Cargp Hold Item Identification and Monitoring System

• US 20070138274A1
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jan R. Saperstein
• Original Assignee: Jan R. Saperstein
• Inventors: Willis, Richard A., Saperstein, Jan R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,717,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

In an apparatus for identifying items in a cargo hold, having an entrance that is accessible by a user, each of the items includes an individual mesh network communication device and each individual mesh network communication device includes a memory that stores a unique item identification. The apparatus includes a primary mesh network communications device and a portable computational device in data communication with the primary mesh network communication device. A frame separates the primary mesh network communications device from the portable computational device at a distance that enables the user to hold the portable computational device and to direct the mesh network communications device to the entrance of the cargo hold.

Claims

1. An apparatus for identifying items in a cargo hold, having an entrance that is accessible by a user, wherein each of the items includes an individual mesh network communication device, each individual mesh network communication device including a memory that stores a unique item identification, the apparatus comprising:

a. a primary mesh network communications device;

b. a portable computational device in data communication with the primary mesh network communication device; and

c. a frame separating the primary mesh network communications device from the portable computational device at a distance that enables the user to hold the portable computational device and to direct the mesh network communications device to the entrance of the cargo hold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a tube affixed at a first end to the portable computational device and at a second end to the primary mesh network communications device, at least one wire interconnecting the portable computational device to the primary mesh network communications device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interface that interfaces the portable computational device to a server.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the portable computational device is configured to execute the following operations:

a. download a cargo manifest from the server, the cargo manifest including a list of unique manifest identifications, each unique manifest identification corresponding to each item that is listed on the cargo manifest;

b. poll each individual mesh network communication device in the cargo hold and retrieve a list of each unique item identification received from each individual mesh network communication device;

c. compare each unique item identification to a corresponding manifest identification for each individual mesh network communication device; and

d. display each a listing of each mismatch between the list of unique manifest identifications and the list of each unique item identification.

5. A shipping container, comprising:

a. a plurality of walls;

b. a container mesh network communication device affixed to a selected wall of the plurality of walls; and

c. an antenna, in communication with the container mesh network communication device.

6. The shipping container of claim 5, wherein the selected wall defines a passage through which passes at least one wire that connects the antenna to the container mesh network communication device.

7. The shipping container of claim 5, further comprising a sensor system that is coupled to the container mesh network communication device and disposed within the shipping container, the sensor array configured to detect at least one environmental parameter within the shipping container and to transmit an indication of the environmental parameter to the container mesh network communication device.

8. A system for monitoring a shipping container, comprising:

a. a sensor array disposed within the container and configured to detect at least one environmental parameter within the shipping container and to generate an indication of the environmental parameter;

b. a container mesh network communication device in communication with the sensor array and responsive to the indication of the environmental parameter, the container mesh network communication device configured to store a unique container identification;

c. a container polling unit, in wireless communication with the container mesh network communication device, configured to poll the container mesh network communication device and receive therefrom the indication of the environmental parameter and the unique container identification and generate a indication signal corresponding thereto; and

d. a communication device, in communication with the container polling unit, that transmits the indication signal to a remote receiver.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor array comprises a radiation sensor.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor array comprises a pressure meter.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor array comprises a chemical sensor sensitive to a predetermined chemical.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a container access sensor, in communication with the container mesh network communication device, that generates an access signal indicative of access to the shipping container.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the container polling unit comprises:

a. a polling unit mesh network communication device; and

b. a processor that sends a polling signal, via the polling unit mesh network communication device, to the container mesh network communication device and receives the indication signal therefrom.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication device comprises:

a. a satellite modem, configured to generate a satellite-receivable signal corresponding to the indication signal; and

b. a transmitter, in communication with the satellite modem, configured to transmit the satellite-receivable signal to a satellite.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit to a low Earth orbit satellite.

16. A method of verifying a cargo manifest for a cargo hold in which a plurality of items are disposed in the cargo hold and in which each of the plurality of items has an individual mesh network communication device associated therewith, each individual mesh network communication device storing a unique item identification, the method comprising the steps of:

a. downloading the cargo manifest, including a unique manifest identification corresponding to each item on the cargo manifest, to a portable computing device;

b. transmitting a polling signal using a primary mesh network communication device that is controlled by the portable computing device;

c. receiving from each individual mesh network communication device the corresponding unique item identification and storing each unique item identification in an item list;

d. comparing each unique item identification received to each unique manifest identification; and

e. generating an indication of each mismatch between the cargo manifest and the item list.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of placing the primary network communication device into the cargo hold prior to the transmitting step.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the primary network communication device is affixed to a predetermined place relative to the cargo hold.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of establishing a communications tunnel between the primary network communication device and at least one individual mesh network communication device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the cargo hold comprises an aircraft cargo hold.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the cargo hold comprises a container ship cargo hold.

22. A method of monitoring a cargo container on a carrier, comprising the steps of:

a. transmitting a polling request message to a container mesh network communications device associated with the container;

b. receiving, in response to the polling request, container-specific information from the container mesh network communications device;

c. receiving a polling signal from a remote requester, the polling signal including a carrier identification;

d. comparing the carrier identification to a stored identification and, if the carrier identification is identical to the stored identification, then transmitting the container-specific information to the remote requester.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of receiving a polling signal from a remote requester comprises receiving the polling signal via a satellite receiver and wherein the step of transmitting the container-specific information to the requester comprises transmitting the container-specific information via a satellite transmitter.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein when the carrier is carrying more than one container, the step of receiving container-specific information comprises receiving container-specific information corresponding to each container carried by the carrier.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the container-specific information comprises information corresponding to an environmental parameter within the container