System for monitoring containers to maintain the security thereof

• US 7,564,352 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommerceGuard AB (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: CommerceGuard AB (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: Ekstrom, Stig
• Primary Examiner(s): La; Anh V
• Application Number:
  US11/956,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.26, 340/545.1, 340/545.6, 340/521, 340/552, 340/586, 340/686.1, 340/571, 702/57
• US Class Current: 340/545.6
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/00 Tamper-indicating means relating to aerosol containers B65D83/224
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2590/0083 Computer or electronic system, e.g. GPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/00 Component parts, details or accessories for large containers B65D88/34 - B65D88/78 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/008 Doors for containers, e.g. ISO-containers locking E05B83/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch

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 of the container to which the device is attached. The reader transmits the information from the device to the server. The sensor senses a distance or an angle value between a door of the container and a frame of the container and the sensed value is then transmitted to the device. The device obtains a baseline value that is related to a calculated mean value. The device also obtains a detection threshold. The device determines if a security condition has occurred based on the sensed value and the detection threshold.

Claims

1. A device for determining whether a security breach of a container has occurred, the container including a door and a frame, the device comprising:

a door sensor;

an interface for attachment of an additional sensor to monitor an internal condition of the container;

a microprocessor coupled with the interface and configured to discern a door event from the door sensor, wherein the door event includes at least opening the door after the container has been secured,

wherein the sensor is configured to sense at least one of a distance value and an angle value that separates the door from the frame.

2. The device of claim 1, farther comprising:

a memory coupled with the microprocessor; and

an antenna configured to exchange data between the microprocessor and a reader.

3. The device of claim 2, farther comprising:

a housing containing the microprocessor;

a support arm extending therefrom; and

an antenna arm extending outwardly from an end of the support arm in an angular relationship therewith.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the antenna arm is configured to be positioned in an area of a hinge channel of the container.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a data unit configured to be positioned in a C-channel of the door.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the support arm comprises:

a support surface to which the door sensor is attached.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to sense, as an analog value at predetermined time increments, a distance between the door and the frame, and wherein the microprocessor is further configured to convert the sensed analog value to a digital distance value.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to measure an opening angle between the door and the frame, and

wherein the microprocessor is configured to convert the measured opening angle to a digital distance value.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein an armed reference value is stored in the memory, and wherein the armed reference value is a value that is set during calibration of the device and acts as a reference for determining a status of the sensor.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the support arm further comprises an aperture configured to house a magnet.