Apparatus for establishing a mesh network for reefer sensor architecture

• US 9,189,661 B1
• Filed: 12/02/2011
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Inventors: Meyers, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Akhter, Sharmin
• Application Number:
  US13/310,638
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 340 101- 106, 340571-5729, 340/539.1, 340/539.19, 340/539.22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/123 more than one sensor measuring the inside temperature in a compartment
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/003 for movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 1/00 Measuring arrangements giving results other than momentary value of variable, of general application G01D3/00 takes precedence; in tariff metering apparatus G01D4/00; transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/061 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 5/22 the subordinate centre not permitting interconnection of subscribers connected thereto
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and apparatus for monitoring temperature and airflow from multiple sensors node for maintaining proper conditions within a refrigerated tractor-trailer unit or reefer. The system provides a mesh network of multiple sensors, which communicate between sensors and with a processing unit of a reefer unit for monitoring the condition of transported goods.

Claims

1. An apparatus for establishing a mesh network of two or more sensor elements for monitoring conditions within a closed container, the apparatus comprising:

a central processing element for receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors;

wherein the plurality of sensor elements comprise a sensor, a processing element and a transceiver co-located within a common housing;

further wherein the plurality of sensor elements are configured to monitor one or more aspects of the closed container; and

further wherein the sensor elements are configured to interrogate and communicate with one or more of the sensor elements within the same closed container;

wherein the central processing element is configured to analyze sensor data from the plurality of sensor elements and to transmit sensor data to a remote monitoring station, wherein the central processing element analyzes sensor data by receiving, analyzing and processing sensor data to determine whether measured aspects of the container'"'"'s interior indicated by the sensor data exceed predetermined thresholds;

wherein the sensor data is received from the plurality of sensor elements and selected sensor data is transmitted to the remote monitoring station based on the analysis of the central processing element;

wherein the central processing element is configured to adjust sensor settings based on the analysis of the central processing element, wherein the adjusted sensor settings comprise changes to set sensor parameters, wherein the set sensor parameters comprise air flow parameters, moisture level parameters, and temperature parameters; and

further wherein the central processing element is further configured to assist in creating network connections between sensor elements.

2. An apparatus for establishing a mesh network of two or more sensor elements for monitoring conditions within a closed container, the apparatus comprising:

a central processing element for receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors;

wherein the plurality of sensor elements comprise a sensor, a processing element and a transceiver co-located within a common housing;

further wherein the plurality of sensor elements are configured to monitor one or more aspects of the closed container; and

further wherein the sensor elements are configured to interrogate and communicate with one or more of the sensor elements within the same closed container;

wherein the central processing element is configured to analyze sensor data from the plurality of sensor elements and to transmit sensor data to a remote monitoring station, wherein the central processing element analyzes sensor data by receiving, analyzing and processing sensor data to determine whether measured aspects of the container'"'"'s interior indicated by the sensor data exceed predetermined thresholds;

wherein the sensor data is received from the plurality of sensor elements and selected sensor data is transmitted to the remote monitoring station based on the analysis of the central processing element;

wherein the central processing element is configured to adjust sensor settings based on the analysis of the central processing element, wherein the adjusted sensor settings comprise changes to set sensor parameters, wherein the set sensor parameters comprise air flow parameters, moisture level parameters, and temperature parameters; and

wherein the central processing element is further configured to assist in creating network connections between sensor elements;

wherein the central processing element is further configured to receive and record RFID data from RFID tagged items; and

further wherein the central processing element is configured to adjust sensor settings based on analysis of data received from RFID tagged items, wherein the adjusted sensor settings comprise changes to set sensor parameters, wherein the set sensor parameters comprise air flow parameters, moisture level parameters, and temperature parameters.