Locking apparatus for shipping containers
First Claim
1. A locking apparatus for shipping containers comprising:
- a substantially rigid housing;
a mechanical member configured to reliably attach to respective locking bars on both doors of said shipping container and secure said container from being opened when said mechanical member is in a latched position;
a microprocessor;
a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and at least one redundant means of cross checking the GPS output;
a power supply; and
,an electromechanical latching mechanism configured to latch said mechanical member and to unlatch said mechanical member upon a signal from said microprocessor when said shipping container has reached a selected geographic location.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A security system for freight containers comprises: a locking device configured to reliably attach to the container and prevent unauthorized opening of the container doors; an electromechanical locking mechanism; and a GPS receiver so that unlocking may be authorized when the container is at a selected location. The system may further include a device to sense conditions affecting the container; and, a communication system to transmit the output of the sensing device to a system administrator located remotely. The locking and sensing devices may be capable of two-way communication with the system administrator. The system may include a visual display on the exterior of the container capable of displaying selected messages. The messages may be preprogrammed or may be changed as the container moves from one geographic location to another.
70 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A locking apparatus for shipping containers comprising:
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a substantially rigid housing; a mechanical member configured to reliably attach to respective locking bars on both doors of said shipping container and secure said container from being opened when said mechanical member is in a latched position; a microprocessor; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and at least one redundant means of cross checking the GPS output; a power supply; and
,an electromechanical latching mechanism configured to latch said mechanical member and to unlatch said mechanical member upon a signal from said microprocessor when said shipping container has reached a selected geographic location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A locking apparatus for shipping containers comprising:
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a locking device configured to reliably attach to respective locking bars on both doors of a freight container and prevent unauthorized opening of said container; a sensing device including a two-way communication system, said sensing device further including a GPS receiver; a power supply; and
,a microprocessor that signals said locking device to unlatch based upon a combination of input from said GPS receiver and the meeting of a condition selected from the following group; the time approximately matches a scheduled time of arrival; and
,user has entered a correct access code. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification