Satellite Based Tracking and Data Device with Multi-Function Radio Frequency Interface

Abstract

A remote monitoring device is described that includes a microprocessor, a location determination unit connected to the microprocessor and operable to determine a location of the remote monitoring device. One or more interfaces connect the microprocessor to one or more sensors, wherein the one or more interfaces includes a multi-function radio frequency interface to communicate with wireless sensors. A radio frequency identification (RFID) interface interacts with RFID readers using the multi-function radio frequency interface, and a configuration interface to allow a user to configure the monitoring device also uses the multi-function radio frequency interface. The monitoring device uses a transmitter to transmit the location, status and collected information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A remote monitoring device comprising:
 a microprocessor;   one or more interfaces connecting the microprocessor to one or more sensors collecting information, wherein the one or more interfaces includes a multi-function radio frequency interface to communicate with wireless sensors;   a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface to interact with RFID readers using the multi-function radio frequency interface, the RFID interface transmitting an electronic serial number (ESN) when activated;   a configuration interface to allow a user to configure the monitoring device using the multi-function radio frequency interface; and   a motion sensor connected to the microprocessor, wherein the RFID interface transmits the ESN at intervals for a predetermined period when movement of the remote monitoring device is detected by the motion sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more interfaces includes a wireless interface. 
     
     
         3 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more interfaces includes a wired interface. 
     
     
         4 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 1  wherein the location determination unit is a GPS unit. 
     
     
         5 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more internal sensors monitoring the condition of the remote monitoring device. 
     
     
         6 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 1  further comprising a transmitter to transmit the location, status and collected information. 
     
     
         7 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 6  wherein the transmitter is a satellite transmitter. 
     
     
         8 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 6  wherein the transmitter is a cellular transmitter. 
     
     
         9 . A system for monitoring conditions at remote locations comprising:
 a plurality of remote monitoring devices, each remote monitoring device comprising:
 a microprocessor; 
 a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface to interact with RFID readers using the multi-function radio frequency interface, the RFID interface transmitting an electronic serial number (ESN) when activated; 
 one or more interfaces connecting the microprocessor to one or more sensors collecting information, wherein the one or more interfaces includes a multi-function radio frequency interface to communicate with wireless sensors; 
 a motion sensor connected to the microprocessor, wherein the RFID interface transmits the ESN at intervals for a predetermined period when movement of the remote monitoring device is detected by the motion sensor; and 
 a transmitter to transmit the location, status and collected information; and 
   a central monitoring station sending configuration and control signals to each of the remote monitoring devices, and receiving data collected by each of the remote monitoring devices.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein one or more remote monitoring devices further comprises a location determination unit connected to the microprocessor and operable to determine a location of the remote monitoring device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein one or more remote monitoring devices further comprises a configuration interface to allow a user to configure the monitoring device using the multi-function radio frequency interface. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the one or more interfaces connecting the microprocessor to one or more sensors includes both a wired interface and a wireless interface. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein one or more remote monitoring devices includes a power management scheme to reduce power consumption in the remote monitoring device by turning off unused components. 
     
     
         14 . A remote monitoring device comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a location determination unit connected to the microprocessor and operable to determine a location of the remote monitoring device;   one or more interfaces connecting the microprocessor to one or more sensors collecting information, wherein the one or more interfaces includes a multi-function radio frequency interface to communicate with wireless sensors;   a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface to interact with RFID readers using the multi-function radio frequency interface, the RFID interface transmitting an electronic serial number (ESN) when activated;   a motion sensor connected to the microprocessor, wherein the RFID interface transmits the ESN at intervals for a predetermined period when movement of the remote monitoring device is detected by the motion sensor; and   a transmitter to transmit the location, status and collected information.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the remote monitoring device can conserve battery life by entering into a low power state where each of the location determination unit, the one or more interfaces, and the transmitter are disabled, and wherein the remote monitoring device can operate to enable each of the location determination unit, the one or more interfaces, and the transmitter individually only as required perform required actions. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein one or more remote monitoring devices further comprises a configuration interface to allow a user to configure the monitoring device using the multi-function radio frequency interface wherein the configuration interface can be disabled to conserve power and enabled only to perform required actions. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the one or more interfaces connecting the microprocessor to one or more sensors includes both a wired interface and a wireless interface. 
     
     
         18 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 14  wherein the transmitter is a satellite transmitter. 
     
     
         19 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 14  wherein the transmitter is a cellular transmitter. 
     
     
         20 . The remote monitoring device of  claim 14  further comprising one or more internal sensors monitoring the condition of the remote monitoring device.