Locking mechanism, systems and methods for cargo container transport security

• US 20060250235A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthur W. Astrin
• Original Assignee: Arthur W. Astrin
• Inventors: Astrin, Arthur W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,154,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.220
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/004 Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi not available use GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A system comprises a network of sensors inside a cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container; an operation center; and a device (e.g., a lock) outside of the cargo container capable of communicating with the network of sensors (possibly using a wireless standard) and with the operation center (possibly using a satellite or cellular network), capable of receiving the sensor information, and capable of reporting a message based on the sensor information to the operation center. The sensor network may include an arrangement of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radioactivity sensors, chemical/biological toxin sensors, chemical explosive sensors, vibration sensors, sound sensors, collision sensors, and/or light sensors. The device may include a communication module capable of communicating with other device on other containers. The operation center may monitor messages received from the devices to determine proper responses.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a network of sensors inside a cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container;

an operation center; and

a device outside of the cargo container capable of communicating with the network of sensors and with the operation center, capable of receiving the sensor information from the network of sensors, and capable of reporting a message based on the sensor information to the operation center.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one sensor in the sensor network includes one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a radioactivity sensor, a chemical/biological toxin sensor, a chemical explosive sensor, a vibration sensor, a sound sensor, a collision sensor, and a light sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a lock.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lock includes a secure hasp and a hasp integrity monitor for monitoring the integrity of the secure hasp.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a cellular network communication module for communicating with the operation center.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a satellite communication module for communicating with the operation center.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a wireless communication module for communicating with the network of sensors.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the network of sensors are capable of intercommunication, and at least one sensor communicates indirectly with the device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes in-device sensors.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a communication module capable of communicating with other device on other containers.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the cargo container is near another cargo container having another device capable of communicating with the operation center, and wherein the device communicates with the operation center indirectly via the other device on the other container.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the device communicates with the sensor network using encryption.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the device communicates with the operation center using encryption.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the operation center monitors the sensor information received from the device to determine a proper response.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor information includes sensor data.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor information includes alarm-state information.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the message includes the sensor information.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor information includes the sensor data and the message includes alarm-state information.

19. A method comprising:

obtaining sensor information from a sensor inside a cargo container, the sensor information related to the environment within the cargo container; and

sending the sensor information to an operation center.

20. A system comprising:

a sensor communication module for communicating with a sensor disposed inside a cargo container, the sensor being capable of generating sensor information related to the environment within the cargo container; and

an operation center communication module capable of sending a message based on the sensor information to an operation center.