Motion Pattern Pairing for Container Chassis Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In container yards with many containers and vehicles, it is difficult to determine which vehicle is associated with each container, especially when they are stationary, causing logistical challenges in asset tracking and management.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising sensor apparatuses mounted on containers and vehicles that detect motion patterns to initiate pairing through short-range communication systems, such as Bluetooth Low Energy, allowing accurate association and tracking of containers with their corresponding vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If motion detection is used to activate pairing, then battery consumption is reduced, but pairing reliability may be affected in stationary scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidpairing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts its detection mechanism based on operational context. Motion detection is used as the primary activation method for mobile scenarios, while the system can transition to alternative detection methods (such as proximity detection or manual activation) when containers and chassis are stationary, ensuring reliable pairing across all operational states without continuous battery drain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its detection parameters based on the operational state. When motion is detected, the system activates pairing mode. For stationary scenarios, the system adjusts by using different detection thresholds or alternative sensing methods, allowing it to maintain pairing reliability while adapting to the changed physical state of the containers and chassis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If motion pattern recognition is used to initiate pairing, then false pairings are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures multiple motion patterns that correspond to legitimate container-chassis interactions (such as lifting, placing, or coupling motions). These patterns are stored in the device memory beforehand, allowing the system to quickly compare detected motion against known valid patterns without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus maintaining pairing accuracy while limiting complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy or model of expected motion patterns for legitimate container-chassis associations. Instead of implementing complex physical verification mechanisms, the system uses pre-recorded motion signatures that can be easily stored and compared, reducing the need for complex hardware while maintaining high pairing accuracy through pattern matching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3825935B1Method and system for pairing a chassis and container in an asset tracking system
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3825935B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3825935B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3825935B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method for pairing a first computing device with a second computing device, the method including: detecting motion at the first computing device; determining, at the first computing device, that a pattern of the detected motion corresponds with a saved motion pattern; and activating a communications subsystem on the first computing device based on the determining to begin a pairing process.