Method and apparatus for tracking a transported item while accommodating communication gaps

• US 8,838,065 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2012
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: OnAsset Intelligence Incorporated
• Inventors: Crossno, Adam, Lutz, Bruce C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US13/664,051
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/456.1, 455/457, 701/429, 701/428, 701/416
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of optimizing usage of a wireless tracking device in communicating at least a most recently determined set of location data obtained for a given travel route while traversing said given travel route to a remote entity comprising:

maintaining a database of at least the last determined location of the wireless tracking device via computational circuitry of said wireless tracking device while on said travel route;

accessing a database of wireless signal communication characteristics for a plurality of locations along said given travel route; and

using an alternate method of calculating location when it is logically determined from at least one of said databases that a first attempted position calculation is unlikely to be completed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alternate method of calculating location comprises guesstimating an approximate present location based on at least one of data sensed and recorded since a last triangulation location attempt was successfully completed and determining from signal communication characteristics obtained from said database as to the likelihood of successful network communication at the present guesstimated approximate location.

3. Route location determining apparatus comprising:

preferred location determining circuitry;

alternate location determining circuitry;

a location database including wireless signal communication characteristics for a plurality of locations in the vicinity of a last determined location of said route location determining apparatus;

route direction determining circuitry operable to determine direction of movement of said route location determining apparatus when a location determination is initiated by said route location determining apparatus;

a route database including at least a last determined location and direction of movement;

logic circuitry operable to access said location and route databases whereby a determination may be obtained indicative of the next likely location database location to be approached; and

switching circuitry operable to select said alternate location determining circuitry for obtaining a location determination during times when it is determined by said logic circuitry that the wireless network signal communication characteristics of the upcoming location on said present route are such that it is unlikely that a location determination will be completed by said preferred location determining circuitry.

4. A computer-implemented method of determining location of an electronic device while said electronic device is traveling on a predefined route comprising:

accessing a location database including wireless signal communication characteristics for a plurality of locations in the vicinity of a last determined location while said electronic device is traveling said route;

accessing a route database including at least a last determined location and direction of movement and time since the last determined location was obtained;

accessing said location and route databases to logically determine the next likely location in the database to be approached;

determining, from said location database, the likelihood of communicating with a preferred location determining network; and

if it is determined there is a likelihood of communicating with a preferred location determining network,

using the preferred location determining network to obtain location data,

otherwise,

using an alternate location determining network to obtain location data.