Patrols are a temporal segmentation, it documents a subject and events during a certain period of time.
Some examples of what a Patrol could be:
- Documenting animal behavior
- Documenting investigations
- Tracking game drives
- Planning and documenting work for the operations team
- Canine training
You can now track Patrols in your EarthRanger Mobile app and it will be synced up to your EarthRanger site server in real time when the mobile app has internet connectivity.
In order to start a Patrol you have to make sure that you have the required permissions.
Start Patrol
When in a Patrol, tracking is automatically activated, and every Event created while being in a Patrol will now be linked to that Patrol and that Tracked subject keeping the location, time, and tracked by set by the Patrol.
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To start a patrol you tap the Patrol button on the Track Location MapView. This will initiate the start patrol workflow in the app by prompting you with the selection of the type of Patrol. |
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You can start a patrol when trackingis active by tapping the Start Patrol button from the bottom menu. |
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Patrol types are defined by the purpose of each patrol. This ensures data analysis remains aligned with patrol goals. The specific patrol types available are defined by each site through the EarthRanger admin interface. These types can include routine patrols, scientific patrols, or patrols categorized by transportation methods, such as plane or drone patrols. |
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Tracked By is a field used during patrol creation. It specifies the subject being tracked, which, in this case, represents the device. When starting a new patrol from EarthRanger Mobile, the Tracked By field will automatically populate with the user or profile currently logged into the app. This field cannot be modified.
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By default, each patrol automatically receives the name of its corresponding patrol type. However, EarthRanger Mobile allows you to modify this name for improved organization and personalization of your patrols. |
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Once the Patrol is started, you will be able to see the Map Views bottom sheet minimized with the Patrol Title and End button to end the patrol. This view is swipeable, revealing additional patrol details such as: |
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When Patrol Started: This includes the date, year, month, day, and time the patrol commenced. Patrol ID: This is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each patrol. Distance: This approximates the distance traveled during the current patrol, displayed in kilometers. It's important to note that this is an estimate intended for planning purposes and may not reflect the actual travel path. Duration: This reflects the current patrol's duration in hours and minutes. Start Location Coordinates: This displays the coordinates of the patrol's starting point. End Button: Clicking this button concludes the patrol. |
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When your Patrol is ready to be ended. You will be able to do that from the Patrol Details View where the End button appears. This view is directly displayed in the Map Tracking view where there is also the End button there. When finishing up your Patrol, EarthRanger will ask you if you want to continue tracking your device location since the Patrol is ending. The data of your Patrol will be sent to EarthRanger System when a connection is available. |
While a Patrol is active you cannot end Tracking until you end the patrol.
All data is stored locally on the device when the app is offline and not able to upload Patrol data to an EarthRanger site.
Events and Tracks will continue to upload whenever it is possible. And those Events and tracks will automatically be associated with the Patrol when the Patrol is uploaded.
Patrol Info
If an event default type is configured in the patrol details setting that event type form will open on patrol start.
Workflow
- Set a default event type in Patrol Info Setting
- Start a Patrol
- Select a Patrol Type
- The default event type form opens
- Submit the form
- Return to the MapView
The start location of the default event will not be editable.
EarthRanger version 2.6.7