Expediting release procedure of cargo container at border crossing or at customs entry point by tracking and reporting threats while cargo container is in transit

• US 7,312,702 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Erudite Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Erudite Holding LLC
• Inventors: Willms, Paul H, Rothkopf, Jesse David
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/063,436
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/5.81, 340/545.6, 340/539.13, 3405721-5729, 705/1
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0831 Overseas transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 31/00 Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data

Abstract

A method of expediting a release procedure of at least one cargo container at least one border crossing or at least one customs entry point by detecting each statistically significant threat (SST) signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit, and by tracking and reporting to an appropriate party the position coordinates and a security status of each cargo container that generated at least one said SST signal. The appropriate party is selected from the group consisting of: {Homeland Security agency; and a cargo security agency}. The cargo security agency is further selected from the group consisting of: {a consignee; a steamship line; a customs broker; a freight forwarder; and a terminal operator}.

Claims

1. A method of expediting a release procedure of at least one cargo container at at least one border crossing or at at least one customs entry point by detecting each statistically significant threat (SST) signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit, and by tracking and reporting to an appropriate party the position coordinates and a security status of each said cargo container that generated at least one said SST signal, wherein said appropriate party is selected from the group consisting of:

{Homeland Security agency; and

a cargo security agency};

wherein said cargo security agency is further selected from the group consisting of;

{a consignee;

a steamship line;

a customs broker;

a freight forwarder; and

a terminal operator};

said method comprising the steps of;

(A) detecting at least one said SST signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit;

wherein each said SST signal generates a threat signal having a threat probability higher than a predetermined threshold;

(B) if at least one said SST signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit was detected, identifying each said cargo container that generated at least one said SST signal and classifying the security status of each said cargo container as a Potential Threat (PT) cargo container;

wherein each said cargo container that was not classified as said PT cargo container is classified as having a security status of an Expedited Release Procedure (ERP) cargo container;

(C) tracking and reporting position coordinates and said security status of each said PT cargo container to each said appropriate party;

(D) tracking and reporting position coordinates and said security status of each said ERP cargo container to each said appropriate party;

(E1,

     1) compiling a set of security data indicating a security status for each said container while in transit;

(E1,

     2) analyzing said set of security data compiled in said step (E1,

     1);

(E1,

     3) if said set of security data includes an ERP status for each said container in said cargo shipment, making a determination of whether said cargo shipment including said plurality N of said ERP cargo containers should be immediately released into commerce;

and

(E1,

     4) if said set of security data indicates a change from an ERP security status to a PT security status for an integer K number of said ERP containers, making a determination of whether said cargo shipment including a plurality (N-K) of said ERP cargo containers and a plurality K of containers with indefinite security status (ISS) should be inspected before said cargo shipment is released into commerce.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (E1, 4) of making said determination of whether said cargo shipment including said plurality (N-K) of said ERP cargo containers and said plurality K of ISS containers should be inspected before said cargo shipment is released into commerce, further comprises the steps of:

(E1, 4,

     1) setting a set of threshold numbers;

and

(E1, 4,

     2) determining a number of containers N_inspected to be inspected depending on the relationship between said K number of ISS containers and each said threshold number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (E1, 4) of making said determination of whether said cargo shipment including said plurality (N-K) of said ERP cargo containers and said plurality K of ISS containers should be inspected before said cargo shipment is released into commerce, further comprises the steps of:

(E1, 4,

     3) setting a set of threshold numbers {N_threshold1;

N_threshold2;

N_threshold3;

. . . N<sub>threshold(L−

1)</sub>;

N_thresholdL}};

L being an integer;

and

(E1, 4,

     4) determining a number of containers N_inspected to be inspected depending on the relationship between said K number of ISS containers and each said threshold number, wherein said N_inspected is equal to zero if said K number is less than or equal to said first threshold number N_threshold1; and

wherein said N_inspected is equal to said first threshold number N_threshold1 if said K number is less than or equal to said second threshold number N_threshold2; and

wherein said N_inspected is equal to said second threshold number N_threshold2 if said K number is less than or equal to said third threshold number N_threshold3; and

wherein said N_inspected is equal to said (L−

1) threshold number N<sub>threshold(L−

1)</sub> if said K number is less than or equal to said last threshold number N_thresholdL.

4. A method of expediting a release procedure of at least one cargo container at least one border crossing or at least one customs entry point by detecting each statistically significant threat (SST) signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit, and by tracking and reporting to an appropriate party the position coordinates and a security status of each said cargo container that generated at least one said SST signal, wherein said appropriate party is selected from the group consisting of:

{Homeland Security agency; and

a cargo security agency};

wherein said cargo security agency is further selected from the group consisting of;

{a consignee;

a steamship line;

a customs broker;

a freight forwarder; and

a terminal operator};

said method comprising the steps of;

(A) detecting at least one said SST signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit;

wherein each said SST signal generates a threat signal having a threat probability higher than a predetermined threshold;

(B) if at least one said SST signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit was detected, identifying each said cargo container that generated at least one said SST signal and classifying the security status of each said cargo container as a Potential Threat (PT) cargo container;

wherein each said cargo container that was not classified as said PT cargo container is classified as having a security status of an Expedited Release Procedure (ERP) cargo container;

(C) tracking and reporting position coordinates and said security status of each said PT cargo container to each said appropriate party;

(D) tracking and reporting position coordinates and said security status of each said ERP cargo container to each said appropriate party;

and

(E2) using a secure ERP website-base system to expedite said release procedure at said at least one border crossing or at said at least one customs entry point of each said ERP cargo container;

wherein said secure ERP website-based system is configured to collect and to process a set of combined data selected from the group consisting of;

{a set of normal commercial transaction data;

a set of transport data;

a set of RFID data;

a set of satellite navigational tracking data;

a set of threat signal data; and

a set of security status data};

wherein said set of combined data is a collection of inputs from a supply chain selected from the group consisting of;

{each said container entering said at least one border crossing or at said at least one customs entry point;

said customs at said at least one destination country;

a network of shippers;

a network of consignees;

a network of forwarders;

a plurality of terminals; and

a network of carriers}.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step (E2) of using said secure ERP web-site based system to expedite said release procedure at said at least one border crossing or at said at least one customs entry point of each said ERP cargo container further comprises the steps of:

(E2,

     1) utilizing said set of data selected from the group consisting of;

{said RFID data;

said set of satellite navigational tracking data; and

said set of threat signal data} to indicate a physical location of at least one said ISS cargo container that will be submitted for customs clearance within a predetermined distance and time of arrival from a port of discharge and/or port of entry, wherein each said ISS cargo container has generated at least one said previously undetected SST (PUSST) signal;

and wherein the current location of each said ISS cargo container is posted on said secure ERP website; and

wherein a predetermined number of said ISS cargo containers in said cargo shipment should be physically inspected at said at least one border crossing or at said at least one customs entry point or at port of customs entry;

and

(E2,

     2) using said secure ERP website-based system configured to enable the preparation and population of a set of ERP data documentation for said expedite release procedure for each ERP cargo container including a set of data selected from the group consisting of;

{a set of commercial invoices;

a set of packing lists;

a set of manifests;

a set of Bills of Lading;

a set of commercial documents including a certificate of origin, manufacturer safety data sheets, pre-shipment cargo inspection reports, documentary collections, quota certificates, solid wood packing declarations; and

a set of customs entry data};

wherein each said ERP cargo container is immediately released into the stream of commerce without being physically inspected at said border crossing or at said at least one customs entry point.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step (E2, 2) of using said secure ERP website-based system configured to enable the preparation and population of said set of ERP data documentation for said expedite release procedure for each ERP cargo container further comprises the steps of:

(E2, 2,

     1) securing a set of ERP-enabling data collected on a website/portal of said secure ERP website-based system;

wherein said ERP-enabling data is selected from the group consisting of;

{a consignee data including a customs broker data;

a shipper data;

a carrier data including a port/terminal data from said port of departure; and

a customs/Automated Brokerage Interface (ABI)/Other Governmental Agency (OGA) data};

wherein said ERP-enabling data comes from each said appropriate party located anywhere in the world;

(E2, 2,

     2) disseminating said set of ERP-enabling data to each said appropriate party;

wherein said appropriate party is selected from the group consisting of;

{said consignee;

a customs broker;

said shipper;

said carrier;

said port and terminal operator;

said customs;

a designated agent of said consignee;

a designated agent of said customs broker;

a designated agent of said shipper;

a designated agent of said carrier;

a designated agent of said port and terminal operator; and

a designated agent of said customs};

and

(E2, 2,

     3) establishing a shipper verification system that provides a positive assurance that said new cargo shipment is secure throughout the entire supply chain.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step (E2, 2, 3) of establishing said shipper verification system further comprises the steps of:

(E2, 2, 3,

     1) establishing a global network of authorized unprejudiced agents that could complete an initial verification on each particular shipper to make sure that said shipper has established a safety procedure that conforms to the USA government, or to a set of international standards yet to be determined;

(E2, 2, 3,

     2) nominating an employee of the company to be named a security officer, or an ‘

empowered person’

that is responsible for supervising loading of each new cargo shipment and declaring each cargo container safe before it is sealed;

wherein said security officer confirms that the documentation is correct and no smuggling is intended; and

wherein said security officer confirms that each said cargo container is sealed;

(E2, 2, 3,

     3) entering the verification data linked to a unique shipper ID code into a verification database by said authorized unprejudiced agent;

wherein said unique shipper ID code is similar to or is directly tied to the customs concept of a Manufacturer ID code; and

wherein said shipper is enrolled into a database of “

known”

shippers once said shipper ID code has been entered into said verification database; and

wherein said verification database and said known “

shippers”

database are accessible via said secure ERP website-based system by a user having a proper registered username and a proper registered password;

and

(E2, 2, 3,

     4) declaring said cargo safe from said SST signals to Homeland Security, conforming said cargo with said set of issued commercial documentation, and initiating the physical movement of said cargo after the shipper is verified.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said step (E2, 2) of using said secure ERP website-based system configured to enable the preparation and population of said set of ERP data documentation for customs entry transmission for each said ERP cargo container further comprises the steps of:

(E2, 2,

     4) obtaining an account by a party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment with a website/portal provider of said secure ERP website-based system and or/obtaining an account by said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment directly with customs at said country of destination, wherein said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment is selected from the group consisting of;

{a consignee;

a shipper;

or a third party that is responsible for the payment and coordination of the cargo shipment};

(E2, 2,

     5) logging in into one said account by said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment to generate a new cargo shipment that is identified by a unique cargo shipment number;

(E2, 2,

     6) generating a purchase order by said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment;

(E2, 2,

     7) generating a commercial invoice by said shipper;

(E2, 2,

     8) generating a manifest transmission &

Bill of Lading (B/L) info by said carrier and/or a freight forwarder;

(E2, 2,

     9) performing review of Entry Data by said customs broker and/or an importer of record and said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment to correct any possible errors or to make clarifications before transmission;

(E2, 2,

     10) generating a signal to trigger transmission of customs entry by said website/portal when a cargo container is within a predetermined length of time away from arrival at a physical border;

(E2, 2,

     11) disseminating said customs release data to appropriate parties by customs via said website/portal;

(E2, 2,

     12) disseminating said cargo release data by said carrier and or said freight forwarders to each said appropriate parties via said website/portal;

and

(E2, 2,

     13) reverting to the standard methods of submission of customs entry and documents (via traditional ABI transmission or by submitting hard copies of actual documents) to customs in the event that any said data is missing or rejected or if customs or other governmental agency is to more closely review the shipping and commercial documents;

wherein said standard methods of submission of customs entry and documents include using a standard customs rejection procedure and filing of a correction procedure if any said data is missing or rejected.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step (E2, 2, 5) further comprises the following step:

(E2, 2, 5,

     1) linking an account of said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment to a set of data selected from the group consisting of;

{a predetermined PIN # and/or password;

a Federal Tax ID# of said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment;

a Bond type;

a surety code;

a primary delivery warehouse;

a set of delivery locations;

a list or database of the Harmonized Tariff numbers for all imported goods for said party who is responsible for payment and coordination of said cargo shipment; and

a set of relevant customs binding rulings}.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said step (E2, 2, 6) further comprises the following steps:

(E2, 2, 6,

     1) using said PIN# to generate said purchase order based on a set of data selected from the group consisting of;

{a supplier contact info;

a consignee contact info;

a number of pieces being purchased;

a purchase price per item;

a currency of transaction;

customs harmonized Codes for each item being purchased and/or shipped;

Commercial Bill of Lading (B/L) Description of goods;

Purchaser=s sku #s of the goods;

date of purchase order;

INCO Terms;

a desired mode of transport;

a desired carrier;

related parties (yes/no);

an Importer=s account number including Federal Tax ID#;

binding ruling number;

an ach payment type;

OGA filing codes; and

final delivery address and contact info};

(E2, 2, 6,

     2) using said PIN# to control access to said new cargo shipment and to grant access to said new cargo shipment to a set of appropriate parties selected from the group consisting of;

{at least one shipper;

at least one custom broker;

at least one forwarder; and

at least one carrier};

(E2, 2, 6,

     3) using said PIN# to update a set of account data selected from the group consisting of;

{an update to delivery address;

an update to customs entry;

an update in value; and

other relevant updates that may occur while the cargo shipment is enroute};

and

(E2, 2, 6,

     4) establishing an audit trail with each update of said account data to specifically identify a party which is responsible for the relevant updates, or to specifically identify a party which authorized the relevant updates.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said step (E2, 2, 7) further comprises the following step:

(E2, 2, 7,

     1) confirming a set of data selected from the group consisting of;

{a supplier contact info;

a consignee contact info;

a number of pieces being shipped;

a sales price per item and a total price;

a currency of transaction;

a commercial Bill of Lading (B/L) description of goods;

seller=s sku #s of the goods;

a date of invoice;

INCO Terms;

a mode of transport;

a type of packaging units of measure;

a SWP declaration;

a net weight/gross weight/volume;

a number of containers;

a type of equipment;

a seal number;

a vessel;

a voyage #;

a SCAT code;

BL#s; and

a country of origin per item}.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said step (E2, 2, 8) further comprises the following steps:

(E2, 2, 8,

     1) sending a manifest to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and initiating data for Bills of Lading and Arrival Notice by specifying a set of data selected from the group consisting of;

{a port of Lading;

a port of Unlading;

a place of delivery;

IT #s and dates; and

bonded carrier details};

and

(E2, 2, 8,

     2) confirming arrival of said cargo shipment at loading pier by using a Smart Container lock/Strongbox device.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said step (E2, 2, 10) further comprises the following steps:

(E2, 2, 10,

     1) confirming that said cargo shipment of containers is nearing a physical border crossing or is nearing customs entry point by using said navigational and said container ID technology;

(E2, 2, 10,

     2) checking a plurality of alarm events associated with said container cargo shipment;

and

(E2, 2, 10,

     3) compiling a set of customs entry relevant data selected from the group consisting of;

{a customs location code at port of entry;

a central exam site;

values and weight calculations per Customs requirements;

freight charges;

statistical quantities;

manufactures ID Code;

units of measure;

Duty;

MPF;

HMF;

CVD;

a Bond #; and

an ACH Payment type}.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said step (E2, 2, 10, 2) of checking said plurality of alarm events associated with said container cargo shipment further comprises the following step:

increasing the frequency of periodically checking alarm events associated with said SST signals when said cargo ship approaches an arrival port.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said step (E2, 2, 10, 2) of checking said plurality of alarm events associated with said container cargo shipment further comprises the following step:

programming the frequency of periodically checking alarm events associated with said SST signals to take into account nearing approach to a harbor.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said step (E2, 2, 10, 2) of checking said plurality of alarm events associated with said container cargo shipment further comprises the following step:

unloading of additional testing to be performed as the ship is within the 12 mile international water boundary limit of any country, whether a destination country or not.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein said step (E2, 2, 11) further comprises the following steps:

(E2, 2, 11,

     1) checking whether customs has indicated that said cargo shipment is cleared and able to be released into commerce;

(E2, 2, 11,

     2) checking Customs 7501 form;

wherein said Customs 7501 form known as the >

Entry Summary=details a set of substantially significant data that is required to be submitted to customs prior to release;

(E2, 2, 11,

     3) checking Customs 3461 form;

wherein said Customs 3461 form is signed by customs or a responsible broker upon release of goods from customs;

and

(E2, 2, 11,

     4) initiating any other liquidation data or administrative messages.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein said step (E2, 2, 12) further comprises the following step:

(E2, 2, 12,

     1) disseminating said cargo released data in a method similar to the current Automated Manifest System (AMS).