Dynamic wireless communication methods and systems

Abstract

To provide methods and systems for dynamic wireless communication.SOLUTION: 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 a wireless network by the first device, where the first device comprises 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 for the second device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to refrigeration systems. More specifically, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to containers utilized for storage and refrigeration of shipments.

Background Art

[0002] Products are often transported over long distances, sometimes using a variety of different modes of transportation. One common method of transporting products in such a manner is the use of intermodal shipping containers. Such containers are standardized in size to facilitate handling and stacking of a variety of containers. Common sizes are 8 feet (2.44m) wide by 8 feet, 6 inches (2.59M) high, and have a length of either 20 feet (6.1M) or 40 feet (12.2 meters). Other lengths such as 45 feet (13.7m), 48 feet (14.6m) and 53 feet (16.2m) may also be used. The advantage of standardized intermodal containers is that products can be shipped from a variety of different locations without the need to remove them from the container at any time. The container itself is moved onto and off of trailers, rail carriers or ships.

[0003] Some containers include computerized components. For example, a refrigerated container can have a computer used to monitor or control the refrigeration unit. A computer cloud, for example, changes the temperature of the refrigerated container. In addition, the container can also monitor the refrigerated container. It can determine the maximum temperature reached within the container, the state of the refrigerant or any of the computer's electronics.

[0004] A possible problem is that it may be difficult to access the computers of each container. Shipping containers for consistent transportation are typically built so that they can be stacked and packed into tight spaces. Thus, there can be 6 to 12 containers in a single stack of containers. To maximize the number of containers in a ship or shipping facility, the containers may be placed very close to each other. It may be difficult to access a single container in such a configuration.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and system for dynamic wireless communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one embodiment, a specific method is provided. The method includes receiving, by a first controller of a first device, a first activation signal from an activation device; transitioning the first device from a low-power state to a high-power state in response to receiving the first activation signal; simultaneously transmitting, by the first device, a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device; simultaneously transmitting, by the first device, a wireless network, where the first device includes an access point for the wireless network; receiving, from the second device, a request to participate in the wireless network; and permitting, by the first device, access to the wireless network for the second device.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, a further embodiment of the method may include receiving data from the second controller via the wireless network.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, further embodiments of the method may include receiving a request to participate in a wireless network from a startup device and permitting the startup device to access the wireless network by a first device.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, further embodiments of the method may include transmitting data from a second controller to a startup device by a first device via a wireless network.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, further embodiments of the method may include transitioning the first device from a high power state to a low power state in response to transmitting data from a second controller to a startup device.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, further embodiments of the method may include the first controller being associated with a shipping container.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, further embodiments of the method may include the startup device comprising an interface coupled to a shipping container.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, further embodiments of the method may include the startup device comprising at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, further embodiments of the method may include the second startup signal including authentication data for connecting to a wireless network.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, a further embodiment of the method may include that the first device comprises a radio receiver.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a particular system is provided. The system includes a first controller of a first device, the first controller receiving a first activation signal from an activation device and, in response to receiving the first activation signal, transitioning the first device from a low-power state to a high-power state, simultaneously transmitting, by the first device, a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device, simultaneously transmitting, by the first device, a wireless network, where the first device includes an access point for the wireless network, receiving a request from the second device to participate in the wireless network, and being configured to permit access to the wireless network for the second device by the first device.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, a further embodiment of the system may include that the first controller is further configured to receive data from the second controller via the wireless network.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, a further embodiment of the system may include that the first controller is further configured to receive a request from the activation device to participate in the wireless network and, by the first device, permit access to the wireless network for the activation device.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative thereto, a further embodiment of the system may include that the first controller is further configured to transmit, via the wireless network, data from the second controller received by the first device to the activation device.

[0020] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, a further embodiment of the system may include that, in response to the first controller transmitting data from the second controller to the activation device, the first device is further configured to transition from a high-power state to a low-power state.

[0021] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, a further embodiment of the system may include that the first controller is associated with the shipping container.

[0022] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, a further embodiment of the system may include that the activation device comprises an interface coupled to the shipping container.

[0023] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, a further embodiment of the system may include that the activation device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

[0024] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, a further embodiment of the system may include that the second activation signal includes authentication data for connecting to a wireless network.

[0025] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, a further embodiment of the system may include that the first device comprises a radio receiver.

[0026] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the appended claims at the end of this specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] As shown and described herein, various features of the present disclosure are presented. Various embodiments may have the same or similar features, whereby the same or similar features may be classified by the same reference numeral, although different first digits indicating the drawings in which the features are shown may be placed in front. Thus, for example, an element "a" shown in FIG. X may be classified as "Xa", and a similar feature in FIG. Z may be classified as "Za". Similar reference numerals may be used in an encompassing concept, but various embodiments are described and various features may include changes, alternative forms, modifications, etc., whether explicitly described or otherwise understood by those skilled in the art.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a refrigerated cargo container 10. The cargo container 10 is formed in a generally rectangular structure having a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14 on the opposite side thereof, side walls 16 facing each other, and a front wall 18. The cargo container 10 further includes one or more doors (not shown) on a rear wall 20 opposite the front wall 18. The cargo container 10 is configured to maintain cargo 22 disposed within the interior 52 of the container 10 at a selected temperature through the use of a refrigeration unit 24 disposed within the container 10. The cargo container 10 is movable and is utilized to transport the cargo 22, for example, via a truck, train, or ship. The refrigeration unit 24 is disposed on the front wall 18 and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an evaporator fan, as well as other auxiliary components. The cargo container 10 described herein is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the application, usage, and / or technical scope of the present disclosure, which can be embodied in various forms known in the art. The container can be within a port / terminal but is not necessarily in transit.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a processing system 200 for implementing the teachings of this specification is shown. In this embodiment, the system 200 has one or more central processing units (processors) 21a, 21b, 21c, etc. (collectively or generically referred to as processor(s) 21). In one or more embodiments, each processor 21 may include a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor. The processor 21 is coupled to a system memory 34 (RAM) and various other components via a 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) that controls certain basic functions of the system 200.

[0031] FIG. 2 further depicts an input / output (I / O) adapter 27 and a network adapter 26 coupled to system bus 33. The I / O adapter 27 may be a small computer system interface (SCSI) adapter that communicates with a hard disk 23 and a tape storage drive 25 or any other similar components. The I / O adapter 27, the hard disk 23, and the tape storage device 25 are collectively referred to herein as mass storage 64. An operating system 40 for execution on the processing system 200 may be stored in the mass storage 64. The network communication adapter 26 connects the bus 33 to an external network 36, enabling the data processing system 200 to communicate with other such systems. A screen (e.g., a display monitor) 35 is connected to the system bus 33 by a display adapter 32, which may include a graphics adapter to enhance the performance of graphics-intensive applications and video controllers. In one embodiment, the adapters 27, 26, and 32 may be connected to one or more I / O buses connected to the system bus 33 via an intermediate bus bridge (not shown). I / O buses suitable for connecting peripheral devices such as storage device controllers, hard disk controllers, network adapters, and graphics adapters typically include a common protocol such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). Additional input / output devices are shown as being connected to the system bus 33 via a user interface adapter 28 and a display adapter 32. The keyboard 29, the mouse 30, and the speaker 31 are all interconnected to the bus 33 via the user interface adapter 28, which may include, for example, a super I / O chip that integrates multiple device adapters into a single integrated circuit.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing system 200 includes a graphics processing unit 41. The graphics processing unit 41 is a specialized electronic circuit designed to manipulate and change memory in order to facilitate the formation of an image in a frame buffer to be output to a display. Generally, the graphics processing unit 41 is highly effective in operating computer graphics and image processing and has an advanced parallel structure that enables it more effectively than a general-purpose CPU with respect to algorithms in which large blocks of data are processed in parallel. The processing system 200 described herein is merely exemplary and is not intended to be limited to the applications, usage, and / or technical scope of the present disclosure and can be embodied in various forms known in the art.

[0033] Thus, as configured in FIG. 2, the system 200 includes processing capabilities in the form of a processor 21, storage capabilities including a system memory 34 and a mass storage 64, input means such as a keyboard 29 and a mouse 30, and output capabilities including a speaker 31 and a display 35. In one embodiment, a portion of the system memory 34 and the mass storage 64 collectively store an operating system for coordinating the functions of the various components shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is merely a non-limiting example presented for purposes of illustration and explanation.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the processing system 200 can be utilized, for example, in a thermostat, a controller, or other components in the refrigeration unit 24 in FIG. 1.

[0035] As described above, referring here to an overview of technologies specifically related by aspects of the present disclosure, shipping containers for intermodal transport are extremely useful for shipping products over long distances without the need to load and unload a single container multiple times during its journey. Certain intermodal transport containers, such as refrigerated intermodal transport containers for example, are computerized. It may be desirable to access the computer of an intermodal shipping container to control or monitor the container. However, this can be difficult to implement.

[0036] It may be possible to establish wireless communication to a computer system within the container. Once established, a user or field engineer can access the information associated with the container. This can facilitate access to containers that can be six to twelve containers high when stacked. However, challenges arise, typically because containers operate on battery power when stacked at the shipyard. Controllers on such containers can operate as a wireless access point, or operate to connect to a wireless access point, or have embedded wireless hardware that can function in a peer-to-peer network or a mesh network or multiple modes simultaneously. However, the embedded wireless on the container controller consumes a significant amount of power when operating as an access point or when connecting to a wireless network. When the controller operates on battery power, maintaining such a wireless card active, or in an "on" state, can relatively rapidly drain the battery.

[0037] Next, referring to the overview of the aspects of the present disclosure, one or more embodiments address the above-described drawbacks of the above-described technology by providing a system and method for a dynamic wireless communication configuration within a container that also benefits from reduced power consumption. To achieve such power reduction, the container controller operates the wireless card in one of two modes. The first mode is a low-power mode where the switch of the wireless card is turned off or minimal power is utilized. 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 actuated in response to an activation signal received by a transceiver associated with the container controller. The activation signal may originate, for example, from a user device operated by a field engineer. The activation signal can also specify which type of wireless function (e.g., access point or wireless client) is required. In one or more embodiments, the container controller operates the wireless card as an access point and uses the transceiver to transmit a second activation signal to nearby other containers to operate the other container controllers as wireless clients or to operate two simultaneously. Additionally, a user device operated by a field engineer may connect to the access point. Once the user device and all containers within the range of the wireless access point are connected to this network, the user device can download data associated with the containers within the shipyard or other locations. By using one container as an access point and other containers as wireless clients, this enables the field engineer to obtain data associated with various containers that are typically difficult to access as described above. For example, the containers can be up to 12 stacked containers high.The field engineer can access the access point container near the bottom of the stack and operate the wireless card through the container controller so that it becomes the access point to which one or all of the containers in the stack are connected. Once all the containers are connected to the network, instead of trying to collect data from each container at once, the field engineer can download the data required for these containers in the stack.

[0038] Turning now to a more detailed description of aspects of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram depicting a group of containers 300, each including a container controller having a wireless card embedded in the controller, according to one or more embodiments. The container controller also includes a transceiver. In one or more embodiments, a startup device 306 is utilized to transmit a startup signal to an access point container 302. The startup signal can be received by a transceiver on the access point container 302 controller. The startup signal notifies the controller to activate the wireless unit / card / hardware embedded in the controller for the access point container 302. The wireless unit / card / hardware operates in a low power mode prior to the startup signal to conserve the battery power of the access point container 302. As described above, the wireless card can act as a wireless access point or can act as a wireless client connected to another access point. Typically, the access point container 302 closest to the startup device 306 is set as the access point. Once set as the access point, the wireless card of the access point container 302 can transmit a second startup signal to other containers 304 within range to activate their respective 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 startup device 306 can then obtain data associated with each container 302, 304 through the access point. In one or more embodiments, the startup device 306 can be a user device such as, for example, a smartphone, 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 that can receive input from a user or field engineer and 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 regarding the containers as well as other related data such as, for example, configuration data. The data can be verified by the access point container 302 controller and then transmitted to the activation device 306.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, once an activation signal is issued, the network can be formed immediately regardless of whether the controller is in low power mode. Also, once an activation signal is transmitted, one or more of the units may be connected to a wireless infrastructure such as a router / gateway provided by a 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.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the activation signal transmitted by the activation device 306 can be received by a transceiver that can operate in a low power mode before receiving the activation signal. The activation signal thus "activates" the transceiver, which then notifies the container controller to activate the wireless card. The container controller shifts the wireless card from the low power mode to the high power mode. Otherwise, in other embodiments, the transceiver may directly activate the wireless card to turn on the switch of the wireless card (e.g., shift from the low power mode to the high power mode). Similarly, a second activation signal transmitted simultaneously by the transceiver may activate or "activate" the transceiver on another container 304, which may then activate the wireless card directly or by the controller on another container 304. The exemplified examples also include a container 308 not associated with the access point container 302. Such a container 308 may not be from the same entity that owns the access point container 302 or another container 304. In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 can transmit an activation signal including authentication data that enables the activation device 306 to connect to the access point container 302 controller through the associated wireless card. The activation device 306 can also include authentication data that enables other containers 304 to access the access point simultaneously transmitted by the access point container 302. For example, if 6 out of 9 containers in a shipyard belong to Group A, the activation device 306 can utilize a token for each container to access the access point. Such a token will be transmitted only to the containers within range, but only the containers owned by Group A.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 can utilize values obtained from the access point container 302 to activate the wireless card on the access point container 302. The values obtained from the access point container 302 can be the numbers of the container written outside the container, or may also be provided by barcodes on the container. This value combined with the token can be used to send an activation signal. For example, if the access point container 302 belongs to Group A, then at this time Group A can have an internal token for activating the wireless card and sharing data with the activation device. In an embodiment, by including this token together with the value associated with the container, it can be ensured that a specific container operates as an access point. In one or more embodiments, the transceiver can be a BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) low energy beacon that can transmit an identifier to the activation device 306 for use in configuring an access point for the access point container 302. The token can be generated dynamically and / or statically within the container. This token can encrypt one or more parts of information such as the container ID and transmit it within the beacon.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, a container controller, a transceiver, a wireless card, and a boot device can be implemented on the processing system 200 shown in FIG. 2. The use of the access point controller 302 to connect to other containers 304 allows the energy efficiency of the wireless card operating in client mode to not consume as much energy as in access point mode. This allows other containers 304 to not consume as much power by making the access point to which the boot device 306 connects to collect data associated with the shipping container. Additionally, operating in client mode is safer than operating in access point mode, and thus the fewer the number of containers required to operate in access point mode, the safer it becomes. Also, having a smaller number of access point containers results in less interference in densely packed areas such as shipyards or dockyards.

[0043] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for dynamic wireless communication according to one or more embodiments. The method 400 includes receiving, by a first controller of a first device, a first boot signal from a boot device, as shown in block 402. Also, in response to receiving the first boot signal, the method 400 includes transitioning the first device from a low power state to a high power state, as shown in block 404. At block 406, the method 400 includes simultaneously transmitting, by the first device, a second boot signal to a second controller of a second device. The method 400 then includes, at block 408, simultaneously transmitting, by the first device, a wireless network, where the first device includes an access point for the wireless network. The method 400 also includes receiving, as shown in block 410, a request from the second device to participate in the wireless network. And at block 412, the method 400 includes permitting, by the first device, access to the wireless network for the second device.

[0044] Additional processes may be included. It should be understood that the processes depicted in FIG. 4 are illustrative, and that other processes may be added, or existing processes may be deleted, modified, or rearranged without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method is presented herein by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the drawings.

[0046] The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with the measurement of a particular quantity by the instrument available at the time of filing.

[0047] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “comprise” and / or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0048] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but is intended to include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method of dynamic wireless communication, comprising: receiving, by a first controller of a first device, a first wake-up signal from an initiating device; transitioning the first device from a lower power state to a higher power state in response to receiving the first wake-up signal; simultaneously transmitting a second wake-up signal by the first device to a second controller of a second device; broadcasting, by the first device having an access point for a wireless network, the wireless network; receiving a request to join the wireless network from the second device; granting, by the first device, a second device access to a wireless network; A method of dynamic wireless communication comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving data from the second controller over the wireless network.

3. receiving a request to join the wireless network from the initiating device; The method of claim 2 , further comprising: granting, by the first device, the initiating device access to the wireless network.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising communicating the data from the second controller to the initiating device by the first device over the wireless network.

5. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transitioning the first device from the higher power state to the lower power state in response to communicating data from the second controller to the initiating device.

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 initiating device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

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

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

11. 1. A dynamic wireless communication system, comprising: A first controller of the first device, the first controller comprising: receiving a first wake-up signal from an initiation device; transitioning the first device from a lower power state to a higher power state in response to receiving the first wake-up signal; simultaneously transmitting a second wake-up signal by the first device to a second controller of a second device; broadcasting a wireless network by the first device, the first device including an access point for the wireless network; receiving a request to join the wireless network from the second device; granting, by the first device, access to the wireless network to the second device; A dynamic wireless communication system configured to:

12. The first controller includes: The system of claim 11 , further configured to receive data from the second controller via the wireless network.

13. The first controller includes: receiving a request from the initiating device to join the wireless network; The system of claim 12 , further configured to: allow the initiating device to access the wireless network, by the first device.

14. The first controller includes: The system of claim 13 , further configured to communicate the data from the second controller to the initiating device by the first device over the wireless network.

15. The first controller includes:

12. The system of claim 11, further configured to transition the first device from the higher power state to the lower power state in response to communicating the data from the second controller to the initiating device.

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

17. 20. 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 initiation device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

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

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

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