Apparatus and method for asset tracking based on ubiquitous sensor network using motion sensing

Provided are an apparatus and method for asset tracking based on a ubiquitous sensor network (USN) using a motion sensing. The apparatus may include: a motion sensing manager to receive motion sensing information from a sensor; a filtering processor to filter the motion sensing information based on a filtering parameter and to determine whether a motion occurs based on the filtered motion sensing information; and a location information update (LU) manager to perform LU depending on whether the motion occurs.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for asset tracking based on a ubiquitous sensor network (USN) using a motion sensing, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for asset tracking based on a USN using a motion sensing that may accurately track a location of an asset using the motion sensing.

This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/IITA. [2006-S-601-02, Development of u-City Application Sensor Network System]

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, researches regarding an apparatus for asset tracking in an asset tracking system are being made.

Generally, in order to provide an asset tracking service in the asset tracking system, a message may be exchanged between a sensor node corresponding to an asset node and another sensor node corresponding to a reference node. A location of the asset node may be tracked using a received signal strength of the message.

However, no technology capable of optimizing a battery lifetime of the asset node and providing accurate location information of the asset node is disclosed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a technology that may enhance a battery lifetime of an asset node and provide more accurate location information of the asset node.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for asset tracking based on a ubiquitous sensor network (USN) using a motion sensing that may optimize a battery lifetime of an asset node and may also provide more accurate location information of the asset node.

Another aspect of the present invention also provides an apparatus and method for asset tracking based on a USN using a motion sensing that may provide more accurate location information of an asset node using various types of display devices.

Another aspect of the present invention also provides an apparatus and method for asset tracking based on a USN using a motion sensing that may control a location information update (LU) of an asset node based on accuracy of location information, a battery lifetime, a zone area where the asset node belongs, a sensor condition sensed by the sensor node, and the like.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for asset tracking based on a USN using a motion sensing, the apparatus including: a motion sensing manager to receive motion sensing information from a sensor; a filtering processor to filter the motion sensing information based on a filtering parameter and to determine whether a motion occurs based on the filtered motion sensing information; and a LU manager to perform LU depending on whether the motion occurs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for asset tracking based on a USN using a motion sensing, the apparatus including: a LU request receiver to receive a LU request from an asset node that performs a LU based on the motion sensing; and an asset location information manager to update location information of the asset node based on the LU request and to mange the location information of the asset node.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for asset tracking based on a USN using a motion sensing, the method including: determining whether motion sensing information is received; determining whether a LU of an asset node is required based on the motion sensing information and a filtering parameter, when the motion sensing information is received; and performing the LU of the asset node when it is determined the LU of the asset node is required.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for asset tracking based on a USN using a motion sensing, the method including: receiving a LU request from an asset node that performs a LU based on the motion sensing; and updating location information of the asset node based on the LU request to manage the location information of the asset node.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to optimize a battery lifetime of an asset node and to provide more accurate location information of the asset node.

Also, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to minimize a location information update (LU) of an asset node and to a periodically perform the LU of the asset node.

Also, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to control a LU of an asset node based on accuracy of location information, a battery lifetime, a zone area where the asset node belongs, a sensor condition sensed by the sensor node, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When it is determined detailed description related to a related known function or configuration they may make the purpose of the present invention unnecessarily ambiguous in describing the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted here.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating the entire architecture of an asset tracking system100according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, the asset tracking system100may include a plurality of asset nodes101a,101b, . . . ,101c, a plurality of reference nodes103a,103b, . . . ,103c, a gateway105, and an application server107. In the following description, any one of the asset nodes101a,101b, . . . ,101cmay be represented by an asset node101. Also, any one of the reference nodes103a,103b, . . . ,103cmay be represented by a reference node103.

The asset node101may collect changing location information of assets, and provide the collected location information to an upper node. Here, the upper node may be the reference node103or the gateway105. Also, the location information may include, for example, a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value at a link that is set with neighboring nodes.

The reference node103may functions to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal to the asset node101at a fixed location, and to bridge the asset node101and the gateway105.

The gateway105may function to manage a personal area network (PAN) and to interoperate a single PAN with an outside network, for example, an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

In this instance, the gateway105may include a coordinator to control the PAN.

Accordingly, the PAN may include a single coordinator, reference nodes, and asset nodes.

Generally, the gateway105may function to communicate with the application server107. The application server107may function to process, manage, and analyze information collected by the single PAN.

Also, the application server107may display location information of an asset via various types of display devices, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, an outdoor display, a television (TV), and the like.

In the following description, an asset tracking apparatus may denote a device that includes a single node, such as an asset node, a gateway, an application server, and the like, constituting an asset tracking system.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an asset tracking apparatus200according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The asset tracking apparatus200ofFIG. 2may be applicable to the asset node101ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 2, the asset tracking apparatus200may include a motion sensing manager201, a filtering processor203, and a location information update (LU) manager205. Also, the asset tracking apparatus200may further include a filtering parameter processor207.

The motion sensing manager201may receive sensing information from various types of sensors. In particular, the motion sensing manager201may receive motion sensing information from a sensor such as a motion sensor and an accelerator sensor.

The filtering processor203may filter the motion sensing information based on a filtering parameter, and determine whether a motion occurs, based on the filtered motion sensing information.

The LU manager205may perform the LU depending on whether the motion occurs. In this instance, the LU manager205may request an upper node, that is, a gateway or an application server, to perform the LU of the asset by collecting the location information and by transmitting the collected location information to the upper node.

In this instance, when the filtered motion sensing information is less than a reference value, the LU manager205may not perform the LU. Conversely, when the filtered motion sensing information is greater than or equal to the reference value, the LU manager205may perform the LU. Here, the reference value may be the threshold value among the filtering parameters.

Specifically, only when the motion sensing information is not noise but a real motion, the asset tracking apparatus200may update the location information of the asset. Through this, it is possible to prolong a battery lifetime to, for example, more than six months.

Also, when the motion sensing information is received, the LU manager205may set a polling interval for exchange of a polling message to be short, and may perform the LU depending on whether the motion occurs.

In this instance, the filtering parameter processor207may generate the filtering parameter based on at least one of accuracy of location information for the asset, the battery lifetime, a zone area where the asset tracking apparatus200belongs, and a sensor condition sensed by the asset tracking apparatus200. Also, generating of the filtering parameter may include concepts of setting and changing the filtering parameter.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an asset tracking apparatus300according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The asset tracking apparatus300ofFIG. 3may be applicable to the asset node101ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 3, the asset tracking apparatus300may include an input/output (I/O) manager301, a main control unit303, a radio frequency transmitter/receiver (RF Tx/Rx) manager305, a query manager307, a connection manager309, a motion driven dynamic power management (MDDPM) processor311, a filtering parameter processor313, a scheduler315, a zone detector317, a time detector319, a hybrid condition detector321, and a memory manager323.

The I/O manager301may control all the input/output devices that are included in the asset tracking apparatus300, for example, sensor interfaces such as a temperature, a humidity, a motion, and the like.

The main control unit301may process all the information in the asset tracking apparatus300and control the entire operation of the asset tracking apparatus300.

The RF Tx/Rx manager305may manage a communication of the asset tracking apparatus300.

The query manager307may process various types of queries occurring in a PAN.

For example, the various types of queries may include simple queries such as “what is the current temperature?”, “what is the current humidity”, and the like, and complex queries such as “what is the temperature measured every half an hour?”, “please measure the temperature every one hour and let me know when it is more than 30 degrees”, and the like.

The connection manager309may manage a connection to and a disconnection from the PAN.

The MDDPM processor311may measure location information based on a query and a period, and perform a process for transmitting the measured location information to an upper node.

The scheduler315may perform a message processing and a timer control while main routines are being performed. In particular, the scheduler315may perform the message processing and the timer control according to information that is detected by the zone detector317, the time detector319, and the hybrid condition detector321.

The zone detector317may detect a zone area where the asset tracking apparatus300belongs, or may determine whether the asset tracking apparatus300exists in a targeted zone area.

The time detector319may determine whether a current time is detected, or whether a predetermined period of time is elapsed.

The hybrid condition detector321may detect an environment where the asset tracking apparatus300belongs, or various types of conditions. Examples of the environment or the various types of conditions will be described later.

The asset tracking apparatus300may perform a more suitable function for a given condition, based on the information that is detected by the zone detector317, the time detector319, and the hybrid condition detector321.

The memory manager323may manage a memory area of the asset tracking apparatus300according to a control of the main control unit303.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MDDPM processor400according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The MDDPM processor400ofFIG. 4may be applicable to the MDDPM processor311ofFIG. 3.

Referring toFIG. 4, the MDDPM processor400may include a motion sensing manager401, a filtering processor403, and a LU manager405.

The motion sensing manager401may transfer inputs of various sensors to the filtering processor403. In particular, the motion sensing manager401may receive motion sensing information from a motion sensor and transfer the received motion sensing information to the filtering processor403.

In this instance, the motion sensing manager401may include a sensor and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, and may have a structure that is connected to an interrupt. Also, the motion sensing manager401may have parameter information in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format, for example, sensor information associated with a minimum value and a maximum value of each of the sensors, and the like.

As shown inFIG. 7, the filtering processor403may filter the motion sensing information and determine whether an actual motion occurs.

InFIG. 7, T0denotes a time when motion sensing information701starts being received, TFilterdenotes a time to filter the motion sensing information701, Δt denotes a time interval to check the motion sensing information701, and TH denotes a threshold value to determine whether the real motion occurs based on the motion sensing information701.

In this instance, when the motion sensing information701occurs to be greater than or equal to the threshold value TH during the time interval Δt, the filtering processor403may determine the real motion has occurred.

The motion sensing information may be filtered according to types of an asset and an environment of the asset. The filtering parameter may be changed according to a setting or automatically, and may be provided from the filtering parameter processor313.

When the filtered motion sensing information is less than a reference value, the LU manager405may not perform a LU. Conversely, when the filtered motion sensing information is greater than or equal to the reference value, the LU manager405may perform the LU.

The LU manager405may request an upper node, that is, a gateway or an application server, to perform the LU of the asset by collecting the location information and by transmitting the collected location information to the upper node.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a filtering parameter processor500according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The filtering parameter producer503may generate the filtering parameter based on an asset property, such as accuracy of location information, a battery lifetime, a fast asset with a fast movement speed, a slow asset with a slow movement speed, and the like.

Here, generating of the filtering parameter may include concepts of setting and changing the filtering parameter.

Also, the filtering parameter producer503may generate the filtering parameter according to an asset environment such as a zone area where an asset tracking apparatus belongs, a neighboring environment that is monitored by the asset tracking apparatus, and the like.

Hereinafter, an example of generating the filtering parameter will be described.

Here, it may be assumed that the entire energy consumed at the asset tracking apparatus for a predetermined period of time is a sum of energy consumed for polling, energy consumed for sleep, energy consumed for performing a LU, and energy consumed for filtering motion sensing information.

The largest energy may be consumed for performing the LU and filtering the motion sensing information.

The filtering parameter processor500may predict the battery lifetime by calculating an interrupt value and time of the sensor that is received by the asset tracking apparatus for a predetermined period of time.

Also, the filtering parameter may be generated based on the predicted battery lifetime.

As described above, the filtering parameter processor500may generate different location accuracy and battery lifetime according to the asset type.

The following Table 1 shows examples of filtering parameters that are set to be different according to the asset type.

FIG. 6is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an asset tracking apparatus600according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

The asset tracking apparatus600ofFIG. 6may be applicable to the application server107ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 6, the asset tracking apparatus600may include a LU request receiver601, an asset location information manager603, and a location information display manager605.

The LU request receiver601may receive a LU request from an asset node that performs a LU based on a motion sensing.

Here, the asset node may have the configuration ofFIG. 2or3.

Accordingly, the asset node may sense motion information, and determine whether the motion information requires the LU, based on a filtering parameter.

The asset location information manager603may update location information of the asset node that transmits the LU request, based on the LU request, and may store and mange the updated location information of the asset node.

The location information display manager605may display the location information of the asset node via a display device.

The display device may be, for example, a PDA, a PC, a mobile phone, a display board, a TV, and the like.

FIG. 8illustrates an operation state of an asset tracking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the asset tracking apparatus may have a configuration ofFIG. 2or3.

Referring toFIG. 8, the operation state of the asset tracking apparatus in a case801where motion sensing information does not exist is different from the operating state of the asset tracking apparatus in a case807where the motion sensing information exists.

Initially, in the case801, the asset tracking apparatus may simply transmit and receive a polling message with a neighboring node according to a normal polling period803.

The normal polling period803and the polling message may be the most basic operations for processing a query that occurs in a PAN.

When motion sensing information occurs as indicated by a wave805, the asset tracking apparatus may set a polling interval for exchange of the polling message to be short as a fast polling period809, and perform the LU depending on whether a real motion occurs.

As shown inFIG. 8, for the normal polling period803and the fast polling period809, the asset tracking apparatus may be in a sleep mode. Specifically, the asset tracking apparatus may consume a significantly small amount of battery for the normal polling period803and the fast polling period809.

Accordingly, compared with when periodically performing the LU for the asset, when performing the LU based on the motion sensing, it is possible to enhance the battery lifetime according to a motion frequency.

FIG. 9illustrates an operation example of an asset tracking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

InFIG. 9, a normal polling period901of the asset tracking apparatus is set to 2 minutes.

InFIG. 9, a CASE (1)903corresponds to a case where a real motion occurs. Here, a polling interval is set to be short, for example, 30 seconds, as a fast polling period. Also, a LU of an asset is performed.

As described above, when the real motion occurs, the motion sensing information is greater than or equal to a reference value.

InFIG. 9, a CASE (2)905corresponds to a case where the real motion is not detected. Here, the polling interval is set to be short, but the LU of the asset is not performed. The polling interval is set again to be a normal polling period.

As described above, when the real motion is not detected, the motion sensing information is less than the reference value.

FIGS. 10 through 15illustrate examples of LU and motion sensor filtering under various conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, motion sensor filtering indicates filtering of motion sensing information according to a filtering parameter.

FIG. 10illustrates an example of dynamic periodic LU according to a zone area where an asset node1001belongs.

Referring toFIG. 10, when the asset node1001belongs to a zone (1)1003, the asset node1001may perform a fast periodic LU of level 1. When the asset node1001belongs to a zone (2)1005, the asset node1001may perform a low periodic LU of level 2.

FIG. 11illustrates an example of dynamic motion sensor filtering according to a zone area where an asset node1101belongs.

Referring toFIG. 11, when the asset node1101belongs to a zone (1)1103, the asset node1101may perform a motion sensor filtering of level 1. When the asset node1101belongs to a zone (2)1105, the asset node1101may perform a motion sensor filtering of level 2.

FIG. 12illustrates an example of a dynamic periodic LU according to a time division.

Referring toFIG. 12, a LU may be performed at a fast period of level 1 in a time interval (1)1201, and may also be performed at a slow period of level 2 in a time interval (2)1203.

FIG. 13illustrates an example of a dynamic motion sensor filtering according to a time division.

Referring toFIG. 13, a motion sensor filtering may be performed at level 1 in a time interval (1)1301, and may also be performed at level 2 in a time interval (2)1303.

FIG. 14illustrates an example of a dynamic periodic LU according to a sensor condition.

Here, the sensor condition may include a temperature, a humidity, and the like.

Referring toFIG. 14, a LU may be performed at a fast period of level 1 in a sensor condition (1)1401, and may also be performed at a slow period of level 2 in a sensor condition (2)1403.

FIG. 15illustrates an example of a dynamic motion sensor filtering according to a sensor condition.

Referring toFIG. 15, a motion sensor filtering may be performed at level 1 in a sensor condition (1)1501, and may also be performed at level 2 in a sensor condition (2)1503.

FIG. 16is a flowchart illustrating an asset tracking method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The asset tracking method may be performed by an asset node constructed as shown inFIG. 2or3.

In operation S1601, the asset node may determine whether motion sensing information is received. The motion sensing information may be detected via, for example, a motion accelerator sensor or a motion sensor.

When the motion sensing information is received, the asset node may determine whether a LU of the asset node is required, based on the motion sensing information and a filtering parameter, in operation S1603.

As described above, the filtering parameter may include at least one of a motion filtering time, a time interval to check the motion sensing information, and a threshold value.

Also, the filtering parameter may be determined based on at least one of accuracy of location information, a battery lifetime, a zone area where the asset node belongs, and a sensor condition that is sensed by the asset node.

When it is determined the LU is required, the asset node may perform the LU of the asset node.

Referring toFIG. 17, when the motion sensing information is received, the asset node may set a polling interval for exchange of a polling message to be short, for example, to be shorter than a normal polling period in operation S1701.

Here, the aforementioned example ofFIG. 9may be applicable to an example of setting the poling interval to be short.

In operation S1703, the asset node may filter the motion sensing information based on the filtering parameter.

In operation S1705, the asset node may compare the filtered motion sensing information with a reference value to determine whether a LU is required.

Here, the reference value may be a threshold value among filtering parameters.

When the filtered motion sensing information is less than the reference value, the asset node may determine the LU is not required in operation S1709. Conversely, when the filtered motion sensing information is greater than or equal to the reference value, the asset node may determine the LU is required in operation S1707.

The above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be recorded in computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. Examples of the program instructions may be specially designed for the invention, or may be kwon and available to those in the art.