Gas Storage Container Management via Short-Range Relay Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas storage containers require GPS and long-distance communication modules for remote management, leading to high power consumption and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A management system and method utilizing short-range and long-range communication units, where gas storage containers communicate indirectly through relay devices, eliminating the need for GPS and long-range communication modules on each container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS and long-distance communication modules are installed on each gas storage container for remote management, then location tracking and remote management capability are improved, but power consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay devices as intermediaries between gas storage containers and the management server. Containers communicate location and status information to relay devices via short-range communication (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), which then forward this data to the server via long-range communication (4G, 5G, satellite). This mediator approach allows containers to achieve remote management capability without requiring expensive GPS and long-distance communication modules, significantly reducing their power consumption while maintaining reliable location tracking through the relay network.
2Reliability
If GPS and long-distance communication modules are installed on each gas storage container, then remote management capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Relay devices serve as intermediaries that perform long-range communication with the management server on behalf of gas storage containers. Containers only need simple short-range communication modules (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to communicate with nearby relay devices, eliminating the need for expensive GPS and long-distance communication modules in each container. This reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive remote management capability through the relay infrastructure.
3Use of energy by moving object
If short-range communication is used for container-relay communication, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the communication system from a single-dimension direct container-to-server link to a multi-dimensional hierarchical structure. Containers communicate via short-range links to relay devices in their immediate vicinity (first dimension), which then communicate via long-range links to the management server (second dimension). This dimensional expansion allows containers to maintain low power consumption with short-range communication while achieving effective long-distance communication coverage through the relay network's extended reach.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To provide a management system and a management method for reducing the power consumption and the cost of gas storage containers. [Solution] The management system M for gas storage containers comprises a gas storage container P equipped with a short-range transmission unit, a relay device Q equipped with a short-range receiving unit and a long-range transmission unit, and a management device R equipped with a long-range receiving unit. The short-range receiving unit is configured to receive a first signal S1 transmitted from the short-range transmission unit. The long-range receiving unit is configured to receive a second signal S2 transmitted from the long-range transmission unit.