Cargo Anti-Theft Protection Systems, Apparatus, and Methods

• US 20160082925A1
• Filed: 04/16/2015
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuve, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nuve,LLC
• Inventors: Arocha, Antonio, Tsogbe, Elom, Greig, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,789,853 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/34 of conditions of vehicle components, e.g. of windows, door locks or gear selectors

Abstract

Cargo anti-theft systems, apparatus, and related methods. Anti-theft controllers of embodiments are configured to sense the openings of cargo switches and to electronically operate locks responsive thereto. Moreover, the switches are mechanically coupled to the access points in manners such that the access points cannot be opened without opening the switches. Some controllers are configured to output signals indicative of openings of the switches while some are configured to unlock the locks only in pre-selected geo-zones. The pre-selected voltages, moreover, can differ from 12 VDC and can be user-selected. Furthermore, controllers can be configured to sense (modifiable) PINs associated with openings of the cargo switches. The controllers can include a coupler which securely couples it to the vehicle. It can also be configured to sense a position of the lock. Such controllers, furthermore, can be configured to lock the lock responsive to the lock position and/or can comprise a battery.

Claims

1. A cargo anti-theft protection controller comprising:

a cargo switch input configured to sense a ground of a cargo vehicle through a cargo switch;

an output configured to be in communication with an electronically operated lock; and

a circuit in communication with the input and the output and being configured to detect an opening of the cargo switch via a pre-selected voltage at the cargo switch input and, responsive thereto, to activate the lock via the output;

wherein the cargo switch to be mechanically coupled to a cargo access point on the cargo vehicle in such a manner that the cargo access point cannot be opened without opening the cargo switch.

2. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a geo-positioning output in communication with the circuit, the circuit being further configured to output a signal indicative of the opening of the cargo switch via the geo-positioning output.

3. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a geo-zone input and being further configured to output a signal via the output to unlock the lock only in pre-selected geo-zones.

4. The controller of claim 1 wherein the pre-selected voltage differs from 12 VDC.

5. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a user input configured to accept a user-selected voltage, the controller being further configured to change the pre-selected voltage to the user-selected voltage.

6. The controller of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to sense a PIN (personal identification number) associated with openings and closings of the cargo switch.

7. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical coupler configured to securely couple the controller to the cargo vehicle.

8. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a lock position input and wherein the controller is further configured to sense a position of the lock via the lock position input and to sense whether the lock position input is electronically open.

9. The controller of claim 8 further wherein the controller is further configured to output a signal indicative that the lock should lock responsive to the position of the lock.

10. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a battery configured to power the controller.

11. The controller of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to change a PIN (Personal Identification Number) associated with openings and closings of the cargo switch.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a geo-positioning output in communication with the circuit, the circuit being further configured to output a signal indicative of the opening of the cargo switch via the geo-positioning output.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a geo-zone input and being further configured to output a signal via the output to unlock the lock only in pre-selected geo-zones.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the pre-selected voltage differs from 12 VDC.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a user input configured to accept a user-selected voltage, the controller being further configured to change the pre-selected voltage to the user-selected voltage.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to sense a PIN (personal identification number) associated with openings and closings of the cargo switch.

18. The system of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical coupler configured to securely couple the controller to the cargo vehicle.

19. The system of claim 1 further comprising a lock position input and wherein the controller is further configured to sense a position of the lock via the lock position input.

12. An anti-theft protection system comprising:

a controller further comprising,

a cargo switch input configured to sense a ground of a cargo vehicle through a cargo switch;

an output configured to be in communication with an electronically operated lock; and

a circuit in communication with the input and the output and being configured to detect an opening of the cargo switch via a pre-selected voltage at the cargo switch input and, responsive thereto, to activate the lock via the output;

a cargo switch in electrical communication with the cargo switch input;

an electronically operated lock in communication with the output; and

a mechanical coupling wherein the cargo switch is mechanically coupled to a cargo access point on the cargo vehicle in such a manner that the cargo access point cannot be opened without opening the cargo switch.

20. A method of protecting cargo comprising:

sensing a ground of a cargo vehicle through a cargo switch;

using a circuit in communication with the cargo switch to detect the opening of the cargo switch via a pre-selected voltage;

responsive thereto, and using the circuit, activating a lock positioned at a cargo access point on the cargo vehicle;

wherein the cargo switch is mechanically coupled to the cargo access point in such a manner that the cargo access point cannot be opened without opening the cargo switch;

outputting a signal indicative of the opening of the cargo switch to a geo-positioning circuit in communication with the circuit;

sensing a PIN (personal identification number) associated with openings and closings of the cargo switch.