Patent ID: 7391321

Claim:
A shipping container equipped to facilitate wireless communications between one or more wireless communication devices within the shipping container and a network that is external to the shipping container, comprising: (a) a wall structure for receiving and containing items to be shipped; and (b) a communication device, adapted for wireless communications with the external network, that includes a first housing component and a second housing component, the first housing component being disposed substantially exterior to the wall structure of the shipping container, and the second housing component being disposed substantially interior to the wall structure of the shipping container, the first and second housing components being secured together and forming an integrated housing structure of the communication device, the integrated housing structure extending through an opening in the wall structure of the shipping container; (c) wherein, (i) the first housing component defines a first hollow interior, the second housing component defines a second hollow interior, and the first hollow interior is contiguous with the second hollow interior, (ii) the communication device includes, (A) a first antenna that is disposed within the first hollow interior and is located exterior to the shipping container, and (B) first electronic circuitry that is connected to the first antenna, is disposed within the second hollow interior, and is located interior to the shipping container, the first electronic circuitry adapted to control signal reception and transmission via the first antenna for communications both with the wireless communication devices within the shipping container, and with the external network, and (iii) the opening in the wall structure of the shipping container through which the integrated housing structure extends includes a diameter of between one-quarter and one full wavelength, inclusive, of the electromagnetic waves used to wirelessly communicate via the first antenna with the wireless communication devices within the shipping container in accordance with the first electronic circuitry.