Locking system and method for a movable freight container

• US 10,267,061 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2018
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elias Bachaalany, Imad Maalouf, Joseph Hage, Pierre Touma
• Original Assignee: Elias Bachaalany, Imad Maalouf, Joseph Hage, Pierre Touma
• Inventors: Hage, Joseph, Touma, Pierre, Bachaalany, Elias, Maalouf, Imad
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US15/942,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20180283048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 387 Days
• Field of Search: 340542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/22 Means for operating or controlling lock or fastening device accessories, i.e. other than the fastening members, e.g. switches, indicators E05B39/00 - E05B45/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2045/0665 Magnetic switches, e.g. reed- or hall-switch
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 27/0003 Details
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/005 Locks with means for tracking the location of locked items, e.g. freight containers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/08 with contact making inside the lock or in the striking plate
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/16 by varying resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0052 measuring forces due to impact G01L5/0061, G01L5/14 take precedence; impact testing of structures G01M7/08; impact testing of material G01N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/0206 Three-component magnetometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/47 the supplementary measurement being an inertial measurement, e.g. tightly coupled inertial
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/49 whereby the further system is an inertial position system, e.g. loosely-coupled
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A locking system and method for a movable freight container comprises an electronic module with a shaft that goes into a cavity in a mechanical lock module. The shaft is securely retained in the cavity by a lock mechanism in the mechanical lock module by moving the lock mechanism to a locked position. A plurality of magnetic field sensors in the shaft are used to read the position of the shaft in the cavity by sensing or not sensing one or more magnets in the lock mechanism to confirm continuous time insertion of the shaft in the cavity. A wireless communication component in the electronic module wirelessly transmits an alarm signal if the magnetic field sensors detect an unexpected interruption in at least one of the continuous time shaft position magnetic sensor readings.

Claims

1. A locking system wherein:

the system comprises an electronic module and a mechanical lock module;

the mechanical lock module comprises a cavity;

the electronic module comprises a shaft;

at least a portion of the electronic module shaft is configured for insertion into the mechanical lock module cavity;

the mechanical lock module comprises a lock mechanism configured for mechanical movement from an unlocked position to a locked position;

the electronic module shaft portion comprises a retaining feature configured for secure retention of the electronic module shaft by the lock mechanism when the electronic module shaft portion is inserted into the mechanical lock module cavity and the lock mechanism is in a locked position;

the mechanical lock module comprises a first magnet;

the electronic module comprises a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor;

the first magnetic field sensor is positioned in the electronic module shaft at a location wherein;

the first magnetic field sensor is responsive to the first magnet during at least part of the insertion path of the electronic module shaft portion into the mechanical lock module;

the first magnetic field sensor is not responsive to the first magnet when the electronic module shaft portion is positioned for secure retention by the mechanical lock module lock mechanism;

the second magnetic field sensor is positioned in the electronic module shaft in a location wherein the second magnetic field sensor is responsive to the first magnet when the electronic module shaft portion is positioned for secure retention by the mechanical lock module lock mechanism;

the electronic module comprises a processing component and a wireless communication component;

the processing component is responsive to the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor;

the processing component is configured for generating magnetic field alarm information if the processing component detects an unexpected magnetic field sensor reading for a securely-retained electronic module shaft portion wherein the unexpected magnetic field sensor reading is selected from the group of;

first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor simultaneously detect a magnetic field; and

the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor simultaneously detect the absence of a magnetic field; and

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the magnetic field alarm information.

2. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the electronic module shaft comprises a non-magnetic material;

the electronic module shaft comprises a straight stainless-steel cylinder;

the electronic module shaft comprises a hollow core;

the first magnetic field sensor is located in the electronic module shaft hollow core;

the second magnetic field sensor is located in the electronic module shaft hollow core;

the mechanical lock mechanism comprises a lock cylinder and a plurality of lock pins;

mechanical movement from an unlocked position to a locked position comprises the rotation of a mechanical key in the lock cylinder;

the electronic module shaft portion retaining feature comprises a circular groove in the electronic module shaft cylinder;

the mechanical lock module further comprises a second magnet;

the mechanical lock module further comprises a third magnet;

the electronic module further comprises a third magnetic field sensor;

the electronic module further comprises a fourth magnetic field sensor;

the first magnetic field sensor, second magnetic field sensor, third magnetic field sensor, and fourth magnetic field sensor comprise sensors selected from the group of;

a reed switch;

a Hall effect sensor; and

a

a magnetoresistance sensor;

the first magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft portion and the first magnet, the second magnet, and the third magnet;

the second magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft portion, the second magnet, and the third magnet;

the third magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft portion and the third magnet;

the fourth magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft position and the third magnet;

the electronic module comprises a rechargeable battery, a non-rechargeable high capacity battery, and a low-impedance switching circuit wherein the low-impedance switching circuit is configured to select whether electrical power for the electronic module is received from a source selected from the group of the rechargeable battery and the non-rechargeable high capacity battery;

the electronic module processing component comprises a first processor configured for low power consumption and continuous operation when the locking system is in use;

the electronic module processing component comprises a second processor configured;

to be awoken by the first processor when the locking system needs greater computational throughput than is available from the first processor; and

to sleep when the second processor not needed;

the electronic module comprises an inertial measurement component for determining inertial information wherein;

the inertial measurement component further comprises a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, and a 3-axis magnetometer; and

the determination of inertial information comprises the use of a fusion filter wherein;

the fusion filter is selected from the group of a Kalman filter, a Madgwick filter, and a Mahony filter; and

the fusion filter calculation comprises the use of a plurality of digital quaternions;

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the inertial information;

the electronic module is configured for determining geographic position information wherein the geographic position information comprises the geographic position of the locking system at a current time;

the electronic module comprises a first positioning component wherein the first positioning component is responsive to information received from a plurality of global navigation system satellite transmitters;

the electronic module comprises a second positioning component wherein the second positioning component is responsive to;

information of the geographic position of the locking system at a previous time; and

inertial information from the inertial measurement component;

the locking system geographic information is responsive to the first positioning component if current information is available from the first positioning component;

the locking system geographic information is responsive to the second positioning component if current information is not available from the first positioning component;

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the locking system geographic position;

the electronic module comprises an environmental measurement component for determining environmental information wherein;

the environmental measurement component comprises a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor; and

a shock sensor;

the shock sensor is configured for sensing accelerations up to 500 times the acceleration of gravity; and

the environmental information comprises temperature information, humidity information, and shock information;

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the environmental information;

the electronic module comprises a tampering component configured for generating tampering alarm information in response to a tampering detector configured for identifying whether an attempt is made to open the electronic module;

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the tampering alarm information;

the electronic module comprises a non-volatile electronic memory configured for storing the magnetic field alarm, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information, and the tampering alarm information;

the wireless communication component comprises a first cellular wireless communications system transmitter comprising a first subscriber identity module wherein the first wireless communication transmitter is configured for sending the magnetic field alarm information, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information and the tampering alarm information using a cellular communications frequency and cellular communications protocol; and

the wireless communication component comprises a second cellular wireless communication system transmitter comprising a second subscriber identity module wherein the second wireless communication transmitter is configured for sending the magnetic field alarm information, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information and the tampering alarm information using a cellular communications frequency and cellular communications protocol when the first wireless communication system transmitter is unable to transmit data;

the wireless communication component further comprises a wireless mesh network communication element wherein the wireless mech network communication element is configured for transmitting the magnetic field alarm information, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information, and the tampering alarm information with a plurality of other locking systems and vehicle tail lights using a wireless communication protocol selected from the group of WiFi, Zigbee and Xbee; and

the system comprises a database connected to the internet wherein the database is configured to receive and store the magnetic field alarm information, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information and the tampering alarm information from the wireless communication component.

3. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the first magnetic field sensor comprises a Reed switch configured to close a first electrical circuit in the presence of a magnetic field and open the first electrical circuit in the absence of a magnetic field; and

the second magnetic field sensor comprises a Reed switch configured to close a second electrical circuit in the presence of a magnetic field and open the second electrical circuit in the absence of a magnetic field.

4. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the first magnetic field sensor comprises an analog magnetic field sensor configured to generate a first analog electrical signal in response to magnetic field strength in the region of the first magnetic field sensor; and

the second magnetic field sensor comprises an analog magnetic field sensor configured to generate a second analog electrical signal in response to magnetic field strength in the region of the second magnetic field sensor.

5. The locking system of claim 4 wherein:

the first magnetic field sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor; and

the second magnetic field sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.

6. The locking system of claim 4 wherein:

the first magnetic field sensor comprises a magneto-resistive sensor; and

the second magnetic field sensor comprises a magneto-resistive sensor.

7. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the electronic module shaft comprises a non-magnetic material;

the electronic module shaft comprises a straight stainless-steel cylinder;

the electronic module shaft comprises a hollow core;

the mechanical lock mechanism comprises a lock cylinder and a plurality of lock pins;

mechanical movement from an unlocked position to a locked position comprises the rotation of a mechanical key in the lock cylinder;

the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor comprise magnetic field sensors selected from the group of;

a reed switch;

a Hall effect sensor; and

a

a magnetoresistance sensor;

the electronic module is configured for determining geographic position information wherein the geographic position information comprises the geographic position of the locking system at a current time;

the electronic module comprises a first positioning component wherein the first positioning component is responsive to information received from a plurality of global navigation system satellite transmitters;

the locking system geographic information is responsive to the first positioning component; and

the wireless communication component comprises a first cellular wireless communications system transmitter comprising a first subscriber identity module wherein the first wireless communication transmitter is configured for sending the magnetic field alarm information, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information and the tampering alarm information using a cellular communications frequency and cellular communications protocol.

8. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the electronic module comprises an inertial measurement component for determining inertial information wherein;

the inertial measurement component further comprises a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, and a 3-axis magnetometer; and

the determination of inertial information comprises the use of a fusion filter wherein;

the fusion filter is selected from the group of a Kalman filter, a Madgwick filter, and a Mahony filter; and

the fusion filter calculation comprises the use of a plurality of digital quaternions.

9. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the electronic module comprises an inertial measurement component for determining inertial information wherein;

the inertial measurement component further comprises a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, and a 3-axis magnetometer; and

the determination of inertial information comprises the use of a fusion filter;

the electronic module is configured for determining geographic position information wherein the geographic position information comprises the geographic position of the locking system at a current time;

the electronic module comprises a first positioning component wherein the first positioning component is responsive to information received from a plurality of global navigation system satellite transmitters;

the electronic module comprises a second positioning component wherein the second positioning component is responsive to;

information of the geographic position of the locking system at a previous time; and

inertial information from the inertial measurement component;

the locking system geographic information is responsive to the first positioning component if current information is available from the first positioning component;

the locking system geographic information is responsive to the second positioning component if current information is not available from the first positioning component; and

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the locking system geographic position.

10. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the wireless communication component comprises a first cellular wireless communications system transmitter comprising a first subscriber identity module wherein the first wireless communication transmitter is configured for sending the magnetic field alarm information using a cellular communications frequency and cellular communications protocol; and

the wireless communication component comprises a second cellular wireless communication system transmitter comprising a second subscriber identity module wherein the second wireless communication transmitter is configured for sending the magnetic field alarm information if the first wireless communication system transmitter is unable to transmit data.

11. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the mechanical lock module further comprises a second magnet;

the mechanical lock module further comprises a third magnet;

the electronic module further comprises a third magnetic field sensor;

the electronic module further comprises a fourth magnetic field sensor;

the first magnetic field sensor, second magnetic field sensor, third magnetic field sensor, and fourth magnetic field sensor comprise analog magnetic sensors;

the first magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft portion and the first magnet, the second magnet, and the third magnet;

the second magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft portion, the second magnet, and the third magnet;

the third magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft portion and the third magnet; and

the fourth magnetic field sensor is responsive to the position of the electronic module shaft position and the third magnet.

12. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system further comprises a moveable freight container;

the electronic module shaft comprises a straight stainless-steel cylinder;

the electronic module shaft comprises a hollow core;

the mechanical lock mechanism comprises a lock cylinder and a plurality of lock pins; and

mechanical movement from an unlocked position to a locked position comprises the rotation of a mechanical key in the lock cylinder.

13. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the electronic module shaft comprises a non-magnetic material;

the electronic module shaft comprises a straight stainless-steel cylinder;

the electronic module shaft comprises a hollow core;

the electronic module processing component comprises a first processor configured for low power consumption and continuous operation when the locking system is in use;

the electronic module processing component comprises a second processor configured;

to be awoken by the first processor when the locking system needs greater computational throughput than is available from the first processor; and

to sleep when the second processor not needed;

the electronic module comprises an environmental measurement component for determining environmental information wherein;

the environmental measurement component comprises a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor; and

a shock sensor;

the shock sensor is configured for sensing accelerations up to 500 times the acceleration of gravity; and

the environmental information comprises temperature information, humidity information, and shock information;

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the environmental information;

the electronic module comprises a tampering component configured for generating tampering alarm information in response to a tampering detector configured for identifying whether an attempt is made to open the electronic module; and

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the tampering alarm information.

14. The locking system of claim 1 wherein:

the locking system is a locking system for a moveable freight container;

the wireless communication component further comprises a wireless mesh network communication element wherein the wireless mech network communication element is configured for transmitting the magnetic field alarm information, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information, and the tampering alarm information with a plurality of other locking systems and vehicle tail lights using a wireless communication protocol selected from the group of WiFi, Zigbee and Xbee; and

the system comprises a database connected to the internet wherein the database is configured to receive and store the magnetic field alarm information, the inertial information, the geographic position information, the environmental information and the tampering alarm information from the wireless communication component.

15. A lock wherein:

the lock comprises an electronic module and a mechanical module;

the mechanical module comprises a cavity;

the electronic module comprises a shaft wherein least a portion of the shaft is configured for insertion into the mechanical module cavity;

the mechanical module comprises a lock mechanism configured for mechanical movement from an unlocked position to a locked position;

the shaft portion comprises a retaining feature configured for secure retention of the shaft by the mechanical lock module when the shaft portion is inserted into the mechanical lock module cavity and the mechanical lock module lock mechanism is in a locked position;

the mechanical module comprises a first magnet;

the electronic module comprises a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor;

the first sensor is positioned in the shaft at a location wherein;

the first sensor is responsive to the first magnet for at least part of the insertion path of the shaft portion into the cavity;

the first sensor is not responsive to the first magnet when the shaft portion is positioned for secure retention by the lock mechanism;

the second field sensor is positioned in the shaft in a location wherein the second sensor is responsive to the first magnet when the shaft portion is positioned for secure retention by the lock mechanism;

the electronic module comprises a processing component and a wireless communication component;

the processing component is configured for generating magnetic field alarm information if the processing component detects an unexpected interruption in a signal selected from the group of a first magnetic sensor signal and a second magnetic sensor signal; and

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the magnetic field alarm information.

16. The lock of claim 15 wherein:

the lock is attached to a moveable freight container;

the shaft comprises a non-magnetic material;

the shaft comprises a straight stainless-steel cylinder;

the shaft comprises a hollow core;

the retaining feature comprises a circular groove in the shaft cylinder;

the lock mechanism comprises a lock cylinder and a plurality of lock pins;

mechanical movement from an unlocked position to a locked position comprises the rotation of a mechanical key in the lock cylinder;

the wireless communication component comprises a cellular wireless communications system transmitter and receiver;

the electronic module is configured for determining geographic position information wherein the geographic position information comprises the geographic position of the lock at a current time;

the geographic position information is responsive to;

information received from a plurality of global navigation system satellite transmitters;

information received from a cellular communications tower;

information of the geographic position of the lock at a previous time; and

inertial information; and

the wireless communication component is configured for wirelessly transmitting the geographic position of the lock.

17. The lock of claim 15 wherein:

the electronic module comprises an inertial measurement component for determining inertial information wherein the inertial measurement component computes the inertial information using a plurality of digital quaternions.

18. The lock of claim 15 wherein:

the wireless communication component comprises a wireless mesh network communication element wherein the wireless mech network communication element is configured for exchanging data with a transmitter located in a vehicle tail light.

19. The lock of claim 15 wherein:

the electronic module comprises a rechargeable battery, a non-rechargeable high capacity battery, and a low-impedance switching circuit wherein the low-impedance switching circuit is configured to select whether electrical power for the electronic module is received from a source selected from the group of the rechargeable battery and the non-rechargeable high capacity battery;

the processing component comprises a first processor configured for low power consumption and continuous operation when the locking system is in use; and

the processing component comprises a second processor configured;

to be awoken by the first processor when the locking system needs greater computational throughput than is available from the first processor; and

to sleep when the second processor not needed.

20. A locking method comprising the steps of:

establishing an electronic module wherein the electronic module comprises;

a shaft further comprising;

a retaining feature;

a first magnetic sensor located inside the shaft; and

a second magnetic sensor located inside the shaft;

an electronic processing component; and

a wireless communication component;

establishing a mechanical module wherein the mechanical module comprises;

a cavity;

a lock mechanism; and

a magnet

inserting at least a portion of the shaft into the cavity;

determining that the shaft portion is partially inserted into the mechanical module cavity by using the first sensor to detect a magnetic field from the magnet, wherein determining partial insertion comprises using the electronic processing component;

determining that the shaft portion is fully inserted into the cavity by;

using the second sensor to detect a magnetic field from the magnet;

using the first sensor to determine that there is no magnetic field in the region of the first sensor; and

using the electronic processing component to process the magnetic field information received from the first sensor and the second sensor;

rotating the lock mechanism from an unlocked position to a locked position after the shaft portion is fully inserted into the cavity;

securely retaining the shaft portion in the cavity by having the lock mechanism engage with the retaining feature;

using the electronic processing component to generate a magnetic field alarm signal if the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor simultaneously detect a condition selected from the group of;

both sensors detect a magnetic field; and

both sensors detect the absence of a magnetic field; and

using the wireless communication component to wirelessly transit the magnetic field alarm signal.