Power optimizations for challenging WAN service conditions

摘要

A method for a tracking device optimizing power to remain reachable for a desired period based on evaluated wide-area-network conditions. The tracking device may communicate via a power-intensive long-range transceiver and may continually measure service conditions related to network communications. The tracking device may periodically calculate statistical information describing the service conditions, such as a percentage of time in which the tracking device was out-of-network-service. Based on the statistics, the tracking device may operate in an optimization mode to conserve power when out-of-network-service. In an embodiment, the tracking device may calculate the statistics based on evaluation periods defined by predefined numbers of out-of-network-service occurrences, predefined time periods, and/or a hybrid of both. In an embodiment, the tracking device may conserve power in a power save state that alternates with another operating state in which the tracking device periodically evaluates criteria before either continuing to conserve power or utilize network resources.

主权项

1. A method for a tracking device affixed to an asset to maintain reachability by reducing power consumption based on measured wide area network (WAN) conditions, comprising:
determining whether entry conditions for performing a power optimization algorithm are met by determining whether the tracking device has been activated for a predefined period of time, determining whether the tracking device has experienced an out-of-network-service condition for at least a predefined duration, determining whether the tracking device is engaged in an ongoing communication session, and determining whether the tracking device has received an on-demand localization communication within a predefined period; generating statistics characterizing out-of-network-service conditions experienced during a period of time in response to determining the entry conditions are met; determining whether the generated statistics characterizing out-of-network-service conditions experienced during the period of time indicate a predefined out-of-network-service condition by comparing the generated statistics characterizing out-of-network-service conditions experienced during the period of time to a predefined threshold value; and operating in a power optimization mode by operating the tracking device in a power save state and an idle state for a number of cycles when the generated statistics characterizing out-of-network-service conditions experienced during the period of time indicate that the predefined out-of-network-service condition exists.