KEYHOLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR TRACKING AND MONITORING SHIPPING CONTAINER AND CONTENTS THEREOF
First Claim
1. A shipping container equipped to facilitate wireless communications between one or more wireless communication devices within the shipping container and a network that is external to the shipping container, comprising:
- (a) a wall structure for receiving and containing items to be shipped; and
(b) a communication device, adapted for wireless communications with the external network, that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, the first housing component being disposed substantially exterior to the wall structure of the shipping container, and the second housing component being disposed substantially interior to the wall structure of the shipping container, the first and second housing components together forming an integrated housing structure that extends through an opening in the wall structure of the shipping container;
(c) wherein, (i) the communication device includes a first antenna disposed within the first housing component and first electronic circuitry connected to the first antenna and disposed within the second housing, the first electronic circuitry adapted to control signal reception and transmission via the first antenna for communications with the wireless communication devices within the shipping container and with the external network, and (ii) the opening in the wall structure of the shipping container includes a diameter of between one-quarter and one full wavelength, inclusive, of the electromagnetic waves used to wirelessly communicate via the first antenna the wireless communication devices within the shipping container in accordance with the first electronic circuitry.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network container includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol. The communications are controlled by electronic circuitry within the second housing component.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A shipping container equipped to facilitate wireless communications between one or more wireless communication devices within the shipping container and a network that is external to the shipping container, comprising:
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(a) a wall structure for receiving and containing items to be shipped; and
(b) a communication device, adapted for wireless communications with the external network, that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, the first housing component being disposed substantially exterior to the wall structure of the shipping container, and the second housing component being disposed substantially interior to the wall structure of the shipping container, the first and second housing components together forming an integrated housing structure that extends through an opening in the wall structure of the shipping container;
(c) wherein, (i) the communication device includes a first antenna disposed within the first housing component and first electronic circuitry connected to the first antenna and disposed within the second housing, the first electronic circuitry adapted to control signal reception and transmission via the first antenna for communications with the wireless communication devices within the shipping container and with the external network, and (ii) the opening in the wall structure of the shipping container includes a diameter of between one-quarter and one full wavelength, inclusive, of the electromagnetic waves used to wirelessly communicate via the first antenna the wireless communication devices within the shipping container in accordance with the first electronic circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A shipping container equipped to facilitate internal and external wireless communications, comprising:
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(a) a wall structure for receiving and containing items to be shipped; and
(b) a communication device, adapted for wireless communications, that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, the first housing component containing a first antenna and a second antenna therein and the second housing component containing an electronics assembly for controlling receptions and transmissions of the first antenna and the second antenna;
(c) wherein, (i) the first housing component is mounted on an exterior portion of the wall structure and is disposed substantially exterior to the shipping container, (ii) the second housing component is mounted on an interior portion of the wall structure, proximate the first housing component, and is disposed substantially interior to the shipping container, and (iii) the first antenna is adapted for wireless communication external to the shipping container and the second antenna is adapted for wireless communication internal to the shipping container.
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20. A shipping container equipped to facilitate internal and external wireless communications, comprising:
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(a) a wall structure for receiving and containing items to be shipped; and
(b) a wireless communication device that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, the first housing component being disposed substantially exterior to the wall structure of the shipping container, and the second housing component being disposed substantially interior to the wall structure of the shipping container, the first and second housing components together forming an integrated housing structure that extends through an opening in the wall structure of the shipping container;
(c) wherein, (i) the communication device includes an antenna disposed within the first housing component and electronic circuitry connected to the antenna adapted to facilitate signal transmission via the antenna, and (ii) the opening in the wall structure of the shipping container includes a diameter of between one-quarter and one full wavelength, inclusive, of the electromagnetic waves used to wirelessly communicate via the antenna, whereby internal and external wireless communications via the antenna are accomplished.
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Specification