Reusable Goods Carrier Tracking via Mobile BLE Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing goods carrier circulation systems face high costs and limited real-time monitoring capabilities due to the need for numerous fixed access points to track reusable goods carriers, especially when using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, which are expensive and require extensive installation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mobile access points on reusable goods carriers equipped with energy generation units to convert kinetic, thermal, or electromagnetic energy into electrical energy, allowing beacons to communicate via a mesh network, reducing the need for fixed access points and enabling real-time location tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed access points are installed at predetermined locations to track reusable goods carriers, then location tracking capability is improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing fixed access points in the environment to track moving goods carriers, the patent inverts the approach by placing access points on the moving goods carriers themselves. These mobile access points then track their own locations and communicate with a central server, eliminating the need for extensive fixed infrastructure while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The goods carriers equipped with access points perform their own tracking and location reporting functions. Each access point on a goods carrier independently determines its location and communicates this information to the server, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external fixed access points at every location.
2Reliability
If numerous fixed access points are deployed to ensure reliable monitoring, then monitoring reliability is improved, but cost and effort for installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the monitoring architecture from environment-based fixed access points to object-based mobile access points. By placing access points on the goods carriers themselves, the system achieves reliable monitoring through the carriers' own active participation rather than through passive detection by fixed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile access points on goods carriers serve multiple functions: they track the carrier's location, communicate with the central server, and can potentially interact with other carriers or infrastructure elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized fixed infrastructure while maintaining monitoring reliability.
3Device complexity
If mobile access points are placed on goods carriers, then system cost is reduced, but energy supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic energy management through multiple sources: rechargeable batteries provide base energy, solar cells provide renewable energy during daylight, and piezoelectric elements harvest energy from mechanical movements and vibrations of the goods carrier. This dynamic, multi-source approach ensures continuous operation while minimizing the burden on any single energy source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its energy acquisition parameters by utilizing different energy sources under different conditions: solar energy when available, mechanical energy during transport and handling, and stored battery energy when other sources are unavailable. This adaptive energy management allows the mobile access point to operate continuously with reduced overall energy requirements.
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
This approach significantly reduces costs and ensures real-time location tracking of goods carriers without fixed infrastructure, maintaining operational efficiency and reducing the number of required access points.
Implementation Method 1
an energy generation unit which is designed to charge the energy source with electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
an energy generation unit which is designed to charge the energy source with electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
an energy generation unit which is designed to charge the energy source with electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A returnable goods carrier is shown that is designed and adapted for being used in a goods carrier circulation system. An access point for a beacon is attached to the goods carrier. Furthermore, a goods carrier circulation system and a mobile logistics data network are shown, as well as a method for transmitting location information from returnable goods carriers that circulate within the goods carrier circulation system.