Abstract:
This invention describes an apparatus for securing and monitoring cargo containers. In particular, the present invention discloses the use of a combination of hall effect sensors, permanent magnets, optic sensors, and inductive sensors attached to a surface. This tamper-proof magnetic alarming unit can detect its location and can trigger an alarm if it is moved or if a door is breached.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Present invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for securing and monitoring cargo containers. More particularly, the present invention discloses the use of a combination of hall effect sensor, magnet, visual sensor/optic sensor, and inductive sensor (proximately) attached to a surface (such as a door). This tamper-proof monitoring unit can detect its location and can trigger an alarm if the unit is moved or if a door is breached. The apparatus for tamper-proof detection is intended to be mounted to a cargo container with interfacing capabilities to adapt to a smart cargo containers configuration. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Containerized shipping is a critical component of domestic and international trade. The fourth element of the 2002 Container Security Initiative (CST) calls for smarter, tamper evident shipping containers. However, retrofitting and/or replacing existing shipping containers requires significant time and expense. The purpose of the present invention is to function as an anti-tamper, anti-penetration device adaptable to new cargo container models or for retrofitting existing models. 
         [0005]    In today&#39;s security conscious transportation environment, there is a strong need to cost-effectively and accurately monitor the contents of containerized shipments. This need exists both in the United States and abroad. Despite the strong need, until recently few solutions, if any, have been able to provide the protection and accuracy needed to suit the transportation industry and the government agencies charged with monitoring shipments. This lack of an acceptable solution is due to many factors which complicate interstate and international shipping. 
         [0006]    Shipping containers are used to transport most of the commerce entering, leaving, and transiting or moving within the United States. It is estimated that there are over six million containers moving in global commerce. Shipping containers have revolutionized the transportation of goods by greatly reducing the number of times goods must be loaded and unloaded during transport. However, at the same time, this same advantage has created a major problem in that it is very difficult to monitor and track the contents of each container during transport. 
         [0007]    Beyond their basic construction, monitoring the content of shipping containers is also difficult because these containers are carried through numerous transit points and depots all over the world and it is impractical to stop and check the contents of each container individually at each point of transit. Dealing with this problem, the U.S. Customs Service estimates it can inspect just 5% of the 6 million containers entering and reentering the U.S. each year. Accordingly, as of 2002, agencies such as the United States Customs Service began implementing the Container Security Initiative (CSI) seeking improved ways to achieve cargo container security and integrity upon arrival at the ports of entry of the United States. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present application discloses a cargo container monitoring and security device designed to warn of intrusion, transmit location, and deter unwarranted breaches of security. Embodiments of this system include both self-arming and stand alone applications, as well as configurations to interface with new or existing processing systems, sensor suites, and communication devices and means. The invention uses a suite of sensors, which may include a hall effect sensor, permanent magnets, optic sensors, and inductive sensors. Mounted on either the interior or exterior of a cargo container, the unit may be self-armed, remotely armed or manually armed at the completion of stuffing. 
         [0009]    The object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings disclosed in the prior art. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic front view of a monitoring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic rear view of the monitoring unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the monitoring unit attached to a cargo container according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4   a  is a schematic side view of the monitoring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4   b  is a schematic side view of the monitoring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of the monitoring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a cargo container monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a functional configuration of a sensing control element according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present invention is hereby intended and such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art. 
         [0019]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a schematic front view of the monitoring unit  100  will now be discussed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the front view of the monitoring unit  100  includes a first element  101  and a second element  109 . The first element includes a large permanent magnet  103  encased in outer casing  115 , a first hall effect sensor  105 , a first hall effect sensor indicator light  107 , and a first strobe diode  120 . As further shown in FIG. I, the front view of second element  109  is shown including: a second large permanent magnet  111  encased in outer casing  117 , a second hall effect sensor  113 , a second hall effect sensor indicator light  115  and a second strobe diode  119 . 
         [0020]    With the reference now to  FIG. 2 , a schematic rear view of the monitoring unit of  FIG. 1  will now be discussed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first element  201  includes a permanent magnet  103 , a left optical sensor unit  205  and a magnetic mounting bracket  207  which is attached to an outer casing  211 . As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the second element  209  includes a second large permanent magnet  111 , a right optical sensor unit  219  and a magnetic mounting bracket  215  which is attached to an outer casing  217 . 
         [0021]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen mounted externally on the door of a cargo container will now be discussed. As shown, a monitoring unit  300  which includes of a first element  302  and a second element  304 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the monitoring unit  300  is preferably placed on a container door such that the first element  302  is attached to a single container door and the second element  304  is attached to the opposite container door. Preferably, the magnet elements are placed along their respective door seams so that when the doors are closed, the magnetic switch sensor of the monitoring unit  300  is closed. 
         [0022]    With reference now to  FIG. 4   a , a detailed description of a monitoring unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed. As shown in  FIG. 4   a , the present invention may be attached to the top most exterior surface  417  of a container door  419  and positioned flush with the door seam of the container door. Further, the outer casing  403  surrounding the entirety of a large permanent magnet  407  may be attachably affixed to a second magnet  415 . The second magnet  415  is preferably configured to adhere to the exterior surface of the top most edge of the seam  417  of the container door  419 . As further shown in  FIG. 4   a , the monitoring unit may further include an internal microcontroller unit  405 , a hall effect sensor  413 , and a strobe diode  421 . 
         [0023]    With reference now to  FIG. 4   b , additional details of the monitoring unit will now be discussed. As shown in  FIG. 4   b , the present invention may be attached to the top most interior surface  435  of a container door  437  and positioned flush with the door seam of the container door beneath the interior surface of the roof of the container  421 . As further shown in  FIG. 4   b , an outer casing  423  may be provided to surround the entirety of the permanent magnet  427 . The outer casing  423  may be attachably affixed to a second magnet  433 . The second magnet adheres to the interior surface of the top most inner edge  435  of a cargo container door  437 . As further shown in  FIG. 4   b , the internal microcontroller unit  425 , a hall effect sensor  429 , and a strobe diode  431  are provided. With reference to  FIG. 4   b , this embodiment of the present invention may require an automatic and/or remote arming sequence as the unit will be inside cargo container and inaccessible when armed. An advantage to this embodiment is that the monitoring unit is undetectable. 
         [0024]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , a preferred embodiment of the monitoring unit  100  of the present invention will now be discussed. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a permanent magnet  509  with an outer casing  507 , a microcontroller unit  505 , a strobe diode  521  and a hall effect sensor  513  are provided. As shown, the outer casing  503  may be configured to span the top most exterior surface of a container door  517 . Alternatively, the outer casing  503  may attachably affix to a second magnet  515  to secure the monitoring unit  100 . In this embodiment, the second magnet  515  preferably adheres to the interior surface of a container door so that it is flush with the seam of the door. 
         [0025]    As further shown in  FIG. 5 , a metal mounting bracket  511  extending over the outer edge of a container door  519  and along the exterior surface of a container door to provide additional support to the monitoring unit. Additionally, the metal mounting bracket  511  in this embodiment may house a pass-through antenna as means of improving wireless communication links by receiving RF signals from within a container and guiding RF signals outside of a container. This embodiment of the present invention may also require an automatic and/or remote arming sequence as the unit will be inside cargo container and inaccessible when armed. An advantage to this embodiment is that the monitoring unit is undetectable, tamper-proof and securely mounted. 
         [0026]    With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed. As shown, a microcontroller unit  601  receives input from a charging circuit and battery cells  603 , an optical sensor unit  605 , an inductive sensor  601 , a hall effect sensor  607 , an RFID reader  609 , the status detect sensors  613  and a GPS transponder  611 . The microcontroller unit  601  then assesses all the information and sends out signals to an audible alarm  615 , a radio transmitter/transceiver  617 , a GPS tracking system transmitter  619 , a visible alarm  623 , an RFID manifest  625 , a sensor log  627 , and a remote monitoring station  621 . Data from these sensors is processed, stored, and acted upon by the microcontroller unit  601 . 
         [0027]    The monitoring unit is intended to give a remote indication of any attempted interference with the doors of containers or metal doors. The system is designed for minimal user attention and only requires the user to attach, activate and deactivate the device via an RFID card, security code or the like. Automatic arming is achieved as permanent magnets  103 ,  111  connect when the two parts of the monitoring unit make contact at the door seam of a container. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the monitoring unit of the present invention includes circuitry and digital ports to connect to existing electrical and sensor management systems of a cargo container previously configured with embedded circuitry. In operation, the microcontroller unit  601  is preferably programmed to routinely scan the condition of each sensor to ensure operability. 
         [0029]    Alarming 
         [0030]    The declaration of an alarm event is a result of sensor data fusion, sensor performance sequencing, and contextual supporting data. When the controller declares an alarm event, it may activate a visible element, such as strobe diode  623 , or via an audible alarm  615 . Each alarm is preferably date and time stamped into flash memory along with the relevant details of the alarm event. The alarm messages will expose the data and rationale for the event declaration to allow for troubleshooting and visual inspection by the carrier before the shipper or customs agent are obligated to respond. This data also can be forwarded to a central location for scrutiny prior to dispatching an inspector to decrease the possibility of a false alarm response. 
         [0031]    Manual Arming Sequence 
         [0032]    In a first mode, a user may attach a monitoring unit to a container door. According to a preferred embodiment, the user may run a pre-alarming sequence to input a necessary code and container number, run diagnostics to check the power of the magnets and sensors, confirm placement of the monitoring unit, and transmit a wireless ping followed by location data to a remote monitoring station and/or homebase. Preferably, the RFID reader of the monitoring unit will also query interior contents of a cargo container and record and transmit data to a homebase to be crosschecked to verify that items in the cargo container are properly paired with the monitoring unit. 
         [0033]    In a second mode, when the left and right halves of the permanent magnetic  103 ,  111  of the monitoring unit make contact across the door seam, the device may be armed and the hall effect sensor indicator light may be illuminated. If the cargo door is forced opened while the unit is armed, the unit may audibly sound while simultaneously alerting the remote monitoring station or home base of a breach in security. 
         [0034]    Automatic Arming Sequence 
         [0035]    With further reference to  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment, in a first mode, a user may manually attach a monitoring unit  100  to a container door. In a second mode, when the left and right halves of the permanent magnetic  103 ,  111  of the proximity sensor unit are joined across the door seam, the device is armed and the hall effect sensor indicator light is illuminated. Once armed the monitoring unit may automatically run diagnostics to check the strength of magnets, status of sensors, and the optical confirmation of placement and then transmit a wireless ping followed by transmission of location data to a remote monitoring station and/or home base. Preferably, the RFID reader of the monitoring unit may also query interior contents of the container and record and transmit data to a home base to be crosschecked to verify that items in the container are properly paired with monitoring unit. Thereafter, if the container doors are forced opened without disarming the device, the monitoring unit may audibly sound while simultaneously alerting a remote monitoring station or a home base of a breach in security. 
         [0036]    Processing System 
         [0037]    In operation, the microcontroller unit  601  is preferably programmed to routinely scan the conditions of the sensors to ensure operability. It may be further preferable, that the microcontroller unit  601  have access to all other subsystem managers of the sensor, communications, power, and alerting functions. To achieve this function, it is preferred that the controller  601  has access to and handles all of the system logging of sensor data on a sensor log  627  or similar medium. Further, it is preferred that the microcontroller unit  601  also process and store RFID data (i.e. as an RFID manifest  625  of the container contents) when the system is used in conjunction with an RFID reader. 
         [0038]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , it is preferred that the microcontroller unit  702  incorporates a microprocessor  704 , a real time clock  718 , a general purpose Input/Output port to support external peripheral control  708 , a Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (USART)  710 , a Serial Port Interface (SPI)  712 , and memory , such as RAM  722 , FLASH memory  720 , and EEPROM  714  as shown. 
         [0039]    According to a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor  704  used may be a low power, high performance, eight-bit intergrated circuit based on the Motorola HCS08 instruction set. The controller will preferably manage power and host the master date-time clock, communication scheduling and annotation of flash memory records. 
         [0040]    Communication System 
         [0041]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reporting may be made via a wireless connection to a satellite mode to communicate with a satellite system such as Globalstar or Orbcomm. Preferably, such a satellite device will be a device such as the Axxon, AutoTracker, or the like, or a customized Orbcomm VHF satellite GPS tracking communications device which may be adapted with Zigbee interface antenna devices to incorporate them into the overall LAN architecture of the security system; these devices include a satellite transceiver, GPS receiver, a customized Zigbee wireless antenna with a serial (Ax Tracker) or duplex (OrbComm) interface. 
         [0042]    In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reporting may also be made using a wireless system independent from the satellite system. According to this embodiment, Wireless signals may be transmitted to a wireless relay, base station or the like for routing and transmission to a chosen centralized location independent from or in combination with the transmissions made from the satellite system. In accordance with this alternative embodiment, signals may also be received by the communications manager and wireless interface from such external wireless networks as well. 
         [0043]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that the wireless communications used within the present invention will be based on the Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4) standard. This standard transmits RF signals in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and operates with low power consumption due to its relatively slower data transmission rate (128 Kpps-250 Kbps). 
         [0044]    As referred to above, all communications of the present invention may be designed to be duplex or simplex in nature. Further, as needs require, the processes for transmitting data to and from the present invention may be designed to be push or pull in nature. Still further, each feature of the present invention may be made to be remotely activated and accessed from distant monitoring stations. Accordingly, data may be uploaded to and downloaded from the present invention as needed. For example, as detailed above, each system and subsystem of the present invention may be designed to send, receive, report and request information via the wireless and/or satellite systems so as to continually maintain and update the container systems. 
         [0045]    Additional communications with the communications manager are preferably enabled via industry standard wired interfaces, with communications protocols implemented in firmware for future upgrade. These interfaces preferably will include at least two RS-322 compatible serial ports. These alternate serial ports may assist the communications manager to interface with additional remote sensors as well as other local reader/controllers such as an RFID reader or other devices. 
         [0046]    Remote Monitoring 
         [0047]    To support and monitor the dataflow generated by the present invention, it is preferred that users establish a centralized location to collect and analyze data. This central location or “data fusion center” would preferably consolidate all tracking signals, sensor alarms and reports generated by the monitoring systems and provide further context and links with current intelligence. 
         [0048]    Preferably, such a data fusion center will receive such source information in a variety of formats such as Electronic Data Interchange, XML, E-mail, HTML and flat text files. After receiving such data, the data fusion center preferably would act to process information to identify anomalies. With this data collected and processed, analyst may calculate statistics and probability of detection models used for decision support. 
         [0049]    In terms of decision making, such a data fusion center would assist agents and shippers in making decisions regarding the safety and status of each container. In short, such a data fusion center would preferably provide a consolidated source of information that could be used to assist agencies and shippers to identify and remove unsafe and suspicious containers from commerce.