Data communication device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a data communication device and method for recording and transmitting data concerning conditions within or pertaining to a transportation container, such as a controlled environment transportation container. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, a port for receiving the data, a first power source, a communication module operatively coupled to the first power source, and a computer program stored in the memory. The program is operative, when executed on the processor, to store the received data in the memory and to cause the communication module to periodically power on, attempt for a specified time period to establish a network connection, and in the event of a successful connection, communicate data stored in the memory over the network, and to power off. The processor independently operates to switch between sleep and active modes in accordance with a system timer or receipt of data, and to determine whether the communication module is to be activated.

1 . A data communication device for recording and transmitting data concerning conditions pertaining to a transportation container, the communication device including:
 a processor;   a memory;   a port for receiving said data;   a first power source;   a communication module operatively coupled to the first power source; and   a computer program stored in the memory, the program being operative, when executed on the processor to:
 store the received data in the memory; and 
 cause the communication module to periodically: 
 power on; 
 attempt for a specified time period to establish a network connection, and in the event of a successful connection, communicate data stored in the memory over the network; and 
 power off. 
   
     
     
         2 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device utilizes a sleep mode implemented separately and externally to the communication module. 
     
     
         3 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a second power source. 
     
     
         4 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the data communication device is configured to periodically test the power level in said first power source after powering on the communication module and prior to attempting to establish a network connection. 
     
     
         5 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the period between attempts to establish a network connection (‘power-on cycle time’) is in the range of one to ten hours. 
     
     
         6 . A data communication device according to  claim 5 , wherein the power-on cycle time is in the order of six hours. 
     
     
         7 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , further includes a regulator for regulating the power supplied to the wireless module. 
     
     
         8 . A data communication device according to  claim 7 , wherein the regulator includes a rechargeable power storage device configured to be charged by said first power source. 
     
     
         9 . A data communication device according to  claim 8 , wherein the rechargeable power storage device includes a capacitor or bank of capacitors. 
     
     
         10 . A data communication device according to  claim 8 , wherein the rechargeable power storage device is configured to deliver an input voltage to the wireless module of between about 3.3 VCD and 4.5 VDC, with a dropout voltage of around 0.4 VDC. 
     
     
         11 . A data communication device according to  claim 10 , wherein the rechargeable power storage device is configured to deliver an input voltage to the wireless module of about 4.3 VCD with less than around 0.15 VDC droop. 
     
     
         12 . A data communication module according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to communicate data over the network in two or more bursts separated by a transmission interval, the duration of the bursts being substantially shorter than the duration of the transmission interval. 
     
     
         13 . A data communication module according to  claim 12 , wherein the burst duration is in the range of around 250-750 microseconds and the transmission interval is in the range of 2-8 milliseconds. 
     
     
         14 . A data communication module according to  claim 13 , wherein the burst duration is in the order of 567 microseconds and the transmission interval is in the order of 4.6 milliseconds. 
     
     
         15 . A data communication device according to  claim 12 , wherein the length of time required to recharge the rechargeable power storage device is shorter than the transmission interval. 
     
     
         16 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to enter a sleep mode in response to not receiving data for a specified time period. 
     
     
         17 . A data communication device according to  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to periodically:
 transition from the sleep mode to an active mode; and   return to the sleep mode in the event that the power-on-cycle time has not expired.   
     
     
         18 . A data communication device according to  claim 17 , wherein the sleep transition period is in the range of 0.5 seconds to 5 seconds, preferably in the order of around 1 second. 
     
     
         19 . A data communication device according to  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to transition from the sleep mode to the active mode in response to the receipt of data at the port. 
     
     
         20 . A data communication device according to  claim 17 , wherein the computer program further includes computer-executable instructions for placing the processor, when in the active mode, into a selected operating state. 
     
     
         21 . A data communication device according to  claim 20 , wherein the operating states include any one or more of the following states as defined herein:
 STATE_WAKEUP, STATE_COLLECT_DATA, STATE_POWERUP_GPRS, STATE_REG_NETWORK 1  STATE_TX_DATA, STATE_TX_DISCONNECT, STATE POWERDOvVN GPRS and STATE EXIT.   
     
     
         22 . A data communication device according to  claim 21 , wherein the computer program includes computer-executable instructions for performing any one or more of the following functions:
 placing the processor, after transitioning from the sleep mode to the active mode, into the STATE-WAKEUP state;   placing the processor into the STATE_COLLECT_DATA state in the event of the processor being transitioned to the active mode in response to the receipt of data at the port;   placing the processor into the STATE,,POWERUPJ3PRS state in the event that the power-on cycle time has expired;   placing the processor into the $TATE_REG_ETWORK state after the elapse of a time period measured from when the processor entered the STATE_POWERUP_GPRS state;   placing the processor into the STATE_POWERDOWN_GPRS state in the event of a failure to establish a network connection;   placing the processor into the STATE_TX_DATA state in the event of a successful establishment of a network connection; and   placing the processor into the STATE_TX,,DISCON_EGT subsequent to data communication over the network; and   placing the processor into the STATE_EX3T when the processor is ready to return to sleep mode.   
     
     
         23 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises one or more memory modules, 
     
     
         24 . A data communication device according to  claim 23 , wherein the memory includes first and second memories, the first memory having a greater write-efficiency than the second memory, wherein data arriving at the port is stored in the first memory and then moved from the first memory to the second memory only when the first memory is fully occupied. 
     
     
         25 . A data communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the conditions are monitored inside a controlled-environment transportation container. 
     
     
         27 . A data communication method for recording and transmitting data concerning conditions pertaining to a transportation container, the method including;
 with a processor, connected to a port for receiving said data and operatively connected to a communication module:
 storing data received at said port; 
 periodically powering on the communication module by way of a communication module power source; 
 causing or permitting said communication module to attempt, for a specified time period, to establish a network connection; 
 in the event of a successful connection, causing or permitting said communication module to communicate stored data over the network; and 
 powering off the communication module, 
   
     
     
         28 . A data communication method according to  claim 27 , wherein the processor has its own power source, independent of said communication module power source. 
     
     
         29 . A data communication method according to  claim 27 , wherein the periodic coupling of the communications module to the communication module power source is made in accordance with a power-on cycle time. 
     
     
         30 . A data communication method according to  claim 29 , including periodically switching the processor between a low power sleep mode and an active mode, and returning the processor to the sleep mode in the event that said power-on cycle time has not expired. 
     
     
         31 . A data communication method according to  claim 27 , including switching the processor between a low power sleep mode and an active mode in response to receipt of data at said port, and returning the processor to the sleep mode after said data has been stored.