CONTAINER CONTROL

• US 20120310586A1
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: De La Rue, Michael David, Singh, Abhinav, Kj, Boby, Gulak, Maciej, Nakamurakare, Manuel, da Costa Soeima, Marco Aurelio
• Granted Patent: US 8,649,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/127
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling environmental systems in containers. A first set of environmental conditions for a first product be stored in a container is received and it is determined if the first set of environmental conditions are compatible with a second set of environmental conditions for one or more second products in the container. An acceptable set of environmental conditions for both first and second products based on said first set of environmental conditions and said second set of environmental conditions is determined and the acceptable set of environmental conditions are stored.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a first set of environmental conditions for a first product, wherein said first product is to be stored in a container;

determining if said first set of environmental conditions are compatible with a second set of environmental conditions for one or more second products in said container;

determining an acceptable set of environmental conditions for both first and second products based on said first set of environmental conditions and said second set of environmental conditions; and

storing said acceptable set of environmental conditions.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

identifying that no further products are to be stored in said container; and

setting said acceptable set of environmental conditions in an environmental system in said container.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

determining if said first set of environmental conditions are not compatible with said second set of environmental conditions for one or more second products in said container; and

triggering an alert that said first product is not compatible with said one or more second products.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a status update for said environmental system in said container; and

triggering an action based on said status update.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a first input adapted to receive a first set of environmental conditions for a first product, wherein said first product is to be stored in a container;

a first processor adapted to determine if said first set of environmental conditions are compatible with a second set of environmental conditions for one or more second products in said container;

a second processor adapted to determine an acceptable set of environmental conditions for both first and second products based on said first set of environmental conditions and said second set of environmental conditions; and

a memory adapted to store said acceptable set of environmental conditions.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a third processor adapted to identify that no further products are to be stored in said container; and

a fourth processor adapted to set said acceptable set of environmental conditions in an environmental system in said container.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a fifth processor adapted to determine if said first set of environmental conditions are not compatible with said second set of environmental conditions for one or more second products in said container; and

a sixth processor adapted to trigger an alert that said first product is not compatible with said one or more second products.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a second input adapted to receive a status update for said environmental system in said container; and

a seventh processor adapted to trigger an action based on said status update.

9. A computer program product comprising computer readable executable code for controlling a processor to perform the steps of:

receiving a first set of environmental conditions for a first product, wherein said first product is to be stored in a container;

determining if said first set of environmental conditions are compatible with a second set of environmental conditions for one or more second products in said container;

determining an acceptable set of environmental conditions for both first and second products based on said first set of environmental conditions and said second set of environmental conditions; and

storing said acceptable set of environmental conditions.