U.S. patent application number 14/623345 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for monitoring container conditions of intermodal shipping containers on a cargo ship through use of a sensor grid.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Robert R. Friedlander, James R. Kraemer.
Application Number | 20150177094 14/623345 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47597928 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150177094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedlander; Robert R. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2015 |
Monitoring Container Conditions of Intermodal Shipping Containers
on a Cargo Ship Through Use of a Sensor Grid
Abstract
A method, system, and/or computer program product determines
conditions of intermodal shipping containers on a cargo ship. A
processor establishes a baseline composite vibration pattern from
readings generated by multiple vibration sensors that are affixed
to multiple intermodal shipping containers on a cargo ship.
Subsequent readings are taken from the multiple vibration sensors
to generate a new composite vibration pattern. The processor also
receives humidity readings from humidity sensors that are affixed
to interiors of the multiple intermodal shipping containers, and
then combines the humidity readings with the new composite
vibration pattern to create a vibration/humidity pattern. In
response to the new composite vibration pattern being different
from the baseline composite vibration pattern, the processor
matches the vibration/humidity pattern with a known
vibration/humidity pattern in order to identify a cause of the new
vibration/humidity pattern and a condition of the intermodal
shipping containers.
Inventors: |
Friedlander; Robert R.;
(Southbury, CT) ; Kraemer; James R.; (Santa Fe,
NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47597928 |
Appl. No.: |
14/623345 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13192149 |
Jul 27, 2011 |
8990033 |
|
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14623345 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/29.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 7/10366 20130101;
B63B 2017/0009 20130101; G08B 29/04 20130101; G01M 7/00 20130101;
G01H 1/12 20130101; G01N 29/04 20130101; G01N 25/56 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01M 7/00 20060101
G01M007/00; G01N 29/04 20060101 G01N029/04; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; G01N 25/56 20060101 G01N025/56 |
Claims
1. A method of determining conditions of intermodal shipping
containers on a cargo ship, the method comprising: a processor
establishing a baseline composite vibration pattern from readings
generated by multiple vibration sensors, wherein each vibration
sensor, of the multiple vibration sensors, is a uniquely-identified
vibration sensor that has been affixed to one of multiple
intermodal shipping containers, wherein each vibration sensor
comprises a vibration sensor for detecting mechanical vibration,
wherein the multiple intermodal shipping containers have been
loaded onto a cargo ship, and wherein the baseline composite
vibration pattern is generated by combining two or more frequency
plus amplitude vibration patterns generated by two or more of the
multiple vibration sensors that are affixed to the multiple
intermodal shipping containers; the processor taking subsequent
readings from the multiple vibration sensors to generate a new
composite vibration pattern, wherein the new composite vibration
pattern is generated by combining two or more new frequency plus
amplitude vibration patterns generated by two or more of the
multiple vibration sensors that are affixed to the multiple
intermodal shipping containers; the processor receiving humidity
readings from humidity sensors affixed to interiors of each of the
multiple intermodal shipping containers; the processor combining
the humidity readings with the new composite vibration pattern to
create a new vibration/humidity pattern; and the processor, in
response to the new composite vibration pattern being different,
beyond a predefined range, from the baseline composite vibration
pattern, matching the new vibration/humidity pattern with a known
vibration/humidity pattern in order to identify a cause of the new
vibration/humidity pattern and a condition of the intermodal
shipping containers.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
the processor identifying a physical shifting of the multiple
intermodal shipping containers by matching the new composite
vibration pattern with a known vibration pattern.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
the processor identifying damage to a non-mechanical physical
structure of the cargo ship by matching the new composite vibration
pattern with the known vibration pattern.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
the processor identifying damage to a drive train of the cargo ship
by matching the matching the new composite vibration pattern with a
known vibration pattern.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said each
vibration sensor further comprises an acoustic sensor, and wherein
the method further comprises: the processor incorporating acoustic
readings from acoustic sensors in the multiple vibration sensors to
modify the baseline composite vibration pattern to create a
baseline vibration/acoustic composite pattern; the processor
incorporating subsequent acoustic readings from the acoustic
sensors to generate a new composite vibration/acoustic pattern; and
the processor, in response to the new composite vibration/acoustic
pattern being different from the baseline composite
vibration/acoustic pattern, matching the new composite
vibration/acoustic pattern with a known composite
vibration/acoustic pattern in order to identify a cause of the new
composite vibration/acoustic pattern.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said each
vibration sensor further comprises a chemical sensor, and wherein
the method further comprises: the processor incorporating chemical
readings from chemical sensors in the multiple vibration sensors to
modify the baseline composite vibration pattern to create a
baseline composite vibration/chemical pattern; the processor
incorporating subsequent chemical readings from the chemical
sensors to generate a new composite vibration/chemical pattern; and
the processor, in response to the new composite vibration/chemical
pattern being different from the baseline composite
vibration/chemical pattern, matching the new composite
vibration/chemical pattern with a known composite
vibration/chemical pattern in order to identify a cause of the new
composite vibration/chemical pattern.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
in response to a pre-determined level of change in weather
conditions currently being experienced by the cargo ship, the
processor re-establishing the baseline composite vibration pattern
by taking new readings from the multiple vibration sensors.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the
vibration sensors comprises a uniquely-identified radio frequency
identifier (RFID) device, and wherein the computer implemented
method further comprises: the processor mapping a location of each
of the multiple intermodal shipping containers by interrogating
RFID devices in the multiple vibration sensors; and the processor
adjusting the baseline composite vibration pattern and the new
composite vibration pattern according to the location of each of
the multiple intermodal shipping containers.
9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium containing
computer executable instructions to perform a method for
determining conditions of intermodal shipping containers on a cargo
ship, the method comprising: establishing a baseline composite
vibration pattern from readings generated by multiple vibration
sensors, wherein each vibration sensor, of the multiple vibration
sensors, is a uniquely-identified vibration sensor that has been
affixed to one of multiple intermodal shipping containers, wherein
each vibration sensor comprises a vibration sensor for detecting
mechanical vibration, wherein the multiple intermodal shipping
containers have been loaded onto a cargo ship, and wherein the
baseline composite vibration pattern is generated by combining two
or more frequency plus amplitude vibration patterns generated by
two or more of the multiple vibration sensors that are affixed to
the multiple intermodal shipping containers; taking subsequent
readings from the multiple vibration sensors to generate a new
composite vibration pattern, wherein the new composite vibration
pattern is generated by combining two or more new frequency plus
amplitude vibration patterns generated by two or more of the
multiple vibration sensors that are affixed to the multiple
intermodal shipping containers; receiving humidity readings from
humidity sensors affixed to interiors of each of the multiple
intermodal shipping containers; combining the humidity readings
with the new composite vibration pattern to create a
vibration/humidity pattern; and in response to the new composite
vibration pattern being different, beyond a predefined range, from
the baseline composite vibration pattern, matching the
vibration/humidity pattern with a known vibration/humidity pattern
in order to identify a cause of the new vibration/humidity pattern
and a condition of the intermodal shipping containers.
10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,
wherein the method further comprises: identifying a physical
shifting of the multiple intermodal shipping containers by matching
the new composite vibration pattern with a known vibration
pattern.
11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,
wherein the method further comprises: identifying damage to a
non-mechanical physical structure of the cargo ship by matching the
new composite vibration pattern with a known vibration pattern.
12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,
wherein the method further comprises: identifying damage to a drive
train of the cargo ship by matching the new composite vibration
pattern with a known vibration pattern.
13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,
wherein said each vibration sensor further comprises an acoustic
sensor, and wherein the method further comprises: incorporating
acoustic readings from acoustic sensors in the multiple vibration
sensors to modify the baseline composite vibration pattern to
create a baseline vibration/acoustic composite pattern;
incorporating subsequent acoustic readings from the acoustic
sensors to generate a new composite vibration/acoustic pattern; and
in response to the new composite vibration/acoustic pattern being
different from the baseline composite vibration/acoustic pattern,
matching the new composite vibration/acoustic pattern with a known
composite vibration/acoustic pattern in order to identify a cause
of the new composite vibration/acoustic pattern.
14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,
wherein said each vibration sensor further comprises a chemical
sensor, and wherein the method further comprises: incorporating
chemical readings from chemical sensors in the multiple vibration
sensors to modify the baseline composite vibration pattern to
create a baseline composite vibration/chemical pattern;
incorporating subsequent chemical readings from the chemical
sensors to generate a new composite vibration/chemical pattern; and
in response to the new composite vibration/chemical pattern being
different from the baseline composite vibration/chemical pattern,
matching the new composite vibration/chemical pattern with a known
composite vibration/chemical pattern in order to identify a cause
of the new composite vibration/chemical pattern.
15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,
wherein the method further comprises: in response to a
pre-determined level of change in weather conditions currently
being experienced by the cargo ship, the processor re-establishing
the baseline composite vibration pattern by taking new readings
from the multiple vibration sensors.
16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,
wherein each of the vibration sensors comprises a
uniquely-identified radio frequency identifier (RFID) device, and
wherein the method further comprises: mapping a location of each of
the multiple intermodal shipping containers by interrogating RFID
devices in the multiple vibration sensors; and adjusting the
baseline composite vibration pattern and the new composite
vibration pattern according to the location of each of the multiple
intermodal shipping containers.
17. A system comprising: a processor, a computer readable memory,
and a computer readable storage media; first program instructions
to establish a baseline composite vibration pattern from readings
generated by multiple vibration sensors, wherein each vibration
sensor, of the multiple vibration sensors, is a uniquely-identified
vibration sensor that has been affixed to one of multiple
intermodal shipping containers, wherein each vibration sensor
comprises a vibration sensor for detecting mechanical vibration,
wherein the multiple intermodal shipping containers have been
loaded onto a cargo ship, and wherein the baseline composite
vibration pattern is generated by combining two or more frequency
plus amplitude vibration patterns generated by two or more of the
multiple vibration sensors that are affixed to the multiple
intermodal shipping containers; second program instructions to take
subsequent readings from the multiple vibration sensors to generate
a new composite vibration pattern, wherein the new composite
vibration pattern is generated by combining two or more new
frequency plus amplitude vibration patterns generated by two or
more of the multiple vibration sensors that are affixed to the
multiple intermodal shipping containers; third program instructions
to receive humidity readings from humidity sensors affixed to
interiors of each of the multiple intermodal shipping containers;
fourth program instructions to combine the humidity readings with
the new composite vibration pattern to create a vibration/humidity
pattern; and fifth program instructions to in response to the new
composite vibration pattern being different, beyond a predefined
range, from the baseline composite vibration pattern, match the
vibration/humidity pattern with a known vibration/humidity pattern
in order to identify a cause of the new vibration/humidity pattern
and a condition of the intermodal shipping containers; and wherein
the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth program instructions
are stored on the computer readable storage media for execution by
the processor via the computer readable memory.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising: sixth program
instructions to identify a physical shifting of the multiple
intermodal shipping containers by matching the new composite
vibration pattern with a known vibration pattern; and wherein the
sixth program instructions are stored on the computer readable
storage media for execution by the processor via the computer
readable memory.
19. The system of claim 17, further comprising: sixth program
instructions to, in response to a pre-determined level of change in
weather conditions currently being experienced by the cargo ship,
re-establish the baseline composite vibration pattern by taking new
readings from the multiple vibration sensors; and wherein the sixth
program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage
media for execution by the processor via the computer readable
memory.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the vibration sensors
comprises a uniquely-identified radio frequency identifier (RFID)
device, and wherein the system further comprises: sixth program
instructions to map a location of each of the multiple intermodal
shipping containers by interrogating RFID devices in the multiple
vibration sensors; and seventh program instructions to adjust the
baseline composite vibration pattern and the new composite
vibration pattern according to the location of each of the multiple
intermodal shipping containers; and wherein the sixth and seventh
program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage
media for execution by the processor via the computer readable
memory.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electronics,
and specifically to electronic devices used in sensor arrays. Still
more particularly, the present disclosure relates to sensor arrays
used to monitor operational conditions of a cargo ship.
[0002] Vibration detection devices are used to detect and transpose
mechanical vibration energy into analogous electrical signals that
represent the detected mechanical vibration energy. A vibration
detection device uses a motion sensitive component, such as an
accelerometer, a piezoelectric device (e.g., a tuned crystal), etc.
to make these mechanical-to-electrical transformations.
SUMMARY
[0003] A method, system, and/or computer program product determines
conditions of intermodal shipping containers on a cargo ship. A
processor establishes a baseline composite vibration pattern from
readings generated by multiple vibration sensors. Each vibration
sensor, of the multiple vibration sensors, is a uniquely-identified
vibration sensor that has been affixed to one of multiple
intermodal shipping containers. Each vibration sensor comprises a
vibration sensor for detecting mechanical vibration. The multiple
intermodal shipping containers have been loaded onto a cargo ship,
and the baseline composite vibration pattern is generated by
combining two or more frequency plus amplitude vibration patterns
generated by two or more of the multiple vibration sensors that are
affixed to the multiple intermodal shipping containers.
[0004] The processor takes subsequent readings from the multiple
vibration sensors to generate a new composite vibration pattern,
such that the new composite vibration pattern is generated by
combining two or more new frequency plus amplitude vibration
patterns generated by two or more of the multiple vibration sensors
that are affixed to the multiple intermodal shipping
containers.
[0005] The processor also receives humidity readings from humidity
sensors that are affixed to interiors of each of the multiple
intermodal shipping containers, and then combines the humidity
readings with the new composite vibration pattern to create a
vibration/humidity pattern.
[0006] In response to the new composite vibration pattern being
different, beyond a predefined range, from the baseline composite
vibration pattern, the processor matches the vibration/humidity
pattern with a known vibration/humidity pattern in order to
identify a cause of the new vibration/humidity pattern and a
condition of the intermodal shipping containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary computer in which the present
invention may be utilized;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary ship on which are loaded
multiple intermodal containers, each of which has an affixed
vibration sensor, which optionally is Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) enabled;
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary layout of a portion of the
multiple intermodal containers shown in FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary RFID enabled sensor that is
affixed to one of the multiple intermodal containers shown in FIG.
3;
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary RFID tag that may be used by the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary chipless RFID tag that may
be used by the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary combination of frequency (F)
plus amplitude (A) vibration patterns, from uniquely-identified
smart sensors on different intermodal containers, being processed
to create a new composite vibration pattern, which is then compared
to a known vibration pattern in order to identify a cause for a
change in the new composite vibration pattern from a baseline
composite vibration pattern; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a high-level flow chart of one or more exemplary
steps performed by a processor to monitor operational conditions of
a cargo ship in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the
present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer
program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the
form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software
embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,
etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that
may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or
"system." Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a
computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of
expression having computer-usable program code embodied in the
medium.
[0016] Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer
readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or
computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an
electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or
semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium.
More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the
computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical
connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette,
a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory
(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash
memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory
(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as
those supporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage
device. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium
could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the
program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured,
via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium,
then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable
manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. In the
context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable
medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate,
propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection
with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The
computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with
the computer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in
baseband or as part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program
code may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but
not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF,
etc.
[0017] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the
present invention may be written in any combination of one or more
programming languages, including an object oriented programming
language such as Java (JAVA is a registered trademark of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries),
Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming
languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar
programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the
user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone
software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a
remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In
the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the
user's computer through any type of network, including a local area
network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may
be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider).
[0018] With reference now to the figures, and in particular to FIG.
1, there is depicted a block diagram of an exemplary computer 102,
which the present invention may utilize. Note that some or all of
the exemplary architecture shown for computer 102 may be utilized
by software deploying server 150.
[0019] Computer 102 includes a processor unit 104, which may
utilize one or more processors each having one or more processor
cores, that is coupled to a system bus 106. A video adapter 108,
which drives/supports a display 110, is also coupled to system bus
106. System bus 106 is coupled via a bus bridge 112 to an
Input/Output (I/O) bus 114. An I/O interface 116 is coupled to I/O
bus 114. I/O interface 116 affords communication with various I/O
devices, including a keyboard 118, a timer 120, a Radio Frequency
(RF) receiver 122, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 124, and Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) based sensor data transmitters 126, which
communicate wirelessly with the RF receiver 122. Note that, in one
embodiment, elements 122 and 126 are hardwired together, such that
readings from the sensors (element 126) are able to be transmitted
via wiring to a receiver (e.g., element 122). Note also that the
format of the ports connected to I/O interface 116 may be any known
to those skilled in the art of computer architecture, including but
not limited to Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports.
[0020] Computer 102 is able to communicate with a software
deploying server 150 via a network 128 using a network interface
130, which is coupled to system bus 106. Network 128 may be an
external network such as the Internet, or an internal network such
as an Ethernet or a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
[0021] A hard drive interface 132 is also coupled to system bus
106. Hard drive interface 132 interfaces with a hard drive 134. In
a preferred embodiment, hard drive 134 populates a system memory
136, which is also coupled to system bus 106. System memory is
defined as a lowest level of volatile memory in computer 102. This
volatile memory includes additional higher levels of volatile
memory (not shown), including, but not limited to, cache memory,
registers and buffers. Data that populates system memory 136
includes computer 102's operating system (OS) 138 and application
programs 144.
[0022] OS 138 includes a shell 140, for providing transparent user
access to resources such as application programs 144. Generally,
shell 140 is a program that provides an interpreter and an
interface between the user and the operating system. More
specifically, shell 140 executes commands that are entered into a
command line user interface or from a file. Thus, shell 140, also
called a command processor, is generally the highest level of the
operating system software hierarchy and serves as a command
interpreter. The shell provides a system prompt, interprets
commands entered by keyboard, mouse, or other user input media, and
sends the interpreted command(s) to the appropriate lower levels of
the operating system (e.g., a kernel 142) for processing. Note that
while shell 140 is a text-based, line-oriented user interface, the
present invention will equally well support other user interface
modes, such as graphical, voice, gestural, etc.
[0023] As depicted, OS 138 also includes kernel 142, which includes
lower levels of functionality for OS 138, including providing
essential services required by other parts of OS 138 and
application programs 144, including memory management, process and
task management, disk management, and mouse and keyboard
management.
[0024] Application programs 144 include a renderer, shown in
exemplary manner as a browser 146. Browser 146 includes program
modules and instructions enabling a World Wide Web (WWW) client
(i.e., computer 102) to send and receive network messages to the
Internet using HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) messaging, thus
enabling communication with software deploying server 150 and other
described computer systems.
[0025] Application programs 144 in computer 102's system memory (as
well as software deploying server 150's system memory) also include
a Sensor Array Evaluation Logic (SAEL) 148. SAEL 148 includes code
for implementing the processes described below, and particularly as
described in reference to FIGS. 2-8. In one embodiment, computer
102 is able to download SAEL 148 from software deploying server
150, including in an on-demand basis. Note further that, in one
embodiment of the present invention, software deploying server 150
performs all of the functions associated with the present invention
(including execution of SAEL 148), thus freeing computer 102 from
having to use its own internal computing resources to execute SAEL
148.
[0026] The hardware elements depicted in computer 102 are not
intended to be exhaustive, but rather are representative to
highlight essential components required by the present invention.
For instance, computer 102 may include alternate memory storage
devices such as magnetic cassettes, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs),
Bernoulli cartridges, and the like. These and other variations are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0027] With reference now to FIG. 2, an exemplary ship 202 on which
the present invention may be utilized is illustrated. The ship 202
is a cargo ship that carries multiple intermodal containers 204 on
the deck/hold 206 of the ship. In one embodiment, these intermodal
containers 204 are uniform in size and shape, such that they stack
next to and on top of one another, and so that they are capable of
being transported on land by appropriately configured container
trucks.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a top (or side) view of the
multiple intermodal containers 204 positioned on deck/hold 206 in
FIG. 2 are depicted as multiple intermodal shipping containers
302a-n (where "n" is an integer). In one embodiment, affixed to
each intermodal container is a separate and distinct
uniquely-identified RFID-enabled smart sensor from RFID-enabled
smart sensors 304a-n. Note that while the smart sensors 304a-n are
RFID-enabled in one embodiment, in another embodiment these smart
sensors 304a-n do not include an RFID. In this embodiment, the
locations of the different smart sensors 304a-n are identified by
maps, loading plans, etc. for the multiple intermodal shipping
containers 302a-n.
[0029] Additional detail of an exemplary RFID-enabled smart sensor
is illustrated in FIG. 4 as RFID-enabled smart sensor 406 (which
shows additional detail of each of the RFID-enabled smart sensors
304a-n shown in FIG. 3). Within the RFID-enabled smart sensor 406
is a sensor 404. Sensor 404 is able to sense mechanical vibration
(i.e., vibrations that are propagated through a solid medium such
as metal), acoustic vibration (i.e., vibrations that are propagated
through air), chemicals (e.g., low levels of airborne chemicals),
radiation (i.e., levels of radioactivity), and/or electromagnetism
(i.e., electromagnetism (EM) throughout the EM spectrum, including
ultraviolet light, visible light, etc.).
[0030] In one embodiment, sensor 404 is directly coupled to a
transmission logic 408, which is able to transmit the raw
information detected by the sensor 404 to a receiver (e.g., RF
receiver 122 shown in FIG. 1). For example, assume that sensor 404
detects mechanical vibrations through the use of an internal
crystal-based strain gauge. The sensor 404 transduces these
mechanical vibrations into electrical analog signals, which can be
directly transmitted by the transmission logic 408. In another
embodiment, however, the transduced mechanical vibrations are first
sent to a local processing logic 410 within the RFID-enabled smart
sensor 406. This processing logic 410 is able to quantify and
digitize the transduced mechanical vibrations before they are sent
to the transmission logic 408.
[0031] Note that in one embodiment, an RFID tag 412 is also a
component of the RFID-enabled smart sensor 406. The RFID tag 412,
which is different/unique to each RFID-enabled smart sensor 406
(and thus the intermodal shipping container to which it is
affixed), stores and communicates Electronic Product Code (EPC)
information. The EPC information includes information about the
contents of the intermodal shipping container to which the RFID tag
is attached; the source/destination of that intermodal shipping
container; any safety/hazard information (e.g., Material Safety
Data Sheet--MSDS information) about contents of that intermodal
shipping container; any product expiration information about the
contents of that intermodal shipping container; product lot numbers
for the contents of that intermodal shipping container; the name,
location, and contact information of the manufacturer of the
contents of that intermodal shipping container, etc. The RFID tags
may be active (i.e., battery powered), semi-passive (i.e., powered
by a battery and a capacitor that is charged by an RF interrogation
signal), or purely passive (i.e., either have a capacitor that is
charged by an RF interrogation signal or are geometrically shaped
to reflect back specific portions of the RF interrogation signal).
These passive RFID tags may contain an on-board Integrated Circuit
(IC) chip, or they may be chipless.
[0032] With reference now to FIGS. 5-6, exemplary RFID tags are
depicted. More specifically, FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary
chip-enabled RFID tag 502, which is a passive RFID tag that has an
on-board IC chip 504 and a coupled antenna 506. The IC chip 504
stores and processes information, including EPC information that
describes information (including name, chemical composition,
manufacturer, lot number, etc.) of material stored within the
affixed-to intermodal shipping container. The IC chip 504 may
contain a low-power source (e.g., a capacitor, not shown, that is
charged by an interrogation signal received by the coupled antenna
506). Upon the capacitor being charged, the RFID tag 502 then
generates a radio signal, which includes the EPC information stored
in the IC chip 504, to be broadcast by the coupled antenna 506.
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary chipless RFID tag 602. As
the name implies, chipless RFID tag 602 does not have an IC chip,
but is only an antenna that is shaped to reflect back a portion of
an interrogation signal. That is, the chipless RFID tag 602 (also
known as a Radio Frequency (RF) fiber) is physically shaped to
reflect back select portions of a radio interrogation signal from
an RF transmission source. Chipless RFID tag 602 typically has a
much shorter range than that of chip-enabled RFID tag 502.
Furthermore, the amount of information that chipless RFID tag 602
can return is much smaller than that of chip-enabled RFID tag 502,
which is able to store relatively large amounts of data in the
on-board IC chip 504.
[0034] With reference now to FIG. 7, signals 702 and 704 are
generated by two distinct and physically separate (possibly
RFID-enabled) smart sensors (e.g., RFID-enabled smart sensor 304a
and RFID-enabled smart sensor 304e shown in FIG. 3). For example,
assume that RFID-enabled smart sensors 304a and 304e both have
internal mechanical vibration sensors (e.g., element 406 shown in
FIG. 4). The RFID-enabled smart sensor 304a detects and transduces
mechanical vibration to generate a frequency (F) and amplitude (A)
vibration pattern 702, while the RFID-enabled smart sensor 304e
detects and transduces other mechanical vibrations to generate
another F+A vibration pattern 704. These two F+A vibration patterns
702 and 704 are then sent to a processing logic 706 (e.g., computer
102 shown in FIG. 1), either as raw analog signals or as processed
(e.g., by processing logic 410 shown in FIG. 4) signals via a
transmission logic (e.g., transmission logic 408 shown in FIG. 4).
The processing logic 706 generates, by combining the two F+A
vibration patterns 702 and 704, a composite vibration pattern 708.
As will be discussed below, the composite vibration pattern 708 may
be a "baseline" pattern. This "baseline" pattern may be a pattern
that is arbitrarily generated at some point in time during a voyage
of the cargo ship, or it may be generated at a time that other
information sensors/analysis indicates that the operational
conditions (i.e., positioning of the multiple intermodal shipping
containers, operational condition of the cargo ship's drive train,
structural integrity of the cargo ship, etc.) are all within
predefined acceptable ranges (i.e., the cargo ship is running
properly according to predefined parameters for load arrangements,
structural integrity, condition of the engine/propeller/etc.).
[0035] Assume now for explanatory purposes that the composite
vibration pattern 708 is not a baseline composite vibration
pattern, but rather is a new composite vibration pattern that has
been generated by taking subsequent readings (e.g., after taking
readings to create the baseline composite vibration pattern) from
the RFID-enabled smart sensor 304a and RFID-enabled smart sensor
304e shown in FIG. 3. In this scenario, a comparison logic 710
receives a copy of the new composite vibration pattern 708, which
is sent from the processing logic 706. Comparison logic 710 may be
part of a same computing system (e.g., computer 102 shown in FIG.
1) as the processing logic 706, or the comparison logic 710 may be
remote from the processing logic 706, such that the new composite
vibration pattern 708 is transmitted over a network (wireless or
wired) from the processing logic 706 to the comparison logic
710.
[0036] Once the comparison logic 710 has a copy of the new
composite vibration pattern 708, it compares the new composite
vibration pattern 708 to a known composite vibration pattern 712.
The known composite vibration pattern 712, which may be stored
locally within the comparison logic 710, or may be stored remotely
at a remote storage device, cloud, etc., is associated with (e.g.,
using a lookup table or other database) a particular cause. That
is, historical, empirical, and/or simulated observations reveal
that if a pattern has a same waveform as the known composite
vibration pattern 712, then a conclusion is reached that whatever
previously caused the known composite vibration pattern 712
(whether by actual conditions or through simulation) is now causing
the same new composite vibration pattern 708. Note that the new
composite vibration pattern 708 is generated by combining vibration
patterns from similar sensors (e.g., the type, age, and condition
of the sensor in the RFID-enabled smart sensor) in similar
locations (i.e., affixed to similar type of intermodal shipping
container at a same location in the stack of intermodal shipping
containers and at a similar physical location on the cargo ship)
under similar conditions (e.g., during similar sea and weather
conditions, similar ship speed, etc.) as those that generated the
known composite vibration pattern 712. The event/cause that
resulted in the new/known composite vibration patterns 708/712 may
be a shift (e.g., inadvertent movement) of one or more of the
intermodal containers (which may or may not be the intermodal
containers that have affixed thereon the RFID-enabled smart sensors
that generated the vibration patterns); a change in the physical
integrity of the cargo ship (e.g., a broken or loose piece of hull,
a cracked/broken support structure, etc.); a change to the ship's
drive train (e.g., a crack/break in a propeller/screw, a
damaged/broken bearing/shaft/rod/piston in the engine, etc.), or
any other predefined/predescribed operational condition of the
cargo ship.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 8, a high-level flow chart of one or
more exemplary steps performed by a processor to monitor
operational conditions of a cargo ship in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention is presented. After initiator
block 802, a uniquely-identified smart sensor is affixed to one or
more of multiple intermodal shipping containers (block 804). Each
uniquely-identified smart sensor identifies the intermodal shipping
container to which it is attached, as well as the location of where
that particular intermodal shipping container is positioned on the
cargo ship. As described in block 806, the multiple intermodal
shipping containers (some or all of which have affixed thereon a
uniquely-identified smart sensor, which may be RFID-enabled as
described above) are loaded onto the cargo ship. The loading order
and/or information from the smart sensors tells a computer, which
may be on the cargo ship or may be at a remote location, where the
various smart sensors are located, as well as the environment in
which they are situated. This environmental information includes,
but is not limited to, how the respective intermodal shipping
containers are stacked/positioned/etc.; what type of intermodal
shipping container (i.e., its size, weight composition, content,
etc.) is affixed to a particular smart sensor; etc.
[0038] As described in block 808, a baseline composite vibration
pattern is established from readings generated by multiple smart
sensors that are affixed to the multiple intermodal shipping
containers, as described in FIG. 7. As described above, this
baseline can be taken as the ship is underway, such as while all
operational conditions are within predefined nominal ranges. That
is, these predefined nominal ranges describe a level of vibration
of the deck that is normal when the structural integrity of the
cargo ship is intact, the arrangement and securement (i.e., by
tie-downs) of the intermodal shipping containers are according to a
predefined protocol, gauges/sensors on the drive train indicate
that the drive train is operating within normal
engine/screw/shaft/bearing parameters, etc. In one embodiment, the
baseline composite vibration pattern is re-established (by taking
new readings from the multiple smart sensors) in response to a
particular event or condition, such as changes to local weather
conditions (i.e., rain, snow, sleet, high or low atmospheric
temperature, etc.) being experienced by the cargo ship reaching a
pre-determined level; new loading/unloading of intermodal shipping
containers; entering an area of water known to have different
currents/temperatures/etc.; fuel being consumed, thus changing the
weight of the cargo ship; etc.
[0039] As described in block 810, subsequent readings are then
taken from multiple smart sensors on the intermodal shipping
containers in order to generate a new composite vibration pattern
(also described above in FIG. 7). As described in query block 812,
if the new composite vibration pattern is different (i.e., differs
beyond some predefined range) from the baseline composite vibration
pattern, then the new composite vibration pattern is matched with a
known composite vibration pattern in order to identify a cause of
the new composite vibration pattern (block 814). In one embodiment,
matching the new composite vibration pattern with the known
composite vibration pattern identifies/indicates a physical
shifting of the multiple intermodal shipping containers. In one
embodiment, matching the new composite vibration pattern with the
known composite vibration pattern identifies/indicates damage to a
non-mechanical physical structure (e.g., the ship's hull, internal
structural beams, etc.) of the cargo ship. In one embodiment,
matching the new composite vibration pattern with the known
composite vibration pattern identifies/indicates damage to a drive
train of the cargo ship.
[0040] As noted above, the sensor in the smart sensor that is
affixed to an intermodal shipping container may include an acoustic
sensor (which measures sound that travels through air and/or solids
such as structural members of the ship, intermodal shipping
containers, etc.). If so, then a processor can incorporate acoustic
readings from these acoustic sensors in order to modify the
baseline composite vibration pattern, thus creating a baseline
vibration/acoustic composite pattern. This baseline
vibration/acoustic composite pattern modifies the original baseline
composite vibration pattern with the additional sound/sonic
information provided by the acoustic sensors, in order to provide
additional specificity to a pattern's appearance (i.e., its shape)
when a particular cause/event is occurring. The processor then
incorporates subsequent acoustic readings from the acoustic sensors
in order to generate a new vibration/acoustic composite pattern. In
response to the new vibration/acoustic composite pattern being
different from the baseline vibration/acoustic composite pattern,
the processor matches the new vibration/acoustic composite pattern
with a known vibration/acoustic pattern in order to identify a
cause of the new vibration/acoustic composite pattern, which may or
may not be the same cause as that of the non-acoustic known
composite vibration pattern.
[0041] Similarly, the sensor in the smart sensor that is affixed to
an intermodal shipping container may a chemical sensor that detects
a presence of chemicals inside and/or outside that intermodal
shipping container. If so, then a processor can incorporate
chemical readings from these chemical sensors in the smart sensors
in order to modify the baseline composite vibration pattern, thus
creating a baseline vibration/chemical composite pattern. This
baseline vibration/chemical composite pattern modifies the original
baseline composite vibration pattern with the additional chemical
information provided by the chemical sensors, in order to provide
additional specificity to a pattern's appearance (i.e., its shape)
when a particular cause/event is occurring. The processor then
incorporates subsequent chemical readings from the chemical sensors
in order to generate a new vibration/chemical composite pattern. In
response to the new vibration/chemical composite pattern being
different from the baseline vibration/chemical composite pattern,
the processor matches the new vibration/chemical composite pattern
with a known vibration/chemical pattern in order to identify a
cause of the new vibration/chemical composite pattern, which may or
may not be the same cause as that of the non-chemical known
composite vibration pattern. Note that an increase/decrease in
chemical levels will impact the sensitivity of the vibration
sensor, due to contacts erosion, accelerometer decay, etc., thus
leading to the adjusted vibration pattern. Note further that if the
chemical level increase is detected by an internal chemical sensor,
then an alert can be sounded as to the presence of potentially
dangerous chemicals having been released within the intermodal
shipping container, leading to emergency procedures (e.g.,
clean-up, containment, etc.) being implemented.
[0042] In one embodiment, the smart sensor is affixed to an
interior of an intermodal shipping container, and the sensor in the
smart sensor includes (or is) a humidity sensor. In this
embodiment, the door to the intermodal shipping container is sealed
(e.g., by a door/frame barrier strip) such that humidity, insects,
etc. are unable to enter the interior of the intermodal shipping
container. Assume that the humidity outside of the intermodal
shipping container increases during the ocean voyage of the cargo
ship (due to sea spray, etc.). Thus, if there is a breach in the
integrity of seal around the door of the intermodal shipping
container, then the humidity sensor will detect a rise in the
interior humidity level. This information is then used to prompt a
crew member to reseal the container, such that the contents are not
damaged by the increased interior humidity level.
[0043] As noted above, each of the smart sensors may include a
uniquely-identified radio frequency identifier (RFID) device. If
so, this enables a processor to map a location of each of the
multiple intermodal shipping containers by interrogating RFID
devices in the smart sensors. This mapping can be done by
triangulating the signals coming from the RFID devices, or it may
be performed by simply knowing the loading order and position
placement of the intermodal shipping containers as they are being
loaded onto the cargo ship. By knowing the exact location of each
of the intermodal shipping contains, then the processor is able to
adjust the baseline composite vibration pattern and the new
composite vibration pattern according to the location of each of
the multiple intermodal shipping containers such that the new/known
patterns are further refined according to the location and
environment of the sensors as they take their vibration and other
readings. Note further that the RFID-tag information can be further
used to fine-tune the vibration patterns, since different
weights/materials/etc. in the intermodal shipping container will
affect the readings of the vibration sensor.
[0044] If a decision has been made to quit monitoring for new
patterns (query block 816), such as at the end of an ocean voyage
of the cargo ship, then the process ends at terminator block 818.
Otherwise, the smart sensors are further monitored in order to
generate additional new composite vibration patterns for matching
to the same or other known composite vibration patterns (blocks
810-814).
[0045] As described herein, smart sensors are affixed to intermodal
shipping containers that are loaded onto a cargo ship. An initial
baseline of the vibration frequencies and amplitudes from the smart
sensors is established once the ship is under way. A significant
shift in these frequencies/amplitudes can identify 1) a shift in
the cargo, 2) damage to the ship's structure, 3) mechanical (e.g.,
drive train) problems, etc. Thus, the present invention presents a
novel and significant improvement to monitoring cargo ship
operational conditions by providing a dynamic sensor grid without
having to retrofit the cargo ship.
[0046] Note that while the present invention has been described in
the context of monitoring conditions of a cargo ship that is under
way, the process/system described herein is also useful in
monitoring activities/conditions while the intermodal shipping
containers are on land. That is, by monitoring accelerometer,
chemical, humidity, acoustic, etc. sensors that are affixed to the
intermodal shipping containers while on a dock, the
history/condition of each intermodal shipping container can also be
tracked. For example, if a particular intermodal shipping container
had been subject to a severe (beyond a predetermined level) impact,
this impact is recorded (either at the intermodal shipping
container or by a remote system that interrogates the smart
sensor), in order to determine if and/or when any damage to the
contents of that intermodal shipping container occurred, whether
remedial steps need to be taken to repair the intermodal shipping
container and/or its contents, etc.
[0047] Note further that monitoring the level of vibrations using
an accelerometer-based sensor in the smart sensor enables the
detection of a loose intermodal shipping container. That is, if a
particular intermodal shipping container is struck by another
intermodal shipping container, it is likely that one or both of the
intermodal shipping containers have become free of their
restraints. Left unresolved (i.e., failing to resecure the
restraints), the contents of one or both of the intermodal shipping
containers will be damaged, and one or both of the intermodal
shipping containers may fall overboard (assuming that they are on
the deck of the cargo ship). Thus, the receiving computer, upon
detecting such a sudden acceleration (i.e., a first and second
order approximation that is indicative of a strong impact), will
issue an alert that one or more of the intermodal shipping
containers are unsecured, such that appropriate corrective steps
are taken.
[0048] As noted above, the system described herein allows a
computer to monitor the condition of not only the cargo (i.e., the
intermodal shipping containers), but the cargo ship itself. As
such, the real-time conditions of the cargo ship (as determined by
the smart sensor array) are stored, in order to generate a trend
pattern of the structural/mechanical condition of the cargo ship.
This information is then used to generate a preventative
maintenance plan, a retrofitting schedule, and/or a plan to
decommission the cargo ship (if conditions decay to the point that
repairs/retrofits are not economically feasible).
[0049] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0050] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The descriptions of the various
embodiments of the present invention have been presented for
purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or
limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and
variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the described
embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain
the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or
technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace,
or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0051] Note further that any methods described in the present
disclosure may be implemented through the use of a VHDL (VHSIC
Hardware Description Language) program and a VHDL chip. VHDL is an
exemplary design-entry language for Field Programmable Gate Arrays
(FPGAs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and
other similar electronic devices. Thus, any software-implemented
method described herein may be emulated by a hardware-based VHDL
program, which is then applied to a VHDL chip, such as a FPGA.
[0052] Having thus described embodiments of the invention of the
present application in detail and by reference to illustrative
embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and
variations are possible without departing from the scope of the
invention defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *