Shipping Container Security System

• US 20080315596A1
• Filed: 07/29/2006
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Terry, Daniel J., Kenney, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/327
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/02 with destructible seal closures or paper closures
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0317 having bolt like sealing means means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it F16B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0358 using a rigid hasp lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/31 Hasps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/51 Seal bolts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle

Abstract

The system described here is an improvement on ways to provide security and supply chain tracking for shipping containers. The system has a bolt-type seal lock module mounted on the container that has data storage capability and the capability to sense when the bolt is cut or certain environmental changes like impact. The system also includes a bolt-type seal lock that has data storage capability. The electronics module can be connected via wireless means to a centralized data base for the interchange of data. Individual modules or seal locks can be networked with each other to transmit data to and from a stack of metal shipping containers.

Claims

1. An improved bolt-type seal lock for a shipping container, comprising a bolt having a head and an end that is narrower than the head, and a locking body, the locking body having a passageway extending through the locking body that is large enough to receive the bolt'"'"'s end but not large enough to receive the bolt'"'"'s head, so that when the bolt is cut, and the bolt'"'"'s head is severed from the bolt'"'"'s end, the end may be passed through the passageway and out from the locking body.

2. An improved bolt-type seal lock for a shipping container, comprising a bolt and a locking body, the bolt carrying an electronic circuit and an electronic chip with a bolt serial number stored in the chip, for transmitting the serial number when the bolt is connected to the locking body.

3. An improved security system for a shipping container, comprising

an electronics module mounted to the shipping container, the electronics module having data storage capability;

a seal lock for closing and locking the container doors, the seal lock also having data storage capability, and wherein the electronics module and seal lock are wirelessly connected to each other for transmitting data to and from each other.

4. An improved bolt-type seal lock for a shipping container, comprising a bolt and a locking body, the locking body having an opening for receiving an end of the bolt and a locking mechanism, within the locking body, for engaging with the bolt;

a rewritable data storage device, also received within the locking body, for storing shipping or transportation data electronically with the bolt-type seal as the seal travels with the shipping container; and

a wireless input/output device, connected to the storage device for transmitting or receiving data to and from the storage device.

5. A method for transmitting data from a shipping container that is stacked within group of shipping containers, comprising:

providing each shipping container with a wireless transmitter; and

networking the wireless transmitters on each shipping container together, in a manner so that the shipping container stacked within the group can communicate data to one or more shipping containers stacked on the exterior of the group.