TRACKING AND MONITORING DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR A SHIPPING CONTAINER
First Claim
1. A container device for a container tracking and monitoring system used for tracking a sea-worthy shipping container, said container device comprising:
- a sealed body section configured for withstanding harsh environments and for attachment to an inside surface of a container proximate a door frame thereof such that a first end of the body section protrudes through a gap in the door frame,one or more security sensors integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to a processing unit for detecting a respective security event, the processing unit being normally dormant so as to minimize power consumption,a global position sensor integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to the processing unit for providing a position signal,a cellular or satellite modem integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to the processing unit for providing data communication carrier via long range networks,a sealed battery housing within the body section for accommodating a battery for providing power to the container device and to the sensors and the cellular or satellite modem therein,a power management controller for monitoring battery power level and being responsive to sensor signals and external interrogation signals or interrupts for awakening the processing unit, andan antenna module mounted at the first end of the body section and coupled to the processing unit, said antenna module including at least one long-range antenna for effecting continuous real time tracking and communication with a remote tracking server for informing the tracking server of an instantaneous location in space of the container and any security events;
wherein;
the antenna module includes a short-range antenna for allowing short-range communication between respective devices in different containers, andthe processing unit is responsive to impaired long-range communication for conveying data to a nearby device in another container via the short-range antenna for relaying to the tracking server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tracking and monitoring device for a shipping container has a body section attachable to an inside surface of the container proximate the door frame such that an end protrudes through a gap in the door frame. Security sensors integrally mounted in the body section are coupled to a CPU for detecting a respective security event. A global position sensor in the body section provides a position signal, and a cellular or satellite modem and a long-range antenna in the body section allow long range communication with a remote monitoring center. Power is provided to the device and associated components via a battery. In order to minimize power consumption, the CPU is normally dormant and a power management controller monitors battery power level and awakens the CPU in response to sensor signals and external interrogation signals or interrupts.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A container device for a container tracking and monitoring system used for tracking a sea-worthy shipping container, said container device comprising:
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a sealed body section configured for withstanding harsh environments and for attachment to an inside surface of a container proximate a door frame thereof such that a first end of the body section protrudes through a gap in the door frame, one or more security sensors integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to a processing unit for detecting a respective security event, the processing unit being normally dormant so as to minimize power consumption, a global position sensor integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to the processing unit for providing a position signal, a cellular or satellite modem integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to the processing unit for providing data communication carrier via long range networks, a sealed battery housing within the body section for accommodating a battery for providing power to the container device and to the sensors and the cellular or satellite modem therein, a power management controller for monitoring battery power level and being responsive to sensor signals and external interrogation signals or interrupts for awakening the processing unit, and an antenna module mounted at the first end of the body section and coupled to the processing unit, said antenna module including at least one long-range antenna for effecting continuous real time tracking and communication with a remote tracking server for informing the tracking server of an instantaneous location in space of the container and any security events; wherein; the antenna module includes a short-range antenna for allowing short-range communication between respective devices in different containers, and the processing unit is responsive to impaired long-range communication for conveying data to a nearby device in another container via the short-range antenna for relaying to the tracking server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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3. (canceled)
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4. (canceled)
Specification