Abstract: Systems and methods for container condition determination are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system comprises one or more optical sensors; at least one processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions when executed cause the system to: obtain image data of a container from the one or more optical sensors; determine from the image data, position information of one or more items located inside the container; determine from the image data air delivery information in the container; determine airflow characteristics of the container using the position information of the one or more items and the air delivery information; and determine, using the airflow characteristics and the position information of the one or more items, a probability of an item of the one or more items being damaged.

Abstract: A system for managing transport refrigeration units (28) is provided. The system includes a storage device (80) to store transport parameters (82) associated with a transport refrigeration unit (28). The storage device storing historical transport parameters (84) for other transport refrigeration units (28). Also included is an equipment management system (90) coupled to the storage device, the equipment management system (90) including: a diagnostic module (92) to determine a condition of the transport refrigeration unit (28) in response to the transport parameters (82); a predictive maintenance module (94) to determine a need for upcoming maintenance of the transport refrigeration unit (28) in response to the transport parameters (82); and a remaining life module (96) to determine a remaining life of at least one component of the transport refrigeration unit (28) in response to the transport parameters (82).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a product is provided, the sensor includes a first sensor element formed from a first biodegradable material and having a first sensor element height, wherein the first sensor element height changes in response to a first parameter of interest of the product.

Abstract: A cargo transport system includes a container for storing perishable products, and a control assembly for controlling an environment parameter. A sensor of the system is configured to measure the environment parameter. A detector of the system may be directly secured to the perishable products for measuring a product condition. A control module of the system is configured to receive signals from the sensor and the detector indicative of the measured environment parameter and product condition, process the signals, and send a command signal to the control assembly for adjusting the environment parameter.

Abstract: A system for managing transport refrigeration units (28) is provided. The system includes a storage device (80) to store transport parameters (82) associated with a transport refrigeration unit (28). The storage device storing historical transport parameters (84) for other transport refrigeration units (28). Also included is an equipment management system (90) coupled to the storage device, the equipment management system (90) including: a diagnostic module (92) to determine a condition of the transport refrigeration unit (28) in response to the transport parameters (82); a predictive maintenance module (94) to determine a need for upcoming maintenance of the transport refrigeration unit (28) in response to the transport parameters (82); and a remaining life module (96) to determine a remaining life of at least one component of the transport refrigeration unit (28) in response to the transport parameters (82).

Abstract: A cargo transport system includes a container for storing perishable products, and a control assembly for controlling an environment parameter. A sensor of the system is configured to measure the environment parameter. A detector of the system may be directly secured to the perishable products for measuring a product condition. A control module of the system is configured to receive signals from the sensor and the detector indicative of the measured environment parameter and product condition, process the signals, and send a command signal to the control assembly for adjusting the environment parameter.

Abstract: A system for monitoring goods within a distribution chain is provided. The system includes a storage device to store parameters associated with the goods of a distribution chain, at least one of the parameters being received from a transport refrigeration system. The storage device storing historical parameters for other goods. Also included is a parameter management system coupled to the storage device. The parameter management system including: a predictive module to determine predicted parameters; and a meshing module to determine output parameters by combining the predicted parameters and the parameters.

Abstract: A tracking device (10) configured to track a shipment of cargo is provided including a housing (20) having a complementary top portion (22) and bottom portion (25). The top portion and the bottom portion of the housing are pivotally coupled. A tracking unit, arranged within the housing, includes a processor configured to collect and transmit data. A power unit having at least one power source is arranged within the housing and is configured to supply power to the tracking unit. A circuit board connects the power unit and the tracking unit. The circuit board includes a metal tab arranged adjacent a conductive interface. A portion of a pull tab (80) formed from a thin, non-conductive material is arranged between the tab and the conductive interface. The tracking device is configured to transform from an inactive state to a fully active state upon removal of the pull tab (80).

Abstract: A system for detecting abusive operation of transport refrigeration units (28) is provided. The system includes a storage device (80) to store abuse parameters associated with a transport refrigeration unit (28). Also included is an abuse detection system coupled to the storage device, the abuse detection system including: a diagnostic module (92) to determine the occurrence of abusive operation of the transport refrigeration unit in response to the abuse parameters; a failure probability module (94) to determine a probability of failure for at least one component of the transport refrigeration unit in response to the abuse parameters; and a life extending module (96) to determine adjustments in the operation of at least one component of the transport refrigeration unit in response to the probability of failure.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of operating a product condition system of a cargo transport and/or storage system includes measuring a first condition of a perishable product by a first detector, and measuring a first environment parameter of a containment where the perishable product is located. Once measured, the system compares the first condition to a first pre-programmed threshold, and then determines a first environment parameter target when the first pre-programmed threshold is met.

Abstract: A system for monitoring goods within a distribution chain is provided. The system includes a storage device to store parameters associated with the goods of a distribution chain, at least one of the parameters being received from a transport refrigeration system. The storage device storing historical parameters for other goods. Also included is a parameter management system coupled to the storage device. The parameter management system including: a predictive module to determine predicted parameters; and a meshing module to determine output parameters by combining the predicted parameters and the parameters.

Abstract: A method for auditing a cold chain distribution system is provided. The method includes: collecting, using a receiver, at least one perishable good parameter from the cold chain distribution system; transmitting the at least one perishable good parameter to a computing device; comparing, using a standards matching model and the computing device, the at least one perishable good parameter to compliance criteria; and transmitting at least one compliance criteria comparison output from the computing device to a database.

Abstract: A method and system to provide an estimated shelf life value for a product to a user includes at least one information source to provide at least one product information entry for the product, and a shelf life estimation system, including a processor to receive and analyze the at least one product information entry from the at least one information source, and to provide the estimated shelf life value to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a product is provided, the sensor includes a first sensor element formed from a first biodegradable material and having a first sensor element height, wherein the first sensor element height changes in response to a first parameter of interest of the product.

Abstract: A transport container lid (10) is provided which includes a power source (24) providing electrical power to the container lid. An environmental control unit (20) electrically powered by the power source (24) and producing conditioned air is provided, wherein the environmental control unit (20) contains a fan (12) to distribute the conditioned air. A controller (28) in operative communication with the power source (24) and the environmental control unit (20) is provided, wherein the controller (28) adjusts the operation of the environmental control unit (20) based upon a command input.

Abstract: A gas concentration monitoring system (100) is provided. The system (100) includes a radiation source (104) having one or more emitting elements and a radiation sensor (106) having one or more sensing elements configured to detect radiation received at the radiation sensor (106). A reactive material (108) is located between the radiation source (104) and the radiation sensor (106) and is configured to react to the presence of a gas such as carbon dioxide, wherein the reaction of the reactive material (108) impacts an amount of radiation detected at the radiation sensor (106).

Abstract: A tracking device (10) configured to track a shipment of cargo is provided including a housing (20) having a complementary top portion (22) and bottom portion (25). The top portion and the bottom portion of the housing are pivotally coupled. A tracking unit, arranged within the housing, includes a processor configured to collect and transmit data. A power unit having at least one power source is arranged within the housing and is configured to supply power to the tracking unit. A circuit board connects the power unit and the tracking unit. The circuit board includes a metal tab arranged adjacent a conductive interface. A portion of a pull tab (80) formed from a thin, non-conductive material is arranged between the tab and the conductive interface. The tracking device is configured to transform from an inactive state to a fully active state upon removal of the pull tab (80).

Abstract: Systems and methods collect data concerning a supply chain and perform statistical analysis on the collected data to facilitate identification of anomalies or inefficiencies in the process. One method disclosed involves storing, in memory accessible to at least one processor, an electronic copy of an advanced shipping notification (ASN) that was transmitted from a shipping location to a receiving location in advance of shipping at least one item therebetween, and also storing, in memory accessible to the at least one processor, data reflecting at least one determined value of at least one monitored aspect of the shipment between the shipping location and the receiving location. The at least one processor uses at least some information from the ASN stored in memory, with at least some of the data stored in memory, to generate at least one report involving the at least one determined value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for collecting data concerning a supply chain, for performing statistical analysis on the collected data to facilitate identification of anomalies or inefficiencies in the process, and for communicating results of such statistical analysis to those responsible for the supply chain. A method for performing statistical analysis on monitored aspect of a product supply chain involves storing, in memory accessible to processor, first data reflecting first monitored aspect of a first shipment of first item occurring in the supply chain, and storing, in memory accessible to the processor, second data reflecting second monitored aspect of a second shipment of second item occurring in the supply chain. The processor is used to automatically generate report reflecting statistical analysis of the first and second data.

Abstract: A product supply chain may be viewed not just as a series of discrete, unrelated shipment transactions, but as a “process” (or pipeline) that can be subject to statistical process control. The present invention is directed to novel systems and methods for collecting data concerning one or more aspects of a supply chain, for performing statistical analysis on the collected data to facilitate the identification of anomalies or inefficiencies in the process, and for communicating the results of such statistical analysis to those responsible for the supply chain so that remedial measures may be taken, if appropriate. Among other things, a method for analyzing a supply chain process is disclosed that involves automatically determining whether a plurality of data points, each representing at least one determined value of at least one monitored aspect of a supply chain, match a pattern indicative of an anomalous condition in the supply chain process.