Abstract:
Mobile storage trailers are often left unattended on construction sites. A mobile asset protection unit and method is utilized for a variety of interrelated purposes, including securing, managing, and tracking a single or fleet of non-self-propelled storage trailers. The method hereby details a means of tracking and accounting for a fleet of any type of mobile trailers. The mobile asset protection unit receives a distress signal from a variety of peripherals. The circuitry will immediately sound and alarm and/or relay the signal to the communications unit. The communications unit will notify the user via any one of a number of interfaces, including via cellular technology and/or internet technology. The user then relays a response to the distress signal that is in turn received and executed by the unit to ensure the protection of the storage trailer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/777,775, filed Mar. 1, 2006. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Construction companies utilize storage trailers to house equipment while their workers are engaged on a job site. Thousands of these trailers are in use at any one time across the country and around the world. These trailers typically remain on the job site for the duration of the contract, stretching months or even years. Often times during the construction job the trailers are left unattended, whether it is at night, on weekends or holidays. Recently, theft of such trailers has become an increasing occurrence and continued nuisance to the owners of the trailers and the owners of the materials and valuable equipment kept on the job site in the trailers. A great deal of money is spent by these construction companies when thieves strike. This cost is subsequently passed on the customers. 
     Problems arise with existing technology in that less than optimal protection means are available to users. An immediate response is needed to ensure the asset is not permanently lost. Additionally, power must be constantly maintained to the container. It is further desired that the protection means should be easily accessed and controlled from any point on the globe. 
     Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,563,453, 5,682,133, 6,028,537, 6,542,076, 6,687,609, 6,983,202, and as well as published application number 2005/0248444. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: (1) being easily thwarted by thieves; (2) not having a self-contained power source; (3) lacking an immediate response to the acts of a thief, and (4) lack the ability to be accessed and controlled from any position on the Earth. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a more secure, immediately responsive protection unit that is accessible from all points on the Earth, while maintaining power without the presence of constant battery power. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a method that satisfies this need of construction companies to provide a more secure, immediately responsive protection unit that is accessible from all points on the Earth, while maintaining power without the presence of constant battery power. The included method details a step-by-step process for the implementation of such a device. A mobile asset protection unit is simply one device that may be utilized to implement such a method and should not be construed as limiting the method to any such application. For example and as detailed herein, the mobile asset protection unit may be used for a variety of interrelated purposes, including securing, managing, and tracking a single or fleet of non-self-propelled storage trailers or containers. Such a protection unit may consist of any or all of the following components appropriate for the execution of the disclosed method: a circuit board acting as the central nervous system for the unit, a siren, sufficient power derived from any source (battery, solar panel, etc.) and a communications unit used to link the user with the protection unit. 
     The method disclosed herein will embody the following steps. First, the circuit board located with the protection unit receives a peripheral output signal. Such peripherals may include a means for low battery detection, a means for door proximity determination, a means for the determination of a geo-fence breach, a position determination means, and a motion detection means. The circuitry within the protection unit will analyze the output signal from the peripheral and make a determination as to which warning function is to be performed. Such immediate responses can include notifying the user, sending a signal to the monitoring system, and sending a signal to an internet website which is monitored by the user. The protection unit will transmit the appropriate response signal to the communications unit, which will in turn transmit the said signal to the user interface to alert user of potential breach of container and/or component malfunction. The user interface will receive the signal from said communications unit. The user will access this information and analyze the details from the protection unit to determine the appropriate response commands. The user will transmit the response command via said user interface. Subsequently, the communications unit receiving the response from the user and will dispatch these response commands to protection unit. The protection unit, via the circuit board located therein, will execute these response commands as ordered by the user. 
     When the user receives the message from the protection unit, the user may reply with a set number of responses, of those including: arm alarm, disarm alarm, activate siren, de-active siren, flash warning lights, and activate geo-fence. 
     Furthermore, as the protection unit executes the commands from the user, the protection unit will act in a set fashion. The alarm will be armed with the receipt of an arm alarm command, the alarm will be disarmed with the receipt of a disarm alarm command, the siren will sound with the receipt of an activate siren command, the siren will stop sounding with the receipt of a de-activate siren command, the warning lights will flash with the receipt of a flash warning lights command, or the geo-fence will activate with the receipt of an activate geo-fence command. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings presented hereafter are to be used together with the description and appended claims to explain the inventive aspects of the invention, and representative examples of the embodiments herein. The drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention to only the illustrated and described embodiments. In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram that shows the major steps of the method disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram that details the peripheral signals input to the protection unit and the potential responses to those signals. 
         FIGS. 3A-D  show top, perspective, front and side views of an embodiment of a mobile asset protection system. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mobile asset protection system with different sources of power. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Process step—Signal to circuit board from peripherals 
               
               
                 12 
                 Decision step—Signal Alarm 
               
               
                 14 
                 Process step—Signal sent to activate alarm 
               
               
                 16 
                 Process step—Signal sent to communications unit 
               
               
                 18 
                 Process step—Signal sent to user interface via communications unit 
               
               
                 20 
                 Process step—User interface receives signal 
               
               
                 22 
                 Process step—User relays response commands 
               
               
                 24 
                 Process step—Response commands received by communications unit 
               
               
                 26 
                 Process step—Communications unit dispatches commands 
               
               
                 28 
                 Process step—Commands are executed 
               
               
                 30 
                 Low Battery detection means 
               
               
                 32 
                 Door proximity detection means 
               
               
                 34 
                 Geo-fence breach detection means 
               
               
                 36 
                 Position detection means 
               
               
                 38 
                 Motion detection means 
               
               
                 40 
                 Process step—Signal to user 
               
               
                 42 
                 Process step—Signal to activate alarm 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION 
     The method being disclosed herein is to be implemented by way of a protection unit for use by construction companies in the protection, security and tracking of various mobile storage containers. These containers may range from small, equipment style trailers, to larger hardware storage trailers. Not to be taken as a limiting embodiment, such a protection unit used to execute the process disclosed herein may contain a central circuit board, controlling all operations of said unit, a siren, a communications unit, and an electrical power means. 
     The primary steps executed by the disclosed method are depicted in  FIG. 1 . The process commences when the circuit board or central processing means contained within the protection unit receives a signal from one of the envisioned peripherals  10 , said signal being of the nature of a breach of some security parameter put in place by the user. Upon this receipt of said signal, the central processing means determines whether the alarm or siren containing in the protection unit is to be sounded  12 . If this decision step results in an affirmative response, a signal is sent by the central processing means to sound the siren  14 . If this decision step results in a negative response, or after siren has been activated, a signal is sent by the central processing means to the communications unit  16 . This unit may be any analog or digital communications means, and is used to relay information to the user from the remote location of the container, typically located on a construction job site. It is at this time when the communications unit will transmit the security signal to the user  18 . The user interface will receive the signal  20 . This user interface may any interface from a set not limited to, internet based tracking center, or via cellular text message. Once the user receives this warning signal from the communications unit, the users must determine the appropriate response to the incoming message and respond by sending a command, or series of commands back to the protection unit for execution  22 . This response from the user is then received by the communications unit  24 , and the communications unit subsequently dispatches the commands to the central processing means  26 . The command is then executed by the central processing means  28 . 
     There are a series of predetermined commands that may be sent from the user via the internet based tracking center that enable the user to have control over the protection unit, or which may be sent by the user in response to the warning signals coming from the protection unit. The user may command the protection unit to an armed, or a disarmed configuration. A confirmation message is then sent to the user. The user may also command the siren on or off depending on the situation. Additionally, the user may enable or disable a set of warning means on the container, such means may include, but are not limited to include warning lights, sound siren, etc. The user may enable or disable a geo-fence boundary via this internet based tracking center. 
       FIG. 2  details the various peripheral warning signals that may be received by the central processing means of the protection unit. A low battery detection input signal  30  will be relayed to the central processing means should the battery voltage fall below a predetermined threshold. Upon receipt of this signal, the central processing means will transmit a signal to the user  40  via cellular text message, via internet based tracking center, and to the monitoring system. Upon the recognition of a security ground loop fault, the door proximity detection means will signal the central processing means of a security breach  32 . Upon receipt of this signal, the central processing means will transmit a signal to the user  40  via cellular text message, via internet based tracking center, and to the monitoring system. Additionally, the command will be transmitted by the central processing means to activate the siren  42 . 
     The user may pre-define a boundary within which the container must remain. Known as a geo-fence, once this fence is breached, a signal is transmitted by the central processing means to the user  34 . The central processing means will transmit the warning signal to the user  40  via cellular text message, via internet based tracking center, and to the monitoring system. Additionally, the command will be transmitted by the central processing means to activate the siren  42 . 
     The protection unit may also be equipped with motion detectors. Upon motion detector activation  38 , the central processing means will transmit the warning signal to the user  40  via cellular text message, via internet based tracking center, and to the monitoring system. Additionally, the command will be transmitted by the central processing means to activate the siren  42 . 
     Finally, the protection unit may be equipped with position detection means, such as but not limited to, Global Positioning System locator. The user may access the position of the container via the internet based tracking center. The central processing means with transmit the position detection signal to the internet based tracking center for display to the user  36 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the disclosed method, the method acts in an asset management capacity, whereby the user takes a more active role in commanding the protection unit. Instead of waiting for the communications unit to contact the user, the user may initiate contact with the protection unit to arm and disarm the protection unit, and setting the geo-fence boundary. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-4 , a mobile asset protection system comprising a mobile asset protection unit  1010  according to the present invention is disclosed. In this embodiment, the mobile asset protection unit  1010  is housed in an industry standard NEMA  3  electrical enclosure  1012 . However, in other embodiments, the mobile asset protection unit may be housed in any other suitable protective enclosure. In this embodiment, the global positioning system locator is a LunarEYE GPS and Cellular Communicator  1014  that serves as a single unit that performs the earlier described GPS location functions and also serves as the earlier described communications unit. Further, a siren  1016  serves as one of the earlier described warning means. In this embodiment, each of the LunarEYE GPS and Cellular Communicator  1014  and the siren  1016  are secured to a mounting panel  1028  that secures them to the enclosure  1012 . An internal battery power supply  1018  is also secured within the enclosure  1012 , and in this embodiment, is secured to the mounting panel  1028 . Further, a specially fabricated PC Interface Board  1022  is secured within the enclosure  1012 , and in this embodiment, is secured to the mounting panel  1028 . The mounting panel  1028  is affixed to the enclosure  1012  via four mounting panel attachment screws  1052 . In this embodiment, the PC Interface Board  1022  is affixed to the mounting panel  1028  via four PC interface board attachment screws  1054 . The internal battery power supply  1018  is secured within the enclosure  1012  via a battery support  1020 . Further, an LED status indicator  1024  is wired to the PC Interface Board  1022  via an LED status indicator connector  1026 . The LED status indicator  1024  is installed through a field wiring access  1036  and mounted on a mobile asset for easy viewing. An LED battery condition indicator  1032  is mounted on the enclosure  1012  adjacent to a power jack  1032  and shows the charge of the internal battery power supply  1018 . In this embodiment, if the internal battery power supply  1018  charge falls below 11.5 volts, the LED battery condition indicator  1032  illuminates red instead of green. 
       FIG. 4  shows the mobile asset protection system, in this embodiment, comprising a solar panel  1038  (5 watt panel) is the primary power source used to charge the internal battery power supply  1018 . The solar panel  1038  is connected to the PC Interface Board  1022  using a solar panel connector cable  1050 . Additionally, an AC adaptor  1037  is used as a supplemental source of power to charge the internal battery power supply  1018  via the aforementioned power jack  1032 . Further, external battery power packs  1040  may be used to extend operations should the internal battery power supply  1018  run out of charge and the solar panel  1038  fail to provide adequate additional charge. In this embodiment, a Y-shaped interconnecting cable  1046  is used to attach the external battery power packs  1040  to the mobile asset protection unit  1010  via the power jack  1032 . Key fob remotes  1042  can be used to manually arm and disarm the mobile asset protection unit  1010 . Further, a GPS and cellular communications antenna  1044  is mounted on a top of a mobile asset (such as a trailer or storage unit) and is connected directly to the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014 . 
     Enclosing the mobile asset protection unit  1010  in the NEMA  3  electrical enclosure  1012  provides protection from external foreign matter, i.e. weather, dust, and ice and further protects all internal components from theft and/or damage. In this embodiment, the PC interface board  1022  provides a two-way interface between the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014  and the alarm system  1030 . This two-way interface serves to allow the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014  the ability to control the alarm system  1030  and the alarm system  1030  can in turn control the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014 . 
     In this embodiment, there are three ways to control the mobile asset protection unit  1010 : (1) by key fob remote  1042 , (2) via cellular phone or, (3) via the internet. The key fob remote  1042  directly accesses the functionality of the alarm system  1030  by sending arm and disarm commands. Alternatively, the arm/disarm command can be sent remotely by the user from any position on the globe via a cellular phone or via the internet. The LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014  can be commanded to sound the siren  1016  remotely by cellular phone or via the internet. Upon receiving the command, the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014  transmits an output signal to the siren  1016 . Additionally, after arming the mobile asset protection unit  1010 , the user can track the unit on the internet via the positioning capabilities of the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014 . Finally, the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014  can be programmed by the user to set a geo-fence around the unit being protected of a pre-determined radius. The LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014  uses existing GPS capabilities to alert the user if the unit, or the mobile asset protection unit  1010  has moved outside of that radius. Further, a mercury switch may be installed on the PC interface board to provide feedback through the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014  to the user of any vibration or abrupt change of position of the protected mobile asset. After activating the mobile asset protection unit  1010 , GPS data is transmitted via the GPS and communications antenna  1044  to a central control station. The user can access this information via the internet from a control station&#39;s primary website. As an asset finder, the user can submit a “flash lights” command to the mobile asset protection unit  1010  on a given mobile asset using the internet or a cellular phone to communicate directly with the LunarEYE GPS and cellular communicator  1014 . This function serves a two-fold purpose: (1) to allow the user to find a specific mobile asset in a lot full of similar mobile assets, and (2) to draw attention to the unit, e.g. following a theft of the mobile asset. The mobile asset protection unit  1010  may optionally be equipped with a kill relay accessible only from the central control center, where a command is sent to a specific mobile asset protection unit  1010  to shut off all operations. This is useful, for example, in the instance where a user/customer has failed to pay his bill and the monitoring service and/or use of the mobile asset protection unit  1010  is to be discontinued.