SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURE SHIPMENT OF HIGH-VALUE CARGO

• US 20100257904A1
• Filed: 06/24/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Performance Polymers Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Performance Polymers Incorporated
• Inventors: Rickrode, C. Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,441,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/63
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/2038 moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/00 Locks giving indication of authorised or unauthorised unlocking with key identification means E05B35/001; alarm locks E05B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/005 Locks with means for tracking the location of locked items, e.g. freight containers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/383 Staples or the like for padlocks; Lock slings; Arrangements on locks to cooperate with padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/44 Burglar prevention, e.g. protecting against opening by unauthorised tools E05B77/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/02 Locks for railway freight-cars, freight containers or the like; Locks for the cargo compartments of commercial lorries, trucks or vans
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 9/04 with two sliding bars moved in opposite directions when fastening or unfastening
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00801 by acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle

Abstract

A system for protecting high-value cargo enclosed in a container, while maintaining the container indistinguishable from similar low value shipments, includes an onboard identity module (OBIM) cooperative with an internal locking mechanism (ILM), both of which are externally undetectable. The OBIM can secure the ILM and prevent the container from being opened until a properly encoded unlocking signal from a Security Management System (SMS) is wirelessly received by the OBIM. The unlocking signal can be a composite including a plurality of species of wireless signals such as different frequencies of AM and FM encoded RF and acoustic signals, transmitted simultaneously and/or at specified intervals. In embodiments the OBIM enables remote tracking of the container, and in some embodiments the tracking is double-blind, whereby a Master Number (MN) recorded in shipping documents is associated with a “Random Number” (RN) used for tracking, the association being known only to the SMS.

Claims

1. A system for enhancing the security of high value cargo during shipment within an enclosed container without enabling the container to be distinguished from similar shipments of lower value cargo, the system comprising:

an Internal Locking Mechanism (ILM) configured to prevent opening of the container when the container is closed and the ILM is locked, the ILM being externally undetectable when the container is closed;

a Base Unit (BU) cooperative with the ILM, the BU being externally undetectable when the container is closed;

an electronic OnBoard Identity Module (OBIM) which is removably enclosable within the BU, the OBIM when enclosed within the BU being able to secure and release the ILM, unlocking of the ILM being inhibited when the ILM is secured and unlocking of the ILM being enabled when the ILM is released, the OBIM being configured for wireless communication with external nodes when the OBIM is enclosed within the BU and the container is closed, the OBIM being able to wirelessly receive and electronically store a master identity code, herein referred to as the Master Number (MN);

a Module Body Tag (MBT) displaying a visible indication of the MN, the MBT being durably attached to the OBIM in a location which is not visible from outside the BU when the OBIM is enclosed within the BU; and

a Security management System (SMS) configured for wireless communication with the OBIM, the SMS including a processor and software configured so as to direct the SMS to receive the MN from the OBIM, transmit a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to secure the ILM, and transmit a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to release the ILM.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the software is able to direct the SMS to generate a temporary tracking code, herein referred to as a “

Random Number”

(RN), which is at least unassociated with the MN, transmit the RN to the OBIM, store the RN, the MN, and the association therebetween, and prevent access to the association between the RN and the MN except by authorized users.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the software is further able to direct the SMS to store shipping information and to associate the shipping information with the MN, the shipping information including at least one of:

information pertaining to the high value cargo;

information pertaining to the container;

information pertaining to mobile entities scheduled to carry the container;

information pertaining to locations of temporary storage for the container while en route; and

information pertaining to a planned route of travel for the container.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of base units, each of the base units including an attachment configuration which is unique among the plurality of base units, the attachment configurations being configured such that for each of a plurality of container types at least one of the base units is attachable thereto, all of the plurality of base units having a common OBIM housing configuration, so that a single type of OBIM is containable by any of the base units and can therefore be used to secure an ILM in any of the types of container.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an External Encoded Tag (EET) including a visible indication of the MN, the EET being at least associated with the OBIM and being separable therefrom.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the EET is configured for association with a shipping document after separation of the EET from the OBIM.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a detectable alarm unit which can be activated by the OBIM so as to emit an alarm indication which is at least one of audible and visible to individuals external to but proximate to the container, the detectable alarm unit being externally undetectable when the container is closed.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the detectable alarm unit can be activated by a command received wirelessly by the OBIM from an authorized node.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the OBIM is configured to release the ILM only upon wireless receipt by the OBIM of a specified unlocking signal.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the unlocking signal is a composite signal including at least two of:

an rf signal transmitted at a first frequency;

an rf signal transmitted at a second frequency;

an acoustic signal;

a signal encoded by a first encoding method;

a signal encoded by a second encoding method;

a signal transmitted at a specified amplitude; and

a signal transmitted at a specified time after a preceding signal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one digital signature is used by the OBIM to verify the identity of at least one of an external node and the SMS before responding to a wireless communication therefrom.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tracking mechanism configured for wireless communication with the OBIM so as to at least obtain identifying information from the OBIM while the container is en route.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) which is at least cooperative with the OBIM and enables the OBIM to at least one of record and report location information while the container is en route.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a cellular telephone communication system which is at least cooperative with the OBIM and enables the OBIM to wirelessly communicate with an external node while the container is en route.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the tracking mechanism includes at least one monitoring station which is located along a route of travel of the container and which is configured to at least wirelessly receive identifying information from the OBIM when the OBIM is proximate to the monitoring station.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising a route reporting mechanism configured to enable the OBIM to supply routing information to an operator of a mobile entity which is transporting the container, the routing information being wirelessly obtained by the OBIM from the SMS.

17. A method for enhancing the security of high value cargo during shipment within an enclosed container and tracking the container while en route from an origin to a destination, without enabling the container to be distinguished from similar shipments of lower value cargo, the method comprising:

providing an Internal Locking Mechanism (ILM) configured to prevent opening of the container when the container is closed and the ILM is locked, the ILM being externally undetectable when the container is closed;

providing a Base Unit (BU) which is cooperative with the ILM and externally undetectable when the container is closed;

providing an electronic OnBoard Identity Module (OBIM) which is removably enclosable within the BU, the OBIM when enclosed within the BU being able to secure and release the ILM, unlocking of the ILM being inhibited when the ILM is secured and unlocking of the ILM being enabled when the ILM is released, the OBIM being configured for wireless communication with external nodes when the OBIM is enclosed within the BU and the container is closed, the OBIM being able to wirelessly receive and electronically store a master identity code, herein referred to as the Master Number (MN), a master body tag (MBT) including a visible indication of the MN being durably attached to the OBIM in a location which is not visible when the OBIM is enclosed within the BU;

providing a Security management System (SMS) configured for wireless communication with the OBIM, the SMS including a processor and software configured so as to direct the SMS to receive the MN from the OBIM, generate a temporary tracking code, herein referred to as a “

Random Number”

(RN), which is at least unassociated with the MN, transmit the RN to the OBIM, store the RN, the MN, and the association therebetween, prevent access to the association between the RN and the MN except by authorized users, transmit signals to the OBIM causing the OBIM to secure the ILM, and transmit signals to the OBIM causing the OBIM to release the ILM;

providing a tracking mechanism which is at least able to wirelessly OBIM shipment identifying information from the OBIM when the container is proximal to a specified location along a planned route of travel of the container;

enclosing the OBIM within the BU in a manner which prevents observation of the MBT;

loading the cargo into the container;

closing and securing the container, including locking the ILM;

transmitting by the SMS of a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to secure the ILM;

causing the SMS to wirelessly receive the MN from the OBIM, generate an RN, transmit the RN to the OBIM, and store the MN, the RN, and the relationship therebetween;

while the container is en route, using the tracking system to wirelessly receive the RN from the OBIM so as to derive therefrom location information pertaining to the container; and

upon arrival of the container at the destination, transmitting by the SMS of a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to release the ILM.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting routing information to the OBIM while the container is en route, and causing the OBIM to make the routing information available to an operator of a mobile entity which is transporting the container.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising causing the SMS to transmit a signal to the OBIM instructing the OBIM to cease transmission until a specified criterion is met.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising, upon detection of an abnormal indication from the OBIM, at least one of:

resolving by security-authorized personnel of any issues and assessing of the OBIM'"'"'s security and integrity status;

advising by security-authorized personnel of a shipper of any and all related details, and informing of a receiver of details when and if directed to do so by the shipper;

conducting of steps to confirm that any suspected tampering did not violate the security of the BU or functionally alter its operation;

confirming proper OBIM security functionality;

replacing the OBIM if necessary, and repeating any necessary programming steps, as determined by the shipper and/or the receiver to be necessary to permit in-route control and tracking to resume; and

if so identified initially, replacing an old RN tag or label on the mobile entity'"'"'s exterior with a tag or label showing a replacement RN just assigned by the SMS for visual in-route monitoring by the tracking mechanism.