device for transmitting tracking data cannot be activated all the time, but at the same time events affecting the cable length or the integrity of the reel must be recorded.

[0012] The Applicant has faced the problem of reducing the energy consumption of a remote tracker device in order to obtain an autonomy of at least 24 months, ensuring the recording of events related to the cable reel and the cable length.

[0013] The Applicant has realised that if the transmission of the tracking data is not performed in real time, and if then it occurs intermittently at predefined times, the electronic circuit for transmitting the tracking data does not need to be continuously powered, but it can be activated at said predefined times, involving a reduction in energy consumption.

[0014] The Applicant then envisions saving detected events related to the cable drum and cable length in a local memory of the tracking device once these events have been detected, so that the transmission of this saved data can occur at any predefined time.

[0015] This involves reducing the energy consumption of the electronic circuits of the tracker device.

[0016] Furthermore, the Applicant has also conceived of switching such an electronic circuit to a standby mode after the transmission of the detected stored data has been performed.

[0017] This allows for further saving of battery power of the tracker device.

[0018] Thus, according to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for tracking a cable reel, the method comprising the following steps:

[0019] a) attaching a tracker device having a tracker identifier to a cable reel having a reel identifier associated in a database with a reel size and a cable size of a cable stored on the reel;

[0020] b) also associating the reel identifier with the tracker identifier in a database;

[0021] c) activating a first electronic circuit of the tracker device when an event occurs comprising at least a shock of the reel and / or a number of revolutions of the reel around the longitudinal axis (Y), storing the detected event in a local memory of the tracker device, and switching the first electronic circuit to a standby mode after the detected event is stored, the first electronic circuit comprising a sensing module for detecting at least the event;

[0022] d) activating a second electronic circuit comprising a communication module connected to the communication system and a positioning module detecting position coordinates of the tracker device and the cable reel, transmitting via the communication system the tracker identifier, the detected position coordinates and the detected event stored in a local memory;

[0023] e) associating the transmitted detected position coordinates and the transmitted detected event to the tracker identifier and the reel identifier in the database;

[0024] f) calculating the remaining length of the cable on the cable drum using the data stored in the database;

[0025] Wherein the activation of the second electronic circuit and the subsequent steps occur at scheduled time intervals, and wherein after the transferring step, the second electronic circuit is switched to a standby mode.

[0026] In an embodiment, after a successful transmission step at point d), at least part of the local memory is cleared.

[0027] In this way, the management of the available space of the local memory is optimized.

[0028] In an embodiment, the positioning module is configured to detect the position coordinates of the tracker device and the cable reel by means of a satellite positioning module or by means of data retrieved from a communication system by the communication module.

[0029] In this way, redundancy is created for the positioning of the cable reel; this increases the reliability of the tracking of the cable reel.

[0030] The system checks and ensures that the transmission date and time retrieved from the network is correct by comparing the provided date and time with the UTC date and time of the given location, either through the satellite positioning module and the data retrieved from the communication module.

[0031] In an embodiment, the method comprises the following steps before the second electronic circuit is switched to the standby mode:

[0032] - Checking whether new configuration data are available in the database and in case of a positive result of this verification, downloading said new configuration data and applying said new configuration to the tracker device electronic circuitry.

[0033] This allows updating the electronic circuitry of the tracker device, or configuring it based on certain customer requirements.

[0034] In an embodiment, the sensing module further detects at least one environmental parameter.

[0035] The detection of environmental parameters can be used to develop a predictive analysis of the general condition of the cable reel in order to determine its suitability for recycling, refurbishment and / or disposal.

[0036] In an embodiment, activation of the second electronic circuit and subsequent steps additionally occur when the tracker device has been attached to the flange of the cable reel.

[0037] In an embodiment, activation of the second electronic circuit and subsequent steps additionally occur upon receipt of a control signal by the communication module.

[0038] The control signal may be a request for synchronization signal.

[0039] In this way, it becomes possible to receive detected information about the cable reel and the cable length at any desired time.

[0040] In an embodiment, activation of the second electronic circuit and subsequent steps additionally occur upon receipt of a control signal by a near field communication (NFC) switch device associated to the tracker device and configured to activate / deactivate the tracker device.

[0041] In an embodiment, the sensing module is configured to detect shocks above a predetermined threshold force value.

[0042] This means saving space in local storage as well as battery power on the tracking device.

[0043] In an embodiment, the sensing module comprises:

[0044] - at least two mechanical tilt switches positioned parallel to and eccentrically to the flange of the cable drum, such that when the cable drum rotates about the longitudinal axis the at least two mechanical tilt switches sequentially adopt an open position and a closed position, thereby defining a sequence of state changes of the at least two mechanical tilt switches corresponding to a complete rotation of the cable drum;

[0045] - one or more vibration sensors configured to detect vibrations of the cable drum;

[0046] Detecting the number of turns of the cable drum around its longitudinal axis (Y) comprises the following steps:

[0047] -Detect state changes of mechanical tilt switches;

[0048] - Counting the number of revolutions of the cable drum by counting the occurrence of a sequence of state changes of the at least two mechanical tilt switches corresponding to a complete revolution of the cable drum.

[0049] This counting is very reliable, since it is based on the detection of a predetermined sequence of events involving two or more sensors, ie at least two mechanical switches. Thus, the tracking of the cable length is also very reliable.

[0050] In an embodiment, the one or more shock sensors are further configured to verify whether the cable reel is rotating about its longitudinal axis (Y), and if the one or more shock sensors verify that the cable reel is rotating about its longitudinal axis (Y), the step of counting the number of rotations of the cable reel is initiated.

[0051] In an embodiment, the step of counting the number of revolutions of the cable reel is initiated if the one or more shock sensors detect that the cable reel is rotating substantially continuously about its longitudinal axis (Y) at a rotation speed above a minimum value.

[0052] In an embodiment, the method for counting the rotations of the cable reel comprises the following steps: When the cable reel is rotating at a rotation speed higher than a maximum value, or when the cable reel is rotating about a longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the ground plane, the counted number of revolutions is corrected with a gyroscope. This prevents possible false counting of the number of revolutions due to blocking of the mechanical tilt switch, which occurs due to centrifugal forces when the cable reel is rotating at high speed, or when the cable reel is rotating at a certain angle. Depending on the size of the cable reel and the distance of the tilt switch to the longitudinal axis of the cable reel, blocking of the tilt switch may occur at a rotation speed higher than one rotation per 500 ms.

[0053] In an embodiment, the tracker device comprises a main processing and control unit having an internal clock which performs a countdown of a given time corresponding to a predetermined time interval, and a method for counting rotations of a cable reel provides steps in which an event detected by a sensing module is stored in a local memory together with a countdown value corresponding to the time of activation of said first electronic circuit.

[0054] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for tracking a cable reel configured to implement the above method, comprising:

[0055] - Cable reels;

[0056] - Tracker device attached to the cable drum;

[0057] - a database capable of communicating with the tracker device via a communication system;

[0058] - A central processing unit associated with a database.

[0059] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Furthermore, all ranges include any combination of the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

[0060] Moreover, the terms "a" and "an" are used to describe elements and components of the present disclosure. This is done only for convenience and to give a general meaning of the present disclosure. This description should be understood to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Other features will become apparent from the detailed description presented below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] - Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a tracking system according to the present disclosure;

[0063] - Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A block diagram of an electronic circuit of a tracker device of a tracking system;

[0064] - Figure 3 is a factory view of the flange of the cable drum with the tracker device provided with a mechanical tilt switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] exist Figure 1 A system 100 for tracking a cable reel according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG.

[0066] The system 100 for tracking a cable reel includes a cable reel 110 , a tracker device 120 attached to the cable reel 110 , a database 130 capable of communicating with the tracker device 120 , and a central processing unit 140 associated to the database 130 .

[0067] The cable drum 110 can be made of various materials, such as wood, metal or polymeric materials. The cable drum 110 includes a reel region 111, which is optionally cylindrical in shape. The reel region 111 is configured to support a predetermined length of wound cable 150. The cable 150 can be a telecommunication cable, an energy cable or a hybrid cable.

[0068] The cable reel 110 has a longitudinal axis Y and comprises two opposite flange areas 112 placed at opposite ends of the reel area 111. The flange areas 112 define a storage space for winding a cable 160. One of the flange areas 112 has a housing, optionally in cylindrical shape; the housing is particularly suitable for accommodating the tracker device 120. The housing may be provided on the flange area 112 after the cable reel 110 is assembled or during the manufacture of the cable reel 110. As an example, in case the cable reel 110 is made of wood, the housing may be obtained by drilling the flange area 112.

[0069] The cable reel 110 is associated with a reel identifier, which may be stored in a barcode / QR code label or an RFID / NFC tag attached to the cable reel 110 .

[0070] The drum identifier is also stored in the database 130, which is associated to the drum size and the size of the cable stored in the cable drum. Therefore, information about the size of the cable or drum is not directly stored in the tag or label attached to the cable drum 110, thus avoiding any information leakage in the event of tampering.

[0071] The tracker device 120 is associated with a tracker identifier, which may be stored in a barcode / QR code label or an RFID / NFC tag attached to the tracking device 120 .

[0072] The tracker device 120 includes:

[0073] - local storage 121;

[0074] a first electronic circuit 122 comprising a sensing module 128 capable of detecting at least the vibrations of the cable drum 110 and the number of revolutions of the cable drum 110 about its longitudinal axis Y;

[0075] A second electronic circuit 124 comprising a communication module 125 capable of wirelessly connecting to the communication system 160 and a positioning module 126 capable of detecting the position coordinates of the tracker device 120 and then of the cable reel 110 .

[0076] The tracker device 120 is preferably powered by a suitable battery 123. The tracker device 120 optionally also includes a solar panel associated with the battery in order to increase the battery efficiency and thus reduce the size of such battery.

[0077] In particular, if Figure 2 As shown in , the tracker device 120 includes a main processing and control unit 127 which is configured to control all electronic circuits and components of the tracker device 120 .

[0078] The sensing module 128 includes:

[0079] at least two mechanical tilt switches 170 associated with one of the two flanges 112 of the cable drum 110 such that the at least two mechanical tilt switches 170 are integral with the flange 112; in particular, the at least two mechanical tilt switches 170 are positioned parallel to the flange 112 of the cable drum 110 and eccentrically relative to the flange 112 of the cable drum 110 such that when the cable drum 110 rotates about the longitudinal axis, the at least two mechanical tilt switches 170 successively adopt an open position and a closed position, thereby defining a sequence of state changes of the at least two mechanical tilt switches 170 corresponding to a complete rotation of the cable drum 110;

[0080] - one or more vibration sensors 171 , 172 configured to detect vibrations of the cable drum;

[0081] an auxiliary processing and control unit 129 associated with the mechanical tilt switch 170 and the shock sensor; the auxiliary processing and control unit 129 is configured to detect the state changes of the mechanical tilt switch 170 and count the number of revolutions of the cable reel 110. The counting of the number of revolutions of the cable reel 110 is performed by counting the occurrence of a sequence of state changes of the at least two mechanical tilt switches 170 corresponding to a complete revolution of the cable reel 110.

[0082] The mechanical tilt switch 170 ensures that if the rotation speed is contained between the minimum and maximum values, the sequence of opening and closing of the tilt switch occurs in the correct order within the appropriate timing. The minimum value of the rotation speed can be, for example, one rotation every 30 seconds. The maximum value of the rotation speed can be, for example, one rotation every 500 milliseconds. If the mechanical tilt switch detects a complete rotation within 500 milliseconds, the movement is interpreted as vibration rather than rotation. By using more mechanical tilt switches, it is possible to improve accuracy and reduce energy consumption.

[0083] Optionally, the two mechanical tilt switches are positioned at an angle greater than 90° to each other.

[0084] exist Figure 3 In the particular embodiment shown, the sensing module 128 includes two pairs of mechanical tilt switches 170 associated with the flange 112 of the cable drum 110, with one pair positioned approximately 180° from the other pair; in this case, the mechanical tilt switches in each pair are positioned at an angle greater than 90° from each other.

[0085] Alternatively, the sensing module 128 includes three mechanical tilt switches 170 associated with the flange 112 of the cable drum 110 ; in this case, the mechanical tilt switches 170 are positioned at an angle of approximately 60° from each other.

[0086] Mechanical tilt switch 170 is, for example, a roller switch mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) associated with flange 112 such that the PCB containing mechanical tilt switch 170 is ultimately parallel to flange 112 .

[0087] One or more shock sensors may be configured to verify whether the cable drum is rotating around its longitudinal axis (Y). In this case, if one or more shock sensors verify that the cable drum is rotating around its longitudinal axis (Y), counting of the number of revolutions of the cable drum is started.

[0088] The shock sensor may include a gyroscope, or a dual-axis / tri-axis accelerometer and a gyroscope, or a pair of dual-axis / tri-axis accelerometers.

[0089] In this description, a dual-axis accelerometer refers to an accelerometer capable of detecting displacements along two axes orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Y.

[0090] As is known, a dual-axis accelerometer can be replaced by a pair of single-axis accelerometers, and a three-axis accelerometer can be replaced by three single-axis accelerometers. In addition, a gyroscope can be replaced by two dual-axis / three-axis accelerometers.

[0091] Given the presence of at least one gyroscope or a pair of dual / tri-axis accelerometers, the shock sensor can then verify that the cable drum is effectively rotating around its longitudinal axis and is not translating, allowing for the distinction of false positives of rotation counts. The combined use of the mechanical tilt switch 170 and the gyroscope or a pair of dual / tri-axis accelerometers provides the ability to count effective spins around the longitudinal axis (Y). In addition, the shock sensors 171, 172 may also be able to detect the rotational speed of the cable drum. The combination of the detection of the number of revolutions and the rotational speed may provide information about potential damage to the cable in the event of excessive force being pulled on the cable.

[0092] In this case, the auxiliary processing and control unit 129 is configured to verify whether the cable drum is constantly rotating around its longitudinal axis Y at a rotation speed higher than a minimum value (for example one rotation every 30 seconds). In case of a positive result of this verification, the auxiliary processing and control unit 129 utilizes the counting of the number of revolutions of the cable drum around its longitudinal axis.

[0093] In this way, it becomes possible to avoid counting the number of revolutions in the case of far-from-normal operating conditions, thereby saving power.

[0094] If the cable drum is not constantly rotating, it more likely means that it is being pulled, pushed or loaded to or from a transport device, and this situation is far from normal operation. The sensing module 128 is optionally configured to also detect environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure; in this case, the sensing module 128 also includes a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor and / or a barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure.

[0095] The communication module 125 comprises a wireless transceiver adapted to transmit data signals over a wireless communication system, like for example a GSM / GPRS network or a narrowband network or a Bluetooth link.

[0096] The positioning module 126 comprises a satellite positioning module, such as GPS, Glonass, Beidou or Galileo, adapted to receive position coordinates at predetermined times optionally controlled by the main processing and control unit 127 .

[0097] Optionally, the tracker device 120 comprises a sensor adapted to activate the tracker device 120 when the tracker device 120 is attached to the cable reel 110. The sensor may be a magnetic switch adapted to activate the tracker device 120 when the tracker device 120 is aligned with a magnet positioned on the cable reel 110 at a correct mounting position of the tracker device 120.

[0098] Alternatively, the sensor may be a Near Field Communication (NFC) switch device associated with the tracker device and configured to activate / deactivate the tracker device when it receives a control signal. The control signal may be sent by a terminal such as, for example, a smartphone.

[0099] The database 130 may be a cloud storage, and the communication with the database 130 may be wireless.

[0100] To ensure adequate strength and durability, the circuitry of the tracker device 120 is sprayed with a special resin that does not interfere with the electronic operation of the circuitry and does not induce any magnetic field to the operation of the radio transmissions.

[0101] The components involved ensure the correct operating temperature of the solution in the range from -20°C up to +60°C.

[0102] The system 100 for tracking a cable reel described above is configured to implement a method for tracking a cable reel according to the present disclosure which will be described below.

[0103] The method for tracking a cable reel comprises the following steps: attaching a tracker device 120 having a tracker identifier to a cable reel 110 having a reel identifier; preferably, the tracker device 120 is attached to a flange 112 of the cable reel 110 .

[0104] The method then provides the following steps: associating the reel identifier with the tracker identifier in the database 130. This association stage can be utilized by using a software scanning application running on a mobile terminal, by which the operator can read the labels or tags of the cable reel 110 and the tracker device 120. The associated data is then sent to the database 130 where they are stored. In this way, the tracker identifier results in association with the reel identifier, the reel size, and the size of the cable stored in the cable reel.

[0105] The method according to the present disclosure provides the following steps: when an event including at least vibration and / or rotation of the cable reel 110 occurs, the first electronic circuit 122 of the tracker device 120 is activated so that the sensing module 128 detects the event.

[0106] Optionally, the sensing module 128 detects shocks above a predetermined threshold force value.

[0107] In the case where the sensing module 128 includes at least two mechanical tilt switches 170, the detection of the number of revolutions of the cable reel around the longitudinal axis (Y) provides a step: wherein the auxiliary processing and control unit 129 detects the state changes of the mechanical tilt switches and counts the number of revolutions of the cable reel around its longitudinal axis (Y) by counting the occurrence of a sequence of state changes of the at least two mechanical tilt switches corresponding to a complete rotation of the cable reel.

[0108] Optionally, if the one or more shock sensors 172 verify that the cable reel is rotating about its longitudinal axis Y, a step of counting the number of revolutions of the cable reel is utilized.

[0109] Optionally, if the one or more shock sensors 172 verify that the cable drum 110 is continuously rotating about its longitudinal axis (Y) at a rotation speed above a predetermined minimum value, a step of counting the number of rotations of the cable drum is utilized.

[0110] After detection by the sensing module 128 , the detected event is stored in the local memory 121 of the tracker device 120 and after the detected event is stored the first electronic circuit is switched to standby mode. Storing and switching to standby mode are in particular controlled by the auxiliary processing and control unit 129 .

[0111] Where the sensing module 128 is configured to also detect environmental parameters, these detected parameters are stored with the event.

[0112] Furthermore, the method for tracking a cable reel provides the following steps: activating the second electronic circuit 124 , whereby the communication module 125 is connected to the communication system 160 and the positioning module 126 detects the position coordinates of the tracker device 120 and the cable reel 110 .

[0113] The positioning module 126 is in particular configured to detect the position coordinates of the tracker device 120 and the cable reel 110 by means of a satellite positioning module such as GPS, Glonass, Beidou or Galileo or by means of data retrieved by the communication module 125 from a communication system or other network like for example a low earth orbit network.

[0114] In the absence of satellite signals, the position coordinates are obtained through triangulating or trilaterating calculations performed by the central processing unit 140 via the GSM module.

[0115] If it is not possible to determine the position of the tracker device, the central processing unit 140 may indicate partial reliability of the received data.

[0116] Thereafter, the tracker identifier, the detected location coordinates, and the detected events stored in the local memory 121 are transmitted to the database 130 via the communication system 160. The transmission is utilized by the communication module 125.

[0117] Optionally, after the transmission, at least part of the local memory 121 is cleared. In particular, all previously stored information is deleted except for the last and just transmitted data.

[0118] In any case, activation of the second electronic circuit 124 and subsequent steps occur at pre-set intervals controlled by the main processing and control unit 127 .

[0119] Optionally, activation of the second electronic circuit 124 and subsequent steps occurs when the tracker device 120 has been attached to the cable reel 110; this may be achieved by providing the tracker device 120 with a magnetic switch or near field communication (NFC) switch device as previously described.

[0120] According to yet another option, the activation of the second electronic circuit 124 and the subsequent steps occur when the communication module 125 receives a request for a synchronization signal.

[0121] In this case, a request for a synchronization signal may be sent by the central processing unit 140 following a user's command. In this way, it becomes possible to retrieve data at any time.

[0122] After the transmission step, the second electronic circuit 124 is switched to standby mode by the main processing and control unit 127. The switch to standby mode takes place after the transmission, whatever the output of the transmission, which guarantees prevention of battery degradation and provides an opportunity to develop database-side reminder logic.

[0123] The main processing and control unit 127 may have an internal clock that performs a countdown of a given time corresponding to a predetermined time interval.

[0124] In this case, when the first electronic circuit 122 of the tracker device 120 is activated, the event detected by the sensing module 128 is stored in the local memory 121 together with a countdown value corresponding to the time of activation of the first electronic circuit 122. In this way, it is possible to calculate the time when each stored event occurred.

[0125] Optionally, before the second electronic circuit 124 is switched to standby mode, the method for tracking a cable reel according to the present disclosure provides the following steps: checking whether new configuration data are available in the database, in case of a positive result of this verification, downloading the new configuration data and applying the new configuration to the tracker device electronic circuit.

[0126] In fact, the communication between the tracker device and the database can be bidirectional, so it becomes possible to manage and adjust the tracker device settings (firmware, frequency, schedule of transmissions, etc.).

[0127] The transmitted data is then associated with the tracker identifier and the reel identifier in the database 130 .

[0128] Then, the central processing unit 140 calculates the remaining length of the cable 150 on the cable reel 110 using the data stored in the database 130 .

[0129] In particular, the data detected from the sensing module 128 is needed to calculate the amount of cable still present on the cable drum 120. The process also requires that the drum dimensions (core diameter, internal drum width) and the cable dimensions (diameter, length) are known.

[0130] The calculated remaining length of the cable 150 may then be stored in the database 130 in association with the tracker identifier and the spool identifier.

[0131] The system and method for tracking a cable reel according to the present disclosure has many advantages.

[0132] The database 130 and the central processing unit 140 may be part of a web portal or web platform capable of collecting and processing all information found on a territory, thereby ensuring sufficient flexibility in the evolution and delivery of services. In this case, the central processing unit 140 may be provided with software capable of:

[0133] Search and locate individual cable drums through geographic view;

[0134] Based on the location of the cable reel relative to a defined geographic area (geofencing

[0135] (Geofencing)) and / or time-based alerts for specific locations, especially in configurations where the frequency of transmissions is increased;

[0136] Providing historical traceability of each cable drum and / or regarding the amount of cable based on the detected position;

[0137] Generate reports on cable drum flow and inventory in the field;

[0138] • Integration with external services (i.e., transportation providers).

[0139] By managing location information and geo-fenced areas, such as production plants and delivery addresses, the web platform can be configured to notify via SMS or email a configured distribution list of the following status changes of a reel for a given order (during the association phase, the order, reel, customer and all relevant information are associated with the tracker): In Preparation, Ready, In Shipping, Delivered.

[0140] The web platform has the dual functionality of collecting data from each deployed tracker device 120 and managing the settings of these tracker devices 120 remotely.

[0141] In fact, the web platform can send remote commands and even reprogram the firmware of the tracker device 120 remotely.

[0142] The web platform can also be configured to aggregate data from the field (from trackers) with data from production systems (such as MES, SAP, etc.) through API, EDI or similar integration.

[0143] By knowing the amount of cable remaining on each cable reel, it becomes possible to manage and generate reminders or notifications about low stock levels to initiate actions such as order re-issuance or other customer relationship activities.

Claims

1. A method for tracking a cable drum (110), comprising the following steps: a) attaching a tracker device (120) having a tracker identifier to a flange of a cable reel (110) having a reel identifier associated in a database (130) with a reel size and a cable size of a cable stored on the reel; b) also associating the reel identifier with the tracker identifier (120) in the database (130); c) activating a first electronic circuit (122) of the tracker device (120) when an event occurs that includes at least a vibration of the cable drum (110) and / or a number of rotations of the cable drum (110) around a longitudinal axis (Y), storing the detected event in a local memory (121) of the tracker device (120), and switching the first electronic circuit (122) to a standby mode after the detected event is stored, the first electronic circuit (122) including a sensing module (128) for detecting at least the event; d) activating a second electronic circuit (124) comprising a communication module (125) connected to a wireless communication system (160) and a positioning module (126) detecting position coordinates of the tracker device (120) and the cable reel (110), transmitting via the communication system (160) to a database a tracker identifier, the detected position coordinates and the detected event stored in a local memory (121); e) associating the transmitted detected position coordinates and the transmitted detected event to the tracker identifier and the reel identifier in the database (130); f) calculating the remaining length of the cable (150) on the cable drum (110) using the data stored in the database (130); wherein the activation of the second electronic circuit (124) and the subsequent steps occur at predetermined time intervals, and wherein after the transfer step, the second electronic circuit is switched to a standby mode.

2. The method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 1, wherein after the transmitting step at least part of the local memory (121) is cleared.

3. The method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 1, wherein the positioning module (126) detects the position coordinates of the tracker device (120) and the cable reel (110) by means of a satellite positioning module or by means of data retrieved from a communication system (160) by the communication module (125).

4. The method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 1, comprising the following steps before the second electronic circuit is switched to the standby mode: - Checking whether new configuration data are available in the database (130) and in case of a positive result of this verification, downloading said new configuration data and applying said new configuration to the tracker device electronic circuit.

5. The method for tracking a cable reel of claim 1, wherein the sensing module (128) further detects at least one environmental parameter.

6. The method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 1, wherein activation of the second electronic circuit (124) and subsequent steps additionally occur when a tracker device has been attached to the cable reel.

7. The method for tracking a cable reel of claim 1, wherein activation of the second electronic circuit (124) and subsequent steps additionally occur upon receipt of a control signal by a communication module (125).

8. The method for tracking a cable reel of claim 1, wherein activation of the second electronic circuit (124) and subsequent steps additionally occur upon receipt of a control signal by a near field communication (NFC) switch device associated to a tracker device and configured to activate / deactivate the tracker device.

9. The method for tracking a cable reel of claim 1, wherein the sensing module (128) detects vibrations above a predetermined threshold force value.

10. The method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 1, wherein the sensing module (128) comprises: - at least two mechanical tilt switches (170) positioned parallel to and eccentrically to the flange (112) of the cable drum (110), such that when the cable drum (110) rotates about the longitudinal axis, the at least two mechanical tilt switches (170) successively adopt an open position and a closed position, thereby defining a sequence of state changes of the at least two mechanical tilt switches (170) corresponding to a complete rotation of the cable drum (110); - one or more vibration sensors (171, 172) configured to detect vibrations of the cable drum (110); And wherein detecting the number of rotations of the cable drum (110) around the longitudinal axis (Y) of the cable drum (110) comprises the following steps: - Detecting a change in state of a mechanical tilt switch (170); - Counting the number of revolutions of the cable drum (110) about the longitudinal axis (Y) by counting the occurrence of a sequence of state changes of the at least two mechanical tilt switches (170) corresponding to a complete rotation of the cable drum (110).

11. The method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 10, wherein the one or more vibration sensors (171, 172) are further configured to verify whether the cable reel is rotating around the longitudinal axis (Y) of the cable reel, and if the one or more vibration sensors (171, 172) verify that the cable reel is rotating around the longitudinal axis (Y) of the cable reel, the step of counting the number of revolutions of the cable reel is initiated.

12. Method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 11, wherein the step of counting the number of revolutions of the cable reel (110) is utilized if it is verified that the cable reel (110) rotates substantially constantly about the longitudinal axis (Y) of the cable reel (110) at a rotation speed above a minimum value.

13. The method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 10, comprising the steps of: When the cable drum (110) is rotating at a rotation speed higher than a maximum value, or when the cable drum (110) is rotating about a longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the ground plane, the counted number of revolutions is corrected using a gyroscope.

14. A method for tracking a cable reel according to claim 1, wherein the tracker device (120) comprises a main processing and control unit (127) having an internal clock which performs a countdown of a given time corresponding to a predetermined time interval, and wherein an event detected by the sensing module (128) is stored in a local memory (121) together with a countdown value corresponding to the time of activation of the first electronic circuit (122).

15. A system (100) for tracking a cable reel configured to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a cable reel (110); - a tracker device (120) attached to the cable drum (110); - a database (130) capable of communicating with the tracker device (120); - A central processing unit (140) associated to the database (130).

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