EP1826733A1 - Système de surveillance de conteneurs - Google Patents

Système de surveillance de conteneurs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1826733A1
EP1826733A1 EP06110351A EP06110351A EP1826733A1 EP 1826733 A1 EP1826733 A1 EP 1826733A1 EP 06110351 A EP06110351 A EP 06110351A EP 06110351 A EP06110351 A EP 06110351A EP 1826733 A1 EP1826733 A1 EP 1826733A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
chamber
sealing element
surveillance
sealing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06110351A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Marco Sironi
Marcello Barboni
André Poucet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
European Community EC Belgium
Original Assignee
European Community EC Belgium
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by European Community EC Belgium filed Critical European Community EC Belgium
Priority to EP06110351A priority Critical patent/EP1826733A1/fr
Publication of EP1826733A1 publication Critical patent/EP1826733A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2491—Intrusion detection systems, i.e. where the body of an intruder causes the interference with the electromagnetic field
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0269—System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container surveillance system, in particular for commercial containers, more particularly for detecting any intrusion into such a container.
  • the container doors are generally provided with sealing devices.
  • sealing devices are configured and arranged so as to break when the container doors are opened. Any intrusion of the container through opening of the container doors can hence be detected at the latest when the container reaches its destination.
  • Such systems however generally only provide information on the integrity of the container when the sealing device is checked, by which time it is generally too late to avoid the contents of the container from disappearing or being tampered with.
  • This cargo container locking system does however not prevent from nor detect any intrusion into the container through the container walls, floor or roof. Although this system allows real-time tracking of the container and prevents opening of the container doors from outside, it does not allow the checking of the integrity of the container in real-time.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an improved container surveillance system, which allows to quickly identify a violation of the integrity of the container. This object is solved by the system as described in claim 1.
  • the present invention proposes a container surveillance system for surveying the interior of a container, wherein the system comprises at least one surveillance sensor arranged inside the container; and a processing unit for receiving a surveillance signal from the at least one surveillance sensor.
  • the processing unit comprises evaluation means for evaluating the surveillance signal and determining whether a violation of the container has taken place and communication means for transmitting an alarm signal to at least one monitoring station as soon as the evaluation means has determined that a violation has taken place.
  • Such a system allows a continuous monitoring of the container.
  • the processing unit is capable of determining that an intrusion has taken place as soon as the intrusion is made. This allows an alarm to be raised immediately. If the container is e.g. opened in order to place an explosive device inside the container, such intrusion can be detected and notified in real-time. It follows that action can be taken before the container reaches its destination. With previous systems, wherein the intrusion is detected upon arrival of the container at its destination, it might be too late to take action and avoid detonation of the explosive device.
  • the at least one surveillance sensor is chosen from the group comprising light detectors, motion detectors, sound detectors, still or motion cameras, infrared cameras.
  • the choice of surveillance sensor, or any combination thereof, will depend on the nature of the cargo and/or external conditions. With such surveillance sensors, it is possible to monitor the interior of the container itself. Any intrusion that takes place e.g. through a container wall, roof or floor, without violating the container door and its associated sealing device, can hence also be detected in real-time.
  • the communication means is advantageously configured to continuously or periodically transmit a signal indicative of the status of the container to the monitoring station.
  • the communication means can be configured to transmit a signal to the monitoring station only when an intrusion is determined by the processing unit.
  • the communication means preferably comprises a modem using the GSM (e.g. GPRS) or UMTS standard for transmitting the signal indicative of a violation of the integrity of the container to the monitoring station.
  • GSM e.g. GPRS
  • UMTS UMTS standard
  • the system can further comprise an event logger for storing a log of events.
  • an event logger for storing a log of events.
  • the information to be transmitted can be temporarily stored in the event logger. The stored information can then be transmitted to the monitoring station once the communication is restored.
  • the system further comprises a GPS receiver for determining the position of the container.
  • the GPS data can then also be transmitted to the monitoring stations.
  • the container surveillance system hence also comprises a tracking system wherein the container can be continuously located with precision. This also has the advantage that if action has to be taken in response of an alarm being raised, the container can be quickly located.
  • such a container comprises at least one container door and the system preferably further comprises at least one sealing device associated with a locking device of the container door.
  • the sealing device comprises a first sealing element having a housing with an internal chamber therein; and a second sealing element having a shaft.
  • first sealing element having a housing with an internal chamber therein; and a second sealing element having a shaft.
  • the shaft of the second sealing element extends into the internal chamber of the first sealing element through an opening in its housing.
  • the first sealing element preferably comprises a pressure sensor connected to the internal chamber for sensing a pressure in the internal chamber; and a transmitter for receiving a signal indicative of the pressure in the internal chamber and for transmitting the signal to the processing unit.
  • the pressure sensor in the housing allows monitoring of the pressure in the internal chamber.
  • the configuration of the sealing device is such that, when the second sealing element is connected to the first sealing element, the pressure in the internal chamber is increased due to the introduction of the shaft in the internal chamber. If the second sealing element is correctly connected to the first sealing element, the pressure is increased so as to reach a predetermined pressure range. As long as the second sealing element is not correctly connected to the first sealing device, the shaft does not sufficiently penetrate into the internal chamber of the housing. In turn, this means that the pressure in the internal chamber has not sufficiently increased to reach the predetermined pressure range. Only once the pressure in the internal chamber has reached the predetermined pressure range, it can be concluded that the sealing device is correctly installed. By sensing the pressure in the internal chamber, it is hence possible to determine if the first and second sealing elements are correctly connected, i.e. if the sealing device is correctly installed.
  • the integrity of the sealing device can be checked.
  • the sealing device is broken, the pressure in the internal chamber changes and leaves the predetermined pressure range. Indeed, as the first and second sealing elements are separated, the shaft is withdrawn from the internal chamber and the pressure drops. When the pressure in the internal chamber drops below a predetermined pressure threshold, it can be concluded that the sealing device is broken or disassembled. By sensing the pressure in the internal chamber, it is hence possible to determine if the first and second sealing elements are still correctly connected, i.e. if the integrity of the sealing device is maintained.
  • the transmitter in the first sealing element receives a signal indicative of the pressure in the internal chamber and transmits it to the processing unit.
  • the processing unit can hence be used to verify if the sealing device has been correctly installed and to verify the integrity of the sealing device. If the integrity of the sealing device is violated, an alarm can be raised.
  • the first sealing element further comprises a preferably resilient membrane dividing the internal chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber facing the second sealing element, and the shaft of the second sealing element has a length such that, when the first and second sealing elements are connected, the shaft at least partially pushes the membrane into the second chamber so as to reduce the volume of the second chamber and hence increase the pressure therein.
  • the internal chamber is divided into two separate chambers, wherein one, the first chamber, comprises an opening in the housing for receiving the shaft of the second sealing element, and the other, the second chamber, comprises the pressure sensor.
  • the resilient membrane can return to its initial position when the shaft is withdrawn from the internal chamber, thereby causing a pressure drop in the second chamber.
  • the resilience of the membrane can further provide an ejection force for the shaft, pushing the shaft out of the internal chamber more quickly, thereby obtaining a faster pressure drop in the second chamber. The violation of the integrity of the sealing device can hence be detected more quickly.
  • the first sealing element can further comprise fixing means for fixing a peripheral region of the membrane to an inner wall of the housing, wherein a central portion of the membrane can be pushed into the second chamber by the shaft.
  • the second sealing element can comprise a base with a sleeve perpendicularly mounted thereon, the shaft being received in the sleeve and, the base cooperating with the housing of the first sealing element for sandwiching fastening members between the first and second sealing elements.
  • the housing can be substantially cylindrical and have a substantially circular cross-section.
  • the sealing device can further comprise connecting means between the first and second sealing elements for connecting the first and second sealing elements and for maintaining the first and second sealing elements in their connected relationship.
  • the sleeve has a threaded portion and the opening in the housing has a corresponding thread for receiving the threaded portion. This enables an easy connection of the second sealing element to the first sealing element, wherein the second sealing element is screwed to the first sealing element and tightened until the sealing device is correctly installed.
  • the transmitter can be configured to continuously or periodically transmit the signal indicative of the pressure in the internal chamber to the processing unit. By continuously or periodically, preferably at short intervals, transmitting information from the sealing device to the processing unit, the status of the sealing device can be monitored in real-time.
  • the transmitter preferably transmits automatically and is to that effect battery powered. It is however not excluded to provide a transmitter which only transmits the signal upon request e.g. from the processing unit.
  • the transmitter may comprise a modem using the GSM (e.g. GPRS) or UMTS standard for transmitting the signal indicative of the pressure in the internal chamber to the processing unit.
  • the transmitter can be a RF transmitter for transmitting the signal indicative of the pressure in the internal chamber to the processing unit.
  • the sealing device and/or container can further comprise a transponder for storing contents information, travel information and/or inspection information of the container.
  • Figure 1 shows a commercial container 10 having a container floor 12, a container roof 14 and four container walls 16, one of which comprises container doors 18.
  • a processing unit 20 is arranged inside the commercial container 10, e.g. attached to one of the container walls 16, a processing unit 20 is arranged. Furthermore, one or more surveillance sensors 22 are arranged inside the commercial container 10. These surveillance sensors 22 can be light detectors, motion detectors, sound detectors, still or motion cameras, infrared cameras. The choice of surveillance sensor, or any combination thereof, will depend on the nature of the cargo and/or external conditions.
  • the surveillance sensors 22 are connected to and transmit surveillance signals to the processing unit 20.
  • the processing unit 20 comprises evaluation means (not shown) for evaluating the received surveillance signals and for determining, based on the received surveillance signals, whether a violation of the container has taken place.
  • the processing unit 20 further comprises communication means for transmitting an alarm signal to at least one monitoring station 24 as soon as the evaluation means has determined that a violation has taken place.
  • the communication means preferably communicates with the monitoring station in real-time.
  • the communication means preferably comprises a modem (not shown) using the GSM or UMTS standard. Any alarm signal or other signal is immediately transmitted to the monitoring station 24 so that action can be taken as soon as possible.
  • a GPS receiver 26 can further be arranged inside the container 10 for providing the processing unit 20 with GPS data, which can then be transmitted via the communication means to the monitoring station 24. Due to the GPS receiver 26 and the GPS data, the monitoring station 24 can determine the precise location of the container.
  • the container surveillance system hence comprises an integrated real-time tracking system.
  • the container doors 18 are generally provided with a locking device 28 for locking the container 10.
  • the locking device 28 further comprises a sealing device 30 for verifying that the container doors 18 have not been opened.
  • the sealing device 30 is generally configures so as to break when an attempt is made to open the container doors 18.
  • the sealing device 30 used in connection with the present container surveillance system preferably comprises means for verifying its own integrity and means for communicating with the processing unit 20. When the sealing device 30 detects that its integrity has been broken, it sends a corresponding signal to the processing unit 20, the evaluation means of which can as a consequence determine that a violation of the container has taken place.
  • the sealing device 30 can be more closely described by referring to Fig.2, which shows a preferred embodiment of a sealing device 30 comprising a first sealing element 32 and a second sealing element 34, which can be connected to the first sealing element 32.
  • the first and second sealing elements 32, 34 are arranged and configured such that, when they are connected, two fastening members 36, 36' can be sandwiched therebetween.
  • Fastening members 36, 36' can be any elements that need to be connected together in a secure way, such as e.g. a container body and a container door or respective fixing plates thereof. In the present invention any means for fixing two elements together, such as fixing plates, will be referred to as "fastening members".
  • the first sealing element 32 comprises a generally cylindrical housing 38 having a first end wall 40, a second end wall 42 and an enveloping wall 44 extending therebetween.
  • the first and second end walls 40, 42 and the enveloping wall 44 define an internal chamber 46 inside the housing 38.
  • the housing 38 further comprises a flexible membrane 48 therein for dividing the internal chamber 46 into a first chamber 50 and a second chamber 52, wherein the first chamber 50 is delimited by the flexible membrane 48, the first end wall 40 and the enveloping wall 44, whereas the second chamber 52 is delimited by the flexible membrane 48, the second end wall 42 and the enveloping wall 44.
  • the second sealing element 34 comprises a shaft 54 received in a sleeve 56 perpendicularly mounted on a base 58.
  • the first end wall 40 of the first sealing element 32 comprises an opening 60 therein, having a diameter corresponding substantially to an outer diameter of the sleeve 56, such that the shaft 54 and sleeve 56 can penetrate the internal chamber 46 of the housing 38.
  • the sealing device 30 further comprises connecting means 62 between the first and second sealing elements 32, 34 in order to, once connected, maintain the first and second sealing elements 32, 34 in their connected relationship.
  • the shaft 54 has a length such that, when the second sealing element 34 is correctly connected to the first sealing element 32, a free end 64 of the shaft 54 is in contact with the membrane 48 and pushes the latter into the second chamber 52.
  • the second chamber 52 is gastight such that, as the membrane is pushed into the second chamber 52, the pressure in the second chamber 52 is increased.
  • a pressure sensor 66 is arranged in the housing 38 and is connected to the second chamber 52 for sensing the pressure therein.
  • the pressure sensor 66 is preferably an active pressure sensor continuously or periodically sensing the pressure in the second chamber 52.
  • the pressure sensor 66 is connected to a transmitter 68 for transmitting a pressure signal to a monitoring station (not shown).
  • the pressure in the second chamber 52 can be determined. It can be concluded that the sealing device 30 has been correctly installed if the pressure in the second chamber 52 exceeds a first predefined pressure threshold. Indeed, when the second sealing element 34 is correctly connected to the first sealing element 32, the shaft 54 extends into the second chamber 52 by a certain amount, thereby compressing the gas, generally air, in the second chamber 52 by a certain amount. A signal indicative of the pressure in the second chamber 52 is received by the transmitter 68 and transmitted to the monitoring station. If the monitoring station can, based on the received signal, determine that the pressure in the second chamber 52 is above the first predefined pressure threshold, it can be concluded that the first and second sealing elements 32, 34 are correctly connected and that the sealing device 30 is correctly installed.
  • the pressure sensor 66 can be used to verify the integrity of the sealing device 30. Indeed, if the sealing device 30 is broken, e.g. along lines A-A or B-B in Fig.2, the first and second sealing elements 32, 34 are no longer correctly connected. The shaft 54 of the second sealing element 34 is retracted from the internal chamber 46 of the first sealing element 32, thereby reducing the pressure in the second chamber 52. If the pressure in the second chamber 52 drops below a second pressure threshold, it can be concluded that the sealing device 30 has been broken and an alarm can then be raised.
  • the transmitter 68 preferably comprises a RF transmitter for transmitting the signal indicative of the pressure in the second chamber 52 to the processing unit 20 of the commercial container 10.
  • a modem using the GSM e.g. GPRS, or UMTS standard for transmitting the signal indicative of the pressure in the second chamber 52 directly to the monitoring station 24.
  • the transmitter 68 is, according to a preferred embodiment, configured to periodically, at short intervals, transmit the pressure information from the pressure sensor 66 to the processing unit 20 or to the monitoring station 24.
  • the sealing device 30 can further comprise a programmable read/write transponder 70 for storing contents information, travel information and/or inspection information of the container.
  • a transponder 70 can be read by means of a reading device communicating with the transponder 70 via radio frequency.
  • the reading device can also be used to store information in the transponder 70.
  • the transponder 70 can be used to identify the container and its contents on site. If the transponder 70 is linked to the transmitter 68, information from the transponder 70 can also be transmitted to the processing unit 20 or to the monitoring station 24.
  • An event logger (not shown) can furthermore be provided in the sealing device 30 for storing event information therein.
  • Such an event logger can e.g. comprise a log of the measured pressure in the second chamber 52 over a particular period of time.
  • the event logger can occupy a portion of the memory of the transponder 70. Alternatively, a separate memory can be provided for the event logger. If the transmitter cannot communicate with the processing unit or the monitoring station, the pressure information can be stored in the event logger and transmitted once communication has been restored.
  • sealing device 30 of Fig.2 is a preferred embodiment and that any other sealing device capable of transmitting its status to the processing unit may be used in connection with the present invention.
EP06110351A 2006-02-23 2006-02-23 Système de surveillance de conteneurs Withdrawn EP1826733A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06110351A EP1826733A1 (fr) 2006-02-23 2006-02-23 Système de surveillance de conteneurs

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06110351A EP1826733A1 (fr) 2006-02-23 2006-02-23 Système de surveillance de conteneurs

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1826733A1 true EP1826733A1 (fr) 2007-08-29

Family

ID=36572157

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06110351A Withdrawn EP1826733A1 (fr) 2006-02-23 2006-02-23 Système de surveillance de conteneurs

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1826733A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2144210A1 (fr) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-13 Siemens Schweiz AG Procédé et unité de communication bidirectionnelle destinée à garantir une voie de transport adaptée à une pièce de transport
CN104954753A (zh) * 2015-06-25 2015-09-30 苏州昊枫环保科技有限公司 基于实时信息传输的室内安全系统
CN104978817A (zh) * 2015-06-25 2015-10-14 苏州昊枫环保科技有限公司 室内安全防盗监控系统
DE102019120047A1 (de) * 2019-07-24 2021-01-28 Cargoguard Gmbh Transportbehälter mit Schließzustandserkennung

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3840870A (en) * 1971-09-02 1974-10-08 A Norrod Pneumatic cup alarm device
AU2479684A (en) * 1979-07-02 1984-07-05 Millar, F.W. Security container
US4750197A (en) * 1986-11-10 1988-06-07 Denekamp Mark L Integrated cargo security system
US5615247A (en) * 1994-10-11 1997-03-25 Mills; Thomas O. Security device for the protection of cargo transport containers
US5831531A (en) * 1992-07-27 1998-11-03 Micron Communications, Inc. Anti-theft method for detecting the unauthorized opening of containers and baggage
US20040196152A1 (en) * 2003-04-02 2004-10-07 Tice Russell N. Method for enabling communication and condition monitoring from inside of a sealed shipping container using impulse radio wireless techniques
US20050195101A1 (en) * 2004-03-05 2005-09-08 Stevens James E. Shipping container security system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3840870A (en) * 1971-09-02 1974-10-08 A Norrod Pneumatic cup alarm device
AU2479684A (en) * 1979-07-02 1984-07-05 Millar, F.W. Security container
US4750197A (en) * 1986-11-10 1988-06-07 Denekamp Mark L Integrated cargo security system
US5831531A (en) * 1992-07-27 1998-11-03 Micron Communications, Inc. Anti-theft method for detecting the unauthorized opening of containers and baggage
US5615247A (en) * 1994-10-11 1997-03-25 Mills; Thomas O. Security device for the protection of cargo transport containers
US20040196152A1 (en) * 2003-04-02 2004-10-07 Tice Russell N. Method for enabling communication and condition monitoring from inside of a sealed shipping container using impulse radio wireless techniques
US20050195101A1 (en) * 2004-03-05 2005-09-08 Stevens James E. Shipping container security system

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2144210A1 (fr) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-13 Siemens Schweiz AG Procédé et unité de communication bidirectionnelle destinée à garantir une voie de transport adaptée à une pièce de transport
CN104954753A (zh) * 2015-06-25 2015-09-30 苏州昊枫环保科技有限公司 基于实时信息传输的室内安全系统
CN104978817A (zh) * 2015-06-25 2015-10-14 苏州昊枫环保科技有限公司 室内安全防盗监控系统
DE102019120047A1 (de) * 2019-07-24 2021-01-28 Cargoguard Gmbh Transportbehälter mit Schließzustandserkennung

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2607731C (fr) Procede et dispositif de detection de tentative d'intrusion ou de violation du contenu d'une enceinte
US8717163B2 (en) System and method for monitoring a closed container
AU2005226060B2 (en) Wireless monitoring device
US9460593B2 (en) Container breach detector system
US7883128B2 (en) Security system for shipping containers
US20060164231A1 (en) Cargo container integrity system
US20110005282A1 (en) Sensing a signal to sense secuirty of a container
EP1987260B1 (fr) Dispositif de scellement et procede de scellement
CN103282591A (zh) 用于远程跟踪挂锁的状态检测器和通信单元以及系统
BRPI0709926A2 (pt) dispositivo de segurança para monitorar mudanças em condições de um objeto fechado
EP1826733A1 (fr) Système de surveillance de conteneurs
CN101529483B (zh) 用于确保集装箱的装载物安全的传感装置
CN113392944A (zh) 一种计算机应用无线安全监测装置
GB2445613A (en) Detection of the transportation of unauthorised cargo
CN216384765U (zh) 一种带有报警结构的冷库自控设备
US11319745B1 (en) System for monitoring status of a protected space of a container
US20200048952A1 (en) Systems and methods for preventing theft of valuables from protected compartments
KR20180008136A (ko) 컨테이너 능동형 접근 통제 무선 보안 시스템 및 보안 방법

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

AKX Designation fees paid
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20080301