System and method for an integrated antenna in a cargo container monitoring and security system

• US 7,973,717 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: System Planning Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Ron, Meyers, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; Tan
• Application Number:
  US11/598,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20070200765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/873, 296/00
• US Class Current: 343/700.0MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0087 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

A system and method for an antenna which is constructed into or conforming onto the roof or wall of a cargo container is provided. The antenna system may have multiple antennas for short range wireless, cellular, global positioning, or satellite built into a single functional element. The antenna system may utilize a patch or phased array design. The method of construction of the antenna system may as part of the container fabricated or installed at the factory, applied as an adhesive film kit, or applied as a successive spray coating and etching process.

Claims

1. A method for constructing an antenna system for a container having at least one container wall, wherein the container wall is constructed from a series of layered materials including a reinforcement layer constructed from a rigid material and a dielectric layer constructed from an insulating material having a predetermined dielectric constant, the method comprising:

incorporating a conductive layer within the container wall, wherein the conductive layer is configured to act as an antenna; and

applying the dielectric layer and the conductive layer as spray films.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising combining the reinforcement layer with said dielectric layer, such that the resultant layer has the dielectric properties and the rigidity properties suitable for that of a durable transport container.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a construction that has been pre-manufactured and assembled as part of the container.

4. A method for constructing an antenna system for a container having at least one container wall comprised of horizontal and vertical corrugated areas, wherein the container wall is constructed from a series of layered materials including a reinforcement layer constructed from a rigid material and a dielectric layer constructed from an insulating material having a predetermined dielectric constant, the method comprising:

incorporating a conductive layer within the container wall, wherein the conductive layer is configured to act as an antenna; and

applying the dielectric and conductive layers only to the horizontal corrugated areas.

5. A method for constructing an antenna system for a container having at least one container wall comprised of horizontal, vertical and angular corrugated areas, wherein the container wall is constructed from a series of layered materials including a reinforcement layer constructed from a rigid material and a dielectric layer constructed from an insulating material having a predetermined dielectric constant, the method comprising:

incorporating a conductive layer within the container wall, wherein the conductive layer is configured to act as an antenna; and

varying the dielectric and conductive layers based on whether they cover a horizontal, vertical or angular corrugated area.

6. A method for constructing an antenna system for a container having at least one container wall comprised of horizontal and vertical corrugated areas, wherein the container wall is constructed from a series of layered materials including a reinforcement layer constructed from a rigid material and a dielectric layer constructed from an insulating material having a predetermined dielectric constant, the method comprising:

incorporating a conductive layer within the container wall, wherein the conductive layer is configured to act as an antenna; and

applying said dielectric layer and conductive layers as a separate film using an adhesive material applied to the reinforcement layer.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising applying said dielectric layer and conductive layers as separate films having self adhesive properties.