System and method for providing container security

• US 7,098,784 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: System Planning Corporation
• Inventors: Easley, Linda G., Martin, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/934,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073406A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/545.6, 340/585
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for monitoring the contents of a closed container is provided. The system includes a sensing system for monitoring the contents of the container; a signal receiving element for receiving sensor data from the sensing system; a control element for analyzing received sensor data; a first transceiver element for receiving signals containing sensor data from within the container and for transmitting those signals outside of the container; and a satellite transceiver element for receiving signals from the first transceiver element and for forwarding the received signals via satellite uplink to a remote location.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the contents of a closed container, the system comprising:

a sensing system, comprised of one or more sensors within the container for monitoring the contents of the container;

a signal receiving element positioned within the closed container for receiving sensor data from the sensing system;

a processing system disposed within the closed container, the processing system comprising a memory for storing predetermined conditions and a control element for analyzing received sensor data by comparing the received sensor data to stored predetermined conditions wherein the control element includes capabilities for declaring a security alert based on the comparison; and

a communications system incorporated in the closed container, the communication system comprising;

a first transceiver element positioned inside of the closed container for receiving signals containing sensor data from within the container and for transmitting those signals outside of the containers, and

a satellite transceiver element physically linked to the first transceiver element and disposed adjacent an outside surface of the closed container, the satellite transceiver element for receiving signals from the first transceiver element and for forwarding the received signals via satellite uplink to a remote location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors include at least one sensor from the group of sensors containing:

temperature sensor, visible light sensor, acoustic sensor, vibration sensor, motion sensor, microbolometer, and smoke detector.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the signals are transmitted from within the container to outside the container via a pass-through antenna.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the pass-through antenna comprises:

an internal antenna element configured to receive signals from within the container;

a substantially planar signal conduit element; and

an external antenna element configured to accept signals from the planar signal conduit element and allow those signals to transmit outside the container.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the external antenna element is configured as an end portion of the planar signal conduit element.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the planar signal conduit element is configured to reside within the door frame of the container.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensing system includes at least one door switch sensor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the door switch sensor comprises an RF e-Seal device.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensing system includes at least one sensor for measuring the integrity of the container.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the integrity of the container is determined at least in part by a measurement of ultrasonic waves.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the integrity of the container is determined at least in part by a measurement of reflected RF energy.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the integrity of the container is determined at least in part by a measurement of container conductivity.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the transported goods are marked with RFID tags and where the system includes an RFID reader for reading RFID tags.

14. A method for monitoring the status of a container for transporting goods, wherein the container includes sensors, the method comprising:

receiving data at a processing system within the container from at least one sensor within the container;

implementing a controller within the processing system for comparing the received sensor data against a predetermined condition stored in a memory of the processing system;

initiating a message from the controller in response to comparison between the received sensor data and the predetermined-condition related to the measured sensor data;

transmitting the initiated message as an RF signal from within the container to a satellite transceiver element outside the container, thereby initiating unprompted communication from inside of the container, wherein the RF signal is transmitted outside of the container via a passive antenna system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the passive antenna system comprises a passive antenna.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pass-through antenna comprises:

an internal antenna element configured to receive signals from within the container;

a external antenna element configured to accept signals from the planar signal conduit element and allow those signals to transmit outside the container.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the external antenna element is configured as an end portion of the planar signal conduit element.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the planar signal conduit element is configured to reside within the door frame of the container.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the transported goods are marked with RFID tags and where the container includes, as a sensor, an RFID reader for reading RFID tags, the method comprising the following additional steps:

creating a first electronic list of RFID tagged items loaded into the container;

storing the electronic list of RFID tagged items;

loading the container for transport;

monitoring the addition and removal of RFID tagged items to and from the container during transport;

monitoring the addition and removal of RFID tagged items to and from the container during transit;

creating an updated electronic list of RFID items based on the monitoring of the container during transit;

delivering the container to a target destination; and

reconciling the first electronic list of the stored RFID tagged items with the updated electronic list.

20. A method for monitoring the status of a container, the method comprising:

receiving data at a processing system within the container from at least one sensor within the container;

comparing the received sensor data against a predetermined condition stored in a memory of the processing system using a controller of the processing system;

initiating a message from the controller in response to the comparison between the received sensor data and the predetermined condition related to the measured sensor data;

transmitting the initiated message as an RF signal from within the container to a satellite transceiver element outside the container, wherein the RF signal is transmitted outside of the container via a wireless link integrated with a door switch sensor.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the door switch sensor comprises an input element for receiving signals from within the container, a door switch element, and an antenna element, at least a portion of which is substantially unobstructed when the container is sealed.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the antenna element comprises a substantially planar antenna configured from being located within the doorframe of the container when sealed.

23. In a system for monitoring the contents of a closed container comprising:

a sensing system, comprised of one or more sensors within the container for monitoring the contents of the container;

a signal receiving element for receiving sensor data from the sensing system;

a control element for analyzing received sensor data;

a first transceiver element for receiving signals containing sensor data from within the container and for transmitting those signals outside of the container; and

a satellite transceiver element for receiving signals from the first transceiver element and for forwarding the received signals via satellite uplink to a remote location, a passive antenna system comprising a pass-through antenna, the pass-through antenna comprising an internal antenna element configured to receive signals from within the container;

a substantially planar signal conduit element physically linked with the internal antenna element, and an external antenna element attached to the planar signal conduit element and configured to accept signals from the planar signal conduit element and allow those signals to transmit outside the container, wherein the external antenna element is configured as an end portion of the planar signal conduit element, and the external antenna element is disposed adjacent an outer surface of the closed container surface.

24. The passive antenna system of claim 23, wherein the planar signal conduit element is configured to reside within the door frame of the container.

25. A system for monitoring the contents of a closed container, the system comprising:

a sensing system, comprised of one or more sensors within the container for monitoring the container and the contents of the container including the system for monitoring;

a processing system disposed within the closed container, the processing system comprising

a signal receiving element positioned within the closed container for receiving sensor data from the sensing system;

a memory for storing predetermined conditions, and

a control element for analyzing received sensor data by comparing the received sensor data to stored predetermined conditions, wherein the control element includes capabilities for declaring a security alert based on the comparison, and

a communications system having at least one component internal to the closed container and at least one component external to the closed container, the communication system comprising;

an internal component including a communications manager module for facilitating bi-directional wireless communication between the inside of the container and the outside of the container, and

an external component for reporting its status from outside of the container to the processing system inside of the container.