[0001] The invention is generally directed to tracking and monitoring cargo in a transportation system, more particularly to determining the status of a cargo placed in a vehicle.
[0002] The present application is based on, and claims priority from an Indian Provisional Application Number 202011016287 filed on 15/04/2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Data collection and information management for containers is crucial for improving efficiency and profitability. Thus, recently, wireless container tracking systems and services have received increasing attention in the transportation and logistics industry. Such systems and services are provided for tracking and monitoring cargo and equipment in international, regional, and local supply networks. That is, on an international scale, containers are transported by container carriers or air cargo, on a regional scale, containers are transported by container trucks on container freight trains and branch vessels, and on a regional scale, warehouses and trucks are on land. Provided during transport of containers at retail center.
[0004] In this case, it is necessary to transport and track many items. In addition, perishable cargo such as food and pharmaceuticals must be transported at certain temperature and / or ambient conditions. Expensive electronics and flowers are another example of a variety of articles that can be damaged by excessively high temperatures or inappropriate atmospheric conditions.
[0005] Therefore, the logistics industry uses containers with temperature and / or atmosphere control equipment to transport such perishable cargo. As a first example, there is a cool container equipped with a cool unit. The refrigeration unit is made up of coolant, temperature sensors, and air circulation systems to ensure that the entire load of the container is well maintained within defined temperature and ambient conditions.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,858 describes an electronic inventory management system for piled containers. In this system, an electronic tag is used as a device for locating one container from a group of containers. The electronic tag can be located in close proximity to one of the containers.
[0007] The problems with the existing technologies outlined above include, among other things, the inefficient use of hardware and software level system components associated with long distance communication exchanging status and control data. The reason is that each container has its own satellite-based tracking and monitoring system, which makes it very expensive or that expensive communication equipment is fixedly installed in the towing unit and the It cannot be used when the unit is not operating.
[0008] Mobile asset management is a major concern in various transportation industries such as trucking, railroad and rental cars. In the trucking industry, the asset manager has to keep track of the status and location of each tractor and trailer in a fleet. The asset manager should also know whether each asset is in service (i.e., being transported by a tractor or other means) or out of service (i.e., not being transported by a tractor or any other transportation means). The asset manager should have similar information with respect to whether each tractor in the fleet is hauling a trailer or is not, and thus available for service. The asset manager should also be able to monitor the progress of each tractor and trailer according to plan for scheduling purposes.
[0009] Systems for tracking and monitoring mobile assets for fleet management are generally known. These systems typically include various sensors and communication units. Trucking companies usually install the sensors and communication units on the mobile units, e.g., the tractor or cargo trailers. The sensor determines the status and location, checks for proper operating conditions and any misuse, and monitors the progress of each tractor and coupled trailer for scheduling and security purposes.
[0010] In light of the above-stated discussion, there exists a need for a water blocking tape that overcomes the above cited drawbacks of the conventional water blocking tape and can withstand high heat/temperature.
OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0011] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for determining the status of a cargo placed in a vehicle to take actions based on various cargo parameters and data related to the cargo placed within a vehicle.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for determining the status of a cargo placed in the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for determining a status of a cargo placed in a vehicle. The system includes a displaying unit, cargo sensor, vehicle sensor, remote server, communication network and a processor.
[0014] The displaying unit is configured to display the status of the cargo in the vehicle on a user device.
[0015] The cargo sensor is placed within a cargo housing and configured to collect cargo functional data. In particular, the cargo sensor is selected anyone from a temperature sensor, an IR sensor, and a weight sensor.
[0016] The vehicle sensor, configured to collect a plurality of vehicle operational data. In particular, the vehicle sensor is anyone or a combination of a voltage sensor, a current sensor for battery and motor, a tire pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a throttle position sensor, an image sensor, a radar sensor, a GPS sensor and alike.
[0017] The remote server operably configured to store the vehicle operational data and the cargo functional data.
[0018] The communication network is configured for communicating with the remote server, a user device, the cargo sensor, the vehicle sensor and a processor.
[0019] The processor, communicably connected to the cargo sensors and the vehicle sensors. In particular, the processor is configured to determine status of the cargo by performing steps of determining the one or more cargo parameters for a cargo housing integrally placed on the vehicle in the vehicle, correlating the vehicle operational data with one or more cargo parameters to retrieve a correlating data, identifying an ideal condition for the cargo housing of the cargo based on the correlating data, performing a primary action based on a combination of the one or more cargo parameters and the vehicle operational data and a secondary action based on the one or more cargo parameter and tracking the status of the cargo placed in the vehicle in real time during a journey.
[0020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, one or more cargo parameters is selected from a temperature, a fragility, a distance of destination and alike.
[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle operational data is selected singly or in a combination of driving behaviour of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, and safety parameter of the cargo housing.
[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the primary action includes anyone selected from a combination of heating the cargo housing, cooling the cargo housing, and increasing safety within the cargo housing.
[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary action includes anyone action selected from a decreasing power of the vehicle, decreasing speed of the vehicle, sending status reports and alike.
[0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor further comprises sending a status report to the remote server at intervals based on the one or more cargo parameters.
[0025] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor includes filtering means to filter the vehicle information data for assuring the accuracy of the data.
[0026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be located at the vehicle or located centrally.
[0027] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor located centrally is a microprocessor.
[0028] Another embodiment relates to a method for determining the status of the cargo placed in the vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining the one or more cargo parameters for a cargo housing integrally placed on the vehicle in the vehicle, correlating the vehicle operational data with one or more cargo parameters to retrieve a correlating data, identifying an ideal condition for the cargo housing of the cargo based on the correlating data, performing a primary action based on a combination of the one or more cargo parameters and the vehicle operational data and a secondary action based on the one or more cargo parameter and tracking the status of the cargo placed in the vehicle in real time during a journey.
[0029] These and other aspects herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawing. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention herein without departing from the spirit thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figure, wherein:
[0031] Fig. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a system for determining a status of a cargo placed in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0032] Fig. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a plurality if vehicle sensors and cargo sensors in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0033] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the status of a cargo placed in the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
ELEMENT LIST
System 100
Vehicle Sensor 102
Cargo Sensor 104
Remote Server 106,
Communication Network 108
Processor 110
Display Unit 112
User Device 114
Vehicle 116
[0034] It should be noted that the accompanying figure is intended to present illustrations of few examples of the present disclosure. The figure is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figure is not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in details so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.
[0036] Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these alternatives only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without parting from the scope of the invention.
[0037] The accompanying drawing is used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the alternatives presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawing. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawing. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0038] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other alternatives of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific aspect, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described alternative, method, and examples, but by all aspects and methods within the scope of the invention. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the claims.
[0039] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "may," "might," "may," “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain alternatives include, while other alternatives do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more alternatives or that one or more alternatives necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular alternative. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
[0040] Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain alternatives require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
[0041] Referring to Fig. 1A and 1B, the system 100 is working in vehicle 116. The system 100 includes a displaying unit 112, a cargo sensor 104, a vehicle sensor 102, a remote server 106, a communication network 108 and a processor 110.
[0042] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle sensors 1020A-102I(hereinafter cumulatively referred to as 102). The vehicle sensor 102 may be placed all over the vehicle to gather various kinds of data about the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle sensor 102 may include temperature sensors, voltage sensors, accelerometers, gyroscope sensors, global positioning sensors (GPS), etc. All the sensors help identify various operational and functioning parameters about the vehicle. Such operational and functioning parameters may include, motor driven characteristics, temperature of the vehicle motor, GPS sensor, accelerometer, brake shoe condition, clutch plates condition, tire pressure, tire conditions, etc.
[0043] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 further may include another set of cargo sensors 1040A-1040D (cumulatively referred to as cargo sensor 104, hereinafter). The cargo sensor may be temperature sensors, camera sensors, IR sensors, etc. The cargo sensor 104 may be configured to collect a plurality of cargo data. In particular, the data collected by the cargo sensor 1040 may include but not limited to temperature of the cargo, fragility of the cargo, specific details related to cargo etc.
[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the remote server 106 is operably configured to store the vehicle operational data and the cargo functional data.
[0045] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the remote server 106 may be configured to communicate with vehicle sensor 102, cargo sensor 104, user device 114, the system 100 and the processor 110 via the communication network 108.
[0046] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the remote server 106 may be, but not limited to a cloud server, a web server, an application server, a proxy server, a network server, or a server farm, and so forth.
[0047] Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the remote server 106 , including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0048] In some implementations, the remote server 106 can communicate with the system 100 via a virtual private network (VPN), Secure Shell (SSH) tunnel, or other secure network connection.
[0049] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the status report is sent to the remote server at intervals based on the one or more cargo parameters by the processor 110.
[0050] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the communication network 108 is configured for providing communication links for communicating with the remote server 106 , the user device 114, memory 106, processor 110 vehicle sensor 102 and cargo sensor 104.
[0051] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the communication network 108 may any communication network, such as, but not limited to, the Internet, wireless networks, local area networks, wide area networks, private networks, a cellular communication network, corporate network having one or more wireless access points or a combination thereof connecting any number of mobile clients, fixed clients, and servers and so forth. Examples of communication network 120 may include the Internet, a WIFI connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee connection, a communication network, a wireless communication network, a 3G communication, network, a 4G communication network , a 5G communication network, a USB connection, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication may be based through a radio-frequency transceiver (not shown). In addition, short-range communication may occur, such as using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other such transceivers.
[0052] It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are illustrative and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. The existence of any of various network protocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like, and of various wireless communication technologies such as GSM, CDMA, WiFi, and WiMAX, is presumed, and the various computing devices and system components described herein may be configured to communicate using any of these network protocols or technologies.
[0053] In some implementations, the system 100 may be a distributed client/server system that spans one or more communication networks (not shown).
[0054] The system 100 further includes a processor 110 are communicably connected vehicle sensors 102 and cargo sensors 104 to gather all the data collected by the vehicle sensors 102 and cargo sensors 104.
[0055] In particular, the processor 110 determines the status of the cargo by performing steps of determining the one or more cargo parameters and vehicle operational data using the cargo sensor data and the vehicle sensor data, correlating the vehicle operational data with one or more cargo parameters to retrieve a correlating data, identifying ideal conditions for the cargo carriage placed in the cargo housing of the cargo based on the correlating data, performing a primary action based on a combination of the one or more cargo parameters and the vehicle operational data, performing a secondary action based on the one or more cargo parameters and tracking the status of the cargo placed in the vehicle during a journey.
[0056] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 includes filtering means to filter the vehicle information data for assuring the accuracy of the data.
[0057] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may be located at the vehicle or located centrally and wherein the processor located centrally is a microprocessor.
[0058] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may be any well-known processor, but not limited to processors from Intel Corporation.
[0059] Alternatively in another embodiment, the processor 110 may be a dedicated controller such as an ASIC.
[0060] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may be anyone of an ARM, MIPS, SPARC, or INTEL® IA-32 microcontroller or the like.
[0061] Similarly, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 comprises a collection of processors which may or may not operate in parallel.
[0062] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110, which may be any processor-driven device, such as may include one or more microprocessors and memories or other computer-readable media operable for storing and executing computer-executable instructions.
[0063] As used herein, the term "computer-readable media" may describe any form of computer memory or memory device, such as, but not limited to, a random access memory ("RAM") or a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD, CD-ROM, USB Flash drive, write-capable, and read-only memories an EPROM, or an EEPROM.
[0064] Examples of processor-driven devices may include, but are not limited to, a server computer, a mainframe computer, one or more networked computers, a desktop computer, a personal computer, an application-specific circuit, a microcontroller, a minicomputer, or any other processor-based device.
[0065] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may execute any set of instructions directly as computer executable codes or indirectly (such as scripts). In that regard, the terms “instructions,” and “steps” may be used interchangeably herein. The instructions may be stored in object code form for direct processing by the processor, or in any other computer language including scripts or collections of independent source code modules that are interpreted on demand or compiled in advance.
[0066] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be remotely placed or locally placed on the server.
[0067] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may also include one or more input/output ("I/O") ports(e.g., serial ports, (e.g., RS233 port, USB, etc.) (not shown) and one or more network interfaces. The I/O port or ports may be operable to communicate with input/output devices, such as an internal and/or external display, keypad, mouse, pointing device, control panel, touch screen display, another computer-based device, printer, remote control, microphone, speaker, etc., which facilitate user interaction with the system 100.
[0068] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the displaying unit 112 to display the driving behaviour of the vehicle on a user device 114. The display unit 112 can be implemented, for example, using one or more computing systems. By way of a non-limiting example, driving behaviour of the vehicle is displayed on the application launch icon in a launch area of a display of the user device 114. The displaying is performed by the display unit 112 with a preloading application in a memory of the user device based on data stored in a remote server 106 and displays the driving behaviour of the vehicle on the user device 114.
[0069] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 114 may include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a user computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a communication network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any these data processing devices or other data processing devices. Furthermore, the user device 114 can be provided access to and/or receive application software executed and/or stored on any of the remote server 106.
[0070] In some examples, user device 114 performs functions of a social communication network (not shown) to the remote server 106 . In some implementations, the user device 114 can communicate wirelessly through a communication interface, which may include digital signal processing circuitry where necessary.
[0071] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cargo housing 104, made up of any suitable material, that may be integrally placed on the vehicle 116. It is to be noted that cargo housing 104 may include various safety enhancements (not shown in the figure) like airbag cushioning, cargo separators and the like.
[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, when a fragile object is placed as a cargo inside the cargo housing, the cargo sensor 104 identifies the same using an IR sensor. The same is communicated to the processor 110. The processor then collects data from vehicle sensors and checks vehicle conditions like tire pressure etc. Based on the cargo data and vehicular data processor then takes a primary action that is the speed to which the vehicle 116 needs to restrict for safe carriage for example 30KM/h. Also, based on cargo data, the processor 110 further, takes a secondary action. The secondary action in this case may be engaging and deploying additional safety enhancements like air bag cushioning to save the cargo or sending the camera images to a remote station for continuous monitoring.
[0073] Now referring to Fig. 2, a method 200 for determining driven behaviour of a vehicle. The steps may be rearranged and may not follow the process in only the manner as depicted in the flow chart. The method is performed by the processor 110.
[0074] At step 202, a cargo sensor data is received from the cargo sensor 104 and the vehicle operational data is received from the vehicle sensor 102. As disclosed above, the vehicle sensor 102 may be anyone or a combination of voltage, current sensors for battery and motor, tire pressure sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, throttle position sensor, image sensors, radar sensors, and GPS sensor. And, cargo sensor 104 is selected from a temperature sensor, an IR sensor, and a weight sensor.
[0075] Step 202 proceeds to step 204. At step 204, one or more cargo parameters are determined. The one or more cargo parameters is selected from a temperature, a fragility, a distance of destination and alike.
[0076] Step 204 proceeds to step 206. At step 206, the vehicle operational data is correlated with one or more cargo parameters to retrieve a correlating data.
[0077] Step 206 proceeds to step 208. At step 208, ideal conditions for carriage of the cargo stored within the cargo housing 104 is identified based on the correlating data.
[0078] Step 208 proceeds to step 210. At step 210 a primary action is performed based on a combination of the one or more cargo parameters and the vehicle operational data.
[0079] Step 210 proceeds to step 212. At step 212, a secondary action is performed based on the cargo parameters and is processed to further help safely carrying of the cargo by the vehicle.
[0080] The method 200, however, is exemplary only and not limiting. The method 300 may be altered, e.g., by having stages added, removed, or rearranged.
[0081] While the detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various alternatives, it can be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As can be recognized, certain alternatives described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others.

WE Claim,

1.A system for determining a status of a cargo placed in a vehicle, wherein the system comprising:
a displaying unit to display the status of the cargo in the vehicle on a user device;
a cargo sensor, placed within a cargo housing, configured to collect cargo functional data;
a vehicle sensor, configured to collect a plurality of vehicle operational data;
a remote server operably configured to store the vehicle operational data and the cargo functional data;
a communication network configured for communicating with the remote server, the user device, the cargo sensor, the vehicle sensor and a processor;
the processor, communicably connected to the cargo sensor and the vehicle sensor is configured to determine the status of the cargo by performing steps of:
determining one or more cargo parameters for the cargo on the vehicle in the vehicle;
correlating the vehicle operational data with the one or more cargo parameters to retrieve a correlating data;
identifying an ideal condition for a cargo carriage of the cargo based on the correlating data;
performing a primary action based on a combination of the one or more cargo parameters and the vehicle operational data;
performing a secondary action based on the one or more cargo parameters; and
tracking the status of the cargo placed in the vehicle during a journey.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more cargo parameters is selected from a temperature, a fragility, a distance of destination and alike.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle operational data is selected singly or in a combination of driving behaviour of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, and safety parameter of the cargo housing.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cargo sensor is selected anyone from a temperature sensor, an IR sensor, and a weight sensor.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle sensor is anyone or a combination of a voltage sensor, a current sensor for battery and motor, a tire pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a throttle position sensor, an image sensor, a radar sensor, a GPS sensor and alike.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary action includes anyone action selected from a combination of heating the cargo housing, a cooling the cargo housing, and an increasing safety within the cargo housing.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary action includes anyone action selected from a decreasing power of the vehicle, decreasing speed of the vehicle, sending status reports and alike.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprising sending a status report to the remote server at intervals based on the one or more cargo parameters.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor includes filtering means to filter the vehicle information data for assuring the accuracy of the data.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor may be located at the vehicle or located centrally and wherein the processor located centrally is a microprocessor.