Wireless Network Activation for Battery-Powered Container Controllers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accessing the computer system in intermodal shipping containers, particularly refrigerated ones, is difficult due to their stacked configuration and battery-powered controllers, which quickly drain when maintaining wireless connections.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a transceiver associated with the container controller to switch on a wireless network only when needed, using an activation device to request network credentialing data and verify a secure set identifier (SSID), allowing a user device to connect and access container data efficiently while minimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wireless network is continuously active to enable access to container data, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases rapidly draining the battery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to container dataVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless network operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the wireless interface only when data access is required, maintaining it for a predetermined period, then deactivating it to conserve battery power. This periodic operation resolves the contradiction by providing access when needed while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the state of the wireless network based on operational requirements. The controller transitions the wireless interface between active and inactive states, and adjusts the predetermined period based on whether data is being accessed or stored locally, optimizing the balance between accessibility and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless network is deactivated to conserve battery power, then energy consumption is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates making access difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power conservationVSAvoidaccess to container data

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing container data locally in the controller's memory before wireless access is needed. This allows the data to be immediately available when the wireless network is activated, eliminating the need for continuous network operation and reducing the frequency of activation, thereby conserving battery power while maintaining ease of access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Local storage in the controller acts as an intermediary between the container data and the wireless network. Data can be stored locally and then transmitted wirelessly when needed, or accessed directly from local storage without activating the wireless network, providing flexibility in balancing power consumption and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If data is stored locally in the controller, then productivity is improved by enabling offline access, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the refrigeration control system and as a local data storage device. By utilizing the existing controller's processing capabilities and memory resources for data storage, the system enables offline access and improves productivity without adding separate dedicated hardware components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11483031B2Wireless switching for container controller

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 CARRIER CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems for wireless switching are provided. Aspects include receiving, by a transceiver, a first activation signal from an activation device, responsive to receiving the first activation signal, transmitting, by the transceiver, network credentialing data to the activation device, receiving, by a first controller of a first device, a second activation signal from the activation device, the second activation signal comprising an activation request and the network credentialing data, responsive to receiving the second activation signal, transitioning the first device from a low power state to a high power state, and broadcasting, by the first device, a wireless network, wherein the first device comprises an access point for the wireless network.