Container monitoring device

• US 7,667,593 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory J. Hummer
• Original Assignee: Gregory J. Hummer
• Inventors: Hummer, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US11/705,142
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.1, 340/539.17, 340/539.26, 340/531, 340/540, 340/541, 340/426.1, 340/426.19, 340/426.22, 340/825.49, 340/825.69, 340/568.1, 340/686.1
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/012 using recorded signals, e.g. speech G08B25/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

A monitoring system for cargo containers coming into the United States from foreign countries, to detect any harmful contents, within the close container, which would prove dangerous to the American people. The system includes a unique flexible plastic strip in which are embedded, 1) a global positioning computer chip, 2) a power source, 3) an encrypted strip serial number computer chip, and thousands of nano detection devices.

Claims

1. A detection strip for an enclosed container, comprising many detectors that can be as small as nano detectors, for detecting materials, harmful to human beings, within an enclosed container and transmitting a corresponding resonance frequency.

2. The detection strip of claim 1, which includes an encrypted serial numbered (ESN) computer chip which stores and transmits information about a condition of the nano detectors and an encrypted serial number that is specific to the one or more particular detection strips which is attached to the strip.

3. The detection strip of claim 2, which includes a global positioning system computer chip for identifying origin and travel of the strip and container to which the strip is attached.

4. The detection strip of claim 3, which includes a power source which is a low voltage, motion activated, power source.

5. The detection strip of claim 4, wherein the strip is calibrated to produce and transmit a distinct resonant frequency which is independent of any other frequencies transmitted from the detection strip.

6. The detection strip of claim 5, which includes at least one metal stud embedded in a sticky side of the strip for contacting metal walls of the container to facilitate and improve transmission of resonant frequencies from the detection strip inside a container.

7. The detection strip of claim 6, wherein the nano detectors thereof are designed to detect harmful materials of the group of harmful explosive, chemical, biological and radioactive materials, and illegal drugs.

8. The detection strip of claim 7, in combination with a monitoring device for receiving resonant frequencies from the detection strip and translating such frequencies into digital readouts on the monitoring device and further printouts by printers which may be remote from the monitoring device.

9. The detection strip of claim 8, wherein the monitoring device is stationary and remote from a container inside which a detection strip is located.

10. The detection strip of claim 9, wherein the monitoring device is a hand held device which is outside a container in which a detection strip is located.

11. The detection strip of claim 10, further in combination with an enclosed container which needs monitoring for said harmful materials.

12. The detection strip of claim 11, wherein the container is a standard, metal cargo container in which foreign products and foodstuffs are shipped into the United States of America.

13. The detection strip of claim 12, wherein a plurality of detection strips are used in every metal cargo contained entering the United States.

16. The strip of claim 1 which includes means for measuring said resonant frequency.

17. The strip of claim 1, which includes means for measuring electrical voltage produced by said resonant frequency.

14. In combination:

a) a cargo container in which any suitable cargo is placed for transport from one place to another place;

b) a strip of material disposed in the container for detecting any tampering with the container, the strip including numerous nano detectors which are designed to transmit a predetermined frequency;

c) means of storing and transmitting information about the condition of the nano detectors and the serial number of the strip using an ESN computer chip;

d) a global positioning computer chip carried by the strip for identifying origin and travel of the container; and

e) a power source for operating the strip.

15. The combination of claim 14, which includes means outside the container for receiving any frequencies transmitted from inside the container.