Container Tracking Proxy with Periodic Polling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The intermodal container transport market faces issues with theft, loss, and delayed containers, as well as concerns about using containers for smuggling, due to inadequate tracking systems.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system comprising a tracking proxy with a local area interface for communicating with container monitoring devices, a processor for generating report messages, and a remote communication interface for uploading data to a remote host, which includes geographical location data, event detection, and security alerts, using GSM and GPRS technologies for continuous monitoring across different transport modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags are used to identify containers, then container identification is improved, but tracking reliability is insufficient due to lack of continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of containers through tracking proxies that continuously poll monitoring devices and exchange heartbeat messages, ensuring uninterrupted tracking data collection throughout the supply chain journey
Solution Approach 2:
Tracking proxies act as intermediary components between container monitoring devices and remote hosts, collecting data from multiple sources including RFID tags, location monitoring devices, and craft systems, then consolidating and forwarding this information to ensure reliable tracking
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of containers is implemented, then tracking reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into distributed tracking proxies deployed at different locations (ports, vehicles, facilities) that independently monitor local containers and communicate with remote hosts, dividing the complex monitoring task into manageable modular units
Solution Approach 2:
Tracking proxies are designed as multi-functional components that can communicate with various monitoring devices (RFID readers, GPS devices, temperature sensors), support multiple communication protocols (SMS, mobile network protocols), and perform diverse functions including data collection, validation, and forwarding
3Measurement precision
If geographical location data is continuously tracked, then location precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic polling of location monitoring devices by tracking proxies rather than continuous real-time transmission, collecting location data at regular intervals and only transmitting when changes occur or at scheduled update points
Solution Approach 2:
Location monitoring devices and craft systems autonomously maintain their operational status and only communicate when necessary, with tracking proxies initiating periodic checks rather than devices continuously transmitting, reducing overall system energy consumption
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported for tracking proxies, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Tracking proxies are designed with multi-protocol communication capabilities, supporting SMS, mobile network protocols, and other messaging formats to interface with diverse monitoring devices and networks, enabling universal compatibility across different transport modes and infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
Monitoring device modules (10) in containers on a ship are polled by a tracking proxy (12). Monitoring data is thus captured, and the proxy 12 can ascertain in real time that the correct group of containers is present. The proxy (12) also transmits higher-value report messages with relatively low bandwidth via a satellite communication system (13) to a gateway (15). The gateway (15) routes the messages on to various systems such as tracking centers. Also, the gateway (15) regularly polls and authenticates the distributed tracking proxies (12) within its group.