Monitoring Terminal Positioning Intervals for Shipping Delays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shipping systems using GPS-based positioning devices struggle to provide detailed position information around the arrival date and time at the destination when shipping delays occur, leading to prolonged positioning intervals and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring terminal that adjusts its positioning interval based on the shipping date and time, switching to shorter intervals as the arrival date approaches, and optionally adjusting further based on distance to the destination when delays are anticipated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the positioning device uses a fixed long positioning interval around the arrival date and time, then energy consumption is reduced and device operation is simplified, but detailed position information cannot be acquired when shipping delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning interval is changed from a fixed value to a dynamic value that automatically adjusts based on the time relationship between current time and estimated arrival time. When the current time is within a predetermined time range before the estimated arrival time, the device switches to a first (shorter) positioning interval; otherwise, it uses a second (longer) positioning interval. This dynamic adjustment ensures high position information accuracy near arrival while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of positioning interval based on temporal conditions. By comparing current time with estimated arrival time and adjusting the positioning interval parameter accordingly, the system achieves both high reliability for position tracking near arrival and efficient energy usage during transit.
2Loss of information
If the positioning device continuously acquires position information at short intervals, then detailed position information is always available, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs periodic positioning with variable periods. Instead of continuous short-interval positioning, it uses long intervals during most of the transit and switches to short intervals only periodically when near the estimated arrival time. This periodic adjustment maintains necessary position information detail while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-calculates the estimated arrival time and uses this information to determine when to switch to high-frequency positioning mode. By preparing in advance and switching modes proactively near arrival, the system ensures position information is available when needed without maintaining high energy consumption throughout the entire journey.
3Ease of operation
If the positioning interval is extended to cover delayed arrivals, then device operation is simplified, but position information accuracy deteriorates around the actual arrival time
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the estimated arrival time calculation to dynamically adjust the positioning interval. By continuously monitoring the relationship between current time and estimated arrival time, the device automatically switches between long and short positioning intervals, maintaining measurement precision near arrival without requiring manual intervention or complex operational adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring terminal includes a control unit configured to acquire a current date and time indicating a date and time at present, a storage unit configured to store a first destination to which a first object is shipped and a shipping date and time indicating a date and time at which the first object is shipped to the first destination, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire first position information indicating a position of the first object at a first interval when the current date and time is a date and time before the shipping date and time, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the first position information at a second interval shorter than the first interval, when the current date and time is a date and time after the shipping date and time.