Aircraft Cargo Tracking Device with Motion-Based Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless tracking devices for aircraft cargo face challenges in complying with FAA regulations, often generating false negatives and positives due to variations in aircraft engine operation and environment, and require human intervention, which is not always feasible.

Innovation Solution

A wireless RF transmitter device with a baseline 'off' status that activates its data transmission module only under specific conditions, such as manual, time-based, or motion-based activation, using a combination of sensors to determine the aircraft's status and ensure safe data transmission, avoiding interference with navigation and communication systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless tracking devices continuously transmit data, then tracking reliability is improved, but interference with aircraft navigation and communication systems occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking reliabilityVSAvoidinterference with aircraft systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device dynamically adjusts its transmission state between active and inactive based on real-time detection of aircraft motion. The device remains inactive during aircraft movement (takeoff, flight, landing) and activates only when the aircraft is stationary, thereby maintaining tracking reliability while preventing interference with aircraft systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses motion sensors to continuously monitor aircraft movement and provides feedback to the control logic. This feedback mechanism enables the device to automatically determine when it is safe to transmit data, resolving the contradiction between maintaining continuous tracking and avoiding interference during critical flight operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If motion-based activation is used to prevent interference, then safety is improved, but false readings occur due to engine operation variations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmotion detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary motion detection and waits for a predetermined period of no motion before activating transmission. This preliminary action filters out transient vibrations from engine operation during stationary phases, preventing false readings while maintaining safety. The device only transmits after confirming sustained stillness, eliminating spurious activations caused by engine variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If manual activation is required to ensure safety, then interference prevention is improved, but human intervention is needed which is not always feasible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference preventionVSAvoidhuman intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device autonomously determines when to activate or deactivate transmission based on its own motion sensor readings and embedded control logic. The device self-regulates its operation without requiring human intervention, automatically preventing interference during flight while maintaining ease of operation. The system serves itself by using its sensor data to make transmission decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides fault-free operation that complies with FAA regulations, reducing false readings and eliminating the need for human intervention, ensuring reliable tracking of aircraft cargo without interfering with aircraft systems.

Implementation Method 1

A wireless tracking device having at least a motion sensor, a vision sensor, various environmental sensor(s) that together determine the location of the device in relation to an aircraft and determine the status or mode of the aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

A wireless tracking device having at least a motion sensor, a vision sensor, various environmental sensor(s) that together determine the location of the device in relation to an aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisual detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10070252B1Aircraft container tracking device

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 ROAMBEE CORP

AI summary

A wireless transmitter device that has a baseline ‘off’ status, turning its data transmission module ‘on’ only under certain specific circumstances, thus allowing the device to be used on aircraft without concern of the device activating and transmitting location data that might interfere with the aircraft navigation and/or communication systems. The data transmission module may be turned on manually, may be activated based on time, or may be activated based on motion. Activation of the data transmission module occurs only after it has been determined that it is safe to activate the module(s), for example, if no motion of the device has been sensed for a predetermined period of time. Only after the device has assuredly determined that the aircraft is in a mode where data transmission is allowed (e.g., not in flight) is the data transmission module activated.