Robust wireless communications system architecture and asset management applications performed thereon

Abstract

A robust wireless communications system operable to provide communications for mobile wireless devices is described. The wireless communications system generally includes a management computing system, wireless infrastructure, and mobile wireless devices. The wireless infrastructure includes wireless infrastructure devices having processing and storage capability. Similarly, the mobile wireless devices include processing and storage capability. Communication links between the management computing system and wireless infrastructure, and wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices are utilized to downlink and uplink data. In operation, data generated at the management computing system may be downloaded to the wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices sequentially without active simultaneous communication links. Similarly, data generated at the mobile wireless devices may be uploaded to the wireless infrastructure and management computing system without active simultaneous communication links. Because the wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices are intelligent, decisions may be made independent of a communication link existing with the management computing system.

1 . A method for monitoring and controlling a mobile asset, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving asset control data at a mobile asset, the asset control data having been originated from a management computer;    monitoring the mobile asset to generate asset monitored data;    comparing the asset monitored data to the asset control data to determine whether the mobile asset should be allowed to operate; and    preventing operation of the mobile asset if the it is determined that the mobile asset should not be allowed to operate.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 parsing the received asset control data to determine whether the asset control data is applicable to the mobile asset; and    storing the received asset control data if it is determined that the asset control data is applicable to the mobile asset.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of: 
 deleting asset control data is it is no of date.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of monitoring the mobile asset to generate asset monitored data comprises receiving user identification data regarding a potential user, and the step of comparing the asset monitored data to the asset control data to determine whether the mobile asset should be allowed to operate comprises comparing the user identification data to a schedule to determine whether the user identification data identifies a user that is scheduled to use the mobile asset at a current time.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of monitoring the mobile asset to generate asset monitored data comprises receiving user identification data regarding a potential user, and the step of comparing the asset monitored data to the asset control data to determine whether the mobile asset should be allowed to operate comprises comparing the user identification data to a schedule to determine whether the user identification data identifies a user that is scheduled to use the mobile asset at a current location.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of monitoring the mobile asset to generate asset monitored data comprises monitoring sensors on the mobile asset to determine maintenance characteristics of the mobile asset, and the step of comparing the asset monitored data to the asset control data to determine whether the mobile asset should be allowed to operate comprises comparing the asset monitored data to data representative of acceptable maintenance characteristics.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of preventing operation of the mobile asset if the it is determined that the mobile asset should not be allowed to operate comprises the step of: 
 limiting the functionality of the mobile asset.