CN112105043B

CN112105043B - Method, device and medium for communication in area containing communication blind area

Info

Publication number: CN112105043B
Application number: CN202010980273.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郝杨杨; 郭健飞; 徐屹峰
Original assignee: Shanghai Hailian Zhitong Information Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Hailian Zhitong Information Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-17
Filing date: 2020-09-17
Publication date: 2024-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-17
Also published as: CN112105043A

Abstract

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, device, and medium for communication in an area including a communication blind area. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting monitoring information acquired by the monitoring equipment to a server, wherein the monitoring information at least comprises position information of the monitoring equipment; determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information; in response to determining that the monitoring device is in a communication blind area, storing the acquired monitoring information in the monitoring device, enabling a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and stopping transmitting the monitoring information to a server; and in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves the communication blind zone, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to transition from an inactive state to an active state and transmitting monitoring information stored at the monitoring device to the server after successful connection with the communication network.

Description

Method, device and medium for communication in area containing communication blind area

Technical Field

The present application relates to a communication technology, and more particularly, to a technology for performing communication in an area including a communication blind area.

Background

With the rapid popularization of the application of the internet of things, more and more monitoring devices are applied to fields such as vehicle monitoring, ship monitoring, cargo monitoring, personnel monitoring and the like. The main technical scheme of the monitoring application generally comprises: the location information is collected by the monitoring device using a GPS or Beidou positioning module and/or the like and/or sensor information is collected via other various sensors, and the collected monitoring information is packaged and uploaded to a server via a mobile communication network such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and the like. In this type of monitoring application, some monitoring devices are powered by an external power source, such as a vehicle monitoring device, a ship monitoring device, etc., while some monitoring devices require battery power, such as a cargo monitoring device, etc. Regardless of the manner in which power is supplied, such monitoring devices have high energy consumption requirements, while battery-powered monitoring devices are particularly sensitive to energy consumption.

In situations such as vehicle monitoring (in particular trucks, trains, etc.), ship monitoring, cargo monitoring, etc., the monitoring device is often routed to locations that are in the dead zone of the mobile communication network. In a mobile communication network blind area, a scheme generally adopted in the prior art includes: the location information and/or the sensor information is acquired by the monitoring device in the area, and when the acquired monitoring information is attempted to be uploaded to the server via the mobile communication network, the communication module in the monitoring device is in a communication blind area, so that the timer for connecting the mobile communication network is overtime and finally connection cannot be established with the mobile communication network, at the moment, the monitoring device stores the acquired monitoring information in the monitoring device, until the monitoring device enters the area covered by the mobile communication network later and is successfully connected with the mobile communication network, and the acquired monitoring information is uploaded to the server. In general, the timing period of the timer of the communication module in the monitoring device is typically configured to be several minutes, such as not less than two minutes, i.e., if the monitoring device is in a communication blind area, it takes at least two minutes for the network search to attempt to establish a connection with the mobile communication device after each collection of information by the monitoring device, which consumes power consumption of the monitoring device. In the case of a battery-powered monitoring device, such waste of energy consumption would severely impact the life cycle of the monitoring device.

It is based on the above-mentioned drawbacks and problems to propose a method, system, apparatus and medium for communication in an area including a communication blind zone in the present application.

Disclosure of Invention

Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer-readable media for communicating in an area including a communication blind zone are provided.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a method implemented at a monitoring device for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting monitoring information acquired by monitoring equipment to a server, wherein the monitoring information at least comprises position information of the monitoring equipment; determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information; in response to determining that the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone, storing the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, enabling a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and stopping transmitting the monitoring information to the server; and in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves the communication blind zone, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to transition from an inactive state to an active state and transmitting monitoring information stored at the monitoring device to a server after successful connection with a communication network.

The present application also provides an apparatus implemented at a monitoring device for communicating in an area including a communication blind zone. The apparatus comprises: means for transmitting monitoring information collected by a monitoring device to a server, the monitoring information comprising at least location information of the monitoring device; means for determining whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information; means for, in response to determining that the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone, storing the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and ceasing transmission of the monitoring information to the server; and means for transitioning the communication module of the monitoring device from an inactive state to an active state and transmitting monitoring information stored at the monitoring device to a server after successful connection with a communication network in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves a communication blind zone.

The present application further provides an apparatus implemented at a monitoring device for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot. The device comprises: one or more processors; and a memory in communication with the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform the operations of the method of the first aspect.

The present application also provides a computer readable medium implemented at a monitoring device for communicating in an area containing a communication dead zone. The computer readable medium has stored thereon processor executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the operations of the method of the first aspect.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: after transmitting the monitoring information collected by the monitoring device to the server, an acknowledgement of the monitoring information is received from the server, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device is set to an active state by the server.

In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, determining whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information includes determining whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone by comparing location information of the monitoring device with communication blind zone data. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, means, and computer readable medium, the communication blind zone data may be stored at the monitoring device. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, the communication blind zone data may be stored at a server.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: after transmitting the monitoring information stored at the monitoring device to the server after successful connection with the communication network, an acknowledgement is received from the server, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device was changed by the server from an inactive state to an active state.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: in response to determining that the monitoring device is not within the communication blind zone, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state and transmitting the collected monitoring information to a server via a communication network through the communication module; and receiving an acknowledgment of the monitoring information from the server, wherein the acknowledgment includes an indication of whether the communication blind spot data is updated. In some examples of the above method, apparatus, device, and computer-readable medium, the acknowledgement received from the server further includes an indication of the amount of data needed and/or a descriptive file. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, the descriptive file includes an area to which the update relates, an area level, a content summary to which the update relates, and so on. Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: in response to parsing of the acknowledgement received from the server, it is determined whether to update the communication blind spot data stored at the monitoring device. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, means, and computer-readable medium, determining whether to update the communication shadow data stored at the monitoring device is based on one or more of an indication of whether an update exists, an indication of an amount of data required to update, a descriptive file, and/or a network condition of the monitoring device.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: and after the monitoring information transmission or the communication blind area data updating is completed, the communication module of the monitoring equipment is made to enter an inactive state.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: an update scheme of the communication blind zone data is determined based on the type of the monitoring device and/or the level of the communication blind zone data.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: the consistency of the communication status of the monitoring device between the monitoring device and the server is determined based on an interpretation of the acknowledgement received from the server.

In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, the inactive state comprises a dormant state, a shutdown state, and the active state comprises a normal operating state. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter the inactive state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device but the communication module is inactive, or ceasing to power the communication module of the monitoring device. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device and the communication module is operating normally.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method implemented at a server for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot. The method comprises the following steps: receiving monitoring information acquired by monitoring equipment from the monitoring equipment, wherein the monitoring information at least comprises position information of the monitoring equipment; determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information receiving time; in response to determining that the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone, setting a communication state of the monitoring device to an inactive state; and in response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device during the period when the monitoring device is in an inactive state, sending an acknowledgement to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device has changed from an inactive state to an active state.

The present application also provides an apparatus implemented at a server for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot. The apparatus comprises: means for receiving monitoring information collected by a monitoring device from the monitoring device, the monitoring information comprising at least location information of the monitoring device; means for determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on an information reception time; means for setting a communication state of the monitoring device to an inactive state in response to determining that the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone; and means for sending an acknowledgement to the monitoring device in response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device during the period when the monitoring device is in an inactive state, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device has changed from an inactive state to an active state.

The present application further provides an apparatus implemented at a server for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot. The device comprises: one or more processors; and a memory in communication with the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform the operations of the method of the second aspect.

The present application also provides a computer readable medium implemented at a server for communicating in an area including a communication shadow, the computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions that when executed by a processor implement the operations of the method of the second aspect.

In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information reception time includes determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone by comparing a time difference between the monitoring information reception time and the monitoring information acquisition time to a threshold. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information reception time includes determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone by comparing a time difference between a monitoring information reception time and a previous monitoring information reception time to a threshold.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: after receiving monitoring information collected by a monitoring device from the monitoring device, setting a state of the monitoring device to an active state and sending an acknowledgement of the monitoring information to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that a communication state of the monitoring device is set to the active state by a server.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind area by comparing the position information of the monitoring device with the communication blind area data; and determining an update scheme of the communication blind zone data based on the type of the monitoring device and/or the level of the communication blind zone data. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, means, and computer readable medium, the communication blind zone data may be stored at the monitoring device. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, the communication blind zone data may be stored at a server.

Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: in response to determining that the monitoring device is not within the communication blind zone, the collected monitoring information is received from the monitoring device via the communication network. Some examples of the above-described methods, apparatus, devices, and media may further include processes, features, devices, or instructions for: in response to determining that the monitoring device is not within the communication blind zone, an acknowledgement is sent to the monitoring device after receiving the collected monitoring information from the monitoring device via the communication network, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication of whether the communication blind zone data is updated. In some examples of the above method, apparatus, device, and computer-readable medium, the indication of whether an update exists further comprises an indication of the amount of data needed to update and/or a descriptive file. In some examples of the above methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable media, the descriptive file includes an area to which the update relates, an area level, a content summary to which the update relates, and so on.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a method for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting monitoring information acquired by monitoring equipment to a server by the monitoring equipment, wherein the monitoring information at least comprises position information of the monitoring equipment; determining, by the monitoring device, whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information; determining, by the server, whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on an information reception time; in response to determining that the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone, storing, by the monitoring device, the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and ceasing to transmit monitoring information to the server; in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves a communication blind zone, enabling a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state, and transmitting monitoring information stored in the monitoring device to a server after successful connection with a communication network; and in response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device during the period when the monitoring device is in an inactive state, sending, by the server, an acknowledgement to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device has changed from an inactive state to an active state.

The present application also provides an apparatus for communicating in an area including a communication blind zone. The apparatus comprises: means for transmitting, by a monitoring device, monitoring information collected by the monitoring device to a server, the monitoring information comprising at least location information of the monitoring device; means for determining, by the monitoring device, whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information; means for determining, by the server, whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on an information reception time; means for, in response to determining that the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone, storing, by the monitoring device, the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and ceasing to transmit monitoring information to the server; means for, in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves a communication blind zone, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state and transmitting monitoring information stored at the monitoring device to a server after successful connection with a communication network; and means for sending, by the server, an acknowledgement to the monitoring device in response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device during the period when the monitoring device is in an inactive state, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device has changed from an inactive state to an active state.

The present application further provides an apparatus implemented at a server for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot. The device comprises: one or more processors; and a memory in communication with the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform the operations of the method of the third aspect.

The present application also provides a computer readable medium implemented at a server for communicating in an area including a communication dead zone. The computer readable medium has stored thereon processor executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the operations of the method of the third aspect.

According to the method and the device, when the monitoring equipment is determined to be in the communication blind area, the communication module of the monitoring equipment enters the inactive state, so that the communication module of the monitoring equipment does not need to continuously consume power to perform communication network searching in the communication blind area, the energy consumption of the monitoring equipment is saved, and the service life of the monitoring equipment is prolonged. In addition, the state of the monitoring device and the communication blind area data can be synchronized through the acknowledgement sent to the monitoring device by the server, so that the state of the monitoring device is checked and the communication blind area data is updated in real time through consumption of the data transmission quantity as small as possible.

Drawings

Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent upon reading of the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, made with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an example system architecture in which embodiments of aspects of the present application may be implemented;

fig. 2 to 4 show examples of procedures for communication in an area including a communication blind area according to aspects of the present application.

Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot in accordance with aspects of the subject application.

Fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a monitoring device that communicates in an area that includes a communication dead zone in accordance with aspects of the subject application.

Fig. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot in accordance with aspects of the subject application.

Fig. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a system that includes a server that communicates in an area that includes communication dead zones in accordance with aspects of the subject application.

Fig. 9-10 illustrate flowcharts of methods for communicating in an area that includes a communication blind spot, according to aspects of the present application.

Detailed Description

The present application is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In one typical configuration of the present application, the monitoring device and the server each include one or more processors (e.g., central processing units (Central Processing Unit, CPU)), input/output interfaces, network interfaces, and memory.

The Memory may include non-volatile Memory in a computer readable medium, random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) and/or non-volatile Memory, etc., such as Read Only Memory (ROM) or Flash Memory (Flash Memory). Memory is an example of computer-readable media.

Computer readable media, including both non-transitory and non-transitory, removable and non-removable media, may implement information storage by any method or technology. The information may be computer readable instructions, data structures, modules of a program, or other data. Examples of storage media for a computer include, but are not limited to, phase-Change Memory (PCM), programmable Random Access Memory (Programmable Random Access Memory, PRAM), static Random Access Memory (SRAM), dynamic Random Access Memory (Dynamic Random Access Memory, DRAM), other types of Random Access Memory (RAM), read-Only Memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash Memory or other Memory technology, read-Only Memory (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (Digital Versatile Disc, DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium, which can be used to store information that can be accessed by the computing device.

The monitoring device and the server referred to in the present application include, but are not limited to, a user device, a network device, or a device formed by integrating a user device and a network device through a network. The user equipment includes, but is not limited to, any mobile electronic product which can perform man-machine interaction with a user (such as man-machine interaction through a touch pad), for example, a smart phone, a tablet computer and the like, and the mobile electronic product can adopt any operating system, for example, an android operating system, an iOS operating system and the like. In some examples, the user device may be a stand-alone device or a module integrated into other devices. In some examples, the user device includes a loading device loaded on a vehicle, vessel, container, object or person, such as a stand-alone monitoring device loaded in a car or cabin, a monitoring module integrated onto a container, a mobile phone carried with a user, or the like. The network device includes an electronic device capable of automatically performing numerical calculation and information processing according to a preset or stored instruction, and its hardware includes, but is not limited to, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a programmable logic device (Programmable Logic Device, PLD), a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA), a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an embedded device, and the like. The network device includes, but is not limited to, a computer, a network host, a single network server, a plurality of network server sets, or a cloud of servers; here, the Cloud is composed of a large number of computers or network servers based on Cloud Computing (Cloud Computing), which is a kind of distributed Computing, a virtual supercomputer composed of a group of loosely coupled computer sets. Including but not limited to the internet, wide area networks, metropolitan area networks, local area networks, VPN networks, wireless Ad Hoc networks (Ad Hoc networks), and the like. Preferably, the device may be a program running on the user device, the network device, or a device formed by integrating the user device and the network device, the touch terminal, or the network device and the touch terminal through a network.

Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described devices are merely examples, and that other devices now known or hereafter may be present as appropriate for the application, are intended to be within the scope of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference.

Herein, the term "communication blind zone" includes, but is not limited to: areas not covered by the mobile communication network, areas covered by the mobile communication network but having too weak a signal to enable mobile communication, areas covered by the mobile communication network but having a communication transmission delay exceeding a tolerance threshold, such as N times a conventional communication transmission delay (N may be greater than or equal to 2).

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a method for communicating in an area including a communication blind zone. In some embodiments, the method is implemented based on the system shown in fig. 1. The method is described in detail below in connection with fig. 2-4.

Referring first to fig. 2, fig. 2 illustrates a method for communicating in an area including a communication blind zone. The method comprises the following steps: at step 210, the monitoring device may transmit monitoring information collected by the monitoring device to the server. In one example, step 210 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605 described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6, for example. In one example, the monitoring information includes at least location information of the monitoring device. In one example, the location information may be represented by coordinate data such as latitude and longitude coordinates.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 215-1, the monitoring device may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the collected monitoring information. In one example, step 215-1 may be performed by monitoring device 110, 505, 605, for example, as described with reference to fig. 1, 5-8. In one example, determining whether the monitoring device is within the communication blind zone based on the collected monitoring information may include determining whether the monitoring device is within the communication blind zone by comparing location information of the monitoring device in the collected monitoring information with communication blind zone data. In one example, communication blind zone data may be stored at both the monitoring device and the server. In some cases, the electronic fence data for the communication blind zone may also be distributed at a public server 130 (as shown in fig. 1), such as a public cloud, where the server 120 maintains communication and data synchronization with the public server over a wired or wireless network. In some cases, the electronic fence data stored at the common server for communication holes is available for download.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 215-2, the server may determine whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information reception time. In one example, step 215-2 may be performed by, for example, servers 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 5, and 8. In one example, the monitoring information received from the monitoring device includes a time of acquisition of the monitoring information. In one example, determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information receiving time may include determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone by comparing a time difference between the monitoring information receiving time and the monitoring information collecting time with a first threshold. In one example, determining whether the monitoring device is in the communication blind zone based on the information reception time may include determining whether the monitoring device is in the communication blind zone by comparing a time difference between the monitoring information reception time and a previous monitoring information reception time with a second threshold. In one example, communication blind zone data may be stored at both the monitoring device and the server. In some cases, the electronic fence data for the communication blind zone may also be distributed at a public server 130 (as shown in fig. 1), such as a public cloud, where the server 120 maintains communication and data synchronization with the public server over a wired or wireless network. In some cases, the electronic fence data stored at the common server for communication holes is available for download.

In one example, the communication blind zone data may be determined based on historical data. In one example, communication blind zone data may be determined based on historical data transmitted by one or more monitoring devices. Specifically, in one example, it may be determined which of the historical data was collected and transmitted in the communication blind zone by comparing a time difference between the data collection time and the data reception time with a first threshold. In another example, it may be determined which of the historical data was collected and transmitted in the communication blind zone by comparing a time difference between the data reception time and the previous data reception time with a second threshold. In one example, the first threshold may be the same as or different from the second threshold. In one example, the first and/or second thresholds may be preset by the server and/or the monitoring device, or may be set by the user. In one example, the first and/or second thresholds may be set to values that are uniform across the globe, or may be set to different values for, for example, region types, job types, and the like. In one example, the first and/or second threshold may be set to N times the normal communication round trip time between the monitoring device and the server in the area, where N is greater than or equal to 2. In one example, the normal communication round trip time may be determined based on historical data transmitted by one or more monitoring devices. In one example, the normal communication round trip time may be determined based on an average of historical communication round trip times.

In one example, the communication blind zone data can be used to form an electronic fence representing one or more communication blind zones. In one example, using GIS technology, communication blind zone data can be used to form one or more closed electronic pens representing one or more communication blind zones. In one example, the electronic fence can be comprised of a set of longitude and latitude coordinates, wherein the set of longitude and latitude coordinates can include longitude and latitude coordinates of three or more communication blind zones, and the longitude and latitude coordinates of the three or more communication blind zones can be connected to form a closed area. In one example, the set of latitude and longitude coordinates may include latitude and longitude coordinates contained in monitoring information collected by the monitoring device. In one example, whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone may be determined by comparing the location information (such as latitude and longitude coordinates) of the monitoring device to one or more latitude and longitude coordinates in the latitude and longitude coordinate set of the electronic fence. In one example, the boundary accuracy of the electronic fence of the communication blind zone may be system default, such as default accuracy in the mapping software (and integer multiples thereof), or may be set by the user as desired. In general, the higher the boundary accuracy of the electronic fence of the communication blind area, the higher the judgment accuracy of the communication blind area but also the larger the required data amount and the consumed energy consumption. In one example, a user can balance the accuracy of judgment of a communication blind zone with the consumed energy consumption by adjusting or changing the boundary accuracy of an electronic fence of the communication blind zone.

In one example, the communication blind area data may be ranked according to any one or more of factors such as topography, land type, administrative division, possibility of variation, or the like, or any combination thereof, and may be classified and managed based on the ranking. In one example, as shown in table 1, an example for classifying communication blind area data for classification management is shown.

Grade	Blind zone area	Remarks
			A first part	Ocean far	The state of the communication blind area of the area is basically unchanged
Two (II)	Unmanned areas such as desert, gobi and the like	The state of the communication blind area of the area is basically unchanged
			Three kinds of	Near-ocean (near land)	The state of the communication blind area of the area can be changed
Fourth, fourth	Remote areas	The state of the communication blind area of the area can be changedVariable
			Five kinds of	Urban suburban area	The state of the communication blind area of the area is likely to change

TABLE 1

As shown in table 1, the communication blind area data may be ranked based on a combination of both the topography and the possibility of change. In one example, unmanned areas such as ocean, desert gobi, near ocean (near land), remote mountain areas, urban suburban areas may be partitioned based on data such as topography and topography data from the ArcGIS platform, data on administrative division by various national government official websites, and the like. In one example, the ocean includes a marine area above 200 seas from a continental shoreline or island. In one example, the near ocean includes an ocean area within 200 seas from a continental shoreline or island. In one example, unmanned areas such as deserts, gobi deserts, and the like include unoccupied areas such as deserts acquired based on ArcGIS platforms. In one example, the remote areas include, for example, areas that are more than 100 kilometers from any one of the city levels and beyond. In one example, a suburban area includes, for example, an area between 50 and 100 kilometers from any one of the ground cities and beyond.

In one example, the likelihood of change in the communication blind spot data may be based on a frequency of change. In one example, the change frequency may include a historical change frequency or likelihood of a change occurring in the future. In one example, "the state is substantially unchanged" includes that the communication blind area data has not been changed in the past 3 years, "the state is likely to be changed" includes that the communication blind area data has been changed in the past half year to 1 year, and "the state is likely to be changed" includes that the communication blind area data has been changed in the past 3 months to half year. In one example, "state substantially unchanged" includes a likelihood that the communication blind spot data changes less than 5% in the future 3 years, "state potentially changed" includes a likelihood that the communication blind spot data changes more than 50% in the future half-year to 1 year, and "state potentially changed" includes a likelihood that the communication blind spot data changes more than 50% in the future 3 months to half-year.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above classification of communication blind spot data is merely by way of example and not by way of limitation of the present application, and any other classification means that may exist are intended to be applicable to the present application, and are included within the scope of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above references for classifying topography and classifying the likelihood of change are merely by way of example and not limitation of the present application, and any other classification means that may exist, such as may be applicable to the present application, are also included within the scope of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above classification of communication blind spot data is merely by way of example and not by way of limitation of the present application, and any other classification means that may exist are intended to be applicable to the present application, and are included within the scope of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 220, in response to determining that the monitoring device is within the communication blind zone, the monitoring device may store the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, cause a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and cease transmitting the monitoring information to the server. In one example, step 220 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605 described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6, for example. In one example, the inactive state may include a sleep state, a shutdown state. In one example, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter the inactive state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device but the communication module is inactive, or ceasing to power the communication module of the monitoring device.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 225, in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves the communication zone, the communication module of the monitoring device may be brought into an active state and monitoring information stored at the monitoring device is transferred to the server after a successful connection with the communication network. In one example, step 225 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605, e.g., as described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6. In one example, the active state may include a normal operating state. In one example, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device and the communication module is operating normally.

The method comprises the following steps: in response to receiving the monitoring information from the monitoring device during the inactive state of the monitoring device, the server sends an acknowledgement to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device changed from the inactive state to the active state, step 230. In one example, step 230 may be performed by, for example, servers 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 7, 8.

Referring next to fig. 3, fig. 3 illustrates a method for communicating in an area including a communication blind zone. The method comprises the following steps: in step 310, the monitoring device may transmit monitoring information collected by the monitoring device to the server. In one example, step 310 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605, e.g., as described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6. It should be noted that step 310 is similar to step 210 described with reference to fig. 2, and thus will not be described in detail herein.

The method comprises the following steps: in response to receiving the monitoring information transmitted by the monitoring device, the server may set the communication state of the monitoring device to an active state at step 315. In one example, step 315 may be performed by, for example, server 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 7, 8.

The method comprises the following steps: at step 320, the server may send an acknowledgment of the monitoring information to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgment includes an indication that the state of the monitoring device is set to an active state. In one example, step 320 may be performed by, for example, servers 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 7, 8. In one example, the acknowledgement may be used by the monitoring device to check the status of the monitoring device. In one example, the status indication included in the acknowledgement may be used by the monitoring device to determine whether the monitoring device is consistent with the server regarding the status of the monitoring device.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 325-1, the monitoring device may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the collected monitoring information. In one example, step 325-1 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605 described with reference to fig. 1, 5-8, for example. The method comprises the following steps: in step 325-2, the server may determine whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information reception time. In one example, step 325-2 may be performed by, for example, server 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 5-8. It should be noted that steps 325-1 and 325-2 are similar to steps 215-1 and 215-2 described with reference to fig. 2, and thus are not described in detail herein.

The method comprises the following steps: in response to determining that the monitoring device is within the communication zone, the monitoring device may store the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, cause the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and cease transmitting the monitoring information to the server, step 330. In one example, step 330 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605, e.g., as described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6. It should be noted that step 330 is similar to step 220 described with reference to fig. 2, and thus will not be described in detail herein.

The method comprises the following steps: in response to determining that the monitoring device is within the communication blind zone, the server may change the state of the monitoring device from an active state to an inactive state at step 335. In one example, step 335 may be performed by, for example, server 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 7, 8.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 340, in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves the communication zone, the communication module of the monitoring device may be brought into an active state and the monitoring information stored at the monitoring device is transferred to the server after a successful connection with the communication network. In one example, step 340 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605 described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6, for example. It should be noted that step 340 is similar to step 225 described with reference to fig. 2, and thus will not be described in detail herein.

The method comprises the following steps: in response to receiving the monitoring information from the monitoring device during the period in which the monitoring device is in the inactive state, the server may change the state of the monitoring device from the inactive state to the active state at step 345. In one example, step 345 may be performed by, for example, servers 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 7, 8.

The method comprises the following steps: in response to receiving the monitoring information sent by the monitoring device, the server may send an acknowledgement to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device changed from an inactive state to an active state, step 350. In one example, step 350 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605, e.g., as described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6. It should be noted that step 350 is similar to step 230 described with reference to fig. 2, and thus will not be described in detail herein.

The method comprises the following steps: after the monitoring device completes the monitoring information transfer, the communication module of the monitoring device may be brought into an inactive state in step 355. In one example, step 355 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605, e.g., as described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6.

In one example, the inactive state may include a sleep state, a shutdown state. In one example, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter the inactive state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device but the communication module is inactive, or ceasing to power the communication module of the monitoring device. In one example, the active state may include a normal operating state. In one example, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device and the communication module is operating normally.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above definitions and classifications of active and inactive states are merely exemplary and not limiting of the present application, and any other existing definitions and classifications are applicable to the present application and are included within the scope of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring next to fig. 4, fig. 4 illustrates a method of updating communication blind zone data. The method comprises the following steps: in step 410, the monitoring device may transmit monitoring information collected by the monitoring device to the server. In one example, step 410 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605, for example, described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6. It should be noted that step 410 is similar to step 210 described with reference to fig. 2, and thus will not be described in detail herein.

The method comprises the following steps: in step 415-1, the monitoring device may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the collected monitoring information. The method comprises the following steps: in step 415-2, the server may determine whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information reception time. In one example, steps 415-1 and 415-2 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605 and the server 120, 705, 805, respectively, such as described with reference to fig. 1, 5-8. It should be noted that steps 415-1 and 415-2 are similar to steps 215-1 and 215-2 described with reference to fig. 2, and thus are not described in detail herein.

The method comprises the following steps: in response to determining that the monitoring device is not within the communication blind zone, the server may send an acknowledgement to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication of whether the communication blind zone data is updated, step 420. In one example, step 420 may be performed by, for example, servers 120, 705, 805 described with reference to fig. 1, 7, 8. In one example, the acknowledgement received from the server may further include an indication of the amount of data needed to update and/or a descriptive file. In one example, the descriptive file includes an area, an area level, a content summary, etc. to which the update relates.

In some cases, the communication blind spot may change from a communication blind spot to a non-communication blind spot area due to the base station being established later. In one example, the communication blind zone data may be dynamically adjusted and updated. In one example, the communication blind spot data is refreshed at a frequency preset by the server and/or the monitoring device, such as once per week at the server and/or the monitoring device. In one example, in the case of ranking the communication blind zone data, the communication blind zone data may be updated differently according to different ranks. In a preferred example, the update scheme of the communication blind area data may be determined based on the level of the communication blind area data and the power supply mode of the monitoring device. Specifically, in one example, the communication blind zone data update scheme may include: for the monitoring equipment with an external power supply, the communication module is kept in an active state in a communication blind area. If the communication module of the monitoring device finds that the network connection can be established, the monitoring information is transmitted to the server together with the update of the communication blind area data to indicate the change of the communication blind area. In one example, the communication blind zone data update scheme may include: for a battery-powered monitoring device, in an area of class 5, the communication module of the monitoring device is put into an active state with a certain probability (e.g., 20%) to determine whether a network connection can be established. If the communication module of the monitoring device finds that the network connection can be established, transmitting the monitoring information together with the update of the communication blind area data to the server to indicate the change of the communication blind area; in the area of class 3 or 4, the communication module of the monitoring device is put into an active state with a certain probability (e.g., 5%) to determine whether or not a network connection can be established. If the communication module of the monitoring device finds that the network connection can be established, transmitting the monitoring information together with the update of the communication blind area data to the server to indicate the change of the communication blind area; in the area with the level of 1 or 2, the communication module of the monitoring device is kept in an inactive state all the time. In one example, the probabilities described above may be configured by a random function.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above-described communication blind spot data update scheme is merely exemplary and not limiting of the present application, and any other communication blind spot data update scheme that is present can be adapted for use in the present application and is also included within the scope of the present application and is incorporated herein by reference.

In one example, the communication blind spot data is stored at a server and/or monitoring device. In one example, the electronic pens for the communication blind zone may be numbered. In one example, operations such as adding, updating, deleting, etc. the electronic fence data of the communication blind area can be performed based on the number.

Specifically, a record with ID of 123 may be newly added in the electronic fence data of the communication blind area, and examples are as follows:

likewise, the record of ID 234 may be modified in the electronic fence data for the communication blind zone, examples of which are as follows:

those skilled in the art should appreciate that the above ways of adding, updating, and deleting electronic fence data are merely examples and not limiting of the present application, and any other existing communication blind area data updating schemes can be applied to the present application, and are also included in the scope of the present application and incorporated herein by reference.

In some cases, the electronic fence data for the communication blind zone may be distributed at a public server 130 (as shown in fig. 1), such as a public cloud, where the server 120 maintains communication and data synchronization with the public server over a wired or wireless network. In some cases, the electronic fence data stored at the common server for communication holes is available for download. In some cases, the electronic fence data of the communication blind area may be a total data packet containing global data, or may be a sub data packet containing a subset of global data classified only for the factors of topography, land type, administrative division, possibility of variation, and the like. In some cases, the electronic fence data for communication holes at the common server can be dynamically updated by receiving and auditing electronic fence data uploaded by the respective server or monitoring device.

Continuing with the description of the method in FIG. 4, the method includes: in step 425, in response to parsing the acknowledgement received from the server, the monitoring device may determine whether to update the blind zone data stored at the monitoring device. In one example, step 425 may be performed by the monitoring device 110, 505, 605, e.g., as described with reference to fig. 1, 5, 6. In one example, the acknowledgement received from the server may include one or more of an indication of whether an update exists, an indication of the amount of data required to update, and/or a descriptive file. In one example, the descriptive file includes an area, an area level, a content summary, etc. to which the update relates. In one example, the monitoring device may determine whether to update the communication hole data stored at the monitoring device based on one or more of an indication of whether an update exists, an indication of an amount of data needed to update, a descriptive file, and/or a network condition of the monitoring device. In one example, in response to an indication that an update exists and based on the region in the descriptive file to which the update relates, the monitoring device may determine to update the blind zone data stored at the monitoring device. In another example, in response to an indication that an update exists and that the amount of data required for the update is large and that the mobile communication network of the area where the monitoring device is currently located is not good, the monitoring device may determine to delay updating the blind zone data stored at the monitoring device.

The method may optionally include: at step 430, the monitoring device may cause the communication module to enter an inactive state (not shown) after updating the blind zone data stored at the monitoring device or determining to delay updating the blind zone data stored at the monitoring device.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the method for communicating in a region containing a communication shadow area described in fig. 2-4 may include more or fewer steps than those shown in the figures. One or more of the method steps described in fig. 2-4 may be omitted, sequenced, combined with each other, etc., where applicable, without departing from the scope of the present application.

An apparatus for performing communication in an area including a communication blind area is described next with reference to fig. 5 to 8. Referring first to fig. 5, fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 505 for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot in accordance with aspects of the subject application. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of the monitoring device 110 as described herein. The device 505 may include a communication module 510 and a monitoring device communication manager 530. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

The communication module 510 may include a receiver 515 and a transmitter 520. The receiver 515 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., information related to communicating in an area containing a communication hole, etc.). Information may be passed to other components of the device. Receiver 515 may be an example of aspects of transceiver 635 described with reference to fig. 6. The receiver 515 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas. Transmitter 520 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, transmitter 520 may be co-located with receiver 515 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 520 may be an example of aspects of transceiver 635 described with reference to fig. 6. Transmitter 520 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The monitoring device communication manager 530 may be an example of aspects of the monitoring device communication manager 615 described with reference to fig. 6. The monitoring device communication manager 530 and/or at least some of its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functionality of the monitoring device communication manager 530 and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be performed by a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure. The monitoring device communication manager 530 and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical devices at different physical locations. In some examples, the monitoring device communication manager 530 and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be separate and distinct components in accordance with various aspects of the present application. In other examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the monitoring device communication manager 530 and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components (including, but not limited to, an I/O component, a transceiver, a web server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof).

The monitoring device communication manager 530 may include a blind zone determination module 535, a status control module 540, and an acknowledgement parsing module 545.

The blind zone determination module 535 may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information. In some cases, the blind zone determination module 535 may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone by comparing the location information of the monitoring device in the collected monitoring information with the communication blind zone data.

The state control module 540 may cause the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state in response to the determination by the blind zone determination module 535 that the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone. In one example, the inactive state may include a sleep state, a shutdown state. In one example, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter the inactive state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device but the communication module is inactive, or ceasing to power the communication module of the monitoring device. The state control module 540 may cause the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state in response to the determination by the blind zone determination module 535 that the monitoring device is away from the communication blind zone. In one example, the active state may include a normal operating state. In one example, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state includes powering the communication module of the monitoring device and the communication module is operating normally.

The acknowledgement parsing module 545 may extract an indication from the acknowledgement received from the server. In some cases, the acknowledgement resolution module 545 may extract an indication of the status of the monitoring device from acknowledgements transmitted by the server in response to receiving monitoring information sent by the monitoring device. In some cases, the acknowledgement parsing module 545 may extract an indication of whether the monitoring device is active or inactive from acknowledgements received from the server. In some cases, the acknowledgement parsing module 545 may extract an indication of a change in the status of the monitoring device from the acknowledgements received from the server. In some cases, the acknowledgement parsing module 545 may extract an indication of whether there is an update in the communication blind spot data from acknowledgements transmitted by the server in response to the monitoring device not being within the communication blind spot. In some cases, the acknowledgement parsing module 545 may cause the monitoring device to perform a corresponding operation based on an indication extracted from an acknowledgement received from the server. In some cases, the acknowledgement resolution module 545 may compare the status of the monitoring device resolved from the acknowledgements to the actual status of the monitoring device to determine consistency of the status of the monitoring device between the monitoring device and the server. In some cases, the acknowledgement resolution module 545 may cause the monitoring device to update the communication blind spot data stored at the monitoring device based on an indication of the communication blind spot data update resolved from the acknowledgement.

Fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a system that includes a monitoring device 605 that communicates in an area that includes a communication blind spot in accordance with aspects of the subject application.

The device 605 may be or include the examples of the monitoring device 110, the device 505, or components thereof described above (e.g., with reference to fig. 1 and 5). The device 605 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a monitoring device communication manager 615, a processor 620, a memory 625, software 630, a transceiver 635, an antenna 640, and an I/O controller 645. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 610). The device 605 may be in wireless communication with one or more servers.

The processor 620 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a general purpose processor, DSP, CPU, microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 620 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 620. The processor 620 may be configured to execute computer readable instructions stored in memory to perform various functions (e.g., support functions or tasks that convey the presence of an enhanced paging mechanism).

Memory 625 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1225 may store computer-readable, computer-executable software 630 including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 625 may include, among other things, a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or devices.

Software 630 may include code for implementing aspects of the present disclosure, including code for supporting the presence of a communication enhanced paging mechanism. The software 630 may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium (such as system memory or other memory). In some cases, software 630 may not be directly executed by a processor, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform the functions described herein.

Transceiver 635 may communicate bi-directionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, transceiver 635 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 635 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, as well as demodulate packets received from the antenna.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 640. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 640, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

The I/O controller 645 may manage the input and output signals of the monitoring device 605. The I/O controller 645 may also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into the monitoring device 605. In some cases, I/O controller 645 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I/O controller 645 may utilize an operating system, such as Or another known operating system. In other cases, I/O controller 645 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, the I/O controller 645 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with the monitoring device 605 via the I/O controller 645 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 645. .

Fig. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 705 for communicating in an area that includes communication dead zones in accordance with aspects of the subject application. Device 705 may be an example of aspects of server 120 as described herein. Device 705 may include a communication module 710 and a server communication manager 730. The device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

The communication module 710 may include a receiver 715 and a transmitter 720. The receiver 715 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., information related to communicating in an area containing a communication hole, etc.). Information may be passed to other components of the device. Receiver 715 may be an example of aspects of transceiver 835 described with reference to fig. 8. The receiver 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas. Transmitter 720 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, the transmitter 720 may be co-located with the receiver 715 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 720 may be an example of aspects of transceiver 835 described with reference to fig. 8. The transmitter 820 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

Server communications manager 730 may be an example of aspects of server communications manager 815 described with reference to fig. 8. The server communications manager 730 and/or at least some of its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions of server communications manager 730 and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be performed by a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The server communications manager 730 and/or at least some of its various sub-components can be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical devices at different physical locations. In some examples, server communication manager 730 and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be separate and distinct components in accordance with aspects of the present application. In other examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, server communication manager 730 and/or at least some of its various subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components (including, but not limited to, an I/O component, a transceiver, a web server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof).

The server communication manager 730 may include a dead zone determination module 735, a status determination module 740, and an acknowledgement providing module 745.

The blind zone determination module 735 may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the information reception time. In some cases, the shadow determination module 735 may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication shadow by comparing a time difference between the monitoring information reception time and the monitoring information collection time to a threshold. In some cases, the shadow determination module 735 may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication shadow by comparing a time difference between the monitoring information reception time and a previous monitoring information reception time to a threshold. .

The state determination module 740 may set the communication state of the monitoring device to an inactive state in response to determining by the blind zone determination module 735 that the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone. The state determination module 740 may set the communication state of the monitoring device to an active state in response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device. In some cases, status determination module 740 may store a list of the status of some and/or all monitoring devices in communication with device 705. In some cases, the status determination module 740 may update the list each time the communication status of the monitoring device is determined.

The acknowledgment providing module 745 may send an acknowledgment to the monitoring device in response to receiving the monitoring information from the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgment includes an indication that the state of the monitoring device is set to an active state. The acknowledgment providing module 745 may send an acknowledgment to the monitoring device in response to receiving the monitoring information from the monitoring device during the period when the monitoring device is in the inactive state, wherein the acknowledgment includes an indication that the state of the monitoring device changed from the inactive state to the active state. The acknowledgment providing module 745 may send an acknowledgment to the monitoring device in response to the monitoring device not being within the communication blind zone and receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgment includes an indication of whether the communication blind zone data is updated. In some cases, the acknowledgement providing module 745 may call and/or look up a list of states stored by the state determination module 740 to send acknowledgements to the monitoring device.

Fig. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a system that includes a server 805 that communicates in an area that includes communication dead zones in accordance with aspects of the subject application. The server 805 may be or include examples of the server 120, the device 705, or components thereof described above (e.g., with reference to fig. 1 and 7). The server 805 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a server communications manager 815, a processor 820, a memory 825, software 830, a transceiver 835, an antenna 840, a network communications manager 845. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 810). The server 805 may be in wireless communication with one or more monitoring devices.

Processor 820 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 820 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 820. Processor 820 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory to perform various functions (e.g., support functions or tasks that convey the presence of an enhanced paging mechanism).

Memory 825 may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). Memory 825 may store computer-readable, computer-executable software 830 that includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 825 may include, among other things, a basic input/output system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or devices.

Software 830 may include code for implementing aspects of the disclosure, including code for supporting the presence of a communication enhanced paging mechanism. The software 830 may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium such as system memory or other memory. In some cases, software 830 may not be directly executed by a processor, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

The transceiver 835 may communicate bi-directionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, transceiver 835 may represent a wireless transceiver and may be in two-way communication with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 835 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, as well as demodulate packets received from the antenna.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 840. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 840, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The network communication manager 845 may manage communications with other servers 805 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with monitoring devices in cooperation with the other servers 805.

Fig. 9 illustrates a flow chart of a method for communicating in an area that includes a communication blind spot in accordance with aspects of the subject application. The operations of the method shown in fig. 9 may be implemented by, for example, the monitoring device 110 or components thereof described herein. For example, the operations of the method shown in fig. 9 may be performed by a monitoring device communication manager such as described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. In some examples, the monitoring device 110 may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring device 110 may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

At 910, the monitoring device 110 may transmit monitoring information collected by the monitoring device to a server, the monitoring information including at least location information of the monitoring device. The operations of 910 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operation of 910 may be performed by a communication module as described with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

At 915, the monitoring device 110 may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the monitoring information. 915 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operation of 915 may be performed by a blind zone determination module as described with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

At 920, the monitoring device 110 may store the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device in response to determining that the monitoring device is within the communication zone, cause the communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and cease transmitting the monitoring information to the server. The operations of 920 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operation of 920 may be performed by a state control module and a communication module as described with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

At 925, the monitoring device 110 may transition the communication module of the monitoring device from an inactive state to an active state and transmit monitoring information stored at the monitoring device to the server after successful connection with the communication network in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves the communication zone. The operations of 925 may be performed in accordance with the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operation of 925 may be performed by a state control module and a communication module as described with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

Fig. 10 illustrates a flow chart of a method for communicating in an area that includes a communication blind spot in accordance with aspects of the subject application. The operations of the method illustrated in fig. 10 may be implemented by, for example, the server 120 or components thereof described herein. For example, the operations of the method shown in fig. 10 may be performed by a server communication manager such as described with reference to fig. 7 and 8. In some examples, server 120 may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, server 120 may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

At 1010, the server 120 may receive monitoring information collected by the monitoring device from the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring information includes at least location information of the monitoring device. The operations of 1010 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operation of 1010 may be performed by a communication module as described with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

At 1015, the server 120 may determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on the information reception time. The operations of 1015 may be performed according to the methods described herein. The operations of 1015 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operation of 1015 may be performed by a blind zone determination module as described with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

At 1020, the server 120 can set the communication state of the monitoring device to an inactive state in response to determining that the monitoring device is within the communication blind zone. Operations of 1020 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operation of 1020 may be performed by a state determination module as described with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

At 1025, the server 120 may send an acknowledgement to the monitoring device in response to receiving the monitoring information from the monitoring device during the period when the monitoring device is in the inactive state, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device changed from the inactive state to the active state. 1025 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1025 may be performed by an acknowledgment providing module as described with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

It should be noted that the above-described methods describe possible implementations, and that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other Programmable Logic Device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software for execution by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described above may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired or any combination thereof. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located in various places including being distributed such that parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can comprise Random Access Memory (RAM), read Only Memory (ROM), electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact Disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk (disc) and disc (disc), as used herein, includes CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

As used herein (including in the claims), an "or" used in an item enumeration (e.g., an item enumeration with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of" attached) indicates an inclusive enumeration, such that, for example, enumeration of at least one of A, B or C means a or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., a and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, exemplary steps described as being based on condition "a" may be based on both condition a and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be read in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on".

In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Further, individual components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference number is used in the specification, the description may be applied to any one of the similar components having the same first reference number, regardless of the second reference number, or other subsequent reference numbers.

The description set forth herein in connection with the appended drawings describes example configurations and is not intended to represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and does not mean "better than" or "over other examples. The detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described technology. However, the techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

The description herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method implemented at a monitoring device for communicating in an area that includes a communication blind spot, comprising:

Transmitting monitoring information acquired by monitoring equipment to a server, wherein the monitoring information at least comprises position information of the monitoring equipment;

comparing the location information of the monitoring device with communication blind zone data to determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone, wherein the communication blind zone data is updated based at least in part on one or both of a level of the communication blind zone data, a power mode of the monitoring device, wherein the level of the communication blind zone data is determined based on both topography and a likelihood of change;

in response to determining that the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone, storing the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, enabling a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and stopping transmitting the monitoring information to the server; and

in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves the communication blind zone, the communication module of the monitoring device is transitioned from an inactive state to an active state and monitoring information stored at the monitoring device is communicated to a server after a successful connection to a communication network.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

After transmitting the monitoring information collected by the monitoring device to the server, receiving an acknowledgement of the monitoring information from the server, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device is set to an active state by the server.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an acknowledgement is received from a server after monitoring information stored at the monitoring device is transmitted to the server after a successful connection with a communication network, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that a communication state of the monitoring device was changed by the server from an inactive state to an active state.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining that the monitoring device is not within the communication blind zone, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state and transmitting collected monitoring information to the server via a communication network through the communication module; and

and receiving an acknowledgement of the monitoring information from the server, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication of whether the communication blind zone data is updated.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

In response to parsing of the acknowledgement received from the server, it is determined whether to update communication blind spot data stored at the monitoring device.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

and after the monitoring information transmission or the communication blind area data updating is completed, the communication module of the monitoring equipment is made to enter an inactive state.

7. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

a consistency of a communication state of the monitoring device between the monitoring device and the server is determined based on an resolution of acknowledgements received from the server.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the inactive state comprises a dormant state, a powered off state, the active state comprises a normal operating state, and wherein causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter the inactive state comprises powering the communication module of the monitoring device but the communication module is inactive, or wherein ceasing to power the communication module of the monitoring device, causing the communication module of the monitoring device to enter the active state comprises powering the communication module of the monitoring device and the communication module is operating normally.

9. An apparatus implemented at a monitoring device for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot, comprising:

means for transmitting monitoring information collected by a monitoring device to a server, the monitoring information comprising at least location information of the monitoring device;

means for comparing the location information of the monitoring device with communication blind zone data to determine whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone, wherein the communication blind zone data is updated based at least in part on one or both of a level of the communication blind zone data, a power mode of the monitoring device, wherein the level of the communication blind zone data is determined based on both topography and a likelihood of change;

means for, in response to determining that the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone, storing the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and ceasing transmission of the monitoring information to the server; and

means for transitioning a communication module of the monitoring device from an inactive state to an active state and transmitting monitoring information stored at the monitoring device to a server after a successful connection to a communication network in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves a communication blind zone.

10. A method implemented at a server for communicating in an area that includes a communication dead zone, comprising:

receiving monitoring information acquired by monitoring equipment from the monitoring equipment, wherein the monitoring information at least comprises position information of the monitoring equipment;

determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on the information receiving time;

in response to determining that the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone, setting a communication state of the monitoring device to an inactive state;

transmitting an acknowledgement to the monitoring device in response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device during an inactive state of the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that a communication state of the monitoring device changes from an inactive state to an active state; and

in response to determining that the monitoring device is not within the communication blind zone, transmitting an acknowledgement to the monitoring device after receiving the collected monitoring information from the monitoring device via a communication network, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication of whether communication blind zone data is updated,

wherein the communication blind spot data is updated based at least in part on one or both of a level of the communication blind spot data, a power supply mode of the monitoring device, wherein the level of the communication blind spot data is determined based on both topography and likelihood of change.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on an information reception time comprises: determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone by comparing a time difference between a monitoring information receiving time and a monitoring information collecting time with a threshold value.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on an information reception time comprises: determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind area by comparing a time difference between a monitoring information receiving time and a previous monitoring information receiving time with a threshold value.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

after receiving monitoring information collected by the monitoring device from the monitoring device, setting a communication state of the monitoring device to an active state and sending an acknowledgement of the monitoring information to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that the communication state of the monitoring device is set to the active state by the server.

14. An apparatus implemented at a server for communicating in an area including a communication dead zone, comprising:

Means for receiving monitoring information collected by a monitoring device from the monitoring device, the monitoring information comprising at least location information of the monitoring device;

means for determining whether the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone based on an information reception time;

means for setting a communication state of the monitoring device to an inactive state in response to determining that the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone; and

means for sending an acknowledgement to the monitoring device in response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device during an inactive state of the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that a communication state of the monitoring device changes from an inactive state to an active state; and

means for sending an acknowledgement to the monitoring device after receiving the collected monitoring information from the monitoring device via a communication network in response to determining that the monitoring device is not within the communication blind zone, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication of whether there is an update in the communication blind zone data,

15. A method for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot, comprising:

transmitting monitoring information acquired by monitoring equipment to a server by the monitoring equipment, wherein the monitoring information at least comprises position information of the monitoring equipment;

determining, by the monitoring device, whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone by comparing location information of the monitoring device with communication blind zone data, wherein the communication blind zone data is updated based at least in part on one or both of a level of the communication blind zone data, a power mode of the monitoring device, wherein the level of the communication blind zone data is determined based on both topography and a likelihood of change;

determining, by the server, whether the monitoring device is within a communication blind zone based on an information reception time;

in response to determining that the monitoring device is in a communication blind zone, storing, by the monitoring device, the collected monitoring information in the monitoring device, causing a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an inactive state and ceasing to transmit monitoring information to the server;

in response to determining that the monitoring device leaves a communication blind zone, enabling a communication module of the monitoring device to enter an active state, and transmitting monitoring information stored in the monitoring device to a server after successful connection with a communication network; and

In response to receiving monitoring information from the monitoring device during an inactive state of the monitoring device, sending, by the server, an acknowledgement to the monitoring device, wherein the acknowledgement includes an indication that a communication state of the monitoring device changes from an inactive state to an active state.

16. An apparatus for communicating in an area including a communication blind spot, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory in communication with the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform the operations of the method of any of claims 1-8 or any of claims 10-13 or claim 15.

17. A computer readable medium for communicating in an area containing a communication dead zone, the computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions which when executed by a processor implement the operations of the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 or any one of claims 10 to 13 or claim 15.