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. Condition monitoring apparatus comprising:
a wireless communication device including programmable circuitry capability and data storage, said wireless communication device having access to wireless network communication reliability data along a given route, said communication reliability data including at least one location previously determined to have intermittent or nonexistent wireless network communication capability;
a sensor operable to supply sensed data values to said device;
alert circuitry operable to transmit an alert to an authorized entity when the sensed data supplied by said sensor reaches an established limit value; and
diagnostic circuitry operable to transmit an advisory alert to said authorized entity when a trend toward said established limit value is detected wherein said established limit value is likely to be attained during an upcoming time wherein network communication problems are likely.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
said wireless communication device provides a tracking function;
the locations of communication reliability data are situated adjacent an intended transportation route of movement; and
the wireless communication device is operating to monitor an associated product being transported.
3. A computer implemented method of communicating potential sensed problems occurring in conjunction with a transportation vehicle proceeding along a given route toward a predetermined destination comprising the steps of:
monitoring a sensed condition via an electronic device associated with the transportation vehicle, the sensed value of which sensed condition could reach a critical limit value requiring notification to an authorized entity;
accessing a database of wireless communication capability at a plurality of locations along said given route to be taken by said transportation vehicle;
monitoring trends in the sensed value of said sensed condition toward said critical limit value;
determining likely time of passage along said given route to a next upcoming location wherein wireless communication capability has been at least one of unreliable or nonexistent; and
transmitting an advisory alert to said authorized entity when it is determined that a trend toward said critical limit value is likely to be reached if the sensed value continues changing at the same rate, where said critical limit value is determined to likely be reached at a location wherein wireless communication capability is at least one of unreliable or nonexistent.
4. A computer implemented method of wireless communication from a transportation vehicle:
monitoring, via an electronic device, at least one sensed value affecting successful delivery of a product being transported to a given destination by the transportation vehicle;
monitoring location of the transportation vehicle;
monitoring latest obtainable data pertaining to network communication reliability characteristics of locations between the present location of the transportation vehicle and said given destination;
comparing said at least one monitored sensed value with any predetermined critical values for that at least one sensed value; and
transmitting an alert to an authorized entity when said at least one sensed value reaches a predetermined critical value.