System and method for secure shipment of high-value cargo
First Claim
1. A system for enhancing the security of high value cargo during shipment within an enclosed cargo container without enabling the cargo container to be distinguished from similar cargo containers carrying shipments of lower value cargo, the system comprising:
- a plurality of cargo containers, each of the cargo containers being an enclosed container that exclusively contains cargo;
each of the cargo containers including an Internal Locking Mechanism (ILM) configured to prevent opening of the cargo container when the cargo container is closed and the ILM is locked, the ILM being externally undetectable when the cargo container is closed;
each of the cargo containers including a Base Unit (BU) at least attached within the cargo container and cooperative with the corresponding ILM, the BU being externally undetectable when the cargo container is closed;
an electronic OnBoard Identity Module (OBIM) which is removably enclosable within any of the BU'"'"'s, the OBIM when enclosed within one of the BU'"'"'s being able to secure and release the corresponding ILM, unlocking of the ILM being inhibited when the ILM is secured and unlocking of the ILM being enabled when the ILM is released,the OBIM being thereby transferable between the cargo carriers as needed, so as to secure whichever of the cargo carriers is carrying the high value cargo,the OBIM being configured for wireless communication with external nodes when the OBIM is enclosed within one of the BU'"'"'s and the corresponding cargo container is closed; and
a Security management System (SMS) configured for wireless communication with the OBIM, the SMS including a processor and software configured so as to transmit a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to secure the ILM, and transmit a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to release the ILM.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for protecting high-value cargo enclosed in a container, while maintaining the container indistinguishable from similar low value shipments, includes an onboard identity module (OBIM) cooperative with an internal locking mechanism (ILM), both of which are externally undetectable. The OBIM can secure the ILM and prevent the container from being opened until a properly encoded unlocking signal from a Security Management System (SMS) is wirelessly received by the OBIM. The unlocking signal can be a composite including a plurality of species of wireless signals such as different frequencies of AM and FM encoded RF and acoustic signals, transmitted simultaneously and/or at specified intervals. In embodiments the OBIM enables remote tracking of the container, and in some embodiments the tracking is double-blind, whereby a Master Number (MN) recorded in shipping documents is associated with a “Random Number” (RN) used for tracking, the association being known only to the SMS.
28 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A system for enhancing the security of high value cargo during shipment within an enclosed cargo container without enabling the cargo container to be distinguished from similar cargo containers carrying shipments of lower value cargo, the system comprising:
-
a plurality of cargo containers, each of the cargo containers being an enclosed container that exclusively contains cargo; each of the cargo containers including an Internal Locking Mechanism (ILM) configured to prevent opening of the cargo container when the cargo container is closed and the ILM is locked, the ILM being externally undetectable when the cargo container is closed; each of the cargo containers including a Base Unit (BU) at least attached within the cargo container and cooperative with the corresponding ILM, the BU being externally undetectable when the cargo container is closed; an electronic OnBoard Identity Module (OBIM) which is removably enclosable within any of the BU'"'"'s, the OBIM when enclosed within one of the BU'"'"'s being able to secure and release the corresponding ILM, unlocking of the ILM being inhibited when the ILM is secured and unlocking of the ILM being enabled when the ILM is released, the OBIM being thereby transferable between the cargo carriers as needed, so as to secure whichever of the cargo carriers is carrying the high value cargo, the OBIM being configured for wireless communication with external nodes when the OBIM is enclosed within one of the BU'"'"'s and the corresponding cargo container is closed; and a Security management System (SMS) configured for wireless communication with the OBIM, the SMS including a processor and software configured so as to transmit a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to secure the ILM, and transmit a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to release the ILM. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for enhancing the security of high value cargo during shipment within an enclosed cargo container, and for tracking the cargo container while en route from an origin to a destination, the method comprising:
-
providing a plurality of cargo carriers, each of the cargo containers being an enclosed container that exclusively contains cargo; for each of the cargo containers, providing an Internal Locking Mechanism (ILM) configured to prevent opening of the cargo container when the cargo container is closed and the ILM is locked, the ILM being externally undetectable when the cargo container is closed; for each of the cargo containers, providing a Base Unit (BU) which is cooperative with the corresponding ILM and externally undetectable when the cargo container is closed; providing an electronic OnBoard Identity Module (OBIM) which is removably enclosable within any of the BU'"'"'s, the OBIM when enclosed within one of the BU'"'"'s being able to secure and release the corresponding ILM, unlocking of the ILM being inhibited when the ILM is secured and unlocking of the ILM being enabled when the ILM is released, the OBIM being thereby transferable between the cargo carriers as needed, so as to secure whichever of the cargo carriers is carrying the high value cargo, the OBIM being configured for wireless communication with external nodes when the OBIM is enclosed within one of the BU'"'"'s and the corresponding cargo container is closed, providing a Security management System (SMS) configured for wireless communication with the OBIM, the SMS including a processor and software configured so as to direct the SMS to transmit signals to the OBIM causing the OBIM to secure the ILM, and transmit signals to the OBIM causing the OBIM to release the ILM; providing a tracking mechanism which is at least able to wirelessly obtain OBIM shipment identifying information from the OBIM when the OBIM is contained within a cargo container that is proximal to a specified location along a planned route of travel of the high value cargo; selecting a cargo container from among the plurality of cargo containers; enclosing the OBIM within the BU of the selected cargo container; loading the high value cargo into the selected cargo container; closing and securing the selected cargo container, including locking the ILM of the selected cargo container; transmitting by the SMS of a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to secure the ILM of the selected cargo container; while the selected cargo container is en route, using the tracking system to wirelessly receive identifying information from the OBIM so as to derive therefrom location information pertaining to the selected cargo container; and upon arrival of the selected cargo container at the destination, transmitting by the SMS of a signal to the OBIM causing the OBIM to release the ILM of the selected cargo container. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification