Tracking asset computing devices

One or more processors send a signal from a first computing device to a second computing device through a hardwire connection. One or more processors determine a change between the signal as sent by the first computing device and the signal as received by the second computing device. The change is caused, at least in part, by the distance the signal travels. One or more processors determine a geo-location of the second computing device based, at least in part, on the change.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of asset management, and more particularly to asset device tracking.

Asset management, broadly defined, refers to any system that monitors and maintains things of value to an entity or group. Asset management is a systematic process of deploying, operating, maintaining, upgrading, and disposing of assets cost-effectively. Enterprise asset management (EAM) is the business processes and enabling information systems that support management of an organization's assets. An EAM requires an asset registry (inventory of assets and their attributes) combined with a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). All public assets are interconnected and share proximity, and this connectivity is possible through the use of geographic information system (GIS), which allows for asset device tracking.

Organizations interested in tracking thousands or perhaps even millions of asset devices require economical and accurate ways of doing so. Thus, there is a continuing need for better methods to track such devices, especially if existing infrastructure can be used.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system, and program product for tracking asset computing devices. One or more processors send a signal from a first computing device to a second computing device through a hardwire connection. One or more processors determine a change between the signal as sent by the first computing device and the signal as received by the second computing device, wherein the change is caused, at least in part, by the distance the signal travels. One or more processors determine a geo-location of the second computing device based, at least in part, on the change.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Currently, global positioning system (GPS) tracking is a popular way of determining a device's geo-location. However, the cost of installing large numbers of GPS receivers on numerous asset devices can be prohibitive. One solution is to wirelessly transfer GPS data from surrounding GPS devices to a non-GPS device and determine the non-GPS device's geo-location via triangulation. However, wirelessly transferring GPS data from a GPS device to a non-GPS device allows for the introduction of significant errors in the transferred GPS data due to the inaccuracies present in the original GPS data points. For example, non-military GPS receivers typically have an error range of 10-15 meters. Determining the geo-location of a non-GPS device via triangulation from several GPS tracking receivers compounds the error ranges from each individual receiver. Thus, there is a need for new methods and infrastructure that will allow organizations to accurately track potentially an immense number of asset devices economically.

Embodiments of the present invention recognize that devices without a GPS receiver are challenging to track. Embodiments of the present invention recognize that there is a prohibitive cost associated with incorporating GPS receivers into a huge number of asset devices in order for organizations to track them. Embodiments of the present invention recognize that wireless acquisition of geo-location data from computing devices with GPS to non-GPS devices will compound inherent error already present in the GPS data. Embodiments of the present invention provide an economical method and infrastructure to track numerous non-GPS asset devices.

FIG. 1is a functional block diagram illustrating an asset device tracking environment, generally designated100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Asset device tracking environment100includes asset computing device135, wiring115, concentrator computing device112, and computing device110connected over network130. Asset computing device135includes enhanced power line communication (enhanced PLC) modem141. Concentrator computing device112includes asset device control program142, power line communication (PLC) modem143, analog signal data145, and digital signal data125. Computing device110includes asset management program120, digital signal data125, analog signal data digital copy121, and map127. In embodiments, asset computing device135, concentrator computing device112, and computing device110include logic and computer programming that, when executed, is configured to cause one or all of asset computing device135, concentrator computing device112, and computing device110to carry out at least some of the processes shown inFIGS. 2-4as described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, asset computing device135is a device that, when connected to concentrator computing device112through wiring115, will convert an analog signal sent through wiring115from concentrator computing device112to digital signal data125using enhanced PLC141. Digital signal data125is then sent back to concentrator computing device112. In this embodiment, enhanced PLC141includes: (i) a line driver that is connected directly to wiring115; (ii) an analog front end to receive an analog signal sent by concentrator computing device112; and (iii) a digital processing unit that converts the analog signal to digital signal data125.

In an exemplary embodiment, wiring115is any hard wiring that will support the transfer of electromagnetic signals between asset computing device135and concentrator computing device112and allow bidirectional communication between asset computing device135and concentrator computing device112. In one embodiment, wiring115is composed of an electrical conductor surrounded by a protective coating. For example, wiring115is a power cable or cord with a metal core such as copper surrounded by a sheath. In another embodiment, wiring115is a fiber-optic wiring assembly. In yet another embodiment, wiring115includes a plurality of hardwire portals capable of connecting with multiple asset computing devices135.

In various embodiments of the present invention, concentrator computing device112is a receiver for signals from asset computing device135through wiring115wherein the concentrator computing device112geo-location is known. In one embodiment, the concentrator computing device112geo-location is determined by an attached GPS receiver. In another embodiment, the concentrator computing device112geo-location is previously mapped and known from map127and no GPS receiver is necessary. In various embodiments, concentrator computing device112is a receiver of signals from multiple asset computing devices135through wiring115. For example, concentrator computing device112is located on a smart pole, telephone pole, street light, or building and connected to multiple asset devices through a grid.

In an exemplary embodiment, concentrator computing device112contains asset device control program142, which broadcasts a signal to connected asset computing devices135to put the asset computing devices135in a localization mode. Analog signal data145is sent via PLC143through wiring115and digital signal data125is received in return. Digital signal data125is then used to calculate the geo-location of asset computing device135. In an exemplary embodiment, concentrator computing device is a low voltage concentrator as found in power grid distribution network sub-stations.

In some embodiments of the present invention, asset computing device135and concentrator computing device112include at least some internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect toFIG. 5.

In various embodiments of the present invention, computing device110is a computing device that can be a standalone device, server, laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), or desktop computer. In another embodiment, computing device110represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources. In general, computing device110can be any computing device or a combination of devices with access to asset management program120, digital signal data125, analog signal data digital copy121, and map127and is capable of executing asset management program120. Computing device110may include internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect toFIG. 5.

In this exemplary embodiment, asset management program120, digital signal data125, analog signal data digital copy121, and map127are stored on computing device110. However, in other embodiments, asset management program120, digital signal data125, analog signal data145, and map127may be stored externally and accessed through a communication network, such as network130. Network130can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and may include wired, wireless, fiber optic or any other connection known in the art. In general, network130can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between computing device110, asset management program120, digital signal data125, analog signal data145, and map127in accordance with a desired embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2depicts operational processes,200, for asset device tracking within the environment ofFIG. 1using asset device control program142and asset management program120, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In step205, asset computing device135creates a connection with wiring115using firmware present in enhanced PLC141. In an exemplary embodiment, wiring115includes a plurality of hardwire portals of individually distinct distances from concentrator computing device112. Map127contains the geo-location of concentrator computing device112as well as the geo-location of all of the hardwire portals included in wiring115. In step210, concentrator computing device112sends a signal to asset computing device135commanding asset computing device135to identify itself. In step215, asset device control program142of concentrator computing device112detects an identifier, such as a serial number, sent from asset computing device135in response to the signal and stores it in its memory (e.g., as part of data included in map127). In step220, concentrator computing device112sets the identified asset computing device135into localization mode by executing programming that is configured to do so, whereby asset computing device135is prepared to execute steps225and230. In step225, concentrator computing device112sends analog signal data145to asset computing device135. In step230, asset computing device135uses enhanced PLC modem141to convert the received analog signal from concentrator computing device112into digital signal data125and sends digital signal data125back to concentrator computing device112. In step235, asset computing device135ceases to be in localization mode and returns its state of activity that existed prior to step220. In step240, concentrator computing device112sends digital signal data125to computing device110to be used by asset management program120for comparison to a digital copy of concentrator computing device112analog signal data145that is unaffected by transmission (analog signal data digital copy121).

In this exemplary embodiment, the analog signal data145is affected by traveling through wiring115in a way that indicates the distance analog signal data145has traveled. This effect is captured in digital signal data125. In one embodiment, the signal propagation delay is the effect that allows the distance traveled by analog signal data145to be calculated as part of step215. In another embodiment, the analog signal data145strength is attenuated as a function of distance traveled to become digital signal data125and the attenuation effect is captured.

In another embodiment, asset management program120applies one or both of: time domain reflectometry (TDR) and time domain transmissometry (TDT) simulations based on wiring115known parameters that are stored in the asset management software to calculate the distance traveled by analog signal data145. TDR is a measurement technique used to determine the characteristics of electrical lines by observing reflected waveforms. TDT is an analogous technique that measures the transmitted (rather than reflected) impulse. Together, they provide a powerful means of analyzing electrical or optical transmission media such as coaxial cables and optical fibers. In this exemplary embodiment, the distance traveled becomes, in essence, a fingerprint of the hardwire portal of wiring115that is being used by asset computing device135as no two hardwire portals included in wiring115are the exact same distance away from concentrator computing device112.

FIG. 3illustrates operational processes,300, of asset management program120within the environment ofFIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In step305, asset management program120determines how analog signal data145was affected by traveling through wiring115by comparison of digital signal data125with analog signal data digital copy121. Analog signal data digital copy121is the digitized form of analog signal data125that is unmodulated by transmission effects. In one embodiment, the difference between analog signal data digital copy121and digital signal data125is due to the propagation delay of analog signal data145when traveling through wiring115. In another embodiment, the difference between analog signal data digital copy121and digital signal data125is from loss of analog signal data125strength while traveling through wiring115due to signal attenuation.

For step310, asset management program120computes the distance of asset computing device135from concentrator computing device112based on comparison of digital signal data125and analog signal data digital copy121. In one embodiment, asset management program120applies TDR or TDT simulations incorporating wiring115line parameters as well as environmental parameters (like operating temperature). Asset management program120uses such simulations to generate estimates of the distance traveled by analog signal data145.

In another embodiment, asset management program120uses the observed propagation delay to estimate the distance analog signal data145traveled. An electromagnetic signal's propagation delay is the length of time it takes for the signal to travel to its destination. This length of time depends on the material through which the signal travels and that material's permittivity. Permittivity is a material property that expresses the force between two point charges in the material. Relative permittivity (εr(ω)) is the factor by which the electric field between the charges is decreased or increased relative to vacuum and is defined by the following equation:

ɛr⁡(ω)=ɛ⁡(ω)ɛ0(1)
Where ε(ω) is the complex frequency-dependent absolute permittivity of the material and εois the vacuum permittivity.

Determination of the relative permittivity for a wide range of frequencies allows the determination of velocity factors (VF) for a material:

VF=1ɛr⁡(ω)(2)
Probing the material with a signal at a given frequency will produce a propagation delay, which is represented by a phase difference due to the fact that the material is not polarized instantaneously when subjected to the signal electromagnetic field. Determination of the velocity factor and propagation delay at a given frequency provides the distance the signal traveled (FIG. 3, step310):
distance=c×VF×propagation delay  (3)
Where cis the speed of light in a vacuum. Determining propagation delays for a wide range of frequencies improves the accuracy of the estimate. The propagation delay will vary depending on the wiring115embodiment. For example, copper-based wiring will have a propagation delay reflecting the speed that electrons travel through copper. Other examples include glass and plastic optical fiber, which will have propagation delays reflecting the speed that light travels through glass and plastic polymers, respectively.

In another exemplary embodiment, asset management program120uses attenuation of the analog signal data145to determine the distance traveled by analog signal data145. Attenuation is a general term that refers to any reduction in the strength of a signal. Sometimes called loss, attenuation is a natural consequence of signal transmission over distances. The extent of attenuation is usually expressed in units called decibels (dBs). If Pois the signal power at the transmitting end (origin) of a communications circuit and Pdis the signal power at the receiving end (destination), then Po>Pd. The power attenuation Apin decibels is given by the formula:
Ap=10 log10(Po/Pd)  (4)

In a different embodiment, attenuation is expressed in terms of voltage. If Avis the voltage attenuation in decibels, Vois the origin signal voltage, and Vdis the destination signal voltage, then:
Av=20 log10(Vo/Vd)  (5)

In conventional and fiber optic cables, attenuation is specified in terms of the number of, for example, decibels per foot, per meter, per 1,000 feet, per kilometer, or per mile. Thus, in an embodiment of the operational processes ofFIG. 3, asset management program120determines signal loss in dB of the analog signal data145after it travels from concentrator computing device112through wiring115(step305), and then divides the loss by the specified or determined attenuation of wiring115for step310.

Whether TDR/TDT simulations, propagation delay, attenuation, or some other distance determination method is used, step315determines the geo-location of asset computing device135by comparing the distance calculated in step310with the data on map127. In this exemplary embodiment, map127includes the geo-location of all of the wiring115hardwire portals and the distance of the portals from concentrator computing device112. As such, the distance calculated in step310corresponds to a single wiring115hardwire portal and its geo-location is therefore known.

FIG. 4depicts a street map,400, visualizing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, concentrator computing devices112(represented by black diamonds410) exchange data and commands with asset computing devices135(represented by gray circles420). The geo-location of all the asset computing devices135and concentrator computing devices112is known along with the wiring115distances between the asset computing devices135and concentrator computing devices112. No two wiring115distances are the same for any asset computing device135-concentrator computing device112pair within the asset computing device family of a given concentrator computing device112. Concentrator computing devices112provide power to asset computing devices135and pass data obtained from these devices to computing device110and asset management program120.

FIG. 5depicts a block diagram,500, of components of concentrator computing device112executing asset device control program142, computing device110executing asset management program120, and the asset computing device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated thatFIG. 5provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Computing device110, concentrator computing device112, and asset computing device135include communications fabric502, which provides communications between computer processor(s)504, memory506, persistent storage508, communications unit510, and input/output (I/O) interface(s)512. Communications fabric502can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric502can be implemented with one or more buses.

Digital signal data125, analog signal data145, asset device control program142, analog signal data digital copy121, map127, and asset management program120are stored in persistent storage508for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective computer processors504via one or more memories of memory506. In this embodiment, persistent storage508includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage508can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage508may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage508. Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage508.

Communications unit510, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices, including resources of network130. In these examples, communications unit510includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit510may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Digital signal data125, analog signal data145, asset device control program142, analog signal data digital copy121, map127, and asset management program120may be downloaded to persistent storage508through communications unit510.

I/O interface(s)512allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to concentrator computing device112and computing device110. For example, I/O interface512may provide a connection to external devices518such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices518can also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., Digital signal data125, analog signal data145, asset device control program142, analog signal data digital copy121, map127, and asset management program120, can be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage508via I/O interface(s)512. I/O interface(s)512also connect to a display520.

It is to be noted that the term(s) “Smalltalk” and the like may be subject to trademark rights in various jurisdictions throughout the world and are used here only in reference to the products or services properly denominated by the marks to the extent that such trademark rights may exist.