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Security system for shipping containers

  • US 7,883,128 B2
  • Filed: 12/31/2008
  • Issued: 02/08/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring security of shipping containers, comprising:

  • (a) a plurality of shipping containers, each shipping container comprising,(i) a seal lock module located on an exterior surface of a door of the shipping container, the seal lock module comprising,(A) a bolt comprising,(1) a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and(2) a head located at the proximal portion of the shaft, the head being wider than the distal portion of the shaft,(3) wherein the shaft of the bolt extends through an opening in a hasp of the door of the shipping container such that the shaft of the bolt must be withdrawn from the opening of the hasp in order to open the door of the shipping container without causing structural damage to the shipping container, the head of the bolt being too wide to pass through the opening in the hasp of the door of the shipping container;

    (B) a locking body having a passageway with an open end through which the distal portion of the shaft of the bolt is received and retained in locking engagement such that the distal portion of the shaft is kept from being withdrawn from the open end of the passageway, the locking body being too wide to pass through the opening in the hasp of the door of the shipping container, whereby the shipping container door may be sealed shut;

    (C) a housing containing therein,(1) electronics for storing and communicating data associated with the shipping container including, 

    (I) a microprocessor, 

    (II) memory for storing data, and 

    (III) a wireless communication component configured to wirelessly communicate data, and(2) a power source for powering the electronics; and

    (ii) a sensor module mounted to an interior surface of the shipping container, the sensor module comprising,(A) electronics for storing and communicating data associated with the shipping container including,(1) a microprocessor,(2) memory for storing data,(3) one or more sensor components for acquiring data for detecting a condition of the shipping container, and(4) a wireless communication component configured to wirelessly communicate data, and(B) a power source for powering the electronics;

    (iii) wherein the seal lock module and the sensor module are configured to wirelessly communicate data over a network that is external to the shipping containers;

    (iv) wherein the housing is connected to the locking body such that the housing and locking body are rotatable relative to each other, the housing being removably mounted to the exterior surface of the door of the shipping container whereby the locking body does not freely swing on the distal portion of the shaft of the bolt during movement of the shipping container; and

    (b) a centralized computer database configured to receive data from the plurality of shipping containers, by which data the security of the shipping containers is monitored.

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