Cellular Shipment Tracking via Dummy IMSI Attachments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shipment tracking methods are costly and inefficient, particularly for perishable goods, as they require special infrastructure and human involvement, and fail to provide real-time location data during detours from predetermined routes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method using radio modules with dummy International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) that attach to cellular networks to log location and time information, allowing for tracking without the need for extensive infrastructure or human intervention, utilizing existing network protocols and minimal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional tracking methods using labels and scanners are used, then tracking can be performed at predetermined locations, but real-time location data during detours cannot be obtained and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the cellular network infrastructure serve multiple purposes: its original communication function plus a new tracking function. The radio modules use the existing cellular network for both data communication and location tracking, eliminating the need for dedicated tracking infrastructure. The network nodes process both regular traffic and tracking requests through their existing signaling pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio modules autonomously attempt to attach to cellular networks and generate location records without human intervention. The system self-services by utilizing the ubiquitous cellular infrastructure already present in the environment, rather than requiring specialized tracking equipment or manual scanning operations at each location.
2Productivity
If conventional tracking with manual or automated scanning is used, then shipment identity can be recorded, but real-time tracking between scans is not possible and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radio modules continuously attempt to attach to cellular networks at regular intervals, providing continuous location updates rather than discrete scan points. This continuous action ensures that location information is always available or nearly available, eliminating gaps in tracking data and enabling real-time monitoring of shipment movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic attachment attempts by radio modules at predetermined time intervals. This periodic action balances tracking accuracy with resource consumption, ensuring location updates occur frequently enough to capture detours and route changes while avoiding excessive energy use and network traffic.
3Reliability
If special tracking infrastructure and equipment are deployed, then tracking capability is improved, but implementation costs and deployment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tracking function with the existing cellular network infrastructure. Instead of deploying separate tracking equipment, the system combines location tracking capabilities with the universally available cellular network, utilizing existing base stations, signaling protocols, and network nodes to provide reliable tracking without additional infrastructure deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular network acts as an intermediary between the radio modules and the tracking system. The network nodes receive attachment requests from radio modules and generate location records, mediating the tracking process without requiring direct communication between shippers and tracking infrastructure. This intermediary approach simplifies deployment by leveraging the network's existing presence.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods (200, 900, 1100) and devices (300, 120, 130, 400, 510, 1000, 1200, 1340) enable tracking using existing mobile networks' infrastructure. A radio module (110, R, 1310) that is attached to a shipment sends one or more network attachment requests including a network-type identifier. Although the requests are rejected, the network records location information if the network-type identifier is actively associated with a shipment identifier.