A cold storage container information acquisition system based on Bluetooth transmission

Abstract

The application discloses a refrigerated container information acquisition system based on Bluetooth transmission, and the control method comprises the following steps: connecting the data port of the refrigerated container by a Bluetooth terminal, reading the working state information of the refrigerated container, forwarding the encrypted information data to the collector through a Bluetooth channel by using a Bluetooth Beacon broadcast protocol, transmitting the data to the concentrator by the communication bus, transmitting the data to the main base station by the concentrator through a radio frequency antenna, and returning the data to the remote monitoring computer. The application relies on low-power Bluetooth broadcast protocol transmission as supporting technology, and proposes a kind of ship suitable for configuring a large number of refrigerated containers, which covers the state information of the refrigerated containers on the ship by using the Bluetooth network with low power consumption and strong networking capability, realizes the acquisition scheme of the remote monitoring and centralized user management of the refrigerated containers during the ocean transportation by the wireless acquisition and centralized transmission.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to a refrigerated container information acquisition system based on Bluetooth transmission and belongs to the technical field of large ships. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, with the deepening development of global trade and the conversion of transportation modes, the proportion of high-value goods that are not easy to store also increases in a geometric progression. In the past, container ships generally transported goods with low requirements on temperature, humidity and the like, but at present, the range of goods is continuously expanded to some goods sensitive to temperature and humidity, so that the transportation capacity of container ships loaded with marine refrigerated containers is continuously increased. As a refrigerated goods transportation tool with advanced technical performance, the marine refrigerated container has the advantages of relatively low freight and high transportation quality, and can guarantee the safety and quality of goods in the transportation process.

[0003] However, under the influence of various factors such as route, season, solar radiation angle, cargo type and quantity, the dynamic thermal load of the refrigerated container changes sharply, and there are many risks of failure. These factors not only cause the frequent start-stop of the refrigerated container compressor unit, thereby shortening the service life of the refrigeration machine, but also cause the goods in the container to be unable to be stored at the optimal temperature required by the goods, thereby affecting the quality of the refrigerated goods and ultimately causing the loss of the goods. Temperature monitoring of the refrigerated container goods is beneficial to early discovery and treatment of the refrigeration equipment failure by the manager, prolongs the service life of the equipment and reduces economic losses. However, the refrigerated containers are numerous and not concentrated, and manual on-site judgment by the crew not only has a long monitoring period, high cost and poor diagnosis and maintenance effect, so that a system capable of more safely and effectively monitoring and diagnosing the state of the refrigerated container of the ship becomes a necessary detection and supervision means in the operation and transportation process of the refrigerated container, and how to enable the crew to quickly and accurately understand the state of the refrigerated container puts forward requirements for the refrigerated container parameter monitoring technology. With the continuous development of container ships towards large-scale, the carrying capacity of a single ship reaches 1000-2000 refrigerated containers, and the cluster monitoring problem of multiple brands and multiple single containers is particularly prominent.

[0004] The cold storage container information monitoring technology is developing, and currently there are three data collection methods, which are four-core cable method, serial communication interface method and power carrier communication method. The four-core cable method uses four-core cable for monitoring, three cores in the four-core cable are used to transmit "compressor running", "defrosting", "normal temperature" signals, and the other core is a common line. The method cannot monitor temperature data. The serial communication interface method needs to be designed according to the communication protocol standards of major container manufacturers Carrier, Thermoking, Daikin and Starcool, and the compatibility is not strong. The power carrier communication method is currently used in scale abroad, but this method is non-real-time monitoring data, and the delay of updating will make some goods with high temperature deviation requirements cannot be fully guaranteed, and the high-frequency carrier signal is easy to be disturbed by power grid electromagnetic signal.

[0005] And the cold storage container information monitoring technology is all wired, which is not convenient to operate when the container is loaded and unloaded, and it is urgent to build a more efficient and convenient communication method to replace the existing method, and to realize the accuracy and security of the remote monitoring data of the cold storage container. SUMMARY

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is that the existing cold storage container information monitoring technology is all wired, and has the problems of being unable to monitor temperature data, poor compatibility, non-real-time, etc.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical scheme of the present application provides a cold storage container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission, characterized by comprising

[0008] The Bluetooth terminal is located on the binding bridge structure near the compressor unit of the cold storage container, uses the RS232 serial port to connect the data port of the cold storage container, reads the cold storage container running data through the cold machine private protocol, and checks the data according to the cold tank container safety communication protocol after reading the cold machine running data. The Bluetooth terminal transmits data to the on-site collector through the Bluetooth channel and adopts the Bluetooth Beacon broadcast protocol.

[0009] The local collector is distributed and installed on the bridge bulkhead near the refrigerated container, and obtains power from the nearby bridge lighting circuit; each local collector receives data broadcasted by the Bluetooth terminal through the built-in antenna, and filters the received broadcast data; when the local collector receives a data packet, it accurately locates the MAC address of the Bluetooth terminal from which the data packet comes and the current received signal strength indication value, and adjusts the arrangement position of the Bluetooth terminal accordingly through the received signal strength indication value; a plurality of local collectors are arranged outside or inside the cargo hold, and the local collectors outside or inside the cargo hold are connected in series through the RS485 bus; the local collector filters the received broadcast data, and then forwards the data to the in-cabin / out-cabin data concentrator outside or inside the corresponding cargo hold through the communication bus;

[0010] The in-cabin / out-cabin data concentrator is fixedly installed in the middle area of the bridge inside or outside the cargo hold, and is configured according to the distribution of the refrigerated container and the local collector. The in-cabin / out-cabin data concentrator is an active concentrator, and has signal filtering and amplifying functions; the data communication work with the local collector is completed through the in-cabin / out-cabin data concentrator; the in-cabin / out-cabin data concentrator performs secondary deduplication on the data uploaded from different local collectors, and sends the data to the main base station through the concentrator antenna and the main base station antenna;

[0011] The concentrator antenna is fixed on the top side structure of the bridge, and is installed to keep a distance of more than 1 meter from other antennas; the in-cabin / out-cabin data concentrator communicates the data collected by the local collector to the main base station through the concentrator antenna; if the in-cabin / out-cabin data concentrator does not receive the data forwarded by any local collector within a specified interval, it sends an alarm information to the main base station;

[0012] The main base station antenna is fixedly installed on the compass deck above the driver's cabin; after receiving the data sent by the concentrator antenna, the main base station antenna sends the data to the main base station through the serial communication protocol; the main base station sorts the data and then transmits the data to the cold box information collection system, and displays the data through the monitoring display in the driver's cabin or deck office;

[0013] The Refrigerated Container Information Acquisition System is a software system specifically designed for remote monitoring of all refrigerated container data on a ship. It verifies, decrypts, and parses encrypted data from the main base station, reconstructing the corresponding refrigerated container based on the node's address, ensuring accurate and reliable data display on the monitor. The system provides a centralized platform for monitoring and managing refrigerated containers: it provides fault diagnosis for specific malfunctions, accurately generates and displays diagnostic results, and suggests appropriate actions; it also provides trend analysis images describing the changes in equipment operating conditions and status over time, enabling crew members to more easily observe and mark abnormal operating points, study and predict the development of abnormal situations, and thus take countermeasures in advance at an appropriate time.

[0014] The monitoring display is placed in the wheelhouse or deck office, which is equipped with mechanical ventilation, lighting, and fire alarm smoke detectors, and is also equipped with an automatic telephone for communication.

[0015] Preferably, the Bluetooth terminal is fixed to the binding bridge structure near the refrigerated container compressor unit using a magnetic bracket or a fixed bracket.

[0016] Preferably, the Bluetooth terminal calculates a temporary key based on the device's MAC address and system time using a built-in encryption algorithm, and then uses the temporary key to encrypt the original data.

[0017] Preferably, the Bluetooth terminal has an IP66 protection rating housing.

[0018] Preferably, the local data collector has an antenna with a working frequency of 900MHz.

[0019] Preferably, each of the local collectors is capable of receiving data packets sent by up to 16 of the Bluetooth terminals via the Beacon broadcast protocol.

[0020] Preferably, the local data collector forwards data to the corresponding cargo hold / cargo hold data concentrator outside or inside the cargo hold via an RS485 bus.

[0021] Preferably, one of the in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrators is configured outside or inside each cargo hold.

[0022] Preferably, the concentrator antenna is a whip antenna.

[0023] Preferably, the concentrator antenna supports operation in two frequency bands: 900MHz and 470-510MHz, for uplink and downlink data communication, respectively.

[0024] This invention is based on the design goals of reducing the workload and danger of crew members manually inspecting refrigerated containers, reducing the risk of refrigerated container failure, improving the safe operation cycle, ensuring the security of data sources for refrigerated containers distributed in multiple locations on the ship, and supporting the monitoring system for client applications to manage refrigerated containers. Relying on low-power Bluetooth broadcast protocol transmission as the supporting technology, this invention proposes a data collection scheme suitable for ships equipped with a large number of refrigerated containers. By using a low-power and highly network-capable Bluetooth network to cover the status information of all refrigerated containers on the ship, and through wireless collection and centralized transmission, it realizes remote monitoring and centralized user management of refrigerated containers during ocean transportation.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0026] 1) A Bluetooth-based information acquisition system for refrigerated containers was designed. The system consists of a Bluetooth terminal, a local data collector, an in-cabin / outside data concentrator, a concentrator antenna, a main base station, a main base station antenna, a refrigerated container information acquisition system, and a monitoring display. The solution provided by this invention can reduce the workload and danger of crew members manually inspecting refrigerated containers, improve the convenience of data acquisition, reduce the risk of refrigerated container failure, and extend the safe operation cycle.

[0027] 2) Local Bluetooth terminals utilize the Beacon protocol to send broadcast data to the acquisition module in a very short time using a high-speed, low-power method. Data transmission between antennas uses the Sub-1GHz band, which requires no licenses or fees and features stable overall signal links, long transmission distances, high receiving sensitivity, and strong obstacle penetration capabilities.

[0028] 3) Compared with existing technologies, the overall solution has a simple topology and flexible equipment layout. Compared with wired data acquisition methods, the number of cables is greatly reduced, the signal transmission process is less affected by electromagnetic interference from the power grid, and the data reading is uninterrupted, more complete, and the data is protected by multiple encryption to ensure the immutability and authenticity of the data.

[0029] 4) The information acquisition system not only ensures the security of data sources for all refrigerated containers distributed across multiple locations on the ship, but also supports the monitoring system for client applications and enables centralized management of refrigerated containers in the control room, providing operators with a wealth of monitoring charts and reports. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2The diagram shows the external appearance of a local data collector for a Bluetooth-based information collection system for refrigerated containers provided by this invention.

[0032] Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B The diagram shows the concentrator and antenna outline of a Bluetooth-based information collection system for refrigerated containers provided by this invention.

[0033] Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B The diagram shows the main base station and antenna outline of a Bluetooth-based information collection system for refrigerated containers provided by this invention.

[0034] Figure 5 A diagram showing the layout of signal acquisition equipment on the lashing bridge of a refrigerated container information acquisition system based on Bluetooth transmission, provided by the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 This invention provides a layout diagram of the main base station equipment for a Bluetooth-based information collection system for refrigerated containers. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that after reading the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to the invention, and these equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission disclosed in this embodiment mainly consists of a Bluetooth terminal, a local collector 6, an in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5, a concentrator antenna 4, a main base station 2, a main base station antenna 1, a refrigerated container information collection system, and a monitoring display 3.

[0038] The Bluetooth terminal is located on the lashing bridge 7 structure near the refrigerated container compressor unit. It connects to the data port of the refrigerated container via an RS232 serial port and reads the refrigeration unit's operating data through the refrigeration unit's proprietary protocol. In this embodiment, the Bluetooth terminal can be mounted on the lashing bridge 7 structure near the refrigerated container compressor unit using a magnetic bracket or fixed bracket and a random cable of a certain length. It connects to the serial port of each refrigeration controller using a standard 5-pin connector to acquire relevant data. After reading the refrigeration unit operating data, the Bluetooth terminal verifies the data according to the refrigerated container's secure communication protocol to ensure data integrity. The Bluetooth terminal calculates a temporary key based on the device's MAC address and system time using a built-in encryption algorithm and uses this temporary key to encrypt the original data. The Bluetooth terminal then forwards the encrypted data to the local collector 6 via the Bluetooth channel using the Bluetooth Beacon broadcast protocol. In this embodiment, the Bluetooth terminal has an IP66-rated protective shell, capable of withstanding harsh environments including ambient humidity, rain, dust, and spray. The device has a built-in lithium battery and antenna.

[0039] The appearance of the local data collector 6 disclosed in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the lashing bridges 7 are distributed and installed on the cofferdams near the refrigerated container, and their power is obtained from the lighting circuit of the nearby lashing bridges 7. Each local data collector 6 receives data broadcast by Bluetooth terminals through its built-in antenna and filters the received broadcast data. The operating frequency of the antenna of the local data collector 6 is 900MHz. In this embodiment, each local data collector 6 can receive data packets sent by up to 16 Bluetooth terminals via the Beacon broadcast protocol. When the local data collector 6 receives a data packet, it accurately locates the MAC address of the Bluetooth terminal from which the data packet originated (each Beacon has a unique MAC address) and the current receive / transmit signal strength indication value. The placement position of the Bluetooth terminals can be adjusted accordingly based on the receive / transmit signal strength indication value. Multiple local data collectors 6 are arranged outside or inside each cargo hold, and the local data collectors 6 outside or inside the cargo hold are connected in series via an RS485 bus. After filtering the received broadcast data, the local data collector 6 forwards the data to the corresponding cargo hold / cargo hold data concentrator 5 via the communication bus (RS485 bus in this embodiment).

[0040] like Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, the in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5 is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the lashing bridge 7 inside or outside the cargo hold, and is configured according to the distribution of refrigerated containers and local data collectors 6 (in this embodiment, one in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5 is configured outside or inside each cargo hold). The in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5 is an active concentrator with signal filtering and amplification functions. Data communication with the local data collectors 6 is completed through the in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5, reducing the number of communication cables. The in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5 performs secondary deduplication on the data uploaded from different local data collectors 6, and transmits it to the main base station 2 through the concentrator antenna 4 and the main base station antenna 1.

[0041] The concentrator antenna 4 is a whip-shaped antenna fixed to the top side structure of the lashing bridge 7 with screws. During installation, it should be kept at a distance of more than 1 meter from other antennas. It supports operation in two frequency bands: 900MHz and 470–510MHz, used for uplink and downlink data communication respectively. The in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5 transmits the data collected by the local collectors 6 to the main base station 2 via the concentrator antenna 4. If the in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator 5 does not receive data forwarded by any local collector 6 within a specified interval, it sends an alarm message to the main base station 2.

[0042] The main base station antenna 1 is fixedly mounted on the compass deck 8 above the bridge using a triangular base. This location is the highest point on the ship, minimizing signal interference. After receiving data from the concentrator antenna 4 in the 470-510MHz frequency band, the main base station antenna 1 transmits it to the main base station 2 via a serial communication protocol. The main base station 2 processes the data and then transmits it to the refrigerated container information acquisition system, which displays it on the monitoring monitor 3 in the bridge or deck office. The refrigerated container information acquisition system is a software system specifically designed for remote monitoring of all refrigerated container data on the ship. It verifies, decrypts, and parses the encrypted data from the main base station 2, reconstructing the corresponding refrigerated container based on the node's address, ensuring accurate and reliable data display on the monitoring monitor 3. The refrigerated container information acquisition system provides a centralized platform for monitoring and managing refrigerated containers: it provides fault diagnosis for specific malfunctions, accurately generates and displays diagnostic results, and suggests appropriate actions; it also provides trend analysis images describing the changes in equipment operating conditions and working status over time, enabling crew members to more easily observe and mark abnormal operating points, study and predict the development of abnormal situations, and thus take countermeasures in advance at an appropriate time.

[0043] The monitoring display 3 is placed in the wheelhouse or deck office room, which is equipped with mechanical ventilation, lighting and fire alarm smoke detectors, and automatic telephone for communication.

[0044] This invention records the device address of each node throughout the data transmission process and performs multi-layered encryption on the data. Temporary key technology and multiple encryption methods ensure the immutability and confidentiality of the data. The overall system can provide alerts and support for the following events: 1. Refrigerated container malfunction (controller alarm); 2. Refrigerated container data not retrieved in a timely manner; 3. Refrigerated container temperature error; 4. Temperature setpoint mismatch; 5. System alarms (i.e., infrastructure, license, configuration); 6. Interface error (i.e., inability to access the database); 7. No monitoring updates for the refrigerated container; 8. Refrigerated container without power. When the monitored object experiences an anomaly or malfunction, the system will automatically issue an alarm.

[0045] This invention aims to reduce the workload and risks of manual inspection of refrigerated containers by crew members, lower the risk of refrigerated container malfunctions, improve the safe operating cycle, ensure the security of data sources for refrigerated containers distributed across multiple locations on the ship, and enable client applications to use the monitoring system to support and implement refrigerated container management. Based on low-power Bluetooth broadcast protocol transmission, this invention proposes a system suitable for ships with a large number of refrigerated containers. It uses a low-power, highly networkable Bluetooth network to cover the status information of all refrigerated containers on the ship, achieving remote monitoring and centralized user management of refrigerated containers during ocean transport through wireless data acquisition and centralized transmission. The overall solution of this invention has a simple topology and flexible equipment layout. Compared with wired data acquisition methods, it significantly reduces the number of cables, minimizes interference from power grid electromagnetic signals during signal transmission, and provides uninterrupted and more complete data reading. Multiple encryption methods ensure the immutability and authenticity of the data. The information acquisition system not only ensures the security of data sources for all refrigerated containers distributed across multiple locations on the ship, but also enables client applications to use the monitoring system to support and implement centralized management of refrigerated containers in the control room, providing operators with rich monitoring charts and reports.

[0046] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent structural changes made based on the description and illustrations of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission, characterized in that, include The Bluetooth terminal is located on the lashing bridge structure near the refrigerated container compressor unit. It connects to the data port of the refrigerated container via an RS232 serial port and reads the refrigeration unit's operating data through the refrigeration unit's private protocol. After reading the refrigeration unit's operating data, the Bluetooth terminal verifies the data according to the refrigerated container's security communication protocol. The Bluetooth terminal then forwards the data to the local data collector via the Bluetooth channel using the Bluetooth Beacon broadcast protocol. Local data collectors are distributed and installed on the lashing bridge panels near the refrigerated containers, drawing power from the nearby lashing bridge lighting circuits. Each local data collector receives data broadcast by Bluetooth terminals via its built-in antenna and filters out duplicates from the received broadcast data. When a local data collector receives a data packet, it accurately locates the MAC address of the Bluetooth terminal from which the data packet originated and the current receive / transmit signal strength indicator value. The placement of the Bluetooth terminals can be adjusted accordingly based on the receive / transmit signal strength indicator value. Multiple local data collectors are deployed outside or inside each cargo hold, connected in series via an RS485 bus. After filtering out duplicates from the received broadcast data, the local data collectors forward the data to the corresponding in-cabin / outside-cabin data concentrator outside or inside the cargo hold via the communication bus. The in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the lashing bridge inside or outside the cargo hold, and is configured according to the distribution of refrigerated containers and local data collectors. The in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator is an active concentrator with signal filtering and amplification functions. Data communication with local data collectors is completed through the in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator. The in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator performs secondary deduplication on the data uploaded from different local data collectors and transmits it to the main base station through the concentrator antenna and the main base station antenna. The concentrator antenna is fixed to the top side structure of the lashing bridge, and during installation, it should be kept at a distance of more than 1 meter from other antennas. The in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator communicates the data collected by the local collectors to the main base station through the concentrator antenna. If the in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrator does not receive any data forwarded by any local collector within a specified interval, it sends an alarm message to the main base station. The main base station antenna is fixedly installed on the compass deck above the bridge. After receiving the data transmitted by the concentrator antenna, the main base station antenna sends it to the main base station via a serial communication protocol. The main base station then processes the data and transmits it to the cold box information acquisition system, which displays it on the monitoring monitor in the bridge or deck office. The Refrigerated Container Information Acquisition System is a software system specifically designed for remote monitoring of all refrigerated container data on a ship. It verifies, decrypts, and parses encrypted data from the main base station, reconstructing the corresponding refrigerated container based on the node's address, ensuring accurate and reliable data display on the monitor. The system provides a centralized platform for monitoring and managing refrigerated containers: it provides fault diagnosis for specific malfunctions, accurately generates and displays diagnostic results, and suggests appropriate actions; it also provides trend analysis images describing the changes in equipment operating conditions and status over time, enabling crew members to more easily observe and mark abnormal operating points, study and predict the development of abnormal situations, and thus take countermeasures in advance at an appropriate time. The monitoring display is placed in the wheelhouse or deck office, which is equipped with mechanical ventilation, lighting, and fire alarm smoke detectors, and is also equipped with an automatic telephone for communication.

2. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Bluetooth terminal is fixed to the binding bridge structure near the refrigerated container compressor unit using a magnetic bracket or a fixed bracket.

3. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Bluetooth terminal calculates a temporary key based on the device's MAC address and system time using a built-in encryption algorithm, and then uses the temporary key to encrypt the original data.

4. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Bluetooth terminal has an IP66 protection rating housing.

5. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The local data acquisition device has a built-in antenna that operates at a frequency of 900MHz.

6. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the local collectors can receive data packets sent by up to 16 of the Bluetooth terminals via the Beacon broadcast protocol.

7. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The local data collector forwards data to the corresponding cargo hold / cargo hold data concentrator outside or inside the cargo hold via an RS485 bus.

8. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One of the aforementioned in-cabin / out-of-cabin data concentrators is configured either outside or inside each cargo hold.

9. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The concentrator antenna is a whip antenna.

10. The refrigerated container information collection system based on Bluetooth transmission as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The concentrator antenna supports operation in two frequency bands: 900MHz and 470-510MHz, for uplink and downlink data communication, respectively.

Images