System and method for tracking assets within a monitored environment

Abstract

A system associates change in the state of an asset to an event trigger within a monitored environment. This environment includes a plurality of assets and a tag transmitter positioned on each asset and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in location of the asset. A plurality of spaced apart access points receive an RF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter. A processor is operatively connected to the access points and collect possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for associating change in the state of an asset to an event trigger within a monitored environment, comprising:
 a plurality of assets;   a tag transmitter positioned on each asset and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in the location of the asset;   a plurality of spaced apart access points positioned at known locations within the monitored environment that receive a RF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter; and   a processor operatively connected to said access points, wherein said processor is operative for collecting possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one sensor within the monitored environment and operative with the tag transmitter for sensing an event related to change in state of an asset and transmitting data to one of at least a tag transmitter and access point. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , and further comprising an interrogator positioned within the monitored environment and operative for interrogating a tag transmitter to begin transmission. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said monitored environment comprises a rental car lot. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said monitored environment comprises a cargo container terminal. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said monitored environment comprise a marine terminal. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said processor is operative for geolocating a tag transmitter. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said processor is operative for correlating a signal as a first-to-arrive signal and conducting differentiation of first-to-arrive signals. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said processor is operative for reporting the candidate associated with an event trigger when its numerical score is above a predetermined minimum numerical score. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said processor is operative for reporting the candidate with the event trigger that has the highest numerical score. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said processor is operative for waiting a predetermined time if the numerical score is not above a minimum numerical score and reporting the candidate associated with the specific event trigger having the best numerical score below the minimum numerical score. 
     
     
         12 . A system for associating change in the state of a cargo container to an event trigger within a cargo container terminal, comprising:
 a plurality of cargo containers;   a tag transmitter positioned on each cargo container and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in the location of the cargo container within the terminal;   a plurality of spaced apart access points positioned at known locations within the terminal that receive a RF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter; and   a processor operatively connected to said access points wherein said processor is operative for collecting possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , and further comprising at least one sensor within the terminal and operative with the tag transmitter for sensing an event related to change in state of a cargo container and transmitting data to one of at least a tag transmitter and access point. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , and further comprising container handling equipment on which said sensor is mounted. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , and further comprising an interrogator positioned at the terminal and operative for interrogating a tag transmitter to begin transmission. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said processor is operative for geolocating a tag transmitter. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said processor is operative for correlating a signal as a first-to-arrive signal and conducting differentiation of first-to-arrive signals. 
     
     
         18 . A method for associating change in state of an asset to a specific event in a monitored environment having a plurality of assets to be tracked, which comprises:
 generating an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in location of the asset to indicate the gain or loss of an asset within the monitored environment;   collecting possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger; and   assigning a numerical score to each candidate to which asset is best associated with the event trigger.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the event trigger comprises a loader picking up a container among a plurality of containers. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the event trigger comprises an exit lane of a rectal car lot detecting the presence of a vehicle for automated check-out.