Method and apparatus for tracking a transported item while accommodating communication gaps

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

主权项

1. An event reporting system comprising:
a wireless signal transmission device operably utilized in conjunction with a container for transportation between a source A and a destination B; a central unit, including a CPU, operable to communicate with said wireless signal transmission device; data storage circuitry comprising a portion of at least one of said wireless signal transmission device and said central unit, said storage circuitry including a database of wireless signal communication characteristics for a plurality of locations along at least one potential route of transportation of a product to be monitored while being transported from source A to destination B; location circuitry operable to determine present location of said wireless signal transmission device; at least one of said wireless signal transmission device and said central unit CPU operating to logically determine from said database, at least one of location and one upcoming time during transportation of said wireless signal transmission device between source A and destination B, where said wireless signal transmission device is located inside a dead zone, wherein the dead zone is an area where the probability of an attempted communication between said central unit and said wireless signal transmission device being completed is below a first predetermined threshold, because a wireless signal quality of the wireless signal as set forth in the database for that at least one location is below a second predetermined threshold; logic circuitry operable to cause said wireless signal transmission device to initiate a test communication with said central unit when the location of said wireless signal transmission device is within a predefined distance from a dead zone; and recording circuitry operable to record in said data storage circuitry updated signal communication characteristics and location data obtained as a result of the test communication conducted.