OA19504A - Container Conversion Kit for converting a normal transport container to facilitate its weighing, tracking and monitoring of its contents. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container conversion kit for externally attaching to normal containers to facilitate and improve cargo container management and control and for increasing security of containers and their contents. The transferrable transport container attachment kit has incorporated diagonally crossed beams which are exchangeable and externally attached to the bottom of containers with incorporated systems which include: programmable logic controllers for managing the wireless sensors and cameras inside the container; piezo electric sensors for correlating hydraulic or pneumatic digital weight sensors, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure weight sensors at points of load and external contact with the container, male locks for attached to the containers and female locks attached to the loading bay of the carrier and forklift pockets cut in the sides of the beams to facilitate the handling and lifting of the container. The invention prevents theft, improves auto-identification, monitors the environmental status of the container and prevents the introduction of improper merchandise.

Description

A Container Conversion Kit for converting a normal transport container to facilitate its weighing, tracking and monitoring of its contents

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a conversion container security kit which can be extemally attached or detached to or from the bottom of a normal transport container to facilitate its tracking and monitoring.

The primary invention in the présent application relates to the securing, monitoring and tracking of shipping containers. Preferred embodiments of Systems, methods and apparatus of the présent invention represent a solution relating to the securing, monitoring and tracking of shipping containers as the secured shipping containers move from origin to destination. The Solution combines a removable and transferrable container security kit with sophisticated radio and data-networking technologies and sealing technologies so as to enable effective near-real-time, end to-end monitoring and tracking of the location and status of secured shipping containers.

Background of the Invention

The ability to monitor conditions and location of transport containers in realtime has a number of Insurance ramifications. The insurers and owners of ships and cargo are critically interested in loss and theft of cargo via security breaches and fraud. Some private industry estimâtes of losses overboard, damage, or outright theft are as high as seven to ten percent of ail containers annually. Insurance companies and owners of containers finance a great deal of this expense, and in tum, pass along these losses as premiums and retained losses to cargo carriers, and ultimately to the consumer. Carriers, cargo owners and the manufacturera absorb the remaining losses that are again ultimately passed along to end consumers. Entities in the distribution chain would be expected to receive a lower insurance premium for shipping through more secure service providers.

However, recent innovations in the transportation of merchandise in containers that are sealed, locked and hâve security seals, has reduced the amount of merchandise stolen in transit. Three methods are usually used to steal from the containers: breaking the locks and forcing the doors, cutting an opening in the walls of the container or removing the pins that hold the doors hinges in place and removing the doors.

During some stage of the shipment, the container may receive some knocks during loading or unloading or even during transportation if, for example, the truck has to brake suddenly or the ship is in a strong sea storm. Sometimes the damage is visible, but the container appears to be fine even if the goods inside are damaged. In cases like this, it is important to know who or what could hâve caused the damage and where in order to claim compensation later.

These factors hâve increased the demand for some means or Systems to track and monitor containers and their contents. Any solution to these problems must take the following points into account:

1. Need for an independent electrical power source: Since the containers hâve no intégral power sources, the Installed unit must hâve its own power supply that will last for as long as is needed. The electrical power is most times provided by the main battery of the transporting vehicle which could be disconnected to render the smart container conversion kit useless;

2. Communication: communication présents a number of challenges that hâve to be addressed: adéquate communication between the sensors on the container and the base particularly over long distances;

3. Mechanics:the mechanics of the unit on the container must provide solutions for a number of factors including being water- and tamperproof, conveniently location where the unit will not be physically damaged or tampered with and that it will not interfère with the packing, unpacking or transporting of the container;

4. Simplicity:the unit must be easy and quick to install or uninstall.

Current approaches can be divided into a number of categories:

1. Mechanical or pneumatic solutions including sophisticated locks and locking Systems;

2. Electronic solutions including sensors that detect anomalies and broadcast warnings;

3. Rigidity: Most transport containers are metallic, rigid and strong. Therefore the smart container conversion kits must also be rugged and able to withstand accidents or intentional tampering.

4. A Combination of mechanical, pneumatic, rigidity and electronic solutions that include a smart lock, sensors and transmitting units.

The anticipated smart container conversion kit combines ail the above-mentioned solutions to make a very formidable solution to container security.

Owing to the need to provide electrical power and communications capabilities: Most known approaches utilize normal radio(RF) frequency spectrums or Radio Frequency Distribution (RFD) frequencies with the solution being a local one only, within the port or between the container and the host. Some proposed approaches send a notification to a hand-held computer. For a number of reasons, many of the available solutions do not provide for a built in international communications (GPRS or satellite). Also, many solutions are cumbersome and others are easy to bypass or damage.

For Example WO 06/124377 discloses a security device adapted to sense at least one condition of a container that is programmable and armed to implement the securing and transmission of information relating to at least one sensed condition to a location outside the container.

A remote arming plug is adapted to be coupled to the security device and has a unique identifier to be communicated t o the container security device.

US2004/0100379 discloses a monitoring system for a container and its contents that includes a device, a reader, a server, and a software backbone. The device communicates with the reader in order to détermine the security and/or location of the container to which the device is attached. The reader transmits the information from the device to the server. The device détermines if a security condition has occurred based on at least one sensor located on or in the container.

The device disclosed in US 2004/0100379 is affîxed to the inside surface of a container proximate to the door, so that a first end of the device protrudes through door frame near the hinge, while the remainder is secured inside the container. The device includes an antenna, an RF/baseband unit, a microprocessor, a memory, and a door sensor. The device may also include an interface for attachment of additional sensors to monitor various internai conditions of the container such as, for example, température, vibration, radioactivity, gas détection, and motion. Any such additional sensors are separate units that are independently coupled to the microprocessor. The antenna allows for data exchange with the reader of information such as, for example, status and control data, may be exchanged. The reader may be configured as a handheld reader, a mobile reader, or a fixed reader.

The mobile reader is basically a fixed reader with a GPS interface, typically utilized in mobile installations (e.g., on trucks, trains, or ships using existing GPS, AIS or similar positioning Systems) to secure, track, and détermine the integrity of the container in a manner similar to that of the hand-held reader.

In such a system, it is possible to identify a location of the container, either manually b y using a hand-held reader or when the container passes within communication range of the reader and exchanges data therewith. In other words, the location of the container is determined only as a function of the fixed (or moveable) location of the reader and requires either that the reader be brought into communication range of the container or that the container reaches a location that is in communication range with a reader. This means that if the container gets lost or is stolen and does not pass within range of a reader, there is no way that the container can be tracked. Moreover, the system described in US 2004/0100379 does not report real time events such as fall, tilt, damage, impact and breaking into the container. Real-time event monitoring is well-known and there are many vehicle fleet management and tracking Systems that employ GPS in combination with GSM or GRSM for the purpose of conveying alerts in real time to a central monitoring system. Reference is made, for example, to US 2008/0125965 and US Patent No.7,212,829.

Document no. WO2017/163105 anticipâtes a transport container with a plurality of side walls including a door in at least one of the side walls through which the inside of the container can be accessed to insert and remove goods from the container; and inside the container, a floor comprised of a plurality of load supporting beams each connected directly or indirectly to at least one side wall of the container, a plurality of weight sensors located on top of the load supporting beams, and an intermediate layer located on top of the weight sensors, wherein the intermediate layer is not connected to the side walls so that any load placed on the intermediate layer will be transferred on to at least one of the plurality of weight sensors which will sense the weight of the load and transfer the weight of the load onto at least one of the plurality of load supporting beams which include:

a plurality of weight sensors placed on the floor of the transport container to measure the weight of the contents of the transport container;

at least one volumétrie sensor placed inside the transport container to measure the volume of the contents of the transport container;

a memory sensor and a communication module; and a processor connected to the plurality of weight sensors, at least one volumétrie sensor and to the communication module, the processor monitoring the output of the sensors and generating an alarm if either the weight or the volume of the contents in the transport container are changed and transmitting an alarm signal via the communication module in the event of an alarm being triggered.

The closest prior art is document no. WO/2006/075036 which, anticipâtes a security system for improving cargo container management and control and for increasing security. The inventive system comprises a control unit having the following éléments associated therewith, namely: auto-weighing means, GPS-based position-finding means, sealing means and means for indicating improper handling. Said control unit can be used for the continuous monitoring of the seal and for the electronic identification of the container. In tum, the auto-weighing means comprise a hydraulic power system which is associated with hydraulic cylinders on which load cells are positioned. The invention prevents theft, improves auto-identification and prevents the introduction of improper merchandise.

Objectives and advantages of the Invention

Unfortunately, ail the above solutions provide for Systems which are fixed inside containers and can’t be exchanged with any other containers.

The main objective of this invention is to provide a transferrable transport container conversion kit which can provide better container security by being extemally attached or detached to or from the exterior bottom of any container and therefor easily making any transport container secure after attaching the kit to it.

Objects of the présent invention include the provision of a secure container attachment device which can be transferred from one cargo container to another that simultaneously monitors the conditions affecting the container, provision of a container monitor capable of transmitting monitored data including weight and volume to a central programmable logic controller for managing wireless sensors, continuously monitoring the condition of the container and the container's location within a GPS System Providing a monitoring, and display device for cargo containers that is capable of displaying selected messages on an outside Surface of the container, providing a security System for cargo containers that can display messages received from a remote system administrator.

Summary of the Invention

It is therefore the object of the présent invention to provide an improved transport container monitoring security system that is suitable for both land and sea-worthy shipping containers, and which allows continuous and automatic tracking and management of containers in real time during prolonged inland and sea voyages and which is based on a customized externally attachable self- contained container tracking system.

According to the aspect of the invention there is a provided a container attachment device for tracking a container, said container device comprising:

Diagonally interconnected beams or frame sections configured to withstand harsh environments and for attachment to the extemal bottom of the container,

Diagonally connected beams of the container attachment are connected to the four comers of the container by male locks which are locked into conversion kit plate at the four points of load and are attached to hydraulic / pneumatic weight sensors which are connected to the loading bay of the vehicle through female lock conversion kits, a plurality of load supporting beams diagonally interconnected directly to the extemal bottom of the container, a plurality of weight sensors composed of four Piezo Electric sensors inserted in each of the four corners of the container for collecting hydraulic /Pneumatic pressure to ascertain the digital weight of the container embedded in the load supporting beams, so that any load placed on the beams will be transferred on to at least one of the plurality of weight sensors which will sense the weight of the load, one or more security sensors and caméras integrally mounted in the frame section and coupled to a processing unit and a programmable logic controller for managing wireless sensors with their own power source for detecting respective security events and which is normally dormant so as to minimize power consumption, a global position sensor integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to the processing unit for providing a position signal, a cellular or satellite modem integrally mounted in the body section and coupled to the processing unit for providing data communication carrier via long range networks, a sealed battery housing or battery connection for providing power to the container attachment and to the sensors and the cellular or satellite modem therein, a power management controller for monitoring battery power level and being responsive to sensor signais and extemal interrogation signais or interrupts for awakening the processing unit, and an antenna module mounted at the first end of the diagonally connected beams section and coupled to the processing unit, said antenna module including at least one long-range antenna for effecting continuous real time tracking and communication with a remote tracking server for informing the tracking server of an instantaneous location of the container and any other security event.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a transferrable transport container attachment kit with incorporated diagonally crossed beams and incorporated Systems which include programmable logic controllers for managing wireless sensors, caméras Piezo Electric sensors for correlating hydraulic /pneumatic pressure to digital weight wireless sensors, hydraulic/pneumatic weight sensors at point of load and contact with the container and forklift pockets on the beams to facilitate the lifting and handling of the container according to the présent invention;

Figure 2 Shows container conversion kit including a male lock, a plate at point of load and contact attached to hydraulic / pneumatic weight sensor, a female lock conversion kit for attaching the container to the Vehicle;

Figure 3 shows the side view of the container when attached to the conversion kit which includes forklift pockets in the beams for handling both the container and conversion kit;

Figure 4 shows the end view of the container attachment kit attached to the container including the diagonally connected beams, hydraulic / pneumatic weight sensors;

Description of the Embodiment

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a transport container attachment and a system for monitoring the contents of a transport container is shown.

The transport container attachment illustrated is attached at the extemal bottom of the container and rests on top of the loading bay of the truck or trailer. It is a well-known fact that transport containers are typically moved between trucks, ships and storage where they are loaded and unloaded.

In addition, whilst it will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment is an attachment to transport containers, the présent invention could be used for other types of transport containers that move goods for example to monitor the trailer of a cargo truck that is used to move goods by land or the interior of a carriageof a train that is used to move goods by rail or indeed the interior of a cargo airplane that is used to move goods by air, to name some but a few examples.

The container attachment system for monitoring the contents of the transport container includes the plurality of weight sensors and caméras placed in the container and on plate at point of load and contact attached to hydraulic / pneumatic weight sensor the of the transport container attachment to measure the weight of the contents of the transport container.

A memory is used for storing system data therein and a communication module embedded in the container attachment in one example includes a GPRS communication module. The communication module typically allows communication with an extemal server which will be in communication with a large number of Systems installed on a large number of containers.

In the illustrated embodiments, the plurality of load supporting diagonally interconnected beams are incorporated into a load supporting frame which is then connected to a lower frame element which is extemally attached to the bottom of container.

The load supporting diagonally interconnected beams hâve forklift pockets for handling the combined attachment kit and container. It must also be appreciated that the number of weight sensors and their location on the load supporting beams can be varied to provide more or less weight measurement sensitivity, depending on the size and shape of the container and needs of the particular application.

According to a second example embodiment of the présent invention there is provided a container attachment kit for monitoring the security of a transport container, the system including:

a plurality of weight sensors placed at the bottom of the transport container kit to measure and monitor the weight of the contents of the transport container.

a memory;

a communication module;

a processor connected to the plurality of weight sensors and to the communication module, the processor monitoring the output of the sensors and generating an alarm if either the weight or the volume of the contents in the transport container are reduced and transmitting an alarm signal via the communication module in the event of an alarm being triggered and

The memory preferably has stored therein initial measurements measured by the plurality of weight sensors and the at least one volumétrie sensor and wherein the processor compares later measurements received from the plurality of weight sensors and the at least one volumétrie sensor with the initial measurements to détermine if an alarm must be triggered.

The communication module may be a General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) communication module.

The system may also include a location module connected to the processor, the location module used to détermine the location of the transport container.

The location module may be a GPS module and

The programmable logic controller for managing ail the wireless sensors is embedded inside the diagonally connected beams.

In one example embodiment, the weight sensors are piezoelectric weight sensors but any suitable weight sensor could be used for the application.

The key criteria for the weight sensors is that they are able to be loaded up to the maximum load which can be expected to be placed hydraulic/pneumatic weight sensors at an external point of load and contact between the container and the container security kit. The sensors must hâve the sensitivity to déterminé when at least some of the contents of the container had been removed, exchanged or added.

It is not considered necessary to extend this description for any expert in the matter to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the examples chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers ail changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. The materials shape, size and arrangement of the éléments may vary as long as not alter the essential of the invention and the terms described herein shall be understood in a wide and non-limiting sense.

Claims (7)

1. A container conversion kit for converting a normal transport container to facilitate its weighing, tracking and monitoring of its contents comprising:

Diagonally crossed beams and incorporated Systems which include programmable logic controllers for managing wireless sensors, piezo electric sensors for correlating hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to digital weight wireless sensors;

a male lock for attaching the container to the loading bay;

a plate at point of load and contact attached to hydraulic or pneumatic;

a communication system configured to transmit the output of the sensing device to a system monitor located remotely from the container; a visual display device on the outside of the container, capable of displaying selected information and, a system monitor configured to receive selected data from the sensing device and to transmit selected messages to the visual display device;

Extemal weight sensors place on ail the four corners of the conversion kit;

a female lock for attaching the container to the loading bay;

Programmable logic controller for managing the wireless sensors and caméras inside the container and forklift pockets in the diagonally crossed beams to facilitate the handling of the container characterized in that programmable logic controllers for managing the wireless sensors, communication system and weight sensors are imbedded in the diagonally crossed beams extemally attached to the bottom of transport container and can be transferred from one container to another.

2. A container conversion kit for the management, control and security of containers, according to claim 1, characterized in that the kit consists of extemally placed hydraulic or pneumatic units associated to hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders responsible for lifting the container a few centimeters weight on load cells associated with the cylinders.

3. A container conversion kit for the management, control and security of containers, according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the sensors and caméras for transmitting any changes in the weight, volume, environmental status of the container to the control unit are placed inside the container

4. A container conversion kit for the management, control and security of containers, according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the visual display device on the outside of the container, is capable of displaying selected information include a system configured to monitor and receive selected data from the sensing device and to transmit selected messages to the visual display device on the outside of the container.

5. A container conversion kit for the management, control and security of containers, according to claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it has an independent power source secured and imbedded in the rigid and secure diagonally crossed beams.

6. A conversion kit for the management, control and security of containers, according to claims 1 to 5 wherein the means for supplying the container location is the global positioning System or GPS.

7. A conversion kit for the management, control and security of containers, according to claims 1 to 6 wherein the means for undertaking the container identification are based on a transmission by Radio Frequency Technology (RFID) technology.