Patent Publication Number: US-2018039940-A1

Title: Environmental parameter monitor with wide area communication

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to environmental parameter monitoring, and to a system and a method for monitoring environmental parameters via a wide area network. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Typically, cold chain distribution systems are used to transport and distribute temperature sensitive and perishable goods. For example, food and pharmaceuticals may be susceptible to temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. Advantageously, cold chain systems allow perishable and environmentally sensitive goods to be effectively transported and distributed without damage or other undesirable effects. 
     Environmental parameter sensors are often used in cold chain distribution systems to monitor the conditions and integrity of the cold chain and consequently the goods transported. Current environmental parameter sensing systems may log data to be retrieved at a later time, but may not prevent damage or other undesirable effects from occurring to goods in transit. A system and method that can provide real time monitoring of environmental parameters via a wide area network is desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for cold chain monitoring of perishable goods, includes at least one environmental sensor to monitor at least one environmental parameter, a wide area network interface to communicate with a wide area network, a controller to log a plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors and to transmit at least one data signal associated with the plurality of readings to the wide area network via the wide area network interface. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one data signal includes at least one of: the plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors and an excursion alarm signal associated with the plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the wide area network interface is a cellular interface to communicate with a cellular network. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the apparatus is associated with a transportation operation. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that a rerouting, transferring or storage operation is associated with the at least one data signal. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a short range interface, wherein the short range interface includes at least one of: a wired interface, an optical interface, and a short range wireless interface. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors is transferred via a secondary download. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the perishable goods includes at least one of food and pharmaceuticals. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for cold chain monitoring of perishable goods, includes providing at least one environmental sensor, monitoring at least one environmental parameter via the at least one environmental sensor, logging a plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors via a controller, and transmitting at least one data signal associated with the plurality of readings to a wide area network via a wide area network interface. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one data signal is a group including of at least one of: the plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors and an excursion alarm signal associated with the plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the wide area network interface is a cellular interface to communicate with a cellular network. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include transporting the perishable goods. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include includes rerouting, transferring or storing the perishable goods in response to the at least one data signal. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include transmitting the plurality of readings via a short range interface, wherein the short range interface includes at least one of: a wired interface, an optical interface, and a short range wireless interface. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include transferring the plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors via a secondary download. 
     Technical function of the embodiments described above includes a wide area network interface to communicate with a wide area network, and a controller to log a plurality of readings and transmit at least one data signal associated with the plurality of readings. 
     Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary cold chain distribution system suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an exemplary environmental parameter monitor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method of monitoring environmental parameters in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary cold chain transportation or distribution system suitable for use with an environmental parameter monitor. In an exemplary embodiment, cold chain transportation system  20  includes an environmentally controlled container  24 , cargo  40 , logging device  42 , and wide area network  44 . The container  24  may be pulled by a tractor  22 . It is understood that embodiments described herein may be applied to shipping containers that are shipped by rail, sea, or any other suitable container, without use of a tractor  22 . The container  24  may define an interior compartment  26 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, environmental control system  28  is associated with container  24  to provide desired environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, CO 2  level, and other conditions to the interior compartment  26 . In certain embodiments, environmental control system  28  is a refrigeration system capable of providing a desired temperature and humidity range. In an exemplary embodiment, cargo  40  is associated with an environmental monitor  42  subjected to the same environment as the cargo  40 . In an exemplary embodiment, cargo  40  includes food, drugs, or any other suitable cargo requiring cold chain transport. The environmental monitor  42  may be placed in a variety of locations within interior compartment  26 , including directly on the cargo  40 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  42  monitors parameters and communicates with a wide area network  44 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary architecture of an environmental monitor  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  100  includes at least one environmental parameter sensor  102 , a controller  104  (e.g., a microprocessor), and a wide area network interface  114 . Environmental monitor  100  may be used in cold chain operations and transportation as described in  FIG. 1 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, at least one sensor  102  is utilized to monitor environmental parameters and generate a sensor reading. Environmental parameters may include position data, humidity, time, temperature, shock, vibration, ambient light, and gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and ethylene). Accordingly, suitable sensors  102  are utilized to monitor the desired parameters. Advantageously, sensors  102  may be selected for certain applications depending on the cargo to be monitored and the corresponding environmental sensitivities. In an exemplary embodiment, temperatures are monitored. In certain embodiments, a user desires to maintain and monitor temperatures or other parameters within an acceptable range. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, readings from sensors  102  are received and processed by the controller  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, readings from sensors  102  are received and logged in memory  110  during a desired monitoring period. In certain embodiments, the readings are further augmented with time, position stamps or other relevant information. Data logged in memory  110  may include a reading from sensor  102 , whether the reading exceeds (a high or low) limit placed for a corresponding parameter, the sensed time and/or the sensed location. 
     The inclusion of controller  104  allows further analysis to be performed. In certain embodiments, controller  104  is programmed with or accepts predetermined ranges or limits for corresponding sensors. If a sensor  102  reading exceeds (a high or low) limit placed for a corresponding parameter, the time, place, and the sensor reading may be recorded. In certain embodiments, an alarm signal is stored, displayed, and/or transmitted via wide area network interface  114 . 
     In certain embodiments, the data recorded to memory  110  is authenticated to prevent tampering of environmental data. The data in memory  110  may be signed, encrypted or otherwise authenticated. Advantageously, such authentication ensures the recorded data is accurate and allows an accurate assessment of recorded environmental conditions. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, controller  104  communicates with a wide area network  118  via a wide area network interface  114 . Wide area network  118  and wide area network interface  114  may be any suitable network, including, but not limited to cellular networks, satellite communication networks, private wide area networks, etc. In certain embodiments, wide area network interface  114  communicates with intermediate or base stations to communicate with wide area network  118 . In certain embodiments, communication distances are state wide, country wide, or international. In an exemplary embodiment, wireless transmissions are sent and received via antenna  116 . Data transmitted via wide area network  118  may be transmitted to a central monitoring location, to a shipper, a receiver, or any other suitable location. Antenna  116  may be integral to monitor  100  or external to monitor  100 . In certain embodiments, antenna  116  is associated with the cargo container or transporter. 
     Advantageously, wide area network transmissions of logged data or the analyzed data (including, but not limited to alarm and excursion data) described above allows for real time monitoring of the relevant environmental parameters. In an exemplary embodiment, a responsible party can monitor the sensors  102 , any parameter excursions beyond predefined limits, and any alarm conditions. Additionally, a responsible party may monitor additional parameters not internally monitored by monitor  100 . In certain embodiments, the responsible party can make real time decisions about the cargo to avoid or minimize undesirable effects. In response to monitored parameters or an event of interest, such as a climate control failure or malfunction, a responsible party can provide instructions and decisions. Such decisions can include communication with a truck driver/transportation provider, preemptively rejecting goods, reporting a parameter excursion to a third party, and/or rerouting cargo to an environmentally controlled storage facility. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  100  includes a user interface  106  and status data display  108  to allow a user to directly and locally interact with data logger  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  100  can display status information and relevant data points on display  108 . In certain embodiments, user interface  106  allows a user to stop and start monitoring operations, as well as review data and alarm conditions. Advantageously, a local use and review of environmental monitor  100  can allow on-site review and determinations to be made regarding routing, storage and goods acceptance. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a local interface  112  facilitates a secondary data download after the cargo has reached a checkpoint or a destination. Data may be transferred to an external download device  120 . The locally downloaded data may be authenticated, provide additional data for diagnostic purposes or provide data in accordance with receiver/shipper protocols. The local interface  112  may transfer data by any suitable local method, including, but not limited to USB, serial transmission, optical transmission, local Wi-Fi, personal area networks, or any other suitable local interface. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary method  200  to monitor environmental parameters, particularly in a cold chain system. In operation  202 , environmentally sensitive cargo, including perishable food and pharmaceuticals are transported via a suitable cold chain transport. 
     In operation  204  a suitable environmental monitor  100  is placed to be associated with the environmentally sensitive cargo to monitor the environmental parameters the cargo is subjected to. 
     In operation  206 , the parameters are monitored by the controller  104 . Monitoring operations may sample at any frequency desired depending on cargo sensitivity requirements and technical requirements. The controller may include predefined parameter limits to determine alarm conditions in case of parameter excursion. 
     In operation  208 , the readings from sensors  102  are logged in memory  110  for later review. Data logged in memory  110  may include sensor readings, time, position, alarms, and any other suitable information. 
     In operation  210  the data logged in memory  110  can be locally transmitted via a local interface  112 . Such a transmission may occur when the cargo arrives at a checkpoint or destination. 
     In operation  212  the locally transferred data are transferred via a secondary download device (e.g., imported to a personal computer, tablet, etc.). The downloaded data may be reviewed for parameter excursions, abnormalities, and other suitable metrics. Such a secondary download may be authenticated to prevent tampering. 
     In addition to logging data as described in operation  208 , data may be transmitted in operation  209 . In operation  209  data associated with the parameters is transmitted via a wide area network. Data may include logged readings, time, position, alarms, and any other suitable information. 
     The operations in  FIG. 3  may be performed in various orders. In exemplary embodiments, data is logged at operation  208  and then sent via a local interface at operation  210 , as shown. In other exemplary embodiments, data could be logged at operation  208  and then sent via wide area network interface at operation  209 . In other exemplary embodiments, data is sent via wide area network interface at operation  209 . Thus, embodiments are not limited to the order of operations in exemplary  FIG. 3 . 
     In operation  211 , the data transmitted may be actively monitored by a responsible party. In response to data transmitted, the transportation device may be rerouted, transferred or stored to prevent or mitigate undesired effects. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. While the description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangement not hereto described will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, while the various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.