Savi Technology, Inc.

Abstract:

Systems and methods for providing expanded compatibility in identification tags such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices. Integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tags configured for compatibility with passive and active readers, respectively. Additionally, the integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tag readers for compatibility with passive and active tags, respectively. A first combination
comprises an active tag and a passive tag reader for collecting information over a passive channel, and sending the information over an active channel. A second combination comprises an active tag and a passive tag receiver/transceiver for communication over both active and passive channels. A third combination comprises an active tag and an active tag reader for collecting information over an active channel, and sending information over an active channel.

Claim 1: 

An integrated device for tracking a container, the device comprising:

a passive tag reader configured to receive responses from at least one of a plurality of passive tags in response to interrogations received at the one or more passive tags from an external tag reader;

an active tag, coupled in communication with the passive tag reader, the active tag configured to access information related to the responses; and

a controller, coupled in communication with the active tag and the passive tag reader, the controller configured to generate a relative hierarchy amongst the the

plurality of passive tags from the information.

Abstract:

A tag receives wireless signpost signals that include timing data, determines time information associated with an event as a function of the timing data, and transmits a
wireless tag signal that contains the time information. In a another configuration, a signpost transmits wireless signpost signals having a selected transmission range; a reader proximate to the signpost receives wireless tag signals with a reception range that is approximately the same as the selected transmission range; and a tag movable relative to the signpost and reader responds to receipt of a wireless signpost signal by transmitting a wireless tag signal containing a tag code associated with the tag.

Claim 1: 

An apparatus comprising a tag having circuitry that includes:

a receiver section configured to receive wireless signpost signals that include timing data;

a further section that responds to an event other than receipt of a wireless signpost signal by determining time information associated with the event as a function of the timing data from a previously-received wireless signpost signal; and

a transmitter section operable to transmit wireless tag signals that each include a tag code associated with said tag, said transmitter section being responsive to the determination of time information by said further section for including the time information in at least one said tag signal.

Abstract:

Techniques for monitoring and tracking assets and providing notifications to users are disclosed. In one aspect, a request to track an asset and enterprise data describing the asset are received, a tag is selected to associate with the asset, an event notification is received from the tag, and a user notification is generated from the event notification and the enterprise data. In another aspect, a request for a tag is received, a tag is selected in response to the request, a tag is routed to the origin location for the tag, a notification is received that the tag has arrived at a destination location, and the tag is routed from the destination location to a tag pool.

Claim 1: 

A method, comprising:

receiving input at a tag pool management system from a user requesting to track an asset, the request including one or more monitoring requirements for monitoring the asset, enterprise data for the asset, and a origin location for the asset; 

selecting, by the tag pool management system, a tag device to associate with the asset in accordance with the input and the monitoring requirements, wherein the tag

device is configured to monitor the asset according to the monitoring requirements;

routing, by the tag pool management system, the tag device to the origin location;

receiving, by the tag pool management system, an event notification for the tag device, as the tag device travels from the origin location to a destination location;

determining, by the tag pool management system, a preference for the event notification; and

generating, by the tag pool management system, a user notification from the event notification and the enterprise data, and then providing the user notification

to a user in accordance with the determined preference.