公开(公告)号：US12086676B1

公开(公告)日：2024-09-10

申请号：US18448880

申请日：2023-08-11

Applicant: Ferret Systems Inc.

Inventor： Joseph Reddy ,  Venu Gutlapalli ,  Gary Leung

IPC: G06K7/10 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  H04L9/40

CPC classification number: G06K7/10366 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  H04L63/0428

Abstract: A routing system that can receive, decode, and route messages from electronic tracking tags made by different manufacturers and issued by different tag issuers. Tracking tags may be placed on items that are shipped or stored, and wireless messages from the tags may be used to track the items and their status. The system enables a site to use a single gateway that obtain messages from heterogeneous tracking tags; the gateway forwards messages to the routing system for processing. The system may access a tag manufacturers database that contains a descriptor of the messages from each manufacturer's tags, and a tag registrations database that lists tags associated with each tag issuer. The system supports tag messages with encrypted contents and with tag identifiers that are rotated to prevent malicious tracking, and it may check message integrity to detect modification of the message after it is sent from the tag.

公开(公告)号：US11232390B1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-25

申请号：US17362840

申请日：2021-06-29

Applicant: Ferret Systems Inc.

Inventor： Gary Leung ,  Venu Gutlapalli ,  Joseph Reddy

IPC: G08B5/22 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06K19/02 ,  G06K19/077 ,  H04W4/80 ,  G06K19/07 ,  H04W4/029

Abstract: A tracking and monitoring system that uses “smart” tracking labels with printed label information on the top and electronics and sensors embedded in thin, flexible layers underneath. Labels may be used to track the location of items, and to monitor item parameters such as temperature, shock, weight, or tampering. Tracking labels may have communications interfaces to transmit label location and sensor data to a centralized server for monitoring and analysis; interfaces may include for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, or Amazon Sidewalk. Label location may be determined from an integrated GPS, by triangulation using received signals from cellular or other networks, or from the location of nearby connected devices. Labels may be battery powered and may use energy harvesting to obtain power from the environment. To conserve battery life, manufactured labels may be put into a hibernation state, and activated when they are placed on an item.

公开(公告)号：US12245121B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-04

申请号：US18068966

申请日：2022-12-20

Applicant: Ferret Systems Inc.

Inventor： Gary Leung ,  Venu Gutlapalli ,  Joseph Reddy

IPC: H04W4/80 ,  H04W4/029 ,  G06Q10/087

Abstract: An item tracking system that uses smart tracking labels to track an item's position, and that switches between short-range tracking within a local area using short-range interfaces like Bluetooth and long-range tracking within a global or regional area using long-range interfaces like GPS. Long-range communication interfaces may be disabled when the tracking label comes within range of a short-range network such as a Bluetooth network within a warehouse. Switching to short-range services when they are available may significantly reduce the total power requirement for a tracking label. In an illustrative embodiment a tracking label may periodically broadcast an advertising message over Bluetooth; when a Bluetooth gateway in a warehouse or other local area responds to this message, the label disables long-range interfaces and switches position tracking to use short-range services. When the label loses communication with a short-range network, it re-enables the long-range interfaces.

公开(公告)号：US12236296B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-25

申请号：US18172567

申请日：2023-02-22

Applicant: Ferret Systems Inc.

Inventor： Gary Leung ,  Venu Gutlapalli ,  Joseph Reddy

IPC: G06K1/12

Abstract: A process for activating tracking labels of an item tracking system that uses a printer to activate labels as they are printed for use. Electronic tracking labels may have a removable portion that breaks an electrical circuit when removed; breaking the circuit activates the label. A printer with a label cutter may be used when labels are prepared for use, and the printer may be configured to cut off the removable portion of the label during label printing. This method automates label activation as part of the label preparation process. The printer may be programmed to position the boundary between the removable portion of the label and the rest of the label under the cutter, for example using knowledge of the label's layout. A printed, activated label output from the printer may be placed directly on an item to be tracked.