Digital vehicle cargo security system
First Claim
1. A method for determining if the enclosed cargo area of a vehicle has been accessed during transit between a first location and a second location, the vehicle having an enclosed cargo area which can be secured to prevent access thereto and having a digital counter with a display, means for setting the number on the counter, means for sensing whether the cargo area has been accessed and for changing the number on the counter in response thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) Loading cargo into the vehicle cargo area with the vehicle at the first location,(b) Securing the cargo area of the vehicle;
(c) Setting the number on the counter after the cargo area has been secured;
(d) Forwarding the set number to the second location by means separate from the vehicle;
(e) Changing the number on the counter if the cargo area has been accessed;
(f) Moving the vehicle to the second location;
(g) Observing the number on the display when the vehicle reaches the second location;
(h) Comparing the forwarded number and the observed number; and
(i) Determining whether the forwarded number and the observed number are the same or different.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The security system determines if the cargo area of a vehicle may have been opened in transit between a loading location and a destination location. The vehicle has an enclosed cargo area with a cargo door and lock. The system includes a digital counter which displays a number set thereon after the cargo area has been secured by locking the cargo door lock or by closing the cargo door. If a magnetic reed switch senses the unlocking of the cargo door lock or the opening of the cargo door after the cargo area has been secured, it causes the number on the counter to change. The set number is forwarded to the destination location by entering it on the shipping documents or transmitting it electronically. At the destination location, it can be determined if the cargo area may have been accessed in transit by comparing the set number forwarded to the recipient by the shipper with the number displayed on the counter when the vehicle reaches the destination location.
30 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for determining if the enclosed cargo area of a vehicle has been accessed during transit between a first location and a second location, the vehicle having an enclosed cargo area which can be secured to prevent access thereto and having a digital counter with a display, means for setting the number on the counter, means for sensing whether the cargo area has been accessed and for changing the number on the counter in response thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) Loading cargo into the vehicle cargo area with the vehicle at the first location, (b) Securing the cargo area of the vehicle; (c) Setting the number on the counter after the cargo area has been secured; (d) Forwarding the set number to the second location by means separate from the vehicle; (e) Changing the number on the counter if the cargo area has been accessed; (f) Moving the vehicle to the second location; (g) Observing the number on the display when the vehicle reaches the second location; (h) Comparing the forwarded number and the observed number; and (i) Determining whether the forwarded number and the observed number are the same or different. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for determining if a cargo area of a vehicle has been accessed during transit between a first location and a second location, the vehicle having an enclosed cargo area that can be secured, the apparatus comprising:
- a digital counter having a display;
means for setting the number on the counter after the cargo area is secured;
means for sensing whether the cargo area has been accessed after the cargo area is secured and for changing the number on the counter in response thereto; and
means separate from the vehicle for forwarding the number set on the counter display to the second location, so that it can be determined at the second location if the cargo area has been accessed in transit by comparing the set number and the number displayed on the counter when the vehicle reaches the second location. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- a digital counter having a display;
Specification