Parcel Tracking System with Multi-Sensor Environmental Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parcel tracking systems cannot effectively monitor the condition of parcels during transport, particularly for valuable or temperature-sensitive items, as they lack the ability to detect environmental changes or attribute responsibility in case of damage.
Innovation Solution
A parcel tracking system equipped with a detection device containing sensors for brightness, temperature, humidity, acceleration, and location, which communicates with a remote server and electronic device to monitor and record environmental conditions and events during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tracking systems are used to monitor parcel location, then geolocalization is achieved, but the ability to detect environmental conditions and attribute responsibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (geolocalization, temperature sensing, humidity sensing, brightness sensing, acceleration sensing) into a single integrated detection device that is placed inside the parcel. This merging allows the system to simultaneously track location and monitor environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between location tracking reliability and environmental information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a location tracker and an environmental monitor. It can detect geographical position, temperature, humidity, brightness (to determine if parcel is opened), and acceleration (to detect drops or improper handling). This universal device eliminates the need for separate systems and enables comprehensive monitoring for responsibility attribution.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are added to monitor environmental conditions, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors (GPS module, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, brightness sensor, acceleration sensor) are merged into a single detection device with a unified processing unit. This integration reduces the complexity that would arise from having separate monitoring systems while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device is designed to autonomously monitor environmental conditions, process sensor data, and transmit information without requiring external intervention. The processing unit automatically analyzes sensor readings and determines when adverse conditions occur, enabling the device to serve itself and reducing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If real-time data transmission is implemented, then monitoring efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device transmits data periodically rather than continuously, balancing real-time monitoring efficiency with energy conservation. The device can be configured to transmit data at regular intervals or when specific thresholds are exceeded, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining effective monitoring capability.
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
Enables real-time monitoring and precise reconstruction of events during delivery, allowing for the identification of adverse conditions or damage, thereby maximizing shipment management efficiency and facilitating the attribution of responsibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first, brightness, sensor, connected to the processing unit, housed in the containment body and facing outside it to detect a first parameter representative of the brightness of an environment in which the device is immersed
Implementation Method 2
one or more second sensors, for the detection of environmental parameters, connected to the processing unit, housed in the containment body and configured to measure one or more second parameters representative of at least a temperature and of a degree of humidity of the environment in which the device is immersed
Implementation Method 3
a third, acceleration, sensor configured to detect a third parameter representative of lateral acceleration (preferably in three-dimensional space) to which said detection device is subjected
Implementation Method 4
a fourth, localization, sensor, housed in the containment body and configured to detect a fourth parameter representative of an instantaneous geographical position of the containment body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A parcel tracking system comprises at least one detection device (1), provided with a containment body (2), a processing unit (4) housed in said containment body (2), a first, brightness, sensor (6), a second sensor (7), for detecting environmental parameters, a third, acceleration, sensor (9), and a fourth, localization, sensor, each configured to detect a respective first, second, third or fourth parameter. The system further comprises a remote server (11) and a remote electronic device (21) provided with a user interface module (22). The processing unit (4) of the detection device (1) is configured to send to the server (11) and/or to the electronic device (21) one or more signals having an informative content representative of the values of said first, second, third and fourth parameter. The electronic device (21) and/or the remote server (11) is configured to perform a processing cycle which envisages receiving one or more signals, comparing the value of the first, second, third and fourth parameters with the respective alarm thresholds, and recording, in a specific memory space, at least an identification data, representative of an adverse event, upon each exceedance of the alarm threshold by the relative first, second or third parameter.