Active and passive asset monitoring system

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing an asset communication system are described. One asset communication system includes an active communication subsystem including a first radio transceiver, a passive communication subsystem including a second radio transceiver configured to transmit and receive data using radio waves for communication and power, and a sensory subsystem. The sensory subsystem can include one or more sensors, for example, an ambient environment sensor. The asset communication system further includes a synchronous trigger controller for activating the active communication subsystem according to a schedule, and an asynchronous trigger controller for activating the active communication subsystem based on a signal received from a sensor or the second radio transceiver.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling the battery life of an asset communication system, the method comprising:
 receiving at least one activation criterion;   determining the frequency of the occurrence of an activation event over a predetermined period of time, the activation event being determined based on at least one signal received during the predetermined period of time satisfying the at least one activation criterion;   receiving a target battery life;   determining a predicted battery life based on the determined frequency of occurrence of the activation event; and   adjusting the at least one activation criterion based on the predicted battery life being less than the target battery life.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one signal received during the predetermined period of time is received from at least one of a synchronous trigger controller, an asynchronous trigger controller, and at least one sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one activation criterion includes at least one parameter filtering and processing the at least one signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , where adjusting the at least one activation criterion includes adjusting the at least one parameter for filtering and processing the at least one signal. 
     
     
         5 . A method of asset communication comprising:
 receiving an activation event trigger from at least one of:
 a synchronous trigger controller configured to activate a first radio transceiver and a processor according to a schedule; and 
 an asynchronous trigger controller configured to activate the first radio transceiver and the processor based on an event signal from at least one of:
 a second radio transceiver configured to transmit and receive data using radio waves for communication and power; and 
 at least one sensor; 
 
   activating the processor and the first radio transceiver based on the received activation event trigger; and   sending and receiving asset data via at least one of the first radio transceiver and the second radio transceiver.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the activation event trigger is determined by the event signal satisfying at least one activation criterion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one activation criterion includes parameters for filtering and processing the event signal. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising adjusting the at least one activation criterion.