Dynamic wireless connection configuration to reduce power consumption

Abstract

Methods and systems for dynamic wireless communication are provided. These aspects include: receiving, by a first controller of a first device, a first activation signal from an activation device; in response to receiving the first activation signal, transitioning the first device from a low power state to a high power state; broadcasting, by the first device, a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device; broadcasting, by the first device, a wireless network, wherein the first device includes an access point for the wireless network; receiving, from the second device, a request to join the wireless network; and granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network to the second device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to refrigeration systems. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to refrigeration of containers used to store and ship cargo. Background Art

[0002] Goods are often transported across large distances, sometimes using a variety of different modes of transportation. A common method of transporting goods in this manner is the use of intermodal shipping containers. Such containers have standardized dimensions, making it easy to handle and stack multiple containers. Common dimensions are 8 feet (2.44m) wide by 8 feet 6 inches (2.59m) high, with a length of 20 feet (6.1m) or 40 feet (12.2 meters). Other lengths can be used, such as 45 feet (13.7m), 48 feet (14.6m), and 53 feet (16.2m). The benefit of standardized intermodal containers is that goods can be shipped from a variety of different locations without ever having to be removed from the container. The container itself is moved to and from a trailer, rail handler, or ship.

[0003] Some containers include computerized parts. For example, a refrigerated container can have a computer that is used to monitor or control the refrigeration unit. The computer can, for example, change the temperature of the refrigerated container. In addition, the container can monitor the refrigerated container. It can determine the maximum temperature reached in the container, the state of the refrigerant or any electronic device of the computer.

[0004] A problem that can occur is that it can be difficult to access the computers of each container. Intermodal shipping containers are typically constructed so that they are stackable and can be packed in tight quarters. Thus, there can be 6 to 12 containers in a single stack of containers. In order to maximize the number of containers on a vessel or at a shipping facility, the containers can be placed very close to each other. Accessing individual containers in this configuration can be difficult. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving, by a first controller of a first device, a first activation signal from an activation device; in response to receiving the first activation signal, transitioning the first device from a low power state to a high power state; broadcasting, by the first device, a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device; broadcasting, by the first device, a wireless network, wherein the first device includes an access point for the wireless network; receiving, by the second device, a request to join the wireless network; and granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network to the second device.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include receiving data from the second controller via a wireless network.

[0007] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include receiving a request from an activating device to join a wireless network; and granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network for the activating device.

[0008] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include transmitting, by the first device, data from the second controller to the activation device via the wireless network.

[0009] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include transitioning the first device from a high-power state to a low-power state in response to communicating data from the second controller to the activation device.

[0010] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include associating the first controller with the shipping container.

[0011] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include the activation device including an interface coupled to the shipping container.

[0012] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include the activation device comprising at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include that the second activation signal includes credential data for connecting to the wireless network.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include the first device comprising a radio device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a first controller of a first device, the first controller configured to: receive a first activation signal from an activation device; transition the first device from a low power state to a high power state in response to receiving the first activation signal; broadcast a second activation signal by the first device to a second controller of a second device; broadcast a wireless network by the first device, wherein the first device includes an access point for the wireless network; receive a request from the second device to join the wireless network; and grant access to the wireless network by the first device to the second device.

[0016] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the first controller being further configured to receive data from the second controller via a wireless network.

[0017] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, further embodiments of the system may include the first controller being further configured to receive a request to join the wireless network from the activation device; and granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network to the activation device.

[0018] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the first controller being further configured to transmit data from the second controller to the activation device by the first device via the wireless network.

[0019] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the first controller being further configured to transition the first device from a high-power state to a low-power state in response to transmitting data from the second controller to the activation device.

[0020] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the first controller being associated with the shipping container.

[0021] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the activation device including an interface coupled to the shipping container.

[0022] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the activation device comprising at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

[0023] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the second activation signal including credential data for connecting to the wireless network.

[0024] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the first device including a radio device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a refrigerated transport cargo container;

[0027] Figure 2 A block diagram depicting a computer system for use in implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 depicts a block diagram depicting a set of shipping containers each including a container controller having a wireless card embedded therewith in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0029] Figure 4 A flow chart depicts a method for dynamic wireless communication in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] As shown and described herein, various features of the present disclosure will be presented. Various embodiments may have the same or similar features, and thus the same or similar features may be labeled with the same reference numerals, but preceded by a different first numeral indicating the figure showing the feature. Thus, for example, element "a" shown in Figure X may be labeled "Xa", and similar features in Figure Z may be labeled "Za". Although similar reference numerals may be used in a general sense, various embodiments will be described, and the various features may include variations, changes, modifications, etc., as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, whether explicitly described or otherwise appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0031] Figure 1What is shown is an embodiment of a refrigerated cargo container 10. The cargo container 10 is formed into a generally rectangular configuration, and the cargo container 10 has a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14, opposite side walls 16 and a front wall 18. The cargo container 10 also includes one or more doors (not shown) at a rear wall 20 opposite to the front wall. The cargo container 10 is configured to maintain the cargo 22 located in the interior 52 of the cargo container 10 at a selected temperature by using a refrigeration unit 24 located at the container 10. The cargo container 10 is mobile and is used to transport the cargo 22 via, for example, a truck, a train or a ship. The refrigeration unit 24 is located at the front wall 18 and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator and an evaporator fan and other auxiliary components. The cargo container 10 described herein is exemplary only and is not intended to limit the application, use and / or technical scope of the present disclosure that can be embodied in various forms known in the art. The container may be in a port / terminal, and not necessarily in transportation.

[0032] Reference Figure 2 , an embodiment of a processing system 200 for implementing the teachings herein is shown. In this embodiment, the system 200 has one or more central processing units (processors) 21a, 21b, 21c, etc. (collectively or generally referred to as (one or more) processors 21). In one or more embodiments, each processor 21 may include a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor. The processor 21 is coupled to the system memory 34 (RAM) and various other components via the system bus 33. A read-only memory (ROM) 62 is coupled to the system bus 33 and may include a basic input / output system (BIOS) for controlling certain basic functions of the system 200.

[0033] Figure 2Also depicted are input / output (I / O) adapter 27 and network adapter 26 coupled to system bus 33. I / O adapter 27 may be a small computer system interface (SCSI) adapter that communicates with hard disk 23 and / or tape storage drive 25 or any other similar component. I / O adapter 27, hard disk 23, and tape storage device 25 are collectively referred to herein as mass storage device 64. Operating system 40 for execution on processing system 200 may be stored in mass storage device 64. Network communication adapter 26 interconnects bus 33 with external network 36, which enables data processing system 200 to communicate with other such systems. Screen (e.g., display monitor) 35 is connected to system bus 33 through display adapter 32, which may include a graphics adapter and a video controller for improving the performance of graphics-intensive applications. In one embodiment, adapters 27, 26, and 32 may be connected to one or more I / O buses that are connected to system bus 33 via an intermediate bus bridge (not shown). An appropriate I / O bus for connecting peripheral devices such as storage device controllers, hard disk controllers, network adapters, and graphics adapters typically includes a common protocol such as Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). Additional input / output devices are shown connected to system bus 33 via user interface adapter 28 and display adapter 32. Keyboard 29, mouse 30, and speaker 31 are all interconnected to bus 33 via user interface adapter 28, which may include, for example, a super I / O chip that integrates multiple device adapters into a single integrated circuit.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, the processing system 200 includes a graphics processing unit 41. The graphics processing unit 41 is a dedicated electronic circuit designed to manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display. In general, the graphics processing unit 41 is extremely efficient in manipulating computer graphics and image processing, and has a highly parallel structure that makes it more efficient than a general-purpose CPU for algorithms in which processing of large blocks of data is performed in parallel. The processing system 200 described herein is exemplary only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application, use, and / or technology of the present disclosure, which can be embodied in various forms known in the art.

[0035] Therefore, if Figure 2 As configured in FIG. 1 , system 200 includes processing capabilities in the form of processor 21, storage capabilities including system memory 34 and mass storage device 64, input components such as keyboard 29 and mouse 30, and output capabilities including speaker 31 and display 35. In one embodiment, a portion of system memory 34 and mass storage device 64 together store coordinated Figure 2The functions of the various components are shown in the operating system. Figure 2 These non-limiting examples are presented for purposes of illustration and explanation only.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the processing system 200 can be used, for example, Figure 1 In a thermostat, controller or other component of the refrigeration unit 24.

[0037] Turning now to an overview of technology more particularly related to aspects of the present disclosure, as described above, intermodal shipping containers are very useful for shipping commodities over long distances without having to load and unload a single container multiple times during the trip. Certain intermodal containers, such as refrigerated intermodal containers, are computerized. It can be desirable to access the computer of an intermodal shipping container to control or monitor the container. However, it can be difficult to do so.

[0038] It may be possible to establish a wireless connection to a computer system in a container. Once established, a user or field engineer can access information associated with the container. This can help access containers that may be stacked 6 to 12 containers high. However, difficulties arise because the containers are typically operated on battery power when stacked on a dock. The controllers on these containers have embedded wireless hardware that can operate as a wireless access point, or be operated to connect to a wireless access point, or work on a peer-to-peer network or mesh network, or in multiple modes simultaneously. However, the embedded wireless hardware on the container controller consumes a lot of power when operating as an access point or when connected to a wireless network. In the case where the controller is operating on battery power, keeping these wireless cards active or "on" can drain the battery quickly.

[0039] Turning now to an overview of aspects of the present disclosure, one or more embodiments address the above-mentioned shortcomings of the above-mentioned techniques by providing systems and methods for dynamic wireless connection configuration in a container that also benefits from a reduction in power consumption. To achieve this reduction in power, the container controller operates the wireless card in one of two modes. The first mode is a low power mode in which the wireless card is turned off or utilizes minimal power. The second mode is a wireless mode in which the wireless card can act as a wireless access point or as a wireless client. This second mode consumes more power from the container battery than the first mode. In one or more embodiments, the container controller can operate the wireless card in the first mode by default. The second mode is activated in response to an activation signal received by a transceiver associated with the container controller. The activation signal can originate from, for example, a user device operated by a field engineer. The activation signal can also specify what type of wireless functionality is required (e.g., access point or wireless client). In one or more embodiments, the container controller can operate the wireless card as an access point and transmit a second activation signal to other nearby containers using the transceiver to cause the other container controllers to operate their wireless cards as wireless clients or both simultaneously. In addition, the user device operated by the field engineer can connect to the access point. Once all containers and user devices within range of the wireless access point are connected to this network, the user devices can download data associated with containers in a dock or other location. By using one container as an access point and other containers as wireless clients, this allows a field engineer to gain access to data associated with various containers that are typically difficult to access as described above. For example, containers can be stacked up to 12 containers high. A field engineer can access an access point container near the bottom of the stack and activate a wireless card through a container controller to become an access point for one or more of the entire containers in the stack to be connected to. Once all containers are connected to the network, the field engineer can download the data needed for these containers in the stack, rather than having to try to collect data from each container one at a time.

[0040] Turning now to a more detailed description of aspects of the present disclosure, Figure 3A block diagram is depicted that depicts a group of containers 300 that each include a container controller having a wireless card embedded in the controller in accordance with one or more embodiments. The container controller also includes a transceiver. In one or more embodiments, an activation device 306 is used to transmit an activation signal to an access point container 302. The activation signal can be received by a transceiver on the access point container 302 controller. The activation signal notifies the controller to activate the wireless unit / card / hardware embedded on the controller of the access point container 302. The wireless unit / card / hardware operates in a low power mode prior to the activation signal to conserve battery power of the access point container 302. As described above, the wireless card can act as a wireless access point, or can be a wireless client connected to another access point. Typically, the access point container 302 closest to the activation device 306 is set as an access point. Once set as an access point, the access point container 302 wireless card can transmit a second activation signal to other containers 304 within range to activate their corresponding wireless cards to operate as wireless clients and connect to the access point broadcasted from the access point container 302. Once the other containers 304 are connected to the access point, the activation device 306 can obtain data associated with each container 302, 304 through the access point. In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 can be a user device, such as a smart phone, tablet or laptop. In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 can be a keypad or other interface on the access point container 302, which can receive input from a user or field engineer to directly activate the wireless card on the access point container 302 controller, or transmit an activation signal to a transceiver on the access point container 302 controller. In one or more embodiments, the access point container 302 can receive data from each of the other containers 304. The data can include content data for the container and other relevant data (such as configuration data, etc.). The data can be checked by the access point container 302 controller and then transmitted to the activation device 306.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, once the activation signal is turned on, a network can be formed immediately, regardless of whether the controller is in low power mode. Furthermore, once the activation signal is sent, one or more of the units can be connected to a wireless infrastructure, such as a router / gateway provided by the customer or manufacturer. In one or more embodiments, the access point container 302 can be the container closest to the user or field engineer operating the activation device 306.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the activation signal transmitted by the activation device 306 can be received by a transceiver that can be operating in a low power mode before receiving the activation signal. Therefore, the activation signal "wakes up" the transceiver, which then notifies the container controller to activate the wireless card. The container controller converts the wireless card from a low power mode to a high power mode. Or in other embodiments, the transceiver can directly activate the wireless card to turn on the wireless card (e.g., from a low power mode to a high power mode). Similarly, the second activation signal broadcast by the transceiver can activate or "wake up" the transceivers on other containers 304, which then directly activate their wireless cards or are activated by controllers on other containers 304. The illustrated example includes containers 308 that are not associated with the access point container 302. These containers 308 may not be from the same company that owns the access point container 302 or other containers 304. In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 can send an activation signal that includes credentialing data that allows the activation device 306 to connect to the access point container 302 controller through an associated wireless card. The activation device 306 can also include credentialing data for other containers 304 that are used to allow access to the access point broadcasted by the access point container 302 controller. For example, if six of the nine containers in the dock belong to Company A, the activation device 306 can use tokens for each container to gain access to the access point. These tokens will be transmitted to containers within range, but only to containers owned by Company A.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 can utilize a value taken from the access point container 302 in order to activate the wireless card on the access point container 302. The value taken from the access point container 302 can be the container number written on the outside of the container or can be from a bar code on the container. This value along with the token can be used in sending the activation signal. For example, if the access point container 302 belongs to Company A, Company A can have an internal token to activate the wireless card and share the data with the activation device. In an embodiment, this token can include a value associated with the container to ensure that the specific container is activated as an access point. In one or more embodiments, the transceiver can be a BLUETOOTH TM A low energy beacon that can transmit an identifier to the activation device 306 for use in configuring the access point of the access point container 302. A token can be dynamically and / or statically generated in the container. This token along with one or more pieces of information (e.g., container ID) can be encrypted and sent in the beacon.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the container controller, transceiver, wireless card and activation device can be found in Figure 2 The processing system 200 of the embodiment of the present invention is implemented on the processing system 200 of the embodiment of the present invention. The use of the access point container 302 controller to connect to other containers 304 allows energy efficiency because the operation of the wireless card in the client mode uses less energy than the operation in the access point mode. This allows other containers 304 to not use as much power by having to become an access point to allow the activation device 306 to connect to collect data associated with the shipping container. In addition, operating in client mode is safer than operating in access point mode, so the fewer containers are needed to operate in access point mode, the safer it is. Moreover, by having fewer access point containers, there is less interference in dense loading areas (such as docks and shipyards).

[0045] Figure 4 A flow chart depicting a method for dynamic wireless communication in accordance with one or more embodiments. The method 400 includes receiving, by a first controller of a first device, a first activation signal from an activation device, as shown in block 402. And, in response to receiving the first activation signal, the method 400 includes transitioning the first device from a low power state to a high power state, as shown at block 404. At block 406, the method 400 includes broadcasting, by the first device, a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device. The method 400 then includes, at block 408, broadcasting a wireless network by the first device, wherein the first device includes an access point for the wireless network. The method 400 also includes receiving, from the second device, a request to join the wireless network, as shown at block 410. And at block 412, the method 400 includes granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network for the second device.

[0046] Additional processes may also be included. It should be understood that Figure 4 The processes depicted in the present disclosure are illustrative only and other processes may be added or existing processes may be removed, modified or rearranged without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0047] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time the application was filed.

[0049] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a" or "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise and / or comprising" when used in this specification specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components and / or groups thereof.

[0050] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and equivalents may be substituted for its elements. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the substantive scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for dynamic wireless communication, the method comprising: receiving, by a first controller of the first device, a first activation signal from an activation device; in response to receiving the first activation signal, transitioning the first device from a low-power state to a high-power state; broadcasting, by the first device, a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device; broadcasting, by the first device, a wireless network, wherein the first device comprises an access point for the wireless network; receiving a request from the second device to join the wireless network; as well as granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network to the second device, The first activation signal and the second activation signal can specify the type of wireless functionality required as an access point or a wireless client. 2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving data from the second controller via the wireless network.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving a request from the activation device to join the wireless network; as well as Access to the wireless network is granted by the first device to the activation device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting, by the first device, the data from the second controller to the activation device via the wireless network.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising: In response to communicating the data from the second controller to the activation device, transitioning the first device from the high-power state to the low-power state.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first controller is associated with a shipping container.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the activation device comprises an interface coupled to the shipping container.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation device comprises at least one of a smart phone, a tablet, and a computer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second activation signal includes credential data for connecting to the wireless network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a radio device.

11. A system for dynamic wireless communication, the system comprising: A first controller of the first device, wherein the first controller is configured to: receiving a first activation signal from an activation device; in response to receiving the first activation signal, transitioning the first device from a low-power state to a high-power state; broadcasting, by the first device, a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device; broadcasting, by the first device, a wireless network, wherein the first device comprises an access point for the wireless network; receiving a request from the second device to join the wireless network; as well as granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network to the second device, The first activation signal and the second activation signal can specify the type of wireless functionality required as an access point or a wireless client.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first controller is further configured to: Data is received from the second controller via the wireless network.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first controller is further configured to: receiving a request from the activation device to join the wireless network; and Access to the wireless network is granted by the first device to the activation device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first controller is further configured to: The data is transmitted from the second controller to the activation device by the first device via the wireless network.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first controller is further configured to: In response to communicating the data from the second controller to the activation device, transitioning the first device from the high-power state to the low-power state.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the first controller is associated with a shipping container.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the activation device comprises an interface coupled to the shipping container.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the activation device comprises at least one of a smart phone, a tablet, and a computer.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the second activation signal includes credential data for connecting to the wireless network.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the first device comprises a radio device.

Images