Security and monitoring for containers

• US 20050151643A1
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Cova, Nicholas D., Farrell, Steven J., Schultheis, Edward D., Rajapakse, Ravindra U., Dawson, William S., Weidick, Mark S., Goodell, John L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,315,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/545.200
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2590/0083 Computer or electronic system, e.g. GPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/121 ISO containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/22 Safety features floating covers B65D88/34; arrangements of indicating or measuring devices B65D90/48; fire-fighting A62C
• 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 13/1481 with optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

A container security system has a container interior monitor portion with a container interior light sensing portion responsive to visible light. A different embodiment involves a monitoring device with a support, a door engaging member movable to and from an operational position, and a detection portion that generates an electrical signal in response to movement of the member away from the operational position. The support may be configured to be supported on an edge portion of a movable door. Alternatively, the monitoring device may include a wireless communication portion, and circuitry responsive to the signal and operatively coupled to the wireless communication portion.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a monitoring device that includes:

a support;

a door engaging member supported for movement to and from an operational position with respect to said support, said member having a door engaging portion and being movable to said operational position in response to engagement of a movable door with said door engaging portion;

a detection portion that generates an electrical signal in response to movement of said member away from said operational position;

a wireless communication portion; and

circuitry responsive to said signal from said movement detection portion, and operatively coupled to said wireless communication portion.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection portion includes:

a part supported for movement to and from a predetermined position in relation to said support, said member being movably supported on said part;

a first resilient portion which yieldably urges movement of said part away from said predetermined position in relation to said support; and

a second resilient portion which yieldably urges movement of said member away from said operational position in relation to said part, said second resilient portion urging said member away from said operational position with an effective force greater than an effective force with which said first resilient portion urges said member away from said operational position.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said support includes an anti-tamper portion that, when a door is engaging said member, obstructs access to at least one of said part and said member from an outer side of the door in the region of an edge portion of the door.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said movement of said part with respect to said support is pivotal movement about a first pivot axis, and said movement of said member with respect to said part is pivotal movement about a second pivot axis spaced from and approximately parallel to said first pivot axis.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detection portion includes a sensing arrangement responsive to the position of said part, said sensing arrangement generating said electrical signal when said part moves a predetermined distance away from said predetermined position to a further position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sensing arrangement includes a proximity sensor.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sensing arrangement includes:

a Hall effect sensor supported on one of said part and said support; and

a magnetic field generator supported on the other of said part and said support in a manner so that a distance between said Hall effect sensor and said magnetic field generator varies in response to movement of said part.

8. An apparatus comprising a monitoring device that includes:

a door edge support configured to be supported on an edge portion of a movable door;

a door engaging member supported for movement to and from an operational position with respect to said support, said member having a door engaging portion and being movable to said operational position in response to engagement of a movable further door with said door engaging portion;

a detection portion that generates an electrical signal in response to movement of said member away from said operational position.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said detection portion includes:

a part supported for movement to and from a predetermined position in relation to said support, said member being movably supported on said part;

a first resilient portion which yieldably urges movement of said part away from said predetermined position in relation to said support; and

a second resilient portion which yieldably urges movement of said member away from said operational position in relation to said part, said second resilient portion urging said member away from said operational position with an effective force greater than an effective force with which said first resilient portion urges said member away from said operational position.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said support includes an anti-tamper portion that, when a door is engaging said member, obstructs access to said part from an outer side of the door in the region of an edge portion of the door.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said movement of said part with respect to said support is pivotal movement about a first pivot axis, and said movement of said member with respect to said part is pivotal movement about a second pivot axis spaced from and approximately parallel to said first pivot axis.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said detection portion includes a sensing arrangement responsive to the position of said part, said sensing arrangement generating said electrical signal when said part moves a predetermined distance away from said predetermined position to a further position.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said sensing arrangement includes a proximity sensor.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said sensing arrangement includes:

a Hall effect sensor supported on one of said part and said support; and

a magnetic field generator supported on the other of said part and said support in a manner so that a distance between said Hall effect sensor and said magnetic field generator varies in response to movement of said part.

15. An apparatus comprising a container security system having a container interior monitor portion which includes a container interior light sensing portion that is responsive to visible light.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said security system includes a wireless communication portion operatively coupled to said sensing portion, and adapted to be mounted externally of a container.