Tracking Device Communication Gap Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless tracking devices face communication challenges in areas with signal gaps or blackouts, leading to battery waste and potential misinterpretation of device failure or theft, especially in transportation containers, where communication is obstructed or unreliable.
Innovation Solution
Collecting and storing communication data on signal strength and problem areas to predict and prevent communication failures, allowing devices to conserve battery power and notify authorities of impending gaps, enabling alternative reporting methods and route adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tracking device continuously attempts to communicate with wireless networks, then communication reliability is improved, but battery power is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing communication data before entering gap areas, predicting communication failures in advance, and notifying authorities beforehand. This allows the device to conserve battery power by not attempting futile communication attempts in known gap areas while maintaining communication reliability through proactive measures.
2Reliability
If the tracking device is placed in the center of the transportation container, then product protection is improved, but communication signal strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring communication signal strength and quality, collecting communication data from multiple sources including GPS satellites and ground wireless networks. This feedback mechanism allows the device to adapt its communication strategy, switch between different communication methods, and maintain reliable tracking despite suboptimal signal conditions caused by container placement.
3Measurement precision
If the tracking device reports location at prescribed intervals, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but false alarms increase in gap areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting communication failures before they occur and storing communication data in advance. When a communication failure is predicted, the system proactively notifies authorities with explanatory information about the upcoming gap, preventing false alarms while maintaining accurate location monitoring through continuous data collection and prediction.
Data Source
AI summary
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.