Method and apparatus for detecting unauthorized intrusion into a container

• US 20040263329A1
• Filed: 04/15/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Cargonja, Nikola, Farrell, Steven J., Padilla, Gustavo, Keleshian, Philip J., Rajapakse, Ravindra U., Thorne, Roderick E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,259,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2494 by interference with electro-magnetic field distribution combined with other electrical sensor means, e.g. microwave detectors combined with other sensor means

Abstract

An intrusion detection technique involves: emitting a wireless signal within a container; detecting the wireless signal near the container; and responding to detection of a change in a characteristic of the detected wireless signal by transmitting a wireless notification to a location remote from the container. A different technique involves: responding to a determination that a condition representative of unauthorized intrusion is present while the container is stationary by transmitting a wireless notification; and responding to a determination that the container is moving by ignoring whether the condition is present. Yet another technique involves: monitoring whether a door of a container is in a closed position; and emitting a wireless signal indicating whether the container door is in the closed position.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

emitting a wireless signal within a container;

detecting said wireless signal in the region of said container;

monitoring said detected wireless signal for a change in a characteristic thereof; and

responding to detection of a change in said characteristic of said detected wireless signal by transmitting a wireless notification of the occurrence of the change to a location remote from said container.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting of said wireless notification is carried out promptly after detection of the change.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said responding includes saving a time of occurrence of the change.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said transmitting of said wireless notification is carried out in response to receipt in the region of said container of a wireless interrogation signal transmitted at a location remote from said container.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said detecting is carried out externally of said container.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said detecting includes processing of said wireless signal using an adaptive technique.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said characteristic is a signal strength of said wireless signal at a location where said detecting of said wireless signals takes place.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said monitoring includes determining whether said signal strength has increased from a value below a selected threshold to a value above said threshold.

9. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said detecting is carried out at each of spaced first and second locations external to said container;

and

wherein said characteristic is a phase difference between said wireless signal as detected at said first location and said wireless signal as detected at said second location.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless signal emitted within said container contains a unique identification code.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a container;

a first transmitter which is supported on said container and emits a wireless signal within said container;

a receiver which is supported on said container, which detects said wireless signal, and which monitors said detected wireless signal for a change in a characteristic thereof; and

a second transmitter which responds to detection by said receiver of a change in said characteristic of said detected wireless signal by transmitting a wireless notification of the occurrence of the change to a location remote from said container.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second transmitter transmits said wireless notification promptly after detection of a change in said characteristic.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said receiver responds to detection of a change in said characteristic by saving a time of occurrence of the change.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13,

including at a location remote from said container a part which can transmit a wireless interrogation signal;

wherein said receiver can receive said wireless interrogation signal; and

wherein said second transmitter transmits said wireless notification in response to receipt by said receiver of said wireless interrogation signal.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said receiver receives said wireless signal at a location external to said container.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said receiver processes said wireless signal using an adaptive technique.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said characteristic is a signal strength of said wireless signal, as measured at a location where said detecting of said wireless signals takes place.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said receiver effects said monitoring by evaluating whether said signal strength has increased from a value below a selected threshold to a value above said threshold.

19. An apparatus according to claim 11,

wherein said receiver includes first and second portions which are respectively disposed at spaced first and second locations external to said container, and which respectively detect said wireless signal at said first and second locations;

and

wherein said characteristic is a phase difference between said wireless signal as detected at said first location and said wireless signal as detected at said second location.

20. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first transmitter inserts a unique identification code into the wireless signal that it emits within said container.

21. A method comprising:

monitoring a container for a condition representative of unauthorized intrusion into the container;

determining whether said container is stationary;

responding to a determination that said condition is present while said container is stationary by transmitting a wireless notification of the presence of said condition; and

responding to a determination that said container is moving by ignoring whether said condition is present.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said monitoring includes:

emitting a wireless signal within said container;

detecting said wireless signal at a location which is near said container and spaced from the location where said wireless signal is emitted; and

evaluating whether a change occurs in a characteristic of said detected wireless signal, said condition being present when said change is detected in said characteristic.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said characteristic is a signal strength of said wireless signal at the location where said detecting of said wireless signal takes place.

24. A method according to claim 22,

wherein said detecting of said wireless signal takes place at each of spaced first and second locations external to said container;

and

wherein said characteristic is a phase difference between said wireless signal as detected at said first location and said wireless signal as detected at said second location.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein said detecting of said wireless signal is carried out externally of said container.

26. A method according to claim 21, wherein said transmitting of said wireless notification is carried out promptly after detection of said condition.

27. A method according to claim 21, wherein said responding to a determination that said condition is present while said container is stationary includes saving a time of occurrence of the change.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said transmitting of said wireless notification is carried out in response to receipt near said container of a wireless interrogation signal transmitted at a location remote from said container.

29. An apparatus comprising:

a container;

a first portion which monitors said container for a condition representative of unauthorized intrusion into the container;

a second portion which determines whether said container is stationary; and

a third portion which is cooperable with said first and second portions, which responds to a determination that said condition is present while said container is stationary by transmitting a wireless notification of the presence of said condition, and which responds to a determination that said container is moving by ignoring whether said condition is present.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said second portion includes a motion sensor which is supported on said container.

31. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein first portion includes:

a transmitter which emits a wireless signal within said container; and

a receiver which detects said wireless signal at a location that is near said container and spaced from the location where said transmitter emits said wireless signal, and which evaluates whether a change occurs in a characteristic of said detected wireless signal, said condition being present when said receiver detects said change in said characteristic.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said characteristic is a signal strength of said wireless signal at the location where said receiver detects said wireless signals.

33. An apparatus according to claim 31,

wherein said receiver separately detects said wireless signal at each of spaced first and second locations external to said container;

and

wherein said characteristic is a phase difference between said wireless signal as detected at said first location and said wireless signal as detected at said second location.

34. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said receiver detects said wireless signal externally of said container.

35. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said third portion is responsive to detection of said condition for promptly effecting said transmitting of said wireless notification.

36. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said third portion responds to a determination that said condition is present while said container is stationary by saving a time of occurrence of the change.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said third portion effects said transmitting of said wireless notification in response to receipt near said container of a wireless interrogation signal transmitted at a location remote from said container.

38. A method comprising:

monitoring whether a door of a container is in a closed position; and

emitting a wireless signal indicating whether said container door is in said closed position.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein said monitoring is carried out within said container.

40. A method according to claim 38, wherein said monitoring is carried out using a magnetic field.

41. A method according to claim 38, including:

providing a security device which effects locking of said container door in said closed position;

monitoring whether there has been unauthorized tampering with said security device; and

emitting a further wireless signal indicating whether unauthorized tampering with said security device has been detected.

42. An apparatus comprising:

a container having a door supported for movement to and from a closed position;

a first portion which monitors whether said door of said container is in said closed position; and

a second portion which is cooperable with said first portion and which can emit a wireless signal indicating whether said container door is in said closed position.

43. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said first portion carries out said monitoring of said door from within said container.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said second portion effects said emission of said wireless signal at a location external to said container.

45. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said first portion includes a magnetic field generator supported on one of said container and said door, and a magnetic field detector supported on the other of said container and said door, said second portion being responsive to said magnetic field detector, and said magnetic field detector respectively experiencing first and second levels of magnetic flux which are different when said door is respectively in said closed position and spaced from said closed position.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45,

wherein said magnetic field generator is supported on said container and includes a permanent magnet;

wherein said magnetic field sensor is supported on an inner side of said door and has an electrical output;

and wherein said second portion includes a transmitter supported on an outer side of said door and electrically coupled to said electrical output of said magnetic field sensor.

47. An apparatus according to claim 42, including a security device which effects locking of said container door in said closed position, which can detect unauthorized tampering with said security device, and which can emit a further wireless signal indicating whether unauthorized tampering with said security device has been detected.