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WO2006026365A2 - Procede et systeme de surveillance, de localisation et de suivi d'objet, et dispositif d'identification par radiofrequence - Google Patents

Procede et systeme de surveillance, de localisation et de suivi d'objet, et dispositif d'identification par radiofrequence Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006026365A2
WO2006026365A2 PCT/US2005/030272 US2005030272W WO2006026365A2 WO 2006026365 A2 WO2006026365 A2 WO 2006026365A2 US 2005030272 W US2005030272 W US 2005030272W WO 2006026365 A2 WO2006026365 A2 WO 2006026365A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
messages
container
rfid
power level
rfid device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2005/030272
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2006026365A3 (fr
Inventor
Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
Cynthia Ting-Wah Chu
Xiaoming Shi
Jing Jian Li
Ming Zou
Original Assignee
Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/198,711 external-priority patent/US7319397B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/198,747 external-priority patent/US7423535B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/198,439 external-priority patent/US7342497B2/en
Application filed by Amerasia International Technology, Inc. filed Critical Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
Publication of WO2006026365A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006026365A2/fr
Publication of WO2006026365A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006026365A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2491—Intrusion detection systems, i.e. where the body of an intruder causes the interference with the electromagnetic field
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2451—Specific applications combined with EAS
    • G08B13/2462—Asset location systems combined with EAS
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2325/00—Indexing scheme relating to vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/10—Communication protocols, communication systems of vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/105—Radio frequency identification data [RFID]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method, system, and device for monitoring an object and, in particular, to a method, system and device therefor employing an RFID device.
  • a portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
  • the "readers” therefor tend to be complex and expensive, and the locating accuracy is in substantial part dependent upon the number and location of the readers and in maintaining very small differences in tolerance and timing.
  • "line-of-sight" communication is necessary between the tag and each of the readers because differences in time caused by longer and/or indirect transmission paths directly and adversely affect the accuracy of the location determined by triangulation.
  • a method for monitoring a container having an RFID device interior comprises periodically transmitting messages including unique identifying information and receiving messages transmitted by the RFID device interior the container by a receiving device exterior the container. Some messages transmitted when the container is closed are not received by the receiving device, and some messages transmitted when the container is not closed are received.
  • the method comprises storing and/or relaying the received messages and determining from the number of messages received from the RFlD device that are stored and/or relayed whether the container has or has not been opened.
  • the method may also comprise transmitting the messages at two or more power levels and selecting messages that are at the lowest power level that produces at least two corresponding stored and/or relayed messages for determining the location of the RFDD device.
  • a system for monitoring a container comprises an RFE) device interior the container and a receiving device exterior the container.
  • the RFE) device transmits messages each including unique identifying information, and the receiving device exterior the container receives and stores and/or relays messages received from the RPID device interior the container.
  • Ones of the messages transmitted by the RFID device when the container is closed are not received by the receiving device and ones of the messages transmitted by the RFID device when the container is not closed are received and stored by the receiving device, whereby the messages stored in the receiving device provide an indication of whether the container has or has not been opened.
  • Messages may include power level codes and be transmitted at more than one power level, and may be processed for locating and/or tracking the container.
  • An RFID device comprises a memory having unique identifying information and power level codes stored therein, an antenna, a modulator and a transmitter for transmitting via the antenna at least two modulated messages each including unique identifying information and a power level code, wherein the transmitter power level corresponds to the power level represented by the power level code in each transmitted message.
  • FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a system according to the present arrangement disposed in an area including a plurality of relay devices for monitoring an object in the area;
  • FIGURES IA and IB each illustrate a portion of the area illustrated in FIGURE 1 in the vicinity of the object;
  • FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a system according to the present arrangement disposed in an area including a plurality of relay devices for monitoring an object in the area, wherein the object is near a boundary of the area;
  • FIGURES 2A and 2B each illustrate a portion of the area illustrated in FIGURE 2 in the vicinity of the object;
  • FIGURE 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a device that may be employed as an RFID device and/or as a relay device suitable for use with the arrangement of
  • FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of apparatus including a communication network suitable for use with the example arrangement and devices of FIGURES 1-3;
  • FIGURE 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for operating the example arrangement of FIGURES 1-4;
  • FIGURES 6 A and 6B are is schematic diagram of an example arrangement for a relay device employed with a container that contains an RFID tag, optionally for use with the example arrangement of FIGURES 1-5;
  • FIGURE 7 is a schematic flow diagram of an example method for use with the example arrangement of FIGURES 1-4 and of FIGURES 6A-6B.
  • the system 100 comprises a plurality of relay devices 30 disposed in an area 20 for receiving radio frequency transmissions from one or more RFID tags T that are in the area 20 and for reporting such reception to a central device.
  • Each RFID tag preferably transmits electromagnetic signals at different relative levels of transmitted power at different times, e.g., according to a defined sequence. Signals received by the relay devices 30 and the transmitted relative power level of the received signals are employed to locate the RFID tag T when it is within the area 20.
  • Monitoring includes, but is not limited to, locating and/or tracking.
  • FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a system according to the present arrangement disposed in an area 20 including a plurality of relay devices 30 for locating and/or tracking an object T in the area 20,wherein the object has an RFID device T associated therewith, and FIGURES IA and IB illustrate a portion of the area 20 FIGURE 1 in the vicinity of the object T for illustrating a locating condition.
  • the intersections of a grid are defined by columns identified as columns A through I and by rows identified as rows 01-16.
  • the plurality of relay devices 30 are arranged in an array with the relay devices 30 located, by way of example, at the intersections of the grid defined by columns identified as columns B through H and by rows identified as rows 02-15, wherein relay devices 30 are not provided for columns A and I and for rows 01 and 16 which define the boundary or perimeter Bo of area 20.
  • At least one tracking station TS is located for communicating with the relay devices 30
  • the area 20 is illustrated by way of example as being rectangular (e.g., two dimensional) for simplicity in describing system 100 and its operation, however, area 20 may be an area or volume of any desired shape and size, i.e. a space in one, two or in three dimensions.
  • Example two dimensional area 20 has a perimeter or boundaries defined by the columns A and I and by the rows 01 and 16.
  • Area 20 may represent a warehouse, a storage or other yard, the hold of a ship, the deck of a ship, the passenger space(s) of a ship, a dock, a terminal, an airplane cargo space or passenger space, any conveyance, any other location, and any combination of any two or more thereof.
  • Tracking station TS is located at a location within communication range of relay devices 30.
  • tracking station TS may be relatively proximate area 20, e.g., as where communication is via a radio frequency link, it may in fact be located remotely from area 20, e.g., where communication is by a path including one or more of wires, telephone, a radio link, a network, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, a WAN, a wireless network, an ad hoc network, a satellite, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
  • a processing computer PC which may be at tracking station TS or may be remote therefrom and in communication therewith, receives reports for tracking station TS of receptions of information by relay devices 30 and processes such reports for locating RFID tag T.
  • Communication between tracking station TS and processing computer PC may be by a path including one or more of wires, telephone, a radio link, a network, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, a WAN, a wireless network, an ad hoc network, a satellite, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
  • relay devices 30 are illustrated by way of example as being disposed in a uniform array, e.g., on a grid in rows and columns, for ease in describing system 100, relay devices 30 may be located in any desired pattern and at any desired locations within an area 20 of any desired shape and size. Relay devices 30 do not need to be in any pattern or order so long as their relative locations are known. Relay devices 30 may be referred to by their locations on the grid of example area 20. For example, the relay device 30 located at the upper lefthand corner of area 20 may be referred to as relay device A-Ol , the relay device 30 at the intersection of column E and row 09 may be referred to as relay device E-09, and so forth.
  • Each relay device 30 is in communication with a tracking system, e.g., by radio frequency, optical, conductive, or other communication means, or a combination of any two or more thereof, for communicating information received from RFID tags to at least one tracking station TS.
  • a tracking system e.g., by radio frequency, optical, conductive, or other communication means, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
  • relay devices 30 communicate information received from an RFID tag substantially contemporaneously with the receipt thereof, however, substantially contemporaneously includes periodically and may include a time delay, e.g., a period or delay that is relatively shorter than the time it takes for an object and its associated RFID tag to move a significant distance within area 20.
  • relay devices 30 For example, if the objects are shipping containers in a shipping yard 20 that move relatively slowly, e.g., 1 meter/sec, and the relay devices 30 are relatively far apart, e.g., 250 meters, then transmissions every 1-3 minutes would be satisfactory to provide substantially "real-time" location and tracking info ⁇ nation. On the other hand, if one were locating and/or tracking passengers in a terminal where the relay devices were about 10 meters apart, relay devices 30 should transmit received information to the tracking system about every 2-5 seconds or less.
  • an RFE tag T associated with a relatively slow moving object could be programmed to transmit information relatively less frequently
  • an RFE tag T associated with a relatively faster moving object e.g., a person or luggage
  • RPID tags T may be moving relatively quickly, e.g., as where RFID tagged containers are on vehicles passing one or more relay devices 30, or where a relay device 30 is located where it receives signals from passing trains carrying truck trailers, storage containers, shipping containers and the like.
  • the relay devices 30 may be spaced relatively far apart, e.g, at 20-50 meter spacing, and provide suitable locating accuracy. If the objects to be located are relatively small, e.g.,such as computers or baggage, then the relay devices 30 may be spaced relatively closer, e.g, at 10 meter or closer spacing, to provide suitable locating accuracy.
  • the object Once the object is located as being within a defined region using the system and method described herein, it may be found easily by inspecting that region, e.g., visually or using a hand-held reader device with a limited and/or adjustable sensitivity/reception range.
  • RFID tag T preferably transmits identifying information periodically and at different levels of transmitted power.
  • RFID tag T transmits at four different power levels from a relatively low power level Pl to a relatively high power level P4, and at relatively lower and higher intermediate power levels P3 and P4.
  • the concentric dashed circles centered on RFID tag T represent the transmission ranges corresponding to power levels Pl, P2, P3 an P4, respectively.
  • RFID tag T must transmit identifying information at least at two different power levels, although a greater number of different power levels, e.g., four or six, or more, may be employed.
  • the identifying information transmitted by each RFID tag T includes not only information identifying the tag T, e.g., a unique code or number, but also includes information identifying the power level at which the information is transmitted. For example, if a tag identified as tag "xyzl23" were to transmit at power levels Pl, P2 and P3 in succession, the information transmitted would represent "xyzl23-Pl" "xyzl23-P2" and "xyzl23-P3" in succession.
  • RFID tag T transmits periodically at two to six different power levels, and may do so on a self-controlled sequencing basis or on a random basis.
  • RFID tag T may initiate the transmission of its identifying information or may transmit in response to an interrogation signal, e.g., from a relay device 30 or other interrogating device, or both.
  • the time between or period of transmissions would typically be set longer or shorter depending upon how quickly the object with which the RFID tag T is associated is expected to move, similarly to the consideration in the preceding paragraph for relay devices 30.
  • the method for operating system 100 is as follows.
  • An RF3D tag transmits its identifying information at a plurality of different power levels and so a successively greater number of the relay devices receive the transmitted RFID tag identifying information as the transmission power level successively increases.
  • a location for the RFID tag can be determined using any transmission of identifying information that is received at one or more relay devices, it is preferred that the location be determined from the receptions of the lowest power level transmission that is received by plural relay devices.
  • RFID tag T is known to be located within a circle 31 of the same radius as circle Pl and having relay device 30 at location E-09 at its center, as illustrated in FIGURE IA.
  • the location of RFE) tag T within area 20 may be further determined because RFE) tag T is not within any of the power level P 1 circles 31 ' (illustrated by dashed lines) that are centered on the relay devices 30 in the adjacent rows and columns to the relay device 30 at location E-09 and that did not receive the information transmitted by RFE ) tag T, as also illustrated in FIGURE IA.
  • relay devices 30 at grid locations D-08 to D-10, E-O 8, E-10, and F-O 8 to F- 10 do not receive the information transmitted by RFE ) tag T at the relatively low power level Pl , and RFE) tag T is determined to be within the area 21.
  • Area 21 (marked by heavy dashed lines) is smaller than the circle 31 centered on relay device 30 at location E-09 and so the location of RFE) tag T is known with somewhat greater precision when the circles 31 and 31 ' are all considered and only the transmissions at power level Pl are considered.
  • relay devices 30 at locations D-09, D-10, E-08, E-09 and E-10 are within the circle P2 corresponding to the transmission range at power level P2. Only relay devices at locations D-09, D-10, E-08, E-09 and E-10 receive the identifying information transmitted by RFE) tag T and relay it to the tracking station TS.
  • RFE tag T is determined to be located within an area bounded by locations D-09, D-10, E-08, E-09 and E-10 and, if a transmission at power level Pl had been received, also within a circle 31 of the same radius as circle Pl having relay device E-09 at its center.
  • the location of RFE) tag T may easily be determined from the known locations of relay devices at D-09, D-10, E-08, E-09 and E-10 to within an accuracy that is substantially less than the spacing between relay devices D-09, D-10, E-08, E-09 and E-10.
  • RFE tag T must be within an area that is within each of five circles 32 each centered on one of relay devices D-09, D-10, E-08, E-09 and E-10, respectively.
  • the radius of each of the five circles 32 is the same as the radius of the circle P2 representing the transmission range of RFE) tag T when tag T is transmitting at power level P2.
  • Only the portion 22 (shown by heavy dashed lines) of the area 20 is within all of the five circles 32, and so the RFE) tag T and its associated object must be located within the area 22, i.e. within all five circles 32.
  • this area 22 may be referred to as the intersection of the circles 32 for the relay devices 30 receiving information transmitted by RFE) tag T at power level P2.
  • plural relay devices 30, specifically five relay devices 30, receive the identifying information transmitted by RFID tag T at power level P2, and so this condition is the preferred condition for determining the location of RPID tag T considering only received transmissions at one power level.
  • this condition is the preferred condition for determining the location of RPID tag T considering only received transmissions at one power level.
  • only two or three receptions at a given power level are sufficient for determining the location of an RFID tag T with a useful accuracy, and increasing the number of receptions significantly, e.g., beyond four or five, usually does not proportionally increase the accuracy of the location determination.
  • the reception information relating to the lowest power level at which plural receptions are received from an RFID tag T is typically utilized for determinating its location.
  • the fact that one relay device 30 also received a transmission at power level Pl may be taken into account so that the power level Pl circle 31 for the relay device 30 at grid location E-09 would be utilized with the four power level P2 circles 32 for the relay devices at grid locations D-09, D-10, E-08 and E-10 to determine the region 22 within which RFID tag T is located. Because the lower power level circle 31 included in the determination of location is smaller in diameter that are the higher power level circles 32 also included in the determination of location, a greater "weight" is in effect given to the message received at the lower power level, at least to the extent that the size of location region 22 is reduced as a result.
  • processor P processes the received messages by in effect increasing the effective radius assigned to the applicable circles 31, 32 associated with the relay devices 30 that received the transmitted messages until an intersection of the enlarged circles occurs.
  • This process can be utilized whether the received messages were transmitted at the same or at a different power level.
  • the effective radius of the circles 31, 32 are increased proportionately until an intersection occurs. It is highly likely that the RFE) tag T and its associated object are located in or near to that intersection or "center of gravity.”
  • processor P weights the received messages relative to their respective power levels and receptions for determining a location of the RFID tag T and its associated object. This process may be referred to as "dynamic zoning" herein.
  • Another process therefor includes selecting any two relay devices 30 that have received messages transmitted by an RFID tag T and assigning respective weights thereto according to their respective power levels, e.g., as indicated by the power level codes in the respective messages.
  • the "center of gravity" for the selected relay devices 30 is determined from the messages received thereby and the weights assigned thereto.
  • the "center of gravity" location is then assigned a weight value based upon the weights that were assigned to the selected two relay devices 30.
  • that relay device 30 is selected and is processed to obtain the center of gravity of the combination of that relay device and the previously determined center of gravity, which should provide a refined determination of the location of the RFID tag T.
  • processor P weights the messages that are received relative to their respective power levels and receptions so as to recursively determine a location for the RFED tag T and its associated object therefrom. This process may be referred to as "recursive zoning" herein.
  • the circles are mathematical constructs utilized in the computer- implemented processes for locating and tracking RFID devices and their associated objects, and that increasing the radius, weighting, and other physical-sounding variations utilized in such processes are effected by applying various factors and scaling in performing the computer-implemented processes.
  • the relayed messages may be selected and given a defined radius value representative of the power level of each relayed message, and for each RFID device, the intersection of respective geometric shapes, e.g., circles or spheres, having the defined radius values are determined for locating that particular RFID device in the intersection.
  • the information it transmits at power level P2 could be received at a greater number or at a lesser number or at the same number of relay devices 30, e.g., at four or at five or at six relay devices 30, and the locating method is the same except that the number of relay devices is correspondingly lesser or greater, i.e. RFID tag T is located in an area defined by the intersection of the circles 31, 32 of those relay devices 30 that receive the information transmitted by RFID tag T.
  • RFID tag 20 transmits its identifying information at a third power level, e.g., at the relatively higher power level P3, relay devices 30 at locations C-08 to C-Il, D-07 to D-Il, E-07 to E-11 , F-07 to F-11 and G-09 to G-10 (indicated by a half-filled circles) are within the circle P3 corresponding to the transmission range at power level P3 and receive the identifying information transmitted by RFID tag T and relay it to the tracking station TS.
  • a third power level e.g., at the relatively higher power level P3
  • relay devices 30 at locations C-08 to C-Il, D-07 to D-Il, E-07 to E-11 , F-07 to F-11 and G-09 to G-10 (indicated by a half-filled circles) are within the circle P3 corresponding to the transmission range at power level P3 and receive the identifying information transmitted by RFID tag T and relay it to the tracking station TS.
  • RFID tag T is known to be located within an area bounded by relay devices C-08 to C-I l, D-07 to D-Il, E-07 to E-Il, F-07 to F-11 and G-09 to G-IO and, if one or more transmissions at a lower power level Pl or P2 had been received, within circles of the same radius as circle Pl or P2 as above.
  • the location of RFID tag T may easily be found from the known locations of relay devices C-08 to C-I l, D-07 to D-Il, E-07 to E-Il, F-07 to F-11 and G-09 to G-IO to within an accuracy that is substantially less than the spacing between relay devices C-08 to C-I l, D-07 to D-Il, E-07 to E-I l, F-07 to F-Il and G-09 to G-10.
  • RFDD tag T must be within an area that is within each of twenty-one circles each centered on one of relay devices C-08 to C-Il, D-07 to D-I l, E-07 to E-I l, F-07 to F-11 and G-09 to G-10, respectively.
  • the radius of each of the twenty-one circles is the same as the radius of the circle P3 representing the transmission range of RFDD tag T when tag T is transmitting at power level P3.
  • RFDD tag T and its associated object must be located within the area that is within all twenty-one circles, i.e. is in the logical intersection of the twenty-one power level P3 circles.
  • tracking station TS has received plural reports of reception of identifying information transmitted at higher power level P3 and plural reports of receptions at lower power level P2, for example, it would usually be preferred to locate the RFDD tag T using the power level P2 information if the number of receptions thereof is sufficient for location determination, rather than to process the greater number of receptions corresponding to the power level P3 information, which processing would generally be more extensive and complex due to the greater number of receptions.
  • the number of receptions necessary to locate an RFDD tag T to within a locating accuracy that is significantly less than the spacing of the relay devices 30 can be as low as two for relatively low power level transmissions, however, at least two to four reception reports are preferred.
  • RFDD tag T transmits at the relatively high power level P4
  • a greater yet number of relay devices 30 receive the information transmitted thereby and the method for locating RFDD tag T is the same as that described above taking into account the greater number of relay devices 30.
  • tracking station TS has received reports of reception of information transmitted at power level P4 and at a lower power level, e.g., P3 or P2, it would usually be preferred to locate the RFDD tag T using the lowest power level information which is sufficient for location determination rather than to process the more extensive and complex at a higher power level, e.g., power level P4 information.
  • the array of the plurality of relay devices 30 may include relay devices 30 spaced apart by a distance greater than the reception radius of information transmitted, for example, at the relatively low power level Pl and so only transmissions at power levels P2 and higher will be received by relay devices 30, in which case the locations of the relay devices 30 receiving transmissions at power level P2 or higher are utilized for determining the location of the RFID tag T.
  • the array of the plurality of relay devices 30 may include relay devices 30 spaced apart by a distance greater than the reception radius of information transmitted at the power levels Pl and P2, and so only transmissions at power levels P3 and higher will be received by relay devices 30, in which case the locations of the relay devices 30 receiving transmissions at power level P3 or higher are utilized for determining the location of the RFID tag T, and so forth.
  • Such situations may arise, for example, where an object and its associated RFID tag T travel through one or more facilities wherein the spacing of relay devices 30 differs.
  • an RFID tag T might travel to a first warehouse that might have the relay devices 30 relatively closely spaced, to a dock area where relay devices 30 are relatively widely spaced, and to a ship's hold where relay devices are spaced apart an intermediate distance.
  • Another example could be where an RFID tag T may move within a facility wherein the spacing of the relay devices 30 differs substantially at different locations therein.
  • the RFID tag T is associated with a person who travels to various buildings or other facilities having different arrays of relay devices 30, as well as to areas outside of buildings, e.g., parking lots, roads, etc, where the spacing of the relay devices 30 is greater than it is in buildings.
  • the spacing between the relay devices 30 is different than the spacing that would be desirable for use with RFID tags of such types.
  • the relative power level of each transmission can be deduced from the numbers of relay devices 30 that receive each transmission, because higher power transmissions will be received by more relay devices 30. For example, if three respective transmissions are received by one, by five and by twenty relay devices 30, it is apparent that the transmission received by one relay device 30 was transmitted at a relatively lower power level, the transmission received by the twenty relay devices 30 was transmitted at a relatively higher power level, and the transmission received by five relay devices 30 was transmitted at an intermediate power level. [ 052] While the ambiguity between the example three transmissions being at power levels
  • P1-P2-P3, or at power levels P2-P3-P4, for example, could be resolved to some degree of certainty (e.g., with pre-programming and/or testing), it is not necessary for the described method to know the power level, it is only necessary that given receptions are related to a given transmission.
  • Correlation of transmissions and receptions of identifying information by an RFID tag T may be determined from the times thereof (which time does not have to be known with precision due to the relatively low repetition rate of such transmissions) or from coded power level information included in the transmission of identifying information by the RFID tags T.
  • information transmitted at a relatively low power level that is received by a relatively small number of relay devices 30, e.g., as few as two, but preferably at least three, from a transmission from an RFID tag T is sufficient for locating that KFID tag T to an accuracy substantially less than the spacing between relay devices.
  • Transmissions at relatively higher power levels that are received by a larger number of relay devices 30, while sufficient for locating the RFID tag T, are generally not as efficient because a greater number of reception reports from relay devices 30 must be processed to determine the location of the RFID tag T.
  • Tracking an object by locating its associated RFID tag T is accomplished by accumulating a record of the locations of the tag T over time, e.g., in a computer database, which may be in the processing computer PC or another computer.
  • the identifying information transmitted by each RFID tag T includes information identifying the tag T and information identifying the power level at which the information is transmitted
  • the locating method is simplified and is made more accurate because the transmission power level corresponding to each received signal is known without ambiguity from the information in the received transmission thereby to define the radius of the circles 31, 32, etc. to be utilized in locating tag T.
  • system 100 is preferably monitored by processor PC at least periodically to confirm that at least all of relay device 30 thereof are present and operating, and preferably that all of the RFID tags T present and all of relay devices 30 are present and operating, thereby to provide security against tampering with elements of system 100 and to determine if, when and where inspection, maintenance and/or repair may be indicated.
  • RFID tags T may transmit at power levels P 1 -P4 that can be received by relay devices 30 at various distances, e.g., distances in the range as short as about 2-9 meters (about 5-30 feet) and as long as about 45-180 meters (about 150-600 feet). It is noted that the transmissions from RFID tags T radiate in three dimensions, i.e. in a spherical volume or space, and so a three-dimensional system 100 is envisioned, wherein location is determined in three dimensions based upon the intersections of transmission spheres of radii corresponding to power levels Pl, P2, P3 and so forth, rather than on intersections of transmission circles in the two dimensional example described in detail.
  • Three dimensional areas may include, for example, plural-floor warehouses, shelving systems in warehouses or stores or other locations, plural deck ships and aircraft, holds and decks of a ship wherein containers are stacked, a dock or loading area wherein containers are stacked, and the like.
  • System 100 may also be employed with what could be considered as a one dimensional case, such as along a road, street, highway, railroad track, aisle, corridor, and the like, wherein location only with respect to a length or distance is of interest.
  • FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a system 100 according to the present arrangement disposed in as area 20 including a plurality of relay devices 30 for locating and/or tracking an object T in the area20, wherein the object is near a boundary Bo of the area 20, and FIGURES 2A and 2B illustrate a portion of the area 20 FIGURE 2 in the vicinity of object T for illustrating a locating condition.
  • RFID tag T is located near a corner defined by two adjacent ones of boundaries Bo.
  • relay devices 30 are located at the intersections of columns B-H and rows 02-15, and so no relay devices are located along the boundary rows 01 and 16, and boundary columns A and I, or outside the bounded area 20 (as indicated by the small dashed circles 30').
  • the relay device 30 at location H-02 (indicated by a filled-in circle) receives information transmitted by RFID tag T at relatively lower power level Pl, and so RFID tag T must be within a circle 31 of like radius to the reception range for information transmitted at power level Pl centered on the location of that relay device 30.
  • the area 21' (shown by heavy dashed lines) is determined which is smaller than the area defined by circle 31 alone, thereby again offering an improvement, albeit modest, in the precision of the locating of RFID tag T.
  • H-02 and H-03 receive the information transmitted by RFID tag T, and because there is no relay device at location H-Ol , information that would have been received at that location is not received by a relay device and so is not reported.
  • the location of RFID tag T is determined to be within the intersection of the four power level P2 circles 32, which is an area larger than area 22 in the example of FIGURES1-1B, due to the lesser number of relay devices 30 that receive the information transmitted by RFDD tag T. [ 059] If, however, consideration is given to relay device 30 at location H-02 also receiving the information transmitted at power level Pl , then the locating accuracy of system 100 improves.
  • RFID tag T is determined to be within an area 22' which is slightly larger than is the area 22 when more relay devices 30 receive the information transmitted at power level P2.
  • P3 and P4 While greater numbers of relay devices 30 receive the information transmitted at that power level, there are a greater number of locations along and outside of the perimeter B that are within the transmission range of the information transmitted by RFID tag T at which there is no relay device to receive and report such transmission.
  • location information determined by system 100 at more than one power level Pl , P2, P3,... may be combined when an RFID tag T is near the perimeter B of area 20 so as to obtain a more accurate location than is determined from one power level.
  • RFID tag T is located to be witl ⁇ n a circle 31 centered on location H-02 having a radius the same as the transmission range of information transmitted at power level Pl based on the report of such reception by the relay device 30 at that location.
  • the location of RFID tag T may be further determined because RFID tag T is not within any of power level Pl circles 31' (illustrated by dashed lines) that are centered on the relay devices 30 in the adjacent rows and columns that did not receive the information transmitted by RFID tag T.
  • RFID tag T is determined to be within the area 21'.
  • RFID tag T must be in an area 22' that is within the intersection of the four circles 32 centered about relay devices 30 at locations G-02, G-03, H-02, H-03 , respectively, based upon the reports of such reception by the four relay devices 30 at those four locations. Because information that would have been received from a relay device 30 at boundary location H-Ol had such device been present, the accuracy of the location 22' of RFID tag T may be slightly less than if a relay device 30 at location H-Ol had received and reported the transmission by RFDD tag T at power level P2.
  • the removal, failure, malfunction of one or more of relay devices 30 in an area 20 does not affect the operability of system 100 therein, although it may degrade the accuracy of the locating of an RFID tag T that is in a location where the information transmitted thereby would have been received and reported by a relay device 30 had that relay device been operative.
  • the transmission power levels of the RFID tags T and the reception sensitivity of the relay devices 30 are selected to have a transmission-reception range in a range of about 3-300 meters and to provide for periodic RFID device transmissions at least at two different power levels, and more preferably at 4-6 different power levels.
  • an area 20 may not lend itself to having the array of relay devices 30 located on a regular grid, e.g., in columns and rows, as in the above- illustrated example. In such case, the area 20 may be mapped as a grid having spacings defined to be substantially less than the actual spacings of the relay devices 30, and the relay devices 30 may be located at convenient physical locations.
  • relay devices 30 and RFID tags T have a reception range of about 10 meters at the lowest power level Pl .
  • An "artificial grid” or “virtual grid” having a grid spacing of about 1 or 2 meters may be overlaid on area/volume 20 and the actual locations of the relay devices 30 thereof are "mapped" to the grid coordinates closest to their actual locations in the space, i.e. each relay device 30 is located/identified by the grid coordinates (e.g, X, Y and Z coordinates) that are closest to its actual location, irrespective of the regularity or irregularity of the actual relay device locations.
  • the grid coordinates e.g, X, Y and Z coordinates
  • RFID tag T corresponding to reported received information transmissions by the RFID tag T are centered on the respective grid location of each relay device 30 that reports receiving the transmission, i.e. on the coordinates of the artificial grid.
  • the locating of RFID tag T in this arrangement employs the same process of finding the region which is within all of the power level spheres at the power level of the received RFID tag T transmission in terms of the artificial grid coordinates.
  • To find an RFID tag T and its associated object one simply identifies the physical location in the area 20 that corresponds to the determined coordinates (e.g., X, Y and Z coordinates) for RFID tag T on the artificial grid, e.g., on a screen display or a site map, and then proceed to that physical location.
  • Processing computer PC may be one computer or may be a combination of plural computers/processors, such as one or more local computers in communication with a central computer, processor and/or server, as may be convenient. In the instance of plural computers/processors, reports of received transmissions from a tracking station TS would typically, and preferably, be communicated to the central computer, processor and/or server. Communication between tracking station TS and processing computer PC (including the various local/central computers, processors and/or servers thereof) may be by a path including one or more of wires, telephone, a radio link, a network, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, a WAN, a wireless network, an ad hoc network, a satellite, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
  • FIGURE 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a device that may be employed as an RFID device T and/or as a relay device 30 suitable for use with the arrangement of FIGURES 1 and 2.
  • example device T, 30 is an "active" RFID device in that it includes a source of electrical power, e.g., battery BT, so that it can transmit periodically even when not interrogated by an RFID interrogator, also known as an RFID reader.
  • the principal functional component of RFID device T is a radio transmitter RT that includes a frequency synthesizer, a power amplifier, a crystal oscillator, and a modulator, and a crystal QC connected thereto for establishing the operating and transmission frequencies.
  • Suitable examples thereof include the type nRF905 single chip 433/868/915 MHz transceiver and the type nRF2402 single chip 2.4 GHz transmitter, both of which are available from Nordic VLSI ASA, located in Tiller, Norway.
  • the principal functional component of relay device 30 is a radio transceiver RT that includes a frequency synthesizer, a receiver chain with demodulator, a power amplifier, a crystal oscillator, and a modulator, and a crystal QC connected thereto for establishing the operating and transmission frequencies.
  • An example thereof includes the type nRF905 single chip 433/868/915 MHz transceiver which is available from Nordic VLSI ASA, located in Tiller, Norway.
  • the modulated output from transmitter RT is coupled via a matching network MN to an antenna AN from which it is transmitted for reception by one or more relay devices 30 that are within transmission range.
  • the example nRF905 transmitter RT provides four selectable levels of transmitted power, e.g., -10 dBm, -2 dBm, 6 dBm and 10 dBm, and can provide transmission ranges of about 4-5 meters,10-20 meters, 25-35 meters and 40-50 meters, respectively.
  • the example nRF2402 2.4 GHz transmitter RT provides four selectable levels of transmitted power, e.g., -20 dBm, -10 dBm, -5 dBm and 0 dBm, that typically provide relatively shorter respective transmission ranges.
  • Other transmission frequencies e.g., 127 KHz, 13.56 MHz, 850-950 MHz, may be utilized.
  • the transmission frequency and power level may be restricted or controlled by the rules and regulations governing radio transmissions for the location where the RFID tags T and relay devices 30 are utilized, m addition, the transmission frequency and/or power level may be selected in consideration of the type of object with which the RFID tag T will be associated, because the object may have absorption and/or reflection properties for electromagnetic signals at certain frequencies. Examples thereof include metal containers, liquid filled objects and human beings.
  • the range (read distance) at which transmissions by an RFID tag T can be received is primarily determined by the electronic circuit (typically an integrated circuit) and antenna utilized therein and the power level programming thereof, the range (read distance) can also be affected by modifying the characteristics of the RFID tag T antenna. For example, the read distance can be modified by making the antenna tuning better or worse to increase or decrease read distance. Further, the antenna of the relay devices 30 may be tuned, or the receiver sensitivity may be adjusted, for a greater or lesser read distance.
  • the distance from which messages may be received may be desirable adjust the distance from which messages may be received. Such adjustment may be accomplished by tuning (de-tuning) some or all of the antennas of RFID devices T, 30 to be more efficient or to be less efficient for obtaining a greater or a smaller read distance whereby the accuracy of the location determination may be adjusted, at least assuming sufficient relay devices 30 to receive the information transmitted by the RFID tags T.
  • the receivers of relay devices 30 may have adjustable and/or programmable sensitivity so as to produce receptions that may more accurately define the locating region 22.
  • the read distances for which RFID tags T and/or relay devices 30 are tuned/programmed preferably are such that they provide the desired locating accuracy given the spacing of relay devices 30 in the area 20 being monitored. In general, omni-directional antennas are preferred.
  • RFID device T and relay device 30 also include a memory device M, typically a read ⁇ only memory, although it may be a programable read-only memory such as an EEPROM.
  • Memory device M is coupled to transmitter RT for providing information to be modulated and transmitted thereby, and for providing control info ⁇ nation.
  • Information such as a unique identifier or a unique series of identifiers or codes for the device, a transmission power level, a sequence of transmission power levels, one or more transmission time intervals, and the like, may be stored in memory M, e.g., an EEPROM of 4 to 32 kilobyte capacity, or more.
  • the memory M thereof may include memory that can be written to as well as read from, such as a random access memory (RAM). Examples thereof may include storing identifying information received from one or more RFID tags, and/or storing the time and/or location at which such identifying information is received, and/or storing information received from one or more sensors, and/or storing the time and/or location at which such sensor information is received
  • RAM random access memory
  • Device T may be arranged to employ a series of unique identifier codes that are suitable for a reusable RFID device T, 30. Initially, RFDD device T, 30 is used with the first identifier of the series of unique identifiers until that use is completed. RFID device T, 30 is then reprogrammed for another use wherein it will be associated with a different object or a different location and/or area. Reprogramming the device T, 30 for reuse would preferably include erasing or removing the then current unique identifier by which the device T, 30 is identified and replacing it with the next unique identifier from the series of identifier codes, whereby the device T, 30 is identified by a new and unique identifier. Thus, a reprogrammed device T, 30 when reused is for all intents and purposes a "new" device because it has a new unique identifier, except that the cost of a new device has been avoided, thereby improving the economy of the described arrangement.
  • Information stored in memory M may include or be protected by a relational check code, such as a parity check and/or cyclic redundancy code (CRC) and/or encryption, for preventing tampering and/or rendering tampering or an attempt thereat detectable.
  • a relational check code such as a parity check and/or cyclic redundancy code (CRC) and/or encryption
  • the information stored in memory M of a relay device 30 may include the location thereof, e.g., in terms of the grid coordinates of an area 20 (e.g., in X, Y and Z coordinates) or in absolute terms, e.g., as determined in connection with placing the relay device 30 in a physical location or by a GPS locator device associated with the relay device 30.
  • a relay device 30 If the physical location of a relay device 30 is known, then that location may be associated with the identifier thereof, e.g., in the computer PC, and need not be stored in the device memory M, but may be stored in memory M if desired. Greater freedom in placement and utilization of relay devices 30 may be obtained where the device 30 includes an optional GPS locator device that determines its location and then includes that location information in the information transmitted by the device 30 when it relays the information received from an RFID tag T. One example thereof is when a relay device 30 is associated with a moveable object, such as a container, truck trailer, or a conveyance such as a ship, truck, container, train, and the like.
  • a moveable object such as a container, truck trailer, or a conveyance such as a ship, truck, container, train, and the like.
  • Device T, 30 may operate in any one or more modes. In an automatic and continuous operating mode, device T, 30 transmits its identifying information periodically, e.g., every "n" seconds or minutes or hours or days. The rate at which transmissions are produced may be fixed, or may be changed, e.g., may be programmed and/or adjusted either by an internal control or by an external control signal communicated to device T, 30 over an input/output I/O arrangement or wirelessly, e.g., via a relay device 30 or tracking station TS. A return acknowledgment that a transmission from a device T, 30 has been received may or may not be provided.
  • a return acknowledgment may or may not be received, e.g., from a relay device 30 or a tracking station TS, and if received, it may or may not be stored in the memory of the device T, 30, as may be desirable. If stored, the return signals may be stored in a first-in/first-out memory so that only limited number of the most recent return acknowledgments are retained. If a return acknowledgment is received, it may be utilized to delay the next transmission of identifying information, if desired.
  • a device T, 30 may transmit its identifying information at two or more selectable intervals.
  • the two or more selectable intervals may be predetermined or may be programmable or adjustable, e.g., may be programmed and/or adjusted either by an internal control or by an external control signal communicated to device T, 30 over an input/output I/O arrangement or wirelessly, e.g., via a relay device 30 or tracking station TS.
  • a return acknowledgment if provided, may or may not be stored in the memory of the device T, 30.
  • a return acknowledgment may be utilized by device T, 30 to change the interval between its transmissions, e.g., receipt of a return acknowledgment may serve as a signal to delay the next transmission or to change the interval between transmissions, or both.
  • a device T, 30 transmitting every 10 seconds may, in response to an acknowledgment of such transmission, then be commanded to utilize a longer transmission interval, e.g., every 60 minutes.
  • Different emitting intervals and rates may be set at any time using any suitable means.
  • device T, 30 may place itself into a "sleep" or dormant mode after a transmission sequence is completed.
  • device T, 30 Upon receipt of a proper command or interrogation signal, device T, 30 "wakes up,” i.e. it exits its sleep or dormant state, and begins transmitting its identifying information.
  • the transmission of identifying information may be repeated at an defined interval until a return acknowledgment is received, at which event the transmission interval may change, e.g., to longer interval between transmissions, either as a response to such return acknowledgment, or in response to a programming command or signal.
  • Selection of transmission interval may be programmed and/or adjusted either by an internal control or by an external control signal communicated to device T, 30 over an input/output I/O arrangement or wirelessly, e.g., via a relay device 30 or tracking station TS.
  • a return acknowledgment if provided, may or may not be stored in the memory of the device T, 30.
  • the transmission rate is typically adjustable over a range from more than about once per second to less than about once per hour or less than about once per day, as may be appropriate to a particular application.
  • each such transmission typically includes transmissions at two or more different power levels, each transmission preferably including a power level identifier representing the transmission power level.
  • devices T, 30 preferably have at least two different selectable intervals between transmissions, which intervals may be selected via a programming command or signal, or in response to one or more operating conditions, e.g., receipt of a return acknowledgment.
  • TS it may simply retransmit identifying information received from RFED tags T to tracking station TS, and may or may not store such receptions and the times thereof in its memory M.
  • identifying information received from RFID tags T and the times thereof are stored in relay device 30 memory M for later transmission to a tracking station TS.
  • Any associated messages, e.g., of a detection of sensing by a sensor of an RFED tag T, are likewise stored in memory M of relay device 30.
  • relay device 30 may include a wireless radio transmission interface
  • wireless network interfaces that may be employed include, but are not limited to, known network technology and protocols such as an EEEE 802.1 Ix type network, an EEEE 802.15.x type network, a Bluetooth network, a "Wi-Fi” network, a "ZigBee” type network, an EmberNet ad hoc network (Ember Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts), a cellular network, a satellite network, as well as to future network technology and protocols.
  • An RFID device T and/or relay device 30 may also include an indicator, such as a light- emitting diode (LED), an audible device and/or a vibration device, for indicating a condition of the device T, 30, and/or for providing an indication to personnel of some condition or alarm.
  • an indicator such as a light- emitting diode (LED), an audible device and/or a vibration device, for indicating a condition of the device T, 30, and/or for providing an indication to personnel of some condition or alarm.
  • device T, 30 may include an optional sensor.
  • sensors include sensors of environmental conditions, temperature, pressure, position, location, motion, acceleration, impact, distance, inertial information, magnetic field, electrical continuity, altitude, a physical parameter, moisture, humidity, chemicals, medical parameters, biological substances and/or agents, radioactivity, optical, light, infrared, images, electromagnetic fields, and the like, and any combination of any two or more thereof.
  • sensors may detect the presence of what is sensed, or may quantify the level or intensity of what is sensed, or both, and may be located external to the container in which the device T, 30 is contained, if necessary for proper operation thereof.
  • Inclusion of such sensors should be of particular interest in an age of worldwide terrorism because they can provide the ability to sense/detect agents, materials and indicators of the sort that could be used in a weapon of mass destruction (WMD).
  • WMD weapon of mass destruction
  • RFID device T and relay device 30 may be enclosed in a suitable container, e.g., for physical protection, e.g., against damage, tampering, contaminants and/or the environment.
  • suitable device containers include containers molded or formed of plastic and engineering plastic materials, and may have human readable and/or machine readable (e.g., bar code) identifying information on the exterior thereof.
  • the device container may have tabs, brackets, holes, slots, and/or another arrangement for mounting and/or attaching and/or associating the device T, 30 to/with an object.
  • the containers for RFID device T and relay device 30 may be the same or similar, or may be different, and may be sealed or unsealed, all as and if desired.
  • a device T, 30 includes a sensor
  • the sensor may be located internal to the device container if that location is suitable for sensing what the sensor is to sense (e.g., temperature, motion, acceleration, radioactivity), or may be external to the package or near a port through which the sensor may sense whatever it is intended to sense (e.g., pressure, light, chemicals, biologicals, radioactivity).
  • Suitable sensors include conventional electronic-based sensors, either analog or digital of both, as well as micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors, and data provided thereby may be, and typically is, included in the information transmitted by the device T, 30. If movement of air over a sensor is desired, natural air flow or a micro-motion "fan" such as a piezo-electric air mover that consumes only a nominal electrical energy may be employed.
  • shielding of the operative elements thereof may be provided, e.g., lead shielding, lead powder impregnated resin, lead filled epoxy shielding, metal shielding, and/or another radiation absorbing material, except that the radioactivity sensing element and the antenna would typically be outside of the shielded portion, although such might be within the container.
  • Such shielding may be for all radioactive particles, or may be for selectively shielding only certain particles, e.g., a shield for alpha and beta particles, but not for gamma rays and/or X-rays where sensing of gamma rays and/or X-rays is of interest.
  • Lead powder impregnated resin and/or lead filled epoxy shielding materials may be formulated so as to permit the passage of electromagnetic waves, and/or to be electrically insulating, while providing effective shielding from radioactive particles.
  • appropriate electromagnetic shielding may be provided in conjunction with appropriate filtering networks for coupling the antenna, e.g., where electromagnetic interference (EMI) is or may be encountered.
  • EMI electromagnetic interference
  • the device T, 30 is intended to be associated with a human being and/or be inspected by a human being, it may be desirable to provide a signaling and/or display thereon to convey information to and/or receive information from the human being. Examples thereof include a light- emitting diode (LED) and/or other visual indicator, an LCD or other display, an annunciator, speaker, buzzer or other audible device, and/or a vibrator or other tactual device.
  • LED light- emitting diode
  • Such device T, 30 may be employed not only to locate and track a person having the device, but may also be employed to communicate messages to and/or from the person.
  • device T, 30 includes a GPS locator
  • the location of the device T, 30 at the time an event occurs may be transmitted in the information communicated by device T, 30, as well as the date and time thereof, and/or where device T, 30 includes a sensor, the date and time of a sensed event may likewise be communicated.
  • each relay device 30 may periodically transmit a signal indicating its presence and/or operability, and/or its location, so that processing computer PC can recognize its presence and operability, as may be desirable from the standpoint of security. Such periodic transmissions need not be frequent, but may be every few hours or once per day or the like. In other words, the lack of any transmission from a relay device 30 could indicate a need for maintenance or repair, or may indicate a security issue if the device 30 is damaged, tampered with and/or missing.
  • device T, 30 is associated with a mobile object (e.g., package, shipping container, person) or with a mobile area (e.g., ship, vehicle, carrier, conveyance), so that the location of the device T, 30 may be tracked over time.
  • a mobile object e.g., package, shipping container, person
  • a mobile area e.g., ship, vehicle, carrier, conveyance
  • FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of apparatus including a communication network suitable for use with the example arrangement and devices of FIGURES 1-3.
  • System 100 may provide communication between processing computer PC and tracking station(s) TS and/or between computer PC and user computers 160, 180, via a communication path including the Internet and/or an Intranet, wherein, e.g., the computer PC may comprise one or more serversl32.
  • a central computer arrangement 130 includes one or more database servers 132 coupled to one or more storage devices 134. Typically, one of the storage devices 134' is located at a different location than is the main or primary storage device 134, so as to provide data backup and protection against such dangers as fire, earthquake, storm, terror attack, and the like.
  • an Intranet user's computer 180 communicates with the central computer 130 via a local hub and/or router 182 and one or more application and/or web servers 184.
  • a firewall 183 is provided for protecting computer PC from unauthorized access, from malicious codes and from unauthorized removal of data.
  • Such Intranet may be or include a local hub, a router, an Ethernet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless network, a cellular network, a satellite network, or any other network.
  • Intranet user 180 may be an official or employee of the agency or entity that locates, tracks and/or monitors RFDD tagged objects, or may be an owner, shipper, carrier, recipient or other individual or entity having an interest in the object and/or its location, and so there may be many such users utilizing the system 100 via an Intranet.
  • Intranet user computers 180 may have a signature capture device or other identification device and/or a local printer (not shown) associated therewith for controlling access to the servers 130.
  • Users may include government agencies that may have or desire information pertinent thereto, such as security agencies, port and terminal agencies, defense agencies, judicial agencies, corrections agencies, police and investigative agencies that may need or desire information available via computer PC.
  • An Internet user computer 160 communicates via a router 162, a load balancing server
  • Internet user computers 160 preferably have a signature or other biometric capture device or other identification device and/or a local printer (not shown) associated therewith for controlling access to servers 166, 168.
  • a firewall is provided (e.g., on cache server 163, balancing server 164 and/or web servers 166) for protecting computer PC from unauthorized access, from malicious codes and from unauthorized removal of data.
  • a separate storage device 169 is provided for accumulating information provided via the Internet by Internet users from computers 160, and such storage device 169 may be local, regional or central.
  • Application and database servers 168 communicate with central computer 130 via bridge 170 and may exchange information between storage devices 134 and 169.
  • such Internet user may be any of the persons and agencies identified above, as well as individuals seeking to locate an object in which they have an interest, and there may be many such users utilizing the system 100 via the Internet.
  • computer PC may comprise any one or more of the server arrangement
  • the server arrangement 168, 169 and elements thereof, and/or a separate computer as may be convenient and desired.
  • an arrangement such as server arrangement 130 or elements thereof might be employed, and if a tracking station TS is communicating with a computer PC via the Internet, then an arrangement such as server arrangement 130 or elements thereof might be employed.
  • the system 100 described preferably includes access via the Internet or another network or communication medium, properly authorized users such as defense, security, intelligence and other agencies, as well as shippers, owners, recipients, and the like, may have essentially immediate access to location and tracking records and/or history at any time authorized. Thus, such persons may have "real time," i.e.
  • locating and tracking database on computer PC may be loaded onto individual computers, either via the Internet or other network or via floppy disk, CD-ROM or other medium, for use at a site wherein Internet/intranet access is inconvenient or not available.
  • Suitable software for use with the foregoing includes, for example, the Microsoft SQL
  • FIGURE 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method 200 for operating the example arrangement 100 of FIGURES 1-4.
  • Method 200 commences with the loading 210 of at least one unique identifier into the memory of an RFID device T, 30.
  • a set of unique identifier codes numbering between two to two-hundred or more unique identifier codes are stored (loaded) 210 into a readable memory, preferably a write-once read-many times memory, of the RFID device T, 30.
  • this set of unique identifying codes are used internally to the RFID device T, 30 to generate unique identifiers for a series of uses of the RFID device, i.e. so that a single physical device may be reused as many times as there are stored unique codes in the set thereof, and may truly be unique in each use.
  • firmware is also stored for binding, encrypting or other wise protecting the data stored in the memory of the RFID device T, 30 against tampering or copying.
  • the foregoing data is typically stored via a direct electrical connection with the RFID device T, 30, and specifically with the electronic device (chip) thereof, but may be stored by wireless communication via antenna AN.
  • the set of unique identifying codes and firmware are stored in a write-once, read-many ("WORM") memory and are not normally available to be read or otherwise accessed other than in response to a particular command in combination with a password or other security device.
  • WORM write-once, read-many
  • the application specific data is then stored (encoded) 215 in RFID device T, 30 and a unique identifier is retrieved from the set of unique identifiers stored in step 210. If a device is to be utilized as an RFID tag T, then the application specific data may include any one or more of the identification of the object with which it is to be associated, the owner thereof, its origin and destination, its route, date and/or time information, the identity of the shipper and/or of the recipient, a sequence of power levels and/or codes therefor, programming information, and the like.
  • the application specific data may include any one or more of its owner, the identity of the space (e.g., area or volume) in which it is to be deployed, the identity of the moveable item (e.g., container, conveyance, carrier) on which it is to be deployed, its location when deployed (absolutely or relatively or both), its characteristics, programming information, and the like.
  • the space e.g., area or volume
  • the moveable item e.g., container, conveyance, carrier
  • the application specific data and/or the identifier are bound or encrypted to provide a relational check code that is also stored therein, and that will be transmitted as part of the stored data that is read and transmitted.
  • This data is typically stored via a direct electrical connection with the RFID tag T, but may be stored by wireless communication via antenna AN, if desired.
  • the RFID device T, 30 is now ready to be deployed, e.g., as an RFID tag T to be associated with an object to be located and/or tracked, or as a relay device 30 to be deployed to a space 20 for relaying identifying information from RFID tags T to a tracking station TS and computer PC.
  • the present unique identifier thereof is preferably deleted or inactivated and the next unique identifier is retrieved from the set of unique identifiers stored in step 210.
  • means is provide for authenticating each device T, 30 by its unique identifier for each time it is used/reused.
  • a plurality of devices T, 30 are processed through steps 210-220 for establishing an array of relay devices 30 and for association with a plurality of objects to be located/tracked.
  • a device is deployed as a relay device 30 into a space (e.g., an area or volume) wherein the relay devices 30 establish and maintain an ad hoc network
  • deploying 220 includes establishing and/or joining 222 an ad hoc network.
  • Deployed RFID tags T transmit 225 their identifying information (identifier) and preferably a code representing the power level at which the identifier is transmitted. This transmitting step 225 is repeated 230 for each of the power levels at which the RFID tag T is programmed to transmit.
  • a transmission includes a sequence of transmissions of the identifier and power level code in quick succession, one at each power level in a programmed sequence thereof, e.g., as a burst of signals at various power levels. If the RFID tag T includes a sensor and sensor information is available, the sensor information is added to the unique identifier and optional power level code and is transmitted 227 therewith 225, 230.
  • Transmitted 225, 227, 230 information is received 235 at which ever of the relay devices 30 that are within transmission range of RFID tag T at the power level at which it is transmitting.
  • the number of relay devices 30 receiving 235 such transmission is greater for transmissions 225-230 at a higher power level and is smaller for transmissions 225-230 at a lower power level.
  • Each transmission received 235 by a relay device 30 is relayed (retransmitted) 240 to the monitoring computer PC, e.g., via tracking station TS, and each relay device 30 adds to the information it relays 240 information including information identifying the relay device 30 and/or its location, and may also transmit the time at which the relayed information was received.
  • the received information is stored 237 in a memory of the relay device, e.g., in a cumulative record of relayed information that may accumulate a large number of such records (i.e. a history) or may accumulate only a limited number of the most recent relayed information, such as on a first-in first-out basis.
  • Relayed 240 received 235 transmissions received at the monitoring computer PC are stored 245, e.g., in a database thereof, thereby to accumulate 245 a record of all of the receptions of identifying information transmitted by each particular RFBD tag T including the locations and/or times at which they were received. This data may be retained if desired or may be discarded after it has been utilized to determine 250 the location of the particular RFID tags T that transmitted the data. [ 112] .
  • the location of each RFID tag T is determined 250 from the locations and/or times at which its transmitted identifying information was received by a relay device 30, e.g., by "mapping" or calculating the locations corresponding to a particular transmission.
  • the number of records of locations and/or times at which a particular transmission was received at plural relay devices 30 is determined for selecting the set of locations and/or times that will be utilized for determining 250 the location of the particular RFID tag T.
  • the set of records for a location and/or time having the lowest number of related receptions are processed for determining 250 the location of the RFID tag T that transmitted the identifying information.
  • the lowest number of plural receptions usually corresponds to the lowest power level at which the transmission was received by plural relay devices, however, it may relate to a transmission that occurred while the RFID tag T was near to a boundary Bo whereat the lack of relay devices may account for the low number of receptions.
  • Relay devices 30 deployed near to a boundary Bo may be identified as such for extrapolating patterns of receptions by such relay devices 30 to attempt to "fill-in missing reception data" with respect to RFID tags T that may be at or near to a boundary Bo.
  • the determined 250 location and/or time is stored 255 in a database, e.g., of the processing/monitoring computer PC, from where it is preferably accessible 260, 265 both locally and from one or more remote locations via a communication path.
  • the communication path may include any one or more of wire, wireless, cable, telephone, a network, a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, a wireless network, an ad hoc network, a cellular, a satellite, or any combination of two or more thereof.
  • each of the RFID tags T are updated with the most recent information and so that a history of the locations at which each RFID tag T is at and has been at is accumulated so as to provide in the stored information a history of the movement thereof, e.g., for locating, tracking and/or monitoring purposes.
  • the method described is not affected if and when RFID tags T are removed from or are added to those being located, monitored and/or tracked, because each RFID tag T is located, monitored and/or tracked for as long as it is within any area/volume/space 20 including a relay device 30, even if it should leave one such area/volume/space and enter another, whether immediately or after a delay of any length.
  • the stored 255 location information may be accessed, e.g., by an inquiry 260 from a local or remote location.
  • An inquiry may be received 260 for information relating to any information that is stored 255 in the database, for example, for information relating to the location and/or history for a particular area/volume/space, a particular RFED tag T and/or a group thereof, a particular relay device and/or a group thereof, a particular date and/or time period, and the like.
  • the requested information if available, is provided 265 to the requester, typically via a communication comparable to that via which the inquiry was received 260, although a printed or other tangible report or response may be provided.
  • verification 262 of the requesters identity and/or confirmation of the requester's authorization to receive the requested information may be required prior to providing access or considering an inquiry, and before providing information in response to the inquiry.
  • Typical verification/authentication means include identification and password, biometric identifiers, digital signatures and the like, as may be appropriate.
  • a device T, 30 is to be reused 270, it is recycled to step 215 for entry of application specific data and other information relating to the new use.
  • the information and unique identifier relating to the present use is deleted or inactivated so that the physical device T, 30 may be reprogrammed 215 for the new use (reuse).
  • a set of unique identifiers is stored in the memory of device T, 30 and the presently utilized unique identifier therefrom may be permanently and irreversibly replaced by another unique identifier of the set of unique identifiers for thereafter uniquely identifying the device T, 30, whereby the device T, 30 may be reused being identified by the another unique identifier.
  • the processing computer may automatically generate one or more reports and/or alerts under predetermined conditions. For example, periodic reports may be provided 280 based on the passage of time, e.g., daily or once per personnel shift, or upon the occurrence of a defined condition, e.g., the arrival of a carrier/conveyance at a port/terminal.
  • periodic reports may be provided 280 based on the passage of time, e.g., daily or once per personnel shift, or upon the occurrence of a defined condition, e.g., the arrival of a carrier/conveyance at a port/terminal.
  • the information stored 255 may be processed to determine 285 whether a "suspicious" event has occurred, e.g., an indication of an opening of or tampering with a container, a lack of reception of transmitted information from an RFID device T, lack of associated information from an associated RFID and/or relay device, and/or a lack of reports of reception thereof by a relay device 30. If a suspicious event is determined 285, then a "Y" results and a report thereof may be prepared 290 and/or an alert or other warning may be provided 290 to the appropriate authority or other entity. Typically, during and at the conclusion thereof, operation continues with the various tags T transmitting 225 identifying information as before.
  • RFE ) tags T are issued to personnel authorized to be in the space or spaces 20 being monitored to perform a desired work or service.
  • RFE) tags T for such personnel may be related for monitoring purposes with specific locations and/or with RFID devices T, 30 associated with specific containers, carriers, and the like and/or classes thereof. Such relatedness is preferably made in a record for such RFE) devices T, 30 in the database maintained on processor P.
  • any condition wherein two or more related RFE ) devices T, 30 that are supposed to be proximate each other but are not, or that are not supposed to be proximate but are, or both, may be considered suspicious, e.g., at least to be identified in a notice or other indication to an appropriate entity.
  • One example of such relationship includes, e.g., that of an inspector with a location at which containers are closed and sealed or are opened and inspected.
  • an opening of a container 80 is detected as described herein in a location where containers 80 are opened and an RFE) tag T related to an authorized inspector is also determined to be in the same location, the opening of the container may be presumed to be authorized and not to be suspicious.
  • an inspector RFE) tag T is not determined to be present, then the opening may be suspicious.
  • the RFE) tag T of an inspector is present in the location when a container 80 is closed, then the closing can be presumed to be authorized and properly inspected.
  • the locations, dates, times and conditions relating to objects having an associated RFE) device T, 30, are monitored in the manner described herein and so investigation of any detected suspicious activity and/or condition, such as a tampering, opening, and/or theft, whether detected contemporaneously with its occurrence or at a later time, can be facilitated by the information stored in the records of the associated RFE) devices T, 30 that are stored the RFE) devices T, 30 and/or are stored and accumulated in the database of processor P.
  • any detected suspicious activity and/or condition such as a tampering, opening, and/or theft
  • Another example of such relationship includes, e.g., that of a driver or operator with a vehicle that the driver is to operate, wherein either the vehicle or cargo/container carried thereby has an RFE ) device T, 30 associated therewith.
  • RFE radio frequency
  • the opening may be presumed to be proper if the driver is authorized to do so and can be considered suspicious if the driver is not so authorized.
  • the opening may be presumed to be proper if the driver is authorized to do so and can be considered suspicious if the driver is not so authorized.
  • three- or four-way or higher relatedness may be provided, such as among a vehicle, a driver and a container. Separation of the driver and the vehicle and/or of the cargo/container and the vehicle, can be detected by an RPDD device 30 on the vehicle from the lack of reception of messages transmitted by the driver's RPID device T and/or the cargo/container RFID device T, 30. Such separation may be considered suspicious if for too long a time or if the vehicle moves while the driver is away, and/or may be utilized to disable the vehicle, either during the driver's absence or permanently if for too long a time.
  • separation of the driver and the vehicle and of the cargo/container and the vehicle can be detected from the records of the locations of their respective RFID devices T, 30 in the database of processor P and, if for too long a time, may be considered suspicious. Any such detected suspicious, unexpected or out of the ordinary situation may be utilized to trigger a protective or other action, such as enabling real-time monitoring, e.g., including GPS or other locating, disabling the vehicle, and/or notifying a security, police or other entity for their action.
  • covert relay device 30 that is provided, e.g., on a vehicle or a container or both.
  • covert relay device 30 may include communication capability to be in substantially continuous communication with the monitoring processor P, e.g., as by cellular and/or satellite communication. While a covert device may be useful, it may be detected by persons who would seek to thwart its function, such as a thief or terrorist, or its use may become known, and so security might also be provided, e.g., as by physical security and/or by periodic transmission of messages so that it can be monitored and tracked.
  • reports may be provided 265, 280, 290, to various parties containing information useful to their function, either in a standard or in a specialized/desired format and timing.
  • reports to an exporter, importer, carrier operator, port operator, terminal operator, independent agency (PIVIA), security agency, customs authority, and the like could all be different in form and content, and may be provided in real time and/or at different times, as desired.
  • Instructions therefor for processor PC may be designated as a management module, a reporting module, or other nomenclature adapted to the need of the agency or entity desiring to receive the provided 265, 280, 290, report or reports.
  • a relay device 30 store the information contained in the messages it receives from RFID tags T, thereby to serve as a data recorder, and then to transmit the stored information when subsequently interrogated or polled, e.g., at a later time and/or at a different location.
  • An example thereof would be to be interrogated or polled by a tracking station TS upon arrival at a terminal or port when the relay device 30 comes within communication range thereof.
  • the information stored by relay device 30 may include all the information received, information from a number of the most recent receptions (first in, first out), or information selected from ones of the received messages, e.g., those reporting an unusual and/or abnormal condition and/or event.
  • Such store for later transmission operation could be advantageous where, e.g., for security reasons, it is desired not to report certain events and/or conditions locally to the relay device 30, but to retain such information for an appropriate authority.
  • Stored information may be protected by a check code, CRC, encryption and/or other protective means when stored and should not be readable except by interrogation/polling apparatus that operates with the appropriate communication and encryption protocols.
  • Suitable encryption could be provided by an MD5 or DES or other encryption algorithm.
  • the recording memory/medium could be a write-once-read-many (WORM) memory/medium, an encrypted memory/medium, a redundant memory/medium, or a combination thereof.
  • WORM write-once-read-many
  • FIGURES 6 A and 6B are schematic diagrams of an example arrangement for a relay device 30 employed with a container 80 that contains at least one RFID tag T internal thereto, optionally for use with the example arrangement of FIGURES 1-5.
  • Container 80 which may be a container utilized in intermodal shipping, such as for containerized cargo transported by any one or more of ship, rail, truck and air, has at least one relay device 30 on an external surface thereof.
  • Relay device 30 may be located at any convenient location on container 80 that is "near" to the door 82 thereof, i.e. is in a location whereat it will receive identifying information transmitted by an RFID tag T that is inside of container 80 when the doors 82 thereof are open. Two possible example locations for relay device 30 are illustrated.
  • closable container 80 has one or more doors (closable openings) 82 that may be opened for loading, unloading, and/or inspecting container 80, wherein each door 82 is secured in a closed position by a mechanical latch 84.
  • containers 80 are secured against tampering or theft of the contents thereof by a mechanical lock for maintaining latch 84 in the latched condition with doors 82 closed.
  • latches 84 are secured by a serialized band, seal or other security device that cannot be opened without leaving evidence thereof, so that any opening or tampering with container 80 will be evident to an inspector.
  • Prevention of tampering and theft have been concerns relating to the integrity of shipments for many years, as well as for customs compliance, and has become a concern of even greater significance since terrorism has become an worldwide issue.
  • Containers 80 are typically constructed of metal, e.g., steel or aluminum, and so are electrically conductive and provide an electrical shield that substantially attenuates or blocks electromagnetic transmissions from RFID tag T and so prevents such transmissions from being received by relay device 30 exterior to container 80 when the doors 82 thereof are closed. Because periodic transmissions by RFID tag T interior to container 80 will be received by relay device 30 exterior to container 80 only when doors 82 are open, the combination of RFID tag T and relay device 30 detect if and when a door 82 of container 80 is opened. Each receipt of a transmission from RFID device T is stored in a memory of relay device 30 for transmission to a tracking station TS whenever a tracking station TS is identified as being within range of relay device 30, whether by direct transmission or via a network or other communication path.
  • doors 82 do not need to be fully opened to be detected as being open, only that a door 82 be opened sufficiently for the electromagnetic transmission by RFID tag T to reach relay device 30.
  • a preferred RFID tag T described above operates at a relatively high frequency (e.g., 433 MHz or 860-920 MHz or 2.4-2.6 GHz) and so only a small gap between door 82 and container 80 is necessary for its transmission to reach relay device 30.
  • doors 82 may not be or remain tightly fitted to container 80 and so a gap sufficient to pass the transmission by RFID tag T may occur in the course of moving and handling container 80, which could result in a false indication of an opening of a door 82.
  • each container 80 is presently thought to be preferred, however, one tag T and one relay device 30 may be employed with respect to a container 80.
  • This two-tag two-relay device arrangement is preferred because containers 80 are most often not an "ideal" container that is tightly closed when doors 82 are latched 84 so as to effectively block all of the transmissions by an RFID tag T therein.
  • the second relay device 30 may be shared between and/or among two or more containers, so that not every container need have two relay devices 30 associated therewith.
  • One RFE) tag T may be disposed on an interior side wall of container 80 relatively near to doors 82 and another RFE) tag T on an opposite interior sidewall of container 80 much deeper into the interior thereof, perhaps 1 A to 1/3 the depth thereof away from doors 82.
  • two relay devices 30 may be disposed exterior container 80 in different positions relative to doors 82, e.g., one relatively closer to doors 82 than the other.
  • One relay device 30 may be disposed on an exterior top wall of container 80 relatively near to doors 82 and another relay device 30 on an exterior sidewall of container 80.
  • each of the RFID tags T transmit identifying information at N plural power levels, there are 2N different combinations of transmission power levels and transmission paths for each RFID device, or 4N different power levels and transmission paths for the two RFID tags T and two relay devices 30. If tags T each transmit identifying information at four different power levels Pl- P4, then there are sixteen different transmitter-receiver-power-level combinations for the two tags T and two relay devices 30. This is four times as many than if one RFID tag T and one relay device 30 are employed, thereby reducing the likelihood of both false positive and false negatives.
  • the indication thereof is typically and preferably provided to a port authority, a customs authority, a security agency, customs agency, a police agency, a coast guard agency, the military and/or to another responsible and trusted agency, and not to the operator or personnel at the location of the suspect activity, some or all of whom could be complicit or otherwise involved in the suspect activity.
  • RFED tag T may be disposed in an enclosure 90 within container 80, an example of which is illustrated in FIGURE 6B.
  • Example enclosure 90 includes a base 92 and a hinged cover 94 hinged thereto for closing the enclosure 90.
  • RFID tag T is disposed so that it is within enclosure 90 when cover 94 thereof is closed.
  • an RF gasket or seal 96 is provided along the lip or edge of container base 92 that contacts cover 94, or is provided on cover 94, so that an RF seal that substantially attenuates electromagnetic transmissions by RFE ) tag T is provided when cover 94 is closed.
  • Base 92 and cover 94 are of an electrically conductive material and/or are covered with an electrically conductive material so as to provide the desired attenuation.
  • Cover 94 is arranged so as to be open, e.g., by spring 95, unless it is held closed. Cover
  • cover 94 is preferably coupled to door 82, e.g., by contact or by a linkage, so that cover 94 will open when door 82 is partially opened, e.g., a small amount.
  • doors 82 are arranged so that one must be closed first before the other, and so one door 82 must be opened first.
  • cover 94 is coupled to the door 82 that must be opened first. Because door 82 is usually quite large as compared to cover 94, cover 94 is arranged to open sufficiently to permit transmissions by RFID tag T to pass from container 90 before container door 82 is opened sufficiently to allow an object of significance to be placed into container 80 or removed therefrom without a transmission from RFID tag T being received by relay device 30. Likewise, the time interval between transmissions by RFID tag T are shorter than the time that would be required to open door 82, add or remove an object to or from container 80 and re-close door 82.
  • an RF tight enclosure 90 includes a container base 92 of about 3.1 inches wide by about 4.9 inches long and is about 2.2 inches deep, has a cover 94 that is about 3.1 inches wide by about 4.9 inches long, and employs an about 3.1 inch by about 4.9 inch rectangular RF gasket.
  • Enclosure 90 may be of any size and shape suitable for containing a device T, 30.
  • Example RFID tag T therein is programmed to transmit identifying information about every 1-3 seconds. Where two RFID tags T are provided interior to container 80, one may be programmed to transmit relatively frequently, e.g., every 1-3 seconds, and the other to transmit less frequently, e.g., every 30 seconds. [ 148] In this arrangement, which is considered advantageous for port security, terminal security, airport security and the like, relay device 30 optionally includes a GPS locator so that the location and time of any opening of door 82 may be recorded.
  • GPS locator Inclusion of a GPS locator is preferred where container 80 is to be transported via a carrier and/or facility lacking a tracking station TS of system 100 with which relay device 30 can communicate for relaying the information indicative of a container opening received from RFID device T.
  • a GPS locator automatically determines location to a high degree of accuracy and relatively frequently, e.g., to within meters and every second or so, from transmissions received from a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth.
  • Relay device 30 may also preferably include a networking device for joining a network when container 80 is in or may pass through a location wherein other devices for establishing such network are present for transmitting to a tracking station TS the information stored in relay device 30 that indicates openings of a door 82 thereof, and for assisting in the relaying of messages to and from other devices 30.
  • a relay device 30 on the exterior of container 80 need not be provided and the relay devices 30 of the location/facility as described in relation to FIGURES 1-2, for example, may provide the detection of tampering and other functions as described in relation to FIGURES 6A-6B.
  • Examples include ships having relay devices 30 arrayed at various locations such as in holds, on masts, decks and super structure, and the like, and ports/terminals having relay devices 30 arrayed on cranes, hoists, poles and the like.
  • a tampering indication may still be provided reliably because the RFID tag T transmits identifying information at a plurality of power levels, e.g., power levels P1-P4.
  • a less than perfect seal might substantially block transmissions at lower power levels, e.g., at power levels Pl and P2, but may pass sufficient of transmissions at higher power levels, e.g., at power levels P3 and P4, so that a "signature" or characteristic of transmissions from the closed container 80 can be obtained.
  • Deviations from the signature or characteristic condition of the closed container 80 and/or differences between the open and closed container conditions may be utilized as indications of tampering and/or of opening of container 80, causing the reporting and recording of information transmissions that can be monitored for identifying suspicious activity.
  • an example RFID tag T may be set to transmit a sequence of identifying information at the plural different power levels every one to five seconds, although a longer period may be employed to increase battery life.
  • RFED devices T interior container 80 be established for defining when container 80 is open and when it is closed, but an adaptable standard may be utilized wherein differences in the reception of information from RFID devices T interior container 80 may be compared and/or processed for determining whether a container 80 is or has been opened and/or is a suspect or suspicious container 80.
  • the present arrangement provides the possibility of detecting unauthorized opening or tampering that would not be detected by normal tracking RFID devices and/or with container seals, even RFID seals, and so appropriate authorities may identify and focus their efforts on intercepting and/or inspecting such suspect containers with good cause, and not on a random or other sampling basis that is likely to miss the container or containers that have been tampered with.
  • any opening or similar tampering of container 80 is "captured" by the relay device 30 (whether on the exterior of a container 80 or associated with a facility or carrier, whether singly or in a network or both) and is forwarded via a tracking station TS, either immediately (i.e. in real time) or subsequently, to the database of processing computer PC.
  • a tracking station TS either immediately (i.e. in real time) or subsequently, to the database of processing computer PC.
  • Port security and/or other authorities at an ultimate or intermediate destination may access that database before a carrier and the containers it carries arrive, thereby to be able to identify, intercept and inspect the containers 80 that have been opened or tampered with before they are brought into a port, terminal and/or other location where person or property could be placed at risk.
  • the database of computer PC may be arranged to provide a notification to such authorities and/or others when a report of a received transmission of information from an RFID device T inside a container is received at a time and/or from a location other than a destination at winch such opening is planned.
  • the sensor may be external to enclosure 90 or may be internal thereto.
  • one or more openings or ports 98 in enclosure 90 may be provided to allow passage of what the sensor is to sense, e.g., a gas, chemical, or biological agent, radioactivity, pressure, moisture, light, and the like. Opening 98 is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength of the transmissions of RFID tag T that the transmissions do not pass through opening 98. If a larger opening 98 is to be provided, an RF shielding screen may be provided in opening 98 to block transmissions from RFID tag T.
  • Containers 80 that have been opened or tampered with may be selected for manual inspection based upon the information stored in relay device 30 and retrieved therefrom by a tracking station TS.
  • the database of computer processor PC may be employed to determine whether a container 80 has been opened by comparing the database records for the RFID tag T internal to that container 80 with the records of the known location and time of the packing and closing of container 80 and of the known authorized opening of container 80, e.g., for an authorized inspection and/or for unloading.
  • relay device 30 may periodically store its location and so its memory will contain a history of the locations at which it has been and the times thereof. These records may be stored in and/or compared to records in the database of processor PC, including records for the carrier of container 80 (e.g., a ship, train, truck, or the like) to determine whether container 80 has traveled over an appointed path or route, or has at some point been diverted to another location or over another path or route. This comparison capability also furthers the likelihood of detecting activity that may be deemed suspicious or is otherwise of interest to security or other personnel, thereby facilitating the identification, interception and/or inspection of suspicious cargo before it enters a port, terminal or city.
  • the carrier of container 80 e.g., a ship, train, truck, or the like
  • RFID devices T and relay devices 30 may include a magnet for facilitating its attachment to a steel shipping container, truck trailer and the like, or may be attached by more robust and/or more permanent means, such as by one or more fasteners and/or adhesive, as may be desired. Where two devices T, 30 are utilized per container or other object, the loss of one does not affect the locating, tracking and monitoring function, and even the loss of both does not necessarily compromise security because a container lacking a device T, 30 could be deemed suspicious and therefore identified and set apart for interception and/or inspection.
  • RFID tags T and/or relay devices 30 employed in the context of shipping and port/terminal security preferably include an optional GPS locator or other location determining device, redundant processors and other electronic circuits and/or batteries, so as to provide a measure of redundancy thereby to increase reliability and reduce the likelihood of failure or other inoperative condition.
  • such relay devices 30 also include an optional ad hoc network communication device so as to be able to interface in a network with systems 100 in various areas and facilities 20, and/or a satellite or other communication means. Where an image sensor is provided in a device T, 30, the communication means may be sufficient to transmit a live, delayed or compressed video signal essentially in real time.
  • information of the sort described above may be accessed and/or available on ⁇ line via an intranet and/or via the Internet and/or via any other communication device and path to any authority or other person who may have a need to know or receive such information, or who may have an interest in such information, for a security or other purpose, in real time and/or on a delayed basis.
  • the processing computer/server PC may provide notifications and/or alerts of any unexpected and/or suspicious event via the intranet and/or Internet, as well as via other communication devices.
  • Communication devices/paths include, e.g., any one or more of wire, cable, telephone, a radio link, a network, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless network, an ad hoc network, a satellite, e-mail, a computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant device (PDA), a Blackberry-enabled device, a Wi-Fi-enabled device, an EmberNet ad hoc network device, a cell phone, a WAP-enabled cell phone, a pager, and the like.
  • Such monitoring and notification may be provided by computer/processor PC without the need for human action or intervention, and the possibility of error being introduced thereby.
  • the described arrangement may be employed in conjunction with a relay device 30 that includes an imager as a sensor wherein upon reception by relay device 30 of identifying information transmitted by an RPID tag T interior a container 80, an imager sensor associated with relay device 30 on the exterior of container 80 and/or associated with a relay device 30 nearby thereto may be enabled, and images therefrom may be transmitted to the appropriate port, terminal, government or other security authority.
  • RFID devices T may transmit identifying information and sensor information before, as and after a container 80 is loaded, and so an initial or baseline record of the sensor information will be reported and recorded via relay devices 30 at or near to the time of sealing the container 80, so that a container may be cleared as being free of hazardous or dangerous contents at the location of its loading, sealing and departure.
  • containers 80 in international transit having an internal RFTD tag T including a sensor may be read during such transit via an exterior or nearby relay device 30 placed specifically to allow monitoring of that container 80.
  • Containers whose relay device 30 is not functional or is missing can be deemed suspicious and identified for intercept and/or inspection.
  • Seals including a relay device 30 may be provided so that seal and sealing status is reported and recorded in the computer database as such events transpire, e.g., in real time, including reports, alerts and the like to private and/or governmental agencies.
  • Seals including a relay device 30 may be employed in place of, in conjunction with, and/ or in addition to a relay device 30 exterior to a container 80. hi addition, relay devices 30 of nearby containers may be close enough to relay messages thereby tending to provide redundancy mitigating the effects of missing or non-functional relay devices 30.
  • FIGURE 7 is a schematic flow diagram of an example method 300 for use with the example arrangement of FIGURES 1-4 and of FIGURES 6A-6B.
  • Method 300 provides for the real-time locating, monitoring and tracking of objects having an associated RFID tag T, and is particularly suited for the real-time locating, monitoring and tracking of closable objects having one or more associated
  • RFID tags T interior thereto, as illustrated by the example of FIGURE 6A.
  • a local container sealing operation 320 includes the placing of one or more RFID tags T interior a closable container 80, e.g., by a shipping agent or freight consolidator, preferably with verification and/or inspection by an official authority, although such verification may optionally be omitted if the shipping agent or consolidator is a pre-approved or certified entity trusted to inspect and seal containers 80.
  • Local container sealing 320 may also include the placing of one or more relay devices 30 exterior closable container 80, such as by attachment thereto.
  • a relay device 30 may be arranged as a physical seal to the door or other closable opening 82 of container 80; and an optional physical seal (e.g., a mechanical and/or electronic seal) may also be applied thereto.
  • operation of the RFID tag(s) T and relay device(s) 30 is verified in conjunction with the sealing of the container 80 and a notification thereof and of the loading and departure of container 80 is provided to a trusted third party 360.
  • a local monitoring apparatus referred to as a "Green Box" is provided at the local sealing 320 location for verifying operation of RFID tags T and relay devices 30 and for providing reports of receipt of information transmitted thereby.
  • local sealing operation 320 may be performed in plural locations by plural entities, plural boxes 320 are illustrated. Local sealing 320 my occur at a port or terminal, or at a warehouse or freight yard from which loaded containers 80 are transported. Each local sealing location
  • 320 would typically provide a network of relay devices 30, whether that is by the relay devices 30 exterior to containers 80, by relay devices 30 associated with the sealing location, or a combination thereof.
  • An example of a trusted third party 360 may be a public independent monitoring agency or authority (“PIMA") that is established, e.g., typically by governments or agencies thereof, to oversee and monitor security matters.
  • PIMA public independent monitoring agency or authority
  • agencies that may be involved are military agencies, security agencies, homeland security agencies, customs agencies, transportation agencies, immigration agencies, border patrols, police, and the like.
  • PEVIA 360 may be established by agreement, treaty, compact, or any other suitable means, and or could be national, regional, international, or a combination thereof, e.g., a partnership between local and regional/national agencies, however, an international PIMA involving at least those countries that are major producers and/or major receivers of container cargo is believed preferable.
  • a Green Box comprises a receiver for receiving transmissions of identifying information by PvFID tags T and relay devices 30, and so is similar to a tracking station TS, and a processor, such as processor PC, for storing and processing the received transmissions.
  • a Green Box includes tracking station TS and processor PC apparatus as described above, and is preferably contained in a sealed and physically secure enclosure that is controlled, provided and monitored by the PEVIA.
  • Each Green Box preferably includes one or more detectors that detect any breach of the security of the Green Box and communicates a report thereof to the PDVIA.
  • periodic reports of the operating status and/or of the security of the Green Box may be communicated to the PIMA.
  • PDVIA 360 ensures and monitors the proper configuration and function, as well as the security, of the Green Boxes.
  • Processor PC of the Green Box stores and provides, e.g., communicates, the received reports to PDVIA 360 so that PDVIA 360 monitors all RFDD tags T and all relay devices 30 at all locations under its jurisdiction.
  • suspicious events e.g., an opening of a container 80 or detection by a sensor associated with an RFDD device T, 30, are communicated promptly to the Green Box and are promptly relayed by the Green Box to PDVIA 360.
  • containers 80 travel to and through regional and/or national facilities 330, such as those under the control of port operators, terminal operators, port authorities, customs authorities, carrier companies (e.g., shipping, airline, trucking, and railroad companies).
  • regional and/or national facilities 330 such as those under the control of port operators, terminal operators, port authorities, customs authorities, carrier companies (e.g., shipping, airline, trucking, and railroad companies).
  • carrier companies e.g., shipping, airline, trucking, and railroad companies.
  • transmissions by RFID devices T, 30 may be received and communicated to PDVIA 360 by a Green Box at the location 330, and also are communicated ahead to one or more destinations 350, as indicated by solid arrows.
  • containers 80 travel on vessels, transports and other carriers 340 that are provided by and/or under the control of one or more carrier companies.
  • Carriers 340 preferably each include a Green Box for identifying, monitoring and tracking RFID devices on earner 340.
  • the Green Box for each carrier 340 provides standard reporting of the RFID devices T, 30, associated with carrier 340, e.g., typically in accordance with a standardized protocol and reporting requirements. Typically, and preferably, such reports are not made available to a carrier 340 for security reasons.
  • the Green Box on a carrier 340 may or may not be in communication with PDVIA 360, however, for those that are, their Green Box typically reports periodically and/or in response to suspicious events to PIMA 360 as above. Typically, and preferably, such reports are not made available to a carrier 340 for security reasons, although certain information may be provided as indicated by the broken line arrow.
  • the locations of containers 80, as well as their status and condition, are known, monitored and tracked substantially in real time by PIMA 360 so that any suspicious event or occurrence may be communicated ahead to destination 350 so that action may be initiated preferably before the carrier 340 transporting a suspect container 80 arrives at destination 350.
  • PIMA 360 a relay device 30 exterior thereto
  • that detection event is communicated by relay device 30 to a Green Box and thence to PIMA 360 and to destination 350 so that appropriate steps may be taken prior to arrival of container 80.
  • a sensor associated with an RFID device T interior a container may detect a biological agent, a chemical agent, and/or radioactivity, and that is communicated via relay device 30 and a Green Box to PIMA 360 and to destination authority 350 who can intercept and/or divert the carrier 340 for investigation of the suspicious sensed condition before the suspect container 80 arrives or is brought into a terminal, port, or other location that is near to a populated area.
  • Such reports also include substantially immediate reports, and real-time reports, and/or monitoring upon the detection and/or sensing of any tampering or other suspicious and/or unusual event and/or condition for any container 80, as well as reports of any action taken by another authority in relation to any of the foregoing.
  • destination port, customs, security and other authorities 350 are preferably in communication with port, customs, security and other authorities at departure locations 330, 320, and may also be in communication with carriers 340 and carrier companies as appropriate.
  • RFID devices T may be placed interior to containers 80 and/or relay devices 30 may be placed exterior to containers 80 prior to their arrival at a local sealing facility 320. Examples of locations and/or facilities 310 where such placement of RFID devices T, 30 may occur include manufacturers, 312, 315, suppliers 312, 315, distributors 313, 318, and others 314, 317 such as private sources and other persons and entities that have been cleared and approved to place RFID devices T, 30.
  • trusted entities 310 enable the monitoring f the condition of containers 80 from the time they are packed and/or loaded at the trusted entity 310 which is earlier in time and in the transport path than if RPID devices T, 30 are placed at a local sealing facility 320. Even in such instance, it is preferred that the sealing facility 320 obtain identifying and monitoring information transmitted by RFE ) devices T, 30 prior to sealing container 800, and preferably also inspect container 80, prior to sealing container 80.
  • reporting of exceptions and tampering events is typically provided first to port, security and/or customs authorities at a destination, and next to an independent agency (e.g., PIMA), if any, and to other parties that may have a need-to-know such information.
  • PIMA independent agency
  • authorities at the destination determine when and whether to communicate information to persons and/or authorities at the originating location and/or any intermediate locations, to security and/or other personnel on the carrier or conveyance, and/or to other persons such as a shipper, recipient, owner or other party in interest.
  • personnel onboard the carrier or conveyance, or at a location where tampering or unauthorized opening occurred would not be made aware of a reported tampering or other suspicious event so that secrecy is preserved and so that there is a greater likelihood of identifying those involved.
  • CSI Container Security Initiative
  • the described system and method may be utilized in relation to content monitoring, inland transit monitoring, terminal and port monitoring, and the like.
  • a governmental agency or independent agency such as a third party Public Independent Monitoring Agency (PIMA) may be established for issuing and monitoring RJFID devices T, relay devices 30, and other elements of the described system, for providing any necessary certifications, and for establishing the appropriate infrastructure, e.g., tracking stations, communication links, and processing computers PS, whether separate or networked based servers, and for providing reports, alerts, warnings, and other messages for interested parties and agencies.
  • PIMA Public Independent Monitoring Agency
  • relay devices 30 may be spaced apart about 40 meters for use in ship-board or port/terminal areas where RFE) tags T transmitting at 433 MHz are utilized, and so the cost of outfitting such ship or port/terminal, including a tracking station TS and local computer PC is expected to be less than for conventional locating systems, m addition, because tags T are reusable, the cost therefor per use, even including the cost of battery replacement, is expected to also be very reasonable. Indeed, the potential benefits of 100% tracking information being continuously available in real time and the ability to isolate and intercept suspicious cargo, and the benefit of reduced losses due to theft and inventory shrinkage, appear to far outweigh the cost. Each and every tagged object may be located, tracked and monitored as it moves from its origin location to its destination. [ 186] Further, any known or future arrangement/method for avoiding and/or reducing
  • collisions and/or interference between transmissions may be employed, as may any other suitable scheme therefor.
  • These so-called “anti-collision” arrangements/methods may include, for example, responding only to certain predetermined codes and/or groups of codes, responding in an a priori sequence, responding by geographic zone, prioritizing which tags transmit and/or receive and/or when, a time delay between interrogation and response, a randomized or variable time delay therebetween, use of different frequencies and/or channels, TDMA, CDMA, spread spectrum, and other arrangements, and may include those specified in the ISO 18000-1 through -7 standards, in the ISO 18185 standard relating to smart seals for containers, and any combination of any of the foregoing.
  • An anti-collision scheme employing partial a priori knowledge includes the numbering or indexing of the RFID device T, 30 identification numbers.
  • Example schemes include utilizing part of the RFID device identification numbering as an initial interrogating or polling query to segment the number of possible RFID devices that respond, such as alternately interrogating/polling devices beginning and/or ending in even and odd numbers, sequentially interrogating/polling devices beginning and/or ending in characters from "A" to "Z”, sequentially interrogating/polling devices beginning and/or ending in permutations of alphabetic, of numeric and of alpha-numeric characters, and the like.
  • the RFID devices are programmed to respond only when the appropriate interrogation inquiry is received and then to not respond, e.g., for a predetermined period of time, and the response characteristics of the RFID devices may be programmable by commands/control signals from an interrogation/polling device.
  • sequenced interrogation/polling using the last two numeric digits typically reduces the number of RFID devices responding by about 1/100
  • sequenced interrogation/polling using the last two alpha-numeric characters typically reduces the number of devices responding by about 1/1296, whereby the number of responses by aggregations of 10,000 or more RFID devices is reduced to a number that can reasonably be handled by conventional time-domain, frequency-domain, and code- division multiplexing, or by a combination thereof.
  • additional digits or characters e.g., three characters instead of two, are included in the polling sequence group, then a correspondingly greater reduction in the number of RFID devices responding is achieved.
  • the individual RFID devices, or groups of RFID devices of manageable number are polled or communicated with to obtain the information stored therein, e.g., such as individually, sequentially in time, sequentially in groups, and the like, consistent with the conventional anti-collision scheme employed. Even if the RFID devices present change between the time of the initial polling and the completion of obtaining the information transmitted by all of the RFID devices present, i.e. some RFID devices leave and others arrive, little information is lost because the time required for a complete polling and information download is substantially less than the time that would be required to remove and/or add a significant number of RFID devices.
  • Another anti-collision scheme employing accumulated a priori knowledge includes reading the identifiers of the RFID devices T as they are sequentially placed in the reading region of a reader device 30 so that their identifying information can be received and stored, e.g., recorded in a database.
  • RPID tags T may be placed within the reading region of a reader 30 individually, in groups within the reading capability of the reading device 30 without collision, or both.
  • An example thereof is reading the RFID devices T as they arrive in the area 20 thereby to accumulate over a period of time a record of all of the RFID devices T present, i.e. a first-in-first-read approach.
  • subsequent polling could be by individual identifiers or by groups of identifiers, thereby to reduce the probability of collisions.
  • subsequent polling could employ other RFID protocols, such as time-domain, frequency-domain, code-division or other multiplexing method, or a combination thereof.
  • polling may continue to identify other RFID devices T that have come into area 20. A response from the device T indicates that it is still present in the area 20; lack of response from any particular RFID device T upon subsequent polling most likely indicates that the object associated with the device and the device have left the area 20 (or possibly that the RFID device T is inoperative).
  • the number of devices T interrogated may be reduced by reducing the power level of the interrogation signal transmitted by relay devices 30 until the number of devices T responding is within the capability of the reader(s) without collision problems, by reducing the sensitivity of the receiver of relay device 30, or both, and then using the responses therefrom to generate a listing (database) of the identities of the devices T present.
  • database listing then becomes like and may be utilized as "a priori" knowledge of the devices T present, and then proceeding with polling as described above.
  • the active devices T can be commanded to respond by transmitting at their lowest power level thereby reducing the number of transmissions that can be received by the relay devices 30., i.e. only the relay device or devices 30 closest to an RFID device T will receive the information transmitted thereby.
  • the responses from the active RFID devices T may be utilized to generate a listing (database) of the identities of the devices T present. Such database listing then becomes like and may be utilized as "a priori" knowledge of the devices T present, and then proceeding with polling as described above. The foregoing may be employed in addition to the steps described above in relation to the relay devices 30.
  • the system and method described herein may be utilized in a wide variety of applications, environments and locations. For example, it may be applied as a locating system and method, as a tracking system and method, as a monitoring system and method, for inventory management, for supply chain management, livestock management, feedlot monitoring, and the like, in each instance for real-time or historical recording or both.
  • the system and method may also be applied in relation to a show, event, convention, conclave or other gathering, e.g., for locating, tracking and/or monitoring, visitors, attendees, participants, exhibitors, performers, and other people thereat, for the management thereof, the organizer thereof, for the exhibitors, for the attendees, and/or for others.
  • Other applications can include monitoring of prisoners, inmates, other incarcerated persons, committed persons, other confined persons and staff in a prison, jail, mental health facility and/or other facility, and/or outside thereof, e.g., under house arrest, a restraining order, probation monitoring, parole monitoring, sex offender monitoring, or other restriction.
  • Other applications include monitoring patients, infants, medical and other staff, and/or equipment in a hospital, nursing, mental health or other care giving facility.
  • RFID device T, 30 may be provided with an optional user interface UI for communicating information to a user or carrier thereof, as illustrated in FIGURE 3.
  • User interface UI may be as simple as a visual indicator (e.g., one or more LEDs) to indicate that the RFID device is operative or is transmitting, or it may be more complex, such as a display (e.g., an LCD, alpha-numeric and/or image display) or an annunciator (e.g., a buzzer, vibration device, speaker, and/or voice synthesizer) for communicating messages to a human user.
  • a display e.g., an LCD, alpha-numeric and/or image display
  • an annunciator e.g., a buzzer, vibration device, speaker, and/or voice synthesizer
  • RFID device T, 30 may include an input device, e.g., one or more pushbuttons, whereby a user may input information for communication via the RFID device T, 30, e.g., an emergency, call-for-help or "panic" button.
  • User interface UI may be utilized to indicate a condition, e.g., a detection by a sensor, or a message relating to the RFID device or the object with which it is associated, that is read by a human in real time or at a subsequent time.
  • a message e.g., an announcement or reminder
  • the location of the RFDD tag T determined by the processing computer could be transmitted to the tag T and announced (e.g., by tones and/or synthesized voice) thereby to alert the vision-impaired user of his location or of a danger or other condition.
  • the RPID tag T transmits at different power levels, proximity to a location can be determined to help guide the person there.
  • a relay device 30 at a bus stop could be employed to indicate/announce that one is approaching the bus stop and/or a relay device 30 on a bus could be employed to cause the user's RFID tag T to indicate/announce that the bus is approaching.
  • the relay device 30 may be employed to initiate or permit or control certain functions responsive to the identification information and power level transmitted.
  • relay device 30 may be connected to a USB port or other computer port for enabling the computer to be operated/used by a person having a particular RFID tag T in his possession near to the computer. Access may be granted based on the proximity of the RFID tag T alone or in combination with one or more additional access controls, such as a user ID, password, biometric identifier, and the like.
  • Terminating access may be based upon absence of the RFDD tag T, absence of RFID tag T information at a certain power level, and/or absence of the RFID tag T for a predetermined time.
  • the computer may remain enabled when information transmitted by RFID tag T at low power level Pl is received by the relay device 30 connected to the computer, may present a blank screen if information is received at intermediate power level P2 but not at low power level Pl , and may log the user off if information is not received at power levels Pl and P2.
  • monitoring means to watch, to observe, to check, to keep under observation and/or surveillance, to locate, to keep track of, to determine a status and/or condition, to record a status and/or condition, to detect an operation and/or condition, to oversee, to manage, to supervise, to regulate, to control, to test, and the like, either once or more than once.
  • Watching and observing for example, do not necessarily imply visual contact.
  • monitoring can include locating and tracking. Tracking can include locating at different times and/or over a period of time, and may comprise plural locatings, plural monitorings, and/or an indication of a path, movement or progress.
  • the term "about” means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, a dimension, size, formulation, parameter, shape or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate”whether or not expressly stated to be such.
  • numbers each may include numerical, alphabetic, alpha-numeric and other characters and symbols, conventional or arbitrary, as may be desired.
  • Information is typically represented and/or stored in a memory in accordance with a predetermined formula or algorithm or other scheme, either on a character by character basis or on the basis of one or more combinations of the characters or values, for example, binary, binary coded decimal, hexadecimal, or any other digital coding representation thereof.
  • the parity or check number or code is likewise representative of the information represented or stored in the memory in accordance with a predetermined formula or algorithm or other scheme, either on a character by character basis or on the basis of one or more combinations of the characters or values stored in the memory.
  • Suitable formula and algorithms therefor include, for example, binary, binary coded decimal, other digital coding representations thereof, parity checks or other parity representations, sum checks, field relationship checks or any other predetermined relationship between the stored data or information and the parity or check number or code.
  • the present arrangement can be embodied as a computer implemented process or processes and/or apparatus for performing such computer-implemented process or processes, and can also be embodied in the form of a tangible storage medium containing a computer program or other machine-readable instructions (herein "computer program"), wherein when the computer program is loaded into a computer or other processor (herein “computer”) and/or is executed by the computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the process or processes.
  • Storage media for containing such computer program include, for example, floppy disks and diskettes, compact disks (CD), CD-ROMs (whether or not writeable), DVD digital disks, RAM and ROM memories, computer hard drives and back-up drives, and any other storage medium readable by a computer.
  • the process or processes can also be embodied in the form of a computer program, for example, whether stored in a storage medium or transmitted over a transmission medium such as electrical conductors, fiber optics or other light conductors, or by electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program is loaded into a computer and/or is executed by the computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the process or processes.
  • the process or processes may be implemented on a general purpose microprocessor or on a digital processor specifically configured to practice the process or processes. When a general-purpose microprocessor is employed, the computer program code configures the circuitry of the microprocessor to create specific logic circuit arrangements.
  • the frequencies at which KFID tags T and/or relay devices 30 receive and/or transmit may or may not be the same, and/or may be in the same or in different frequency bands, as may be convenient in a particular application or regulatory environment. This may involve each device T, 30 including plural devices to provide the desired transmission and receiving characteristics, and an RFID device may be an active device, as is thought preferable, or a passive device.
  • space is used herein to mean any volume, area, line, and/or location wherein one or more relay devices are or may be placed and/or wherein one or more RFID devices may be, may enter, may leave and/or may pass through. While a date and time of an event may be provided by a GPS locator or by a clock/timer associated with a device T, 30, date and time information may be provided by any element of the system, including but not limited to any computer and/or server, any network element, and/or any other item that keeps or has date and time information.
  • any of the RFID devices T, relay devices 30, tracking stations TS, communication devices, and/or processing computers/servers PC may be enclosed in an enclosure, container, package, and/or facility for providing physical security and/or indicating tampering and attempts thereat. Such enclosure, etc. would typically be hardened and locked against unauthorized entry/access, and in some instances, such as a foreign port or origin, or aboard a carrier, is typically the preferred arrangement.
  • Power level codes or other power level information in messages transmitted by RPID devices T, 30, may be any numeric, alphabetic, alphanumeric, or other character or symbol that can be used to represent or indicate a relative level of power, and need not represent an actual power level.
  • the relative power levels be represented, e.g., either higher or lower, as the case may be.
  • a set or sequence of codes such as a 1, 2, 3,..., or a, b, c,..., sequence, representing increasing relative levels of transmitter power is sufficient, as in the example designators Pl, P2, P3, P4 in the description herein, as would a sequence of decreasing power levels or a sequence wherein power levels increase and decrease.
  • the order of the messages at transmitted at different power levels in not important, just that messages are transmitted at different identifiable power levels.
  • a governmental authority or other trusted entity at a point of origin and/or at a key shipping or transit location might provide a certification that a container had been loaded according to its manifest and was properly sealed with devices T, 30 in place and operating.
  • the described arrangement may be used with, in addition to and/or in place of other locating and/or monitoring systems and/or sealing devices.
  • radio frequency refers to any frequency at which an electromagnetic signal may be transmitted from one location to another through a vacuum, air or other gas or fluid, a liquid and/or a solid.
  • tag refers to any arrangement for associating a radio frequency transmitter with an object of any kind. Typical examples of a tag could include a substrate or housing for supporting a radio frequency transmitter and for being attached or affixed or coupled to an object of any kind.
  • an object may include any object or article or person or animal of any kind. Typical examples of objects include products, stock, inventory, packages, containers, pallets, trailers, trucks, vehicles, livestock, people, passengers, customers, employees, and the like, and any combination of any two or more thereof.
  • RFID devices T and/or relay devices 30 While a given number of RFID devices T and/or relay devices 30 may be described as being utilized, it is contemplated that other numbers of such devices may be employed in any given usage. For example, while two or more RFID devices T are preferred to be placed interior to a container 80 and two or more relay devices 30 are preferred to be placed on the exterior thereof, one RFID device T or three RFID devices T could be utilized, and/or one relay device 30 or three relay devices 30 could be utilized. Depending upon whether a false positive indication, a false negative indication, or no indication is deemed to be more undesirable, the lack of agreement between the two relay devices 30, or the lack of reception from one or from both RFID devices T may be deemed a more serious condition for purposes of defining an event to be reported to an appropriate authority or other entity.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un procédé (200, 300) et un système (100, 300) conçus pour surveiller un conteneur ou autre objet (T, 30, 80), comprenant un dispositif d'identification par radiofréquence (T, 30) qui transmet (225), par exemple depuis l'intérieur d'un conteneur, des messages avec informations d'identification uniques, et un dispositif récepteur (30, TS) extérieur à l'objet (T, 30, 80) qui reçoit, stocke et/ou relaie (235-240) les messages reçus du dispositif (T, 30). Les messages (235) émis par ledit dispositif (T, 30) lorsque l'objet (T, 30, 80) est fermé ou ouvert sont traités (245-285) et renseignent sur la l'emplacement de l'objet (T, 30, 80) et/ou indiquent si ledit objet (T, 30, 80) a été ouvert ou non. Ces messages, qui peuvent contenir des codes de niveau de puissance, peuvent être transmis (225-230) à plusieurs niveaux de puissance et être utilisés après traitement (245-285) pour la surveillance, la localisation t/ou le suivi (245-290, 300) de l'objet (T, 30, 80).
PCT/US2005/030272 2004-08-26 2005-08-25 Procede et systeme de surveillance, de localisation et de suivi d'objet, et dispositif d'identification par radiofrequence WO2006026365A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (20)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US60528704P 2004-08-26 2004-08-26
US60/605,287 2004-08-26
US60740404P 2004-09-03 2004-09-03
US60/607,404 2004-09-03
US62886604P 2004-11-15 2004-11-15
US60/628,866 2004-11-15
US65794805P 2005-03-02 2005-03-02
US60/657,948 2005-03-02
US66003305P 2005-03-09 2005-03-09
US60/660,033 2005-03-09
US66383705P 2005-03-21 2005-03-21
US60/663,837 2005-03-21
US67200205P 2005-04-15 2005-04-15
US60/672,002 2005-04-15
US11/198,711 US7319397B2 (en) 2004-08-26 2005-08-05 RFID device for object monitoring, locating, and tracking
US11/198,747 2005-08-05
US11/198,439 2005-08-05
US11/198,747 US7423535B2 (en) 2004-08-26 2005-08-05 Object monitoring, locating, and tracking method employing RFID devices
US11/198,711 2005-08-05
US11/198,439 US7342497B2 (en) 2004-08-26 2005-08-05 Object monitoring, locating, and tracking system employing RFID devices

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