Apparatus for portal based scanning

• US 9,336,505 B1
• Filed: 12/02/2011
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Inventors: Meyers, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Point, Rufus
• Application Number:
  US13/310,659
• Time in Patent Office: 1,621 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/101 for containers B66C1/223 and B66C1/663 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/16 Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 19/007 for containers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for the rapid inspection of shipping containers during transport and for intelligent data gathering for risk analysis are provided. More specifically, a portal based scanner is disclosed which includes a plurality of sensors positioned to create a target zone so that the shipping containers can be automatically scanned during loading and offloading operations. According to one aspect of the invention, the scanner is capable of wirelessly communicating with the containers, gathering data about each container, and reporting data to a Data Fusion Center for risk profile analysis.

Claims

1. A portal based scanner apparatus for automatically scanning shipping containers at transitional stages, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor suite;

a network element communicatively coupled with the sensor suite;

wherein the sensor suite comprises a plurality of sensors; and

further wherein, the plurality of sensors are deployed on one or more scanner panels;

an RFID reader, wherein the RFID reader is configured to detect and interrogate RFID tags; and

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to initiate a scan of a shipping container by one or more sensors;

further wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the scanned shipping container includes a container level processor;

wherein, the processor is further configured to initiate a first scanning process when a container level processor is detected and a second scanning process when a container level processor is not detected;

wherein the first scanning process comprises interrogating the detected container level processor to provide data produced by sensors within the shipping container;

wherein the first scanning process further comprises interrogating specific sensors within the shipping container; and

further wherein, the second scanning process comprises scanning the outside of the shipping container with an optical sensor or a container integrity sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one scanner panel is directionally positioned to create a target zone in close proximity to a transported container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portal based scanner automatically detects a container entering the target zone.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one scanner panel is capable of being automatically extended and retracted.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the scanner panels is attached to structural framework of a crane.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the portal based scanner apparatus is capable of interrogating and collecting data from a container that is being handled by the crane.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one scanner panel is attached to a structural frame of a security checkpoint, a security gate, an entrance, an exit, a work platform, or a transport vehicle, further wherein the portal based scanner apparatus is capable of interrogating and collecting data from a container passing through a security checkpoint, a security gate, an entrance, an exit, or a work platform, or being attached to or detached from a transport vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portal based scanner apparatus is capable of interrogating sensors within a smart container to identify and assess the status of the smart container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portal based scanner apparatus is capable of communicating with a container level processor within a smart container to retrieve a long-term report.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network element further comprises a user interface that allows supervisory personnel to operate the portal based scanner apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portal based scanner apparatus is capable of reporting data regarding a transported container to a data fusion center.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one scanner panel is capable of being programmed to adjust settings of scanning operation based on how much time a specific interaction event with a container takes or the size of a container.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portal based scanner apparatus further comprises an additional communication interface to add one or more additional sensors, readers, or controllers.