Patents Assigned to SkyBitz, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8242904
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Brosius
  • Patent number: 8217838
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Brosius, III
  • Patent number: 8155640
    Abstract: A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, efficient satellite communications is enabled through event-driven reporting by a mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Battista, Jay Brosius, Uday Shankar
  • Patent number: 8058987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Battista
  • Patent number: 8010127
    Abstract: A system and method for satellite aided location tracking and data services using geosynchronous (GEO) and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites with global locating system. In one embodiment, a mobile terminal is designed for communication with both GEO and LEO satellites. This dual satellite functionality enables the asset tracking service to provide service across international service areas without hardware modification or reconfiguration of the mobile terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Burtner, Abdul Rana
  • Patent number: 8004403
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an alert signal for a trailer. 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: John McKethan
  • Patent number: 7965181
    Abstract: A system and method for asset tracking and monitoring using antenna diversity. Antenna diversity ensures that the mobile terminal maintains good visibility of a satellite throughout the transport route. In one example, a first antenna is mounted on a first side of an asset transporter (e.g., flatbed trailer) and a second antenna is mounted on a second side of the asset transporter. A selector/combiner in the mobile terminal enables multiple antennas to be leveraged in the satellite communication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdul H. Rana, Dana Johnson
  • Patent number: 7911329
    Abstract: A system and method for adaptive motion sensing with location determination is described. In one embodiment, the adaptive motion sensor is based on vibration sensor readings and can identify different states of motions based on modifiable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Battista, Jianming Yuan
  • Patent number: 7903494
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Battista
  • Patent number: 7898411
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Brosius
  • Patent number: 7877208
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Battista
  • Patent number: 7804394
    Abstract: A system and method for reporting a status of an asset is described. In one embodiment, an asset status is determined based on configurable parameters to thereby enable accurate reporting of departures and arrivals of an asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Battista
  • Patent number: 7782811
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Battista, Jay Brosius, Uday Shankar
  • Patent number: 7688185
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an alert signal for a trailer. 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: John McKethan
  • Patent number: 7646295
    Abstract: A system and method for asset tracking and monitoring using antenna diversity. Antenna diversity ensures that the mobile terminal maintains good visibility of a satellite throughout the transport route. In one example, a first antenna is mounted on a first side of an asset transporter (e.g., flatbed trailer) and a second antenna is mounted on a second side of the asset transporter. A selector/combiner in the mobile terminal enables multiple antennas to be leveraged in the satellite communication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdul H. Rana, Dana Johnson
  • Patent number: 7545266
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Brosius
  • Patent number: 7505508
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7498925
    Abstract: A system and method for reporting a status of an asset is described. In one embodiment, an asset status is determined based on configurable parameters to thereby enable accurate reporting of departures and arrivals of an asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Battista
  • Patent number: 7486174
    Abstract: A system and method for adaptive motion sensing with location determination is described. In one embodiment, the adaptive motion sensor is based on vibration sensor readings and can identify different states of motions based on modifiable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Battista, Jianming Yuan
  • Patent number: 7468927
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Battista