Integrated cargo security system
First Claim
1. An integrated cargo transportation security system for use with a fleet of enclosed cargo transportation containers, each container having at least one access door enabling cargo to be loaded and unloaded, the system including for at a said container:
- door sensor means for sensing and putting out a door status signal when the access door is open and when it is closed,a module unit associated with the container, each module unit including means for receiving a removable module and including cabling leading to said door sensor means,a removable module for each module unit lookable mounting into a housing of the unit by security personnel,a central data collection and processing facility for receiving cargo trip data collected by at least one active module during a cargo trip of a said container of the fleet and for processing the cargo trip data into a roadmap indicating travel route of the said container during the trip and time and location of significant events such as unauthorized opening of the cargo door during the trip,the said module unit in combination with an active module including a self contained power supply, incremental distance detection means for detecting incremental distance travelled by said container, direction sensing means for sensing the direction of travel of said container, clock means for generating clock signals corresponding to the time interval of the trip, central processing means connected to the door sensor means, the power supply, the incremental distance detection means, the direction sensing means and the clock means for generating a sequence of status numbers indicative of accumulated incremental distance, direction, time and door status, and any tampering with the module unit, and memory means for storing the said sequence during the trip,the system including means for transferring the sequence stored in the memory means to the central data collection and processing facility.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated cargo transportation security system is provided for a fleet of enclosed cargo transportation containers. Each container includes a subsystem including a door sensor for sensing access door opening and closure, a module unit including a connecting frame for a removable module and cabling leading to the door sensor. The identically appearing removable modules are of two types: active and passive. Each locks into the unit. The system includes a central data collection and processing facility for processing cargo trip data collected by at least one active module during a cargo trip of the container into a roadmap indicating travel route of the container during the trip and the time and location of significant events such as unauthorized opening of the cargo door. The module unit having an active module includes a self contained power supply, an incremental distance detector for detecting incremental distance travelled by said container, a direction sensor for sensing the direction of travel of the container during the trip, a clock, a central processor for generating a sequence of status numbers indicative of accumulated incremental distance, direction, time and door status, and a memory for storing the sequence during the trip. The system further includes means for transferring the status number sequence to the central data collection and processing facility. A radio link may be provided to connect the container module to the central data facility in real time, and may be operated by authorized personnel at the container to signal predetermined conditions to the central facility.
428 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An integrated cargo transportation security system for use with a fleet of enclosed cargo transportation containers, each container having at least one access door enabling cargo to be loaded and unloaded, the system including for at a said container:
-
door sensor means for sensing and putting out a door status signal when the access door is open and when it is closed, a module unit associated with the container, each module unit including means for receiving a removable module and including cabling leading to said door sensor means, a removable module for each module unit lookable mounting into a housing of the unit by security personnel, a central data collection and processing facility for receiving cargo trip data collected by at least one active module during a cargo trip of a said container of the fleet and for processing the cargo trip data into a roadmap indicating travel route of the said container during the trip and time and location of significant events such as unauthorized opening of the cargo door during the trip, the said module unit in combination with an active module including a self contained power supply, incremental distance detection means for detecting incremental distance travelled by said container, direction sensing means for sensing the direction of travel of said container, clock means for generating clock signals corresponding to the time interval of the trip, central processing means connected to the door sensor means, the power supply, the incremental distance detection means, the direction sensing means and the clock means for generating a sequence of status numbers indicative of accumulated incremental distance, direction, time and door status, and any tampering with the module unit, and memory means for storing the said sequence during the trip, the system including means for transferring the sequence stored in the memory means to the central data collection and processing facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification