Durable global asset-tracking device and a method of using the same

A method for globally tracking an asset from a central tracking facility comprising the steps of:

• providing a position accuracy at all times within approximately 20 meter radius of an actual location of the asset;
• selecting the most cost-effective, available mode of communication to the central tracking facility;
• sending and receiving signals among a plurality of communications modes and corresponding plurality of communication protocols;
• selecting the most cost-effective, available mode of communication through a plurality of corresponding antennas including a GPS antenna, at least one antenna for low frequency RF, at least one antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks including commercial cellular networks or digital wireless networks, and at least one antenna for satellite communications, and
• continuously checking for validity of signals from each of the plurality of antennas to determine availability of communications therethrough;
• adjusting the antenna for low frequency RF for different frequencies of communication to maximize communication through a specific channel;
• and
• exchanging of information in a processor module received from the GPS antenna and wireless communications through the antenna for low frequency RF, the antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks, and the antenna for satellite communications occurs.

A system for globally tracking assets comprising:

• a processor module;
• a location module coupled to the processor module, the location module comprising a sensor to detect movement of the system;
• a communication module coupled to the processor module and adapted for communication with a remote tracking facility;
• an antenna module coupled to the processor module adapted for sending and receiving signals among a plurality of antennas and corresponding plurality of communication protocols, the antenna module coupled to the processor module and to the communication module, the antenna module comprising a plurality of antennas including a GPS antenna, at least one antenna for low frequency RF, at least one antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks, and at least one antenna for satellite communications, each of the antennas for sending and receiving signals and an antenna controller for continuously checking for validity of signals from each of the plurality of antennas to determine availability of communications therethrough, the antenna for low frequency RF being adjustable for different frequencies of communication to maximize communication through a specific channel, the antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks including commercial cellular networks or digital wireless networks, where exchange of information received from the GPS antenna and wireless communications through the antenna for low frequency RF, antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks, and antenna for satellite communications occurs in the processor module;
• and
• a power module coupled to the processor module, the power module being adapted to switch between a sleep mode when the sensor does not detect movement and a wakeup mode when the sensor detects movement.

A system for globally tracking assets comprising:

• a processor module;
• a location module coupled to the processor module;
• a communication module coupled to the processor module and adapted for communication to a remote tracking facility;
• a plurality of antennas including a GPS antenna, at least one antenna for low frequency RF, at least one antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks, and at least one antenna for satellite communications, each of the antennas for sending and receiving signals, the antenna for low frequency RF being adjustable for different frequencies of communication to maximize communication through a specific channel, the antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks including commercial cellular networks or digital wireless networks, where exchange of information received from the GPS antenna and wireless communications through the antenna for low frequency RF, antenna for multi-band terrestrial wireless communication networks, and antenna for satellite communications occurs in the processor module;
• an antenna module coupled to the processor module and to the communication module, the antenna module for sending and receiving signals among a the plurality of antennas in a corresponding plurality of communication protocols and comprising an antenna controller for continuously checking for validity of signals from each of the plurality of antennas to determine availability of communications therethrough;
• and
• a power module coupled to the processor module.