Integrated tracking, sensing, and security system for intermodal shipping containers

• US 20090134999A1
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trakloc International LLC
• Original Assignee: TrakLok Corporation
• Inventors: Dobson, Eric L., Reed, Joel K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,009,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.100
• 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: E05C 19/186 with a pair of hooks, which are movable towards each other for grasping of an element on the wing, respectively on the frame, or for grasping of an element on each of the wings forming a double door
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/554 Cover, lid, cap, encasing shield

Abstract

A security system for freight containers comprises: a locking device to reliably attach to the container and prevent unauthorized opening of the container doors; a sensing device to sense conditions affecting the container; and, a communication system configured to transmit the output of the sensing device to a system administrator located remotely from the container. The locking and sensing devices may be capable of two-way communication with the system administrator, whereby the administrator may interrogate the locking/sensing device at selected times. The locking device may contain a GPS receiver whereby its geographic location at various times may be monitored either continuously, periodically, or after a trip is completed. The system may include a visual display on the exterior of the container capable of displaying selected messages. The messages may be preprogrammed or may be changed as the container moves from one geographic location to another.

Claims

1. A security system for freight containers comprising:

a substantially rigid housing;

a locking device configured to reliably attach to a freight container and prevent unauthorized opening of said container;

a power supply;

a sensing device configured to sense at least one condition affecting said container;

a communication system configured to transmit the output of said sensing device to an external receiver; and

,

a system monitor located remotely from said container, said system monitor configured to receive said output from said sensing device at selected times and provide said output to selected users.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said substantially rigid housing is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of:

metals and alloys;

metal-matrix composites;

ceramic-matrix composites; and

polymer-matrix composites.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said housing is configured to allow RF communications to pass into and out of said housing.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said locking device comprises a latching bar of sufficient size to engage both doors of a selected shipping container.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensing device is selected from the group consisting of:

global positioning system receivers;

thermal sensors;

chemical sensors;

radiation sensors;

humidity sensors;

air pressure sensors;

load cells;

accelerometers;

tip and tilt sensors;

shock sensors;

tamper switches; and

RFID sensing devices.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication system is configured to communicate wirelessly using a communication mode selected from the following group:

serial mesh radio;

quadband GSM cellular; and

LEO Satellite.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said system monitor further includes a secure, web-based tracking system configured to allow selected users to manage assets in real-time via the Internet.

8. A security system for freight containers comprising:

a locking device configured to reliably attach to a freight container and prevent unauthorized opening of the container doors;

a power supply;

a sensing device including a two-way communication system, said sensing device further including a GPS receiver; and

,

a system monitor located remotely from said container, said system monitor configured to receive data from said sensing device at selected times and to communicate with said sensing device at selected times.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said locking device is protected by a substantially rigid housing, wherein at least a portion of said housing is configured to allow RF communications to pass into and out of said housing.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said locking device comprises a latching bar of sufficient size to engage both doors of a selected shipping container.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said locking device comprises a ring configured to engage the lid on a cylindrical shipping container to prevent unauthorized opening of said cylindrical container.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said sensing device is selected from the group consisting of:

thermal sensors;

chemical sensors;

radiation sensors;

humidity sensors;

air pressure sensors;

load cells;

accelerometers;

tip and tilt sensors;

shock sensors;

tamper switches; and

RFID sensing devices.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said communication system is configured to communicate wirelessly using a communication mode selected from the following group:

serial mesh radio;

quadband GSM cellular; and

LEO Satellite.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein said system monitor further includes a secure, web-based tracking system configured to allow selected users to manage assets in real-time via the Internet.

15. The system of claim 8 further including an input/output device selected from the following group:

keypads;

USB ports; and

wireless data links.

16. A security system for freight containers comprising:

a locking device configured to reliably attach to a freight container and prevent unauthorized opening of the container doors;

a power supply;

a sensing device configured to sense at least one condition affecting said container;

a communication system configured to transmit the output of said sensing device to a system monitor located remotely from said container;

a visual display device on the outside of said container, said display device capable of displaying selected information; and

,

a system monitor configured to receive selected data from said sensing device and to transmit selected messages to said visual display device.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said visual display device is configured to display information selected from the following group:

time;

date;

system status;

alarm conditions; and

messages from said system monitor.