Systems and methods for active supply chain monitoring

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems for tracking an asset are provided. In particular, a device is provided that includes an array of sensors and communications modules configured to detect tracking information, including environmental conditions and physical events, and report the tracking information along with a geographical location of the device to a control server across a wireless network. Upon receiving the tracking information, the control server interprets the information and generates tracking reports for the device configured to be displayed to a graphical user interface of a third-party communication device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tracking device, comprising:
 a housing having an electronics receiving cavity;   a battery disposed at least partially within the electronics receiving cavity of the housing and in a first plane parallel to a surface of the housing;   a first communications antenna configured to emit radio signals in a first frequency range, the first communications antenna disposed at least partially within the housing and in the first plane; and   a second communications antenna configured to emit radio signals in a second frequency range, the second communications antenna disposed at least partially within the housing and in the first plane, wherein a portion of the battery is disposed in a space between the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna, wherein the portion of the battery interrupts a radio frequency signal path between the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna.   
     
     
         2 . The tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the battery includes stacked layers of anode and cathode material, and wherein the stacked layers form a shield blocking radio frequency interference between the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the battery has an electromagnetic field surrounding a portion of the battery, and wherein the electromagnetic field interrupts the radio frequency signal path between the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna are mounted to a first side of a substantially planar printed circuit board. 
     
     
         5 . The tracking device of  claim 4 , wherein the printed circuit board is configured as an L-shaped board, the first communications antenna being attached adjacent to a first end of the L-shaped board and the second communications antenna being attached adjacent to a second end of the L-shaped board diagonally opposite the first end. 
     
     
         6 . The tracking device of  claim 5 , wherein the first communications antenna is mounted in an orientation orthogonal to an orientation of the second communications antenna. 
     
     
         7 . The tracking device of  claim 6 , wherein the first frequency range includes at least one frequency within the second frequency range. 
     
     
         8 . The tracking device of  claim 7 , wherein the first communications antenna is a global system for mobile (GSM) communication systems antenna. 
     
     
         9 . The tracking device of  claim 8 , wherein the second communications antenna is a global positioning system (GPS) antenna. 
     
     
         10 . The tracking device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one radio frequency shield disposed in the space between the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna.   
     
     
         11 . The tracking device of  claim 10 , wherein the housing is a substantially rectangular three-dimensional shape, and wherein the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna are mounted in opposing corners of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . A tracking unit, comprising:
 a split-housing including a cover interconnected with a base;   an electrical subassembly disposed within the split-housing, the electrical subassembly comprising:
 a printed circuit board; 
 a battery electrically interconnected to the printed circuit board; 
 a first communications antenna configured to emit radio signals at a first frequency, the first communications antenna attached to the printed circuit board; 
 a second communications antenna configured to emit radio signals at a second frequency, the second communications antenna attached to the printed circuit board, wherein a portion of the battery is disposed in a space between the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna, and wherein the portion of the battery interrupts a radio frequency signal path between the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna. 
   
     
     
         13 . The tracking unit of  claim 12 , wherein the cover and the base are interconnected with one another via at least one fastening element and a sealing element. 
     
     
         14 . The tracking unit of  claim 13 , wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are within 100 MHz of each other. 
     
     
         15 . The tracking unit of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor connected to the printed circuit board and configured to measure and record a temperature of the tracking unit.   
     
     
         16 . The tracking unit of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a pressure sensor connected to the printed circuit board and configured to measure and record a pressure of an environment surrounding the tracking unit.   
     
     
         17 . The tracking unit of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a light sensor connected to the printed circuit board and configured to measure and record an ambient light level surrounding at least a portion of the tracking unit.   
     
     
         18 . The tracking unit of  claim 17 , wherein the light sensor is one of a photodiode, phototransistor, or phototransistor. 
     
     
         19 . The tracking unit of  claim 17 , wherein the first communications antenna and the second communications antenna are mounted at opposing corners of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         20 . A printed circuit board assembly for a tracking device, comprising:
 a substantially planar L-shaped substrate having a first portion running in a first direction and a second portion running in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein a first communications antenna configured to emit radio signals in a first frequency range is attached to the first portion, wherein a second communications antenna configured to emit radio signals in a second frequency range is attached to the second portion, wherein the first communications antenna is mounted in an transmitting orientation orthogonal to a transmitting orientation of the second communications antenna, wherein the first communications antenna is separated from the second communications antenna by an open space disposed between the first and second portions of the substantially planar L-shaped substrate, and wherein the open space is sized to receive a substantially planar battery.