Shipping container active lock release failsafe
First Claim
1. A lock mechanism to lock at least one door of a shipping container in a closed position, the lock mechanism comprising:
- a housing external to the shipping container, the housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock mechanism; and
a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing, the lock circuit comprising;
a latching mechanism configured to lock and unlock the lock mechanism,a main battery within the housing,a backup battery within the housing, the backup battery configured to provide sufficient power to the latching mechanism to unlock the lock mechanism,a plurality of subsystems; and
a lock controller coupled to the main battery and the backup battery and configured to;
receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism,determine a battery level remaining in the main battery,determine if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level, andcause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below the threshold level;
wherein;
when in the lower power mode, at least a portion of the subsystems, of the lock circuit are not powered, the lock controller receives power from the main battery, and the lock controller monitors an interface to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lock mechanism to lock at least one door of a container in a closed position includes a housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock mechanism, and a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing. The lock circuit includes a main power supply, a backup power supply, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controller coupled to the main power supply and the backup power supply. The lock controller is configured to receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism, determine a battery level remaining in the main power supply, determine if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level, and cause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below the threshold level. When in the lower power mode, at least a portion of the subsystems of the lock circuit are not powered, the lock controller receives power from the main power supply, and the lock controller monitors an interface to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism.
57 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A lock mechanism to lock at least one door of a shipping container in a closed position, the lock mechanism comprising:
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a housing external to the shipping container, the housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock mechanism; and a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing, the lock circuit comprising; a latching mechanism configured to lock and unlock the lock mechanism, a main battery within the housing, a backup battery within the housing, the backup battery configured to provide sufficient power to the latching mechanism to unlock the lock mechanism, a plurality of subsystems; and a lock controller coupled to the main battery and the backup battery and configured to; receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism, determine a battery level remaining in the main battery, determine if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level, and cause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below the threshold level;
wherein;when in the lower power mode, at least a portion of the subsystems, of the lock circuit are not powered, the lock controller receives power from the main battery, and the lock controller monitors an interface to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a lock mechanism configured to lock at least one door of a shipping container in a closed position, the method comprising:
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receiving power at a lock circuit, from a main battery, the lock circuit comprising a backup battery, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controller coupled to the main battery and the backup battery; receiving commands at the lock controller, the commands being related to operation of the lock mechanism; determining a battery level remaining in the main battery; determining if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level; and causing the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below the threshold level;
wherein, upon entering the lower power mode;at least a portion of the subsystems of the lock circuit are not powered, receiving power at the lock controller from the main battery, and monitoring an interface with the lock controller to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism; wherein the backup battery is configured to provide sufficient power to the latching mechanism to unlock the lock mechanism, and the main battery and the backup battery are enclosed within a housing external to the shipping container, the housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock circuit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification