Real time monitoring of ship cargo

• US 8,959,036 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2011
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apl LLC
• Original Assignee: APL Limited (National Oilwell Varco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huat, Ah
• Primary Examiner(s): EPSTEIN, BRIAN M
• Application Number:
  US13/044,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20110221573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,441 Days
• Field of Search: 705/8, 705/330, 340/989, 340/10.1, 340/3.1
• US Class Current: 705/333
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/003 Transport containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/003 for movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

Remote monitoring and control of the interior environment of a refrigerated shipping container is described. A communications and monitoring device is coupled to a data communications port of a controller of a shipping container. The device is able to receive an operational parameter directly from the controller, without having to install additional instrumentation within the interior of the refrigerated shipping container, and send the operational parameter to a remote station. The device is also able to receive data to control the operation of the refrigerated shipping container from a remote station and send this control data to the controller of the refrigerated shipping container through the data communications port.

Claims

1. A removable apparatus for communicating with a shipping container comprising:

a power interface configured to be coupled to a power source that is external to the removable apparatus and the same source as used by a first controller or a second controller of the shipping container to provide electrical power directly to the removable apparatus for the operation of the removable apparatus;

the power interface further configured to condition the power provided by the power source to the form needed by the removable apparatus;

a data interface configured to be coupled with a data communications port on the shipping container,

the data interface configured to communicate with the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container, regardless of the location of the shipping container, wherein the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container monitor an operational parameter associated with the shipping container and the first controller and the second controller are connected to one or more sensors of the shipping container;

wherein the operational parameter associated with the shipping container includes set temperature, internal temperature, set humidity, internal humidity, air pressure, lighting, air quality, status of compressor, status of cooling fan, coolant flow, coolant temperature, supply voltage, door status, or faults or alarms that occur within the shipping container,

a communications interface coupled to a transmitter; and

a control unit configured to determine a correct protocol for communicating with the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container,

the control unit is further configured to establish communications with the shipping container based on the determination of the correct protocol,

the control unit further configured to receive, via the data interface, the operational parameter associated with the shipping container from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container,

the control unit further configured to determine whether the operational parameter associated with the shipping container and received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, is outside a predetermined range,

based on a determination that the operational parameter is outside a predetermined range, the control unit further configured to determine if the operational parameter associated with the shipping container and received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container should be transmitted based on whether an out of range reporting has been enabled for the operational parameter,

based on the determination that the operational parameter associated with the shipping container and received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container should be transmitted, the control unit is further configured to transmit the operational parameter, or a derivative thereof, associated with the shipping container, using the communications interface,

the control unit configured to transmit the operational parameter real time throughout the shipping container'"'"'s journey regardless of the location of the shipping container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal temperature of the shipping container is measured by at least the first controller of the shipping container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shipping container is a refrigerated shipping container.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power source coupled to the power interface also provides electrical power to the shipping container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

the communications interface coupled to a receiver; and

the control circuit further configured to receive, from the communications interface, control data to alter the operation of the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container and transmit the control data to the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container through the data interface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the control unit is further configured to convert the control data to the protocol required by the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is a satellite transmitter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is physically isolated from an interior cargo portion of the shipping container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be installed and removed from the shipping container without permanently altering the container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate with shipping containers from different manufacturers.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to determine a correct protocol for communicating with the shipping container by cycling through protocols until the correct protocol is determined.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control unit is further configured to transmit the operational parameter via a cellular transmitter and a satellite transmitter.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the control unit is further configured to transmit the operational parameter via cellular transmitter when available and transmit the operational parameter via satellite transmitter when cellular communications are unavailable.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data interface is further configured to communicate with more than two controllers of the shipping container.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first controller of the shipping container monitors temperature and humidity of the shipping container.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second controller of the shipping container monitors atmosphere.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a control circuit configured to receive power from the power interface.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to determine the most effective communications available based on a mode of transport being used.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second controller is installed in an air vent of the shipping container.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first controller monitors at least one operational parameter using a first data interface and the second controller monitors as least one operational parameter using a second data interface.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first data interface and the second data interface are different types of interfaces.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the different types of interfaces include RS232 serial interface, firewire, USB, or a wireless interface.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first data interface is a wired interface and the second data interface is a wireless interface.

24. A method for communicating with a shipping container comprising:

receiving, at a removable communications and monitoring device, power via a power interface configured to be coupled to a power source that is external to the removable communications and monitoring device and the same source as used by a first controller or a second controller of the shipping container to provide electrical power directly to the removable communications and monitoring device for the operation of the removable communications and monitoring device;

determining a correct protocol for communicating with the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container, wherein the removable communications and monitoring device is configured to communicate with the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container, regardless of the location of the shipping container, wherein the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container monitor an operational parameter associated with the shipping container and the first controller and the second controller are connected to one or more sensors of the shipping container;

establishing communications with the shipping container based on the determination of the correct protocol;

receiving, at the removable communications and monitoring device, an operational parameter associated with the shipping container from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, wherein the communications and monitoring device is able to receive the operational parameter directly from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container real time during the shipping container'"'"'s journey regardless of the location of the shipping container, without having to install additional instrumentation within the interior of the refrigerated shipping container;

determining whether the operational parameter associated with the shipping container and received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, is outside a predetermined range;

based on a determination that the operational parameter is outside a predetermined range, determining, by the communications and monitoring device, if the operational parameter received from the first controller or the second controller of the of the shipping container and associated with the container should be transmitted to a receiving station by determining whether an out of range reporting has been enabled for the operational parameter;

determining, by the communications and monitoring device, the most effective communications available based on a mode of transport being used; and

based on a determination that the operational parameter should be transmitted, transmitting the operational parameter, or a derivative thereof, associated with the shipping container to the receiving station based on the determination that the operational parameter received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container and associated with the container should be transmitted to a receiving station wherein the operational parameter is transmitted via the most effective communications available.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of determining if the operational parameter associated with the container should be transmitted comprises:

determining if it is time for periodic reporting.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the operational parameter associated with the shipping container includes an internal temperature of the shipping container.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the shipping container is a refrigerated shipping container.

28. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

receiving control data, the control data used to control the operation of the shipping container; and

sending the control data to the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, wherein the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container alters the operation of the shipping container based on the control data.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the control data includes a temperature set point for the shipping container.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

converting the control data to the protocol required by the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container.

31. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing thereon a set of instructions which when executed by the computer case the computer to

receive power via a power interface configured to be coupled to a power source that is external to a removable apparatus and the same source as used by a first controller or a second controller of a shipping container to provide electrical power directly to the removable apparatus for the operation of the removable apparatus;

determining a correct protocol for communicating with the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container, wherein the removable apparatus is configured to communicate with the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container, regardless of the location of the shipping container, wherein the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container monitor an operational parameter associated with the shipping container and the first controller and the second controller are connected to one or more sensors of the shipping container,

establish communications with the shipping container based on the determination of the correct protocol,

receive an operational parameter associated with the shipping container from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, wherein the removable apparatus is able to receive the operational parameter directly from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container real time during the shipping container'"'"'s journey regardless of the location of the shipping container, without having to install additional instrumentation within the interior of the refrigerated shipping container;

determine whether the operational parameter associated with the shipping container and received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, is outside a predetermined range;

based on a determination that the operational parameter is outside a predetermined range, determine if the operational parameter received from the first controller or the second controller of the of the shipping container and associated with the container should be transmitted to a receiving station by determining whether an out of range reporting has been enabled for the operational parameter;

determine the most effective communications available based on a mode of transport being used; and

based on a determination that the operational parameter should be transmitted, transmit the operational parameter, or a derivative thereof, associated with the shipping container to the receiving station based on the determination that the operational parameter received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container and associated with the container should be transmitted to a receiving station wherein the operational parameter is transmitted via the most effective communications available.

32. A system for communicating with a shipping container comprising:

a monitoring and communications controller configured to;

communicate with a first controller and a second controller of a shipping container to determine a correct protocol for communicating with the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container, regardless of the location of the shipping container, wherein the first controller and the second controller of the shipping container monitor an operational parameter associated with the shipping container and the first controller and the second controller are connected to one or more sensors of the shipping container,

establish communications with the shipping container based on the determination of the correct protocol,

receive an operational parameter associated with the shipping container from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container real time during the shipping container'"'"'s journey regardless of the location of the shipping container,

determine whether the operational parameter associated with the shipping container and received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, is outside a predetermined range;

based on a determination that the operational parameter is outside a predetermined range, determine if the operational parameter received from the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container should be sent by determining whether an out of range reporting has been enabled for the operational parameter, and

based on a determination that the operational parameter should be sent, send the operational parameter, or a derivative thereof, associated with the shipping container to a data server computer based on the determination, during the shipping container'"'"'s journey regardless of the location of the shipping container; and

the data server computer configured to;

receive the operational parameter associated with the shipping container from the monitoring and communications controller and

send the operational parameter associated with the shipping container to a user.

33. The system of claim 32 further comprising:

the data server computer further configured to receive, from the user, control data used to control the operation of the shipping container; and

the monitoring and communications controller further configured to receive the control data from the data server computer and send the control data to the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container, wherein the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container alters the operation of the shipping container based on the control data.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising:

the monitoring and communication controller further configured to convert the control data to the protocol required by the first controller or the second controller of the shipping container.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein the monitoring and communications controller is further configured to be installed and removed from the shipping container without permanently altering the container.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein the monitoring and communications controller is further configured to communicate with a controller of a shipping container from different manufacturers.