Standards based communictions for a container security system

Abstract

A container security system includes a plurality of wireless communication devices, each wireless communication device being associated with a respective container, and a sensor assembly located in the interior of each container. Each sensor assembly includes a sensor component and a wireless communication component that is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless communication device of the container in which the sensor assembly is located. A standards based wireless interface is utilized in the wireless communications between the wireless communication device of each container and the sensor assembly located in the interior of the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, and is a continuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 140,253 filed Jun. 16, 2008, which '253 application is a continuation-in-part of:[0002]I. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 610,427 filed Dec. 13, 2006, which '427 application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 161,545 filed Aug. 8, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,221,668, which '545 application is a continuation-in-part of:[0003](1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 604,032 filed Jun. 23, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,540, which is '032 application is a,[0004](a) continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 681,282 filed Mar. 13, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,027, which '282 application is a nonprovisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 257,637 filed Dec. 22, 2000, expired, and[0005](b) continuation-in-part of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT / US01 / 49513...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a shipping container that has a communication device built in to allow wireless communication between the container and external networks. The communication device includes a housing with two components that are connected by an integrated housing structure that extends through an opening in the wall of the container. The housing contains an antenna and electronic circuitry for controlling signal reception and transmission. The communication device can be used for both internal and external wireless communications. The technical effects of this invention include improved wireless communication capabilities for shipping containers, increased security, and improved asset tracking.

Problems solved by technology

Indeed, container tracking and sensor monitoring have taken on added importance with the realization that a container shipped into the US could cause severe damage if a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) were to be smuggled therein.

Unfortunately, all of these programs suffer from a lack of granularity in the level of tracking and monitoring provided.

More specifically, none of the contemplated security and information systems are being designed to track or monitor a unit any smaller than today's ISO container.

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