Hierarchical and distributed information processing architecture for a container security system

• US 20070118332A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: System Planning Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Ron, Meyers, Richard, Easley, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 8,620,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A hierarchical and distributed system architecture for a container monitoring and security system is provided. The architecture may be a hierarchical chain of separate, related processing elements. The partitioning of functions and distribution of processing among these or other similar hierarchical elements in the network is provided. The elements may further be described in successive layers, each have a greater level of network intelligence than the former.

Claims

1. A hierarchical system architecture of multiple layers and distributed processing elements for a container monitoring system having a plurality of containers comprising:

a sensor level processing element operating on information related to a particular sensor type;

a container level processing element operating on information related to a plurality of sensors located within a single container;

a collection and relay processing element operating on information related to a group of containers transported together in a shipment;

a data fusion center processing element operating on information related to groups or shipments of containers, and information related to each successive lower layer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each discrete processing element may operate on information available to a corresponding layer, and successive lower layers as necessary.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein functions of each discrete processing layer are combined with the functions of the adjacent layer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor level processing element comprises a sensor, a micro processor element, a wired or wireless communications device, and an analog to digital converter.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor includes at least one sensor from a group of sensors containing:

temperature sensor, visible light sensor, acoustic sensor, vibration sensor, motion sensor, microbolometer, radiation sensor, hazardous chemical sensor, explosives sensor, proximity sensor, infrared sensor, door switch sensor, image capture sensor, and smoke detector.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor level processing element collects raw sensor data and performs functions comprising:

data smoothing;

data filtering and reduction;

sending the processed data onto the container level processing element.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the container level processing element receives raw or processed data from one or multiple said sensor elements, the container level processing element performing several functions comprising:

comparing sets of sensor data over a fixed or variable time interval;

comparing data from one type of sensor to data collected from another type of sensor to determine a higher level event that may have occurred;

querying said sensor elements for additional data or collecting additional sensor data readings; and

sending collected data and comparison results onto the collection and relay processing element.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the collection and relay processing element performs several functions comprising:

collecting data from multiple containers being transported;

collecting data from multiple stored containers in a staging area;

making group comparisons and querying individual container processing elements for additional information if required; and

sending collected data and comparison data onto a data fusion center processing element.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the data fusion center performs several functions comprising:

collecting information from all the collection and relay processing elements in the network;

identifying regional level issues based on multiple collection and relay processing elements;

identifying overall trends of activity and events for elements in the network;

prioritizing information based on predetermined importance of certain types of events; and

formatting information in a graphical manner for the human operator to understand easily and take appropriate action.