Layered freight security method

• US 20070192117A1
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Martinez, Juan Alberto, Campos, Juan Carlos, Alvarez, Ana Luisa, Iniguez, Oliverio, Lepe, Edgar, Carrillo, Ofelia
• Application Number:
  US11/352,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20070192117A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/332
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer usable program code for layered security of freight. Information for the mobile container carrier is verified within a database before allowing the mobile container into a facility in response to receiving a mobile container from a carrier. A thorough inspection of the mobile container is performed in response to verifying the information for the mobile container. The thorough inspection is verified and the mobile container is loaded with freight, in response to performing the thorough inspection. The mobile container is authorized to leave the facility in response to loading the mobile container. The mobile container is tracked as the mobile container is transported to a destination.

Claims

1. A method for layered security of freight, the method comprising:

responsive to receiving a mobile container from a carrier, verifying information for the mobile container within a database before allowing the mobile container into a facility;

responsive to verifying the information for the mobile container, performing a thorough inspection of the mobile container in the facility;

responsive to performing the thorough inspection, verifying the thorough inspection and loading the mobile container with freight;

responsive to loading the mobile container, authorizing the mobile container to leave the facility; and

tracking the mobile container as the mobile container is transported to a destination.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inspecting a mobile container at a carrier site by the carrier to determine the information;

submitting the information for entry in the mobile container database; and

sending the mobile container to the facility.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the verifying for the mobile container step further comprises:

verifying that the information complies with a layer one check list; and

responsive to verifying the information, granting an internal traffic pass.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the thorough inspection further comprises:

verifying a first seal placed on a door of the mobile container;

measuring internal measurements and external measurements of the mobile container;

inspecting structural integrity of the mobile container;

inspecting functional integrity of the mobile container;

sealing the mobile container with a second seal;

completing a layer three check list; and

updating the information within the mobile container database.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein updating the mobile container information step further comprises:

entering the mobile container information from the layer three check list; and

recording an identification number of the second seal, the structural integrity, the functional integrity, internal measurements, and external measurements.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to loading the mobile container, sealing the mobile container with a third seal;

completing a layer four check list, photographing the mobile container as sealed with the third seal; and

updating the mobile container information within the mobile container database.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authorizing step further comprises:

verifying that the mobile container corresponds to the mobile container information within the mobile container database; and

responsive to authorizing the mobile container to leave, updating the mobile container information within the mobile container database.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking step further comprises:

monitoring global positioning system information indicating a position of the mobile container; and

confirming the position with a security escort accompanying the mobile container.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination is a security yard and further comprises:

receiving the mobile container at a secure yard by a security broker;

inspecting the mobile container and verifying the mobile container information;

photographing the mobile container to verify a condition of the mobile container;

generating export documentation; and

sending the mobile container to a final destination.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the mobile container database before and after performing the verifying information for the mobile container step, performing step, verifying and loading step, authorizing step, and tracking step.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination is at least one of a secure yard, airport, shipping dock, and train depot.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile container is a trailer.

13. A system comprising:

a server;

a storage operably connected to the server wherein the storage includes a mobile container database; and

a client operably connected to the server wherein the client is used to verify mobile container information within a mobile container database before generating an entry indicator allowing the mobile container into a facility, receive results of a thorough inspection of the mobile container in the facility in response to the thorough inspection of the mobile container in the facility, generate a load indicator for authorizing freight to be loaded on the mobile container in response to receiving results that the through inspection has be been passed, generate an exit indicator to authorize the mobile container to leave the facility, and track the mobile container.

14. The system of claim 13, comprising a wireless access link operably connected to the server for updating the mobile container information in the mobile container database using the client.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the client is a mobile computing device equipped with a wireless network adapter for communicating with the wireless access link.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile container is at least one of crate, cargo box, liquid container, freight container, and a semi-trailer.

17. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium including computer usable program code for layered security of freight, said computer program product including:

computer usable program code, responsive to verifying information entered about a mobile container with a database, for generating an entry indicator allowing the mobile container into a facility;

computer usable program code, responsive to generating the entry indicator, for receiving results of a thorough inspection of the mobile container in the facility;

computer usable program code, responsive to receiving results that a thorough inspection has been passed, for generating a load indicator for authorizing freight to be loaded in the mobile container;

computer usable program code for generating an exit indicator authorizing the mobile container to leave the facility; and

computer usable program code for tracking the mobile container as the mobile container is transported to a destination.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising:

updating information about the mobile container in the database.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising:

computer usable program code for storing the information about the mobile container in the database before and after performing the computer usable program code for generating an entry indicator, computer usable program code for receiving results, computer usable program code for generating a load indicator, computer usable program code for generating an exit indicator, and computer usable program code for tracking.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the information includes information from a plurality of check lists and photographs.