APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SELF-CONTAINED INSPECTION OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS
First Claim
1. An automated shipping container inspection system for inspecting a shipping container including at least one detection device within said shipping container;
- a computer communications network comprising electronic communication means for receiving at least one comparison data set from the at least one detection device, the data set selected from the group consisting of an initial data set, a destination data set, and optionally one or more interim data sets;
means responsive to said at least one comparison data set for determining an inspection fail status for said shipping container (when at least one comparison data set mismatches another comparison data set for the same shipping container); and
means responsive to the receipt of said inspection fail status to indicate to a user the need for further inspection of said shipping container.
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Abstract
Provided herein are new apparatuses and related methods for an automated global shipping container inspection system for inspecting a shipping container during transportation at a shipping container handling facility including at least one detection device located within the shipping container and in communication with a computer communications network comprising electronic communication means for receiving from the detection device at least one comparison data set selected from the group consisting of an initial data set, a destination data set, and one or more interim data sets. The apparatus provides means responsive to the at least one comparison data set for determining an inspection fail status for the shipping container, such as when at least one comparison data set substantially mismatches another comparison data set for the same shipping container. The apparatus further provides means responsive to the receipt of the inspection fail status to indicate the need for further inspection of the shipping container.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An automated shipping container inspection system for inspecting a shipping container including at least one detection device within said shipping container;
- a computer communications network comprising electronic communication means for receiving at least one comparison data set from the at least one detection device, the data set selected from the group consisting of an initial data set, a destination data set, and optionally one or more interim data sets;
means responsive to said at least one comparison data set for determining an inspection fail status for said shipping container (when at least one comparison data set mismatches another comparison data set for the same shipping container); and
means responsive to the receipt of said inspection fail status to indicate to a user the need for further inspection of said shipping container.
- a computer communications network comprising electronic communication means for receiving at least one comparison data set from the at least one detection device, the data set selected from the group consisting of an initial data set, a destination data set, and optionally one or more interim data sets;
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2. A method of inspecting a closed, self-contained shipping container comprising:
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detecting contents of a shipping container with one or more detection devices to obtain an initial data set; thereafter, detecting said contents of said shipping container using the one or more detection devices to obtain a destination data set, comparing said initial data set with destination data set; and
,detecting a difference between said initial data set and said destination data set to indicate tampering with and/or disturbance of said contents of said shipping container. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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- 10. An apparatus for inspecting a shipping container comprising a shipping container having an assigned serial number and at least one or more detection devices mounted at one or more fixed locations within said shipping container, wherein said one or more detection devices collect data relating to the contents of said shipping container during on-loading, off-loading, or during any transitory phase of said container'"'"'s transportation from point of origin to a final destination.
Specification