Method and system for monitoring containers to maintain the security thereof

• US 7,564,350 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: All Set Marine Security AB
• Original Assignee: All Set Marine Security AB
• Inventors: Sandberg, Eric, Cederlof, Magnus, Boman, Hans, Ekstrom, Stig
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAU, HOI CHING
• Application Number:
  US11/198,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20070005953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5729, 340/545.1, 340/539.26, 340/521, 340/989, 340/431, 340/438, 340 101- 106, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 340/545.6
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A container and contents monitoring system includes a device, a reader, a server, and a software backbone. The device communicates with the reader in order to determine the security and/or location of the container to which the device is attached. The reader transmits the information from the device to the server. The device determines if a security condition has occurred based on at least one sensor located on or in the container.

Claims

1. A system for electrically securing and determining whether a security breach of a container has occurred following electronic securement of the container, the system comprising:

a support arm configured to be disposed between a vertical beam of the container and a hinge portion of a door of the container;

an antenna arm coupled with the support arm and configured to be positioned outside the container;

a sensor configured to be disposed within the container for detecting at least one condition of the container and providing sensor data;

a data unit coupled with the support arm and configured to be disposed within the container and interoperably connected to the sensor, wherein the data unit comprises a microprocessor configured to establish a baseline value from the sensor data, define a sensor data threshold, and determine from the sensor data value threshold and the sensor data whether a security breach has occurred; and

a transmitter operably connected to the microprocessor and adapted to transmit, via the antenna arm information relative to whether a security breach has occurred to a location outside the container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein

the sensor is adapted for positioning between the door of the container and the vertical beam of the container for detecting pressure exterted by the door against the sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor is adapted to establish a baseline pressure value from at least one pressure value existing at the time of electronic securement of the container.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the support arm is further configured position the data unit inside a C-channel of the container.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one detected condition comprises sensed light; and

the sensor comprises a light sensor disposed inside the container.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one detected condition comprises sensed motion; and

the sensor comprises a motion sensor disposed inside the container.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of:

a pressure sensor;

a light sensor;

a radioactivity sensor;

a temperature sensor;

a motion sensor;

a combustible-gas sensor;

an ammonia sensor;

a carbon-dioxide sensor;

a fire sensor;

a smoke sensor;

a noise sensor;

a humidity sensor; and

a digital camera.