Patent Description:
In its first iterations, the IEEE <NUM>. 11a/b standards specified transfer rates of up to <NUM> Mbps at a range of up to <NUM> feet. The IEEE <NUM> amendment implemented various improvements, including Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing ("OFDM"), to increase transfer rates to up to <NUM> Mbps while maintaining backward compatibility with IEEE <NUM>. The IEEE <NUM>. 11n amendment added Multiple Input Multiple Output ("MIMO") functionality where multiple transmitters and receivers operate simultaneously at one or both ends of the link to facilitate transfer rates of up to <NUM> Mbps and even higher if additional antennae are used. The IEEE <NUM>. 11ac amendment added support for spatial streams and increased channel widths to substantially increase transfer rates from <NUM> Mbps to several Gbps and works exclusively in the less crowded <NUM> frequency band and at a range of up to <NUM> feet or more.

The IEEE <NUM> standard remains an evolving technical standard and future amendments will likely seek to increase transfer rates, improve connectivity in challenging environments, and enhance security. As such, Wi-Fi remains the most widely adopted wireless networking standard in the world and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.

<CIT> describes a cloud based processing system receives location information and health status information of a plurality of beacon devices. The processing system tracks movements of at least some of the plurality of beacon devices based on the location information.

<CIT> describes a wireless electronic device that receives a unique identifier associated with each electronic device, and sends scan data to the listening agent device. The scan data includes the unique identifiers and a unique tracking identifier associated with the wireless electronic device.

According to one aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method of passive asset tracking is set out in claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

According to one aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software instructions that, when executed by a processor perform the method set out in claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

According to one aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a system for passive asset tracking is set out in in claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. For consistency, like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals. In the following detailed description of the present invention, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. In other instances, well-known features to one of ordinary skill in the art are not described to avoid obscuring the description of the present invention.

Conventional asset tracking systems use dedicated and complicated hardware and software systems to track physical assets, typically within the confines of a fixed location or from portal-to-portal of one or more fixed locations. Conventional asset tracking systems typically use, for example, barcode, Near-Field Communication ("NFC"), Bluetooth Low Energy ("BLE"), Radio-Frequency Identification ("RFID") tags, and Global Positioning System ("GPS") to tag and affirmatively track assets within their respective asset tracking system. In typical applications, the asset tracking task is affirmatively performed by dedicated hardware and software systems intentionally deployed for the asset tracking task. As such, an inherent limitation in conventional asset tracking systems is the requirement that the tagging, tracking, hardware, and software systems must be intentionally deployed, span the zone of coverage, and actively perform and manage the asset tracking task. This requires extensive investment in expensive hardware and software systems and in hiring and training personnel on its usage. Moreover, in a widespread deployment of assets across many sites, perhaps even around the world, it is exceptionally difficult and cost prohibitive to deploy and manage a coherent conventional asset tracking system.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system of passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure allows for passively tracking moveable assets by one or more wireless devices that are in-range of Wi-Fi signals even though the wireless device, or user thereof, may not even know they are participating in the asset tracking task. In this way, every smartphone in the vicinity of an asset that is desired to be tracked may, anonymously, and without awareness, participate in the asset tracking task. Specifically, moveable assets may be passively tracked by one or more unrelated wireless devices whenever the one or more of the wireless devices merely come into range of one or more assets associated with a Wi-Fi access point broadcasting Wi-Fi signals, without any intent or awareness on the part of the wireless device, or user thereof, that they are participating in the asset tracking task due to the nature of the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol. In addition, the method and system leverage existing infrastructure inherent in smartphones and smartphone operating systems to report their location as well as the unique identifying information of Wi-Fi access points they encounter for improving the accuracy of location-based services. Advantageously, the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol as well as the Wi-Fi access point reporting feature of smartphones may be cooperatively used to passively track assets associated with Wi-Fi access points by one or more wireless devices without requiring that the wireless devices associate with any particular Wi-Fi access point, using publicly accessibly Wi-Fi signals, and in passive scanning applications, completely anonymously with respect to the asset tracking task.

<FIG> shows a conventional Wi-Fi wireless network <NUM>. A conventional Wi-Fi wireless network <NUM> typically includes a broadband modem <NUM> that provides high-speed Internet connectivity to one or more wireless devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) via a Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. Wi-Fi access point <NUM> typically facilitates wireless connectivity between one or more of the wireless devices and, in configurations that include an integrated router, may serve as the bridge between the wireless devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) and the Internet connection provided by broadband modem <NUM>. In conventional use, a wireless connection may be established between one or more wireless devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>), including, for example, a television <NUM>, computer <NUM>, tablet computer <NUM>, smartphone <NUM>, or any other wireless device, and Wi-Fi access point <NUM>, thereby allowing the wireless devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) to communicate with one another and access the Internet via broadband modem <NUM>. Wi-Fi access points <NUM> are commonly found in homes, offices, and public places, where they are often referred to as Wi-Fi hotspots. While the number of Wi-Fi access points <NUM> has not been definitively counted, there are believed to be in excess of one billion Wi-Fi access points <NUM> around the world. Efforts to map Wi-Fi signal coverage suggest that most modern cities are blanketed with publicly accessible Wi-Fi signals. Notwithstanding the above, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a conventional Wi-Fi network <NUM> does not require a broadband modem <NUM> or Internet connectivity and may be used as a purely wireless network to facilitate wireless communications between one or more wireless devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>).

<FIG> shows passive scanning mode <NUM> as part of Wi-Fi wireless network discovery. Wi-Fi wireless network discovery is the process by which a wireless device identifies and potentially associates with an in-range Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. In passive scanning mode, one or more wireless devices <NUM> listen for beacon frames (not shown) broadcast <NUM> at periodic intervals by one or more in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> to announce the presence of their respective wireless networks. Beacon frames are a type of management frame that includes information regarding the broadcasting Wi-Fi access point <NUM> to facilitate potential association and connectivity. Each beacon frame includes a Service Set Identifier ("SSID"), which is typically a user-given name for the broadcasting Wi-Fi wireless network, and information that uniquely identifies the Wi-Fi access point <NUM> including, but not limited to, a Basic Service Set Identifier ("BSSID"), which is a unique Media Access Control ("MAC") address of the Wi-Fi access point <NUM> or a broadcasting band thereof. Multiple Wi-Fi access points <NUM> may share the same SSID as part of the same wireless network, but each Wi-Fi access point <NUM> will have a unique BSSID. Moreover, dual or multi-band Wi-Fi access points <NUM> that broadcast on multiple frequency bands, typically have a unique BSSID for each frequency band that they broadcast on.

A wireless device (e.g., smartphone <NUM>) may be statically or transiently located within the broadcast range of one or more Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, and 110c). Each Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may periodically broadcast their beacon frame (e.g., 210a, 210b, and 210c) announcing the presence of their respective Wi-Fi wireless network. Wireless device <NUM> may listen to, and receive, beacon frames from the in-range Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, and 110c). In conventional applications, a user of wireless device <NUM> may optionally select, on their device, the SSID of the Wi-Fi access point 110a of the Wi-Fi wireless network that they wish to join and then communicate <NUM> with the Wi-Fi access point 110a to establish wireless connectivity. It is important to note that, passive scanning <NUM> is completely anonymous with respect to wireless devices <NUM> that receive the beacon frames of in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> until such time that they choose to associate with a particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. Unless and until a user of a wireless device <NUM> selects a specific Wi-Fi access point <NUM> and network thereof to associate with, wireless device <NUM> may passively receive the Wi-Fi signals being publicly broadcast and remain completely anonymous.

<FIG> shows active scanning mode <NUM> as part of Wi-Fi wireless network discovery. In contrast to passive scanning mode, active scanning is a type of Wi-Fi wireless network discovery process where a wireless device <NUM> broadcasts a probe request <NUM> to a specific (not shown) or all Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, and 110c) that are within range. A probe request is a type of management frame that may include information about the specific Wi-Fi access point (e.g., <NUM>) that the wireless device <NUM> wishes to associate with, sometimes referred to as a directed probe request, or may probe for all available Wi-Fi access points <NUM> within range, sometimes referred to as a null probe request. Responding in-range Wi-Fi access points 110a, 110b, and 110c transmit a probe response 320a, 320b, and 320c that includes information substantially similar to a beacon frame including their respective SSID and unique BSSID. In contrast to passive scanning (e.g., <NUM>) where each Wi-Fi access point <NUM> broadcasts its respective beacon frames on a specific channel, in active scanning (e.g., <NUM>), wireless device <NUM> broadcasts probe requests <NUM> across all available channels for the associated frequency band. In this way, wireless device <NUM> may, for example, select a Wi-Fi access point <NUM> that provides the strongest signal strength and quality. Moreover, even when a particular wireless device <NUM> is associated with a specific Wi-Fi access point (e.g., 110a), wireless device <NUM> may go off channel and continue to send probe requests <NUM> on other channels. By continuing to actively probe for Wi-Fi access points <NUM>, wireless device <NUM> may maintain a list of known Wi-Fi access points <NUM> that may facilitate roaming should the wireless device <NUM> move out of range of the currently associated Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. In contrast to passive scanning (e.g., <NUM>), active scanning operations <NUM> only require a wireless device <NUM> to send a probe request on a specific channel within the designated frequency band and then listen for a comparatively smaller amount of time as compared to passive scanning (e.g., <NUM>). As such, active scanning <NUM> presents a more directed approach to wireless network discovery as compared to passive scanning operations (e.g., <NUM>).

<FIG> shows various wireless networking technologies used to determine a location of a wireless device <NUM> and one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM>, which may be a smartphone or any other type or kind of wireless device, may establish a cellular connection with one or more cell towers <NUM> providing cellular network connectivity. An established connection to a particular cell tower <NUM> may, in some circumstances, be used to establish a location of wireless device <NUM> within a determinable radius of the particular cellular tower <NUM>. Further, patterns of connectivity to one or more cell towers <NUM> may be used to establish a location or potentially even the movement of wireless device <NUM> within a determinable radius. However, these techniques are rarely used outside of law enforcement. Instead, wireless devices <NUM> typically rely on GPS to determine their location. Most wireless devices <NUM> include a GPS receiver (not independently shown) capable of receiving one or more GPS signals (not shown) from one or more GPS satellites (e.g., 420a, 420b, and 420c) in Earth orbit. Typically, there are at least four GPS satellites <NUM> visible to a wireless device <NUM> no matter where it is located, anywhere around the globe. Each GPS satellite <NUM> transmits a GPS signal (not shown) that includes information about the satellite's current position and the current time at regular intervals. The GPS receiver of wireless device <NUM> receives one or more of these GPS signals and calculates how far away it is from each satellite based on how long it took for each respective GPS signal to arrive. If the wireless device <NUM> receives the GPS signal from at least three GPS satellites <NUM>, the location of the wireless device <NUM> may be determined with a high degree of accuracy by a process referred to as trilateration. The GPS derived location of wireless device <NUM> may be determined continuously, periodically, or upon the execution of software that requires location services, such as, for example, navigation software or a web browser used to search nearby places. The accuracy of GPS is within a radius of approximately <NUM> ft under open skies and good conditions but worsens near structures and obstructions.

As such, a wireless device <NUM> may use one or more in-range Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, or 110c) to improve the accuracy of the GPS location determination and, in instances when GPS is not available, determine its location based on Wi-Fi alone. As part of the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery process, wireless device <NUM> typically determines the signal strength of the Wi-Fi signals broadcast by the in-range Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, or 110c). Assuming, for the purpose of this discussion, that the location of one or more Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, or 110c) are already known to a certain degree of accuracy, the signal strengths may be used to refine the accuracy of the GPS location determination and, in instances when GPS is not available, determine the location of the wireless device <NUM> based on Wi-Fi alone. For example, the known location of a Wi-Fi access point (e.g., 110a) and the signal strength of the Wi-Fi signal received from it may be used in conjunction with the signal strength and known location of other Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110b and 110c) to refine or determine the location of wireless device <NUM> by a process referred to as triangulation. It is important to note that the signal strength of the Wi-Fi signals received by wireless device <NUM> from one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> are determined without requiring wireless device <NUM> to associate with or otherwise join any particular Wi-Fi access point (e.g., 110a, 110b, or 110c). As such, wireless device <NUM> may use publicly broadcast Wi-Fi signals of in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> that it does not use or otherwise associate with in any way.

Above, an assumption was made that the location of one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> were known to a certain degree of accuracy. This assumption holds true because wireless devices <NUM> report in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> as well as their current location to the original equipment manufacturer, operating system developer, or other third-party who maintain a database, sometimes referred to herein as a Wi-Fi AP Database, for use in improving the accuracy of location determination as well as other location-related services (i.e., significant locations, location-based suggestions, location-based alerts, popular near me, and the like). While this benefits the user of the wireless device <NUM> in providing improved services, each wireless device <NUM> discovers the existence, and reports the location, of Wi-Fi access points <NUM> it encounters on an ongoing continuous basis. This is commonly performed as part of, for example, iOS® and Android® location services and it is generally available to third-party software developers for their use. In addition, many public and private companies maintain a centralized database that contains the identifying information and location of known Wi-Fi access points <NUM>. It is important to note that this information is anonymously obtained through publicly accessible Wi-Fi signals and in accordance with the terms and conditions of use of most smartphones, that typically provide the user with the option of opting-out of participation in such services.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of a conventional Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. A conventional Wi-Fi access point <NUM> includes a printed circuit board and related components (not shown) disposed within a casing or enclosure <NUM>, which may be integrated into other devices or equipment depending on the application or design. Wi-Fi access point <NUM> typically includes one or more antennae <NUM> for transmitting and receiving radio frequency Wi-Fi signals, and a power source <NUM>. In conventional applications, power source <NUM> is traditionally a DC power input, however, some industrial and commercial applications use AC power input, and still other applications use battery-powered power input. Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may or may not include an integrated router and the associated connectivity. As such, in certain embodiments, Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may consist of a pure wireless access point that does not include a router and does not provide any bridge functionality to reduce the size, complexity, and power consumption of the device. In other embodiments, Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may not even function as an access point, but spoof the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol, transmitting beacon frames and probe responses as if it was a functional Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. Notwithstanding the above, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any Wi-Fi access point <NUM> or other device capable of participating in the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol as if it were a bona fide Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> shows an exemplary application of passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure <NUM> in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, one or more assets may be passively tracked by one or more wireless devices <NUM> that are in-range, or even come in and go out of range, of assets configured to broadcast Wi-Fi signals even though a wireless device <NUM>, or user thereof, may not even know that they are participating in the asset tracking task. As such, for the purpose of this disclosure, passive asset tracking means tracking an asset indirectly without necessarily requiring the purposeful association of any particular wireless device <NUM>, or user thereof, with any particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, assets may be passively tracked by one or more wireless devices <NUM> that merely happen to come in-range of one or more assets broadcasting Wi-Fi signals even though a wireless device <NUM>, or user thereof, may or may not be aware that they are taking part in the asset tracking task. In other embodiments, one or more wireless devices <NUM> may passively track assets in a purposeful manner, whereby a wireless device <NUM> intentionally interacts with one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> associated with assets deployed in the field <NUM>. In all such embodiments, the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery process may be advantageously used by one or more wireless devices <NUM> to passively track assets without requiring that they associate with any particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM>, using publicly accessible Wi-Fi signals, and in passive scanning applications, anonymously with respect to the asset tracking task.

Returning to the figure, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, one or more Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d) may be disposed, or otherwise attached to, or even integrated with, one or more assets (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) that may be deployed in the field <NUM>. For the purpose of illustration only, construction equipment (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) is shown in the figure as exemplars of assets to be tracked. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any asset may be tracked in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The Wi-Fi access points <NUM> are not required to participate in any particular wireless network or any wireless network at all, as the Wi-Fi access points <NUM> may be used for the sole purpose of uniquely identifying an asset that is desired to be tracked. Specifically, each Wi-Fi access point <NUM> disposed on, or otherwise attached to, an asset (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) may broadcast beacon frames in passive scanning mode and/or respond to probe requests as part of active scanning mode, where either the beacon frame (not shown) or probe response (not shown) includes information that uniquely identifies the Wi-Fi access point <NUM>, and by association with a particular asset (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>), the asset itself. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the beacon frame or probe response may contain other information that may be customized or helpful to the asset tracking task.

In certain embodiments, in passive scanning mode, the Wi-Fi access points (e.g., 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d) physically and logically associated with assets (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) may broadcast beacon frames at regular intervals, each of which includes information that uniquely identifies the particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM> and, to those who recognize the association, the asset (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) associated with it. One or more wireless devices <NUM> may come in-range of one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> and receive one or more beacon frames. As previously discussed, wireless devices <NUM> report, via a cellular or other connection, information such as, for example, the time, the date, its current location, its speed, or direction of travel, as well as the SSID and BSSID of in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> to a computing system <NUM> of an original equipment manufacturer of the wireless device <NUM>, an operating system developer (not shown), third-party software developer (not shown), or a dedicated asset tracking system of the present invention (not shown) configured to track assets. While the reporting aspect of wireless devices <NUM> is designed to improve the accuracy of location-based services, here, the reporting aspect provides an estimate of the location of one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> at a particular time and date without requiring the purposeful participation of any particular wireless device <NUM> in any particular Wi-Fi wireless network. This information may be used to determine the location of one or more assets with substantial accuracy, that may be further refined with the well-known Wi-Fi access point triangulation process typically used by wireless devices <NUM> to refine GPS accuracy or improve location services.

In other embodiments, in active scanning mode, one or more wireless devices <NUM> may transmit a probe request that is not directed to any particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM>, requesting that all Wi-Fi access points <NUM> in range announce their presence. In response, in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> transmit a probe response which includes information that uniquely identifies the responding Wi-Fi access point <NUM> and, to those who recognize the association, the asset (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) associated with it. As previously discussed, wireless devices <NUM> report, via a cellular or other connection, information such as, for example, the time, the date, its current location, its speed, or direction of travel, as well as the SSID and BSSID of in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> to a computing system <NUM> of an original equipment manufacturer (not shown) of the wireless device <NUM>, an operating system developer (not shown), third-party software developer (not shown), or a dedicated asset tracking system of the present invention (not shown) configured to track assets.

While a single wireless device <NUM> is depicted in the figure, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any number of wireless devices <NUM> may come in and out of range of the assets (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) over time, each of which independently reports the time, the date, their location, and the SSID and BSSID of in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> as they are encountered (and other information that may be useful to the asset tracking task). In fact, the tracking accuracy may improve as a function of the number of unique identifications that take place over time, or potentially provide additional information such as movement of assets (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) throughout the day, or the speeds at which they are moving, or even when they leave a boundary of the job site <NUM>. While wireless device <NUM> is depicted as being disposed in a motor vehicle <NUM> driving <NUM> by a job site <NUM>, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that wireless device <NUM> may be stationary or conveyed by any means conceived of so long as it is capable of participating in Wi-Fi wireless network discovery and thereby identifying, reporting, and effectively locating assets (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) indirectly by reporting the Wi-Fi access points <NUM> discovered.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM> for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. One or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> may be disposed, or otherwise attached to, or integrated with one or more assets (e.g., <NUM>) that are desired to be tracked. The unique identifying information of a Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may be used to uniquely identify an asset (e.g., <NUM>) that it is physically and logically associated with. The one or more assets (e.g., <NUM>) may then be deployed in the field and need not be co-located. The deployed Wi-Fi access points <NUM> do not require Internet connectivity or other network connection or be configured to receive GPS signals, they simply must be powered on and configured to either broadcast beacon frames or respond to probe requests as part of the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery process. When one or more wireless devices (e.g., <NUM>) come into range of one or more of the Wi-Fi access points <NUM> disposed, or otherwise attached to, or integrated with, one or more assets (e.g., <NUM>), the in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> may either broadcast their beacon frame or respond to a probe request with information that may be used to uniquely identify the corresponding assets (e.g., <NUM>) as well as other information that may be useful to the asset tracking task including custom use of certain information in the beacon frame or probe response. As noted above, the one or more wireless devices <NUM> typically report the time, the date, their current location, as well as the SSID and BSSID of the in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM> discovered either directly to an asset tracking database <NUM> or to a Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM> (third-party or integrated) that may provide data to asset tracking database <NUM>. Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM> may be a database managed by an original equipment manufacturer, an operating system developer, or a third-party software developer, or a database integrated with asset tracking database <NUM>. In certain embodiments, Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM> may be Android® or iOS® location services used to improve location determination accuracy. Asset tracking database <NUM> may use the data provided directly by one or more wireless devices <NUM> or indirectly by way of Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM> to identify and locate one or more assets (e.g., <NUM>), the data of which may be stored in asset tracking database <NUM>. Depending on the type of data received, asset tracking database <NUM> may manipulate, extrapolate, or otherwise generate data stored therein. A client portal <NUM>, which may be software resident on another computing system (not shown), resident on the same computer (not shown) as the asset tracking database <NUM>, or an application (not shown) executed on a wireless device (e.g., <NUM>), that allows a user to interact with asset tracking database <NUM> and obtain relevant data contained therein.

In certain embodiments, system <NUM> for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure may include asset tracking database <NUM> and may optionally include client portal <NUM>. In other embodiments, system <NUM> may optionally include Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM>, which is typically independent of system <NUM>, as part of a closed wholistic embodiment of system <NUM>. In such embodiments, Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM> may reside or execute on the same or a different computing system as that of asset tracking database <NUM> or be integrated with asset tracking database <NUM> or a software application thereof. In still other embodiments, system <NUM> may optionally include one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> disposed on, or otherwise attached to, one or more assets (e.g., <NUM>). In still other embodiments, system <NUM> may optionally include one or more wireless devices <NUM>, which are typically independent of system <NUM>, that are configured to purposefully discover in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM>, as part of a closed wholistic embodiment of system <NUM>. In such embodiments, wireless device <NUM> may include dedicated software (not shown) that reports the time, the date, and the SSID and BSSID of Wi-Fi access points <NUM> it encounters to asset tracking database <NUM> or Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM>, if integrated. While various embodiments of system <NUM> have been disclosed, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a subset, superset, or combination of functions or features thereof, may be integrated, distributed, or excluded, in whole or in part, based on an application, design, or form factor in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention and the above-disclosure is not intended to limit the types, kinds, or arrangements of system <NUM> that may be implemented, including those that include, integrate, separate, or exclude various aspects.

Continuing, <FIG> shows exemplary data <NUM> reported by a wireless device <NUM> relating to discovered Wi-Fi access points <NUM> in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Wireless device <NUM> may report, for example, identifying information of one or more in-range Wi-Fi access points <NUM>, their relative signal strength, as well as the time, the date, and the GPS location of the reporting wireless device <NUM>, to asset tracking database <NUM> or Wi-Fi AP Database <NUM>. The identifying information may include one or more of the SSID, the BSSID, or other information that may be used to uniquely identify the Wi-Fi access point <NUM> including potentially other fields of the beacon frames or probe responses that may be repurposed to convey information regarding the Wi-Fi access point <NUM> or the asset it is associated with. For example, the SSID of a Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may be configured to be a unique identifier of the asset it is physically (by way of location, attachment, or integration) and logically (by way of asset tracking database <NUM>) associated with. In addition, the MAC address, SSID, or other field may be used to identify a Wi-Fi access point <NUM> as an asset tracking type of Wi-Fi access point. In the future, such functionality could allow wireless devices <NUM> to take different action when an asset tracking type Wi-Fi access point is encountered, including potentially speeding up the identification, changes the nature of the reporting, or otherwise facilitating the asset tracking task. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the type and kind of information reported by the wireless device <NUM> relating to a discovered Wi-Fi access point <NUM> or an asset (e.g., <NUM>) associated therewith may vary based on an application or design in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, but must at least include information that uniquely identifies the Wi-Fi access point <NUM>.

Continuing, <FIG> shows exemplary data <NUM> stored or generated by asset tracking database <NUM> in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Asset tracking database <NUM> may associate unique identifying information, such as, for example, the BSSID, of a particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM> with a particular asset (e.g., <NUM>) on which it is disposed, attached to, or integrated with. As such, asset tracking database <NUM> may then use information relating to the discovery of one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM> that is reported by one or more wireless devices <NUM> to passively track one or more assets (e.g., <NUM>) in an indirect manner, in many instances without an awareness by wireless devices <NUM> that they are participating in the asset tracking task.

Asset tracking database <NUM> may receive and store identifying information relating to a particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM> that is logically associated within the database <NUM> with a particular asset (e.g., <NUM>) as well as the time, the date, and the GPS location of the wireless device <NUM> that reported the particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. Asset tracking database <NUM> may also receive and store other information relating to the particular asset (e.g., <NUM>) provided, directly or indirectly, by one or more wireless devices <NUM>. Asset tracking database <NUM> may either receive, or determine through historical information or calculation, the last known location of the particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM>, and by relation, the particular asset (e.g., <NUM>). Asset tracking database <NUM> may also receive identifying information, the signal strength, the time, the date, and the GPS location of one or more wireless devices <NUM> reporting other discovered Wi-Fi access points <NUM>. As such, Asset tracking database <NUM> may use any information, including, potentially, times, dates, GPS locations, last known positions, and signal strength to known Wi-Fi access points <NUM> and well known trilateration or triangulation techniques to refine the accuracy of the location determination of the particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM> and, by relation, the particular asset (e.g., <NUM>). As such, asset tracking database <NUM> may develop a historical trend of location and potentially other information relating to the particular asset (e.g., <NUM>) over a period of time.

Asset tracking database <NUM> may include a data structure that includes a time, a date, a GPS location, for example, a latitude ("GPS LAT") and a longitude ("GPS LNG"), an SSID, a BSSID, and a signal strength of a discovered Wi-Fi access point <NUM> as part of each report, received directly or indirectly, from a wireless device <NUM> that encounters an in-range Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. The BSSID of the discovered Wi-Fi access point <NUM> may be associated with, or used to reference, a particular asset (e.g., <NUM>) being tracked.

Asset tracking database <NUM> may receive, calculate, or estimate a last known ("AP LK") position of the discovered Wi-Fi access point <NUM>. If a last know position of a Wi-Fi access point <NUM> is not known, it may be estimated by the GPS location of the most recent wireless device <NUM> that reported discovery of the Wi-Fi access point <NUM> or further refined with Wi-Fi triangulation or trilateration techniques. Asset tracking database <NUM> may, based on available information, calculate a current ("AP CUR") location for one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM>, and by relation, the associated assets (e.g., <NUM>) thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that calculating a location based on the last known location of one or more Wi-Fi access points, if any, the GPS locations of one or more wireless devices <NUM> reporting the Wi-Fi access points <NUM>, if available, and their relative signal strengths, and potentially other information relating thereto, may be used to determine or refine the location determination of one or more Wi-Fi access points <NUM>, and assets associated therewith, using well known Wi-Fi location refinement techniques. The calculated current location may be stored in asset tracking database <NUM> as the best estimate where a particular Wi-Fi access point <NUM>, and by relation, asset (e.g., <NUM>) may be located.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that asset tracking database <NUM> may receive, generate, or store other data relating to a Wi-Fi access point <NUM>, an asset (e.g., <NUM>) associated therewith, or other metrics based on an application or design in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> shows an exemplary client portal <NUM> to asset tracking database <NUM> in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. A user (not shown) may access the data contained within asset tracking database <NUM> via client portal <NUM> accessible via the same computer (not shown) on which the asset tracking database <NUM> is resident and executing, on another computer (not shown) with a network connection to asset tracking database <NUM>, or via a software application, potentially resident and executing on a wireless device (not shown) with a network connection to asset tracking database <NUM>. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that client portal <NUM> may be disposed on any computer based on an application or design in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Client portal <NUM> may provide the user with the ability to access at least some of the data stored in asset tracking database <NUM>. For example, a user may inquire as to the location of a specific asset. Client portal <NUM> lodges the query with asset tracking database <NUM>, receives the requested data, which in this case, may be the unique identifying information of the asset as well as its last known location. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the interface, interaction with, and display of, data by client portal <NUM> may vary based on an application or design and may include graphical output (not shown), such as, for example, locations on a map where assets are located, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method of passive asset tracking with existing independent infrastructure may include disposing a Wi-Fi access point on, in, or otherwise attaching to, or integrating with, a moveable physical asset to be tracked. The Wi-Fi access point may be a conventional off-the-shelf, industrial, battery-powered, or any other type or kind of Wi-Fi access point. However, because the Wi-Fi access point does not require routing features or true Wi-Fi functionality beyond that of participating in the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol, custom Wi-Fi access points that eliminate features not implemented may be used to reduce the footprint and the power consumption of such a device. In addition, devices configured to spoof the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol may be used specifically for the asset tracking task. Notwithstanding, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any Wi-Fi access point, or related device, capable of participating in Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

The method may further include logically associating unique identifying information of the Wi-Fi access point with the asset in an asset tracking database. The unique identifying information may be any information that uniquely identifies the Wi-Fi access point including, for example, the BSSID of the Wi-Fi access point. The asset tracking database may be any type or kind of database or software application configured to store and potentially manipulate data. The Wi-Fi access point associated with a particular moveable asset may be stored in the same or a related record in the asset tracking database or otherwise related indicating their association, specifically, using the location of the Wi-Fi access point as a proxy for the location of the asset.

The method may further include receiving information relating to a location of the Wi-Fi access point encountered by one or more wireless devices and storing at least part of the information received in the asset tracking database. In certain embodiments, the information relating to the location of the Wi-Fi access point encountered is received directly or indirectly from a Wi-Fi AP Database or third-party provider. In other embodiments, the information relating to the location of the Wi-Fi access point encountered is received directly or indirectly from one or more of the reporting wireless devices. In certain embodiments, the one or more wireless devices, or users thereof, may not be aware that they are participating in the asset tracking task. The wireless devices simply report their location and the unique identifying information of Wi-Fi access points they encounter as part of their participation in location services. In other embodiments, the one or more wireless devices may be used to intentionally participate in the asset tracking task. In all such embodiments, whenever a wireless device comes in-range of a Wi-Fi access point and receives unique identifying information about the Wi-Fi access point, the wireless device reports at least its location and the unique identifying information of the Wi-Fi access point, typically over a cellular connection, directly or indirectly to one or more of an original equipment manufacturer, an operating system developer, a location-based services provider, a Wi-Fi AP Database, or a third-party software application or database, or directly to the asset tracking database itself. The information relating to the location of the wireless device may include, for example, a time, a data, a GPS location of the reporting wireless device, a last known location of the Wi-Fi access point, the unique identifying information of other in-range Wi-Fi access points, and their respective signal strengths. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other information may be used and may vary based on an application or design in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As such, the information relating to the location of the Wi-Fi access point may be received by the asset tracking database directly or indirectly from one or more wireless devices that report their location as well as the unique identifying information of one or more Wi-Fi access points that they encounter.

The method may further include tracking the location of the Wi-Fi access point, and by relation, the asset itself, in the asset tracking database. The asset tracking database may maintain a record of reports relating to the Wi-Fi access point and receive or calculate an estimated location for the Wi-Fi access point, and by relation, the asset itself. This information may be stored in the asset tracking database as the estimated current location of the asset with any other information suitable for storing in the asset tracking database. As noted above, the asset tracking database may receive information that provides an estimate of a location of the Wi-Fi access point or information that may be used to estimate the location of the Wi-Fi access point using one or more of GPS determined locations, Wi-Fi access point locations and potentially associated signal strengths, trilateration, or triangulation. The method may further include providing a user access to information stored in the asset tracking database via a client portal. The client portal may include a software interface for querying and receiving information from the asset tracking database. The client portal may be part of the same computing system as that of the asset tracking database or a separate and distinct computing system or wireless device that connects to the asset tracking database over a network connection. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software instructions, when executed by a processor, may perform any of the above-noted methods.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a system for passive asset tracking with existing independent infrastructure may include a computing system having a central processing unit, a system memory, a network interface, and a storage device and a Wi-Fi access point disposed on, in, or otherwise attached to, a moveable asset to be tracked. An asset tracking database executing on the computing system may associate unique identifying information of the Wi-Fi access point with the asset. The asset tracking database may receive information relating to a location of the Wi-Fi access point identified by its unique identifying information transmitted as part of Wi-Fi wireless network discovery. The asset tracking database may track the location of the Wi-Fi access point and, by relation, the associated asset.

<FIG> shows a computing system <NUM> in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. One or more of asset tracking database (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>), Wi-Fi AP Database (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>), or client portal (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) may be software applications containing software instructions that, when executed by a processor of a computing system <NUM>, perform one or more of the above-noted methods. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a computing system <NUM> disclosed herein is merely exemplary of a computing system that may be used to execute any of the above-noted software and other computing systems well known in the art may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Computing system <NUM> may include one or more central processing units, sometimes referred to as processors (hereinafter referred to in the singular as "CPU" or plural as "CPUs") <NUM>, host bridge <NUM>, input/output ("IO") bridge <NUM>, graphics processing units (singular "GPU" or plural "GPUs") <NUM>, and/or application-specific integrated circuits (singular "ASIC or plural "ASICs") (not shown) disposed on one or more printed circuit boards (not shown) that perform computational operations. Each of the one or more CPUs <NUM>, GPUs <NUM>, or ASICs (not shown) may be a single-core (not independently illustrated) device or a multi-core (not independently illustrated) device. Multi-core devices typically include a plurality of cores (not shown) disposed on the same physical die (not shown) or a plurality of cores (not shown) disposed on multiple die (not shown) that are collectively disposed within the same mechanical package (not shown).

CPU <NUM> may be a general-purpose computational device typically configured to execute software instructions. CPU <NUM> may include an interface <NUM> to host bridge <NUM>, an interface <NUM> to system memory <NUM>, and an interface <NUM> to one or more IO devices, such as, for example, one or more GPUs <NUM>. GPU <NUM> may serve as a specialized computational device typically configured to perform graphics functions related to frame buffer manipulation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that GPU <NUM> may be used to perform non-graphics related functions that are computationally intensive. In certain embodiments, GPU <NUM> may interface <NUM> directly with CPU <NUM> (and interface <NUM> with system memory <NUM> through CPU <NUM>). In other embodiments, GPU <NUM> may interface <NUM> with host bridge <NUM> (and interface <NUM> or <NUM> with system memory <NUM> through host bridge <NUM> or CPU <NUM> depending on the application or design). In still other embodiments, GPU <NUM> may interface <NUM> with IO bridge <NUM> (and interface <NUM> or <NUM> with system memory <NUM> through host bridge <NUM> or CPU <NUM> depending on the application or design). The functionality of GPU <NUM> may be integrated, in whole or in part, with CPU <NUM>.

Host bridge <NUM> may be an interface device that interfaces between the one or more computational devices and IO bridge <NUM> and, in some embodiments, system memory <NUM>. Host bridge <NUM> may include an interface <NUM> to CPU <NUM>, an interface <NUM> to IO bridge <NUM>, for embodiments where CPU <NUM> does not include an interface <NUM> to system memory <NUM>, an interface <NUM> to system memory <NUM>, and for embodiments where CPU <NUM> does not include an integrated GPU <NUM> or an interface <NUM> to GPU <NUM>, an interface <NUM> to GPU <NUM>. The functionality of host bridge <NUM> may be integrated, in whole or in part, with CPU <NUM>. IO bridge <NUM> may be an interface device that interfaces between the one or more computational devices and various IO devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) and IO expansion, or add-on, devices (not independently illustrated). IO bridge <NUM> may include an interface <NUM> to host bridge <NUM>, one or more interfaces <NUM> to one or more IO expansion devices <NUM>, an interface <NUM> to keyboard <NUM>, an interface <NUM> to mouse <NUM>, an interface <NUM> to one or more local storage devices <NUM>, and an interface <NUM> to one or more network interface devices <NUM>. The functionality of IO bridge <NUM> may be integrated, in whole or in part, with CPU <NUM> and/or host bridge <NUM>. Each local storage device <NUM>, if any, may be a solid-state memory device, a solid-state memory device array, a hard disk drive, a hard disk drive array, or any other non-transitory computer readable medium. Network interface device <NUM> may provide one or more network interfaces including any network protocol suitable to facilitate networked communications.

Computing system <NUM> may include one or more network-attached storage devices <NUM> in addition to, or instead of, one or more local storage devices <NUM>. Each network-attached storage device <NUM>, if any, may be a solid-state memory device, a solid-state memory device array, a hard disk drive, a hard disk drive array, or any other non-transitory computer readable medium. Network-attached storage device <NUM> may or may not be collocated with computing system <NUM> and may be accessible to computing system <NUM> via one or more network interfaces provided by one or more network interface devices <NUM>.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that computing system <NUM> may be a conventional computing system or an application-specific computing system (not shown). In certain embodiments, an application-specific computing system (not shown) may include one or more ASICs (not shown) that perform one or more specialized functions in a more efficient manner. The one or more ASICs (not shown) may interface directly with CPU <NUM>, host bridge <NUM>, or GPU <NUM> or interface through IO bridge <NUM>. Alternatively, in other embodiments, an application-specific computing system (not shown) may be reduced to only those components necessary to perform a desired function in an effort to reduce one or more of chip count, printed circuit board footprint, thermal design power, and power consumption. The one or more ASICs (not shown) may be used instead of one or more of CPU <NUM>, host bridge <NUM>, IO bridge <NUM>, or GPU <NUM>. In such systems, the one or more ASICs may incorporate sufficient functionality to perform certain network and computational functions in a minimal footprint with substantially fewer component devices.

As such, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that CPU <NUM>, host bridge <NUM>, IO bridge <NUM>, GPU <NUM>, or ASIC (not shown) or a subset, superset, or combination of functions or features thereof, may be integrated, distributed, or excluded, in whole or in part, based on an application, design, or form factor in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the description of computing system <NUM> is merely exemplary and not intended to limit the type, kind, or configuration of component devices that constitute a computing system <NUM> suitable for executing software methods in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding the above, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that computing system <NUM> may be a standalone, laptop, desktop, industrial, server, blade, or rack mountable system and may vary based on an application or design.

Advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the following:.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure allows for passively tracking moveable assets by one or more potentially unrelated wireless devices that are in-range of assets broadcasting Wi-Fi signals even though the wireless device, or user thereof, may not even know they are participating in the asset tracking task. In this way, every smartphone in the vicinity of an asset that is desired to be tracked may, anonymously, and without awareness, participate in the asset tracking task.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure leverage already existing devices, systems, and networks to passively track the location of assets without requiring the asset itself to have any connectivity to the Internet or other network connection.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure uses one or more Wi-Fi access points, that do not require connectivity to any particular network, to identify one or more assets in the field using Wi-Fi wireless network discovery and Wi-Fi access point reporting features of modern smartphones and location services to passively identify the location of the one or more assets. The moveable assets may be passively tracked by one or more wireless devices that may be independent and unrelated whenever any one or more of the wireless devices merely come into range of an asset associated with a Wi-Fi access point broadcasting Wi-Fi signals, without any intent or awareness on the part of the wireless device, or user thereof, that they are participating in the asset tracking task due to the nature of the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure leverages existing infrastructure inherent in smartphones, operating systems, and software applications to report their location as well as the unique identifying information of Wi-Fi access points they encounter for improving the accuracy of location-based services for the asset tracking task without their awareness.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure uses the Wi-Fi wireless network discovery protocol as well as the Wi-Fi access point reporting feature of smartphones to passively track assets associated with Wi-Fi access points by one or more wireless devices without requiring that the wireless devices associate with any particular Wi-Fi access point, using publicly accessibly Wi-Fi signals, and in passive scanning applications, completely anonymously with respect to the asset tracking task.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure, a Wi-Fi access point associated with an asset does not require any connectivity to the Internet or any other network connection and does not require a GPS receiver, relying instead on the one or more wireless devices to report the time, date, and relative location of the in-range Wi-Fi access point associated with the asset.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure, an asset tracking database receives unique information identifying and information relating to the location of one or more Wi-Fi access points received directly or indirectly from one or more wireless devices or a Wi-Fi AP Database. The location of the asset may be tracked in the asset tracking database by the location of the Wi-Fi access point.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure may use a Wi-Fi access point that allows for the assignment of alternative meanings to various parts of the beacon frame or probe response corresponding to attributes of the Wi-Fi access point or asset physically and logically associated with it.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure reduces theft by providing a trackable asset without conventional asset tracking hardware or software systems. If the perpetrator of the theft moves a trackable asset within range of any one or more wireless devices, the discovery of the Wi-Fi access point will be reported, and the asset tracking database will be able to locate the associated asset without the perpetrator knowing that the asset has been tracked.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for passive asset tracking with existing infrastructure substantially reduces the complexity and cost associated with deploying a comprehensive asset tracking system. As opposed to conventional asset tracking systems, one or more wireless devices, which may be completely independent of and unrelated to the asset tracking task, serve as the tracking infrastructure.

Claim 1:
A method of passive asset tracking comprising:
associating, in an asset tracking database (<NUM>), unique identifying information of a Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>) with a moveable asset to be tracked,
wherein the Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>) is disposed on, attached to, or integrated with the moveable asset, and
wherein the Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>) broadcasts the unique identifying information in a beacon frame or probe response frame as part of Wi-Fi wireless network discovery;
receiving, in the asset tracking database (<NUM>), information relating to a location of the Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>) encountered by a wireless device (<NUM>),
wherein the information comprises one or more of information relating to a GPS location of the reporting wireless device (<NUM>), a last known location of the Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>), or information relating to other in-range Wi-Fi access points, and their respective signal strengths,
wherein the information is received directly or indirectly from the wireless device (<NUM>) that reports its location and the unique identifying information of the Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>) encountered, and
wherein the wireless device (<NUM>) is not required to associate with the Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>) encountered;
determining, at the asset tracking database (<NUM>), a location of the moveable asset to be tracked based, at least in part, on the location of the Wi-Fi access point (<NUM>) as proxy for the location of the moveable asset to be tracked; and
providing, via the asset tracking database (<NUM>), a user access to information relating to the location of the moveable asset to be tracked.