Abstract:
A method for tracking an object includes associating a beacon with a responder; transmitting a polling signal from the beacon to the responder; receiving a response from the responder; entering a low power state on the beacon for a predetermined duration; and transmitting an alert from the beacon responsive to a subsequent signal from the beacon failing to result in receiving a subsequent response from the responder. Embodiments also include a system in which the beacon and responder are configured to perform the described functions. In various embodiments, the duration during which the beacon remains in the low power state is predetermined based either on a default factory setting or a user adjustable setting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of international application PCT/IB2012/002489, filed Oct. 16, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/547,729, filed on Oct. 16, 2011. The international application and the provisional application are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Described embodiments relate generally to object location and tracking, and optimization of power usage in an object location and tracking system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An object that has gone missing can be expensive, upsetting and inconvenient to recover. Some conventional product locators use GPS as the primary means of location determination. However, GPS location determination is energy intensive and as a result these products are typically large and heavy so that they can accommodate the large battery requirement of an energy-intensive device. Despite their size, they tend to have relatively short battery life. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Described embodiments include a method for tracking an object by associating a beacon with a responder; transmitting a polling signal from the beacon to the responder; receiving a response from the responder; entering a low power state on the beacon for a predetermined duration; and transmitting an alert from the beacon responsive to a subsequent signal from the beacon failing to result in receiving a subsequent response from the responder. Embodiments also include a system in which the beacon and responder are configured to perform the described functions. In various embodiments, the duration during which the beacon remains in the low power state is predetermined based either on a default factory setting or a user adjustable setting. 
         [0007]    Entering a low power state on the beacon decreases its energy requirements. Decreasing the energy requirements enables the device to operate for longer periods of time between charging or battery replacement and enables smaller devices with smaller batteries to be used. 
         [0008]    In various embodiments, an alert is transmitted from the beacon via a communication network. This alert signal is transmitted using a communication protocol such Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UMTS, LTE or other wireless network. The alert in various embodiments includes a location message indicating, for example, the identity of the beacon, the identity of the responder and the location of the beacon. The beacon calculates the location in various embodiments using a network-based, SIM-based, device-based or hybrid method. Using location determination only after failing to receive the subsequent response and when preparing to transmit the alert obviates unnecessary location determination being performed when it is not necessary to determine that the object is safe, and therefore decreases the energy needs of the device. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the beacon transmits an alert after a period determined from the recent history of success or failure of the polling and other measures of the radio propagation environment thus accommodating a dynamically evolving radio propagation environment. For example, a failure followed by two successful attempts may not trigger an alert, while four failures followed by a single success may trigger an alert. In one embodiment a sensitivity setting adjusts a number of failures that trigger an alert. 
         [0010]    The signals from the beacon in one embodiment include a beacon identifier and a responder identifier and the response from the responder includes the responder identifier, the beacon identifier and a beacon synchronization message. In embodiments including multiple responders, such as a beacon with a further responder, the beacon transmits the alert after a predetermined period during which the beacon fails to receive subsequent response from either the responder or the further responder in response to polling. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the responder enters a low power state and exits the low power state at a time before the beacon is scheduled to next poll. In various embodiments, the duration during which the responder remains in the low power state is predetermined based either on a default factory setting or a user adjustable setting. 
         [0012]    In various embodiments, the polling period is adapted based on the recent history of success or failure of the polling or other measures of the radio environment including relative signal strength and bit error rate. 
         [0013]    In various embodiments the beacon and responder are associated with one another in response to receipt of a signal over a communication network. The signal is received using a communication protocol such Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UMTS, LTE or other wireless network. 
         [0014]    In various embodiments the beacon receives a message that provides an instruction to send an alert; and the beacon sends an alert in response to the message. The instruction to send an alert can be received from the responder, or from another device via a communication network. 
         [0015]    In various embodiments, the response from the responder includes a beacon synchronization message and the predetermined duration is determined from the synchronization message. 
         [0016]    In various embodiments the alert is transmitted from the beacon if a predetermined number of subsequent signals fail to result in receiving any subsequent response from the responder. 
         [0017]    Various embodiments include a computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions that when executed cause a processor to execute the various steps described here. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conceptual overview of a tracking system in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  shows a conceptual diagram of a stationary responder according to one embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  shows a conceptual diagram of a multiple responder tracking system in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2C  shows a conceptual diagram of a multiple responder in a construction worker tracking system in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram of the steps in the registration and pairing of a beacon and responder in the tracking system in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a flow diagram of the steps in safe zone monitoring of a beacon and responder in the tracking system in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a mode diagram of the tracking system in automatic alert mode in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  shows a communication timing diagram of the beacon and responder in pairing mode in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  shows a communication timing diagram of the beacon and responder in safe zone mode in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows a communication packet structure diagram of the request and response packets between the beacon and the responder in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of the beacon device in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a mode diagram of the beacon moving between operation modes in the tracking system in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows a block diagram of the responder device in accordance with one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    In the embodiments described below, like reference numerals refer to like parts or steps. The embodiments are described in the context of dog tracking and construction worker tracking system but the present invention is equally applicable to tracking objects such as people, boats, shipping containers, artworks and other valuable assets. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a tracking system  100  has a responder  130  that emits a radio signal and defines a safe zone  120  where the relative signal strength of the radio signal is above a predefined level. An object beacon  110  is operable to communicate with the responder  130 . The object beacon  110  is operable to calculate its position from a wireless location system including but not limited to GPS satellite network  140  or a cellular network  150  and communicate with a cellular network  150 . To download configuration data and status queries and upload status information, the object beacon  110  communicates with a server  160  that is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet  170  using the cellular network  150 . The beacon utilizes one or more available protocols such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UMTS, LTE or other wireless network to connect to the Internet  170 . Applications such as web browsers or dedicated applications on a computer  180  or phone  190  can communicate with the server  160  to configure and query the status of the object beacon  110  and the responder  130 . 
         [0033]    When the object beacon  110  moves beyond the safe zone  120  and can no longer receive responses from the responder  130 , the beacon determines its current location using the GPS satellite network and then transmits the current location as a status update to the server  160 . The server  160  then notifies the owner or other nominated party such as security company via SMS, e-mail, push notification or other communication method that the object beacon  110  is no longer within a designated safe zone  120 . The owner can then use the web browser or the dedicated application on the computer  180  or the phone  190  to view information including, in one embodiment, a map displaying the last transmitted location of the object beacon  110 , or by another location identification mechanism such as a distance bearing from the owner. While the object beacon  110  is beyond the safe zone  120 , the object beacon  110  determines its position and uploads it to the server  160  at intervals dynamically adjusted to maximize battery life until the object beacon  110  is back within a safe zone  120  or the object beacon  110  receives a configuration message from the server  160  to no longer send position updates, or by a preset amount of time. The object beacon  110  polls the server  160  to receive configuration information or queries. The polling of the server  160  occurs at regular configurable intervals and can also be triggered manually on the object beacon  110 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, different embodiments of a tracking system  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c , can have one responder, or more than one responders, in different forms such as a fixed or mobile responders. These embodiments have a beacon  210  and the safe zone  220  is defined by the margins of reception with a responder  230 . In  FIG. 2A  one responder  230   a  is attached to a house  240 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 2B  a tracking system  200   b  has multiple responders  230   b ,  230   c  and  230   d  have overlapping safe zone  220   b ,  220   c  and  220   d —the union of which defines a safe zone  220 . Each of the responders  230   b ,  230   c  and  230   d  is paired with the object beacon  210 . The beacon moves through the safe zone  220  illustrated with the object in a first position  210   a , in a second position  210   b , in a third position  210   c , in a fourth position  210   d . In the first position  210   a  the object beacon receives signals from each of the responders  230   b ,  230   c  and  230   d . In the second position  210   b  the object beacon receives signals from two of the responders  230   b  and  230   d . In the third position  210   c  the object beacon can only receive a signal from one responder  230   d . In the fourth position  210   d  the object cannot receive a response from any of the paired responders  230   b ,  230   c  and  230   d.    
         [0036]    In an embodiment including a mobile responder, the safe zone is easily relocated to account for intended movement of the tracked object. For example, in the context of pet ownership, when a pet is away from home (for example when a dog is being taken for a walk), the pet remains within a moving safe zone around a mobile responder. The extent of the safe zone is configurable by adjusting the power of the responder or the relative signal strength or other radio propagation environment measure at which a response is generated. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2C  illustrates the use of a mobile responder in the construction industry. A construction zone has a safety tracking system  200   c  that has a safe zone  220  defined by the margins of transmission from a truck responder  230   e  producing a safe zone  220   d  and a construction site responder  230   f.  A construction worker has attached to their body a safety beacon  210 . Construction workers performing various tasks are protected by safety beacons  210   e,    210   f,    210   g,    210   h,    210   i,    210   j  and  210   k.  The safety beacons in various embodiments include accelerometers or other orientation-determining devices and can also provide addition safety features such as an orientation sensor that enables a man down capability whereby if the beacon  210  is in a predetermined orientation for a predetermined period a the beacon  210  will automatically start determining its position using GPS and transmitting the position to the central server raising a man down alert. In one embodiment, the man down alert is only triggered when nominated beacons are in range. For example, on the construction site, the construction site responder  230   f  would have to be in range for a man down alert to be raised. This prevents the beacon  210  raising an alarm if it was taken off and, for example, left on the seat of the truck when the construction worker went home. 
         [0038]    Another application enables the protection of valuables in storage and high value items such as paintings and artwork often stored for long periods. A beacon is attached to the valuables. Fixed position responders are fixed to the storage facility, home and other locations where the tracked item is allowed to be located. Mobile responders are attached to the key ring of the owner. This allows movement of the valuables between storage and home without raising an alarm. An unauthorized move will move the beacon outside the safe zone defined by the responders and an alarm will be raised. 
         [0039]    Another embodiment involves boat security. Boats are typically moored or berthed at marinas and left for prolonged periods between authorized uses. It is useful to know if an unauthorized use takes place, or to log when a boat leaves or arrives back to the marina. A fixed responder is attached to the marina. A beacon is attached to the boat. If the boat goes out of range of the zone defined by the responder, then an alarm is raised. Authorized user can have a second responder attached to the keys of the boat to allow authorized use of the boat without raising an alarm. 
         [0040]    Another embodiment relates to boat safety. Crew members can fall off boats. In this embodiment a boat responder is attached to the boat. A crew beacon is worn by each crew member. If a crew member falls overboard then the crew beacon exits the safe zone defined by the boat responder and an alarms is raised with each crew member. This provides a faster rescue response than an EPRB—(Emergency Personal Radio Beacon) facilitated rescue as the boat crew is alerted immediately. In one embodiment the crew beacon also incorporates an EPRB as a secondary alert mechanism. 
         [0041]    In various embodiments, beacon  210  automatically starts determining its position using GPS and transmitting the position to the central server when it does not receive a response from any of the paired responders  230  after a predetermined number of attempts. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  illustrates a registration and pairing process  300  where a beacon having a beacon identifier and a responder having a responder identifier in a tracking system are paired by:
       logging onto a server ( 310 ), e.g., by a customer using a user interface provided by the server;   entering the beacon identifier and the responder identifier ( 315 );   powering on each of the beacon and the responder ( 320 );   transmitting a message from the beacon to the server including the beacon identifier ( 325 );   receiving a message from the server including the responder identifier ( 330 );   paring and synchronising the beacon with the responder ( 335 );   if paring and synchronising completed, transmitting a message from the beacon to the server including the beacon identifier and the synchronised responder identifier ( 340 );   determining whether a beacon was paired and synchronised with responder, and if not then returning to the step of powering on each of the beacon and the responder else proceeding to next step ( 345 ); and   entering safe zone monitoring mode and the beacon polling the paired responder ( 350 ).       
 
         [0052]    The registration and pairing process in one embodiment also includes initially creating an account and associating responder and beacon identifiers with the account so entering the beacon identifier and the responder identifier can be streamlined by selecting identifiers from a drop-down list or a checkbox list. The beacon and responder identifies are unique for each device and in one embodiment they are printed in a human readable form on each device. 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , steps in safe zone monitoring of a paired beacon and responder  400  in an object tracking system are:
       transmitting an authorization request from the beacon to the responder ( 410 );   determining whether the authorization request from the beacon was received by the responder ( 415 );   if the responder received the authorization request from the beacon then transmitting an authentication response from the responder including a polling delay ( 420 );   determining whether the authentication response from the responder was received by the beacon ( 425 );   if the authentication response was received by the beacon then delaying the transmission of the next authentication request from the beacon according to the polling delay( 430 );   if the responder did not receive the authorization request from the beacon or if the authentication response was not received by the beacon then incrementing a beacon communication failure count ( 435 );   determining whether the beacon communication failure count exceeds the calculated threshold (in this example five successive failures) ( 440 );   if the beacon communication failure count does not exceed the threshold then delaying the transmission of the next authentication request from the beacon for a calculated period ( 445 ); and   if the beacon communication failure count exceeds the failure threshold then setting the beacon into automatic alert mode and sending an alert to a central server ( 450 ).       
 
         [0063]    In alternative embodiments different successive failure thresholds can be configured and other quantities can be calculated from radio propagation environment measures. For example, in an area with high radio frequency background noise a threshold of 10 successive failures may be optimal. Alternatively, the polling frequency can be increased. In an area with low radio frequency background noise or with sensitive requirements a threshold of 2 successive failures might be optimal. 
         [0064]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a mode diagram of a beacon in an object tracking system in automatic alert mode  500  can move between the sub modes of:
       check server sub mode ( 510 );   resynchronise with responder sub mode ( 520 );   GPS location determination and position transmission sub mode ( 530 ); and   wait sub mode ( 540 ).       
 
         [0069]    When the beacon can no longer detect a responder after several attempts to communicate with paired responders it exits the safe zone mode and enters the automatic alert mode  500 . The beacon first enters automatic alert mode  500  in the check server sub mode  510 . 
         [0070]    In the check server sub mode  510 , the beacon powers up the wireless communications module and tries to connect to the central server and if this connection is successful an alert message is sent to the central server. The server responds with an action to enter one of the sub modes: resynchronize with responder sub mode  520 ; GPS location determination and position transmission sub mode  530 ; or wait sub mode  540 . 
         [0071]    In the resynchronize with responder sub mode  520 , the beacon will transmit its requests to the responder at regular intervals to ensure that the responder is polled with a request during one of its wake cycles. If the synchronization is successful while the beacon is in the resynchronize with responder sub mode  520 , the beacon will send a status update to the central server and then return back to safe zone mode. If the synchronization is unsuccessful after a predetermined number of attempts, the beacon returns to the check server sub mode  510 . The purpose of having a predetermined number of attempts, for example, five successive alert failures prevents false alerts being issued due to reasons such as packets being corrupted due to noise interference or while changing a battery on a beacon or a responder. 
         [0072]    In the GPS location determination and position transmission sub mode  530 , the GPS will power up and determine the location before shutting down the GPS and then use the wireless communications network module to transmit the calculated location and the beacon identification and then enter the wait sub mode  540 . 
         [0073]    In the wait sub mode  540  the beacon is in a low-power state until a predetermined period has elapsed at which time it wakes up and enters check server sub mode  510 . 
         [0074]    With reference to  FIG. 6A and 6B , a communication timing and power diagram of a beacon  610  and a responder  620  in pairing mode and in safe zone mode are respectively shown. The power consumption difference between these two modes is indicated by the difference in the area under the power utilization lines. 
         [0075]    One difference between the two modes is the extent of the period that the responder remains in a powered up mode waiting for a transmission from the beacon. Another difference is the type of data packet transmitted. In the pairing mode, the beacon is transmitting a pairing request whereas in the safe zone mode it is sending an authentication request. 
         [0076]    The different transmission and reception states in each mode are described sequentially. In each of the modes the responder initially enters a receive state  625  and waits until it receives a pairing transmission  630   a  or an authentication transmission  630   b . The pairing transmission  630   a  or the authentication transmission  630   b  is transmitted by the beacon after which the beacon enters a receive state  635 . After the responder receives the pairing transmission  630   a  or the authentication transmission  630   b  it transmits a pairing transmission  640   a  or an authentication transmission  640   b  respectively and then enters a sleep state  645  for a predetermined responder sleep period, 60 seconds is use for illustration in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6   b . After the beacon receives the pairing transmission  640   a  or the authentication transmission  640   b  it then enters a sleep state  650  for a predetermined beacon sleep period such as, for example, 60 seconds is use for illustration in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6   b.    
         [0077]    The responder sleep period ends when the responder enters a receive state  655 . The responder sleep period is determined such that it wakes up before the beacon comes out of the beacon sleep period and takes into account the relative time drift that can occur between the beacon and the responder. This drift is dependent on the frequency of the processor on each device and other effects including temperature and battery voltage. 
         [0078]    The beacon sleep period ends when the beacon enters an authentication transmission state  660 . Irrespective of if the previous transmission was the pairing transmission  630   a  or the authentication transmission  630   b , the transmission is an authentication transmission  660  if the pairing response from the responder that was sent in the transmission state  640   a  was received by the beacon. After transmitting the authentication transmission the beacon enters a receive state  665 ; the responder receives the beacon authentication request and enters a authentication response state  670  and transmits an authentication response and then enters a further responder sleep state  675 ; and the beacon receives the authentication response and enters a further beacon sleep state  680 , 60 seconds is use for illustration in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6   b . This cycle of responder activation and beacon activation continues while ever the beacon stays in the safe zone for the responder. 
         [0079]    Other sleep state durations such may be suitable for various use scenarios and the sleep duration may be reconfigured during system operation to accommodate changes in the radio propagation environment and to maximize battery life. 
         [0080]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , an example communication packet structure  700  for an authentication request packet  710  that is sent from a beacon includes a 24 bit beacon identifier  715 ; an 8-bit sequencer identifier  720 , an 8-bit data segment  725  and an 8-bit checksum  730 . An example communication packet structure  700  for an authentication response packet includes a 24-bit responder identifier  755 ; an 8-bit status code  760 ; and an 8-bit checksum  765 . The status code  760  can also include a beacon synchronization message so that the responder can control the timing of the transmissions from the beacon. This controlling of timing enables the responder to prevent signal collisions if there are multiple beacons associated with the responder. The status code  760  can also include any other relevant information such as a manual alert request from the responder or a low battery alert on the responder. The data segment  725  from the beacon can be extended to include a beacon identifier and a responder identifier so that the responder can determine if it is to respond and to which beacon it is responding. The status code  760  from the responder can be extended to include the responder identifier and the beacon identifier. 
         [0081]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , a block diagram of a beacon device  800  includes a microprocessor  810  powered by a battery  820 . The microprocessor  810  is in communication with a wireless communications system module, for example a cellular module  830 ; a GPS module  840 ; and a low-power radio  850 . The microprocessor  810  also has a user interface  860  on which it controls indicator LEDs or a digital display and receive signals from one or more user input devices for example buttons. 
         [0082]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , a beacon is operable to move between several different modes of operation:
       a factory reset mode ( 910 );   a configuration mode ( 920 );   a pairing mode ( 930 );   a safe zone mode ( 940 );   an auto alert mode ( 950 ); and   a manual alert mode ( 960 ).       
 
         [0089]    The beacon is shipped in one embodiment in the factory reset mode  910 . The beacon enters the configuration mode  920  after a button on the beacon is held down for a predetermined period such as 10 seconds. While in the configuration mode the beacon communicates with a central server to receive a beacon configuration including one or more responder identifiers that the beacon has been associated with. After receiving the beacon configuration, the beacon enters the pairing mode  930  and attempts to pair with each of the responders provided by the beacon configuration. If the beacon can pair with each of the responders in the beacon configuration that are flagged as new responders for pairing it will enter the safe zone mode  940 . 
         [0090]    If at any stage the beacon cannot communicate with at least one responder provided by the beacon configuration and paired with the beacon, then the beacon will enter an auto alert mode  950 . While in the auto alert mode  950 , if the beacon can re-synchronize with at least one of the responders provided by the beacon configuration then the beacon will return to safe zone mode  940 . If at any time the button on the beacon is held down for less than the predetermined period then the beacon enters the manual alert mode  960 . The beacon switches from manual alert mode  960  back to safe zone alert mode  940  if the beacon can communicate with the responder and it has received an instruction from the server to return back to safe zone mode  940 . 
         [0091]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , a block diagram of a responder  1000  includes a microprocessor  1010  in communication with a low power radio  1020 ; a user interface  1030  on which it controls indicator LEDs or a digital display and receive signals from one or more device buttons; and the responder  1000  being powered by a battery  1040 . If the responder  1000  does not receive any signal for an extended duration, it can enter a sleep mode until reactivated using the interface  1030 . 
         [0092]    References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “example embodiment”, “various embodiments”, etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an exemplary embodiment”, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. 
         [0093]    Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system&#39;s registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system&#39;s memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
         [0094]    In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computing platform” may comprise one or more processors. 
         [0095]    Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses for performing the operations herein. An apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose device selectively activated or reconfigured by a program stored in the device. 
         [0096]    Although this invention has been described in certain specific embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the present embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supported by this application and the claims equivalents rather than the foregoing description. 
         [0097]    For example instead of position determination being performed by calculating position using a GPS network - it could use a SIM based method utilizing cellular network identifier, round trip time and signal strength; a hybrid method such as assisted GPS; or a device based method such as network-based techniques that use the cellular network providers infrastructure to identify the location of the cellular device.