Shipping container monitoring based on door status

• US 8,354,927 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US11/924,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20090015400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,909 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.22, 340/541, 340/5.73, 340/545.6
• US Class Current: 340/545.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/10 : with alarm, signal or indicator E05G1/14 takes precedence; burglar, theft or intruder alarm per se G08B13/00; fire or explosion alarm per se G08B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 : for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 : Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 : Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 : with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 : the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 : using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 : by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Remotely monitorable shipping container assembly including a shipping container including at least one door, a door status sensor for monitoring the open or closed status of the door(s) and a communications device mounted on the container and wirelessly transmitting information to one or more remote facilities including the status of the door(s) as monitored by the door status sensor. The remote facility may be for example, a facility interested in ensuring the integrity of the contents of the container, a facility which is charged with preventing theft of the contents of the containers, a law enforcement facility which is responsible for preventing transport of illegal cargo, and the like. A positioning system may be arranged on the container for determining a position thereof. The communications device is coupled to the positioning system and transmits the determined position of the container with the open or closed status of the door(s).

Claims

1. A remotely monitorable shipping container assembly, comprising:

a shipping container including at least one door;

a wake-up sensor that detects an event relating to said container, said wake-up sensor sensing light in an interior of said container;

an interior sensor system that obtains information about the presence of contents in the interior of said container or identification information about contents in the interior of said container in response to sensing of light by said wake-up sensor, and

a communications device mounted on said container and coupled to said interior sensor system and being operative to wirelessly transmit information to a remote facility including the information about the contents of said container to the remote facility obtained by said interior sensor system,

wherein the information transmitted by said communications device on said container is available to personnel monitoring said container using the Internet,

wherein said interior sensor system is coupled to said wake-up sensor such that sensing of light by said wake-up sensor initiates said interior sensor system to wake-up from a sleep mode and to obtain the information about the presence of contents in the interior of said container or the identification information about contents in the interior of said container.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a door status sensor for monitoring the open or closed status of said at least one door, wherein said communications device transmits the open status of said at least one door to the remote facility immediately after said door status sensor detects opening of said at least one door.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a door status sensor that monitors the open or closed status of said at least one door and a positioning system arranged on said container and that determines a position of said container, said communications device being coupled to said positioning system and transmitting using the Internet, the determined position of said container with the open or closed status of said at least one door.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a door status sensor that monitors the open or closed status of said at least one door, wherein said door status sensor detects closure of said at least one door after said at least one door has been opened.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a door status sensor that monitors the open or closed status of said at least one door, wherein said door status sensor is an ultrasonic sensor arranged on said container and apart from said at least one door and which transmits and receives ultrasonic pulses, said ultrasonic sensor analyzing received pulses to detect a change in position of said at least one door and associating changes in position with opening or closure of said at least one door.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a door status sensor that monitors the open or closed status of said at least one door, wherein said door status sensor is coupled to said interior sensor system and said interior sensor system obtains the information about the presence of contents in the interior of said container or the identification information about contents in the interior of said container based on the opening and closing of said at least one door as monitored by said door status sensor.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said interior sensor system is obtains the information about the presence of contents in the interior of said container or the identification information about contents in the interior of said container only upon detection of closure of said at least one door after opening of said at least one door.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the information being obtained by said interior sensor system in response to sensing of light by said wake-up sensor is identification information about contents in the interior of said container, said interior sensor system including at least one scanning system that detects indicia on, in or associated with contents in the interior of said container, said at least one scanning system detecting the indicia of any contents in the interior of said container only upon detection of opening of said at least one door, the indicia providing the identification information.

9. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said interior sensor system includes at least one sensor that measures temperature in the interior of said container, the presence of a chemical in the interior of said container and/or acceleration of said container.

10. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said interior sensor system comprises at least one optical imager that obtains images of the interior of said container and analyzes the images to determine information about the contents in the interior of said container.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system is configured to obtain information about the presence of contents in the interior of said container in response to sensing of light by said wake-up sensor.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system is configured to obtain identification information about contents in the interior of said container in response to sensing of light by said wake-up sensor.

13. A remotely monitorable shipping container assembly, comprising:

a shipping container including at least one door;

a wake-up sensor system that detects an event relating to said container, said wake-up sensor sensing light in an interior of said container;

an interior sensor system that obtains information about the presence of contents in the interior of said container or identification information about contents in the interior of said container in response to sensing of light by said wake-up sensor, and

a communications device mounted on said container and coupled to said interior sensor system, said communications device being operative to wirelessly transmit information to a remote facility including information about the contents of the interior of said container obtained by said interior sensor system,

wherein the information transmitted by said communications device on said container is available to personnel monitoring said container using the Internet.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a positioning system arranged on said container and that determines a position of said container, said communications device being coupled to said positioning system and including the determined position of said container in the transmission to the remote facility.

15. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a door monitoring system that monitors the open or closed status of said at least one door, said communications device being coupled to said door monitoring system and being operative to wirelessly transmit using the Internet, information to a remote facility including information about the open or closed status of said at least one door as monitored by said door monitoring system,

wherein said door monitoring system comprises an ultrasonic sensor arranged on said container and apart from said at least one door and which transmits and receives ultrasonic pulses, said ultrasonic sensor analyzing received pulses to detect a change in position of said at least one door and associating changes in position with opening or closure of said at least one door.

16. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a door monitoring system that monitors the open or closed status of said at least one door, said communications device being coupled to said door monitoring system and being operative to wirelessly transmit using the Internet, information to a remote facility including information about the open or closed status of said at least one door as monitored by said door monitoring system, wherein said interior sensor system is directed to obtain information about contents in the interior of said container based on the opening and closing of said at least one door as monitored by said door monitoring system.

17. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said interior sensor system measures temperature in the interior of said container, the presence of a chemical in the interior of said container and/or acceleration of said container.

18. A method for remotely monitoring a shipping container including at least one door, comprising:

arranging a wake-up sensor that senses light in an interior of the container on the container;

detecting an event relating to the container using the wake-up sensor;

arranging an interior sensor system on the container capable of obtaining at least information about the presence of contents in the interior of the container or identification information about contents in the interior of said container;

obtaining the information about the presence of contents in the interior of the container or the identification information about contents in the interior of said container in response to the sensing of light in the interior of the container by the wake-up sensor;

wirelessly transmitting the obtained presence or identification information to a remote facility; and

enabling personnel monitoring the container to access the presence or identification information transmitted by the communications device on the container using the Internet.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

arranging a door status sensor on the container for monitoring the open or closed status of the at least one door; and

obtaining the presence or identification information about contents in the interior of the container as a function of the status of the at least one door as monitored by the door status sensor;

wherein the information about the contents in the interior of the container is obtained only after closure of the at least one door.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining a position of the container; and

wirelessly transmitting using the Internet, the determined position of the container with the obtained information.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the obtained information further includes at least one of temperature in the interior of the container, the presence of a chemical in the interior of the container and/or acceleration of the container.