Sentinel Indicator System Selective Data Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current monitoring systems for packages during transport lack flexibility in data selection and transmission, failing to provide tailored quality of service levels based on item-specific requirements, such as temperature or position monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A sentinel indicator system equipped with multiple sensors and a transmission unit that allows selective data transmission, enabling the choice of which data to send, such as position or temperature, using a mobile communication standard, and a logical node in the logistics system to decide on data selection, with user input possible through a webpage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all sensor data are transmitted continuously, then complete monitoring information is provided, but data transmission volume and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring information completenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the essential monitoring data that exceeds predefined thresholds or is relevant to specific service levels, rather than transmitting all sensor data continuously. This selective extraction reduces data transmission volume and energy consumption while maintaining the necessary monitoring information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial action by transmitting data selectively based on service level agreements and monitoring requirements. Instead of continuous full-data transmission, only necessary portions are transmitted, optimizing the balance between information completeness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of energy

If selective data transmission is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but monitoring flexibility and service level customization are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidservice level customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts data transmission parameters, selection criteria, and service levels based on real-time conditions, item characteristics, and user requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize energy consumption while maintaining the necessary monitoring flexibility and service level customization through programmable logic and user-configurable parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are equipped for comprehensive monitoring, then monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring system into modular sensor units, each responsible for specific physical parameters. This segmentation allows comprehensive monitoring through multiple specialized sensors while managing device complexity through modular design, where each sensor module can be independently configured and managed based on service level requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2149127B1Method for monitoring a package, sentinel indicator system and logistics system
Publication Date: 2013.11.20 DEUT POST AG
  • EP2149127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2149127B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2149127B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a package for storage and/or transport of at least one item, wherein data about properties of the item and/or about influences on the items are measured. According to the invention the method is carried out in a way, that at least two sensors are equipped in a way enabling them for measuring the data, wherein a sending unit relates the data of the at least two sensors. The invention furthermore comprises a sentinel indicator system and a logistics system.