System and method for countering terrorism by monitoring containers over international seas

• US 8,854,205 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The F3m3 Companies Inc.
• Original Assignee: The F3m3 Companies Inc.
• Inventors: Daniel, Isaac S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMALL, NAOMI J
• Application Number:
  US13/003,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20110128143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,272 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/540, 340/539.13, 340/2.1, 340/2.23, 340/3.5
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for countering terrorism by monitoring shipping containers using an advanced communication system network for tracking and monitoring the container as it travels over international seas.

Claims

1. A system for countering terrorism comprising:

(a) a lock box provided for a shipping container wherein each lock box includes a power supply, a first monitoring device in mating engagement with said power supply, wherein said first monitoring device has a unique identifier for identifying and registering an importer or exporter with a monitoring center at a remote location; and

(b) an electronic key for activating said first monitoring device, wherein said first monitoring device is provided with transmitting means for transmitting at least one signal to said monitoring center, wherein upon departure from a port of origin said monitoring center transmits an encrypted instruction to a receiving means of said first monitoring device to enter a sleep mode for an estimated minimum sail time whereby the first monitoring device periodically activates itself acquires and records sensory information before reverting back to sleep mode until the estimated minimum sail time expires and wherein said first monitoring device awakens, automatically resets from sleep mode to an approach mode and determines the closest domestic seaport for downloading the acquired sensory information, communicating the sensory information via its transmitting means in a mesh network configuration through neighboring monitoring devices, that is at least a second monitoring device if said first monitoring device lacks direct access to a satellite network system;

(c) means for triggering an alarm event at the monitoring center and

wherein said monitoring center monitors signals received by a communications system from said first monitoring device and include report generating means for reporting all sensory information for said first monitoring device and each container provided with monitoring devices, and wherein said monitoring center provides early notification to authorized parties in the event of an alarm.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said monitoring center provides monitoring services and early notification at any one of the following locations:

a port of origin, a domestic port, a port of disembarkation, or on land.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein upon activation, said first monitoring device implements a geofencing mode defining a virtual limitation on the shipping container'"'"'s movements to a predetermined radius by tracking the shipping container'"'"'s movements.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitting means comprises of a Global Positioning System transponder.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said lock box is formed from a rigid and waterproof material for preventing inadvertent activation of the monitoring device and wherein said lock box further protects the monitoring device from water penetration.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits a message to the monitoring center if the shipping container is moved beyond the predetermined radius.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transmitting means of said first monitoring device systematically polling a receiving means within at least one other neighboring monitoring device regarding their access to said satellite network system and locating the at least a second monitoring device with direct access to said satellite network system.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising the transmitting means of said first monitoring device determining a dynamic relay path of transmission for the most direct route to the satellite network system from the first monitoring device to the at least second monitoring device, which has direct access to said satellite network system.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising the transmitting means of said first monitoring device transmitting its sensory information to at least one receiving means in a second monitoring device, for transmission by the second monitoring device to the monitoring center.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitting means is a short range wireless protocol that includes any one of the following:

Bluetooth, Zigbee, 802.11 series.

6. A method for countering terrorism comprising:

a. registering an importer or exporter with a monitoring center at a remote location based on a unique identifier that is provided for a monitoring device, said monitoring device also having an electronic key for activation, and wherein said monitoring device is housed in a lock box on a shipping container;

b. transmitting at least one signal by said monitoring device to a monitoring center and said monitoring center transmitting upon departure from a port of origin an encrypted instruction to a receiving means of said first monitoring device to enter a sleep mode for an estimated minimum sail time whereby the first monitoring device periodically activates itself acquiring and recording sensory information before reverting back to sleep mode until the estimated minimum sail time expires and wherein said first monitoring device awakening, automatically resetting from sleep mode to an approach mode and determining the closest domestic seaport for downloading the acquired sensory information, communicating the sensory information via its transmitting means in a mesh network configuration through neighboring monitoring devices, that is at least a second monitoring device if said first monitoring device lacks direct access to a satellite network system, wherein said monitoring center comprises of means for triggering an alarm event at the monitoring center; and

c. monitoring signals received by a communications system from said first monitoring device that are transmitted to the monitoring center for, and generating reports for all sensory information for said first monitoring device and each container provided with monitoring devices, and providing early notification to authorized parties in the event of an alarm.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said monitoring services and early notification are provided at any one of the following locations:

a port of origin, a domestic port, a port of disembarkation, and on land.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising implementing upon activation a geofencing mode defining a virtual limitation on the shipping container'"'"'s movements to a predetermined radius by tracking the shipping container'"'"'s movements.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said transmitting means comprises of a Global Positioning System transponder.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said lock box is formed from a rigid and waterproof material for preventing inadvertent activation of the monitoring device and wherein said lock box protects the monitoring device from water penetration.

16. The method of claim 6, further comprising polling systematically a receiving means within at least one other neighboring monitoring device regarding their access to said satellite network system and locating the at least a second monitoring device with direct access to said satellite network system.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a dynamic relay path of transmission for the most direct route to the satellite network system from the first monitoring device to the at least second monitoring device, which has direct access to said satellite network system.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting its sensory information to at least one receiving means in a second monitoring device, for transmission by the second monitoring device to the monitoring center.

19. The method of claim 6, further comprising sending a message to the monitoring center verifying the shipping container'"'"'s location.