Portable object detection systems and methods for mutual monitoring based on cooperation in a network including devices with asymmetric and constrained power capacities

Abstract

This disclosure provides a portable object detection system and method. The system includes a first cluster network, a family cluster network, and a detection server. The first cluster network includes a portable object coupled with a small communication device (SCD), a first cluster head device (first CHD) including a smartphone that registers the SCD prior to monitoring, and performs mutual monitoring between the SCD and the first CHD. The detection server manages the first CHD and a second CHD, and when the detection server receives a loss event from the first CHD in the first cluster network, it requests a mutual search by the second CHD for the SCD as a lost target in the first cluster network. The mutual monitoring in a first cluster network adjusts a message transmission interval and a radio transmission power depending on collected parameters such as the SCD's location information, mobility, power capacity, and others.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A small communication device (SCD) for coupling with a portable object, the SCD comprising:
 at least one radio-frequency (RF) unit and a baseband unit for wireless communication with a cluster head device (CHD);   a memory unit storing computer-executable instructions;   at least one sensor;   at least one actuator;   an input/output interface unit;   a power unit; and   a processor unit in communication with the memory and configured to execute the instructions to:   receive approximate global information data from the CHD;   update local information data stored in the memory of the SCD to include the received approximate global information data from the CHD;   prepare a pull message to share the updated local information data with the CHD and any other small communication devices connected in a cluster network with the CHD; and   send the previously prepared pull message to the CHD by adjusting a previously determined basic transmission interval and radio wave power when an estimated time of a detected loss or theft condition does not exceed a limit time.   
     
     
         9 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the approximate global information data includes a local timestamp, a next wakeup timestamp, a sync timestamp, a location, a directional mobility, and a retention power. 
     
     
         10 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to verify whether a cluster radius measured from the CHD and centered on the SCD exceeds a previously determined limit distance. 
     
     
         11 . The small communication device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a possibility of loss or theft condition when the measured cluster radius exceeds the previously determined limit distance. 
     
     
         12 . The small communication device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a possibility of a safety condition against loss or theft when the measured cluster radius does not exceed the previously determined limit distance. 
     
     
         13 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a possibility of loss or theft condition when the SCD is detected as moving in an opposite direction as the CHD and is exceeding a previously determined mobility limit. 
     
     
         14 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a safety condition against loss or theft when the SCD is detected as moving in a same direction as the CHD and is within a previously determined mobility limit. 
     
     
         15 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a possibility of loss or theft condition when a detected retention power of the CHD is less than a previously determined power limit. 
     
     
         16 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a safety condition against loss or theft when a detected retention power of the CHD is greater than a previously determined power limit. 
     
     
         17 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein when an estimated time of a detected loss or theft condition of the CHD exceeds a previously determined limit time, the processor is configured to generate an alert. 
     
     
         18 . The small communication device of  claim 17 , wherein the alert includes at least one of a warning message, a vibration, an alert sound, and a warning light. 
     
     
         19 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein when an estimated time of a detected loss or theft condition of the CHD exceeds a previously determined limit time, the processor is configured to generate an alert search for and connect to an adjacent CHD. 
     
     
         20 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein when an estimated time of a detected loss or theft condition of the CHD exceeds a previously determined limit time, the processor is configured to increase an output power of the SCD. 
     
     
         21 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein when an estimated time of a detected loss or theft condition of the CHD exceeds a previously determined limit time, the processor is configured to maintain a previous radio power status by sending a pull message to the CHD. 
     
     
         22 . The small communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to wake up the SCD for a synchronization when a sync timestamp is matched within a range of a current local time stamp and a clock drift.