Container communication module
Systems and method for safely distributing software for electronic controllers in the refrigeration container industry, and also communication systems primarily for electronic controllers related to refrigeration containers in which fast software distribution in container controllers is achieved by introducing a buffer memory in the communication system, which buffer memory includes a new container controller software version. The communication system distributes the new container controller software version by a communication device, to receiving communication systems where the new software version is placed in the buffer memory. As a result, it can be achieved that software distribution starts automatically as soon as only one communication system includes the new software version, this software version will in a very short period be spread into all container controllers, e.g., on board a ship or in a container yard.
1. Systems for communication primarily for electronic controllers related to refrigeration containers, where a number of containers are connected to a power source, where at least one electronic controllers comprises means for communication, wherein the electronic controller is connected to or integrated with a communication system, which communication system comprises at least one buffer memory, which buffer memory comprises new container software version, which communication system distributes the new container controller software version by the communication system towards one or more receiving communication systems, in which receiving communication systems, the new software version is placed in the buffer memory, which receiving communication systems distributes the new software version to further receiving communication systems, whereby the buffer memory keeps the electronic controller software version ready for load into the electronic controller placed in a refrigeration container, and whereby the load of new electronic controller software from the buffer memory into the container controller is performed after the communication system has received a command through a communication line or by the user.
2. System for communication according to claim 1 , wherein a communication system that has received a new software version start communication with other communication system, where the communication system exchange data concerning actual software version, where the new software version is transmitted to the communication system storing older software versions.
3. System for communication according to claim 2 , wherein the communication system, comprises one communication line in the form of power line communication or by a cellular network radio operating in at least one of the following networks: TDMA (time division multiple access), a GSM (global system for mobile communications) network, a CDMA (code division multiple access) network; a FDMA (frequency division multiple access) network, or a UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) network.
4. System for communication according to claim 3 , wherein the communication system performs a search and selection for open communication line between the communication methods described in the claim 3 which communication system performs communication over the selected communication line.
5. System for communication according to claim 3 , wherein the communication system communicates by short rage radio communication inside the ISM license free band.
6. System for communication according to claim 2 , wherein at least some of the communication to and from the communication system is performed by short range radio communication to and from other communication system or a gateway unit, in which communication system new software versions are transmitted by the short range radio communication towards receiving communication systems placed inside the range of transmission for the short range radio communication.
7. System for communication according to claim 6 , whereby the communication system performs a search and selection for an open communication line between the communication systems and performs communication over the selected communication line.
8. System for communication according to claim 1 , wherein the communication system is formed as an add-on module, which module is connected to a refrigeration container controller.
9. System for communication according to claim 1 , wherein the communication system is integrated in an electronic refrigeration container controller.
10. Methods for communication to and from communication systems where a number of containers are connected to a power source, where the method for communication performs bidirectional communication with other communication systems or a gateway unit, whereby the transmission of new software versions for the electronic controllers, are performed by the communication system, where a first communication system, communicates the software version to other communication system, where, when a new software version is available, the communication system comprising the new software version transmits the new version to a receiving communication system, whereby the load of new electronic controller software form the buffer memory into the container controller is performed after the communication system has received a command through a communication line or by the user, by communications methods supported by communication system.
11. Method according to claim 10 , whereby the load of new software, into electronic controller, is performed after receiving acknowledge through a communication line or by the user.
12. Methods for communication to and from communication systems where a number of containers are connected to a power source, where the method for communication performs bidirectional communication with other communication systems or a gateway unit, whereby the transmission of new software versions for the electronic controllers, are performed by the communication system, where a first communication system, communicates the software version to other communication system, where, when a new software version is available, the communication system comprising the new software version transmits the new version to a receiving communication system, by communications methods supported by communication system, and whereby the load of new software, into electronic controller, is performed after receiving acknowledgment through a communication line or by the user.