GOODS

Technical field

[0001 ] The present invention generally relates to a method for monitoring statuses and positions of goods. The present invention also relates to a sensor device for performing said method. The sensor device can be used for many different application areas, such as tracking the status and position of goods during transportation.

Background art

[0002] In prior art systems, it is known to monitor parameter data of different objects or goods with a device. As long as such devices are connected to a power supply and some type of network there is usually no problems with monitoring and collecting parameter data relating to an object. However, without a power supply the functionality may decrease fast if the monitoring requires a high battery consumption. The power consumption may be further challenged if the device is not directly connected to a network for communicating the obtained parameter data to a monitoring node. Scanning for different networks is one of the most power demanding tasks for such a device. Thus, the power consumption is a big restraint in in rural areas and offshore, for example when transporting goods on a container vessel. The need for maintenance, such as battery charging or exchange make these systems far from user friendly.

[0003] In prior art, it is also known to provide solutions for tracking goods via fleet management systems, such as long-distance trucks. In such systems, it's common to monitor different parameters to establish for example fuel economy of the trucks. Such devices are usually also connected to a reliable power source such as the battery of the truck.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a more efficient way to track and monitor the status and position of goods, especially regarding energy consumption. Summary of invention

[0005] An object of the present solution is to enable a single device to monitor objects or goods all around the world independent of the application area and in an energy efficient way.

[0006] Another object of the present solution is to provide a solution for monitoring goods during transportation in an energy efficient way.

[0007] Another object of the present solution is to enable positioning of goods during transportation in an energy efficient way.

[0008] The solution thus relates to a device, a system, a method, and a method conducted in a computer implementation, wherein position and status is monitored for an object or goods, for example during transportation of goods or during storage thereof.

[0009] Monitoring the status for example relates to monitoring at least one of temperature, humidity, movement, light, sound, or any other suitable parameter. Key for the solution is that the status is associated with at least a position for the reading but in one embodiment also with a time stamp for the specific reading.

[0010] Another embodiment features that the time stamp is used to determine the position at a later state based on a calculated route.

[001 1 ] As mentioned above one embodiment is adapted to monitor goods that is shipped. To better understand the difference between the present invention and prior art we will now more thoroughly explain the prior art in relation to the present invention. In prior art monitoring of goods during transportation is typically conducted through fleet management systems. Fleet management systems typically monitor a vehicle or vessel that is transporting the goods. The monitoring can for example be fuel consumption, speed and position of the vehicle. However, it should be understood that there is a significant difference between monitoring an object or goods as in the present invention and monitoring a vehicle or vessel that carries the goods as is the case in most prior art solutions. Although the vehicle information previously has been utilized to define what happens with the goods and/or the position of the actual goods, the goods as such is secondary in such systems. The information in reality relates to other objects than the actual goods. It is when the inventor realized this difference he come up with this inventive solution. Therefore, there is a need for a solution that focus on the status of the goods rather than merely monitoring the vehicle or vessel.

[0012] Another solution that is common in prior art is to scan the goods at each terminal or port, that it passes during transportation, in order to indicate where the goods is presently located. There are multiple drawbacks with this, mainly in relation to the lack of knowledge of the route, if the goods is approaching the correct location, and the status of the goods. Present solutions cannot provide any knowledge or information about if the goods has been handled correctly or not.

[0013] One example clearly shows the difference between prior art and the present solution. In one embodiment, the solution comprises a sensor device that is adapted to be placed in a transportation container that travels at sea on a container ship. The transportation container as tracked by prior art has been assigned statuses such as "on the vessel" or "in transit" merely indicating the last known information about the goods. As far as the system knows the transport container is present on the ship that it was loaded onto at the last goods check in. However, if the transportation container were to fall of the vessel or be unloaded at the wrong location that information would be very old before reaching the user. Thus, the present solution aims to provide solutions to at least some of the aforementioned problems.

[0014] According to one aspect the present invention relates to a method for monitoring status and position of goods. The method is performed by a sensor device. In one step the sensor receives configuring data, which comprises parameters to monitor, monitoring intervals and parameter thresholds. The sensor device collects parameter data in accordance to the set monitoring intervals and determines that a current value of the parameter data breaches at least one of the parameter thresholds. If it is determined that at least one threshold is breached the current position is determined. The sensor device scans for communication bands based on the determined current position, connects to the communication band enabling the most energy efficient communication and sends an alert to a monitoring node that at least one parameter threshold has been breached.

[0015] In an embodiment, the sensor device scans the three most common bands for the determined current position. In another embodiment, the three most common bands are determined based on previously collected information about which communication bands worked for other sensor devices in the same geographical area.

[0016] In an embodiment of the method the sensor device further retrieves a coordinated universal time from the communication band to which the sensor device is connected, and updates the internal real time clock of the sensor device to the retrieved coordinated universal time.

[0017] In an embodiment of the method the sensor device decreases a time period between the set monitoring intervals in order to go from a normal mode to a panic mode.

[0018] In the method, the step of collecting parameter data may further comprise setting a time stamp for when the parameter data has been collected.

[0019] According to another aspect the present invention relates to a sensor device for monitoring status and position of goods. The sensor device comprises a processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions which when executed by the processor causes the sensor device to perform the method steps as described above.

[0020] According to yet another aspect the present invention relates to a computer program comprising computer program code, wherein the computer program code is adapted, if executed on the processor, to implement the method steps as described above. The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium having said computer program. Brief description of drawings

[0021 ] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a container provided with goods and sensor devices.

[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a sensor device.

[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates states in a sensor device.

[0025] Fig. 4 illustrates an interrupt cycle in a sensor device.

[0026] Fig. 5 illustrates the method according to the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the different layers of the present invention.

Description of embodiments

[0028] In the following, a detailed description of the different embodiments of the solution is described.

[0029] Firstly, an exemplary set up of the sensor devices in a container will be briefly described in conjunction with Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 the sensor devices are denoted with 10, the container with 20, the goods with 30 and an exemplary sensor with 1 10. The container 20 could for example be present on a container vessel or be stored in some warehouse. The sensor devices 10 may be provided with different types of sensors for monitoring the interior of the container 20 or the status of the goods 30 directly, which will be described further below. In the example shown in Fig. 1 the sensor 1 10 is a sensor that is inserted into the goods 30 for monitoring for example humidity or temperature. Using more than one sensor device 10 will make it possible to create a temperature maps of the inside of the container 20. The parameter data that the sensor device 10 collects are sent to monitoring node 40, which could be a web application that the user of the system easily can access. [0030] The first time a sensor device 10 is activated it is adapted to connect to a backend system for activation. This will be further described in Fig. 3. After the sensor device 10 is activated the user will be able to pair the sensor device 10 with the transportation container 20 and/or goods 30, or any other commercial application or object by selecting the correct active sensor device 10 from a given list. The user then further in one embodiment has the option of entering a transportation container ID found from for example the bill of carriage. Once this is done, the sensor device 10 in question, and all its sensor data history, even the events happening before device-container pairing, are visible to all the users assigned with rights for that specific company/transport container.

[0031 ] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the sensor device 10 comprising a memory 101 , a CPU 102, a SIM unit 103, an antenna unit 106, positioning means 104, at least on sensor 1 10, and at least one indication means 105. The sensor device 10 further comprises network communication means 109 and means for power supply 108, such as a battery or a connectivity to an external power source. In one embodiment, the sensor device 10 further comprises an indication means 107, such as a LED or a light bulb. The memory 101 comprises instructions which when executed by the processor or CPU 102 causes the sensor device 10 to perform the method steps described in the present application.

[0032] Fig. 3 illustrates a flow chart of states for the sensor device 10 wherein the sensor device 10 starts an initiation at S201 where configuration files are read, such as present values from the sensors, boot information, first registrations of interrupts, and dependent of the result indicating the result with the indication means 107, such as a light, for example that the sensor device 10 is ready for use, an error indication, or any other form of indication. After the initiation S201 the sensor device 10 is adapted to wait for a communication event W202 before initiating the modem 103 (such as the SIM module). An event can for example be a sensor interrupt S212 (as will be further explained in relation to Fig. 4), that a time has expired, or another determined event. After the modem is initiated in step S202 the AT handler S203 checks if the AT communication is OK in C204, if the AT check C204 returns OK the sensor device 10 moves on to confirming if activation already been done or if it is required at step C205. If the AT check C204 fails the system will go back to W202 and wait, for example 1 hour, before a new attempt is done.

[0033] Checking if the sensor device 10 is activated in the back end is done within the sensor device 10 at step C205. If it returns no, the sensor device 10 will send activation data in step S206, otherwise the sensor device 10 will start to send data in step S207, which will be received by the backend solution C208. The server will acknowledge, get network time and update range limits in S209 before proceeding to see if the acknowledgement is OK in C210. If not, the system will go back to W202 and wait, for example for 1 hour before trying again according to Fig. 3. Otherwise more data will be sent in intervals at C21 1 (check if more data shall be sent, S207 sending data) until there is no more data to send and the sensor device 10 will return to W202 and wait, for example 1 hour, until trying again.

[0034] Fig. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the interrupt cycle as conducted in the sensor device 10 wherein interrupts are created by a sensor 1 10. Interrupts are monitored in the waiting state W202 being the same waiting state W202 as illustrated in Fig. 3. When a sensor interrupt S212 occurs step S213 is initiated wherein values are collected from the sensors 1 10 and the sensor device 10 checks if the sensor device 1 is in panic mode or normal mode. In the panic mode, the time period between each sensor reading is decreased compared to the normal mode, for example a reading every 10 ^th minute instead of once an hour. After that the sensor device 10 performs the steps as illustrated in Fig. 4, the system waits W203 a specific time before coming back to step W202. Step S213 is preformed independent of if an interrupt S212 has occurred or not. If an interrupt occurs during the waiting time W203 in step W202 the step S213 is initiated and a reset is sent to the counter/timer W203.

[0035] Additional information like container destination and goods type could also be provided to the sensor device 10 by the user during the activation process. [0036] The user has the option to set sensor specific threshold values for each sensor in the sensor device 10. In one embodiment, the sensor device is registered to an entity and the user can, if he or she is an administrator for that entity, set sensor values for all the sensor devices 10 registered for that entity.

[0037] Once the sensor device 10 is powered up it lights up a green led, measures the initial data from the sensors of the sensor device 10, attempts to connect to a server through the cellular network, retrieves the correct UTC time from server, and adjusts the internal clock accordingly.

[0038] The sensor device 10 is then in a passive mode wherein it waits for interrupts triggered by any of the sensors within the sensor device. An interrupt is an event wherein any of the sensors breaches a threshold value as described herein. The values of all the sensors are measured and stored in memory along with a timestamp of the clock. In one embodiment, also a position is stored for each entry.

[0039] According to one embodiment only temperature and humidity sensors trigger interrupts. For example, if the sensors detect an interrupt the system in the sensor device will "wake up" and read all sensors (no matter which sensor that got the interrupt) and store to memory.

[0040] In order to save battery, the sensor device 10 is configured to conduct measurements every ten minutes, the scanning for cellular networks are conducted less often.

[0041 ] Whenever the sensor device 10 is not reading sensor data, sending data or scanning for cellular bands, the sensor device is placed in a low powered sleep mode. However, the sleep mode should be interrupted if any of the sensors breaches the current value of set thresholds, independent of if it is a minimum or maximum threshold value.

[0042] It is one advantage with the present solution that the sensor device 10 is adapted to scan communication bands based on location. The sensor device is adapted to enable optimized scanning of communications bands based on previous experiences of the system in locations nearby the sensor device's current location. The sensor device solves this problem through prioritizing which bands it shall scan and in what order.

[0043] The sensor device is a sensor device that comprises communication means adapted for wireless communication, the wireless communication means further being adapted to scan several wireless frequency bands for

communication, divide communication bands into prioritized bands, associate prioritized bands with a location, and sort based on priority which band to scan.

[0044] Thus, the sensor device scans frequency bands depending on its location. Furthermore, the sensor device may use the determined location to scan frequency bands based on the likelihood of them working based on data stored from previous connection attempts by either the same sensor device or any other sensor device that is or has been in the area. Thus, the sensor device is capable of using the frequency bands that are associated to the positions of the system.

[0045] In one embodiment, the sensor device first scans the three most common bands in order to determine if it can gain access to a communication network, such as a cellular network. If no connection is established the system has the possibility to either scan the same three bands after an interrupt time or to scan other frequency bands depending on how the system is configured. As mentioned above, in one embodiment the location information is used to

determine the priority order of frequency bands to scan. In yet another

embodiment the position information is combined with previously collected information about what previously has worked for other sensor devices in the same area. In a prior art system, the frequency band scanning would consume up to 90% of the battery during the lifetime of the sensor device, a consumption which can be reduced significantly with the solution as described herein. Frequency bands for GSM communication are not global which further enhances the advantages of the present solution since the sensor device simply may skip frequency bands that are not available at the current location. [0046] After that the communication network bands have been scanned to find the band which is most reachable at the current location the best band, i.e. the most energy efficient band, is selected for future use. The selected band is further stored for future use of other devices.

[0047] The sensor device 10 can be in any of the following states:

• Off, not started (considered as inactive from the backend perspective)

• Running normal mode, not paired with a container

• Sleeping (waiting for an interrupt)

• Measuring

• Searching for networks/Scanning frequency bands

• Network connection found and sending

• Connects to activation API endpoint during first connection

• Running normal mode, paired with transport container

• Out of battery (deactivated)

[0048] The sensor device 10 can be set into two different modes while it is active. The modes are Normal mode and Panic mode, as briefly described above. The normal mode is a mode adapted for situations wherein all is normal, i.e. the sensors in the sensor device are all reading values within the threshold limits. The normal mode optimizes the frequency of measurements in order to save battery without losing accuracy in the system.

[0049] When all the sensors are within their current threshold values, the sensor device thereby is in its normal mode, following the timing values defined for normal mode, i.e. time periods between readings. When one of the sensors exceeds its threshold, the device switches to panic mode, which triggers the sensor device to more actively monitor the sensor values, using different set of timing values for reading the sensors. The device continues to stay in panic mode until all the sensors are back to their normal values, i.e. within the thresholds. In one embodiment, the sensor device further stays in panic mode until both the sensor values are within the threshold values and all the information has been

successfully relayed to the server.

[0050] The backend solution enables sharing of information between different entities interested in the information about the goods. For example, expensive goods might require special insurance and the insurance company might be interested in directly getting information if the transport container gets to warm, if it takes in water, or any other unwanted event. It is thereby an advantage that the owner of the sensor device can assign different users to receiving different information from the server about the readings of the sensor device.

[0051 ] The sensor device is in one embodiment adapted to learn what event that has occurred based on combinations of sensor data. For example, movement corresponding to long waves could indicate a storm at sea that the vessel that the transportation container is located on currently is in the middle of. Another example is light in combination with a position that can indicate that the container has been opened at the correct or the wrong place in the world. Yet another example is that movement in a specific pattern can indicate that the transport container is being loaded to a ship or road/track going vehicle or unloaded.

[0052] The sensor device is further adapted to relay such information to the back end to utilize that the system learns different events based on what each sensor device is subjected to.

[0053] It is one advantage with the present solution that it in one embodiment the senor device is adapted to be tamper free, meaning that the sensor device can't be turned off once it is activated. The back end system will thereby know if the sensor device has malfunctioned or been tampered with.

[0054] According to an embodiment the sensor data is compressed and sent in binary form to the server. It is one advantage with the present solution that the data is sent in a compressed binary form in order to save roaming data. In one embodiment, the sensor data is converted to binary format using gzip.

[0055] The sensors of the sensor device are in one embodiment configured with threshold values so that the software receives an interrupt and wakes up from sleep when the sensors values cross the threshold. The user can via a web or application (app) interface set and edit thresholds on all sensors, if any threshold is breached the system will trigger alerts via SMS or email to all configured alert receivers.

[0056] According to one embodiment a sensor in a sensor device is in a normal mode and checks if all sensors returns values within determined threshold limits for each sensor. If any one of the sensor values are outside of said threshold value for that specific sensor the sensor device is adapted to enter a panic mode wherein the sensor values are checked more frequently than in the normal mode. If all the sensor values are within the threshold values again the sensor device goes back into the normal mode.

[0057] In on embodiment power saving is achieved using AT commands where the GSM module goes to sleep. Device goes to SimCom "minimum operating mode" when it is not measuring or sending data. Sensors of the sensor device use interrupts to "wake" up the sensor device when thresholds have been breached.

[0058] Turning now to Fig. 5, the method for monitoring status and position of goods according to the present invention will be further described. In Fig. 5 optional steps are shown with dotted lines. In step S500 the sensor device receives configuring data comprising parameters to monitor, monitoring intervals and parameter thresholds. The parameters to monitor may for example be temperature, G-shock, movement, light, humidity, or sound. The only limitation to the type of parameters that may be configured with the present invention is the type of available sensors. Monitoring intervals are how often sensor readings should be made, which may depend on if the senor device is in normal or panic mode as explained above. [0059] When the sensor device has been configured it is ready to start collecting parameter data in step S502. If no thresholds are breached the sensor device will periodically continue to collect parameter data. However, as soon as a threshold is breached, in step S504, the sensor device may enter its panic mode and also determine its current position in step S506. There are several benefits with knowing the current position as mentioned above. Using the current position when scanning for network bands, for example cellular networks may reduce the power consumption, since with help of the determined position it is possible to exclude network bands to scan and thereby save power. Scanning for communication bands based on the current position is performed in step S508. After scanning the sensor device, in step S510, connects to the communication band that enables the most energy efficient communication between the sensor device and the monitoring node. The sensor device then send an alert to the monitoring node that at least one parameter threshold has been breached. The sensor device may also send the collected parameter data to the monitoring node such that a user can access it.

[0060] When scanning, in step S508, the sensor device may scan the three most common bands for the determined current position. The three most common bands may be determined based on previously collected information about which communication bands worked for other sensor devices in the same geographical area.

[0061 ] As an optional embodiment of the method a coordinated universal time is retrieved, in step 512, from the communication band to which the sensor device is connected, and the retrieved coordinated universal time is used to update, in step S514, the internal real time clock of the sensor device. Thus, the sensor readings and the collection of parameter data may be associated with a synchronized time, by setting a time stamp for when the parameter data has been collected.

[0062] In yet another optional step the method may comprise decreasing, in step S518, a time period between the set monitoring intervals. In other words, the sensor device will go from a normal mode to a panic mode. Exemplary implementation

[0063] Turning now to Fig. 6, an exemplary implementation of the invention will be closer described. The architecture of the senor device is built around the principle of separating the handling of devices, the data that the sensor device produce and the goods or objects that they are assigned to. This will have the advantage that it is possible to offer each layer as a service to different entities such that they can build their own services.

[0064] The user layer shows the flow of the method. The creation of the BOX.id relates to assign a sensor device or several sensor devices to for example a specific container or goods.

[0065] The BOX.id layer handles and tracks the created BOX.id. It will match the BOX.id with an International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI, which previously has been selected for and associated to the BOX.id. The state of the BOX.id will be updated based on parameter data from the IMEI. This is then stored in an SQL database for later used, when requested from the user layer.

[0066] The BOX.id layer is the middle layer and tracks the object or goods that the sensor device is assigned to. This BOX.id could be anything from a container to a warehouse and so forth. The BOX.id consists of the sensor devices it has been assigned to, but also other BOX.ids. When new parameter data has been received to by the BOX.id layer the corresponding boxes get updated. In the case of a box containing other boxes when the "lower tired" ones are updated this is the then pushed further up the chain until the top box has been updated.

[0067] One such example when using a BOX.id comprising other BOX.ids is when tracking split cargo. The top BOX.id may be a steel container and with one or more sensor devices assigned to it. Within this steel container there are several pallets each represented in the system by an individual BOX.id and assigned to the container BOX.id. Each pallet BOX.id has its own sensor device and may be removed from the container box when the cargo is split up in the real world.

[0068] The bottom layer or the device. id layer in Fig. 6 of the system handles all sensor devices. This layer comprises the receiving and storing of raw data sent from the sensor devices. This layer also calculates and formats the raw data and then sends it to the user or client that owns the sensor device via a push/webhook Application Programable Interface, API. The sensor devices can be individually controlled and configured through a Representational State Transfer, REST API. Updates on device statuses can also be done through the same API. The device layer can handle multiple types of device classes.

[0069] The user interface or front end may be designed such that it allows users to create BOX.id objects to track, such as tracking cargo container around the world. One or more sensor devices may be assigned to the cargo container in the system. One special functionality that is foreseen is called "Mirror Ownership".

[0070] Mirror ownership is when an owner of a BOX.id (and its assigned entities) enables mirror ownership, which creates a copy of the BOX.id and its data source such as sensor devices and other BOX.ids that have been assigned. The owner of the mirror BOX.id can see all the data being received and set their own alerts and geofences but they cannot alter the setting of the device since it is under the control of the original owner. If the mirror owner does "End Journey" a report will be created but the original owner will still see the real BOX.id as if nothing has happened. The original owner can upon agreement with the mirror owner transfer ownership of the real BOX.id.

[0071 ] Another possibility when it comes to ownership of the data source is linking the BOX.id to a blockchain. Here a digital contract stipulates who can access the information and with what type of authority to control it. That data can even be used as way of checking that the contract is fulfilled (in terms of allowed shipping conditions and delivery time). [0072] In the following a sea transportation scenario is described wherein the sensor device is placed in a transportation container and stays within network coverage for 3 days before departing to sea. Then the sensor device spends 30 days at sea without cellular or other network coverage. After that it arrives to destination port and sends all the saved measurement data. All the time device is in normal mode (no sensor measurement exceed threshold values).

[0073] The following describes an example embodiment of how the sensor device could be configured.

[0074] First 3 days: 24 measurement each day. Header + payload in each message 447 bytes. In addition to this cellular location causes some data traffic. If that is estimated being 512 bytes, the total data amount for each hour is 959 bytes. That is 23016 bytes a day and in 3 days it makes 69 kB. The system is thereby effective in its data communication.

[0075] Next 30 days at sea. No data traffic, as no cellular coverage at sea. Amount of data saved is 720 measurements. (24 measurements a day for 30 days.)

[0076] Arriving to destination port. Data is sent in batches of 15 measurements. This makes it 48 batches to be sent. Each batch is 1213 bytes plus 218 bytes of HTTP header. Assuming the same 512 bytes of positioning data, the data for each send is 1943 bytes. This makes the send size 159 kB.

[0077] In the following an example of a land transportation scenario is described wherein the sensor device is connected to cellular network all the time. The following describes an example embodiment of how the sensor device could be configured.

[0078] 24 measurements each day. Header + payload in each message 447 bytes. In addition to this cellular location causes some data traffic. If that is estimated being 512 bytes, the total data amount for each hour is 959 bytes. That is 23016 bytes a day and in 30 days it makes 674 kB. [0079] If the sensor device is in panic mode for 30 days, the amount of data sent is 1314 bytes in an hour, which makes it total of 924 kB in 30 days.

[0080] In the following another sea example is described wherein the sensor device placed in the container and it stays in cellular coverage for 3 days before departing to sea. Then it spends 30 days at sea without cellular coverage. After that it arrives to destination port and sends all the saved measurement data. All the time device is in normal mode (no sensor measurement exceed threshold values).

[0081 ] First 3 days: 24 measurement each day. Header + payload in each message 752 bytes. In addition to this cellular location causes some data traffic. If that is estimated being 512 bytes, the total data amount for each hour is 1264 bytes. That is 30336 bytes a day and in 3 days it makes 89 kB.

[0082] Next 30 days at sea. No data traffic, as no cellular coverage at sea.

Amount of data saved is 720 measurements. (24 measurements a day for 30 days.)

[0083] Arriving to destination port. Data is sent in batches of 15 measurements. This makes it 48 batches to be sent. Each batch (header+payload) is 1774 bytes. Assuming the same 512 bytes of positioning data, the data for each send is 2286 bytes. This makes the send size 107 kB. During the entire journey, amount of data traffic is 196 kB.

More exemplary embodiments

[0084] One embodiment of the solution relates to a sensor device and method for enabling goods to be tracked with quality assurance, enhanced accuracy, and information usable for the user, and other actors in the value chain such as insurance companies.

[0085] Another embodiment is to provide quality delivery notifications reflecting the status of the actual goods as well as its position, ETA (estimated time of arrival), and other related information. [0086] The sensor device collects sensor data, herein also called parameter data, comprising information about the environment within the transport container. The parameter data could for example be the current temperature, the ambient light value, humidity, movement, sound level, or any other form of information about the environment within the transport container. The sensor device

communicates the data via for example GSM/GPRS or any other suitable wireless communication protocol to a server end of the solution that can present the data to a user. The data can in one embodiment be transmitted "as is" after it is gathered by the sensor but in another embodiment the sensor data can be considered a first set of data that is processed to a second set of data, wherein the second set of data is the data that is transmitted in order to only transmit data that is useful at the server end of the solution.

[0087] The sensor device can further store the data if no coverage for a cellular network or other suitable wireless communication network is available. For example, the sensor device can store the data in a memory and transmit the data later when a wireless transfer is possible. In one embodiment data is only transmitted when the container is open. Detecting that the container is open could be performed for example via an ambient light sensor that detects that the container is open. In another embodiment data is transmitted as soon as a communication network is within range. In yet another embodiment

communication is enabled based on predetermined situations based on sensor data, such as arriving to port, being unloaded, being opened, or similar.

[0088] It is one advantage with the present solution that energy can be saved through controlling the communication based on parameter data.

[0089] Another object of the present solution is to enable that positions and data are monitored in commercial solutions.

[0090] Another object of the present solution is to enable sharing of information to different actors, such as the owner of the goods, the shipping company, and an insurance company that has insured the goods. [0091 ] Yet another object of the present solution is to provide a positioning system that enables monitoring of different parameters as well as providing positioning of the sensor device.

[0092] According to one embodiment a sensor device can be used to gather information when out of range from a wireless communication network, such as a cellular network. The sensor device can further be adapted to transmit information at preprogrammed occasions, such as when a ship docks or when a transportation container is opened. Additional functionality enabled through the solution is sharing of information, a panic/normal mode that optimizes the sensor device, threshold controlling, and solutions for saving battery.

[0093] According to on embodiment a solution for determining the status of a transportation container is disclosed. The status is determined with means of a sensor device configured to gather parameter data, store parameter data, process parameter data, associate parameter data with timestamps, associate parameter data with geographic stamps, and transmit data, either processed or as raw data.

[0094] According to one embodiment the system comprises a web service with an API for sensor devices to send parameter data and a web portal for tracking the activities of the sensor devices. The web service can in one embodiment be adapted to be displayed for a specific business domain, for example via a business web portal.

[0095] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to collect parameter data from multiple sensors, such as temperature, G-shock, movement, light, humidity, or sound.

[0096] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to collect parameter data from multiple sensors and communicate the parameter data to a host, the host for example being a web service, in order to display the measured parameter data and its history along with location data for each data entry. The frontend application can for example in one embodiment be used with a web browser. [0097] According to one embodiment both the frontend application and sensor devices will communicate with the same API.

[0098] According to one embodiment the frontend application and sensor devices communicate with separate services in order to improve performance or other gains achievable by isolating the systems.

[0099] According to one embodiment the sensor device is a sensor device adapted to be arranged in a shipment container in order to track the position of the container as well as other sensor data such as humidity, temperature, G-shock, sound, light, or any other form of data to be collected. The parameter data is preferably assigned with positioning data, or geographic stamp, in order to be able to determine the position of each data point gathered by the sensor device. Each data point is also assigned a timestamp.

[00100] According to one embodiment the system is configured to set access levels for sets of data providing different accesses to different individuals or roles. The roles can for example be defined on ownership, interest, shipment insurance, or similar.

[00101 ] According to one embodiment the sensor device comprises a separate watchdog chip which is receiving regular update signals from the software in a communication chip, such as a Quad-band GSM/GPRS, through a bus, such as a general-purpose input/output bus. The watchdog comprises a hardwired limit of the maximum time how long the watchdog will wait for an update signal from the communication chip. If the time limit is exceeded the chip will be restarted automatically.

[00102] According to one embodiment the sensor values are stored to a flash memory to make them last during a reboot. This enables the software to recover from a reboot.

[00103] According to one embodiment the system is adapted to divide data points into sets based on different journeys automatically based on at least one of timestamps, locations, and data points. [00104] The sensor devices are adapted to log both sensor data, i.e. values of parameters, that are gathered by the sensors but also when changes in the sensor device's register of sensor thresholds are change. Those can thereby be pinpointed in time later on.

[00105] According to one embodiment the sensor device can be in any of the following states:

^■ Sensor device is inactive.

a. The sensor device is delivered as an inactive device in order to not

decrease the battery life before the sensor device is used.

^■ Sensor device activated and sending but not paired to any container (this is implicit state after activation).

a. The user activates the sensor device before first use. According to one embodiment is the sensor device only possible to activate and can't be deactivated again by the user. There are advantages with disabling the option of deactivating the sensor device, especially in relation to reducing the possibilities of tampering with the device.

^■ Sensor device paired to container.

a. The sensor device is by the user paired to a specific container, the

persons associated with the container may now follow the container and monitor the sensor device.

^■ Sensor device stopped sending.

a. The sensor device sleeps most of the time.

^■ Sensor device alerting.

a. The sensor device sends alerts.

^■ Sensor device not sending

a. The sensor device is in one embodiment configured to only wake up, for example every 60 minutes in normal mode and every 10 minutes in panic mode, or any other value wherein normal mode wakes the device up less often than panic mode. This saves energy in the device. It should further be noted that according to one embodiment the sensor device is further adapted to wake up when it receives an interrupt.

^■ Sensor device deactivated manually or after a present number of weeks a. The sensor device does not deactivate itself but the sensor device is deactivated after a trip, for example when a trip report is created. This deactivates important functions such that the monitoring of parameters stops and data isn't transmitted. For example, the SIM-card function is deactivated. Thereby the sensor device will not be monitor able for the user until it is activated again. However, it shall be noted that the device isn't fully deactivated as discussed in relation to the tamper protection as described herein.

[00106] According to one embodiment the sensor device is a onetime sensor device that needs to be returned to an agent or dealer for recharging.

[00107] According to one embodiment the sensor is automatically deactivated after a subscription time expires.

[00108] According to an embodiment each sensor device store the sensor values from each trip in a way that a user after the trip can print out a summary of the trip including measurements with timestamps and sensor values.

[00109] According to one embodiment the summary further contains the point of origin according to cellular tower data, point of destination according to cellular tower data, start date and time of measurement, and date and time of last received measurement

[001 10] The history can be shared via links either through URL distributed by registered user, or by inserting a device id, any internet user can view one or more container sensor and location history, but cannot do any changes to statuses.

[001 1 1 ] According to one embodiment a log message contains short explanation of which sensors have exceeded their thresholds, the actual values of those sensors, and a link to the logged user page containing the actual data history of the container.

[001 12] According to one embodiment the sensor device will try to establish a connection to a back end server and send all the cumulative sensor data

(parameter data) in the memory along with complete cellular tower information and checking possible change of thresholds and timing values. [001 13] According to one embodiment the threshold values of the sensor device can be updated in real time via remote connection as long as the sensor device has coverage of a communication network.

[001 14] According to one embodiment multiple sensors are coupled to the same sensor device wherein at least one of the different sensors is a sensor with a probe that can be placed at any location in the transport container and being connected with for example low energy Bluetooth (Bluetooth smart).

[001 15] One advantage with using multiple sensor points within the same transport container is that differences within the transport container can be monitored, for example movement of in and outlet air, temperature differences within the transport container, or movement differences.

[001 16] Another advantage is that with multiple sensors a climate map of a transport container can be produced by the sensor device.

[001 17] Another advantage is that multiple accelerometers, gyros, or

magnetometers would enable that movement of the transport container is monitored even more precise. This could for example be beneficial when transporting fragile goods.

[001 18] According to one embodiment the sensor probe may be a sensor probe that is possible to insert in the goods in order to measure a value within the actual goods. The goods could in one embodiment be fruit and the probe a temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature inside the fruit. In another

embodiment the goods could be pressure sensitive and a pressure sensor could be arranged within the box containing the goods in order to monitor the pressure.

[001 19] According to an embodiment the system checks the time difference between the time of the internal RTC (Real Time Clock) and actual UTC

(Coordinated Universal Time) to determine a time correction factor. The time correction factor is calculated from the difference between device RTC time and UTC time received via the communication network. After that the sensor device has received a correct UTC time its RTC is set to the received UTC time. The sensor device or the back end system further applies a time correction factor to the data that is timestamped with a timestamp logged during a time when the RTC don't correspond to the UTC and thereby requiring correction. The RTC survives from watchdog reset and device self-reset. Self-reset can happen, for example, if AT command dispatcher encounters persistent ERROR response from modem.

[00120] According to one embodiment a sensor devices comprising at least one parameter sensor and a positioning means, wherein said sensor device is adapted to monitor the at least one parameter and keep the sensor device in a normal mode as long as a predefined threshold isn't breached, and wherein the sensor device is adapted to enter a panic mode if said predefined threshold is breached, wherein each measurement of the parameter sensor is package as data comprising the parameter data and a positioning of the data point.

[00121 ] According to one embodiment AT commands are used within the sensor device to communicate with the SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) unit.

[00122] According to one embodiment a sensor device for collection of information wherein the sensor device comprises a memory, a processor, and at least one sensor, wherein said sensor is adapted to monitor at least one parameter, the parameter being monitored and stored as parameter data obtained from one or more parameter data gathered from the environment wherein the sensor device is located.

[00123] According to one embodiment the sensor device comprises a memory (RAM / ROM or similar), a CPU, a SIM unit, an antenna unit, positioning means, and at least one indication means.

[00124] According to one embodiment when the sensor device isn't stationary the sensor device is adapted to delimit the monitoring of parameter data.

[00125] According to one embodiment the sensor device further comprises radio frequency means for transmission of said sensor data. [00126] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to determine its position via a positioning means, such as GPS or GSM triangulation, wherein the sensor device further is adapted to associate a timestamp and position data with each set of parameter data collected.

[00127] According to one embodiment positioning of the sensor device is conducted via triangulation, round trip time, time of arrival, or any other form of suitable positioning solution via GSM or GPRS transmissions.

[00128] According to one embodiment the sensor device is further adapted for transmission of said parameter data to a receiver positioned exteriorly of said environment and for receiving radio frequency instructions therefrom allowing an operator positioned exteriorly of said environment to thereby control the device.

[00129] According to one embodiment the sensor data of the monitored parameter is processed by the sensor data to be stored in said memory.

[00130] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to transmit the parameter data upon arriving to an area with cellular coverage.

[00131 ] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to transmit the parameter data upon arriving to a port.

[00132] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to use data from an ambient light sensor to establish if the transportation container is open or closed.

[00133] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to transmit the parameter data upon determination by the sensor device that the container has been opened, i.e. the sensor device indicating that the transportation has gone from a closed state to an open state based on for example the light sensor.

[00134] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to establish that the container has been unloaded from a vessel based on movement data from an accelerometer. [00135] According to one embodiment the sensor device is adapted to transmit the parameter data upon establishing that the container has been unloaded from a vessel.

[00136] According to one embodiment the sensor device comprises one or more sensors operative in said environment

[00137] According to one embodiment said sensors of the sensor device comprise one or more of the group consisting of humidity, temperature, location, displacement, acceleration, deceleration, rotation and radiation sensors.

[00138] According to one embodiment data from a sensor is transferred to a data processing unit comprising a memory of the sensor device.

[00139] According to one embodiment the control of the sensor device comprises accessing software stored in the memory thereof.

[00140] According to an embodiment the sensor device comprises an

independent power source such as a battery.

[00141 ] According to another embodiment the sensor device is connected to a battery or other power supply arranged in the unit to track.

[00142] According to one embodiment the battery is rechargeable.

[00143] According to one embodiment the battery is for onetime use, i.e. non- rechargeable.

[00144] According to one embodiment the sensor device is operable in a power saving intermittent manner, in particular in a manner controlled by software in the memory of the sensor device.

[00145] According to one embodiment the intermittent manner is of a regular or irregular pattern.

[00146] According to one embodiment the pattern is changed by the signal of a sensor comprised by the device. [00147] According to one embodiment the software designed for operating a sensor device in the intermittent manner as previous described.

[00148] According to an embodiment the sensor device comprises a water-tight housing.

[00149] According to one embodiment the sensor device is disposed on, or in a wall of, a transportation container, one or more of optical display, LED, manually operable switch, manually operable resistor, slot for memory card or the like for establishing electrical contact between the memory card and the memory of the device, electrical contact for recharge of battery, releasable coupling means for electrically or radiative coupling additional sensor(s) with the device so as to establish contact with the memory thereof, means for mounting the device on the wall, roof or other face of a transport container interiorly or exteriorly thereof, wherein the means is selected from mechanical means such as means comprising screws and hooks, and permanent magnetic means.

[00150] According to one embodiment the sensor device comprises a separate mounting stand or holder suitable for mounting at a face of a transport container, further comprising co-operating means disposed on a face of the device for detachable mounting of the sensor device on the stand or holder.

[00151 ] According to one embodiment is the sensor device adapted to be arranged in a transportation container selected from the group consisting of plain container, cold-storage container, container for humidity sensitive goods, container for temperature sensitive goods, and container for concussion sensitive goods.

[00152] According to one aspect of controlling the sensor device arranged in a transport container, the sensor device is adapted to monitor the environment in the container and/or the vicinity thereof during transport, wherein the method comprises the steps

[00153] According to one embodiment the transport container is provided with a sensor device. [00154] According to one embodiment of the sensor device, said sensor devices is adapted to:

- activating the memory and selected features of the sensor device prior to the departure of the transport;

- monitoring the environment of the transport container by gathering of said parameter data;

- processing the gathered parameter data in the memory of the container to produce said transmittable data;

- transferring said transmittable data via radio transmission means to a location external of the transport container's environment, said transmittable data comprising information about one or more of location, displacement, acceleration, deceleration, rotation of the container and/or

- one of humidity, temperature, radiation, noise in the container or the environment thereof;

- analyzing said transferred transferable data at a location external of said immediate environment to control the transport of the container and the

environment in the container and/or in the immediate vicinity of the container continuously or intermittently;

- optionally transferring second data, in particular all second data, stored in a memory of the container to an external database for storage therein, wherein said transfer is continuous or intermittent during transport or upon the container having reached a destination thereof; optionally providing a transport document based on said transferred data to a customer or other private or legal person.

[00155] According to one embodiment a second sensor device is in radio frequency contact with the sensor device for delivery of information comprised by the at least on transport container, and

a means for monitoring the distance between said device for radio frequency contact and the at least one transport container, wherein third data originating from the distance monitoring device are capable of being provided to the at least one transport container via said radio frequency contact, so as to allow monitoring relative positions of the at least one transport container and at least another container. [00156] The embodiments as described herein can if not clearly contradictory be combined in any suitable way.