Patents Assigned to SkyBitz, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140364140Abstract: A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area network enables sensors on an asset to transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Rich Battista
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Publication number: 20140310194Abstract: A multi-mode asset tracking and monitoring system and method is provided that enables comprehensive reporting of asset position, status, and alerts. In one embodiment, the multi-mode system and method is based on the addition of a local network monitoring system to a wide area satellite network monitoring system. In this example, the local network monitoring system would add container presence and status monitoring in crowded environments (e.g., within a port facility, on-board a ship, etc.), while the wide area satellite network monitoring system would provide tracking and monitoring coverage when the container is in dispersed environments. Both the local and wide area monitoring systems work together to provide end-to-end container tracking and monitoring to thereby ensure continuous container tracking and monitoring from container loading to container unloading.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: John W. Brosius, III
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Patent number: 8830124Abstract: A system and method for asset tracking configuration of a mobile terminal. A mobile terminal can be designed to enable a remote determination of an asset position. In one embodiment, the mobile terminal can include a configured function that enables the mobile terminal to reconfigure mobile terminal operation (e.g., activation of a GPS engine).Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventors: Homaira Akbari, Craig Malone, Mike Walgren
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Publication number: 20140210619Abstract: A satellite aided location tracking and data services with user interface. A graphical user interface is provided that enables users to monitor the status of movable assets. Detailed information in a position history enables the user to obtain status information (e.g., starts and stops) at each position report. This status information promotes visibility into the journey of each movable asset.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Rich Battista
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Patent number: 8704658Abstract: A satellite aided location tracking and data services with user interface. A graphical user interface is provided that enables users to monitor the status of movable assets. Detailed information in a position history enables the user to obtain status information (e.g., starts and stops) at each position report. This status information promotes visibility into the journey of each movable asset.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Rich Battista
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Patent number: 8700315Abstract: A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area network enables sensors on an asset to transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Rich Battista
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Publication number: 20140038638Abstract: A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal and forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal is configured to measure both code phase and data phase of a GPS satellite signal. The code phase and data phase information enables the processor to reduce the number of candidate points to be considered.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: John W. Brosius, III
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Patent number: 8633819Abstract: A multi-mode asset tracking and monitoring system and method is provided that enables comprehensive reporting of asset position, status, and alerts. In one embodiment, the multi-mode system and method is based on the addition of a local network monitoring system to a wide area satellite network monitoring system. In this example, the local network monitoring system would add container presence and status monitoring in crowded environments (e.g., within a port facility, on-board a ship, etc.), while the wide area satellite network monitoring system would provide tracking and monitoring coverage when the container is in dispersed environments. Both the local and wide area monitoring systems work together to provide end-to-end container tracking and monitoring to thereby ensure continuous container tracking and monitoring from container loading to container unloading.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Jay Brosius
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Patent number: 8630796Abstract: A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal, forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal needs only to gather a few milliseconds of observation data, and to relay this observation data to the processor. The range from the satellite (or other airborne transponder) to the terminal is determined using the known positions of an interrogating transmitter and a satellite, and a known terminal delay between the received signal and the transmission of the return signal, and the round trip time. An arc of locations is determined by computing an intersection of a sphere centered at the satellite having a radius given by the calculated range with a model of the Earth's surface. The candidate points are considered and refined using code phase measurements from a set of GPS satellites.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventors: Mark C. Sullivan, James B. Kilfeather
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Publication number: 20130325740Abstract: A system and method for increasing asset utilization using satellite aided location tracking. Smart sensor technology incorporated into mobile tracking hardware affixed to an asset can be used to support decision processes related to management of multiple assets. Automated decision processes based on customized business rules can operate on asset positions at various defined landmark locations and customized geographical areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: John McKethan
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Patent number: 8558737Abstract: A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal and forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal is configured to measure both code phase and data phase of a GPS satellite signal. The code phase and data phase information enables the processor to reduce the number of candidate points to be considered.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: John W. Brosius, III
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Publication number: 20130229978Abstract: A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, multiple return links are associated with a single forward link to reduce communications costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventors: Rich Battista, John W. Brosius, Uday Shankar
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Patent number: 8510180Abstract: A system and method for increasing asset utilization using satellite aided location tracking. Smart sensor technology incorporated into mobile tracking hardware affixed to an asset can be used to support decision processes related to management of multiple assets. Automated decision processes based on customized business rules can operate on asset positions at various defined landmark locations and customized geographical areas.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: John McKethan
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Patent number: 8457177Abstract: A GPS receiver acquires carrier frequency and Gold code phase using short segments of a received GPS signal. In one embodiment, a 1-ms segment of the GPS signal is transformed to the frequency domain. This is multiplied by a frequency representation of the Gold code. The resulting product is converted to the time domain, and a peak is detected. The location of the peak corresponds to the code phase. If no peak is located, the carrier frequency is changed. Full- and half-bin steps in carrier frequency are considered. Processing gain is achieved by using longer segments of the input signal, for example 4 or 16 ms and integrating 1-ms segments. Considerations are provided for compensating for the effects of a transition, should it occur in the short segment of the GPS signal being processed. Integrations can be performed using non-coherent and coherent techniques. Adjustments are made for non-integral millisecond segment lengths.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Mark C. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20130135096Abstract: A satellite aided location tracking and data services with user interface. A graphical user interface is provided that enables users to monitor the status of movable assets. Detailed information in a position history enables the user to obtain status information (e.g., starts and stops) at each position report. This status information promotes visibility into the journey of each movable asset.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: SKYBITZ, INC.Inventor: SkyBitz, Inc.
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Patent number: 8428000Abstract: A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, multiple return links are associated with a single forward link to reduce communications costs.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventors: Rich Battista, Jay Brosius, Uday Shankar
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Patent number: 8416075Abstract: A system and method for generating an alert signal for an asset. Proper truck/trailer matching is based on a proximity analysis between position reports for a truck and position reports for a trailer. In one embodiment, this proximity analysis is triggered by a detection of movement in a trailer. In the proximity analysis, unexpected deviations in proximity between a truck and a trailer would lead to a generation of an alert signal that is sent to the appropriate management system for investigation.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: John McKethan
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Patent number: 8362900Abstract: A satellite aided location tracking and data services with user interface. A graphical user interface is provided that enables users to monitor the status of movable assets. Detailed information in a position history enables the user to obtain status information (e.g., starts and stops) at each position report. This status information promotes visibility into the journey of each movable asset.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Rich Battista
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Patent number: 8284629Abstract: A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area wireless network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area wireless network enables sensors on an asset to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventor: Rich Battista
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Patent number: 8255149Abstract: A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal, forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal needs only to gather a few milliseconds of observation data, and to relay this observation data to the processor. In one embodiment, the observation data is communicated to the processor using either a satellite communication network or through a mobile telephone network.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.Inventors: Jay Brosius, James B. Kilfeather, Richard Burtner