BlackBerry Limited
Inventory tracking tags, system and method for prolonging battery life

Abstract:

Devices and methods for prolonging battery life of an inventory tracking tag. The tag determines its location and reports to remote server over a cellular data connection using the cellular communication subsystem. The remote server assesses whether the tag is within range of a short-range communication network, such as a WiFi network, and sends an instruction message over the cellular data connection to instruct the tag to use the first short-range communication network. The instruction message may include credentials for connecting to the network. The tag disables the cellular communication subsystem, enables the short-range communication subsystem, and requests a connection to the first short-range communication network for the purpose of sending future location reports to the remote server.