초록 ▼

A mobile local area network (LAN) of tracked assets utilizing minimal power and bandwidth allows a large number of assets to be tracked in a practical manner. The mobile LAN is established between a plurality of tracking units in close proximity. Assets are approximately located according to their c

A mobile local area network (LAN) of tracked assets utilizing minimal power and bandwidth allows a large number of assets to be tracked in a practical manner. The mobile LAN is established between a plurality of tracking units in close proximity. Assets are approximately located according to their connection in the mobile LAN where the exact location of at least one of the network nodes is known. Each tracked asset has capability to independently determine and report its position to a central station, and each asset also has capability to communicate locally with other cooperative assets via the LAN. The LAN is dynamically reconfigurable so that as other cooperative assets come into proximity, they can join the network, and as others move away, they can leave the network. Within the network, a protocol is followed which assigns one of the assets to be the “master”and all others to be “slaves”. The master asset takes responsibility for determining its own exact geographical position via LORAN, OMEGA, Global Positioning System (GPS) or other navigational aid. When connected in a LAN, slave assets report their ID to the master asset and do not determine their own locations in order to conserve power. The master reports its location and ID, as well as the IDs of the other assets in the LAN, to the central station. Uncertainty in the location of a slave asset is limited by the known possible geographical extent of the LAN which is known a priori.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of tracking assets comprising the steps of: affixing a tracking unit to each asset to be tracked; establishing a mobile local area network of a plurality of tracking units in close proximity, each of said tracking units constituting a respective node of the mobile local area network; and ea

A method of tracking assets comprising the steps of: affixing a tracking unit to each asset to be tracked; establishing a mobile local area network of a plurality of tracking units in close proximity, each of said tracking units constituting a respective node of the mobile local area network; and each of said tracking units capability to independently determine and report its location to a central station and capability to communicate locally with other cooperative tracking units via the mobile local area network, said method further comprising the step of dynamically reconfiguring the mobile local area network so that other cooperative tracking units that come into proximity with the network can join the network, and tracking units that distance themselves from the network can leave the network; and identifying locations of tracked assets according to their connection in the mobile local area network where the exact location of at least one of the network nodes is known.