Shipping container information recordation techniques

• US 10,118,576 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S
• Primary Examiner(s): Frejd, Russell
• Application Number:
  US15/641,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20170313269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/066 Valve caps
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 : for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 : Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 : specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 : characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 : comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 : with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 : with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 : including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 : responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 : using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 : for incorporation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 : for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/52 : Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture with walking sticks A45B3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0008 : of bridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 : Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 : Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9316 : combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 : Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 : Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 : Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 : Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

System and method for obtaining and recording information about cargo includes a frame defining a cargo-receivable compartment, a position determining system at least partly on the frame and that allows for determination of position of the frame, an identification system on the frame that obtains information about cargo when present in the compartment, a memory component that receives and records information about position and movement of the frame, and the obtained information about cargo when present in the compartment in association with a unique identification of the frame, and a communications system on the frame to enable communication of information to and from the memory component.

Claims

1. A system for obtaining and recording information about cargo, comprising:

a frame defining a cargo-receivable compartment;

a location determining system arranged at least partly on said frame and that determines location of said frame;

an information-obtaining system arranged on said frame that obtains information about cargo when present in said compartment by receiving waves from the cargo and converting received waves into the information about the cargo;

an environment sensing system arranged on said frame and that obtains information about activity outside of said frame;

a memory component that receives information about the determined location of said frame and movement of said frame, the information about cargo when present in said compartment of said frame obtained by said information-obtaining system, and the information about activity outside of said frame obtained by said environment sensing system and records the information about the determined location of said frame and movement of said frame, the obtained information about cargo when present in said compartment of said frame, and the obtained information about activity outside of said frame in association with a unique identification of said frame; and

a communications system arranged on said frame to enable communication of information to and from said memory component.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor arranged on said frame and coupled to said location determining system, said information-obtaining system, said environment sensing system and said memory component and that causes reception of the information about the determined location of said frame and movement of said frame, the information about cargo when present in said compartment of said frame obtained by said information-obtaining system, and the information about activity outside of said frame obtained by said environment sensing system and recordation, by said memory component, of the information about the determined location of said frame and movement of said frame, the obtained information about cargo when present in said compartment of said frame, and the obtained information about activity outside of said frame in association with the unique identification of said frame.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said memory component is arranged on said frame.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said memory component is part of a tag physically connected to said frame.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said tag is configured to be remotely interrogated to enable access to the recorded information.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said memory component receives and stores information about opening of a door of said frame.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor system arranged on said frame that obtains information about a vehicle from which the information about the movement of said frame is obtained.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said sensor system senses vibrations.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the information recorded by said memory component is in coded form.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said information-obtaining system is coupled to said location determining system and receives waves dependent on the determined location of said frame such that said information-obtaining system obtains information about cargo when present in said compartment based on location of said frame as determined by said location determining system.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a security system that controls access to a vehicle moving said frame, said security system having or obtaining identification of an operator of the vehicle and enabling access to the vehicle as the operator approaches the vehicle only when the operator is authorized to access the vehicle, said communications system being coupled to said security system and transmitting the information about the operator of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said security system includes a biometric identification system that obtains biometric data of the operator of the vehicle and uses the obtained biometric data to control the access to the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said memory component includes information about a tractor and chassis being used to move said frame, said communications system transmitting the information about the tractor and chassis.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wakeup sensor system that detects occurrence of an internal or external event, or absence of an event for a time period, requiring a change in frequency of monitoring of cargo when present in said compartment, said information-obtaining system being coupled to said wakeup sensor system and changing a rate at which it obtains information about the cargo when present in said compartment in response to the detected occurrence of an internal or external event or absence of an event for a time period by said wakeup sensor system.

15. A method for obtaining and recording information about cargo in a compartment of a movable container, comprising:

determining location of the container using a location determining system at least partly arranged on the container;

obtaining information about cargo when present in the compartment using an information-obtaining system arranged on the container by receiving waves from the cargo and converting received waves into the information about the cargo;

obtaining information about activity outside of the frame using an environment sensing system arranged on the frame;

recording, in a memory component, information about the determined location of the container and movement of the container, the obtained information about cargo when present in the compartment, and the obtained information about activity outside of the frame in association with a unique identification of the container; and

transmitting information to and from the memory component using a communications system arranged on the container.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising remotely interrogating the memory component to enable remote access to the recorded information.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining, using a door status sensor, when a door of the container opens and storing information about opening of the door in the memory component in association with the location of the container when the door opens.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising obtaining information about a vehicle moving the container using a sensor system arranged on the container and storing information about the vehicle in the memory component.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of obtaining information about cargo when present in the compartment using an information-obtaining system arranged on the container comprises obtaining information about cargo dependent on the determined location of the container as determined using the location determining system.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining whether a person approaching a vehicle moving the container is an operator authorized to access the vehicle and enabling the person to access the vehicle only when the person is the operator authorized to access the vehicle, further comprising:

obtaining identification of the operator of the vehicle;

storing the obtained identification of the operator of the vehicle moving the container in the memory component in association with the unique identification of the container; and

transmitting the obtained identification of the operator of the vehicle moving the container from the memory component using the communications system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of obtaining identification of an operator of a vehicle moving the container comprises obtains biometric data of the operator of the vehicle.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting information about a tractor and chassis being used to move the container using the communications system.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting, using a wakeup sensor system, occurrence of an internal or external event, or absence of an event for a time period, requiring a change in frequency of monitoring of cargo when present in the compartment; and

changing a rate at which information about cargo when present in the compartment is obtained using the information-obtaining system in response to the detected occurrence of an internal or external event or absence of an event for a time period by the wakeup sensor system.

24. A shipping container, comprising:

a frame defining a cargo-receivable compartment;

a location determining system arranged at least partly on said frame and that determines location of said frame;

an environment sensing system arranged on said frame and that obtains information about activity outside of said frame; and

a transducer assembly that operatively receives a signal causing a determination of the presence of at least one object within said compartment and transmits a signal regarding the determination of the presence of at least one object within said compartment based on location of said frame as determined by said location determining system and the information about activity outside of said frame obtained by said environment sensing system, the presence of the at least one object within said compartment being determined by receiving, at said transducer assembly, waves from the at least one object and converting received waves into the information about the presence of the at least one object.

25. The container of claim 24, further comprising a memory component that receives and records information about the determined location of said frame and movement of said frame, and information about the presence of at least one object within said compartment in association with a unique identification of said frame.

26. The container of claim 25, wherein said transducer assembly comprises a communications system arranged on said frame to enable communication of information to and from said memory component.

27. The container of claim 24, wherein said transducer assembly comprises at least one sensor that determines whether an object is present within said compartment.

28. The container of claim 27, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a light or infrared sensor.