Multiple lock security system for cargo trailers

• US 20080061924A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mi-Jack Systems and Technology LLC (Lanco International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mi-Jack Systems and Technology LLC (Lanco International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Labowicz, Maciej, Schmidt, Harvey, Lanigan, William P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,772,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.5
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising: a master security device including position sensors, a motor, a door sensor and a latch; a master controller connected to the position sensors and the door sensor; at least one slave security device having a slave controller connected to the master controller; and a computing device for communicating with the master controller through a wireless communication link, to move the security system locking devices to a locked or unlocked position.

Claims

1. A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising:

a master security device including position sensors, a motor, a door sensor and

a latch;

a master controller connected to the position sensors and the door sensor;

at least one slave security device having a slave controller connected to the master controller; and

a computing device for communicating with the master controller through a wired or wireless communication link, to move the security system locking devices to a locked or unlocked position.

2. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, input and output interfaces, a communication interface comprising a transceiver for actuating the security system locking devices to the locked or unlocked position.

3. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller is connected to the slave controllers containing position sensors, the motor and the door sensor through a three-wire communication interface.

4. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, a real-time clock, a power management circuit, input and output interfaces, a communication interface comprising a transceiver for use with a key-fob, a temperature sensor, and an external event memory.

5. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller actuates at least one slave controller.

6. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein at least one slave controller is independently controllable.

7. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller controls the charging of a system backup battery, if the main power source voltage meets an appropriate threshold.

8. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller actuates the slave controller through a wiring harness including a three-wire communication interface for control, feedback and temperature and door position information, respectively.

9. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the security device includes at least one slave lock, and an independent temperature measuring device and a door position sensing mechanism for recording the time of when the door has been opened or closed.

10. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the slave controller is fully integrated with the security device, and the slave controller includes a short locking pulse before each unlocking motor drive signal, when moving from the locked to the unlocked position, and a short unlocking pulse before each locking motor drive signal, when moving from the unlocked to the locked position, and the duration of these short pulses is variable and may depend on measured temperature.

11. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm system to indicate malfunctions of the lock or position sensors, or an out of tolerance condition, and solution how to operate the security system without sensors.

12. A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising:

a master security device including position sensors, a motor, a door sensor and

a latch;

a master controller connected to the position sensors and the door sensor with a main wiring harness;

at least one slave security device including position sensors, a motor, a door sensor, a latch and a slave controller connected to the master controller; and

a computing device for communicating with the master controller through a wired or wireless communication link, to move the security system locking devices to a locked or unlocked position.

13. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 12, where in the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, a real-time clock, a power management circuit, input and output interfaces, a communication interface comprising a transceiver for use with a key-fob, a temperature sensor, and an external event memory.

14. A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising:

a master security device including position sensors, a motor, a door sensor and

a latch;

a master controller connected to the position sensors, the motor and the door sensor with a main wiring harness, through a multi-conductor harness;

a first and second slave security device each including position sensors, a motor, a door sensor, a latch and a slave controller connected to the master controller through a three-wire interface in wiring harness; and

a computing device for communicating with the master controller through a wired or wireless communication link, to move the latch to a locked or unlocked position.

15. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 14, wherein the slave controller is fully integrated with the security device, and the slave controller includes a short locking pulse before each unlocking motor drive signal, when moving from the locked to the unlocked position, and a short unlocking pulse before each locking motor drive signal, when moving from the unlocked to the locked position, and the duration of these short pulses is variable and may depend on a measured temperature.

16. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 14, wherein the security device includes at least one slave lock, and an independent temperature sensor and a door position sensing mechanism for recording the time of when the door has been opened or closed.

17. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 14, wherein the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, a real-time clock, a power management circuit, input and output interfaces, a communication interface comprising a transceiver for use with a key-fob, a temperature sensor, and an external event memory.

18. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 14, wherein the master controller is positioned in proximity to a rear door in a container and slave controllers are positioned in proximity to side doors in a container.