Remote Monitoring of Operating Parts of Assets

• US 20080270076A1
• Filed: 10/23/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Application Number:
  US11/876,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20080270076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/185
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 : of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/003 : for movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 : Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 : with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 : EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 : due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 : associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Method and system for monitoring a movable asset including an operating part for maintaining an environment in an interior space of the asset conducive to transport of objects includes incorporating a diagnostic module into the asset for diagnosing the operating part, obtaining a diagnosis via the diagnostic module of the operating condition of the operating part, determining whether the diagnosis indicates an abnormal operating condition of the operating part, and when the determination of the diagnosis indicates an abnormal operating condition, transmitting a signal indicative of the abnormal operating condition in association with an identification of the asset to a remote facility. The operating part may be a refrigeration unit and the asset may be a cargo container, e.g., a reefer. In this case, determining whether the diagnosis indicates an abnormal operating condition of the operating part may entail determining whether refrigerant is leaking from the refrigeration unit.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a movable asset including an operating part for maintaining an environment in an interior space of the movable asset conducive to transport of objects in the interior space, comprising:

incorporating a diagnostic module into the asset for diagnosing the operating part;

obtaining a diagnosis via the diagnostic module of the operating condition of the operating part;

determining whether the diagnosis indicates an abnormal operating condition of the operating part; and

when the determination of the diagnosis indicates an abnormal operating condition, transmitting a signal indicative of the abnormal operating condition in association with an identification of the asset to a remote facility.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating part is a refrigeration unit and the asset is a cargo container.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining whether the diagnosis indicates an abnormal operating condition of the operating part comprises determining whether refrigerant is leaking from the refrigeration unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic module includes sensors, the step of obtaining a diagnosis of the operating condition of the operating part comprises applying a pattern recognition technique to data obtained from the sensors.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising scheduling maintenance of the operating part based on the signal transmitted from the asset to the remote facility.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the signal to the remote facility comprises transmitting the signal via a satellite or the Internet.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset is a refrigerated cargo container.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

continuously monitoring a temperature of the interior space; and

recording the monitored temperatures.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the location of the asset;

transmitting data about the operating part when operating abnormally and its location to the remote facility, the remote facility being operated by an entity responsible for maintenance of the asset; and

notifying personnel at a location proximate the asset about the abnormally operating condition to enable the operating part to be fixed or replaced.

10. A method for monitoring a movable asset including an interior space conducive to transport of objects in the interior space, comprising:

detecting the temperature of the interior space;

defining an exception situation related to the temperature of the interior space which requires attention to the asset; and

transmitting a signal indicative of the exception situation in association with an identification of the asset to a remote facility.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising periodically transmitting a signal when an exception situation does not arise.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein an exception situation is defined to include a change in the temperature of the interior space above a reference value.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the temperature of the interior space is detected by placing a temperature sensor on an object being transported in the interior space.

14. A system for monitoring a movable asset including an operating part for maintaining an environment in an interior space of the movable asset conducive to transport of objects in the interior space, comprising:

a diagnostic module incorporated into the asset for diagnosing the operating part in order to determine whether the operating part is operating abnormally; and

a telecommunications unit coupled to said diagnostic module for transmitting a signal indicative of the abnormal operating condition in association with an identification of the asset to a remote facility when said diagnostic module diagnosis indicates an abnormal operation of the operating part.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the operating part is a refrigeration unit and the asset is a cargo container.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said diagnostic module is arranged to determine whether refrigerant is leaking from the refrigeration unit.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said diagnostic module includes sensors and is arranged to apply a pattern recognition technique to data obtained from the sensors when determining whether the operating part is operating abnormally.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the asset is a refrigerated cargo container.