Global intelligent remote detection system

• US 20040257225A1
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InfrAegis, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelagents, Inc.
• Inventors: Webb, Gregory E. Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,012,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/196 using television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/00 Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems

Abstract

A security system and method for monitoring a security status of fixed and mobile assets. The security system comprises an agent connected with the asset. The agent includes a receiver for receiving; a sensing device for monitoring a security of the asset; a processor for compiling the a security data to generate a security status; and a wireless transceiver for transmitting data to a master control unit. The master control unit retransmits the security status to an global operations center for processing the security status to detect a security threat. In response to a security threat, the global operations center initiates and action or counter measure. For mobile assets the security system also tracks a location of the asset as the is transported between a shipper'"'"'s loading dock and a designated distribution center, including an origination port and a destination port. For fixed agents, the security system includes an interface for interfacing an existing security device to the master control unit.

Claims

1. A security system for tracking a security status of an asset comprising:

an agent connected with the asset, the agent comprising;

a sensing device for monitoring a security of the asset;

a processor for compiling a security data to generate a security status;

a transceiver for transmitting data from and receiving data to the agent;

a master control unit for receiving and compiling said security status from a plurality of said agents and for transmitting said compiled security status; and

a global operations center for receiving said compiled security status and analyzing the compiled security status to detect a security threat.

2. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said sensing device comprises:

an environmental sensor for monitoring an ambient air within the container to detect the security threat.

3. A security system as in claim 2 wherein said environmental sensor comprises:

a chemical detector for detecting a chemical matter.

4. A security system as in claim 2 wherein said environmental sensor comprises:

a biological detector for detecting a biological matter.

5. A security system as in claim 2 wherein said environmental sensor comprises:

a radiation detector for detecting a radioactive material.

6. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said sensing device comprises:

a door position-sensing device for sensing an opening of an asset door.

7. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said sensing device comprises

a light-sensing device within said container for sensing a luminescence level.

8. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said agent further comprises:

a video recording device for recording at least one of an interior of the asset or an exterior area surrounding the asset.

9. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said agent further comprises:

an intranet module for communicating between a plurality of said agents via a virtual network.

10. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said asset is a mobile asset, the system further comprising a receiver for receiving a position data.

11. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said asset is a mobile asset, the system further comprising an inertial guidance system for providing a position data.

12. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said asset is a mobile asset, the system further comprising commercial guidance system for providing a position data.

13. A security system as in claim 10 further comprising:

a loading master control unit for inventorying a cargo loaded into the mobile asset and creating a manifest therefrom, wherein said manifest is uploaded from the loading master control unit to said agent and said global operations center.

14. A security system as in claim 10 wherein said loading master control unit comprises:

an electronic device for automatically inventorying the cargo as the cargo is loaded into the mobile asset at a shipper'"'"'s loading dock.

15. A security system as in claim 10 and further comprising:

an origination port master control unit at an origination port for receiving said manifest and the security status from one of;

said agent, and said global operations center.

16. A security system as in claim 10 further comprising:

a destination master control unit at a destination port for receiving said manifest and said security status from one of;

said agent, and said global operations center.

17. A security system as in claim 1 wherein the master control unit is onboard a transit vehicle carrying said fixed asset, the onboard master control unit comprises:

a receiver for receiving a location data, and

a transmitter for transmitting the location data and said security status to said global operations center.

18. A security system as in claim 17 wherein said security system further comprises:

a memory for storing information regarding a predetermined route for said mobile asset; and

wherein

one of said agent, said onboard maser control unit, and said global operations center includes a comparator system for comparing said location data to said predetermined route.

19. A security system as in claim 17 wherein said global operations center includes an output device for outputting an alert signal if said location data deviates from said predetermined route.

20. A security system as in claim 10 wherein the agent further comprises a memory for storing a manifest of the cargo loaded into the mobile asset.

21. A security system as in claim 1 wherein the asset is a fixed asset, the system further comprising:

an output device for responding to a detected security threat, and wherein

one of said agent, said master control unit and said global operations center includes a response process for responding to the detected security threat.

22. A security system as in claim 21 wherein said output device controls an operation of a door.

23. A security system as in claim 21 wherein said output device controls an operation of a lighting system.

24. A security system as in claim 21 wherein said output device controls an operation of a ventilation system.

25. A security system as in claim 21 wherein said output device controls an operation of a power distribution system.

26. A security system as in claim 21 wherein said output device controls an operation of a computer network.

27. A security system as in claim 21 further comprising:

an interface for interfacing an existing security device to the master control unit.

28. A security system for monitoring a plurality of assets comprising:

a plurality of agents, each one of said plurality of agents connected with an asset, each said plurality of agents comprising;

a sensor for monitoring a physical condition of the corresponding one of said plurality of assets;

a processor for collecting and processing the physical condition data to produce an asset security data; and

a communication device for transmitting and receiving data;

a master control unit for receiving the plurality of asset security data from the plurality of agents; and

a global operations center in communication with the master control unit for receiving the plurality of asset security data retransmitted from the master control unit and analyzing the plurality of asset security data to detect a security threat.

29. A security system as in claim 28 wherein said sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

door sensor for sensing an opening of a door connected with said asset and signaling the agent when the door has been opened;

a light-sensing device within said asset for sensing a luminescence level within said asset;

an air sensor for sensing an ambient air within said asset to detect a chemical within range of the asset; and

a biological detector for detecting a biological material within range of said asset.

30. The security system of claim 28 wherein said sensor comprises a radiation detector for detecting a radioactive material within a close proximity to said asset.

31. The security system of claim 28 wherein said agent further comprises:

a wireless communication channel for communicating between the plurality of agents via a virtual network, wherein one of the plurality of agents is assigned as a primary agent to receive the plurality of asset security data from the plurality of agents and transmit the plurality of asset security data to the master control unit.

32. The security system of claim 31 wherein another one of the plurality of agents is assigned as a secondary agent to receive the plurality of asset security data from the plurality of agents and transmit the plurality of asset security data to the master control unit when the primary agent fails.

33. The security system of claim 28 wherein the plurality of assets are mobile asset in transit from a shippers loading dock to a designated destination following a predetermined route, the predetermined route including an origination port and a destination port, the agent further comprising a receiver for receiving a position data from a satellite.

34. The security system of claim 33 wherein said master control unit is an onboard master control unit, the onboard master control unit further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a location data from a satellite, wherein the onboard master control unit receives the plurality of asset security data and compiles the plurality of asset security data and the location data for transmission to the global operations center.

35. The security system of claim 33 wherein the system further comprises:

a memory for storing information regarding a predetermined route for said mobile asset; and

wherein

one of said agent, said onboard maser control unit, and said global operations center includes a comparator system for comparing said location data to said predetermined route.

36. The security system of claim 33 and further comprising:

a loading master control unit at said shipper'"'"'s loading dock; and

an electronic inventory device in communication with the loading master control unit for automatically inventorying a cargo loaded into the mobile asset, wherein an inventory data is sent to the loading master control unit to generate a manifest that is uploaded to the one of the plurality of agents connected with the one of the plurality of mobile assets being loaded and the global operations center.

37. The security system of claim 33 and further comprising:

an origination port master control unit at the origination port and in communication with said plurality of agents, wherein said plurality of agents transmit their manifest and asset security data to the origination port master control unit.

38. The security system of claim 33 and further comprising:

a destination master control unit at the destination port, wherein the onboard master control unit notifies the destination master control unit which plurality of containers it is carrying and uploads the manifest and the security status from the plurality of agents to the destination port master control unit.

39. A security system as in claim 28 wherein the asset is a fixed asset, the system further comprising:

an output device for responding to a detected security threat, and wherein

one of said agent, said master control unit and said global operations center includes a response process for responding to the detected security threat.

40. A security system as in claim 39 wherein said output device controls an operation of a door.

41. The security system of claim 39 wherein said output device controls an operation of a lighting system.

42. The security system of claim 39 wherein said output device controls an operation of a ventilation system.

43. The security system of claim 39 wherein said output device controls an operation of a power distribution system.

44. The security system of claim 39 wherein said output device controls an operation of a computer network.

45. The security system of claim 39 wherein said output device is a radiation detector for producing nuclear radiation data indicative of nuclear radiation in said fixed asset.

46. A security system as in claim 39 further comprising:

an interface for interfacing an existing security device to the master control unit.

47. A security system for monitoring a security status of an asset, said security system comprising:

a radiation detector for producing nuclear radiation data indicative of nuclear radiation in said asset;

a global operations center for collecting information regarding radiation in a plurality of said assets; and

a transmitter system for transmitting said nuclear radiation data from said asset to said global operations center.

48. A security system as in claim 47 wherein said security system further includes an agent connected to said container and at least said transmitter system is in said agent.

49. A security system as in claim 48 wherein said security system includes an onboard master control unit located on board a vessel carrying said container and wherein at least another portion of said transmitter system is in said onboard control unit.

50. A security system for monitoring a security status of a plurality of assets, said security system comprising:

a plurality of agents, each of said agents connected to one of said assets;

each agent comprising;

a sensing device for monitoring a security of the asset for providing a secured data;

a wireless transmitter system for transmitting said security data from said agent;

a wireless receiver for receiving said security data from other of said agents; and

an electronic memory for storing said security data from said agent and from other of said agents;

whereby said agents together provide an Intranet redundantly storing said security data from all of said agents.

51. A security system as in claim 50 wherein said plurality of assets are a plurality of mobile assets being transported, said security system further includes a master control unit located on a vessel on which said mobile assets are being transported, said master control unit including a receiver for receiving said security data.

52. A security system as in claim 51 wherein each of said agents further includes a processor for determining which of said agents transmits said security data to said master control unit.

53. A method for monitoring a security of an asset, the method comprising:

activating an agent connected with said asset;

said agent, monitoring a security status of the asset;

said agent, transmitting the security status from the agent to a master control unit;

retransmitting the security status from the master control unit to a global operations center; and

processing the security status at the global operations center to detect a security threat.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein monitoring a security status comprises monitoring at least one of an area surrounding the asset and an interior of the asset.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein monitoring a security status comprises:

monitoring an environment within the asset to detect a threat therein; and

monitoring a physical condition of the asset to detect a tampering therewith.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein monitoring an environment comprises:

sensing an ambient air within the asset to detect a chemical therein; and

signaling the agent when a chemical has been detected.

57. The method of claim 55 wherein monitoring an environment comprises:

sensing an ambient air within the asset to detect a biological matter therein; and

signaling the agent when a biological matter has been detected.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein monitoring an environment comprises:

sensing an ambient air within the asset to detect an explosive therein; and

signaling the agent when an explosive has been detected.

59. The method of claim 55 wherein monitoring an environment comprises:

sensing an ambient air within the asset to detect a radioactive material therein; and

producing a nuclear radiation data indicative of a radiation within the asset when the nuclear radiation has been detected; and

transmitting the nuclear radiation data to the agent.

60. The method of claim 55 wherein monitoring an environment comprises:

sensing an ambient air around the periphery of the asset to detect a radioactive material; and

producing a nuclear radiation data indicative of a radiation within the asset when a radiation has been detected; and

transmitting the nuclear radiation data to the agent.

61. The method of claim 55 wherein said monitoring an environment within said asset comprises recording a video of at least one of an interior of said asset and an area surrounding said asset.

62. The method of claim 55 wherein said monitoring an environment within said container comprises monitoring a temperature within said container.

63. The method of claim 55 wherein monitoring a physical condition comprises:

sensing an opening of a door connected with the asset; and

signaling the agent when the door has been opened.

64. The method of claim 53 wherein said wirelessly transmitting comprises:

compiling said security status to produce a status data;

encrypting said status data to generate a ciphertext; and

transmitting said ciphertext to said master control unit.

65. The method of claim 53 wherein said processing said security status comprises:

receiving said security status at the global operations center at intervals;

generating a threat analysis from the security status to detect said security threat; and

transmitting the security threat to at least one of an appropriate official and an appropriate agency.

66. The method of claim 53 wherein processing the security status and location data comprises generating a report from the received security status.

67. The method of claim 53 further comprising:

receiving a status request from said global operations center;

in response to receiving said status request, transmitting said security status from the agent to the master control unit; and

retransmitting said security status from the master control unit to the global operations center.

68. The method of claim 53 further comprising the master control unit interrogating the agent to determine a security status of the asset.

69. The method of claim 53 wherein processing the security status comprises:

generating a report from the received security status; and

transmitting the report to an appropriate official.

72. The method of claim 53 wherein said asset is a mobile asset being transported over a predetermined route on a predetermined schedule from a loading dock to a designated distribution center, wherein the predetermined route includes transport between an origination port and a destination port, the method further comprising:

inventorying a cargo loaded into the mobile asset at the loading dock to generate a manifest corresponding to the mobile asset;

uploading the manifest to the mobile agent;

said mobile agent, transmitting the manifest to the master control unit; and

said master control unit, retransmitting the manifest to the global operations center.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein activating an agent comprises:

installing the agent with the mobile asset;

initializing the installed agent; and

attaching a door security device to a mobile asset door, wherein the door security device notifies the agent of an opening of the mobile asset door.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein monitoring a security status comprises:

monitoring a location of the mobile asset to generate a location data; and

monitoring an environmental condition of the mobile asset to produce said security status.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein monitoring a location of the asset comprises:

receiving a GPS position data at a GPS receiver connected with the mobile agent to generate the location data; and

transmitting the location data to the master control unit.

76. The method of claim 72 wherein transmitting the security status comprises:

compiling said security status and said location data to produce the security status;

encrypting said security status to generate a ciphertext; and

transmitting said ciphertext to said master control unit.

77. The method of claim 72 further comprising:

transporting the mobile asset from the loading dock to the origination port;

continuously monitoring the security status and a location of the mobile asset to generate an updated security status and updated location data;

transmitting the updated security status and the updated location data to the master control unit; and

the master control unit, retransmitting the updated security status and updated location data to the global operations center.

78. The method of claim 77 further comprising:

approaching said destination port;

notifying a destination port master control unit of the mobile assets being transported;

transmitting said security status and location data to said destination port master control unit; and

unloading said mobile asset at said destination port.

79. The method of claim 78 and further comprising:

loading said mobile assets for transport from said destination port to the designated distribution center;

thereafter, continuing monitoring said security status and location data of said mobile asset; and

transmitting said security status and location data to said global operations center.

80. The method of claim 77 wherein said retransmitting comprises:

compiling said security status and said location data at said master control unit to produce a status data;

encrypting said status data to generate a ciphertext; and

transmitting said ciphertext to said global operations center.

81. The method of claim 74 wherein said processing comprises:

receiving said security status and location data at the global operations center at intervals;

generating a threat analysis from the security status and location data to detect a security threat; and

transmitting the detected security threat to at least one of an appropriate official and an appropriate agency.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein said processing further comprises generating a report from the received security status and location data.

83. The method of claim 74 wherein said processing comprises:

comparing said location data with said predetermined route and schedule to detect a security threat; and

if a security threat is detected, transmitting said security threat to at least one of an appropriate authority and an appropriate official.

84. The method of claim 53 wherein said asset is a fixed asset, the method further comprising:

interfacing an existing security device to said master control unit, and

said existing security device sending a signal to said master control unit when said security device detects a security threat.

85. The method of claim 84 further comprising:

installing a plurality of the agents within said fixed assets; and

each one of said agents monitoring a security of an area within said fixed asset.

86. The method of claim 85 further comprising:

installing a plurality of the agents around an exterior perimeter of said fixed asset;

each one of said agents monitoring a security of an area of said periphery of said fixed asset.

70. The method of 53 and further comprising creating a wireless network between a plurality of said agents for sharing security status.

71. The method of claim 70 and further comprising assigning a one of said plurality of the agents as a primary agent for transmitting said security status and location from said plurality of the agents to said master control unit.

87. A method of providing a cargo manifest for a mobile asset to a customs office, said method comprising:

inventorying cargo loaded into said mobile asset and creating a manifest therefrom;

uploading said manifest to one of;

an agent connected to said mobile asset and a global operations center; and

transmitting said uploaded cargo manifest to an electronic device at said customs office.

88. A method as in claim 87 wherein said cargo manifest is uploaded to and transmitted from said agent.

89. A method as in claims 88 wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting said cargo manifest to a master control unit onboard a vessel and transmitting said cargo manifest from said master control unit to said customs office.

90. A method as in claim 87 wherein said cargo manifest is uploaded to and transmitted from said global operations center.

91. A method for monitoring a security status of an asset, said method comprising:

detecting nuclear radiation data indicative of nuclear radiation in said asset,

transmitting said nuclear radiation data from said container to a global operations center; and

and providing at said global operations center an output signal characteristic of said nuclear radiation data.

92. A method as in claim 91 and further including collecting information regarding radiation in a plurality of said assets at said global operations center.

93. A method as in claim 91 wherein said transmitting comprises:

transmitting said nuclear radiation data from an agent in said asset to a master control unit; and

retransmitting said radiation data to said global operations center.

94. A method for tracking a security status of a plurality of assets, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of agents, each one of said plurality of agents connected one of said plurality of assets;

each of said plurality of agents monitoring a security of its connected asset and providing a security data associated with said connected asset; and

creating a wireless network between a plurality of agents for sharing said security data.

95. A method as in claim 94 and further comprising:

providing a master control unit, said master control unit including a receiver for receiving said security data; and

determining which of said plurality of agents primarily transmits said shared security data to said master control unit.

96. A method as in claim 95 and further comprising determining which of said agents secondarily transmits said shared security data to said master control unit if said determined agent fails to primarily transmit said shared security data.