Abstract:
A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/494,286, filed Sep. 23, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/368,152, filed Feb. 7, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,866,570, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/842,920, filed Aug. 21, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,111,119, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/280,006, filed Nov. 16, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,647, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/369,004, filed Feb. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,570. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to reed switches and more specifically to the method of using one or more reed switches to control one or more devices. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Reed switches are magnetically-operated switches, which are typically formed by a pair of spaced ferromagnetic contacts or blades, hermetically sealed in a glass capsule. In a typical application and use of a reed switch, the blades are connected to outside leads—each outside lead being part of a circuit. The exposure of the blades to a magnetic field—coming from either a permanent magnetic or electromagnetic generation—forces the blades to move, either contacting one another or moving away from one another. The contacts or blades may be normally-open or normally-closed. As used herein, in a normally-closed reed switch, the blades normally are not contacting each other but will close or contact each other when a magnetic field is present. In a normally-open reed switch, the blades normally contact each other but will open or separate when a magnetic field is present. Upon removal or shielding of the magnetic field from the reed switch, the blades of the normally-closed reed switch will separate or open whereas the blades of the normally-open reed switch will close or contact each other. 
         [0006]    Generally, the reed switch is activated (that is, causing the ferromagnetic blade to move, be it closing the circuit or opening the circuit) via the use of a magnetic field. Such an activation allows communication to be established with a system or device. In some instances the communication may be the lack of a signal or electrical energy being returned when the reed switch opens the circuit, while in other instances, the communication may be the circuit being completed. 
         [0007]    One recognized use of a reed switch is monitoring the “change of state” of something, for example a door or window, in security or burglar alarm systems. In such an example, a reed switch causes a circuit to be completed (i.e., closed) or broken (i.e., opened) when a window or door opens or closes. Typically, this change of condition (the opening or closing of the circuit) is automatically detected by a central alarm system or the like, indicating whether or not an unauthorized “change of state” has occurred. A typical security use of such a reed switch may be, for example, on a window or door assembly of a house or on a roll-up door assembly of a storage shed. In such situations, it is well known and understood that the central alarm system typically receives a low voltage signal passing through the reed switch to indicate one status of the door or window, and does not receive the low voltage signal from the open reed switch when the door or window is in another state. 
         [0008]    With the use of reed switches to control a device, several design considerations must be taken into account. Reed switches are by their very nature fragile—that is, the glass capsules can break. An exacerbation of the fragile nature is the likelihood that two reed switches in too close proximity to one another may hit and break each other. 
         [0009]    Biasing a reed switch. It has been known for many years by those skilled in the art that biasing a reed switch with a first stationary magnet may have a benefit in some instances. One such application of biasing a reed switch is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,361 to Chase, issued Mar. 10, 1959. The Chase patent teaches using the magnetic flux of a stationary biasing magnet next to a set of reed switch contacts of a stationary reed switch to bias the set of reed switch contacts to the “magnet present” closed state. The closed state remains until the magnetic flux of a second moving magnet or actuator magnet, attached to a movable part of an opening, is present to cancel or annul the flux field of the stationary biasing magnet away from the biased reed switch contacts. This results in the reed switch contacts changing to the “magnet not present” open state even though the biasing magnet has not moved from its stationary position next to the reed switch contacts. 
         [0010]    Thus, biasing a stationary set of reed switch contacts with an adjacent small stationary biasing magnet, having a small magnetic flux field just strong enough to bias the set of reed switch contacts to the “magnet present state,” in conjunction with a second larger magnet with a stronger magnetic flux field spaced farther away from the set of reed switch contacts is known in the prior art. When the presence of the second larger magnet&#39;s magnetic field is present on the reed switch contacts, the second larger magnet overpowers the smaller first stationary biasing magnet and the contacts change to their “magnet not present” state even though magnets are present. The second larger magnetic flux presence could be physically moved away from the set of reed switch contacts and the first stationary biasing magnet to remove the second larger magnetic flux presence from the set of reed switch contacts and biasing magnet. Alternatively, the second larger magnet could also be stationary and ferromagnetic material moved between the set of magnetically biased reed switch contacts and the second larger stationary magnet removes the second larger magnetic flux from the magnetically biased reed switch contacts to change the state of the reed switch. It is further known that a reed switch apparatus can have more than one set of reed switch contacts pre-biased by a biasing magnet. 
         [0011]    Another technique of using a stationary biasing magnet to influence a set of reed switch contacts is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,791 to Holce et al., issued Jul. 24, 1990. A first stationary biasing magnet placed to one end of a set of reed switch contacts provides a portion of the required magnetic flux density to cause magnetic actuation or the “magnet present” state, but not enough. The remaining portion of magnetic flux density required to change the state of the reed switch contacts to the “magnet present” state is provided by a second moving magnet. By using a first stationary biasing magnet in this arrangement the reed switch contacts require less of a magnetic flux from the second moving magnet, creating a greater actuation distance to change to the “magnet present” state by the second moving magnet, resulting in a wide gap switch. 
         [0012]    By influencing a set of reed switch contacts with a biasing magnet has shown to facilitate a certain balance between the magnetic fields of all used magnets within the equation. This balance is short lived due to constantly changing variables within the equation. The magnets, for example, lose some of their magnetic flux properties over time, resulting in inconsistent results. This inconsistency is even more evident when using not only a fixed biasing magnet, but also a fixed stationary activation magnet and controlling the magnetic field with a piece of ferromagnetic material between the fixed stationary actuation magnet and the set of reed switch contacts being biased by the fixed biasing magnet. Any inconsistency can be overcome by correctly matching all the magnets&#39; magnetic flux properties within the equation to include a large demagnification error window graduated over time to provide a more consistent result. 
         [0013]    Various magnetic reed switch configurations. As discussed above, a simple reed switch configuration is generally formed by one set of contacts that are part of the flexible blades within the sealed glass bulb of a reed. Other more complex configurations having more than one set of contacts exist, such as a single pole double throw switch. Following are some different combinations and configurations of magnetic reed switches illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 20A-E : 
       Normally Open Single Pole Single Throw Switch (N.O. SPST) (FIG.  20 A); 
     Normally Closed Single Pole Single Throw Switch (N.C. SPST) (FIG.  20 B); 
     Normally Open/Normally Closed Single Pole Double Throw Switch (N.O./N.C. SPDT) (FIG.  20 C); 
     Normally Open Double Pole Single Throw Switch (N.O. DPST) (FIG.  20 D); and 
     Normally Closed Double Pole Single Throw Switch (N.C. DPST) (FIG.  20 E). 
       [0014]    Magnetic reed switches, like mechanical switches and solid state switches, utilize some sort of formed open or closed contacts in different configuration combinations held within the switch. As described above, reed switch contacts are typically encased within a sealed glass bulb filled with either a gas or vacuum-packed and typically at a different pressure than earth&#39;s atmospheric pressure to preserve the contacts from the environment. Mechanical or solid state switches may or may not be sealed in some fashion, but do employ all the contact combinations and configurations of a reed switch. 
         [0015]    A magnetic reed switch requires some sort of magnetic flux exposed upon the reed switch for the reed switch to change state. A mechanical or solid state switch usually requires some sort of moving mechanical interaction to change state. Some forms of a solid state switch also require power in order to change states. 
         [0016]    Transportable storage containers. In recent years the transportable storage container industry for individual and company rental applications has grown significantly. Typically, the renter contacts the storage container company, and has a portable self-storage container delivered to the renter&#39;s location from the storage company&#39;s warehouse or holding location. The renter fills the portable container with the renter&#39;s contents. Typically, the portable container may be at the renter&#39;s location from one day to several months, during which time the portable container has no alarm and is vulnerable to thieves and/or terrorists. The portable container may be used for temporary, semi-permanent or permanent storage at the renter&#39;s location. When the container is no longer needed, it is picked up empty and returned to the storage container company&#39;s warehouse or holding area. 
         [0017]    In other instances, after the portable storage container is filled with the renter&#39;s contents, the storage company is called to pick up the filled container and transport it to the storage company&#39;s warehouse or holding area where containers are typically stacked in multiple rows in a very large area. The containers that are filled with items do not have any type of on-board security system or location device to protect the goods inside the containers. 
         [0018]    It would be desirable to be able to easily locate a needed specific container out of rows of hundreds of stacked transportable storage containers that all look similar at the warehouse or holding area. 
         [0019]    A problem that exists with transportable storage containers is that the portable container&#39;s openings are not protected by a security system and the container&#39;s contents are unsecured during transportation to and from the renter&#39;s location and the entire time the container is at the renter&#39;s location, whether it is used for temporary or permanent storage. The only item that typically secures the contents of the container is some type of mechanical lock, which can be physically bypassed without anyone noticing the unauthorized intrusion. 
         [0020]    Internal lighting would also be desirable for containers that do not get adequate light when the door is open. Moreover, internal lighting would be beneficial when there is no projected sun light, such as between sunset and sun rise. In certain instances, it would be desirable to be able to automatically control a refrigeration system housed as part of the transportable storage container depending on the condition of the container&#39;s openings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention includes a method of controlling a high voltage device via the use of a single reed switch mounted, for example, to a portion of a warehouse or storage structure. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a method of controlling a plurality of devices with a reed switch apparatus having a plurality of reed switches. When the reed switch apparatus is exposed to a single magnetic field, the reed switches are activated. The activation of the plurality of reed switches facilitates the communication with each of the plurality of devices. 
         [0022]    The present invention includes in one embodiment a reed switch apparatus having a plurality of reed switches which communicate with a plurality of devices. In one configuration, the reed switch apparatus has been arranged and designed such that a single magnetic field can simultaneously activate all of the plurality of reed switches. In another configuration, two or more reed switches, each acting independent of one another, are simultaneously activated by a single magnetic field. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a method of activating a device via the use of a single reed switch mounted to a portion of a warehouse structure. 
         [0023]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention utilizes the reed switch apparatus to provide a security system and/or locating device for transportable storage containers. This is effectively and efficiently accomplished by attaching the reed switch apparatus to the openings of the storage container. The reed switch apparatus communicates the status of an opening to a system or device by either a wired or wireless means. The reed switch apparatus can be used to report the status of the openings to an onboard system or device. Depending on the status of an opening, the reed switch apparatus can be used to perform specific control functions that are determined by the local onboard system or device at the storage container. Some of the actions performed by the local onboard system or device could be to provide security for all openings, provide internal lighting, control refrigeration and provide a container location. By providing these local controls the transportable container would be self-sufficient providing its own control functions under all circumstances all the time. Additionally, the transportation storage container may be equipped to transmit and receive control and status information to and from a remote location. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the reed switch apparatus in an isolated view; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of the reed switch apparatus, cut across lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the reed switch apparatus, cut across lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the reed switch apparatus with a threaded round switch housing; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the reed switch apparatus with a housing arranged and designed to be placed on a door track; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the reed switch apparatus with a housing arranged and designed to fit on a door or window; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  shows an illustrative embodiment of a use of the reed switch apparatus of  FIG. 6  in the control of multiple devices; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the reed switch apparatus, illustrating one use of the reed switch apparatus; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view cut across lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  shows a cross sectional view cut across lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  shows a cross sectional view cut across lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  shows an illustrative embodiment of a use of the reed switch apparatus of  FIGS. 7-10  in the communication with multiple devices; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  shows another illustrative embodiment of a use of the reed switch apparatus in the communication with multiple devices; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 13 and 13A  show another embodiment of the reed switch apparatus, having multiple housings; 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  shows a cross sectional view cut across lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  shows an illustrative embodiment of the present invention in which a transportable storage container is in communication with a remote system at a remote location; 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  shows the switch apparatus in communication with multiple devices or systems within the transportable storage container; 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  shows the switch apparatus in communication with a local controller in communication with multiple devices or systems within the transportable storage container; 
           [0043]      FIG. 18  shows a biased reed switch arrangement with the activation magnet removed from proximity of the reed switches; 
           [0044]      FIG. 19  shows the biased reed switch arrangement of  FIG. 18  with the activation magnet proximate the reed switches; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 20A-E  show various reed switch configurations; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 21  shows a high voltage control module of the type used in some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    Several embodiments, not drawn to scale, are shown in  FIGS. 1-21 , illustrating several concepts of the invention.  FIGS. 1-3  show, in several views, a first embodiment of a reed switch apparatus  5 . The reed switch apparatus  5  in this embodiment includes a reed switch housing  10 , a plurality of reed switches  40  ( FIG. 3 ) and an attachment device  20 . The reed switch housing  10  includes an outer body  15  arranged and designed as an outermost protective coating for the reed switches  40 . The choice of material for outer body  15  can vary with design and intended use, but preferably the material is of such a nature that it is non-magnetic—or, will not interfere with the magnetic action of reed switches—and is strong and rigid enough to maintain its position when mounted to a specific object, e.g., a door or window. Suitable materials for outer body  15  include, without limitation, aluminum and plastic. The outer body  15  of the reed switch housing  10  can be of such a nature that it will absorb much of the impact caused by shock and forces that may be imparted to the reed switch housing  10  and ultimately the reed switches  40 . Such shock and forces are undesirable as they can cause the glass capsules of reed switches  40  to break. While every embodiment of the present invention may not need additional protective measures, the preferred embodiments include a buffer to protect the reed switches  40 . One such buffer is described in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,835, which is herein incorporated in its entirety. Part of the buffer in this embodiment includes resilient material  25 , which can be made of any material known for its ability to absorb mechanical energy, namely poly-foam, polystyrene, silicone, polymers and the like. This resilient material  25  fits just inside the outer body  15 , preferably fitting flush therewith. In some embodiments, the resilient material  25  can fill the entire reed switch housing  10 . In this embodiment, as is preferably the design, the buffer also includes a gas blend  35  placed inside the resilient material  25 , which fluidly isolates the reed switches  40 . The gas blend  35  suspends the reed switches  40  to help the reed switches  40  from coming in contact with the outer body  15 , and also from coming in contact with one another. One such gas blend is an ammonia methanol by-product produced from curing of silicone, when silicone is used as the resilient material  25 . 
         [0048]    While not shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , it is to be understood that the buffering of the reed switches  40  can include a mechanical energy-absorbing material placed on the outside of the reed switches  40 . Such materials can include, for example, shrink-wrapped plastic, a rubber coating, or the like. 
         [0049]    While the reed switch housing  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  has been shown with reference to one central compartment or cavity that houses all the reed switches  40 , other embodiments may include a reed switch apparatus  5  which utilize several compartments or housings. One such example is described below with reference to  FIG. 13A . The dynamics, intended use, and materials ultimately used will to a certain degree dictate the type of structure which can be used for the reed switch device  5  and corresponding housing for the reed switches  40 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , extending from the reed switch housing  10  at opening  120  ( FIG. 1 ) are leads  30 , attached to the reed switches  40 . In this embodiment, a pair of leads  30  corresponds to each reed switch  40 . Each pair of leads  30  includes a common  50  and a switch control signal  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the reed switches  40  are in such proximity to one another that a single magnetic field (not shown) can activate all the reed switches  40 . The activation of one of the reed switches  40  can include, as briefly described in the background, the closing of a normally-closed switch or the opening of a normally-open switch. Once again, “normal” in this sense means a state where the reed switch  40  is exposed to a magnetic field (for example, the actuating magnet being within close proximity to the reed switch). While three reed switches  40  are shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , two or more can be used in practice. Additionally, the reed switches  40  can include a combination of switches—including, but not limited to, those described above with reference to this embodiment. 
         [0051]    Also shown in this embodiment is attachment device  20 . In this embodiment, attachment device  20  comprises a mounting hole  22 , which facilitates the installation of the reed switch apparatus  5 . Other attachment devices  20 , which should become apparent to those skilled in the art, can be used—some of which are described in the embodiments below. 
         [0052]    In practice, the reed switch apparatus  5  can be placed in a selective location. Upon exposure of the reed switches  40  inside reed switch apparatus  5  to a magnetic field (not shown), the reed switches  40  are forced or activated (opening or closing—depending on the type of reed switch  40  being used) being forced into the normal state. In this embodiment, each of the reed switches  40  can either complete or open a circuit, via leads  30  through a common  50  and a switch control signal  60 , communicating with one of the many devices used in various industries. This communication from reed switches  40 , while not shown in this embodiment can be routed to a hardwired device, sent to a control module, or sent to a device which is in wireless communication with one of the leads  30 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 4-6  each show an alternative embodiment of reed switch apparatus  5 . In all three embodiments, the reed switch apparatus  5  operates with a similar concept to that described in  FIGS. 1-3 , with slight differences. In  FIG. 4 , the reed switch housing  10  is a threaded, round switch housing and three reed switches  40  are being used. The use of a tubular design allows unique structural advantages over other designs as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art of structural dynamics. Additionally, the tubular design will allow insertion of the reed switch apparatus  5  in a structure designed to receive round structures—e.g., in the door drum of a roll up door. Shown in phantom view are three reed switches  40  with three sets of leads  30  (also, partially shown in phantom view) connected thereto. The three sets of leads  30  extend out through an opening  120  in the end of the reed switch housing  10 . At the end of the reed switch housing  10  and adjacent to opening  120  is the attachment device  20 , which in this embodiment includes threading  45  corresponding to a nut  55 . While three reed switches  40  have been shown in this embodiment, more or fewer can be used in practice. 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 5 , the reed switch housing  10  is arranged and designed to fit on a track of a roll-up door. Shown in phantom view are the three reed switches  40  with three sets of leads  30  connected thereto. In this embodiment, the three sets of leads  30  are fed into an armored cable housing  80  upon exiting the reed switch housing  10 . The armored cable housing  80  protects leads  30  outside of the reed switch housing  10 . The attachment device  20  in this embodiment includes attachment via a wing nut  28 . 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 6 , the reed switch housing  10  is arranged and designed to fit on a door or window. Shown in phantom view are three reed switches  40 , which connect to the three sets of leads  30 . The three sets of leads  30  extend out through an opening  120  (not shown in this view) in the reed switch housing  10 . The attachment device  20  in this embodiment includes attachment holes  24 —which allow mounting via the use of nails, screws or pop rivets. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6A  is an illustrative embodiment of a use of the reed switch apparatus  5  shown in  FIG. 6  to control multiple systems or devices. In this illustrative embodiment, each of the three reed switches  40  in the reed switch apparatus  5  interfaces or communicates with a separate system or device. Each device or system in this embodiment is independent of the other device(s) or system(s), utilizing its own reed switch  40  with corresponding control signal lead  60  and corresponding common lead  50  to be able to operate properly. In other words, the devices or systems do not use a common reed switch. In other embodiments, to the extent foreseeable by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of the reed switches  40  in reed switch apparatus  5  can communicate a signal, which ultimately controls several devices. The systems or devices have been indicated in this embodiment as a lighting circuit board X, alarm system Y, and HVAC damper Z. In this interface, an electrical signal can be sent through switch control lead  60 . When the device&#39;s corresponding reed switch  40  is closed (for example, when the magnet is present), the electrical signal will be relayed back through the common lead  50 , indicating to that device or system that its circuit is closed. All three reed switches  40  in this embodiment are normally-closed. As such, the signals from the switch control leads  60  are not relayed back through the common leads  50  when not exposed to the magnetic field. When the reed switch apparatus  5  is exposed to the magnetic field (for example, by placing a magnet within close proximity to the reed switch apparatus  5 ), the reed switches  40  move to the closed position and the communicative signal is relayed back to each respective device or system—e.g., the circuit is closed. When the reed switch apparatus  5  is not exposed to a magnetic field (for example, removing a magnet from close proximity to the reed switch apparatus  5 ), the reed switches  40  move to the open position and the communicative signal is no longer relayed back to each respective device or system—e.g., the circuit is open. In this regard, it should become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that each device or system (e.g., X, Y or Z) can determine what actions to take upon either receiving a signal or not receiving a return signal. For example, the alarm system can activate upon the lack of a signal being returned. 
         [0057]    As another example, intended for illustrative purposes only, the reed switch apparatus  5  can include two reed switches  40 —one that is normally-open and one that is normally-closed (not shown). The reed switch apparatus  5  can be placed on a window near a magnet, such that when the window is closed, the magnetic field causes both reed switches  40  to be in the activated state. In this illustration, the normally-open reed switch  40  can interface or communicate with an internal siren and the normally-closed reed switch  40  can communicate with a security system. With both reed switches  40  being activated, the security system in communication with the normally-closed reed switch  40  receives an electrical signal, while the internal siren in communication with the normally-open reed switch  40  does not receive an electrical signal. When the window is open, the magnetic field is removed from the reed switches  40  and returns the reed switches  40  to their non-normal state—in this case, the switch to the internal siren being closed and the switch to the security system being opened. The security system, in not receiving a return signal because of the open circuit, recognizes that the window is open and the siren, in receiving the electrical signal because the circuit is closed, initiates. 
         [0058]    While several structures have been shown with reference to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 , the actual dynamics and physical features of the reed switch housing  10  will depend on the desired use. 
         [0059]    In operation, the embodiments of the reed switch apparatus  5  described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6  can be used in many applications to control a multiplicity of devices when exposed to a single magnetic field. In this regard, the reed switch apparatus  5  can utilize several reed switches  40 , each of the reed switches  40  being either normally-opened or normally-closed. As the reed switches  40  are closely packed or sandwiched in close proximity to one another, they can all be activated at the same time with a single magnetic field. The magnetic field, as will be commonly recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, can be created by either a permanent magnet or one generated through an electromechanically activated coil. Utilizing several of these reed switches  40  in reed switch apparatus  5  allows communication to be established with several devices at the same instance, but independent of one another. In other words, each of the reed switches  40  in reed switch apparatus  5  need not utilize a common circuit; each of the reed switches  40  can have its own circuit 
         [0060]    As mentioned herein, in some embodiments the reed switches  40  in the reed switch apparatus  5  can communicate with several devices. With these embodiments, as well as others described herein, the channels of communication can be in many forms. In simpler embodiments, a direct hard wired communication channel is used where the communicative signal is sent or received directly from the leads  30  of the reed switch apparatus  5 . In other embodiments, the communicative signal can be sent across a wireless connection. As one example, the wireless communication can be digital, being based upon the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802.12 wireless standard (IEEE 802.12, 1998 Edition (ISO/IEC 8802-12:1998)) or those based upon the Bluetooth wireless standard. Other wireless communications include infrared, radio signals, and the like. In other embodiments, the channels of communication can include various combinations. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 7-10  illustrate one use of the preferred embodiment of the reed switch apparatus  5 . This illustration is intended to only be explanatory thereof and is not intended to preclude other uses, which are available to the extent foreseeable by one of ordinary skill in the art. Generally shown in  FIG. 7  is a door  500  of the roll-up type, which is flexible enough to move from a vertically closed position to its rolled-up position at the top of the guide track  410 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the door  500  is corrugated permitting it to coil up on a rotatable support rod  300 . A disc  310  is mounted on each end of the rotatable support rod  300  for retaining each end of the door  500  as it is wound up. Items typically used in such roll-up doors are also shown, including a door stop  420 , which prevents the door  500  from further rotation around support rod  300  when a door plate (not shown) on the bottom of the door  500  comes in contact therewith. 
         [0062]    The reed switch apparatus  5 , as mentioned above, can be mounted in several places—dependent on use. In  FIG. 7 , the reed switch apparatus  5  is shown mounted via attachment device  20  to the guide track  410  of the roll-up door  500 . A single reed switch apparatus  5  with multiple reed switches  40  such as this can interface with multiple systems. Such a multiple system interface is discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . When the door  500  is completely closed, a magnet  520  (in this embodiment, shown as a permanent magnet) is in close proximity to the reed switch apparatus  5  (seen in  FIGS. 7-10 ). This magnet  520 , as indicated with references to the several embodiments, forces the reed switch  40  to either close a circuit or open a circuit (depending on whether each of the reed switches  40  is a normally-open reed switch or a normally-closed reed switch  40 ). 
         [0063]      FIG. 8  is a section view cut across lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 , showing the reed switch apparatus  5  in close proximity with the magnet  520 . In this view, the reed switches  40  in reed switch apparatus  5  would be active or in an “normal” state as the magnet  520  is in close proximity to reed switch apparatus  5 . As the door  500  rolls up and around the disc  310  (generally indicated in the direction of arrow C), the magnet  520  moves out of close proximity and the reed switches  40  are no longer activated. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9  is a section view cut across lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 , showing the details of mounting the reed switch apparatus  5  to the track  410  via the attachment device  20 . As can be seen in this figure, the attachment device  20  can be a bracket—allowing the reed switch apparatus  5  to indirectly connect to the guide track  410 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 10  is a section view cut across lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 , showing in a more detailed view the reed switch apparatus  5  in close proximity to the magnet  520 . The reed switch apparatus  5  has been mounted to the track  410  via the attachment device  20 . As can be seen in this figure, several reed switches  40  are preferably housed within the reed switch housing  10 . The reed switch housing  10  preferably operates in a similar manner to that described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the switch housing  10  including an outer body  15  and a buffer with a resilient material  25  and a gas-blend  35 . This buffer helps protect the reed switches  40  from breaking. While such a buffer is the preferable design, it is to be understood that buffers need not be utilized in every embodiment and that other buffers can be used to the extent foreseeable by one of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, the magnet  520  is mounted to the door  500  via mounting material  600  such as silicon. As the reed switch apparatus  5  is within close proximity to the magnet  520 , the reed switches  40  are activated or in the normal state. When the door  500  moves up and the magnet  520  moves away from the reed switch apparatus  5 , each reed switch  40  changes to its non-normal state. 
         [0066]    While the reed switch apparatus  5  has been described as utilizing a plurality of reed switches  40  in some embodiments, in other embodiments the reed switch apparatus  5  may include only a single reed switch  40  to activate a device adapted for use with a warehouse storage structure. In such an embodiment, the warehouse storage structure can be one of those known in the art—e.g., including, but not limited to public storage facilities, military storage warehouses, airport hangers/storage, port warehouse storage, rail warehouse storage, manufacture storage warehouses and the like. The device (in which the reed switch  40  communicates in these embodiments) can include a light, air conditioning system (HVAC), or the like. As an illustrative example and with general reference to the embodiment in  FIG. 7  (discussed above), the reed switch apparatus  5  could utilize one reed switch  40 . When that reed switch  40  becomes exposed to a magnetic field (e.g., in one of the manners described above), communication between the reed switch  40  and the device can be facilitated (e.g., in one of the manners described above). The facilitation of this communication, in turn, allows the magnetically exposed reed switch  40  to activate the device (e.g., light or air conditioning system) off or on—depending on the reed switch  40  being utilized. 
         [0067]    With the use of such an embodiment, electrical costs can be saved. For example, once again with general reference to the embodiment in  FIG. 7  (discussed above), a reed switch apparatus  5 , mounted to a door track  410 , having a single reed switch  40  can activate a light. Upon opening the door  500 , the reed switch  40  deactivates (via removal of the magnetic exposure as described above) and communicates with the light to ultimately activate the light (e.g., turn it on). Contrariwise, the closing of the door  500  applies the magnetic exposure to activate the reed switch  40 —thus, turning off the light. Thus, as can be seen the activation of the light between the on and off positions can be automatic as the door  500  opens and closes. 
         [0068]      FIG. 11 , as indicated above, illustrates the use of a single reed switch apparatus  5  with multiple reed switches  40  (not seen in this embodiment due to perspective) on a roll-up door interfacing with multiple systems or devices. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , reed switch apparatus  5  is mounted on the floor. In the control of multiple devices, the reed switch apparatus  5  in  FIG. 11  can, for example, utilize three reed switches  40 —one being normally-closed and two being normally-open. Each of these three reed switches  40  is designed to communicate with only one system or device. In this embodiment, the first normally-closed reed switch  40  communicates with an alarm system Y, the first normally-open reed switch  40  communicates with an HVAC damper Z, and the second normally-open reed switch  40  communicates with a light X. When the door  500  is closed, the magnet  520  (not shown) is in close proximity to reed switch apparatus  5  and hence all three reed switches  40  are in the normal position. As such, the normally-open reed switches  40  have an opened circuit (the light X and the HVAC damper Z) and the normally-closed reed switch  40  has a closed circuit (the alarm system Y). When the door  500  is opened, the magnet  520  moves out of close proximity, completing the circuit for the normally-open switch (turning on light X and the HVAC damper Z) and opens the circuit for the normally-closed reed switch  40  (alarm system Y does not receive signal—indicating the door is open). All devices or systems are signaled simultaneously when one single magnet is moved within close proximity to the reed switch apparatus  5 , insuring that all the devices or systems work together seamlessly. 
         [0069]      FIG. 12 , in a manner similar to that described with reference to  FIG. 11 , illustrates the use of a single reed switch apparatus  5  with multiple reed switches  40  (once again, not seen in  FIG. 12  due to perspective) interfacing with multiple systems or devices. The devices or systems have been indicated as a lighting circuit board X, an alarm system Y, and an HVAC damper Z. In this embodiment, reed switch apparatus  5  is shown mounted at an adjacent location to a swing door  700 —for example, of the type that could be utilized with a storage shed or the like, including standard features such as hinges  720  and a latch  710 . The magnet (not shown) can be mounted on an inside portion of the swing door  700  such that when the swing door  700  is closed, the reed switch apparatus  5  is within close proximity to the magnet (not shown). 
         [0070]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show another embodiment of the reed switch apparatus  5  being utilized on a door track  610 . In this embodiment, the magnet  600  and reed switch apparatus  5  remain in a single location while a door latch  630  interrupts the exposure of the magnetic field from magnet  600  on the reed switches  40  of the reed switch apparatus  5 . Both the reed switch apparatus  5  and magnet  600  are mounted to the door track  610  via an attachment device  640  and attachment screws  650 . The door track  610  has a hole  620  which is arranged and designed to receive a door latch  630 . 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the door latch  630  extends through the hole  620  between the magnet  600  and reed switch apparatus  5 , interrupting the exposure of the magnetic field caused by magnet  600  on reed switch apparatus  5 . When the door latch  630  is removed from a location between the magnet  600  and reed switch apparatus  5 , the magnetic field from magnet  600  once again is exposed to the reed switch apparatus  5 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 13A  shows a more detailed view of the reed switch apparatus of  FIG. 13 . As can be seen in this configuration, the reed switch apparatus  5  need not have a single housing surrounding the reed switches  40 . Rather, as can be seen in this embodiment, the reed switch apparatus  5  has three reed switches  40 —each with its own housing  65 . Therefore, it is to be expressly understood with the embodiments, generally described herein, that a single housing  10  (seen, for example, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 ) can be a multiplicity of housings  65  (seen, for example, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 13 and 13A ). 
         [0073]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention in which the reed switch apparatus is used with transportable storage containers. With reference to  FIG. 15 , a transportable storage container  200  includes one or more openings  202 , typically doors, for accessing the interior of the transportable storage container  200 . The transportable storage container  200  is shown having a door  202  mounted to the container  200  with hinges  204  and a latch  210 . In the typical prior art transportable storage container, the container&#39;s openings are not protected by a security system and the container&#39;s contents are secured only by some type of mechanical lock which can be physically bypassed without anyone noticing the unauthorized intrusion. 
         [0074]    A reed switch apparatus  5 , preferably a multi-contact reed switch apparatus, and an actuation magnet  220  are preferably attached at the opening(s)  202  of the transportable storage container  200  in one of the manners previously described. The reed switch apparatus  5  communicates the status of the opening  202  to one or more systems or devices by either a wireless or wired means.  FIG. 16  shows a wired communication media  230  between the reed switch apparatus  5  and all the different systems or devices located onboard the transportable container  200 . The transportable storage container  200  is shown in  FIG. 16  as being equipped with a lighting system  800 , an alarm system  801 , a refrigeration system  802 , and a global positioning system (GPS)  803 . The local GPS device or system  803  is for container tracking and transmitted/received information processing as described below. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated systems/devices  800 - 803  shown, nor does the present invention require all of these systems or devices. Preferably, the reed switch apparatus  5  reports the status of the opening  202  to the onboard system(s) or device(s). Depending on the status of the opening  202 , specific control functions are performed by the local onboard system(s) or device(s) at the transportable storage container  200 . For example, internal lighting in the container  200  is controlled by the local onboard lighting system  800 ; security for the opening(s)  202  is controlled by the local onboard alarm system  801 ; refrigeration is controlled by the refrigeration system  802 ; and the container tracking along with remote and local control functions are transmitted and received to and from the container and remote system via GPS device  803 . By providing these local controls the transportable container  200  would be self-sufficient providing its own control functions under all circumstances all the time. 
         [0075]    Still referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the transportable storage container  200  preferably includes a local antenna and solar panel  240 . The solar panel is provided for charging a local battery (not shown) on the container  200  and the local antenna is for receiving remote control function information from and transmitting local control function information to a remote location  260 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the remote location  260  preferably houses a remote device or system  270  and includes a remote antenna  280  for receiving and transmitting information to and from the transportable storage container  200 . 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the transportable storage container  200  of  FIG. 16  is modified to have a local onboard system including a simple basic controller or interface  804  in the container  200 . Preferably, the local controller  804  communicates with a single reed, reed switch apparatus  5  and the various devices or systems in the container  200  by either a wireless or wired means.  FIG. 17  shows a wired communication media  230  between the reed switch apparatus  5  and the local controller  804  and a wired communication media  232  between the local controller  804  and all the different systems or devices located onboard the transportable container  200 . Thus, when the reed switch apparatus  5  communicates to the local controller  804  that the opening  202  has been violated, the controller  804  initiates an audible and visual alarm indication in the onboard alarm system  801  at the container  200  and at the same time the local container&#39;s GPS system  803  transmits the container&#39;s violated opening along with the container location to the remote location  260  that houses the remote system  270 . The reed switch apparatus  5  could also monitor the latching device  210  of the opening  202  on the container  200  and communicate to the local onboard controller  804  if the container&#39;s opening  202  is latched and locked with a locking device. The controller  804  could also provide powered internal lighting when the reed switch apparatus  5  indicated to the controller  804  a door  202  was opened, could control the refrigeration when an opening change was indicated or give a local visual and audible signal of its location. 
         [0077]    The controller  804  at the transportable storage container  200  could be powered by a battery (preferably charged by a plugged-in transformer or a solar panel  240 ) or a second external battery source. The container&#39;s openings could be armed and disarmed by a two-way wireless key-bob that would also alert the renter if an opening has been violated from afar, much like a two-way communication car alarm system. Alternatively, a standard keypad to arm/disarm and provide all local interaction with the controller could be used. 
         [0078]    When the portable storage container  200  is located at a storage warehouse or holding area, the onboard GPS device  803  could also communicate the status of the reed switch apparatus  5  that is attached to the opening  202 , or the status of the locking device  210  on the opening, to a remote device or system  270  ( FIG. 15 ) by a wired or wireless means to indicate an unauthorized entry of a container&#39;s opening  202 , providing security and control at the holding area. This two-way communication between the container&#39;s onboard local controller  804  and the remote device or system located at the warehouse or holding area could also be used to easily locate a specific container  200  out of hundreds or thousands of containers at the warehouse or holding facility. 
         [0079]    It is to be understood that this concept of utilizing the reed switch apparatus  5  with transportable containers can also be used to improve homeland security. By using the reed switch apparatus  5  on a storage cargo container&#39;s doors  202  that are connected to a container&#39;s local GPS device or system  803  at the container  200  to indicate via satellite to a remote device or system  270  if the container&#39;s doors  202  had been opened during sea, truck or rail transportation between points A and B would insure the container  200  had not been compromised during transportation. If the container&#39;s doors  202  that are being protected by the reed switch apparatus  5  had been compromised during transportation, the container&#39;s local GPS device  803  would immediately transmit to the remote device or system  270  which container  200  had been compromised, the time it happened, where the container  200  is located and what opening  202  on the container  200  was opened. Using the reed switch apparatus  5  on a container  200  to monitor the openings  202  would be a much more dependable and reliable means over a mechanical lock or tag that is being used today to secure a transportable container. The reed switch apparatus  5  would insure that a container  200  had not been compromised during transportation or temporary storage by a thief or terrorist. 
         [0080]    As shown and discussed with reference to several of the embodiments described herein, reed switch apparatus  5  can be seen as a control system, arranged and designed to control a plurality of devices or systems. A plurality of the reed switches  40  in a reed switch apparatus  5  lie in very close proximity to one another such that the reed switches  40  can be activated simultaneously via exposure of the reed switch apparatus  5  to a single magnetic field. Thus, the reed switch apparatus  5  advantageously allows a simultaneous establishment of communication with multiple devices. Additionally, with other embodiments, the reed switch apparatus  5  can utilize one or more reed switches  40  to activate one or more devices, adapted for use with a warehouse storage structure—e.g., including, but not limited to lights, air conditioning systems, and the like. 
         [0081]    It is to be understood that the reed switch could be biased with a biasing magnet as discussed above in the Background section.  FIGS. 18 and 19  show, for exemplary purposes, a biased reed switch arrangement comprising a N.O./N.C. SPDT reed switch  900  having leads/reed contacts  902 ,  904  and  906 , a N.C. SPST reed switch  910  having leads/reed contacts  912  and  914 , a biasing magnet  920 , and an actuator magnet  930 . Preferably, the actuator magnet  930  has a larger magnetic flux than the biasing magnet  920 . The biasing magnet  920  is in a stationary or fixed position relative to the reed switches  900  and  910 . 
         [0082]    In  FIG. 18 , the actuator magnet  930  is removed from the proximity of the reed switches  900  and  910  and leads/reed contacts  902  and  906  of reed switch  900  are closed and leads/reed contacts  902  and  904  are open and leads/reed contacts  912  and  914  of reed switch  910  are closed in the presence of the biasing magnet  920 . In  FIG. 19 , the actuator magnet  930  is in proximity of the biasing magnet  920  and reed switches  900  and  910  and leads/reed contacts  902  and  906  of reed switch  900  are open and leads/reed contacts  902  and  904  are closed and leads/reed contacts  912  and  914  of reed switch  910  are open. It is to be understood that various combinations of reed switches and placement and orientation of biasing and actuator magnets are possible and within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0083]    Alternatively or additionally, it is further to be understood that the reed switches used in the present invention could comprise various combinations and configurations as, for example, the configurations discussed in the Background section and illustrated in  FIGS. 20A-E , depending on the particular situation and usage. 
         [0084]    In certain embodiments of the present invention it may be desirable to have a high voltage control module sense circuit apparatus  980 , as generally depicted in  FIG. 21 . The control module sense circuit apparatus  980  may be used to control the conduct of a high voltage device. Preferably, the control module  980  includes a sense circuit  981  to isolate and accept the communication of a reed switch apparatus  5  relaying the status, for example of an opening, to the sense circuit  981 . The high voltage control module  980  preferably also has a mechanical or solid state switching circuit  982  to switch the high voltage from deactivated to activated along with an optional timing circuit  984  to control the amount of time the high voltage device is activated. The control module sense circuit apparatus  980  preferably has either a transformer/rectifier circuit  983  to regulate an external alternating current (VAC) power source or not, by using an external direct current power source (VDC) or a internal battery (VDC) as part of the control module  980 . 
         [0085]    It is to be expressly understood that while the reed switch apparatus  5  has been illustrated in several embodiments with regards to specific uses, it can be utilized in other settings to the extent foreseeable. For example, the reed switch apparatus  5  could be utilized next to a window. As such, the foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are only illustrative and explanatory thereof Various changes in the details of the illustrated apparatus and construction and method of operation may be made to the extent foreseeable without departing from the spirit of the invention.