Container monitoring device

• US 7,176,793 B1
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory J. Hummer
• Original Assignee: Gregory J. Hummer
• Inventors: Hummer, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/998,324
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.1, 340/539.17, 340/539.26, 340/531, 340/540, 340/541, 340/568.1, 340/686.1, 340/426.1, 340/426.19, 340/426.22, 340/825.49, 340/825.69
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/012 using recorded signals, e.g. speech G08B25/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

A monitoring system for cargo containers coming into the United States from foreign countries, to detect any harmful contents, within the close container, which would prove dangerous to the American people. The system includes a unique flexible plastic strip in which are embedded, 1) a global positioning computer chip, 2) a power source, 3) an encrypted strip serial number computer chip, and thousands of nano detection devices.

Claims

1. A detection strip for an enclosed container, comprising:

a) many nano detectors for detecting materials, harmful to human beings, within an enclosed container and transmitting a corresponding resonance frequency,

b) a serial number computer chip for identifying the detection strip and transmitting a corresponding resonance frequency, and

c) a power source for operating the detection strip.

2. The detection strip of claim 1, which includes;

d) a global positioning system computer chip for identifying the origin and travel of the strip and container to which the strip is attached.

3. The detection strip of claim 2, wherein the detection strip is composed of a pliable and flexible plastic material in which the nano detectors and chips are embedded.

4. The detection strip of claim 3, wherein the power source is a low voltage, motion activated, power source.

5. The detection strip of claim 4, wherein the strip is calibrated to produce and transmit a distinct resonant frequency which is independent of any other frequencies transmitted from the detection strip.

6. The detection strip of claim 5, wherein the strip has a sticky backing with a protective cover which can be peeled off just before the strip is applied to the inside of a container.

7. The detection strip of claim 6, which includes at least one metal stud embedded in the sticky side of the strip for contacting metal walls of the container to facilitate and improve transmission of resonant frequencies from the detection strip inside a container.

8. The detection strip of claim 7, wherein the nano detectors thereof are designed to detect harmful materials of the group of harmful explosive, chemical, biological and radioactive materials, and illegal drugs.

9. The detection strip of claim 8, in combination with a monitoring device for receiving resonant frequencies from the detection strip and translating such frequencies into digital readouts on the monitoring device and further printouts by printers which may be remote from the monitoring device.

10. The detection strip of claim 9, wherein the monitoring device is stationary and remote from a container inside which a detection strip is located.

11. The detection strip of claim 9, wherein the monitoring device is a hand held device which is outside a container in which a detection strip is located.

12. The detection strip of claim 9, further in combination with an enclosed container which needs monitoring for said harmful materials.

13. The detection strip of claim 12, wherein the container is a standard, metal cargo container in which foreign products and foodstuffs are shipped into the United States of America.

14. The detection strip of claim 13, wherein a plurality of detection strips are used in every metal cargo contained entering the united States.

15. In combination:

a) an enclosed container in which cargo is transported into the United States from abroad,

b) means for detecting material, harmful to human beings, inside the container while the container is closed, said means including at least one pliable and flexible plastic detection strip secured to at least one wall of the container, the strip having embedded therein, I) a large number of nano detection devices for detecting such harmful material and transmitting corresponding resonance frequencies relative thereto into the ambient atmosphere outside the container, II) a global position system computer chip for transmitting into said ambient atmosphere, resonance frequencies corresponding to information regarding the point of origin of the detection strip inside the closed container and the subsequent travel of the container to the United States, III) a serial number computer chip for identifying the detection strip and transmitting into said ambient atmosphere, a resonance frequency corresponding thereto, and IV) a low voltage power source for operating the nano detection devices and the computer chips, and

c) a device outside the container for monitoring said resonant frequencies emanating from the container and translating said resonance frequencies into a digital readout which can be printed.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the container is metal, and the at least one detection strip has a sticky back side adhering to the adjacent container wall, the detection strip having at least one metal strip on the sticky back side of the detection strip for contacting the metal container.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the power source is activated by motion of the container.