System and method for transport security control and tracking
First Claim
1. A system for tracking a cargo in a trailer comprising:
- a dispatch computer, in operative connection with a database, attached to a network;
the dispatch computer operatively connected to a first RFID scanner and to a set of dispatch video cameras;
the set of dispatch cameras further connected to a first video recorder controlled by the dispatch computer;
a receipt computer, attached to the network;
the receipt computer operatively connected to a second RFID scanner and to a set of receipt video cameras;
the set of receipt video cameras operatively connected to a second video recorder controlled by the receipt computer;
a set of temporary RFID tags, each having a first set of unique identifiers, connected to the trailer;
a set of semi-permanent RFID tags, each having a second set of unique identifiers, connected to the trailer;
the dispatch computer further comprising a cargo registration module for receiving and recording the first set of unique identifiers and the second set of unique identifiers in the database and for receiving and recording a dataset related to the cargo;
the dispatch computer further comprising a dispatch scan module for activating the first RFID scanner to read a first status condition of the set of temporary RFID tags and the set of semi-permanent RFID tags and to store a first status dataset related to the first status condition;
the receipt computer further comprising a receipt security module for activating the second RFID scanner to read a second status condition of the set of temporary RFID tags and the set of semi-permanent RFID tags; and
,comparing the second status condition with the first status condition to determine a match condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention disclosed provides an apparatus and method to monitor and track the security of bulk cargo from a dispatch point to a receipt point. The apparatus includes a plurality of RFID antennas at a dispatch location and at a receipt location, networked software modules in communication with the RFID antennas, and disposable RFID tags used as security seals affixed to a carrier at multiple locations. The software modules include a Cargo Registration Module, a Dispatch Scanning Module, and a Receipt Scanning Module. The apparatus and method reduce cargo inspection time and labor at the points of departure and receipt. The automation of the dispatch and receipt process eliminates the human element thereby increasing the efficiency of the process. An additional embodiment includes a “single-use” disposable RFID tagged seal adapted to be attached to a transport portal unable to be removed without damaging an RFID transmitter contained within.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for tracking a cargo in a trailer comprising:
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a dispatch computer, in operative connection with a database, attached to a network; the dispatch computer operatively connected to a first RFID scanner and to a set of dispatch video cameras; the set of dispatch cameras further connected to a first video recorder controlled by the dispatch computer; a receipt computer, attached to the network; the receipt computer operatively connected to a second RFID scanner and to a set of receipt video cameras; the set of receipt video cameras operatively connected to a second video recorder controlled by the receipt computer; a set of temporary RFID tags, each having a first set of unique identifiers, connected to the trailer; a set of semi-permanent RFID tags, each having a second set of unique identifiers, connected to the trailer; the dispatch computer further comprising a cargo registration module for receiving and recording the first set of unique identifiers and the second set of unique identifiers in the database and for receiving and recording a dataset related to the cargo; the dispatch computer further comprising a dispatch scan module for activating the first RFID scanner to read a first status condition of the set of temporary RFID tags and the set of semi-permanent RFID tags and to store a first status dataset related to the first status condition; the receipt computer further comprising a receipt security module for activating the second RFID scanner to read a second status condition of the set of temporary RFID tags and the set of semi-permanent RFID tags; and
,comparing the second status condition with the first status condition to determine a match condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of tracking a cargo in a container attached to a vehicle where the container further comprises a discrete bin where the bin includes an entrance port, an exit port and a cleaning port, the method comprising:
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placing a first permanent RFID seal having a first ID on the vehicle; placing a second permanent RFID seal having a second ID on the container; placing a first semi-permanent RFID seal having a third ID on the cleaning port; placing a first temporary RFID seal having a fourth ID on the entrance port; placing a second temporary RFID seal having a fifth ID on the exit port; entering a first dataset into a database, the dataset comprising the first ID, the second ID, the third ID, the fourth ID and the fifth ID; performing a first remote RFID scan of the first permanent RFID seal, the second permanent RFID seal, the first semi-permanent RFID seal, the first temporary RFID seal and the second temporary RFID seal to derive a second dataset; storing the second dataset in a database; comparing the first dataset to the second dataset; recording a first recorded video image of the container and of the vehicle if the second dataset does not match the first dataset; dispatching the container and the vehicle if the second dataset matches the first dataset; transmitting the second dataset to a receiving station; performing a second remote RFID scan of the first permanent RFID seal, the second permanent RFID seal, the first semi-permanent RFID seal, the first temporary RFID seal and the second temporary RFID seal to derive a third dataset; storing the third dataset; comparing the second dataset to the third dataset; recording a second recorded video image of the container and of the vehicle if the third dataset does not match the second dataset; admitting the container and the vehicle into a receiving station if the third dataset matches the second dataset. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for securely transporting a cargo with a truck and a trailer comprising:
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identifying a cargo type in a bin in the trailer and storing the cargo type in a database; sealing an opening in the bin with a destructible electronic seal having a first ID and storing the first ID in the database; polling the destructible electronic seal at a departure location and remotely recording second ID transmitted by the destrubtible electronic seal; comparing the first ID with the second ID; if the first ID does not match the second ID, then detaining the trailer in the departure location, activating a first live video feed, recording a first recorded video image of the destructible electronic seal and storing a departure aborted event in the database; if the first ID matches the second ID, then releasing the trailer from the departure location and storing a departure occurred event in the database; transporting the cargo to a receiving quarantine location; transmitting the second ID to the receiving quarantine location; polling the destructible electronic seal at the receiving quarantine location and remotely recording a third ID transmitted by the destrubtable electronic seal; comparing the second ID to the third ID; if the second ID does not match the third ID, then detaining the trailer in the receiving quarantine location, activating a second live video feed, recording a second recorded video image of the destructible electronic seal and storing a receive failure event in the database; and
,if the second ID matches the first ID, then releasing the trailer from the receive quarantine location and storing a receive occurred event in the database. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification