Symbiotic system for testing electromagnetic signal coverage in areas near transport routes

摘要

A cooperative system for testing signal strength near a target area selected by a wireless provider is disclosed, using test units installed in the fleet vehicles of an unrelated service enterprise. The system in one embodiment includes an algorithm for comparing test parameters to the route data contained in the dispatch plan for the fleet vehicles, in order to identify the optimal routes on which to send test units. A computer software product for storing the parameters and executing the algorithms is also disclosed. Signal testing in a target area is accomplished through the symbiotic relationship between the testing units and the fleet vehicles, whereby the wireless provider benefits from unit carriage along routes already being traveled by the fleet vehicles for a different purpose. This Abstract is provided quickly inform a reader about the subject matter, and not for use interpreting the scope or meaning of the claims.

主权项

1. A method of testing electromagnetic signal strength near a target area using a fleet of vehicles serving a territory where each of the vehicles is assigned to one of a plurality of routes according to a dispatch plan, the method comprising: receiving test parameters for testing electromagnetic signal strength wherein the test parameters include a target area and a time parameter;
accessing said dispatch plan, wherein said dispatch plan comprises vehicle data and route data, wherein said route data comprises time data indicating an expected time window during which a vehicle travelling the route is likely to arrive at a given location; comparing said test parameters to said dispatch plan for each of said plurality of routes; identifying one or more select routes from among said plurality of routes based on the results of said comparing, said select routes comprising those satisfying said test parameters including said target area and said time parameter; and testing electromagnetic signal strength using electromagnetic signal testing units disposed in the vehicles assigned to at least one of said one or more select routes.