Auditable security for cargo containers and other repositories

• US 7,646,301 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2005
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Waterhouse, Paul, August, Jason, Stevens, John K
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins, Davetta W
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAU, HOI CHING
• Application Number:
  US11/275,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20060164232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,501 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/506, 340/541, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/571, 340/572.4, 340/438, 340/439, 340/442, 340/10.3, 705/28, 455/41.2, 701/23, 701/32, 701/33
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1895 using light change detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and system for authenticating and for preventing alteration of histories of events occurring within at least one repository (e.g. a cargo container, fixed warehouse or a movable vehicle) for objects (e.g. auto parts, pharmaceutical materials, computer parts, laptops, etc.) held for a period of time, where the repository is exposed to an unauthorized intrusion therewithin (and potential theft of said objects therefrom and potential insertion of dangerous items therewithin). The events include changes in environmental conditions (e.g. light levels, infrared levels, temperature, air pressure, etc) which indicate an unauthorized intrusion.

Claims

1. A method for creating and maintaining a record of environmental conditions to which an object in a repository is exposed as an indicator of an unauthorized intrusion comprising:

a) sensing an environmental condition occurring within said repository;

b) recording an unalterable event signal that defines the sensed environmental condition;

c) periodically transmitting a temporally ordered series of said event signals to a data storage apparatus, said data storage apparatus being operable to store said temporally ordered series of said event signals;

d) providing realtime access to said event signals wherein detection of a change in environmental conditions indicates an unauthorized intrusion; and

e) safeguarding said data storage apparatus against alteration of said stored series of event signals.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein safeguarding step (e) is carried out by selecting the data storage apparatus for use in step c), wherein the data storage apparatus is operable to store said series of event signals upon a medium that cannot be readily altered without detection.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said repository is a vehicle operable for delivery of said objects, and wherein said medium is a write-once-only CD-Recordable (CD-R) disc.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein safeguarding step (e) is carried out by disposing said data storage apparatus at a secure location distant from said repository.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said safeguarding step (e) utilizes a selected algorithm to calculate a pair of checksums based on a selected sequence of event signals, said pair of checksums having a selected relationship in the event of data integrity, one of said checksums being calculated from event signals generated at said repository, the other checksum being calculated from event signals transmitted to said data storage apparatus.

6. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein transmitting step (c) is carried out by transmitting said event signals to said data storage apparatus immediately upon recording thereof in accordance with step (b).

7. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein safeguarding step (e) comprises storage of corresponding temporal data together with each said event signal, said temporal data being obtained from an independent source.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said repository is a cargo container operable for delivery of said objects, wherein said medium is a write-once-only CD-Recordable (CD-R) disc, and wherein said independent source is a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensing step (a) and recording step (b) are carried out by associating a tag with said repository, said tag comprising an event sensor operable to record said event signal for describing an event occurring within said repository, said data storage apparatus operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, said tag being operable to provide data signals comprising said event signal and an identification signal based upon said identification data, and an energy source for activating said event sensor and said data storage apparatus.

10. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said sensing step (a) and recording step (b) are carried out by associating a tag with said cargo container, said tag comprising an event sensor operable to record said event signal for describing said event occurring within said cargo container, the data storage apparatus operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, said tag comprising a transmitter operable to transmit data signals comprising said event signal and an identification signal based upon said identification data to said data storage apparatus, and an energy source for activating said event sensor, said transmitter and said data storage apparatus.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said tag is attached to an outer surface of said cargo container, and wherein said event sensor comprises a photodetector disposed within said cargo container, said photodetector being operable to transmit event signals, describing a change in light levels within said cargo container based upon an unauthorized intrusion, to said data storage apparatus.

12. A method as set forth in claim 10, a plurality of said tags being disposed in different areas of said cargo container to sense different events experienced in said different areas.

13. A method as set forth in claim 10, wherein a plurality of series of said data signals from a corresponding plurality of cargo containers are transmitted wirelessly to said data storage apparatus via a communication network, said data storage apparatus being operable to store said series of event signals upon a medium that cannot be readily altered without detection.

14. A method as set forth in claim 10, said tag being a radio frequency (RF) tag, said RF tag comprising a tag transmitter and a tag antenna operable at a radio frequency of less than 1 megahertz.

15. A system for creating and maintaining a record of environmental conditions to which an object in a repository is exposed as an indicator of unauthorized intrusion comprising:

a) a tag carried by said repository, said tag comprising an environmental condition sensor operable to record an unalterable event signal for describing an environmental condition occurring within said repository, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, a tag transmitter operable to periodically transmit data signals comprising said event signal and provide realtime access to said event signals; and

an identification signal based upon said identification data, and an energy source for activating said environmental condition sensor and said tag transmitter and said data storage device; and

b) a data storage apparatus in operative communication with said tag, said data storage apparatus being operable to store a temporally ordered sequence of said event signals upon a medium which cannot be readily altered without detection.

16. A system as set forth in claim 15, and further comprising a central data processor, each tag being connected by cable to said central data processor.

17. A system as set forth in claim 15, said tag comprising a radio frequency (RF) tag attached to said repository, said system further comprising:

c) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from said repository that permit effective communication with said RF tag at said radio frequency of less than 1 megahertz; and

d) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said RF tag.

18. A system as set forth in claim 17, said data storage apparatus being disposed at a secure location distant from said object, said system further comprising:

e) a field transmitter disposed at said repository and operable to transmit said event signals to said data storage apparatus.

19. A system as set forth in claim 17, said system comprising a pair of checking devices for utilizing a selected algorithm to calculate a corresponding pair of checksums based on a selected sequence of event signals, the pair of checksums having a selected relationship in the event of data integrity, one of said checking devices being disposed at said repository, the other checking device being disposed at said data storage apparatus.

20. A system as set forth in claim 17, said system further comprising:

e) a geographic position sensing (GPS) detector operable to record a location signal defining a geographic position of said repository, said data storage apparatus being in operative communication with said reader and said GPS detector, said data storage apparatus being operable to store a temporally ordered sequence of said event signals and corresponding location signals upon said medium which cannot be readily altered without detection.

21. A system as set forth in claim 20, said data storage apparatus being disposed at a secure location distant from said object, said system further comprising:

f) a field transmitter disposed at said repository and operable to transmit said event signals and corresponding location signals to said data storage apparatus.

22. A system as set forth in claim 21, said system further comprising a clock operable to generate time signals for transmittal to said data storage apparatus and for storage thereat in correspondence with said event signals.

23. A system as set forth in claim 20, said repository comprising a cargo container disposed on a movable vehicle, said movable vehicle further comprising a central data processor in operative communication with said field antenna, said tag further comprising a tag receiver operable to receive an RF interrogation signal at a RF frequency of less than 1 megahertz from said field antenna, said RF interrogation signal being operable to cause said tag to emit an event signal.

24. A system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said identification data comprises an internet protocol (IP) address, and wherein said central data processor is operable for communication with an internet router.

25. A system as set forth in claim 15, said system comprising a plurality of said low frequency RF tags and a plurality of low frequency field antennas disposed in different areas of said repository and operable to enable discrimination of event signals received from RF tags disposed in different areas.

26. A system as set forth in claim 17, said data storage apparatus comprising a write-only-once device to assure integrity of data relating to events occurring within said repository.