Locking mechanism, systems and methods for cargo container transport security

• US 8,154,397 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur W. Astrin
• Original Assignee: Arthur W. Astrin
• Inventors: Astrin, Arthur W.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US11/414,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,174 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 340/505
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/004 Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi not available use GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A system comprises a network of sensors inside a cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container; an operation center; and a device (e.g., a lock) outside of the cargo container capable of communicating with the network of sensors (possibly using a wireless standard) and with the operation center (possibly using a satellite or cellular network), capable of receiving the sensor information, and capable of reporting a message based on the sensor information to the operation center. The sensor network may include an arrangement of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radioactivity sensors, chemical/biological toxin sensors, chemical explosive sensors, vibration sensors, sound sensors, collision sensors, and/or light sensors. The device may include a communication module capable of communicating with other device on other containers. The operation center may monitor messages received from the devices to determine proper responses.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a network of sensors inside a cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container, the cargo container for receiving and storing merchandise;

an operation center configured to receive merchandise information associated with the merchandise stored in the cargo container; and

a device outside of the cargo container capable of communicating with the network of sensors and with the operation center, capable of receiving the sensor information from the network of sensors, and capable of reporting a message based on the sensor information to the operation center, the message indicative of an alarm state triggered by the sensor information; and

wherein

the sensors in the network of sensors are capable of direct intercommunication;

the operation center determines a proper response to the alarm state based on the merchandise information, the proper response selected from a plurality of available responses; and

one of the available responses includes ignoring the alarm-state based on the merchandise information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one sensor in the sensor network includes one of a collision sensor and a light sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a lock.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lock includes a secure hasp and a hasp integrity monitor for monitoring the integrity of the secure hasp.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a cellular network communication module for communicating with the operation center.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a satellite communication module for communicating with the operation center.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a wireless communication module for communicating with the network of sensors.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one sensor communicates indirectly with the device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes in-device sensors.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a communication module capable of communicating with other devices on other containers.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the cargo container is near another cargo container having another device capable of communicating with the operation center, and wherein the device communicates with the operation center indirectly via the other device on the other container.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the device communicates with the sensor network using encryption.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the device communicates with the operation center using encryption.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor information includes sensor data.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the message includes the sensor information.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor information includes the sensor data and the message includes alarm-state information.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein each sensor is capable of independently generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container.

17. A method comprising:

obtaining sensor information directly from a sensor network of sensors inside a cargo container with a device located outside of the cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information related to the environment within the cargo container, the cargo container for receiving and storing merchandise;

sending a message to an operation center, the message indicative of an alarm state triggered by the sensor information;

providing the merchandise information to the operation center; and

determining a proper response to the alarm state at the operation center based on the merchandise information, the proper response selected from a plurality of available responses; and

wherein

the sensors in the network of sensors are capable of direct intercommunication; and

one of the available responses includes ignoring the alarm-state based on the merchandise information.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein each sensor is capable of independently generating sensor information related to the environment within the cargo container.