Intelligent sensor open architecture for a container security system

• US 20070152815A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated), Team Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: System Planning Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Ron, Meyers, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.220
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/10 using a centralized architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A system and method for interfacing with sensors using an open architecture and standards based approach is provided. A sensor controller located on each container and any variety of one or more sensors are equipped with complementary short range wireless communications devices. The sensor may adhere to a predefined interface specification such that it may be automatically commissioned into, and operation in conjunction with the sensor controller and the container security system.

Claims

1. A system for providing an open standard wireless interface between a sensor control element and a plurality of sensors, the sensor control element and at least one sensor disposed within each of a plurality of containers, the system comprising:

a sensor controller element associated with each container;

at least one intelligent sensor located in the interior or exterior of the container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the sensor controller element comprises a micro processor or microcontroller device along with a short range wireless communications device including a transmitter element and a complementary receiver element,

the intelligent sensor comprising a sensing element, a micro processor element, and a short range wireless communications device including a transmitter element and a complementary receiver element.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the short range wireless communication device located on each sensor control element and each sensor is capable of transmitting and receiving data and messages via a radio frequency signal at a maximum predetermined distance from a few feet to a several hundred feet.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the short range wireless communication protocol comprises any one of standards including Bluetooth, Zigbee, 802.11 series, and a proprietary short range wireless channel.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensing element includes at least one sensor from the group of sensors containing:

temperature sensor, visible light sensor, acoustic sensor, vibration sensor, motion sensor, microbolometer, radiation sensor, hazardous chemical sensor, explosives sensor, proximity sensor, infrared sensor, door switch sensor, and smoke detector.

6. A method for using a short range wireless communications device for communicating with sensors associated with each container, the method comprising:

prior to or during installation, preprogramming the sensor elements with a sensor configuration table that containing certain key parameters;

triggering transmission from the sensor controller element, such that the sensor transmits and said controller element receives a message with pertinent information related to a sensor configuration;

sending a message from the sensor requesting to be accepted into the network;

performing diagnostics with the controller on the requesting sensor;

should diagnostics be successful, transmitting from the controller element a message and receiving the message at said sensor element indicating that the sensor has been accepted into the system and is commissioned for operation; and

transmitting a message from the controller element and receiving an acknowledgement at a central monitoring station indicating that a new sensor has been integrated into the container and that the new sensor is ready for operation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the initial sensor configuration message transmitted to said controller element by the sensor element contains information including the sensor type, trigger thresholds, dynamic range, data formats, battery power, and other data pertinent to the operation of said sensor element within the container security system.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said sensor control element and said sensor operate in a manner which is automatically commissioned into the container security system without field programming, wiring, or manual intervention.