Systems and methods for rule-driven management of sensor data across geographic areas and derived actions

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes identifying a location of a package, the location associated with one or more location-based restrictions on collecting data. The information gathering method also includes restricting access to sensor-collectable data associated with the package in accordance with the one or more location-based restrictions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An information gathering method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors at an information distributor:
 identifying a set of possible routes for delivery of a package, wherein each possible route is associated with a respective first set of location-based restrictions on collecting data;   identifying a routing rule associated with the package, the routing rule reflecting a data collection requirement or transportation requirement associated with the package;   determining a delivery route by comparing the routing rule to the first set of location-based restrictions;   determining a set of location-based restrictions taking precedence along the delivery route among the first set of location-based restrictions;   providing, over a network, the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence to a sensor located within or in proximity to the package; and   restricting access to sensor data associated with the sensor violating the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the routing rule reflects at least one of: maximizing an amount of sensor-collectable data collected along the possible routes, collecting a type of the sensor-collectable data along the possible routes, or requiring the possible routes to comply with a transportation of goods rule based on contents of the package. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying a set of conflicting collection rules among the first set of location-based restrictions, and wherein determining the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence comprises at least one of:
 giving precedence to a jurisdictional restriction over an institutional restriction within set of conflicting collection rules; or   giving precedence to a restriction with a stricter requirement within the set of conflicting collection rules.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein restricting access to the sensor data associated with the sensor further comprises providing, over the network, an instruction to the sensor preventing collection of the sensor data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the sensor data from the sensor over the network, and wherein restricting access to the sensor data associated with the sensor further comprises deleting or obfuscating the sensor data at the information distributor, and wherein obfuscating the sensor data comprises storing the sensor data in a format rendering the sensor data unreadable. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising identifying a second set of location-based restrictions on collecting data associated with the delivery route, and wherein identifying the set of conflicting collection rules comprises identifying conflicts among the first set of location-based restrictions and the second set of location-based restrictions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor data includes environmental data associated with the package. 
     
     
         8 . An information gathering system at an information distributor, the system comprising:
 a memory storing instructions; and   one or more processors configured to execute the instructions such that, when executed, cause the processors to perform a method, the method comprising:
 identifying a plurality of possible routes associated with a package, wherein each of the possible routes is associated with a respective first set of location-based restrictions on collecting data; 
 identifying a routing rule associated with the package, the routing rule reflecting a data collection requirement or transportation requirement associated with the package; 
 determining a delivery route by comparing the routing rule to the first set of location-based restrictions associated with the possible routes; 
 determining a set of location-based restrictions taking precedence along the delivery route among the first set of location-based restrictions; 
 providing, over a network, the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence to a sensor located within or in proximity to the package; and 
 restricting access to sensor data associated with the sensor violating the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the routing rule reflects at least one of: maximizing an amount of sensor-collectable data collected along the possible routes, collecting a type of the sensor-collectable data along the possible routes, or requiring the possible routes to comply with a transportation of goods rule based on contents of the package. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising identifying a set of conflicting collection rules among the first set of location-based restrictions, and wherein determining the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence comprises at least one of:
 giving precedence to a jurisdictional restriction over an institutional restriction within set of conflicting collection rules; or   giving precedence to a restriction with a stricter requirement within the set of conflicting collection rules.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein restricting access to the sensor data associated with the sensor further comprises providing, over the network, an instruction to the sensor preventing collection of the sensor data. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving the sensor data from the sensor over the network, and wherein restricting access to the sensor data associated with the sensor further comprises deleting or obfuscating the sensor data at the information distributor, and wherein obfuscating the sensor data comprises storing the sensor data in a format rendering the sensor data unreadable. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising identifying a second set of location-based restrictions on collecting data associated with the delivery route, and wherein identifying the set of conflicting collection rules comprises identifying conflicts among the first set of location-based restrictions and the second set of location-based restrictions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor data includes environmental data associated with the package. 
     
     
         15 . A sensor located inside or in proximity to a package, the sensor comprising:
 a detecting portion for collecting data associated with a package;   a memory storing instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the instructions such that, when executed, cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
 identifying a plurality of possible routes associated with the package, wherein each of the possible routes is associated with a respective first set of location-based restrictions on collecting data; 
 identifying a routing rule associated with the package, the routing rule reflecting a data collection requirement or transportation requirement associated with the package; 
 determining a delivery route by comparing the routing rule to the first set of location-based restrictions associated with the possible routes; 
 determining a set of location-based restrictions taking precedence along the delivery route among the first set of location-based restrictions; 
 storing the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence; and 
 restricting access to sensor data collected via the detecting portion violating the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence. 
   
     
     
         16 . The sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the routing rule reflects at least one of: maximizing an amount of sensor-collectable data collected along the possible routes, collecting a type of the sensor-collectable data along the possible routes, or requiring the possible routes to comply with a transportation of goods rule based on contents of the package. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor of  claim 15 , further comprising identifying a set of conflicting collection rules among the first set of location-based restrictions and the second set of location-based restrictions, and wherein determining the set of location-based restrictions taking precedence comprises at least one of:
 giving precedence to a jurisdictional restriction over an institutional restriction within set of conflicting collection rules; or   giving precedence to a restriction with a stricter requirement within the set of conflicting collection rules.   
     
     
         18 . The sensor of  claim 15 , wherein restricting access to the sensor data associated with the sensor further comprises preventing collection of the sensor data by the detecting portion. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor of  claim 15 , further comprising deleting or obfuscating the sensor data at the sensor, and wherein obfuscating the sensor data comprises storing the sensor data in a format rendering the sensor data unreadable. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor of  claim 17 , further comprising identifying a second set of location-based restrictions on collecting data associated with the delivery route, and wherein identifying the set of conflicting collection rules comprises identifying conflicts among the first set of location-based restrictions and the second set of location-based restrictions.