System, method and apparatus for reporting data from a telematics device based on changes in heading data
The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for transmitting data reports at adjustable reporting rates based on detected rates of change in the heading of a tracked asset. According to a preferred embodiment, upon detection of a heading change, the device of the present invention may preferably power a location detection device (e.g., a GPS receiver or the like) to determine an accurate location. At the same time, the asset device may preferably monitor and store both the current heading and the rate of change of the heading. Based on the detected rate of change of the heading, the system may preferably select and update a report frequency based on a lookup table. Preferably, the lookup table may be based on a correlation between a given rate of heading change and predetermined temporal sample rates. According to a preferred embodiment, the higher the rate of change in heading may correspond to a higher temporal sample rate.
1. A method for reporting data from a telematics device which is associated with a tracked asset, the method comprising:
receiving GPS location data;
determining a first sampling rate and a first reporting rate; wherein the step of determining a first sampling rate and a first reporting rate comprises setting a preset default sampling rate and a preset default reporting interval;
executing a determined navigation route;
detecting a first heading value of the tracked asset;
receiving updated heading data for the tracked asset;
wherein the update heading data comprises a second heading value;
comparing the first heading value and the second heading value;
calculating a degree of heading change for the tracked asset;
calculating a rate of heading change for the tracked asset;
adjusting a system parameter when the degree of heading change between the first heading value and the second heading value exceeds a stored degree of heading change threshold; and
adjusting a system parameter change when the rate of heading change exceeds a stored rate of heading change threshold;
wherein the system parameter change comprises a change in a system parameter selected from the group of system parameters comprising: reporting intervals, sensor sample rates, and power levels.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system parameter change comprises an adjustment to a reporting interval based on a stored adjustment algorithm.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the stored adjustment algorithm changes the reporting frequency based at least in part on the degree of heading change and the rate of heading change.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the pre-set adjustment algorithm calculates an updated reporting frequency.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein an updated report frequency is calculated by adjusting a default reporting frequency (RF D ) based on the rate of heading change and a reporting adjustment factor (R A ).
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the adjustment algorithm comprises:
Updated
Reporting
Frequency
=
RF
D
*
Δ
Heading
Δ
Time
*
R
A
.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the reporting adjustment factor is adjusted based on at least one factor selected from the group of factors comprising: time of day, location, vehicle type and cargo type.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the report adjustment factor is adjusted to be higher based on a determined cargo value.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the report adjustment factor is adjusted to be higher based on a determined degree of hazard associated with a determined cargo.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein a higher report adjustment factor causes higher reporting rates; wherein a lower report adjustment factor causes lower reporting rates.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the heading change threshold is adjusted based on a detected time of day, location, vehicle type or determined cargo type.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the rate of heading change is calculated as an average rate of change in the heading within a set interval of time.
13. The method of claim 5 , wherein the method further comprises: adjusting one or more system parameters based at least in part on the calculated rate of heading change and the calculated degree of heading change.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises: adjusting one or more system parameters based on the calculated rate of heading change and the calculated degree of heading change in combination with at least one factor selected from the group of factors comprising: the detected location, time of day, and optional routes.
15. A system for monitoring and detecting heading changes for a telematics device, the system comprising:
a positioning module, wherein the positioning module comprises a first location sensor;
a navigation module; wherein the navigation module is configured to receive a location input from the positioning module indicating the location of the telematics device; wherein the navigation module is configured to track and display the location of the telematics device relative to a tracked route;
a heading sensor, wherein the heading sensor is configured to determine a direction of travel of the telematics device;
an accelerometer; wherein the accelerometer is configured to detect g-forces experienced by the telematics device; wherein the accelerometer is configured to output accelerometer data to the controller; wherein the controller is configured to determine a heading change event based on accelerometer data; and
a controller; wherein the controller is interfaced with the navigation module; wherein the controller is configured to execute the method of claim 1 .