Method and apparatus for tracking a transported item while accommodating communication gaps
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.
1. Wireless signal transmission tracking apparatus comprising:
location determining circuitry;
reporting circuitry operable to report at least a most recently determined location of said wireless signal transmission tracking apparatus to a receiving unit during transportation along a given route of transportation;
data storage circuitry including at least a database providing access to wireless signal communication characteristics previously encountered by wireless signal communication equipment for a plurality of locations along a given route of transportation of said wireless signal transmission tracking apparatus while being transported from a beginning point A to a destination B;
determination circuitry accessible to said data storage circuitry and any databases therein, said determination circuitry being operable to predict areas along said given route of transportation where wireless signal transmission is unlikely to be received by an intended receiver; and
circuitry operable to wirelessly notify a predetermined authority that said wireless signal transmission tracking apparatus is approaching a location with a lack of reliable wireless communication coverage.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
said determination circuitry is operable to estimate a future time duration during which a wireless signal transmission is unlikely to be received by an intended receiver; and
the circuitry operable to notify said predetermined authority includes in the notification at least one of a location and an estimated future time duration during which a wireless signal transmission is unlikely to be received by the intended receiver.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
said determination circuitry is operable to estimate a future time duration during which a wireless signal transmission is likely to be received by an intended receiver; and
the circuitry operable to notify a predetermined authority includes in the notification at least one of a location and an estimated future time duration during which the wireless signal transmission is likely to be received by the intended receiver.
4. A potential communication problem notification method for wireless signal transmission devices comprising:
determining location of a wireless signal transmission device;
reporting a last determined location of said wireless signal transmission device to a receiving unit during transportation along a given route of transportation;
accessing a database providing access to wireless signal communication characteristics previously encountered by wireless signal communication equipment for a plurality of locations along a given route of transportation of said wireless signal transmission device while being transported from a beginning point A to a destination B;
predicting areas along said given route of transportation where wireless signal transmission is unlikely to be received by an intended receiver from data obtained from said database; and
wirelessly notifying a predetermined authority that said wireless signal transmission device is approaching a location with a lack of reliable wireless communication coverage.
5. The method claimed in claim 4 additionally including:
estimating a future time during which a wireless signal transmission is unlikely to be received by an intended receiver; and
notifying said predetermined authority includes in the notification at least one of a location and an estimated future time duration during which the wireless signal transmission is unlikely to be received by the intended receiver.
6. The method claimed in claim 4 additionally including:
estimating a future time during which a wireless signal transmission is likely to be received by an intended receiver; and
notifying said predetermined authority includes in the notification at least one of a location and an estimated future time duration during which the wireless signal transmission is likely to be received by the intended receiver.