Smart switch for providing container security

• US 9,558,602 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2013
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Inventors: Straz, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Alizada, Omeed
• Application Number:
  US13/896,296
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0096 Mechanical aspects of locks whose actuation is dependent on geographical location, e.g. by means of a GPS system electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/00 Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for a smart switch are provided. The smart switch may be integrated into various types of security devices and intelligently protect the devices from unwanted manipulation. In one particular embodiment, the smart switch may use location information from a GPS receiver to determine whether the device is in a safe zone, and the smart switch may intelligently enable or disable certain changes of the current operational status of the security device. Alternatively, pre-set time period, RFID authorization, environmental factors, or a combination of several factors may be used by the smart switch to determine whether users may change the operational status of the security device.

Claims

1. A smart switch apparatus for automatically enabling and disabling user operation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a user operable element, wherein the user operable element under a pre-defined safe condition is capable of changing a current operational status of the apparatus;

a sensor suite, wherein the sensor suite is capable of detecting a plurality of current environmental conditions;

wherein the plurality of current environmental conditions includes the group of environmental conditions which includes;

light level, temperature and carbon monoxide level;

a processor, wherein the processor is coupled with the user operable element, further wherein the processor configured to compare a light level, temperature and carbon monoxide level to the pre-defined safe condition and determining whether to enable or disable the user operable element.