IoT Transportation Unit Clustering via Identity Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The tracking of transportation units in a distribution chain is challenging due to varying connectivity capabilities and hardware limitations, especially in confined spaces where some IoT devices may have limited or no access to 5G or GPS, and the use of mesh-based protocols can lead to battery drain and does not address malfunctioning sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method where transportation units share their identities via a communication module, store and transmit these identities to an external processing unit, allowing for clustering based on shared information, using short-range protocols like Bluetooth LE to maintain low power consumption and provide critical sensor data collectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh-based protocols are used to enable communication between IoT devices with limited connectivity, then tracking coverage is improved, but battery consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tracking functionality by distinguishing between identity sharing (performed by all devices using low-power short-range communication) and sensor data collection (performed only by devices with appropriate sensors). This segmentation allows devices to participate in tracking with minimal energy expenditure while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Not all transportation units need to perform all tracking functions. The patent allows partial participation where devices can contribute identity information without necessarily collecting or transmitting all sensor data, reducing the energy burden on individual devices while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Measurement precision
If complete sensor suites are provided on every transportation unit, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sensor data from multiple transportation units to create a comprehensive view of the cargo environment. Instead of requiring each unit to have complete sensor coverage, the system combines data from units that do have sensors, achieving full measurement capability through aggregation rather than duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module serves multiple functions: it enables identity sharing for clustering, facilitates sensor data collection from units that have sensors, and provides a universal interface for all transportation units regardless of their specific sensor configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized hardware on each unit.
3Measurement precision
If frequent identity sharing is performed using short-range protocols, then clustering accuracy is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs identity sharing at periodic intervals rather than continuously. Transportation units share their identities at defined intervals, which maintains clustering accuracy by capturing changes in the transportation group composition while avoiding the excessive communication overhead of continuous sharing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for clustering transportation units in a distribution chain. The method makes use of the situation where many transportation units, such as IoT devices, are loaded in a confined space in which the transportation units have different or limited connectivity capabilities depending on radio environment and possibly also on device hardware capabilities. The method comprising respective transportation unit; sharing its identity; receiving and storing the identity of at least one other transportation unit; transmitting its identity and the stored identity of the at least one other transportation unit to an external processing unit; and clustering, at the external processing unit, the transportation units based on the transmitted identities. The disclosure also relates to a transportation unit and to computer program products.