US 2014/0191868 A1 · SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACKING ASSETS USING ASSOCIATED PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN THE FORM OF BEACONS

Abstract

The last known location of a beacon associated with an asset can be determined based on the beacon's last communication with a data network. A beacon can be set up to communicate its location to or through a server to a second client used for locating and tracking the beacon after the beacon obtains a wireless data network connection and registers its most recent location with the server. Beacon location can be based on data network router IP address or GPS information. Location can be stored in memory until a subsequent location and/or wireless connection is obtained. A beacon can also include short range wireless communications to facilitate short range radio frequency communications with a second client that are determined to be in close proximity to the beacon. Short-range communications can be facilitated utilizing Bluetooth communications.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for determining the location of a beacon associated with an asset based on last communication of the beacon with a data network, comprising:

providing a beacon including location determination capabilities, wireless data network communications, and short range radio frequency communication capabilities, said beacon programmed to communicate its location through a server to a second client associated with an owner of the portable device using electronic messaging each time a portable device obtains a new wireless connection to a wireless data network and communicates with the portable device over short range rf communication when the beacon is within short range rf communication range to enable refined tracking.

A beacon operable within a system for determining its last known location based on its location and its last communication with a data network, comprising:

a microprocessor programmed to determining location and communicate wirelessly with a data network and via short-range radio frequency communication with other electronic devices;
a location module cooperating with the microprocessor to determine the location of the beacon when it is powered on;
a network communication module said server programmed to determine location of the beacon based on at least one of GPS and last communication between the beacon and a data network supporting wireless communication of the beacon;
and
short-range radio frequency module supporting communications with portable devices determined to be within short-range communications range of the beacon;
wherein network communication module provides location information to at least one server and a portable device tracking location of the beacon over the data network, and short-range radio frequency communications enables the portable device to locate the beacon using refined location information provided directly from the beacon via the short-range radio frequency module.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for tracking assets using associated portable electronic device in the form of beacons

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for tracking assets using associated portable electronic device in the form of beacons

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18