CA2863736A1 - Apparatus, system and method of outdoor geolocation and identification that uses distributed short-range communication subsystem in the context of trucking transportation operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and a method is described for outdoor geolocation of predetermined mobile assets such as trucks and trailers. The system comprises a centralized database, a mobile controller mounted in a mobile vehicle, and a plurality of outdoor identity devices (RFID
tags) associated with a respective one of mobile asset. The mobile controller has a communication link with a centralized database, an identity devices detector, a global positioning system device (GPS) and an optional user interface computer with navigation guidance and assets information display. The centralized database uses the communication link with the mobile controller to gather the outdoor identity devices detections. Stored information is used for the real-time tracking management of the assets through locations and time. The mobile assets are likely truck trailers equipped with unpowered identity devices in order to allow fleet management, maintenance and follow-up.

Description

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OUTDOOR GEOLO CATION AND
IDENTIFICATION THAT USES DISTRIBUTED SHORT-RANGE
COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM IN THE CONTEXT OF TRUCKING
TRANSPORTATION OPERATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus, system and method providing geolocation of unpowered assets such as truck trailers, and also provides relevant use data of this trailer for fleet maintenance and follow-up.
Description of the Related Art Global position systems (GPS) are useful for helping a driver to navigate and guide himself to specific destination following a given route. The GPS receives navigation signals from three or more satellites in geosynchronous orbit around the earth. Using the navigation signals, the GPS calculates its position and its speed. The GPS may also calculate a direction of travel.
The GPS may display the drivers's current location and/or destination. The driver can use the information provided by the GPS to navigate to its destination.
Unfortunately, the GPS operation requires power to operate. In the use case of a truck and a trailer, the GPS provides position of this truck and not of the trailer itself. If trailer position is required, classic system solutions would provide a GPS-based device that must be either battery powered or connected to the power of the truck. In the event of a battery powered device, if the battery gets depleted the system gets inoperative. If the device is powered by the truck, then it is inoperative if the trailer is not hooked-up to a truck or a source of power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Following the prior discussion, there is a need for an apparatus, system and method to geolocate outdoor positions using distributed short-range communication subsystem with unpowered tags, in conjunction with the GPS, for trucking transportation operation.
Beneficially, such an apparatus, system and method would provide assets locations, mileage and truck pairing information with a maintenance-free communication sub-system.
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available fleet management tools using solely the GPS
technology.
Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, a system, and a method for providing geolocation positions and truck pairing information that overcome the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. The combination of the use of distributed short-range communication system (RFID tags), Global Positioning System (GPS) and realtime datalink allow tracking of assets that are not equipped with any power source such as truck trailer frame.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for outdoor geolocation of predetermined mobile assets. The system comprises a centralized database, a mobile controller mounted in a mobile vehicle, and a plurality of outdoor identity devices associated with a respective one of the mobile asset, likely a truck trailer. The mobile controller has an optional user interface computer and a navigation software for guidance to the identity devices and a communication means to identify the identity devices. The centralized database has a communication link with the mobile controller for the transmission of instructions thereto and to gather detections of the identity devices.
More specifically as described in the previous paragraph, the outdoor mobile assets are likely truck trailers inside a fleet. The mobile vehicle is likely a truck tractor.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for outdoor geolocation and tracking of predetermined mobile assets. The method comprises the steps of providing a centralized database. The method further provides a mobile vehicle, likely a truck tractor, with a controller mounted therein and having a

2 communication link with the centralized database. The method still further comprises mounting an outdoor identity device at each of the mobile asset, the said identity devices having stored therein unique identification information. This identification information is extracted by RF communication, stored and transmitted to the centralized database. The mobile controller is further provided with an optional user interface computer. The mobile assets are then located and tracked for maintenance, follow-up and management purpose.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more detailed description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to components structure that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical content of the components of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of the main components parts of the system of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the system and provides more details; and Figure 3 is a partly schematic and partly block diagram of an example of truck freight transportation operation using identity devices and the system and method of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Briefly, the system is composed, but not limited to, of the following main components: a Global Database, some or many Identity Devices, a Datalink, and a Mobile Controller.
The Global Database component is a centralized database containing but not exclusively the following items. It contains Asset information such as: company asset ID, the Identity Device unique ID and the time stamped GPS positions updated through the Datalink.
Various web or enterprise software can access these information. It also contains Mobile Controllers realtime positions and Identity Devices readings (current and past) along with the status of attached mobile Asset, likely a truck trailer. Moreover processing the past GPS

3 time stamps and positions of the mobile Assets can provide the compiled mileage done by the mobile Asset to the administrator.
The Identity Device component is made from a passive UHF RFID inlay, a polymer plastic weather-resistant pouch and a custom label. Each tag has a unique RFID inlay with unique ID. Also the RFID inlay comprises a specific field to each trucking transportation company.
Currently, the frequency of operation of this inlay is with the band of 902-928 MHz, with a frequency hopping scheme. This band might also be 865-868 Mhz for European market, or any other allowed frequency for such an apparatus depending of the tag technology.
The Datalink component is accomplished with the use of existing cellular link Internet network, as GPRS, 3G, 4G LTE or the equivalent. This Datalink securely connects each Mobile Controller and a central computer, on which the Global Database is stored and maintained. Periodically and upon request, the Global Database is fed with new time stamped position of the Mobile Controller along with the current mobile Asset attached (if any).
The Mobile Controller component is installed on the mobile vehicle, likely a truck tractor.
The Mobile Controller is equipped with classic geolocating capabilities, such as GPS. It is also equipped with proximity short range tags reader to read and detect Identity Devices.
There is also apparatus to support communication to Internet network through Datalink, such as cellular, GPRS, 3G, 4G LTE or the equivalent. The Mobile Controller might also be equipped with user interface computer, such as a tablet, laptop, or the equivalent that contains data storage to save a delayed partial or complete copy of the Global Database, which is named Local Database.
Reference numeral 100, the Asset is a valuable moving piece of equipment such as a truck trailer in the freight transportation operation context.
Reference numeral 101, the RFID Tags is the technological support of communicating an unique ID only in short range distance to the Mobile Controller, thus providing a mean of identify the asset's current location and identification.

4 Reference numeral 102, the Mobile Controller is the sum of technological means for positioning the utility vehicle and to provide relevant information to the administrator. It integrates many currently available possible means of positioning (like GPS, RFID Tags and Inertial Navigation System) and returns to the administrator the most accurate position and asset identification depending on the best data available from these.
Reference numeral 103, the Proximity RF Tag Reader is one or many devices incorporating antenna(s) and the related embedded electronic hardware that handles and initiates the communication with the Identity Devices when in the immediate vicinity of the operator.
Reference numeral 104, the Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Compass are the devices that provide and return time varying information of measured acceleration on X, Y
and Z axis, measured rotation moment as well as the angle relative to the magnetic north of earth to INS (105).
Reference numeral 105, the Inertial Position & Bearing Integrator (INS) is the software function of time integrating the information provided by (104) to compute the current position and bearing offset to update (109).
Reference numeral 106, the User Interface Computer is a touch screen device that allows the operator to visualize his vehicle position on the map and also to get relevant informa-tion to accomplish its run. This User Interface Computer is optional.
Reference numeral 107, the GPS Receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by geosynchronous satellites above the earth. It sends absolute position of the vehicle and return raw information to the GPS Position / Angle Producer software module (110).
Reference numeral 108, the Display Manager is a software module in the Mobile Controller that controls and manages display and interface control available to the operator. This software package is optional along with the User Interface Computer display.

5 Reference numeral 109, the Integral Positioning Function & Kernel is the main software module that comprises an algorithm integrating all current and available information from (105), (111) and (110) and also produces the current most accurate position possible and return it to (108) for update.
Reference numeral 110, the GPS Position / Angle Producer is a software module that manages data received from the GPS Receiver (107) to get the NMEA information and to link it the to map and bearing position (109).
Reference numeral 111, the Tag Detection Sweeper is a software module that manages the sweeping power of the Proximity RF Tag Reader (103) used to wake-up RFID Tags (101) and initiate communication.
Reference numeral 112, the Local Database contains a copy of the Global Database (117) which is needed to associate position of the Asset with local position, and to give the operation context (like street maps, truck and trailer assignments, position of the RFID Tags (101) and their unique ID, last position of the other vehicles if applicable, mileage, etc).
Reference numeral 113, the Database Updater makes a periodic copy of the Local Database (112) information through the Datalink (114). Thus allowing information exchange between the operator vehicle, administration console, and other vehicles. In the event of a communication lost the operation can resume and continue without disturbance based on the last information received.
Reference numeral 114, the Datalink and 16, the Internet Network allows through a RF
modem such as cellular, GPRS, 3G, 4G LTE or the equivalent communication between the Mobile Controller (102) and the Global Database (117). An encryption layer is added to the communication to insure business privacy.
Reference numeral 115, the Administration Server is the server that provides information to the Mobile Controller (102) and allows the management of the vehicles and Assets, the

6 route and the client information though the administration interface (118).
The information is kept on a Global Database (117).
Reference numeral 117, the Global Database contains all the business information (client names, billing adresses, client locations, operators, assets ID, etc.) In a case of an optional User Interface Computer, some of these are transferred periodically to provide instructions to the operator through a copy in Local Database (112), namely:
ID of the Identity Tags (101) and their positions Current Mobile Controller positions and tags readings Latest outdoor map sized to have all Asset and Mobile Controller (102) within it.
Latest Asset and Mobile Controller (102) assignments and dispatch.
Reference numeral 118, the Administration Interface is the software server application that provides management interface to the administrator in regards of these information:
Position and progress of one or many Mobile Controllers (102) Management vehicles and Assets planned route and the operator assignment Management of the vehicles, asset's maintenance, business and technical information Financial and client information (CRM Customer Relationship Management) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description of various embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specificity of the invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without changing the scope of the present invention.
All Assets, as referred to 100, are equipped with Identity Devices. These Assets are for example, but not limited to, truck trailers, containers, trucks and associated pieces of equipment, rolling stock, etc.

7 Identity Devices, as referred to 101, are unique tags currently made with an UHF RFID
inlay, a plastic protective pocket and a label. The construction of these tags may vary upon availability and market pricing of existing UHF RFID Tags. This RFID inlay is compliant with EPC Class 1 Generation 2 international standard for such equipment.
(Electronic Product Code). This RFID system can be classified as an Active Reader Passive Tag (ARPT) system. The active reader inside the Mobile Controller transmits interrogator signals and also receives authentication replies from passive tags. Each RFID
inlay has embedded memory, which allows storage of unique ID, as well as specific custom parameters, such as location, customer ID, type of tags, transportation company unique ID, etc.
The Mobile Controller, as referred to 102, gathers all the means of positioning the vehicle (Identity Devices detections through the Proximity RF Tag Reader, GPS, Inertial Navigation) and produces along with the Local Database a navigation map that includes the driver's assigned Assets and routes (optional with User Interface Computer display).
The Proximity RF Tag Reader, as referred to 103, is part of the Mobile Controller. This Proximity RF Tag Reader is an UHF RFID device made to communicate with UHF
RFID
inlays in Identity Tags. This device is emitting power and control data to start communication with inlays in line of sight and within a short distance range, in the order of 5-8 meters. The reader gets inlay memory content and sends received data to the software module named Tag Detection Sweeper, referred as 111. This software module manages the power of the Proximity RF Tag Reader in a sweeping scheme. This sweeping scheme gives a rough estimate about the distance between the reader and the tags since the radiation power of an RF device decreases to the inverse square of the distance. This software module also manages other aspects of the Proximity RF Tag Reader to intercept tags in a constant manner without any interference or disruption.
The Mobile Controller (102) comprises motion sensors that are embedded or external to measure acceleration, rotation moment and orientation relatively to the magnetic north.
These sensors are accelerometers, gyroscope and compass, as referred to 104.
These sensors provide raw data to the Inertial position & bearing integrator (INS) software module, referred as 105. This software module continuously computes dead reckoning

8 navigation of position, orientation and velocity of the Mobile Controller without the need of external references, like GPS signals from satellites. The dead reckoning navigation provides guidance in order to compensate the lack of GPS signal from any disruption. The INS navigation has however important limitations due to integration drift error. This navigation method is a backup and provide good indications between known positions.
The operator optionally controls the Mobile Controller (102) through the use of an User Interface Computer display, as referred to 106. This display is managed (if equipped with) with Display manager software module (108). The display shows all relevant information to help the operator to navigate and to manage Assets (100) during a transportation run. It shows road maps, assigned routes, customers ID, special notes, vehicle maintenance information, etc.
The Mobile Controller (102) comprises a GPS receiver, as referred to 107. This GPS
receiver is either embedded or external to the Mobile Controller itself. It transmits raw position data to the GPS position / angle producer software module, as referred to 110. This software module manages data from the GPS receiver to get the position, velocity and orientation data in order to link them to the map, routes and assignments.
The Mobile Controller (102) has a Datalink, as referred to 114. This Datalink is a cellular link connected to the Internet network, and to the centralized Global Database, as referred to 117. Datalink is using existing technology for remote data transmission, such as cellular network GPRS, 3G, 4G LTE or any equivalent data network. The Datalink is encrypted using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) or equivalent encryption algorithm to protect privacy of data exchanges.
The Administration console, as referred to 115, comprises the Global Database (117) and an Administration interface, as referred to 118. This software module is the central management tool intended to the administrator of the system. It comprises Vehicle Management module, Route management module, Finance management module and finally, but not limited to, Client management module. The Administration interface allows access to the position and the progress of the fleet of Mobile Controllers. It is also the center component to manage and display customer information, know as CRM
(Customer Relationship Management).

9 It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodiments described herein, provided such improvements fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (4)

CLAIMS:

1. A system for outdoor geolocation of predetermined mobile assets, said system comprising a centralized database, a mobile controller mounted in a mobile vehicle, and a plurality of outdoor identity devices associated with a respective one of the mobile asset; said mobile controller having an optional user interface computer and a navigation software for guidance to said identity devices and an identification means to identify said identity devices; said centralized database having a communication link with said mobile controller for the transmission of collected asset identity information and optionally navigation instructions thereto.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said mobile asset equipped with identity devices are trailers or equivalent equipment that are followed in a fleet management tool, said mobile vehicle being a truck tractor.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said identity devices are RFID tags having stored thereon unique identification information which is readable by a proximity RF
tag reader mounted in said mobile vehicle.

4. A method for outdoor geolocation and identification of predetermined mobile assets, said method comprising the steps of:
i. providing a centralized database;
ii. providing a mobile vehicle with a controller mounted therein and having a communication link with said centralized database;
iii. mounting an outdoor identity device on each said mobile asset, said identity devices having stored therein unique identification information;
iv. optionally guiding said mobile vehicle by means of instructions and navigation software stored in a computer of said controller to said mobile asset, said computer having an optional screen;

v. extracting said unique identification information by a communication device mounted in said mobile vehicle; and vi. managing, tracking and dispatching the said mobile asset with said mobile vehicle.