Reusable Goods Carrier BLE Tracking Without Fixed Access Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing merchandise carrier circulation systems incur high costs due to the need for numerous permanently installed access points to track reusable carriers, and lack real-time location information without such installations.

Innovation Solution

Reusable product carriers equipped with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) access point and beacon, allowing for a mobile logistics data network where access points circulate with the carriers, reducing the need for fixed installations and enabling real-time location tracking through a mesh network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If permanently installed access points are deployed to track reusable carriers, then location information can be obtained, but system costs become very high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation informationVSAvoidsystem costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having fixed access points stationary and carriers passing through them, the patent inverts the approach by making access points mobile (attached to carriers) and having them actively transmit their location. This transforms the tracking system from infrastructure-heavy to carrier-integrated, dramatically reducing deployment costs while maintaining real-time location capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The reusable carriers equip themselves with access points and beacons, making them self-tracking units. Each carrier becomes its own tracking device, eliminating the need for external fixed infrastructure. The carrier's onboard system automatically transmits location data, making the tracking service self-provided rather than externally imposed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If permanently installed access points are used for tracking, then location data can be collected, but real-time information is not achieved without continuous installations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time informationVSAvoidaccess point installations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fixed access points to dynamic mobile access points that move with the carriers. This dynamic approach ensures continuous tracking capability as carriers move through the supply chain, achieving real-time information without requiring installations at every possible location. The mobile access points adapt their position to match carrier movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The access points attached to carriers serve multiple functions: they track their own carrier's location, can detect other carriers nearby via beacons, and transmit data through telecommunications networks. This multi-functionality consolidates tracking capabilities into the carriers themselves, eliminating the need for separate fixed infrastructure at multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If BLE access points are deployed to read beacon identifiers, then carrier identification can be obtained, but a large number of access points must be installed at manufacturers, suppliers, and supermarkets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier identificationVSAvoiddeployment effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the access point functionality from fixed locations and embeds it directly into the reusable carriers. By taking the access point out of the infrastructure and placing it on the carrier, the system eliminates the need for widespread installation at manufacturers, suppliers, and supermarkets. The carrier becomes the portable reading station for its own beacon and other carriers' beacons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of information

If barcodes are scanned to locate carriers, then location information can be obtained, but real-time tracking is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation informationVSAvoidreal-time tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical barcode scanning process with automated electronic beacon transmission and wireless communication. Instead of requiring physical line-of-sight scanning at fixed points, carriers automatically transmit their identification via beacons and location via access points through telecommunications networks, enabling continuous real-time tracking without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4693131A1Multipath goods vehicle, goods vehicle circulating system, mobile logistics data network and method for transmitting location information of multipath goods vehicles within a goods vehicle circulating system

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 IFCO MANAGEMENT GMBH

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AI summary

A reusable goods carrier (12) is shown, designed and configured for use in a goods carrier circulation system. An access point (34) for a beacon (26) is attached to the goods carrier. Furthermore, a goods carrier circulation system and a mobile logistics data network (42) are shown, as well as a method for transmitting location information from reusable goods carriers (12) circulating within the goods carrier circulation system.