Intelligent multi purpose early warning system for shipping containers, components therefor and methods of making the same

• US 7,394,363 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2006
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bahador Ghahramani
• Original Assignee: Bahador Ghahramani
• Inventors: Ghahramani, Bahador
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US11/640,679
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/521, 340/540, 340/541, 340/572.1, 340/539.29, 340/539.1, 340/632, 340/550, 340/331, 340/545.6, 340/522, 340/309.16, 340/5.8, 340/5.92, 340/539, 235/384, 235/385, 705/28, 700/299, 700/301, 702/19, 702/22, 702/130, 702/140
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19608 Tracking movement of a target, e.g. by detecting an object predefined as a target, using target direction and or velocity to predict its new position
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0233 System arrangements with pre-alarms, e.g. when a first distance is exceeded
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

A multipurpose sensing system of detecting, qualifying and quantifying a potential threat to national security comprises a multipurpose sensing module associated with each cargo carrying container. The system tracks the instantaneous location of each cargo carrying container with the multipurpose sensing module on board each cargo carrying container sampling the contents thereof for the presence of material selected from the group comprising nuclear, biological and chemical grade weapons material. The multipurpose sensing module has an external signaling device associated therewith, the external signaling device disposed remote from the multipurpose sensing module and externally of the cargo carrying container wherein the external signaling device is lighted when the multipurpose sensing module senses the presence of the material and wherein the external signaling device remaining activated until corrective action has been taken to neutralize the material and return the cargo carrying container to a safe state.

Claims

1. A multipurpose sensing module for a multipurpose early warning security system for a cargo transport container, said multipurpose sensing module comprising at least one circuit board, at least one power supply, a housing, a plurality of sensors for sensing a plurality of parameters, a means for communicating, a means for activating, a means for identification, a means for alerting, a switching module and a means for signaling, said plurality of sensors consisting of at least one sensor capable of detecting a presence of live humans, at least one sensor capable of detecting a biological hazard, at least one sensor capable of detecting a chemical hazard, and at least one sensor capable of detecting radioactive material thus constituting a means for detection of environmental hazards, weapons or personnel, wherein each particular sensor of said plurality of sensors independently performs a different function and has an initial state that outputs a null signal indicating absence of a sampling parameter associated with said particular sensor of said plurality of sensors and wherein said means for detection outputs a positive signal indicating presence of said sampling parameter for said particular sensor, said means for communicating transmitting data to at least one remote station, said at least one remote station providing information gathered by said multipurpose sensing module to a data processing center through a satellite communications system, said data processing center distributing said information to end users through an end user communications system.

2. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 1 wherein a sampling sequence for each said sensor of said plurality of sensors is independently set to sample at an interval selected from the group comprising random, continuous and timed by said means for activating on command from said remote station.

3. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 1 wherein said at least one circuit board, said at least one power supply, said sensors for sensing a plurality of parameters, said means for communicating said means for activating and said means for identification are securely mounted within said housing and said means for signaling is disposed external of said housing.

4. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 3 wherein said means for signaling comprises at least one antenna.

5. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 4 wherein said antenna of said means for signaling is affixed to an external wall of said housing.

6. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 3 wherein said means for signaling comprises at least one signaling lighting assembly.

7. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 6 wherein said signaling lighting assembly of said means for signaling is affixed to an external wall of said housing.

8. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 7 wherein said signaling lighting assembly of said means for signaling is activated by said means for alerting when any sensor indicates a positive signal, said means for alerting activating a switching module which changes a state of said means for signaling.

9. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 6 wherein said signaling lighting assembly of said means for signaling is disposed remote from said housing.

10. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 9 wherein said signaling lighting assembly of said means for signaling is activated by said means for alerting when any sensor indicates a positive signal, said means for alerting activating a switching module which changes a state of said means for signaling.

11. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 10 wherein said switching module of said means for alerting feeds a positive signal to a transmitter.

12. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 9 wherein said signaling lighting assembly of said means for signaling is disposed on an external wall of said cargo container.

13. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 9 wherein said signaling lighting assembly of said means for signaling is disposed remote from said cargo container.

14. A portable multipurpose sensing module for a cargo transport container, said multipurpose sensing module comprising at least one circuit board, at least one power supply, a housing, a plurality of sensors for sensing a plurality of parameters, a means for communicating, a means for activating, a means for identification, a means for alerting, a switching module and a means for signaling, said plurality of sensors consisting of at least one sensor capable of detecting a presence of live humans, at least one sensor capable of detecting a biological hazard, at least one sensor capable of detecting a chemical hazard, and at least one sensor capable of detecting radioactive material thus constituting a means for detection of environmental hazards, weapons or personnel, wherein each particular sensor of said plurality of sensors independently performs a different function and has an initial state that outputs a null signal indicating absence of a sampling parameter associated with said particular sensor of said plurality of sensors and wherein said means for detection outputs a positive signal indicating presence of said sampling parameter for said particular sensor, said means for communicating transmitting data to at least one remote station.

15. A portable multipurpose sensing module for a cargo transport container as in claim 14 which may be manually carried by persons selected from the group consisting of an authorized loading officer, security official, transporting master, authorized unloading officer, law enforcement personnel, surveillance personnel or military authority for detecting unauthorized material or personnel in or around said container during loading, transporting or unloading processes.

16. A portable multipurpose sensing module as in claim 14 which may be employed during transit of said container for monitoring the environment in and around said container.

17. A portable multipurpose sensing module as in claim 14 which is useful in maintaining integrity of said container while said container is empty by monitoring the environment in and around said container while an onboard multipurpose early warning module is in an inactive state.

18. A multipurpose sensing module for a cargo transport container, said multipurpose sensing module comprising at least one circuit board, a housing, a plurality of sensors for sensing a plurality of parameters, a means for communicating, a means for activating, a means for identification, a means for alerting, a switching module and a means for signaling, said plurality of sensors consisting of at least one sensor capable of detecting a presence of live humans, at least one sensor capable of detecting a biological hazard, at least one sensor capable of detecting a chemical hazard, and at least one sensor capable of detecting radioactive material thus constituting a means for detections of environmental hazards, weapons or personnel, wherein each particular sensor of said plurality of sensors independently performs a different function and has an initial state that outputs a null signal indicating absence of a sampling parameter associated with said particular sensor of said plurality of sensors and wherein said means for detection outputs a positive signal indicating presence of said sampling parameter for said particular sensor, said multipurpose sensing module receiving power from an external source.

19. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 18 wherein said external source is associated with a vessel transporting said container.

20. A multipurpose sensing module as in claim 18 wherein said external source is remote from said multipurpose sensing module, said external source providing said power through inductive coupling.