Multiple lock security system for cargo trailers

• US 7,772,962 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mi-Jack Systems and Technology LLC (Lanco International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mi-Jack Systems and Technology LLC (Lanco International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Harvey, Labowicz, Maciej, Lanigan, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEE, ANDREW W.
• Application Number:
  US11/501,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.5, 340/5.7
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising: a master security device including position sensors, a motor, a door sensor and a latch; a master controller connected to the position sensors and the door sensor; at least one slave security device having a slave controller connected to the master controller; and a computing device for communicating with the master controller through a wireless communication link, to move the security system locking devices to a locked or unlocked position.

Claims

1. A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising:

a master security device configured to be located in proximity to a first door having a first door opening in a cargo trailer, including master position sensors, a master motor, a master door sensor and a master latch, wherein the master position sensors are configured to determine whether the master latch is in a locked or unlocked position and are located internal to the master security device, and wherein the master door sensor is configured to confirm whether the first door is closed before sending a signal to the master motor to move the master latch to the locked position, and wherein the master door sensor is located in the master security device and is positioned in proximity to the master latch;

a master controller connected to the master position sensors and the master door sensor;

at least one slave security device configured to be located in proximity to a second door having a second door opening in the cargo trailer, including slave position sensors, a slave motor, a slave door sensor, a slave latch and a slave controller connected to the master controller via a communication interface, wherein the slave position sensors are configured to determine whether the slave latch is in a locked or unlocked position and is located internal to the slave security device, and wherein the slave door sensor is configured to confirm whether the second door is closed before sending a signal to the slave motor to move the slave latch to the locked position, and wherein the slave door sensor is located in the slave security device and is positioned in proximity to the slave latch;

the communication interface is configured to provide control signaling to the slave controller from the master controller; and

a signal generation device for communicating with the master controller through a wireless communication link, to move at least one of the master and slave latches to a locked or unlocked position; and

wherein the slave controller is fully integrated within the slave security device, and the slave controller includes a short locking pulse before each unlocking motor drive signal, when moving from the locked to the unlocked position, and a short unlocking pulse before each locking motor drive signal, when moving from the unlocked to the locked position, and the duration of these short pulses is variable depending on measured temperature.

2. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, input and output interfaces, and the communication interface comprising at least a three-conductor communication interface configured to provide control signaling, feedback, temperature and door position information.

3. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller is connected to a plurality of slave controllers with communication interface, the communication interface being configured to provide control signaling, feedback, temperature and door position information.

4. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, a real-time clock, a power management circuit, input and output interfaces, a communication interface comprising a transceiver for use with a key-fob, a temperature sensor, and an external event memory.

5. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller actuates at least one slave latch.

6. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein at least one slave controller is independently controllable.

7. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller controls the charging of a system backup battery, if the main power source voltage meets an appropriate threshold.

8. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the master controller actuates the slave controller through the communication interface via a wiring harness including a three-wire communication interface configured to provide control, feedback and temperature and door position information.

9. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, wherein the security device includes at least one slave lock, and an independent temperature measuring device and a door position sensing mechanism for recording the time of when the door has been opened or closed.

10. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm system to indicate malfunctions of the lock or position sensors, or an out of tolerance condition, and solution how to operate the security system without sensors.

11. A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising:

a master security device configured to be located in proximity to a first door having a first door opening in a cargo trailer, including master position sensors, a master motor, a master door sensor and a master latch, wherein the master position sensors are configured to determine whether the master latch is in a locked or unlocked position and are located internal to the master security device, and wherein the master door sensor is configured to confirm whether the first door is closed before sending a signal to the master motor to move the master latch to the locked position, and wherein the master door sensor is located in the master security device and is positioned in proximity to the master latch;

a master controller connected to the master position sensors and the master door sensor;

at least one slave security device configured to be located in proximity to a second door having a second door opening in the cargo trailer, including slave position sensors, a slave motor, a slave door sensor, a slave latch and a slave controller connected to the master controller via a communication interface, wherein the slave position sensors are configured to determine whether the slave latch is in a locked or unlocked position and is located internal to the slave security device, and wherein the slave door sensor is configured to confirm whether the second door is closed before sending a signal to the slave motor to move the slave latch to the locked position, and wherein the slave door sensor is located in the slave security device and is positioned in proximity to the slave latch;

the communication interface being configured to provide control signaling to the slave controller from the master controller; and

a key fob comprising a signal generation device for communicating with the master controller through a wireless communication link, to move at least one of the master and slave latches to a locked or unlocked position;

wherein the slave controller is fully integrated within the slave security device, and the slave controller includes a short locking pulse before each unlocking motor drive signal, when moving from the locked to the unlocked position, and a short unlocking pulse before each locking motor drive signal, when moving from the unlocked to the locked position, and the duration of these short pulses is variable depending on measured temperature.

12. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 11, wherein the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, a real-time clock, a power management circuit, input and output interfaces, a communication interface comprising a transceiver for use with a key-fob, a temperature sensor, and an external event memory.

13. A multiple lock cargo security system, comprising:

a master security device configured to be located in proximity to a first door having a first door opening in a cargo trailer, including master position sensors, a master motor, a master door sensor and a master latch, wherein the master position sensors are configured to determine whether the master latch is in a locked or unlocked position and are located internal to the master security device, and wherein the master door sensor is configured to confirm whether the first door is closed before sending a signal to the master motor to move the master latch to the locked position, and wherein the master door sensor is located in the master security device and is positioned in proximity to the master latch;

a master controller connected to the master position sensors and the master door sensor;

at least one slave security device configured to be located in proximity to a second door having a second door opening in the cargo trailer, including slave position sensors, a slave motor, a slave door sensor, a slave latch and a slave controller connected to the master controller via a communication interface, wherein the slave position sensors are configured to determine whether the slave latch is in a locked or unlocked position and is located internal to the slave security device, and wherein the slave door sensor is configured to confirm whether the second door is closed before sending a signal to the slave motor to move the slave latch to the locked position, and wherein the slave door sensor is located in the slave security device and is positioned in proximity to the slave latch;

the communication interface being configured to provide control signaling to the slave controller from the master controller; and

a key fob comprising a signal generation device for communicating with the master controller through a wireless communication link, to move the master and slave latches to a locked or unlocked position;

wherein the slave controller is fully integrated within the slave security device, and the slave controller includes a short locking pulse before each unlocking motor drive signal, when moving from the locked to the unlocked position, and a short unlocking pulse before each locking motor drive signal, when moving from the unlocked to the locked position, and the duration of these short pulses is variable depending on measured temperature.

14. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 13, wherein the security device includes at least one slave lock, and an independent temperature sensor and a door position sensing mechanism for recording the time of when the door has been opened or closed.

15. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 13, wherein the master controller includes:

a microcontroller, a real-time clock, a power management circuit, input and output interfaces, a communication interface comprising a transceiver for use with a key-fob, a temperature sensor, and an external event memory.

16. The multiple lock cargo security system of claim 13, wherein the master controller is positioned in proximity to a rear door in a container and slave controllers are positioned in proximity to side doors in a container.