Tracking location and realtime management system of a container using RF

• US 7,986,238 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E-Pia Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: E-Pia Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Cho, Joong-Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/299,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20090146815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5729, 340/539.1, 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/539.22, 340/5.92, 340/870.16, 340/539.26, 340/506, 340/5.8
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for managing containers through RF communication and to a container position tracking and real-time management system employing RF, in which safety information and management information of a container are obtained by a sensor and a wireless terminal device attached to a container, the position of the container is tracked until it reaches its destination through a reader through RF communication, environments within the container are monitored in real-time for safe transportation, and security and crime prevention functions are carried out.

Claims

1. A container position tracking and real-time management system for tracking the location of a container in association with a wired/RF communication network, the system comprising:

a container tag including a sensor unit that monitors measurement information about environment within the container and whether the container is abnormal, and a communication unit that transmits container management information, including the monitoring results of the sensor unit and a container-specific address, to a reader through RF communication;

the reader being installed at a vehicle or ship that transports the container and including a RF receiver module that receives the container management information from the container tag,

wherein the communication unit sends the collected container management information at predetermined time intervals, and immediately sends results of events including an error of eSeal, an occurrence of abnormality including a temperature, humidity and pressure, and a possible danger of discharge of a battery, and

wherein when communication transmission fails, the communication unit accumulates and stores contents that have not been sent in a memory unit and then sends the contents in a first place when communication resumes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reader is equipped with a GPS module for analyzing position information of the vehicle or ship with which the container is loaded.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the reader is equipped with one of a CDMA module and a satellite communication module, and sends the received container management information to a management server through RF communication.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the management server includes one of the CDMA module and a module for wired telephone, for receiving the container management information from the reader, and wherein the management server includes:

a plurality of local servers disposed at a harbor in which containers are placed; and

a main server that integrally manages information of each reader and each local server.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the local server is equipped with a RF receiver module that receives container management information from the container tag of the container that is being loaded.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the management server comprises:

a controller for monitoring and recording an operating status of the reader and generating an event when a communication fails for a predetermined time;

a database unit for storing each collected container management information and the monitoring results of the controller; and

a display unit for outputting stored container management information, an operating status and results of an event through voice or a screen.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the container management information stored in the database unit includes normal state information reported predetermined time intervals from the reader, and abnormal state information reported in the first place, wherein the abnormal state information is sent to the management server as soon as the abnormal state information is generated and then output through the display unit, and wherein the respective management servers are connected through the Internet and share stored normal state information and abnormal state information.