Wireless data communications network system for tracking container
A wireless data communications network system for establishing communication between a server and a plurality of containers that are loaded onto a cargo vessel. The system includes a data communications device configured to establish and manage a pre-configured wireless data communications network and to communicate with the server through a local area network, and a plurality of electronic tracking devices each having a wireless transceiver and routing capabilities and configured to be joined to a container and to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated. The data communications device is configured to intermittently perform a network scan to locate each tracking device connected to the network and reconfigure the network topology to include each connected tracking devices such that the data communications device maintains mutual communication with each connected tracking device using the routing capabilities of the tracking devices.
1. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using a pre-configured wireless data communications network, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated, the method comprising:
activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers;
receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated;
intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network;
intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology;
intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices;
receiving GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network;
transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device;
broadcasting a request to the wireless data communications network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the wireless data communications network, the request directing each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to enter a low-power mode; and
receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers comprises activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers as the container is being loaded onto the cargo vessel.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network comprises receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network comprises intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device through a local area network.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel.
8. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device through a local area network.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network comprises intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel.
11. The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel.
12. The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device through a local area network.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network comprises receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said step of intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network comprises intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network comprises intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device comprises transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to an electronic device of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel.
19. A method for tracking a plurality of containers loaded onto a cargo vessel using a wireless data communications network, whereby each container is joined to an electronic tracking device provided with routing capabilities and a radio receiver/transmitter, and whereby each electronic tracking device is configured to attempt to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated, the method comprising:
activating the radio receiver/transmitter of each electronic tracking device joined to a container of the plurality of containers as the container is being loaded onto the cargo vessel;
receiving an indication from each electronic tracking device that fails to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated;
intermittently performing a network scan to locate each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network;
intermittently configuring the wireless data communications network to include each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network in a hybrid tree-mesh network topology;
intermittently configuring routing information stored on each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to maintain mutual communication with each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network and enable mutual communication between each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network using the routing capabilities of the electronic tracking devices;
receiving GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network;
transmitting the GPS position data, environmental data, and sensor data to a control station of the cargo vessel through a local area network on the cargo vessel;
broadcasting a request to the wireless data communications network to be routed between the electronic tracking devices connected to the wireless data communications network, the request directing each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network to enter a low-power mode; and
receiving an acknowledgment of the request communicated from each electronic tracking device that is connected to the wireless data communications network when the electronic tracking device enters the low-power mode.