Location monitoring and transmitting device, method, and computer program product using a simplex satellite transmitter

Abstract

A device, method, and computer program product for monitoring and transmitting a location and a local status of a remote device using a simplex satellite transmitter. The monitoring device includes a position location unit, a simplex satellite transmitter, a power source, and a controller. The position location unit is configured to determine a location of the remote device. The simplex satellite transmitter is configured to transmit the location to one or more satellites in low earth orbit. The controller includes a power management unit configured to control a power state of the position location unit and the simplex satellite transmitter, and to periodically enable and disable power from the power source to the position location unit and the simplex satellite transmitter.

1 - 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A monitoring device configured to monitor a remote status of mobile assets, comprising: 
 a position location unit configured to determine a location of a remote device;    a simplex satellite transmitter configured to transmit the location to one or more satellites in low earth orbit;    a power source;    a controller including a state detection unit configured to detect a change of state; and    a power management unit configured to control a power state of the position location unit and the simplex satellite transmitter, and to periodically enable and disable power from the power source to the position location unit and the simplex satellite transmitter, wherein    the power management unit is further configured to disable power and then enable power on a first interval schedule,    the controller is further configured to control the position location unit to determine the location and to control the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit the location based on the first interval schedule, and    the controller, upon detection of state change by the state detection unit, is configured to disable power and then to enable power on a second interval schedule.    
   
   
       38 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the position location unit comprises a GPS receiver subsystem.  
   
   
       39 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the power source comprises a battery.  
   
   
       40 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein each of the one or more satellites operates as a bent-pipe relay device.  
   
   
       41 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller further comprises: 
 an external interface having at least one of a plurality of alarm inputs, a configuration interface configured to receive modifications to configuration parameters, and an external data unit configured to receive external data,    wherein the power management unit is further configured to control a power state of the external interface and to periodically enable and disable power from the power source to the external interface.    
   
   
       42 . The monitoring device of  claim 41 , wherein the controller is configured to detect at least one of the plurality of alarm inputs, and upon detection of an alarm input, to control the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit alarm data.  
   
   
       43 . The monitoring device of  claim 41 , wherein the controller is configured to detect at least one of the plurality of alarm inputs, and upon detection of an alarm input, to enable power to the simplex satellite transmitter and the position location unit, and to control the position location unit to determine the location and the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit the location and the alarm data.  
   
   
       44 . The monitoring device of  claim 41 , wherein the controller is configured to detect at least one of the plurality of alarm inputs, and upon detection of an alarm input, to enable power to the external interface.  
   
   
       45 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller is configured to detect modifications to a predetermined set of configuration parameters, and upon detection of modifications to one of the predetermined set of configuration parameters, to modify operation in accordance with the modified configuration parameters.  
   
   
       46 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller is configured to detect external data from an external data unit, and upon detection of external data, to control the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit the external data.  
   
   
       47 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller is configured to queue transmissions to the simplex satellite transmitter and to control the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit the queued transmissions as a block to reduce on-air traffic.  
   
   
       48 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller is configured to control the simplex satellite transmitter to periodically transmit a health status of the remote device.  
   
   
       49 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller is configured to control the position location unit to determine the location and the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit the location upon detection by the state detection unit of motion.  
   
   
       50 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller is configured to control the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit a first state change detection message upon a detection by the state detection unit of a first state change followed by a second state change.  
   
   
       51 . The monitoring device of  claim 50 , wherein the controller is configured to control the simplex satellite transmitter to transmit a second state change message upon detection by the state detection unit of the second state change followed by the first state change.  
   
   
       52 . A method for monitoring a remote status of mobile assets, comprising: 
 a) determining a location of a remote device;    b) transmitting the location using a simplex satellite transmitter to one or more satellites in low earth orbit;    c) receiving at least one of a plurality of alarm inputs, configuration parameters, and external data from an external data unit;    d) managing power to periodically perform steps a)-c) on a first interval schedule, wherein the managing step comprises:    detecting a change of state, and upon detection of the change of state, managing power to periodically perform steps a)-c) on a second interval schedule.    
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising: 
 e) transmitting the alarm data using the simplex satellite transmitter to one or more satellites in low earth orbit upon receiving at least one of the plurality of alarm inputs.    
   
   
       54 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller is configured to detect at least one of the plurality of alarm inputs, and upon detection of an alarm input, to enable or disable an alternate interval schedule for transmit of information.  
   
   
       55 . The monitoring device of  claim 37 , further comprising an external interface for communicating with one or more devices.  
   
   
       56 . The monitoring device of  claim 55 , wherein the power management unit is further configured to control a power state of the external interface and to periodically enable and disable power from the power source to the external interface.