Keyhole communication device for tracking and monitoring shipping container and contents thereof
First Claim
1. A method of attaching a communication device to a shipping container, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a communication device that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, and that further includes electronics and at least one antenna configured to enable the communication device to wirelessly communicate both with a network that is external to the shipping container and with one or more wireless devices contained within an interior of the shipping container;
(b) positioning the first housing component exterior to the shipping container;
(c) positioning the second housing component interior to the shipping container; and
(d) securing the first housing component and the second housing component together through an opening in a wall of the shipping container to form an integrated housing structure;
(e) wherein the first housing component defines a first hollow interior, the second housing component defines a second hollow interior, and the first hollow interior is contiguous with the second hollow interior when the first housing component and the second housing component are secured together.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol. The communications are controlled by electronic circuitry within the second housing component.
40 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of attaching a communication device to a shipping container, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a communication device that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, and that further includes electronics and at least one antenna configured to enable the communication device to wirelessly communicate both with a network that is external to the shipping container and with one or more wireless devices contained within an interior of the shipping container; (b) positioning the first housing component exterior to the shipping container; (c) positioning the second housing component interior to the shipping container; and (d) securing the first housing component and the second housing component together through an opening in a wall of the shipping container to form an integrated housing structure; (e) wherein the first housing component defines a first hollow interior, the second housing component defines a second hollow interior, and the first hollow interior is contiguous with the second hollow interior when the first housing component and the second housing component are secured together. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of attaching a communication device to a shipping container, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a communication device, that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, and that further includes electronics and at least one antenna configured to enable the communication device to wirelessly communicate both with a network that is external to the shipping container and with one or more wireless devices contained within an interior of the shipping container; (b) mounting the first housing component on an exterior wall of a shipping container such that the first housing component is disposed substantially exterior to the shipping container; and (c) mounting the second housing component on an interior wall of the shipping container such that the second housing component is disposed substantially interior to the shipping container; (d) wherein the first housing component defines a first hollow interior, the second housing component defines a second hollow interior, and the first housing component and the second housing component fonn an integrated housing structure with the first hollow interior being contiguous with the second hollow interior. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of attaching a communication device to a shipping container, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a communication device, adapted for wireless communications, that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, the first housing component containing a first antenna and a second antenna, and the second housing component including circuitry for controlling transmissions and receptions of the first antenna and the second antenna, the communication device configured to wirelessly communicate both with a network that is external to the shipping container using the first antenna and with one or more wireless devices contained within an interior of the shipping container using the second antenna; (b) mounting the first housing component on an exterior of a wall of the shipping container; and (c) mounting the second housing component on an interior of the wall of the shipping container proximate the first housing component; (d) wherein the first housing component defines a first hollow interior, the second housing component defines a second hollow interior, and the first housing component and the second housing component form an integrated housing structure with the first hollow interior being contiguous with the second hollow interior. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification