Methods and systems for dynamic wireless communication

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

[0004] ,

[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 (2.44 m) by 8 feet wide and 6 inches (2.59 m) high, and have a length of either 20 feet (6.1 m) or 40 feet (12.2 m). Other lengths such as 45 feet (13.7 m), 48 feet (14.6 m), and 53 feet (16.2 m) 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 on and off 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 highest temperature reached within the container, the state of the refrigerant, or any electronic equipment of the computer.

[0004] A potential problem is that accessing the computer in each container can be difficult. Shipping containers for through transport are typically designed to be stackable and packed into tight spaces. Therefore, a single container stack can contain anywhere from six to twelve containers. To maximize the number of containers in a ship or shipping facility, containers may be placed very close to each other. In such configurations, accessing a single container can be challenging. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

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

[0006] One embodiment provides a particular method, which includes: receiving a first start signal from a start device by a first controller of a first device; transitioning the first device from a low-power state to a high-power state in response to receiving the first start signal; simultaneously transmitting a second start signal by the first device to a second controller of a second device; simultaneously transmitting a wireless network by the first device, wherein the first device includes an access point for the wireless network; receiving a request from the second device to join the wireless network; and granting the second device access to the wireless network by the first device.

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

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

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

[0010] In addition to or as an alternative 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 transmitting data from a second controller to a startup device.

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

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

[0013] In addition to or as an alternative 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.

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

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

[0016] One embodiment provides a specific system. The system includes a first controller of a first device, the first controller receiving a first start signal from a start device, transitioning the first device from a low-power state to a high-power state in response to receiving the first start signal, the first device simultaneously transmitting a second start signal to a second controller of a second device, the first device simultaneously transmitting a wireless network, in which case the first device includes an access point for the wireless network, receives a request from the second device to join the wireless network, and is configured to allow the second device to access the wireless network.

[0017] In addition to or as an alternative 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 a second controller via a wireless network.

[0018] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the system may include the first controller being further configured to receive requests from the startup device to join a wireless network and to allow the startup device to access the wireless network by the first device.

[0019] In addition to or as an alternative 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 a startup device via a wireless network by a first 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 the first controller is 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.

[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 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] Schematic diagram of an embodiment of a refrigerated transport cargo container. [Figure 2] Block diagram of a computing system for use in implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Block diagram depicting a group of shipping containers each including a container controller having a wireless card embedded therein according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Flow diagram of a method for dynamic wireless communication according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

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 numerals, although different first digits indicating the drawings in which the features are shown may be prefixed. 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] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a refrigerated cargo container 10. The cargo container 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular structure comprising a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14 on the opposite side thereof, opposing side walls 16, and a front wall 18. The cargo container 10 further includes one or more doors (not shown) on the rear wall 20 opposite the front wall 18. The cargo container 10 is configured to maintain cargo 22 placed inside the cargo container 10 52 at a selected temperature through the use of a refrigeration unit 24 located inside the container 10. The cargo container 10 is mobile and is used, for example, to transport cargo 22 via truck, train or ship. The refrigeration unit 24 is located in the front wall 18 and includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and evaporator fan, and other auxiliary components. The cargo container 10 described herein is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the uses, applications and / or technical scope of this disclosure, which can be embodied in various forms known in the art. Containers may be present within the port / terminal, but not necessarily in transit.

[0030] Referring to Figure 2, one embodiment of a processing system 200 for carrying out 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 comprehensively 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 system memory 34 (RAM) and various other components via a system bus 33. Read-only memory (ROM) 62 is coupled to the system bus 33 and may include a basic input / output system (BIOS) which controls certain basic functions of the system 200.

[0031] Figure 2 further illustrates an input / output (I / O) adapter 27 and a network adapter 26 coupled to the 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 component. 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 running 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, 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). Suitable I / O buses for connecting peripheral devices such as storage device controllers, hard disk controllers, network adapters, and graphics adapters typically include common protocols such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). Additional input / output devices are shown connected to the system bus 33 via a user interface adapter 28 and a display adapter 32. The keyboard 29, mouse 30, and 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 the exemplary embodiment, the processing system 200 includes a graphics processing unit 41. The graphics processing unit 41 is specialized electronic circuitry designed to manipulate and modify memory to facilitate the formation of an image in a frame buffer to be output to a display. Generally, the graphics processing unit 41 is extremely effective for manipulating computer graphics and image processing and has a more advanced parallel architecture 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 illustrative and is not intended to be limited to the uses, uses and / or technical scope of this disclosure, and can be embodied in various forms known in the art.

[0033] Thus, as configured in Figure 2, the system 200 includes processing capabilities in the form of a processor 21, storage capabilities including system memory 34 and 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 mass storage 64 stores an operating system for coordinating the functions of the various components shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is merely an example, non-limiting example, presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes.

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

[0035] As described above, and with reference to the more specifically relevant technologies of the aspects of this disclosure, through-shipment containers 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 through-shipment containers, such as refrigerated through-shipment containers, are computerized. It may be desirable to access the computer of an through-shipment 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 a container. Once established, a user or field engineer can access information associated with the container. This can make it easier to access containers that can be as tall as 6 to 12 stacked containers. However, challenges arise, as containers typically operate on battery power when stacked in a shipyard. Controllers on such containers may have embedded wireless hardware that can operate as a wireless access point, or connect to a wireless access point, or function in a peer-to-peer network, mesh network, or multiple modes simultaneously. However, embedded wireless on a container controller consumes a considerable amount of power when operating as an access point or connecting to a wireless network. If the controller operates on battery power, keeping such a wireless card active, or in an "on" state, can drain the battery relatively quickly.

[0037] Referring next to an overview of the aspects of this disclosure, one or more embodiments address the aforementioned drawbacks of the above-described technology by providing a system and method for a dynamic wireless communication configuration within a container, which 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 in which the wireless card is switched off or uses minimal power. The second mode is a wireless mode in which the wireless card can behave as a wireless access point or 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 may originate from a user device operated, for example, by a field engineer. The activation signal may also specify what type of wireless function (e.g., access point or wireless client) is required. In one or more embodiments, the container controller operates a wireless card as an access point and uses a transceiver to transmit a second activation signal to other nearby containers, causing other container controllers to operate as wireless clients, or two simultaneously. In addition, user devices operated by field engineers may connect to the access point. Once user devices and all containers within range of the wireless access point are connected to this network, user devices can download data associated with containers within the shipyard or elsewhere. By using one container as an access point and other containers as wireless clients, this enables field engineers to obtain data associated with various containers that are typically difficult to access, as described above. For example, a container may be as tall as up to 12 stacked containers.A field engineer can access an access point container near the bottom of the stack and activate a wireless card through the container controller so that one or more containers in the stack become connected access points. Once all containers are connected to the network, the field engineer can download the necessary data about those containers in the stack, instead of trying to collect data from each container at once.

[0038] Referring to a more detailed description of the embodiments of this disclosure, Figure 3 shows a block diagram illustrating a group of containers 300, each containing a container controller having a radio 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 used 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 radio unit / card / hardware embedded in the controller for the access point container 302. Prior to the startup signal, the radio unit / card / hardware operates in a low-power mode to conserve battery power for the access point container 302. As described above, the radio card can behave as a radio access point or as a radio client connected to another access point. Typically, the access point container 302 closest to the startup device 306 is configured as the access point. Once configured as an access point, the wireless card of the access point container 302 transmits a second activation signal to other containers 304 within range, causing each of its wireless cards to operate as a wireless client 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 then obtain data associated with each container 302, 304 through the access point. In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 may be a user device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 may 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 a radio 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 may receive data from each of the other containers 304. The data may include contents data about the container as well as other relevant data, such as configuration data. The data may be matched by the access point container 302 controller and then transmitted to the activation device 306.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, once the activation signal is issued, the network can be formed immediately, regardless of whether the controller is in low-power mode. Also, once the activation signal is transmitted, one or more of the units may be connected to wireless infrastructure such as a router / gateway provided by the customer or manufacturer. In one or more embodiments, the access point container 302 may 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 may be received by a transceiver that can operate in low-power mode before receiving the activation signal. The activation signal thus "activates" the transceiver, which then notifies the container controller to activate the radio card. The container controller then transitions the radio card from low-power mode to high-power mode. Otherwise, in other embodiments, the transceiver may directly activate the radio card and switch it on (e.g., transition from low-power mode to high-power mode). Similarly, a second activation signal transmitted simultaneously by the transceiver may activate, or "activate," a transceiver on another container 304, which then activates the radio card, either directly or by a controller on the other container 304. Illustrative examples also include a container 308 that is 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 the other container 304. In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 may transmit an activation signal containing credential data that enables the activation device 306 to connect to the access point container 302 controller via an associated wireless card. The activation device 306 may also include credential data that enables other containers 304 to access the access point simultaneously transmitted by the access point container 302. For example, if six of the nine containers in a shipyard belong to organization A, the activation device 306 may utilize a token for each container to access the access point. Such a token would be transmitted to containers within range, but only those owned by organization A.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the activation device 306 may utilize a value obtained from the access point container 302 to activate a radio card on the access point container 302. The value obtained from the access point container 302 may be a number written on the outside of the container, or it may be provided by a barcode on the container. This value, along with a token, can be used to transmit an activation signal. For example, if the access point container 302 belongs to organization A, then organization A may have an internal token for activating the radio card and sharing data with the activation device. In embodiments, this token, along with a value associated with the container, can ensure that a specific container is activated as an access point. In one or more embodiments, the transceiver may be a BLUETOOTH® 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 a container ID, and transmit it within the beacon.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the container controller, transceiver, radio card, and activation device can be implemented on the processing system 200 shown in Figure 2. The use of an access point controller 302 for connecting to other containers 304 allows the energy efficiency of the radio card in client mode to be less energy-efficient than in access point mode. This allows other containers 304 to use less power by enabling the activation device 306 to become an access point that can connect to collect data associated with the shipping container. In addition, operation in client mode is safer than operation in access point mode, and therefore the fewer the number of containers required to operate in access point mode, the safer it becomes. Also, having fewer access point containers results in less interference in densely packed areas such as shipyards or dockyards.

[0043] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method for dynamic wireless communication according to one or more embodiments. Method 400 includes receiving a first activation signal from an activation device by a first controller of a first device, as shown in block 402. In response to receiving the first activation signal, Method 400 also includes transitioning the first device from a low-power state to a high-power state, as shown in block 404. In block 406, Method 400 includes the first device simultaneously transmitting a second activation signal to a second controller of a second device. Method 400 then includes, in block 408, the first device simultaneously transmitting a wireless network, in which case the first device includes an access point for the wireless network. Method 400 also includes receiving a request from a second device to join the wireless network, as shown in block 410. And in block 412, Method 400 includes the first device granting the second device access to the wireless network.

[0044] Additional processes may be included. Please understand that the process depicted in Figure 4 is illustrative, and other processes may be added, or existing processes may be deleted, modified, or reorganized without deviating from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0045] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein, with reference to the drawings, not as an illustration but as an example.

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

[0047] The technical terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural form unless the context otherwise explicitly indicates. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and / or “comprising,” as used herein, specify the presence of the described features, integers, steps, actions, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0048] While this disclosure is described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and that equivalents may be substituted for some of its elements. In addition, many modifications may be made without departing from the essential scope of this disclosure to adapt the teachings of this disclosure to specific circumstances or materials. Thus, this disclosure is not limited to any particular embodiment disclosed as the optimal mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but is intended to include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of dynamic wireless communication, The first controller of the first device receives a first start signal from the start device, In response to receiving the first activation signal, the first device is transitioned from a low-power state to a high-power state, The first device simultaneously transmits a second start signal to the second controller of the second device, In response to receiving the second activation signal, the second device is transitioned from a second low-power state to a second high-power state, The first device simultaneously transmits the presence of a wireless network, Receiving a request from the second device to join the wireless network, The first device allows the second device to access the wireless network, Equipped with, The aforementioned first controller is associated with the first shipping container, The startup device includes an interface coupled to the first shipping container, The aforementioned second controller is associated with the second shipping container, The first activation signal includes credential data with an internal token that includes the container number associated with the first shipping container, The second activation signal includes credential data for connecting to the wireless network. A method of dynamic wireless communication in which the second device operates as a wireless client on the wireless network, and the first device operates as an access point on the wireless network.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving data from the second controller via the wireless network.

3. Receiving a request from the aforementioned startup device to join the wireless network, The method according to claim 2, further comprising allowing the first device to access the wireless network for the startup device.

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

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the activation device further comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a radio receiver.

7. A dynamic wireless communication system, The first device comprises a first controller, and this first controller is The first start signal is received from the start device. In response to receiving the first activation signal, the first device is transitioned from a low-power state to a high-power state. The first device simultaneously transmits a second start signal to the second controller of the second device. In response to receiving the second activation signal, the second device is transitioned from a second low-power state to a second high-power state. The first device simultaneously transmits the presence of a wireless network, The second device receives a request to join the wireless network, The first device grants the second device access to the wireless network. It is configured in such a way, The aforementioned first controller is associated with the first shipping container, The startup device includes an interface coupled to the first shipping container, The aforementioned second controller is associated with the second shipping container, The first activation signal includes credential data with an internal token that includes the container number associated with the first shipping container, The second activation signal includes credential data for connecting to the wireless network. A dynamic wireless communication system in which the second device operates as a wireless client on the wireless network, and the first device operates as an access point on the wireless network.

8. The first controller is, The system according to claim 7, further configured to receive data from the second controller via the wireless network.

9. The first controller is, The startup device receives a request to join the wireless network. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first device is further configured to allow the activation device to access the wireless network.

10. The first controller is, The system according to claim 9, further configured so that the first device transmits the data from the second controller to the activation device via the wireless network.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the activation device further comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.

12. The system according to claim 7, wherein the first device comprises a radio receiver.

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