Sensor Controller for Shipping Containers with Remote IIoT Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring shipping containers lack efficient remote configuration and data retrieval of sensors during transit, leading to challenges in resource management and alert notification.
Innovation Solution
A sensor controller connected to an IIoT machine that receives sensor configuration data and network connection details, allowing it to activate sensors and transmit data to a client device upon reaching the destination, enabling remote monitoring and efficient resource management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are deployed in shipping containers for monitoring during transit, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and resource management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller automatically manages sensor activation and data collection based on received configuration data. The system self-configures by receiving sensor configuration data indicating which sensors to activate and automatically manages their operation during transit, eliminating the need for manual intervention at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor configuration data and network connection data are received and processed before the shipping container begins transit. The sensor controller is pre-configured with sensor activation instructions and destination network information, enabling automatic operation once transit commences without requiring real-time manual configuration.
2Reliability
If sensors are activated during transit, then monitoring effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Not all sensors are activated continuously throughout the entire transit period. The sensor configuration data specifies particular sensors to activate based on monitoring needs, allowing selective activation of only necessary sensors for specific monitoring tasks during transit, rather than running all sensors at full capacity continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are activated and deactivated according to the transit schedule and monitoring requirements specified in the configuration data. The system periodically activates sensors based on when monitoring is needed during different phases of transit, rather than maintaining continuous operation of all sensors throughout the entire journey.
3Ease of operation
If sensor data is transmitted to remote devices, then accessibility and alert notification are improved, but network dependency and communication complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller acts as an intermediary device between the sensors and remote client devices. It collects data from sensors, manages the data buffer, and handles communication with destination networks using stored network connection data, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing communication functions in a single controller rather than requiring direct connections from multiple sensors to multiple clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor controller autonomously manages data transmission by automatically connecting to destination networks using pre-stored network connection data when the shipping container reaches its destination. The system self-initiates data transmission without requiring manual intervention to establish connections or manage communication protocols.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple networks are configured for different locations, then adaptability to various destinations is improved, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller is designed with universal network communication capabilities that can handle multiple destination networks. The system receives and stores multiple sets of network connection data corresponding to different destination networks, enabling a single controller to adapt to various shipping destinations without requiring destination-specific hardware or complex reconfiguration of the underlying communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple network connection data sets for different destination networks are received and stored in advance before transit begins. The sensor controller is pre-configured with multiple destination network options, allowing it to automatically connect to the appropriate network when the shipping container reaches its final destination without requiring real-time configuration decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides for a system and method for managing network-connected industrial assets. The network-connected assets include a sensor controller affixed to a shipping container, where the sensor controller is communicatively coupled to one or more sensors. The one or more sensors monitor the shipping container and/or the contents stored therein. When located at an origin location, the sensor controller is communicatively coupled to a first Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) machine via a first network. A client device can communicate with the sensor controller via the first IIoT machine. When the shipping container is shipped to a destination location, the sensor controller connects to a second network at the destination location. At the second network, another IIoT machine communicates with the sensor controller. The client device then receives sensor data from the sensor controller via the second IIoT machine.