CARGO TRACKING AND MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20130342343A1
• Filed: 06/06/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KL Harring Transportation LLC
• Original Assignee: KL Harring Transportation LLC
• Inventors: Harring, Keith, Wald, Robin
• Granted Patent: US 9,501,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/102 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for monitoring a cargo container are presented. Data items are received by a monitoring system from one or more monitoring devices via a communications network. The monitoring devices are affixed to the cargo container and the monitoring system is located separate from the cargo container. The data items are monitored by the monitoring system to determine if an alert condition exists. An alert is generated by the monitoring system if the alert condition exists.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a cargo container, comprising:

receiving data items by a monitoring system from one or more monitoring devices via a communications network, wherein the monitoring devices are affixed to the cargo container and the monitoring system is located separate from the cargo container;

monitoring the data items by the monitoring system to determine if an alert condition exists; and

generating an alert by the monitoring system if the alert condition exists.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring devices include any one or more of:

an engine idling monitor, a speed monitor, a door sensor, a temperature sensor, a global positioning sensor, or a power sensor.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alert condition includes user-definable parameters.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alert condition includes any one or more of:

an engine idling for more than a first predetermined period of time;

exceeding a predetermined speed for more than a second predetermined period of time;

a communication loss for more than a third predetermined period of time;

a door open indication;

a temperature outside a predetermined range;

a global positioning system failure;

an indication that the cargo container has stopped moving while in a non-designated stopping area;

a loss of power;

or

an indication that the cargo container has diverted from a predetermined route.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generating includes any one or more of:

sending a text message from the monitoring system to a user, sending an electronic mail from the monitoring system to the user, placing an automated voice call from the monitoring system to the user, or a combination thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

presenting the monitored data items to a user via the monitoring system.

7. A system for monitoring a cargo container, comprising:

one or more monitoring devices affixed to the cargo container, each monitoring device configured to communicate with a monitoring application via a communications network, wherein the monitoring application is located separate from the monitoring devices; and

the monitoring application is configured to;

monitor the data items to determine if an alert condition exists; and

generate an alert if the alert condition exists.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring devices include any one or more of:

an engine idling monitor, a speed monitor, a door sensor, a temperature sensor, a global positioning sensor, or a power sensor.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the alert condition includes user-definable parameters.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein the alert condition includes any one or more of:

an engine idling for more than a first predetermined period of time;

exceeding a predetermined speed for more than a second predetermined period of time;

a communication loss for more than a third predetermined period of time;

a door open indication;

a temperature outside a predetermined range;

a global positioning system failure;

an indication that the cargo container has stopped moving while in a non-designated stopping area;

a loss of power;

or

an indication that the cargo container has diverted from a predetermined route.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring application is further configured to send the alert to a user via any one or more of:

a text message sent to the user, an electronic mail sent to the user, a voice call placed to the user, or a combination thereof.

12. The system according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring application is further configured to present the monitored data items to the user.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions for execution by a general purpose computer to monitor a cargo container, the set of instructions comprising:

a receiving code segment for receiving data items by a monitoring system from one or more monitoring devices via a communications network, wherein the monitoring devices are affixed to the cargo container and the monitoring system is located separate from the cargo container;

a monitoring code segment for monitoring the data items by the monitoring system to determine if an alert condition exists; and

a generating code segment for generating an alert by the monitoring system if the alert condition exists.

14. A method for establishing a temporary Web site to monitor a cargo shipment, comprising:

receiving information about the cargo shipment;

creating a temporary Web site by a Web server, wherein the temporary Web site includes the information about the cargo shipment and is active while the cargo shipment is in transit and for a predetermined period of time after the cargo shipment has been delivered; and

deactivating the temporary Web site by the Web server after the predetermined period of time has expired.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the creating includes creating temporary login information for a customer.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the deactivating includes disabling the temporary login information.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions for execution by a general purpose computer to establish a temporary Web site to monitor a cargo shipment, the set of instructions comprising:

a receiving code segment for receiving information about the cargo shipment;

a creating code segment for creating a temporary Web site by a Web server, wherein the temporary Web site includes the information about the cargo shipment and is active while the cargo shipment is in transit and for a predetermined period of time after the cargo shipment has been delivered; and

a deactivating code segment for deactivating the temporary Web site by the Web server after the predetermined period of time has expired.