BACKGROUND
A variety of systems are known for transporting items in a temperature controlled
environment. For example, refrigerated trucks have on-5 board
refrigeration systems that facilitate keeping the cargo portion of the truck cooled
to a desired temperature for transporting perishable goods. Other transport
refrigeration systems are associated with trailers or railway cars. While such
systems have proven useful, there are limitations on their use. The so-called last
10 mile of transportation may involve removing the goods from the temperature
controlled cargo compartment and transporting them in an insulated container or
cooling them using dry ice.
More recently, smaller-scale, portable cooling devices have been
proposed that include a thermoelectric device. Such devices may be useful for
15 last mile transportation of perishable goods, however, new techniques for
controlling the use or operation of such devices are needed to address different
use scenarios.
SUMMARY
20 An illustrative example method of controlling use of a portable cooling
container includes determining at least one characteristic of an amount of use of
the cooling container. The at least one characteristic is determined by at least one
of a processor at a location remote from the cooling container and a container
controller of the cooling container. A relationship between the at least one
25 characteristic and continued use of the cooling container is determined. An
indication to a user of the cooling container is provided regarding continued use
of the cooling container based on the determined relationship.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
the previous paragraph, determining the at least one characteristic includes
30 determining an expected use time for the cooling container within a selected
window of time and determining a remaining amount of the expected use time.
3
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
any of the previous paragraphs, providing the indication comprises determining a
currently used power source for powering the cooling container, determining
whether the currently used power source is expected to provide sufficient power
for the cooling container for the remaining amount of the expected use time, 5 , and
providing the indication to the user including information regarding switching to
another power source when the currently used power source is not expected to
provide sufficient power.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
10 any of the previous paragraphs, providing the indication includes determining a
cost estimate for using at least one other power source for at least some of the
remaining amount of the expected use time, and providing an indication of the
cost estimate to the user.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
15 any of the previous paragraphs, providing the indication includes determining a
remaining power available from the currently used power source, and providing
an indication of at least one of the remaining power available and an expected
time when the currently used power source will not have sufficient remaining
power available to power the cooling container.
20 In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
any of the previous paragraphs, the selected window of time comprises at least
one day, and the expected use time comprises a number of hours within the at
least one day.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
25 any of the previous paragraphs, determining the at least one characteristic
includes determining an amount of authorized use time the cooling container has
been in use, and determining whether the amount of authorized use time is within
a predetermined range of a maximum allowable time for authorized use.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
30 any of the previous paragraphs, providing the indication includes providing a
warning to the user regarding a time when the cooling container will no longer be
4
authorized for use when the amount of authorized use time is within the
predetermined range of the maximum allowable time for authorized use.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
any of the previous paragraphs, providing the indication includes providing
information to the user regarding at least one option to extend the time 5 the
cooling container is authorized for use.
An example embodiment having one or more features of the method of
any of the previous paragraphs includes automatically disabling the cooling
container when the maximum allowable time expires.
10 An illustrative system for controlling use of a portable cooling container
includes a user interface and a container controller that is configured to determine
at least one characteristic of an amount of use of the cooling container. The
container controller is also configured to provide an indication regarding
continued use of the cooling container based on a determined relationship
15 between the at least one characteristic of the amount of use and continued use of
the cooling container. The user interface is configured to provide the indication
regarding continued use.
An example embodiment having one or more features of the system of the
previous paragraph includes a transceiver associated with the cooling container
20 and a processor that receives a communication from the transceiver indicating the
at least one characteristic determined by the container controller. The processor is
located remotely from the cooling container and is configured to determine the
relationship between the at least one characteristic and continued use of the
cooling container. The processor is configured to provide a communication to the
25 transceiver including the indication regarding continued use of the cooling
container.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system of
either of the previous paragraphs, the at least one characteristic comprises an
expected use time for the cooling container within a selected window of time and
30 a remaining amount of the expected use time. The processor is configured to
determine a currently used power source for powering the cooling container and
5
to determine whether the currently used power source is expected to provide
sufficient power for the cooling container for the remaining amount of the
expected use time. The indication includes information regarding switching to
another power source when the currently used power source is not expected to
provide sufficient power5 .
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system of
any of the previous paragraphs, the processor is configured to determine a cost
estimate for using at least one other power source for at least some of the
remaining amount of the expected use time, and the communication received by
10 the transceiver includes information regarding the cost estimate.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system of
any of the previous paragraphs, the controller is configured to determine a
remaining power available from the currently used power source, and the
indication includes an indication of at least one of the remaining power available
15 and an expected time when the currently used power source will not have
sufficient remaining power available to power the cooling container.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system of
any of the previous paragraphs, the selected window of time comprises at least
one day, and the expected use time comprises a number of hours within the at
20 least one day.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system of
any of the previous paragraphs, the processor is configured to determine an
amount of authorized use time the cooling container has been in use, and to
determine whether the amount of authorized use time is within a predetermined
25 range of a maximum allowable time for authorized use.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system of
any of the previous paragraphs, the processor is configured to provide
information corresponding to a warning regarding a time when the cooling
container will no longer be authorized for use when the amount of authorized use
30 time is within the predetermined range of the maximum allowable time for
authorized use.
6
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system of
any of the previous paragraphs, the processor is configured to provide
information regarding at least one option to extend the time the cooling container
is authorized for use.
In an example embodiment having one or more features of the system 5 of
any of the previous paragraphs, the cooling controller is configured to disable the
cooling container when the maximum allowable time expires.
Various features and advantages of at least one disclosed example
embodiment will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
10 detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can
be briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system for controlling operation of a
15 portable cooling container.
Figure 2 is a flowchart diagram summarizing an example method of
controlling operation of a portable cooling container.
Figure 3 is a flowchart diagram summarizing selected features of a
method consistent with the flowchart diagram of Figure 2.
20 Figure 4 is a flowchart diagram summarizing selected features of a
method consistent with the flowchart diagram of Figure 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of this invention include the ability to control use of a
25 portable cooling container based on a characteristic of an amount of use of that
container. Such control may include or involve communications between the
cooling container or a user of the cooling container and a remotely located entity.
Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates an example system 20 for
controlling operation or use of a portable cooling container 22. In this example,
30 the portable cooling container 22 includes a housing 24 that is selectively open to
provide access to an interior cavity 26 where perishable goods, for example, may
7
be placed to be maintained at a desired temperature during transportation or
storage. A user interface 28 provides information to a user of the portable cooling
container 22 through a visual display, an audible output, or both.
A container controller 30 is configured to control operation of the cooling
container 22. The controller 30 includes a processor and associated memory. 5 In
the illustrated example the container controller 30 is configured through
programming (e.g., software, firmware or both) to perform the functions
explained in this description.
A transceiver 32 facilitates communications between the container
10 controller 30 and remotely located devices, such as a processor 34, which may be
used by a supplier of containers such as the cooling container 22 or an owner of a
fleet or collection of cooling containers, to remotely control operation or use of
such containers. The processor 34 may be owned or operated by a shipping
company that utilizes multiple cooling containers 22 in various locations to allow
15 for centralized control over continued use of such containers.
In the illustrated example, the transceiver 32 is also configured for
communicating with a mobile device 36, which may be used by an owner or user
of the container 22 for controlling operation or use of the container 22. The
mobile device 36 may also be used for communicating with the remotely located
20 processor 34. For example, if the cooling container 22 is maintained in a trailer
portion of a vehicle, an individual in the cabin of the vehicle may use the mobile
station 36 for purposes of communicating through the transceiver 32 with the
container controller 30 for purposes of maintaining or altering operation of the
cooling container 22. In some embodiments the mobile device 36 is configured to
25 be a user interface associated with the cooling container 22.
The illustrated example cooling container 22 includes an on-board or
internal power source 40, such as a battery. In this example, the container 22 is
also capable of being powered through an external power source 42. Example
external power sources 42 include a battery on-board a vehicle, an electrical
30 power outlet, a solar power source, an external generator, or a source of power
8
that operates based on exhaust energy from a vehicle having an internal
combustion engine.
The system 20 provides the ability to control operation of the cooling
container 22 based on an amount of use of the container 22. A flowchart diagram
50 in Figure 2 summarizes an example approach. At 52, a determination is ma5 de
regarding at least one characteristic of an amount of use of the cooling container
22. In some examples, the container controller 30 determines the characteristic
while in other examples, the processor 34 determines the characteristic. At 54, a
relationship between the determined characteristic and continued use of the
10 cooling container is determined. In the illustrated example, the container
controller 30 or the processor 34 determines this relationship. At 56, an indication
is provided regarding continued use of the cooling container 22. The indication
may be provided to a user or owner of the cooling container 22. The indication
may be provided on the user interface 28 or the mobile device 36, for example. In
15 some embodiments, the indication is visible, audible or a combination of these.
Figure 3 includes a flowchart diagram 60 showing more detail of an
example use of the technique of the flowchart diagram 50. In this example, the
amount of use of the cooling container 22 is useful for controlling the delivery of
power for operating the cooling container 22, such as selecting a power source to
20 provide power to the cooling container 22.
In the example of Figure 3, the determined characteristic of the amount of
use is an expected use time of the cooling container 22 within a selected window
of time. For example, the expected use time may be a scheduled amount of
cooling time for a particular transportation cycle or work day. The cooling
25 container 22 may be expected to be operational to provide cooling for perishable
contents, for example, for a scheduled number of hours during a day. Such
information may be provided by a user through the user interface 28 or the
mobile device 36, for example, such that the container controller 30 has
information pertaining to the expected use time.
30 In the illustrated example, the container controller 30 has a timer or clock
function that allows the container controller 30 to determine the remaining
9
amount of expected use time at 64. For example, if the container is expected to be
used for transporting goods over a period of six hours, the container controller 30
may determine how many of those hours have already passed since the container
22 was turned on or loaded with perishable contents. The expected use time
information is communicated through the transceiver 32 to the processor 34 5 in
some embodiments.
At 66, a determination is made regarding which power source is currently
used for powering the cooling container 22. This information may be
automatically determined by the container controller 30 or may be provided by a
10 user of the container 22. In the illustrated example, the container controller 30 or
the processor 34 determines whether the currently used power source has
adequate power for the remaining amount of expected use time at 68. In
embodiments which include the processor 34 making the determination regarding
adequate power, the processor 34 includes an indication of this determination in a
15 communication to the transceiver 32. The container controller 30 processes the
indication from such a communication in such embodiments. In other
embodiments, the indication is provided to the owner or user of the cooling
container 22 through the mobile device 36, which may receive the indication
from the transceiver 32 or directly from the processor 34.
20 At 70, an indication is provided to a user including information regarding
a possible switch to another power source from the currently used power source.
For example, when the battery 40 is being used for powering the cooling
container 22 and the determination at 66 indicates that the battery 40 may not
have sufficient charge to maintain adequate cooling for the remaining amount of
25 the expected use time, the indication provided at 70 indicates that it would be
desirable to switch over to the external power source 42. This indication may be
provided to the container controller 30, a user or owner of the controller 22, or
both. In some example embodiments, the user responds to the indication by
causing the switch to the alternative power source when the user deems it
30 appropriate. Under such circumstances, the user may use the mobile device 36 or
user interface 28 to indicate the desired change. In other example embodiments,
10
the container controller 30 automatically controls which of the power sources will
be used and automatically accomplishes a switch between power sources when
necessary.
In some example embodiments, the processor 34 is configured to provide
comparative information regarding cost if the external power source 42 would 5 d be
used for any portion of the expected use time. For example, the processor 34 may
have access to information regarding fuel costs in a region where the cooling
container 22 is in use. In the event that the external power source 42 requires
such fuel, the cost estimate would be based on the price of fuel in that region.
10 The methodology summarized in Figure 3 allows for increasing the
efficiency of power consumption by one or more cooling containers 22 over time.
In situations where multiple containers are used for different goods over different
periods of time, different power source selection for the respective containers
allows for controlling each individually to maximize the battery life or cost
15 efficiency of any number of cooling containers. The power source selection may
be accomplished from the remote location of the processor 34. Additionally, the
example technique facilitates insuring that adequate cooling power is available to
keep the contents of the container 22 at a desired temperature throughout a
scheduled time of use.
20 Figure 4 includes a flowchart diagram 80 that summarizes how the
method shown at 50 in Figure 2 may be used for controlling the useful life of the
cooling container 22. In some situations, the cooling container 22 will be
purchased or leased for use during an authorized period of time, which may
extend over several months or years. The container controller 30 or the processor
25 34 receives information regarding an authentication process that sets the
boundaries on the authorized use time for the container 22.
At 82, the processor 34 or the container controller 30 determines the
amount of authorized use time the cooling container 22 has been in use. In the
event that the container controller 30 makes the determination at 82, such
30 information is provided through the transceiver 32 to the processor 34.
11
At 84, the processor 34 determines whether the amount of authorized use
time that the cooling container 22 has been in use is within a selected range of a
maximum allowable time. For example, if the container 22 was authorized for
use over a period of three months, the range may be set at one week so that once
the container 22 has been used for two months and three weeks, the determine5 d
amount of authorized use time is within that range.
At 86, an indication or warning is provided regarding a time when the
cooling container 22 will no longer be authorized for use. This may be
accomplished by providing a visual or audible indication on the user interface 28,
10 the mobile device 36, or both. The warning or indication may include information
such as the time when the authorized use will expire so that the user or owner of
the container 22 will not be surprised if the container stops to provide cooling
when it was being used to transport or store perishable contents.
In the example of Figure 4, information is provided at 88 regarding an
15 option to extend the time for authorized use. For example, the owner or user of
the container 22 may receive information for how to extend a contract or
purchase additional time during which the container 22 will be authorized for use.
If that option is not exercised and the maximum allowable time is reached, the
container controller 30 automatically disables the cooling container 22 when the
20 maximum allowable time expires as shown at 90 in Figure 4. The container
controller 30 in such examples responds to a communication from the processor
34 received by the transceiver 32 indicating that the on-board cooling apparatus
should be disabled or disconnected from all power sources.
One aspect of the methodology of Figure 4 is that it allows a supplier of
25 cooling containers 22 to maintain control over how long cooling units remain in
service along with providing control over any secondary market for such cooling
containers. Additionally, the technique summarized in Figure 4 prevents a user or
owner of the container 22 from being surprised when the container 22 becomes
no longer usable because the authorized time for use has expired.
30 In some example embodiments, the remote processor 34 is not required
and the container controller 30 makes all of the determinations regarding the
12
characteristic of the amount of use, the relationship between that characteristic
and continued use, and provides the indication without communications with a
remote processor, such as the processor 34. In such embodiments, the transceiver
32 facilitates communications with a hand-held user device, such as the mobile
station or phone 36 to allow an individual to receive the indication regardi5 ng
continued use of the cooling container 22.
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.
Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to
those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this
10 invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be
determined by studying the following claims.

We Claim:
1. A method of controlling use of a portable cooling container, the method
comprising:
determining at least one characteristic of an amount of use of the coolin5 g
container, wherein the at least one characteristic is determined by at least one of a
processor at a location remote from the cooling container and a container
controller of the cooling container;
determining a relationship between the at least one characteristic and
10 continued use of the cooling container; and
providing an indication to a user of the cooling container regarding
continued use of the cooling container based on the determined relationship.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one
15 characteristic comprises
determining an expected use time for the cooling container within a
selected window of time; and
determining a remaining amount of the expected use time.
20 3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the indication comprises
determining a currently used power source for powering the cooling
container;
determining whether the currently used power source is expected to
provide sufficient power for the cooling container for the remaining amount of
25 the expected use time; and
providing the indication to the user including information regarding
switching to another power source when the currently used power source is not
expected to provide the sufficient power.
30
14
4. The method of claim 3, wherein providing the indication comprises
determining a cost estimate for using at least one other power source for
at least some of the remaining amount of the expected use time; and
providing an indication of the cost estimate to the user.
5
5. The method of claim 3, wherein providing the indication comprises
determining a remaining power available from the currently used power
source;
and
providing an indication of at least one of the remaining power availabl10 e
and an expected time when the currently used power source will not have
sufficient remaining power available to power the cooling container.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein
15 the selected window of time comprises at least one day; and
the expected use time comprises a number of hours within the at least one
day.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one characteristic
20 comprises
determining an amount of authorized use time the cooling container has
been in use; and
determining whether the amount of authorized use time is within a
predetermined range of a maximum allowable time for authorized use.
25
8. The method of claim 7, wherein providing the indication comprises
providing a warning to the user regarding a time when the cooling
container will no longer be authorized for use when the amount of authorized use
time is within the predetermined range of the maximum allowable time for
30 authorized use.
15
9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the indication comprises
providing information to the user regarding at least one option to extend
the time the cooling container is authorized for use.
10. The method of claim 7, comprising automatically disabling the cooli5 ng
container when the maximum allowable time expires.
11. A system for controlling use of a portable cooling container, the system
comprising:
10 a container controller that is configured to determine at least one
characteristic of an amount of use of the cooling container, wherein the container
controller is configured to provide an indication regarding continued use of the
cooling container based on a determined relationship between the at least one
characteristic and the continued use; and
15 a user interface configured to provide the indication regarding continued
use.
12. The system of claim 11, comprising
a transceiver associated with the container controller; and
20 a processor that receives a communication from the transceiver indicating
the at least one characteristic determined by the container controller, the
processor being located remotely from the cooling container, the processor being
configured to determine the relationship between the at least one characteristic
and continued use of the cooling container, the processor being configured to
25 provide a communication to the transceiver including the indication regarding
continued use of the cooling container.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein
the at least one characteristic comprises an expected use time for the
30 cooling container within a selected window of time and a remaining amount of
the expected use time;
16
the processor is configured to
determine a currently used power source for powering the cooling
container, and
determine whether the currently used power source is expected to
provide sufficient power for the cooling container for the remainin5 g
amount of the expected use time; and
the indication includes information regarding switching to another power
source when the currently used power source is not expected to provide the
sufficient power.
10
14. The system of claim 13, wherein
the processor is configured to determine a cost estimate for using at least
one other power source for at least some of the remaining amount of the expected
use time; and
15 the communication provided to the transceiver includes information
regarding the cost estimate.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein
the controller is configured to determine a remaining power available
20 from the currently used power source; and
the indication includes an indication of at least one of the remaining
power available and an expected time when the currently used power source will
not have sufficient remaining power available to power the cooling container.
25 16. The system of claim 13, wherein
the selected window of time comprises at least one day; and
the expected use time comprises a number of hours within the at least one
day.
30 17. The system of claim 12, wherein processor is configured to
17
determine an amount of authorized use time the cooling container has
been in use; and
determine whether the amount of authorized use time is within a
predetermined range of a maximum allowable time for authorized use.
5
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to
provide information corresponding to a warning regarding a time when
the cooling container will no longer be authorized for use when the amount of
authorized use time is within the predetermined range of the maximum allowable
time for authorized 10 d use.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to
provide information regarding at least one option to extend the time the
cooling container is authorized for use.
15
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the cooling controller is configured to
disable the cooling container when the maximum allowable time expires.