Electronic security system for monitoring and recording activity and data relating to cargo
First Claim
1. A tracking system for use in identifying contents of a container, the container having an associated data set indicative of the container contents and parameters thereof, said system comprising:
- an electromagnetic identification apparatus attached to said container for providing an electromagnetic signal indicative of said container content data set;
a writer for use in encoding said electromagnetic signal indicative of said container content data set onto said electromagnetic identification apparatus;
a controller for receiving said encoded signal corresponding to said container content data set and for storing said encoded signal in a master database storage apparatus;
a reader configured outside said container for communicating with said electromagnetic identification apparatus and for receiving said encoded signal therefrom and corresponding to said container content data signal set, said reader also for providing said controller with signals indicative of the same;
wherein said electromagnetic identification apparatus includes a plurality of associated electromagnetic identification tags, each of said tags associated with a corresponding one of an element corresponding to said contents of said container;
an apparatus for generating an aggregate electromagnetic signature signal-associated with the corresponding content signals associated with each of the plurality of electromagnetic identification tags;
an apparatus for storing said electromagnetic signature associated with said container contents on said master database storage mechanism;
an apparatus for polling said master database storage mechanism to access signals thereon corresponding to the aggregate signature;
an apparatus for comparing the contents of said aggregate signature signals obtained from said reader with said aggregate signature signals stored on said master database storage mechanism; and
an apparatus for generating an alarm signal if a discrepancy between said aggregate signature signals obtained from said reader as compared to those aggregate signature signals stored in said master database is detected.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tracking system for identifying contents of a container includes an electromagnetic identification apparatus that provides an electromagnetic signal indicative of a container content data set; a writer for use in encoding the container signal onto the apparatus; a controller for receiving the encoded signal and for storing the signal in a master database storage apparatus; and a reader configured outside the container for communicating with the electromagnetic identification apparatus and for receiving the encoded signal therefrom and corresponding to the container content data signal set. A system for tracking items in an assembly includes an apparatus for receiving electromagnetic identification tag signals; an apparatus for creating a first tier aggregate signature; an apparatus for storing the signature in a master database; and an apparatus for receiving modifying command signals for creating a second tier aggregate signature corresponding to a modified set of electromagnetic identification tags in an augmented assembly.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tracking system for use in identifying contents of a container, the container having an associated data set indicative of the container contents and parameters thereof, said system comprising:
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an electromagnetic identification apparatus attached to said container for providing an electromagnetic signal indicative of said container content data set; a writer for use in encoding said electromagnetic signal indicative of said container content data set onto said electromagnetic identification apparatus; a controller for receiving said encoded signal corresponding to said container content data set and for storing said encoded signal in a master database storage apparatus; a reader configured outside said container for communicating with said electromagnetic identification apparatus and for receiving said encoded signal therefrom and corresponding to said container content data signal set, said reader also for providing said controller with signals indicative of the same; wherein said electromagnetic identification apparatus includes a plurality of associated electromagnetic identification tags, each of said tags associated with a corresponding one of an element corresponding to said contents of said container; an apparatus for generating an aggregate electromagnetic signature signal-associated with the corresponding content signals associated with each of the plurality of electromagnetic identification tags; an apparatus for storing said electromagnetic signature associated with said container contents on said master database storage mechanism; an apparatus for polling said master database storage mechanism to access signals thereon corresponding to the aggregate signature; an apparatus for comparing the contents of said aggregate signature signals obtained from said reader with said aggregate signature signals stored on said master database storage mechanism; and an apparatus for generating an alarm signal if a discrepancy between said aggregate signature signals obtained from said reader as compared to those aggregate signature signals stored in said master database is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for tracking items in an assembly, the assembly including a plurality of individual items, each item having an electromagnetic identification tag encoded with information specific to that item, with each identification tag capable of providing electromagnetic signals indicative of the encoded item information, said system comprising:
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a means for receiving said electromagnetic identification tag signals; a means for creating from said received electromagnetic identification tag signals a first tier aggregate signature corresponding to signals indicative of a select set of electromagnetic identification tags in said assembly; a means for storing said first tier aggregate signature signals in a master database; a means for receiving modifying command signals for creating a second tier aggregate signature signal corresponding to a modified set of electromagnetic identification tags in an augmented assembly; and a means for comparing stored aggregate signature signals with currently received aggregate signature signals and generating an alarm signal should said comparison indicate a discrepancy between the signals associated with the stored aggregate signature signals and those which comprise said currently received aggregate signal set. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A system for managing items in a collection, the collection including a plurality of received goods marked with electromagnetic identification tags having encoded information, each tag being capable of providing electromagnetic signals indicative of the encoded information, said system comprising:
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a means for receiving electromagnetic signals from electromagnetic identification tags; a means for creating a first aggregate signature corresponding to said electromagnetic signals from said electromagnetic identification tags; a means for notifying a consignee of the goods of the arrival of said goods; a means for creating a second aggregate signature corresponding to said electromagnetic signals from said electromagnetic identification tags; a means for comparing said first aggregate signature to said second aggregate signature to determine any discrepancies between said first and second aggregate signatures; and a means for transferring information indicative of the comparison of said first and second aggregate signatures to a database maintained by said consignee.
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17. A security system for monitoring a container carrying cargo therein, said cargo being comprised of a plurality of items, said security system comprising:
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a primary tier electronic data tag placed in contact with an outside surface of said container, said primary tier electronic data tag being capable of selectively communicating to a polling means when said container has been tampered with; a plurality of secondary tier electronic data tags, each of said items having one of said plurality of secondary tier electronic data tags thereon; said primary tier electronic data tag also being capable of communicating aggregate cargo data comprised of predetermined information indicative of each of said items to said polling means; and a comparison means for comparing said aggregate cargo data to said predetermined information.
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Specification