Patent Description:
Transport refrigeration units (TRUs) are containers designed to carry perishable freight at a specific temperature or within a temperature range. TRUs can be equipped with a variety of refrigeration systems for maintaining a specific temperature within the cargo space or interior compartment. Typically, a diesel engine driven trailer refrigeration unit is utilized for keeping fresh, frozen foods and other goods during transport. However, problems exist with these TRUs that can be attributable to how the TRUs are operated by an owner of the TRU. In addition, customers might not be utilizing the TRU in the most efficient manner or may require upgrades or downgrades based the utilization and needs for the customer's operations.

<CIT> discloses an abuse detection system for determining potential abusive occurrences, such as door opening, during the transport of refrigerated products.

According to a first aspect of the invention a method is provided as set out in claim <NUM>. Optional features are defined in the dependent claims.

According to another embodiment, a system is provided as set out in claim <NUM>. The system includes a processor communicatively coupled to a memory, the processor configured to perform the method of any of the method claims.

Typically, after selling a product (e.g., refrigeration unit for road transportation applications) to a customer, a seller has no understanding of how the customer is utilizing the utilizing the product. Improper utilization of the product by the customer can lead to reduced product performance and an increase in environmental impact for the product.

One or more embodiments described herein address the above-described shortcomings of the prior art by providing a usage diagnostic and recommendation tool to assist customers for improving how the customer utilizing the equipment/product in order to improve performance as well as keeping the environmental impact under control.

<FIG> depicts a transport refrigeration system <NUM> having a refrigerated trailer. The trailer may be pulled by a tractor <NUM>. The exemplary trailer includes a container <NUM> defining an interior compartment <NUM>. It is understood that embodiments described herein may be applied to shipping containers that are shipped by rail or sea, without use of a tractor <NUM>. An equipment housing <NUM> mounted to a front of the container <NUM> may contain a power supply. A refrigeration system may be electrically coupled to the power supply to receive electrical power. Refrigeration system includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve and one or more evaporators defining a refrigeration circuit for circulating a refrigerant, as known in the art. Refrigeration system also includes one or more fans, such as a condenser fan, evaporator fan or ventilation fan.

<FIG> depicts a transport refrigeration system as part of a truck. The truck <NUM> can have an attached cargo box <NUM>. The attached cargo box <NUM> defines an interior compartment <NUM>. An equipment housing <NUM> can be mounted to a front of the cargo box <NUM> or to the top of the truck <NUM> in one or more embodiments. The equipment housing <NUM> can include a power supply and a refrigeration system electrically coupled to the power supply.

A diagrammatic illustration of a refrigeration system <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The refrigeration system <NUM> includes a power supply <NUM>, a refrigeration unit <NUM> configured with a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, a refrigerant regulator <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, at fans <NUM>, <NUM>, and a control system <NUM> ("controller"). The refrigeration unit <NUM> is configured such that refrigerant travels through the compressor <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, the refrigerant regulator <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM> in a closed loop path <NUM>. The fan <NUM> has an alternating current ("ac") motor or a direct current ("dc") motor and is configured to condition air <NUM> from the interior compartment <NUM> in <FIG>, and/or in some embodiments from outside the interior compartment <NUM> in <FIG>, through the evaporator <NUM>, and back into the interior compartment <NUM> in <FIG>. The fan <NUM> has an alternating current ("ac") motor or a direct current ("dc") motor and is configured to move outside air <NUM>, through the condenser <NUM>, in order to reject heat out of the refrigeration system. In one or more embodiments, the power supply <NUM> can include a diesel engine, a diesel generator, a battery supply, and/or a mains power supply.

The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> that is adapted to receive one or more feedback signals from one or more sensors <NUM>, positioned within the interior compartment and/or the refrigeration unit <NUM>, indicative of an environmental parameter (e.g., temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.) within the interior compartment, and/or feedback signals indicative of operating parameters of the refrigeration unit <NUM>. The environmental parameter can also be collected from the ambient environment around the power supply <NUM> which can be within the interior compartment and/or outside the interior compartment. The processor <NUM> is further adapted to selectively maintain or change the operating mode of the refrigeration unit <NUM>, using actuators <NUM> (e.g., switches, valves, etc.) in communication with the refrigeration unit <NUM> based on the feedback signals, an algorithm, or some combination thereof. For example, a temperature value sensed within the interior compartment may prompt the controller <NUM> to engage a non-operating refrigeration unit <NUM> to supply cooling air to the interior compartment, or it may prompt the controller <NUM> to disengage an operating refrigeration unit <NUM>. Similarly, an operating parameter value associated with the refrigeration unit <NUM> may prompt the controller <NUM> to engage a dormant refrigeration unit <NUM>, or to disengage an operating refrigeration unit <NUM>. It should be noted that the functionality of the processor <NUM> may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a processing system <NUM> for implementing the teachings herein. The system <NUM> has one or more central processing units (processors) 21a, 21b, 21c, etc. (collectively or generically referred to as processor(s) <NUM>). Each processor <NUM> may include a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor. Processors <NUM> are coupled to system memory <NUM> and various other components via a system bus <NUM>. Read only memory (ROM) <NUM> is coupled to the system bus <NUM> and may include a basic input/output system (BIOS), which controls certain basic functions of system <NUM>.

<FIG> further depicts an input/output (I/O) adapter <NUM> and a network adapter <NUM> coupled to the system bus <NUM>. I/O adapter <NUM> may be a small computer system interface (SCSI) adapter that communicates with a hard disk <NUM> and/or tape storage drive <NUM> or any other similar component. I/O adapter <NUM>, hard disk <NUM>, and tape storage device <NUM> are collectively referred to herein as mass storage <NUM>. Operating system <NUM> for execution on the processing system <NUM> may be stored in mass storage <NUM>. A network adapter <NUM> interconnects bus <NUM> with an outside network <NUM> enabling data processing system <NUM> to communicate with other such systems. A screen (e.g., a display monitor) <NUM> is connected to system bus <NUM> by display adaptor <NUM>, which may include a graphics adapter to improve the performance of graphics intensive applications and a video controller. In one embodiment, adapters <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be connected to one or more I/O busses that are connected to system bus <NUM> via an intermediate bus bridge (not shown). Suitable I/O buses for connecting peripheral devices such as hard disk controllers, network adapters, and graphics adapters typically include common protocols, such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). Additional input/output devices are shown as connected to system bus <NUM> via user interface adapter <NUM> and display adapter <NUM>. A keyboard <NUM>, mouse <NUM>, and speaker <NUM> all interconnected to bus <NUM> via user interface adapter <NUM>, which may include, for example, a Super I/O chip integrating multiple device adapters into a single integrated circuit.

The processing system <NUM> may include a graphics processing unit <NUM>. Graphics processing unit <NUM> is a specialized electronic circuit designed to manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display. In general, graphics processing unit <NUM> is very efficient at manipulating computer graphics and image processing and has a highly parallel structure that makes it more effective than general-purpose CPUs for algorithms where processing of large blocks of data is done in parallel.

Thus, as configured in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes processing capability in the form of processors <NUM>, storage capability including system memory <NUM> and mass storage <NUM>, input means such as keyboard <NUM> and mouse <NUM>, and output capability including speaker <NUM> and display <NUM>. In one embodiment, a portion of system memory <NUM> and mass storage <NUM> collectively store an operating system coordinate the functions of the various components shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts a system for usage diagnostic and recommendations for a customer product. The system <NUM> includes a usage and diagnostic engine <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes customer usage data <NUM> and customer business data <NUM>. The customer usage data <NUM> is associated with one or more products the customer operates in their business such as, for example, a transport refrigeration unit. The customer business data <NUM> can be obtained from a customer directly or mined from data sources such as customer website, etc. The customer business data <NUM> can include information related to operations for a TRU such as typical hauling distances (short v. long), regions where the customer operates, and the like.

The customer usage data <NUM> can be collected from a variety of sources. In some embodiments, the customer usage data <NUM> can be obtained from the customer directly through the use of a survey asking about the customer's practices related to the product. The survey can be paper or be entered into an online portal by the customer. The different fields of the survey can include product information such as model number, type, etc. Also, the fields can include contents being shipped using the TRUs such as perishable, non-perishable, or other types of contents. In addition, the customer business data <NUM> can be obtained through similar surveys that ask questions regarding typical hauling distances for TRUs, number of daily deliveries (i.e., how many times a day is the TRU door opened collected by a door switch or door opening sensor), number of TRUs in a customer fleet, and the like. Based on the customer usage data <NUM> and the customer business data <NUM>, the usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> can generate a customer scorecard <NUM> for the customer which can outline information such as, for example, energy efficiency, operational efficiency, suggested actions, best practices, and one or more ratings on the usage of the customer product (e.g., TRU). In one or more embodiments, the scorecard <NUM> can also include recommendations or suggestions for different models of TRU components that might be more efficient or a better fit for the customer business operations.

The system <NUM> through the usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> analyzes the customer usage data <NUM> along with the customer business data <NUM>, product database <NUM> data, and the environmental data <NUM> to determine a customer scorecard <NUM>. The customer scorecard <NUM> provides a snap shot of the customer's usage of the product to determine whether the customer is utilizing the product in the best possible manner. In addition, the scorecard <NUM> can include suggested actions for the customer to better utilize the product. For example, if the customer usage data <NUM> suggests that the customer is not adjusting the thermostat in the TRU as the customer progresses through a long haul transport, the scorecard <NUM> can recommend and suggest actions for adjusting the thermostat within the TRU as the long-haul transport enters and exits certain regions along the haul or in anticipation of entering certain weather, traffic, or other environmental conditions.

The system <NUM> includes a product database <NUM>. The product database <NUM> includes data for usage and tests for customer products. In addition, product best practices are also included in the product database <NUM>. For example, in a refrigeration system, certain practices can serve to increase the lifetime and the performance of the product. In addition, the product database <NUM> includes information related to product usage under certain environmental conditions. The environmental conditions can be derived from environmental data <NUM> collected by the usage and diagnostic engine <NUM>. The customer usage data <NUM> can be obtained by sensors associated with a TRU including the thermostat operating in the TRU. The sensors can obtain conditions such as run-time operation of the TRU, how many times a compressor is engaged, how often a TRU outside door is opened, and the like. In addition, sensors can be utilized for determine outside air temperature, location data, humidity, etc. The usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> can be receive sensor data or other data from other sources to determine environmental conditions related to the product such as, for example, location data, weather data, traffic data, road conditions data, time of day data, and the like. A global positioning sensor (GPS) sensor can be utilized to determine location of the product and be compared to a weather application to derive environmental conditions. In one or more embodiments, a door sensor can be utilized to determine the frequency and duration a TRU door is opened.

The system <NUM> can determine suggested actions or can operate to take action for the TRU based on the customer usage data <NUM>, product data, and environmental data <NUM>. For example, a thermostat in the TRU can determine an outside air temperature and humidity as environmental conditions for the TRU. The usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> will look to the customer usage data <NUM> and customer business data <NUM> to determine that the TRU has an upcoming stop that might require the TRU outside door to be opened. In anticipation of the door opening and based on the outside air temperature and humidity, the usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> will adjust a parameter of the thermostat in the TRU. The internal temperature of the TRU is expected to rise when the outside door is opened. To anticipate this, the thermostat temperature will be adjusted downward prior to the opening so as to not allow the internal air temperature to rise above any content requirements for the TRU (e.g., perishable goods). Any adjustments to the components of the TRU can be included on the customer scorecard <NUM> to assist with promoting best practices for the customer.

The customer usage data <NUM> can be utilized to predict needed maintenance actions for a customer for the TRU. This maintenance suggestion can be included in the customer scorecard <NUM>. In anticipation of the needed maintenance, the usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> can order certain parts needed for maintenance of the TRU. For example, if a component of the TRU is nearing its service life, the usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> can order the component and include a suggestion to replace the component on the scorecard <NUM>.

The customer score card <NUM> can be displayed to customer through a web portal or through a display screen local to the TRU, for example. In addition, the customer survey can be provided to the customer through a web portal, paper survey, and/or a display local to the TRU.

The usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> can be located on a controller within a TRU or can be on a cloud network connected to the TRU through a wireless or cellular network. The usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> can be implemented on the processing system <NUM> found in <FIG>. Additionally, a network can be utilized for electronic communication between and among the usage and diagnostic engine <NUM> and other devices. The network can be in wired or wireless electronic communication with one or all of the elements of the system <NUM>. Cloud computing can supplement, support or replace some or all of the functionality of the elements of the system <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a flow diagram of a method for evaluation and diagnostic for a customer product. The method <NUM> includes receiving, by a processor, customer usage data associated with the customer product, as shown at block <NUM>. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes obtaining customer data associated with a customer business operation. The method <NUM>, at block <NUM>, includes analyzing, by the processor, the customer usage data and the customer data and generating a usage score card associated with the customer product. And at block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes determining an action for the customer product based at least in part on the usage score card.

Additional processes may also be included. It should be understood that the processes depicted in <FIG> represent illustrations, and that other processes may be added or existing processes may be removed, modified, or rearranged without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Claim 1:
A computer-implemented method for a transport refrigeration unit including an evaluation and diagnostic engine (<NUM>) using a processor (<NUM>, <NUM>), the method comprising:
receiving, by the processor (<NUM>, <NUM>), customer business data (<NUM>) associated with the transport refrigeration unit;
obtaining customer usage data (<NUM>) associated with a customer business operation, wherein the customer usage data (<NUM>) is obtained using sensors (<NUM>) associated with the transport refrigeration unit, and wherein the sensors (<NUM>) comprise a thermostat for the transport refrigeration unit and a door sensor associated with an outside door of the transport refrigeration unit;
obtaining environmental data (<NUM>) associated with the transport refrigeration unit, including obtaining outside air temperature characterised in that obtaining environmental data (<NUM>) associated with the transport refrigeration includes obtaining outside air humidity; and
determining an action for the transport refrigeration unit, wherein the action comprises adjustment of a temperature of the thermostat, and wherein the usage and diagnostic engine (<NUM>) is configured to look to the customer usage data (<NUM>) and customer business data (<NUM>) to determine that the transport refrigeration unit has an upcoming stop that might require the door to be opened and to adjust the thermostat temperature downward based at least in part on the outside air temperature and humidity and in anticipation of the door opening.