Patent Description:
Traditional cargo transport systems may monitor and collect environment parameter data such as temperature, humidity and ethylene concentrations during refrigerated transportation. The collected parameter data may be used to infer a condition of the perishable product in a very general manner. Typically, conclusions drawn from such data is speculative and that the product may have suffered due to sub-optimal environment parameters. Improvements in the transportation of perishable products is desirable.

<CIT> discloses a method of controlling conditions within a container for distribution of perishable goods in response to changes in the scheduled distribution plan in order to attain a desired ripeness at the final destination. <CIT> discloses a system for remote monitoring and managing of goods during transportation. <CIT> discloses a system for monitoring the temperature of a food product using a temperature probe inserted in to the product, the temperature reading is then used to control a cooling system for that product.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a computer implemented method of operating a product condition system comprising: measuring first and second conditions of a perishable product by respective first and second detectors, wherein the first condition of the perishable product is a gas emitted by the perishable product and the first detector is a gas detector, and a first condition signal associated with the measured first condition of the perishable product is sent from the first detector and to a detector data module, and wherein the second condition of the perishable product is a different condition type to that of the first condition of the perishable product; measuring a first environment parameter of a containment where the perishable product is located, wherein the first environment parameter is measured by an environment detector; comparing the first and second conditions of the perishable product to respective first and second pre-programmed thresholds respectively; determining a single environment parameter target when at least one of the first and second pre-programmed thresholds are met from a pre-programmed data table as a function of both of the measured first and second measured conditions of the perishable product, wherein the single environment parameter target is established to reduce degradation of the perishable product, and wherein the determining comprises accessing the pre-programmed data table indicative of a perishable product type by an analysis module and from a product information database, wherein the pre-programmed data table includes a plurality of condition types, a plurality of thresholds associated with each condition type of the plurality of condition types; and sending a command signal derived from the single environmental parameter target to an environmental control assembly to meet the first environment parameter target.

Optionally, the analysis module and the reporting module are software-based.

Optionally, the detector data module and the product information database are contained within a computer readable and writeable storage medium.

Optionally, the analysis module is supported by a microprocessor.

Optionally, the method includes measuring the second condition of the perishable product by the second detector; and comparing the second condition to a second pre-programmed threshold.

Optionally, the method includes determining a second environment parameter target when the second pre-programmed threshold is met.

Optionally, the perishable product is one type of a plurality of types of perishable products, and the data table is one of a plurality of data tables stored in the product information database with each type of perishable products associated with a respective one of the plurality of data tables.

Optionally, the method includes selecting a type of perishable product via a user interface by a user; and communicating the selection to the analysis module.

A computer implemented method of operating a cargo transport system according to an example embodiment includes measuring an environment parameter of containment air by a parameter detector; measuring a condition of a perishable product by a condition detector; sending a condition signal indicative of the condition to a control module by the condition detector; sending a parameter signal indicative of the measured environment parameter to the control module by the parameter detector; comparing the condition signal to a threshold; accessing a data table containing pre-programmed environment parameter targets based on met thresholds to determine an environment parameter target based on the met threshold association with the condition signal of the condition detector; and utilizing the threshold, the environment parameter target and the parameter signal to control an environmental control assembly thereby reaching the environment parameter target.

A computer program product for preserving perishable products stored within a containment according to another, non-limiting, embodiment includes a detector data module configured to receive and store product condition data measured by a condition detector; a product information database configured to store at least one pre-programmed product type table, wherein each product type table is associated with a respective product type of a plurality of product types; an analysis module configured to retrieve the product condition data and the product type table associated with a perishable product in the containment and determine if a threshold in the product type table is met by the condition data; and a report module configured to output a report at least when the threshold is met.

Optionally, the detector data module is configured to receive and store environment parameter data measured by a parameter detector.

Optionally, analysis module is configured to compare the met threshold to at least one environment parameter target of the product type table and output a command signal to a environmental control assembly to meet the environment parameter target.

However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

Referring to <FIG>, one, non-limiting, application for a transport containment assembly of the present disclosure is illustrated as a tractor trailer system <NUM>. The tractor trailer system <NUM> may include a tractor <NUM>, a trailer <NUM> and a cargo transport system <NUM> utilized to control environmental parameters. The tractor <NUM> may include an operator's compartment or cab <NUM> and an engine (not shown) which is part of the powertrain or drive system of the tractor <NUM>. The trailer <NUM> may include a plurality of wheels <NUM> rotationally engaged to a frame or platform <NUM> that may be detachably coupled to the tractor <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is constructed to support the cargo transport system <NUM> for ground transport to desired destinations. The cargo transport system <NUM> may be an integral part of the frame <NUM>, or, may be constructed for removal from the frame. It is contemplated and understood that the transport containment assembly <NUM> may be constructed for other types of transportation other than tractor trailer systems and/or may be adapted for use in multiple types of transportation (e.g., ground, sea, and/or air).

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cargo transport system <NUM> may include a container <NUM> and an environmental control assembly <NUM>. The container <NUM> may include top, bottom, two sides, front and rear walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (also see <FIG>) that together define the boundaries of a cargo compartment or space <NUM>. The environmental control assembly <NUM> may be an integral part of the container <NUM> and may be located at or near the front wall <NUM>. The environmental control assembly <NUM> facilitates the control of environmental parameters within the cargo compartment <NUM>. The container <NUM> may further include doors (not shown) at the rear wall <NUM>, or any other wall. It is contemplated and understood that the container <NUM> may be any shape and, in some applications, may not be completely enclosed (e.g., no top wall <NUM> and/or no side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.).

Depending upon the environment parameter being controlled, the environmental control assembly <NUM> may include a refrigeration unit <NUM>, a humidity control unit <NUM>, an air exchange unit <NUM>, and an environment composition control unit <NUM>. Although illustrated separately, it is understood that any two or more of the units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may generally be integrated together thereby sharing various components to achieve an end goal of controlling one or more environment parameters. For example, an environment parameter may be temperature controlled by the refrigeration unit <NUM>. An environment parameter may be humidity controlled by the humidity control unit <NUM>. However and depending upon outside conditions, the humidity and/or temperature may be controlled by the exchange of air accomplished via the air exchange unit <NUM>. Another environment parameter may be a molecular composition of the air in the compartment <NUM>. If the detected air composition is undesirable, it may be resolved via the environment composition control unit <NUM> that may, as one example, include a series of bottles containing one or more compressed gasses that can be injected into the compartment <NUM>. Depending upon the cargo or product <NUM>, the compressed gas may be an inert gas. Further examples of the compressed gas may be carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and others. Other examples of environment parameters that may be controlled include oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide concentration, ethylene concentration, ozone and <NUM>-Methylcyclopropene (<NUM>-MCP).

A control module <NUM> of the environmental control assembly <NUM> is configured to control any one or more of the units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and may include a computer-based processor <NUM>, a computer readable and writeable storage medium <NUM> and at least one of any variety of environment detectors <NUM> as dictated by the needs and control of the various units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The environment detector <NUM> may be configured to monitor and/or measure at least one environment parameter and output an associated signal (see arrow <NUM>) to the control module <NUM>. The processor <NUM> of the control module <NUM> may be configured to process the signal <NUM> and send an associated command signal (see arrow <NUM>) to any one or more of the units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to control and maintain any variety of environment parameters.

The environment detector <NUM> may be located in the containment <NUM> for generally measuring the environment parameter of the air in the containment which generally surrounds the product <NUM>. The environment parameter may be dependent upon the product <NUM> being stored and/or transported, and may generally dictate the type of detector <NUM> utilized. For example, the environment detector <NUM> may be any one or more of a humidity sensor, a chemical sensor, a temperature sensor, oxygen sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, light sensor, ethylene sensor, ozone sensor, a shock or vibration sensor, and others. More specifically, if the environment parameter is temperature, then the environment detector <NUM> may be a temperature sensor. If the environment parameter is molecular composition, then the environment detector <NUM> may be a chemical sensor, and if the environment parameter is humidity, then the environment detector <NUM> may be a humidity sensor. The environment signal <NUM> generated by the environment detector <NUM> may be transmitted over a wired or wireless pathway. For example, if the control module <NUM> is secured to the container <NUM> (i.e., travels with the container), the environment detector <NUM> may utilize a wired pathway. If the control module <NUM> is remotely located (e.g., in the cab <NUM> or otherwise at a land-based location), the environment detector may utilize a wireless pathway.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the product <NUM> may be a perishable product availing itself of a product condition system <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the cargo transport system <NUM>. The product condition system <NUM> may be adapted to monitor the perishable product <NUM>, preserve the perishable product, and/or report out what may be a real-time condition of the perishable product. The product condition system <NUM> may include a pre-programmed product information database <NUM>, a sensor data module <NUM>, an analysis module <NUM>, a reporting module <NUM>, and a product condition detector <NUM>. Except for the condition detector <NUM>, the product condition system <NUM> may be substantially software-based and programmed into the control module <NUM>. More specifically, the pre-programmed product information database <NUM> and the sensor data module <NUM> may be stored in the computer readable and writeable storage medium <NUM>, the analysis module <NUM> may be part of the processor <NUM>, and the reporting module <NUM> may include information outputted by the processor <NUM> (i.e., via processing of a condition signal <NUM> received by the condition detector <NUM>), and stored in the medium <NUM> for later retrieval by a user. In addition to, or alternatively, the reporting module <NUM> may be configured to, at least in-part, send a command signal to any one of the units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to alter an environment parameter to minimize or prevent degradation of the perishable product <NUM>. It is further contemplated and understood that the product condition detector <NUM> may be the environment parameter detector <NUM>, thus the detector may serve a dual purpose of providing data to the product condition system <NUM> indicative of a condition of the perishable product <NUM> and to generally monitor and control an associated environment parameter in the containment <NUM>. It is further contemplated that the product condition system <NUM> may include a processor and computer readable and writeable storage medium that is separate from the control module <NUM>, and instead, is configured to communicate with the control module <NUM> via, for example, the reporting module <NUM>. The perishable product <NUM> may be anything capable of degrading during storage and/or transport including vegetables, fruits, meats, flowers, and other edible and non-edible products.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the condition detector <NUM> may be, for example, a gas detector disposed in a supply duct <NUM> to the refrigeration unit <NUM> of the environmental control assembly <NUM>. The product condition system <NUM> may be configured to monitor the levels of Ethylene and alert the refrigeration unit <NUM> to take corrective action when a pre-programmed Ethylene threshold value is reached that may indicate, for example, excessive ripening. Such action may be to decrease temperatures in the containment <NUM> as measured by the parameter detector <NUM>. It is further contemplated and understood that, for example, the temperature in the containment may be monitored, via the parameter detector <NUM>, and sent to the product condition system <NUM> for later reports, thus providing a time-based recording of both containment temperature and Ethylene levels.

In one example, the perishable product <NUM> may be apples. Environment parameters that may be controlled to preserve apples may include humidity, temperature, light intensity, ethylene, ethanol, and acetaldehyde levels. To preserve apples and delay the ripening process, the containment <NUM> may be kept at low oxygen levels of about one percent, at carbon dioxide levels of between one and five percent, at low temperatures of about zero degrees centigrade, at high humidity of about ninety to ninety-five percent, and/or at an ethylene concentration range of about one to four-hundred parts per million.

In another example, the ripeness of a banana may be controlled by controlling the temperature within the containment <NUM>, and by controlling the airflow (i.e., air exchange) to regulate the amount of carbon dioxide and ethylene present in the containment air. The degree of ripeness may be determined and recorded by measuring the concentration of the gasses produced by the banana and found in the containment air. In this example, data from the environment detector <NUM> may be used and applied by the analysis module <NUM> supported by the processor <NUM> then appropriately adjusted and controlled via the environmental control assembly <NUM> as dictated by the command signal <NUM> of the control module <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, the condition detector <NUM> may be a plurality of detectors with at least one detector being proximate to a respective storage crate of a plurality of crates (not shown) stored in the containment <NUM>. Each crate may contain a different type of perishable product. In yet another embodiment (see <FIG>), the condition detector may be secured directly to what may be a random selection of perishable products <NUM>. The condition detector(s) <NUM> may be attached directly to the perishable products to make direct, objective measurements of key condition attributes. Such measurements may include as non-limiting examples: color, firmness, and compositional changes, and/or emitted gases via respiration. Detector types may include imaging (i.e., camera), color, firmness, temperature, chemical, and others. For example, if the product composition of concern is firmness, the detector <NUM> may be a type of thin-film strain gauge that may further be part of a resiliently stretchable band that wraps about the perishable product <NUM>. Another example of a condition detector <NUM> may include a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) with onboard gas sensing capability.

Referring to <FIG>, the product information database <NUM> may include a plurality of tables <NUM> with each table being pre-programmed and specific to a type <NUM> of the perishable product <NUM>. For the product type <NUM>, the table <NUM> may include at least one product condition type <NUM> (i.e. three illustrated as 94A, 94B, and 94C). Non-limiting examples of condition types <NUM> may include color, firmness, gas concentration, and others. For each condition type <NUM>, the product information database <NUM> may store at least one threshold value or range <NUM> (i.e. three illustrated as 96A, 96B, and 96C), pre-established to enact a specific action such as for example, transmit an alert to a user via the reporting module <NUM>, and/or take a corrective action that may include initiation of the environmental control assembly <NUM>. It is further contemplated and understood that a particular table <NUM> may be pre-selected by a user via a user interface (not shown) that communicates with the product condition system <NUM> once the user knows the type of product being stored and/or transported. Furthermore, the system <NUM> may be configured to know which type(s) of condition detectors <NUM> are available or pre-configured with a particular container <NUM>, and thereby, automatically selects the correlating condition type <NUM> associated with the type of detector.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each table of a particular product type <NUM> and a particular condition type <NUM> may include at least one environment parameter target <NUM> (i.e. three illustrated as targets 98A, 98B, 98C). Environmental parameter targets <NUM> may be a desired value and/or a desired range of values that are preferred in order to preserve a perishable product and/or inhibit degradation (or further degradation) of a perishable product <NUM>. What the environment parameter target <NUM> is may be dependent on the particular thresholds 96A, 96B, 96C that may be representative of the condition of the particular product type <NUM> of the perishable product <NUM>. Examples of environment parameter targets <NUM> may include containment temperature, humidity, gas concentrations, rate of air exchanges, and others.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the storage medium <NUM> may: store algorithms executed by the analysis module <NUM> of the processor <NUM>; may store detector <NUM>, <NUM> data accumulated during storage and/or transit of the particular product <NUM>; and may further store the data tables <NUM> specific to the type of product <NUM>. For example, if the perishable product <NUM> is bananas, the 'banana' data table <NUM> may include desired environment parameter ranges or targets <NUM> needed to preserve and/or prevent the bananas from ripening or ripening too fast. Such data may include temperature, humidity, and the presence of certain gases (e.g., carbon dioxide and ethylene) which are produced during the ripening process.

Applying the relevant data tables <NUM>, the analysis module <NUM> once receiving the parameter and/or condition signals <NUM>, <NUM> may execute associated algorithms to first determine relevant and desired environment parameter target(s) <NUM>, and may then generate appropriate command signals <NUM> that are sent to the environmental control assembly <NUM>. The environmental control assembly <NUM> may then initiate the appropriate unit(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to adjust the measured environment parameter of the containment air. It is contemplated and understood that the measured environment parameter and the measured product condition may be functions of the algorithm.

In another example, the measured product condition may be a function of the algorithm and the measured environment parameter is used to directly control the environmental control assembly <NUM>. That is, combinations of 'targeted' environment parameters may be based on current conditions and needs of the perishable product <NUM> and would affect the product in various manners including slowing or accelerating ripening, inhibiting post-harvest plant pathogen growth, inhibiting water loss, inhibiting or promoting color change, and/or adjusting to changes in chilling sensitivity. It is understood that the term 'targeted' environment parameter is that parameter calculated by the control module <NUM> based on real-time conditions of the product <NUM>. Via the command signal <NUM>, it is the goal of the environmental control assembly <NUM> to adjust toward or obtain the parameter target or value <NUM>. It is further contemplated and understood that this process may conserve energy since the environmental control assembly <NUM> may operate in real-time and consume energy only when needed (i.e., current needs).

Although not specifically illustrated in the data tables of <FIG> and <FIG>, it is further contemplated and understood that through executable algorithms, any one or more of the thresholds <NUM> may be dependent upon two or more condition types <NUM>. Similarly, the environment parameter target <NUM> may be dependent upon two or more thresholds <NUM> of multiple condition types <NUM> and a particular product type <NUM>. Although such calculations may require an increase in the number and diversity of detectors, by establishing a threshold <NUM> via a function of multiple condition types <NUM>; and/or, establishing an environment parameter target <NUM> through a function of multiple thresholds <NUM> of different condition types <NUM>, the reliability and accuracy of the product condition system <NUM> may be optimized.

Referring to <FIG>, a method of operating the cargo transport system <NUM> includes a first block <NUM> of a user selecting a perishable product type <NUM> via a user interface (not shown) thus directing the analysis module <NUM> to an appropriate product type data table <NUM>. Block <NUM> entails an automatic review of the detectors <NUM>, <NUM> by the analysis module <NUM> to determine applicability of any variety of condition types <NUM> of the table <NUM> and associated with the detectors <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition to, or alternatively, to block <NUM>, block <NUM> includes the user selecting or choosing the appropriate condition types <NUM> from a plurality of condition types offered.

Block <NUM> includes measuring at least one condition of a perishable product <NUM> by at least one condition detector <NUM>, and respectively commensurate to the at least one condition type <NUM>. A block <NUM> entails measuring at least one environment parameter of containment air by at least one parameter detector <NUM>. Block <NUM> entails sending condition and parameter signals <NUM>, <NUM> indicative of measured product condition(s) and environment air parameter(s) to the detector data module <NUM> of the product condition system <NUM> for retrieval and processing by the analysis module <NUM>.

Block <NUM> entails selecting the appropriate product table <NUM> commensurate to the perishable product <NUM> type by the analysis module <NUM>. Block <NUM> entails comparing the measured condition(s) received from the various condition detector types to at least one threshold <NUM> pre-specified in the table <NUM>. Block <NUM> entails taking an action depending upon which threshold <NUM> for a particular condition type <NUM> is met.

For a particular product type <NUM> and a particular condition type <NUM>, block <NUM> entails selecting at least one environment parameter target <NUM> for each one of the met thresholds <NUM>. Block <NUM> entails comparing the environment parameter target <NUM> to the measured environment parameter by the analysis module <NUM> and outputting a report by the reporting module <NUM>, wherein the report may be a command signal <NUM> to the appropriate/associated unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the environmental control assembly <NUM> to reach the associated/respective target.

The present disclosure may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.

Benefits and advantages of the present disclosure include an objective assessment of actual perishable product condition over a time span during, for example, transportation. Other advantages include a real-time feedback to the transport refrigeration unit (TRU), an intelligent manipulation of environmental parameters to optimize the condition of the perishable products upon arrival, minimize wear on the TRU, and optimizing energy efficiency. Yet further, because current conditions of the perishable product is known during transit, real-time technical, operational and commercial decision making can be achieved.

Claim 1:
A computer implemented method of operating a product condition system (<NUM>) comprising:
measuring first and second conditions of a perishable product (<NUM>) by respective first and second detectors (<NUM>), wherein the first condition of the perishable product is a gas emitted by the perishable product and the first detector is a gas detector, and a first condition signal associated with the measured first condition of the perishable product is sent from the first detector and to a detector data module (<NUM>), and wherein the second condition of the perishable product is a different condition type to that of the first condition of the perishable product;
measuring a first environment parameter of a containment (<NUM>) where the perishable product is located, wherein the first environment parameter is measured by an environment detector (<NUM>);
comparing the first and second conditions of the perishable product to respective first and second pre-programmed thresholds (<NUM>) respectively;
determining a single environment parameter target (<NUM>) when at least one of the first and second pre-programmed (<NUM>) thresholds are met from a pre-programmed data table (<NUM>) as a function of both of the measured first and second measured conditions of the perishable product, wherein the single environment parameter target is established to reduce degradation of the perishable product, and wherein the determining comprises accessing the pre-programmed data table indicative of a perishable product type (<NUM>) by an analysis module (<NUM>) and from a product information database (<NUM>), wherein the pre-programmed data table (<NUM>) includes a plurality of condition types (<NUM>), a plurality of thresholds (<NUM>) associated with each condition type of the plurality of condition types; and
sending a command signal (<NUM>) derived from the single environmental parameter target to an environmental control assembly (<NUM>) to meet the first environment parameter target.