Portable detachable self-contained tracking unit for two-way satellite communication with a central server
First Claim
1. A system for tracking the location of a shipping container via communication with a satellite and a central server comprising:
- a central server;
a portable detachable tracking unit comprising;
an antenna that is capable of communication with both a GPS satellite and a two-way satellite;
a processing device;
a GPS receiver for receiving signals from the GPS satellite;
a transmitter for transmitting information to the central server via the two-way satellite;
a modem;
a housing; and
means for attaching and detaching the tracking unit to the shipping container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable detachable tracking unit for shipping containers which provides communication via satellite with a central server is provided. The tracking unit has an antenna to communicate both with the GPS satellite and a two-way satellite, a computer, a GPS receiver, a satellite transmitter, a modem and an internal power source. The tracking unit can be attached and detached from the shipping container and is can be attached to the locking bars on the doors of the shipping container. The tracking unit may have sensors for determining when it has been tampered with or detached from the shipping container and transmitting that information to the central server. The tracking unit may have a memory capable of receiving and storing geo-fencing information on the specific route to be taken to the destination with the computer being programmed to determine if the tracking unit is outside of the geo-fence or not and communicating that information to the central server. The tracking unit may have a sensor to determine whether it has been detached from a door of the shipping container and transmitting that information to the central server. A built-in tracking unit is also provided which can communicate whether a door of the shipping container has been opened or not from information supplied by a sensor.
257 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for tracking the location of a shipping container via communication with a satellite and a central server comprising:
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a central server;
a portable detachable tracking unit comprising;
an antenna that is capable of communication with both a GPS satellite and a two-way satellite;
a processing device;
a GPS receiver for receiving signals from the GPS satellite;
a transmitter for transmitting information to the central server via the two-way satellite;
a modem;
a housing; and
means for attaching and detaching the tracking unit to the shipping container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A portable detachable tracking unit for transmitting its location via communication with a satellite to a central server, said tracking unit being capable of being attached and detached from a shipping container, said tracking unit comprising:
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an antenna that is capable of communication with both a GPS satellite and a two-way satellite;
a processing device;
a GPS receiver for receiving signals from the GPS satellite;
a transmitter for transmitting information to the central server via the two-way satellite;
a modem;
a housing; and
means for attaching and detaching the tracking unit to a shipping container. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24)
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21. A shipping container with at least one door and at least one locking bar for locking all doors and a portable detachable tracking unit, said tracking unit comprising:
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an antenna that is capable of communication with both a GPS satellite and a two-way satellite;
a processing device;
a GPS receiver for receiving signals from the GPS satellite;
a transmitter for transmitting information to a central server via the two-way satellite;
a modem;
a housing; and
means for attaching said tracking unit to the locking bars so that the locking bars can not be unlocked without first detaching the tracking unit. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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22. A shipping container with at least one door with a built-in tracking unit for transmitting its location via communication with a satellite and a central server, said tracking unit comprising:
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an antenna that is capable of communication with both a GPS satellite and a two-way satellite;
a processing device;
a GPS receiver for receiving signals from the GPS satellite;
a transmitter for transmitting information to a central server via the two-way satellite;
a modem; and
means for determining when a door of the shipping container is open and means for communicating that information via the two-way satellite to the central server.
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25. A method of monitoring a shipping container during shipping from a shipping point to a destination via a portable detachable tracking unit, at least one satellite and central server, comprising:
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associating the shipping container with the portable tracking unit attached to the container in the central server;
the tracking unit determining whether certain events have occurred or not on one of the shipping container and the portable detachable tracking unit or both, the tracking unit transmitting that information to the central server via the satellite;
the tracking unit periodically determining its location via GPS satellites and transmitting that information to the central server via the satellite;
determining whether the tracking unit is on course to its destination based upon this transmitted information according to a predetermined route or not; and
generating a message concerning whether the tracking unit is on course or not and whether the certain event has occurred or not. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A portable detachable tracking unit for transmitting its location via communication with a satellite to a central server, said tracking unit being capable of being attached and detached from a shipping container, said tracking unit comprising:
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an antenna that is capable of communication with both a GPS satellite and a two-way satellite;
electronic means for receiving communications from the GPS satellite;
electronic means for communicating with at least one two-way communication satellite;
said electronic components being placed by an internal power source; and
all of said components being housed in a housing that has means for attaching and detaching to a shipping container. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification