RU2779142C2 - Improved system of alarm signal/notification for identification and tracking by law enforcement of stolen vehicles and cargo - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: security systems.

SUBSTANCE: data processing system (hereinafter – DPS) of law enforcement (hereinafter – LE) contains a processor, which implements utility (SEND) of a security event notification and sending of the specified notification to law enforcement (LE). The data processing system of law enforcement (LE DPS) receives from a tracking system connected with the possibility of data exchange to LE DPS system an extended security event notification (hereinafter – ESEN), which includes information identifying the security event, a location, in which the security event took place, and additional distinctive information corresponding to subjects involved in the specified security event and affected in the result of the specified security event. LE DPS system selectively transmits information from updated ESEN notification to at least one dispatching server of law enforcement (LE), supporting work of personnel of law enforcement (LE), being in one of (i) geographical proximity to the location of the security event, and (ii) a calculated zone of reverse capture.

EFFECT: provision of a possibility for law enforcement personnel of reception a more complete set of corresponding information to a peripheral device of law enforcement, which provides possibility of more accurate identification, tracking, and regulation of safety events.

10 cl, 30 dwg

Description

PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 62/570,185, filed October 10, 2017. The entire contents of each pertinent application for which this application claims priority is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention generally relates to security systems and security processes related to tracked objects susceptible to theft, and in particular to systems and methods for processing data to provide enhanced security event notifications to law enforcement to enable more effective tracking. and identification of stolen property.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Large quantities of goods are transported daily across the continental United States and in most other industrial countries by transport carriers. The use of road trains as freight vehicles provided by trucking companies includes a significant portion of the vehicles used for the transport of goods. In the trucking industry, cargo is accepted for transport from origin to destination by means of a specific road train driven by a driver/chauffeur.

[0003] Each shipment is of value to the parties involved in the shipment transaction, such as the shipper, the brokerage, the truck driver (or tractor driver/driver), and the consignee. Thus, the security of the cargo after the cargo has left the point of origin/shipment is extremely important. In traditional road freight transport, cargo safety aspects are determined primarily by the conscientiousness and professionalism of the driver in this area when the road train moves along the chosen delivery route.

[0004] Unfortunately, the value of the cargo and/or the vehicles used to transport it can often be attractive to other people who have no personal or financial interest in the shipment being transported, and these people may want to steal the cargo and/or vehicle for for various reasons, including financial or other reasons. Even an experienced driver is unable to detect activities occurring in or near the transported consignment and the road train or other vehicle that adversely affect the transported consignment and/or jeopardize or prevent completion of the delivery of the transported consignment.

[0005] Thus, theft of cargo and/or vehicles carrying the cargo often occurs. In the trucking industry, for example, when large quantities of items are transported daily across the continental United States and in most other industrial countries using vehicles of various kinds, both the vehicles and the cargo being shipped are subject to theft while en route to their destination. The trucking industry, in particular, provides opportunities for both experienced and inexperienced thieves to escape with the entire shipment being transported, as well as along with the tractor and trailer, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in losses from theft of only one vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A description of illustrative embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that for ease of presentation and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements are increased relative to other elements. Embodiments, including descriptions of the present invention, are shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings presented herein, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary data processing system (DPS) and associated networks and devices that enable various aspects of a shipment location tracking and law enforcement connected security system, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0008] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of exemplary functional modules that support various features provided by the Shipment Location Tracking and Security Utility (SLTSU) and the Enhanced Security Event Notification Utility (ESENU) executed in the DPS shown in FIG. 1A according to one or more embodiments;

[0009] FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary consignment tracking environment in conjunction with consignment location and tracking mechanisms and a connection to a law enforcement (LE) dispatch system for use in providing law enforcement (LE) real-time theft notification. transported consignment according to one or more implementation options;

[0010] FIG. 2B depicts an exemplary law enforcement (LE) security event notification communication network connecting a law enforcement dispatch server to law enforcement (LE) peripherals, for use in facilitating theft response and recovery of stolen shipments, according to one or more implementation options;

[0011] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary notification to relevant stakeholders, including Law Enforcement (LE), in response to interference jamming in a transport environment that has many different actors associated with a transported consignment and other outdoor sources that contain location sensors with signals received at the aggregation server, according to one implementation variant;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the content present in an exemplary Shipment Tracking User Interface (STUI) that tracks a single transport group using co-located visual dots, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 5A-5D and 6A-6D respectively depict exemplary shipment tracking user interfaces, each of which represents a dedicated cluster of co-located entities associated with a particular tracked shipment, said interfaces including alarms and/or notifications that identify detected security events associated with the transported consignment, according to one or more implementation options;

[0014] FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a method for tracking consignments in transit using co-located points and responding to detected anomalies or deviations in the expected movement and/or presentation of co-located points, triggering the generation and transmission of an Extended Security Event Notification (ESEN) to a selected DPS system. law enforcement (LE), according to one or more implementation options;

[0015] FIG. 7B depicts exemplary shipment tracking database entries that contain distinguishing information used to generate an ESEN notification, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a LE DPS system connected via a law enforcement (LE) channel network to law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers and a plurality of law enforcement (LE) peripherals to provide one or more of the features described herein, according to one or more implementation options;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the manner in which the LE DPS system responds to the receipt of an ESEN notification by sending appropriate information and distinguishing information to selected dispatch servers and associated law enforcement (LE) personnel, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 10A shows an exemplary mobile communication device used by a driver/chauffeur, which is provided with an application that tracks the location signal of the transported consignment to enable real-time tracking of the transport group, and a security validation module to provide external confirmation of the occurrence of a security event, undesirably affecting the transport group, according to one or more implementation options;

[0019] FIG. 10B depicts exemplary content presented in user interfaces of a driver MCD including shipment tracking information and enhancing security notification features embedded in visible options and preferred choices, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method in which an MCD performs localized tracking of a shipment and confirmation of the occurrence of a security event, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 12A shows an exemplary Law Enforcement (LE) mobile communication device (Law Enforcement (LE) Peripheral) equipped with Law Enforcement (LE) Theft Response (LE) Theft Response Utility/Application to enable receiving real-time notification of a theft event. and relevant information about the theft event to enable efficient dissemination of information according to one or more implementation options;

[0022] FIG. 12B depicts exemplary functional modules placed in a law enforcement (LE) peripheral upon receipt of an ESEN notification containing distinguishing information to help identify stolen property and allow receiving law enforcement (LE) personnel to easily assimilate the relevant data according to one or more implementation options;

[0023] FIG. 13 depicts two exemplary user interfaces provided on a Law Enforcement (LE) Peripheral Device with Location and Identification Data of a Stolen Tractor Vehicle to enable more efficient search information assimilation and more informed response by Law Enforcement (LE) personnel according to one or more implementation options;

[0024] FIG. 14A-14D depict a series of images/photographs of the vehicle and bill of lading received in the ESEN notice and displayed on a law enforcement peripheral (LE) as selectable zoom options, according to various implementations;

[0025] FIG. 14E depicts a law enforcement peripheral (LE) user interface presenting shipment information in one embodiment; and

[0026] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method in which a law enforcement peripheral (LE) responds to receiving an ESEN notification with distinctive information, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] According to one or more aspects, illustrative embodiments of the present invention include a variety of data processing systems, mobile communication devices, and associated methods for providing enhanced security event notifications to law enforcement to enable more efficient tracking, identification, and recovery of stolen property, such as stolen cargo and/or cargo with vehicles transporting it. The present disclosure provides a variety of different devices operating in a vast environment of consignment location tracking and security monitoring where entities associated with the consignment, such as cargo and vehicles carrying the consignment, are tracked using localized tracking sensors. Particular aspects of the implementation of the present invention provide a DPS Tracking Data Processing System, a Law Enforcement Processing System (LE) (generally used for both the Investigation Team computer and the Law Enforcement Dispatch Server (LE)), a law enforcement (LE) peripheral; and a driver/chauffeur mobile communications device. Each device is programmed to perform specific operations based on detecting the occurrence of a security event and/or receiving an Extended Security Event Notification (ESEN) containing specific distinguishing information related to entities associated with the transported consignment and/or security event.

[0028] According to a first aspect, the law enforcement (LE) data processing system comprises: a memory containing a law enforcement (LE) security event notification stored therein, and a dispatch service utility (SEND) that enables the LE DPS system to generate and send an updated extended security event notification (ESEN) to one or more law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers for forwarding to law enforcement (LE) personnel peripherals. The LE DPS system also includes at least one network interface device (NID) through which the LE DPS system receives and transmits information over one or more communication networks, including a law enforcement channel (LE) network (LEC) having a plurality of law enforcement peripherals. (LE) connected to it with the possibility of data exchange. The LE DPS system also includes at least one processor associated with memory and at least one network interface device (NID). The at least one processor executes a SEND utility that configures the LE DPS system to: receive from a tracking system associated with the ability to communicate with the LE DPS system via one or more communication networks, an ESEN notification that includes information identifying a security event , the location where the security event occurred, and additional distinguishing information corresponding to the actors involved in the specified security event and affected by the specified security event; selectively transmitting information from the ESEN notification to at least one LEC peripheral of law enforcement (LE) personnel located within one of (i) geographic proximity to the location of the security event and (ii) estimated recapture zone, additional distinctive information enabling law enforcement (LE) personnel to receive a more complete set of relevant information into a law enforcement (LE) peripheral device, which enables law enforcement (LE) personnel to more accurately identify, track, and resolve a security event.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the security event includes the theft of at least one of the cargo and vehicle associated with the transported consignment, wherein the cargo and vehicle are tracked by one or more location sensors, and the distinguishing information in the ESEN notification contains information related to transported consignment. The SEND utility also provides the LE DPS with the ability to: extract distinguishing information from a received ESEN notification; identify the geographic location of the security event; select one or more law enforcement personnel (LE) whose current location is closest to the current recapture zone or is in the current recapture zone relative to the specified geographic location; and include in the information to be transmitted to a Law Enforcement (LE) peripheral device owned by one or more Law Enforcement Personnel (LE) personnel: (i) Security Event Identification Information (SEII) security event, and the time of occurrence of said security event; (ii) a calculated recapture zone; and (iii) additional distinguishing information that provides descriptive data about one or more of the transported consignment, cargo, vehicle, driver, geographic location, and other data that facilitates more efficient search and return operations by law enforcement (LE) cargo personnel and vehicle.

[0030] The above provides a general overview of several aspects of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of at least some aspects of the present invention. The above overview contains simplifications, generalizations and exclusion of details and is not intended to be used as a comprehensive description of the claimed subject matter of the present invention, but rather is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the functionality related to the present invention. This overview is not intended to limit the scope of the claims and merely presents some of the concepts of the present invention in general form as an introduction to the more detailed description that follows. Other systems, methods, functionality, features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will or become apparent to a person skilled in the art upon examination of the following drawings and their detailed written description.

[0031] The implementation of the invention is divided into a sequence of alphabetically arranged sections, each of which is provided with a section title. The division into sections is solely to enable a clearer presentation of the various aspects of the present invention. These sections are labeled and named as follows:

Section A: Tracing and security of a transported shipment with built-in law enforcement response using enhanced security event notification.

Section B: Law Enforcement DPS - Security Event Investigative Functions.

Section C: Driver's mobile communication device to capture distinguishing information and provide security event confirmation and return support.

Section D: Advanced Law Enforcement Peripheral with ESEN Notification Access Tools.

It should be understood that the descriptions of each of the various sections overlap in content. The presentation of features in a particular section is not intended to in any way limit the applicability of those features to only that section of the present invention. All features described are, among other things, fully applicable in the various sections.

[0032] It is understood that the specific names of components, devices, and/or parameters and/or their respective abbreviations, such as the names of executable utilities, algorithms, and/or firmware described herein, are used by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting in any way. for the embodiments described herein. Thus, embodiments may be described using various conventions and/or terms used herein, among other things, to describe components, devices, parameters, methods, and/or functions. References to any particular protocol or proprietary name in the description of one or more elements, features, or concepts of embodiments are provided solely as examples of one embodiment, and such references are not intended to limit the expansion of the claimed embodiments to embodiments that use other element, feature, or feature names. , protocols or concepts. Thus, each term used in this document should be given its own broadest interpretation of the context in which the term is used.

[0033] In the description of the features of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, embodiments are presented from the point of view of a transport environment based on road transport, and the term "consignment being transported" includes cargo transported by a motor vehicle, such as a tractor with a trailer. The term "carriers" when used refers to (i) a driver-owner with a single equipment, (ii) a driver-owner or a small business owner with multiple tractors with the ability to use multiple drivers, and (iii) a large commercial organization/company, which has a large number of tractors, for example, hundreds of tractors, and drivers. In addition, the term "equipment" generally refers to a combination of "tractor and trailer" and covers various types of equipment available, including but not limited to flatbed trucks, dry cargo vans, refrigerated trucks, and the like. According to one implementation option, the relevant information about the monitored equipment includes the type of equipment, as well as the actual carrying capacity of a particular equipment for loading additional cargo. It should be understood that although the term "equipment" covers specific types of hauling tractors, the term "equipment" can also refer to, among other things, tractors or motorized vehicles of various types. In addition, the main features of the present invention are fully applicable to transportation and/or delivery in a different kind of environment, such as transportation by water (for example, sea freight or river freight), in which the carriers are boat owners or cargo ship captains, the equipment is sea or river vessels, or amphibious vessels, and the shipper can be any registered person or company that has cargo to be transported by water by the carrier from the point of loading to the point of destination. Air transport is also a supported art that may include a platform designed to interface shippers for air delivery with aircraft pilots, and the like. It is also contemplated that the functionality of the presented platform/environment can be extended to a transportation area where consignments are transported, for example, by unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and the drivers of the unmanned aerial vehicle (pilots) are not co-located with the equipment of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0034] For ease of exposition and presentation of law enforcement (LE) implementations, this disclosure is described in terms of a transportable consignment, which includes cargo transported by a vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer combination (road train), in where the carrier is a truck driver and the equipment is a tractor or tractor (land vehicles) to which a trailer or container is attached. It should be understood that the features and functionality described herein are also applicable to various types of ground powered equipment such as, but not limited to, automobiles, RVs, buses, motorcycles, and the like. An extension to bicycles and other non-motorized forms of transportation can also be applied.

[0035] In describing the features and functionality of the present invention, certain new terms are used herein. For example, the term "subject related to a transported consignment" is used to refer to each of the following, among other things: a cargo, a freight container, a tractor (for example, a motorized vehicle), a trailer or container, a vehicle or a road train as a single or combined equipment of a driver, driver/chauffeur, driver's mobile communication devices. Each entity in a shipment has a separate location tracking mechanism that enables the geographic location of the entity to be determined. In one or more embodiments, the mechanism for location tracking is a transponder. The mechanism for tracking the location provides a unique signal of the location of a particular subject related to the transported consignment. The term "transport group" generally represents any two or more entities associated with a shipment that are assigned the same shipment. The entities in a transport group are expected to be physically co-located during the delivery of the transported consignment. Certain limited exceptions or deviations from co-location of one or more subjects are expected and accounted for by the algorithm described herein. Grouping of subjects is assumed to occur within a specific distance/radius relative to each other and said group moves in the same direction with each other, with some limited exceptions (e.g. at loading or unloading locations). Also, according to one embodiment, the term "entities associated with the transported consignment" may refer to the owner of the cargo, the owner of the vehicle, or both, if they are different people, the consignee to whom this cargo is intended, and other persons with a proprietary interest in the cargo and /or vehicle.

[0036] The term "distinguishing" is generally used to refer to specific details about an element, such as one of the entities associated with a shipment, that provide high quality recognition of said element by law enforcement (LE) personnel. For example, distinguishing information may include a recent photograph of the item or a specific description of the item's features that would not otherwise be available to law enforcement (LE) personnel. Other distinctive information is presented in this document in the description of implementation options. In addition, the term "operational investigations" or "operational investigation team" refers to a group assigned to investigate a specific type of crime. For example, a cargo theft investigation team might be a group of law enforcement officers who specialize in cargo theft investigations. In addition, it should be understood that the operational investigation team may be at a different jurisdictional level from the law enforcement (LE) personnel who ultimately decide the task of resolving a security event (eg, cargo theft). Thus, for example, international shipping theft may generally fall under the federal jurisdiction of the FBI's (Federal Bureau of Investigation) task force, which specializes in cargo theft investigations. This task force maintains the primary jurisdiction for the settlement of all cargo theft in all states of the US and maintains a database of important historical and empirically determined information, as well as data related to cargo theft throughout the continental US. However, the investigation and resolution of a particular theft may be assigned to local, state, or city law enforcement (LE) personnel who operate in the geographic location of the theft or potential perpetrators. According to one aspect, a security event message is first sent to a selected operational investigation team, and then the specified operational investigation team identifies the best local law enforcement (LE) dispatch service and transmits a notification (expanded by distinctive information and historical data) to a specific law enforcement (LE) dispatch service in a given geographic location to direct law enforcement (LE) personnel in a geographic location to a security event.

[0037] As used herein, the term "consignment being transported" generally refers to the transport of cargo by vehicle from a point of origin to a destination. Other terms used in this disclosure are provided with functional descriptive names that represent the meanings and/or context in which these terms are presented and/or used.

[0038] In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, specific exemplary embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments. For example, specific details are provided herein, such as specific orders of method steps, structures, elements, and connections. However, it should be understood that the specific details provided are not mandatory for use in the practice of embodiments of the present invention. It should also be understood that other implementations may be used and logical, architectural, software, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the general scope of protection of the present invention. Thus, the following implementation of the present invention should not be considered in a limiting sense, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0039] Expressions in the description, such as "one implementation", "some implementation", "implementations", or "one or more implementations", are intended to indicate that a feature, structure, or characteristic described in a compound with this embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The presence of such phrases in various places in the description does not necessarily refer to the same implementation variant, and separate or alternative implementations are not mutually exclusive with respect to other implementations. Also, various features are described that may be contained in some embodiments and not contained in others. Likewise, various requirements are described that may be mandatory for some implementations, but not mandatory for other implementations.

[0040] The accompanying drawings represent various aspects and/or features of the described embodiments; however, certain features may not be explicitly represented in the drawings and/or in their descriptions. In the descriptions of the various drawings, like elements have like names and reference numbers like those of the previous drawing(s). Thus, the description of exemplary embodiments is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that for ease of presentation and clarity of illustration, the elements depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are increased relative to other elements. Embodiments, including descriptions of the present invention, are shown and described with reference to the drawings presented in this document.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hardware, firmware/utility software, and software components, as well as their basic configuration shown in the following drawings, are subject to change. For example, exemplary components of a CSIST data processing system (DPS) 100 (in FIG. 1A), an LE DPS system 171 (in FIG. 9A), a mobile communication device (MCD) 250 (in FIG. 10A), and a law enforcement peripheral 175 ( LE) (in FIG. 12A) are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather representative of highlighting some of the components that are used to implement certain of the embodiments described. For example, various configurations of either the user's computing device 100 or the user's mobile communication device 250 may be provided, comprising other devices/components that may be used in addition to or instead of the hardware shown and/or described, and may be otherwise configured. Thus, the examples shown are not intended to express architectural or other limitations of the currently described implementation options and/or general innovations.

SECTION A: TRACKING AND SECURITY IN TRANSPORT WITH BUILT-IN ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE USING EXTENDED SECURITY EVENT NOTIFICATION

[0042] According to a first aspect, a data processing system, a shipment location tracking and security monitoring system, and a method are provided for electronically tracking a shipment and providing improved security and protection of the shipment by automatically notifying law enforcement (LE) to respond to theft and other security events that harm the transported shipment, such as jamming attacks. The system electronically tracks each or a plurality of entities associated with a shipment as a group of co-located points that are tracked to provide improved protection for the shipment against jamming attacks, as well as unauthorized or illegal actions that could compromise the security of the shipment. A data processing system (DPS) receives a plurality of location tracking signals of a plurality of entities associated with a shipment, associates the location tracking signals into a transportation group that is assigned a unique transportation group tracking identifier (STID), and represents the specified transportation group as a set of co-located dots on the Shipment Tracking User Interface (STUI) screen. The DPS system monitors any unplanned deviations of at least one of the expected colocation/geolocation of location tracking signals, identifies specific types of unplanned deviations, and initiates a sequence of response actions to protect the transported consignment, including the automatic generation of an Extended Security Event Notification (ESEN) that is transmitted law enforcement for localized support for the return of law enforcement (LE) cargo. Unplanned deviations may include signal jamming attacks, improper loading (or theft) of a driver's trusted shipment, and unexpected separation of tracked subjects.

[0043] In general, illustrative implementations also provide various forms and methods of point-based automated tracking of transported consignments with computer-based detection of violations in the movement of co-located points and subsequent response to detected violations by automatically generating one or more notifications based on computer use. and/or initiating response actions. One embodiment of the present invention generally provides security tracking for a shipment by representing and monitoring the movement of a plurality of co-located points, each point representing one of a plurality of entities associated with the shipment. The movement of the co-located points is then analyzed to enable the detection of potential harmful events that undesirably affect the vehicle/container and/or the consignment or cargo, such as the driver/chauffeur leaving the consignment as one use case. For other uses of the present invention, embodiments are provided including generating real-time alarms and/or notifying law enforcement (LE) of a potential theft of a cargo and/or vehicle, such as a road train, when the theft is aided by jamming attacks or damage. location sensor.

[0044] This disclosure discusses in detail the use of systems to track the location of one or more entities associated with the transported consignment and interested in transporting the specified consignment. For example, in one embodiment for tracking the location of a cargo and/or road train, a location tracking device (such as a transponder) may be attached to the tracked subject. The location tracking device wirelessly transmits a location signal indicating the geographic location of the tracked subject. Then, the location of a single entity associated with a transported consignment may be tracked by a single point on a tracking/monitoring computer that receives geographic signals from a location tracking device.

[0045] In conventional shipments that include a single transponder to track the location of the shipment and/or road train, thieves and others who intend to steal or otherwise interfere with the cargo/shipment or road train have resorted to using techniques to create intentional interference to block outgoing transponder signals. Once the signals are blocked, the thief can proceed to remove the cargo from the road train, steal the tractor and/or trailer, or both along with the cargo, confident that the location of the transported consignment is no longer tracked. With this interference effect on the transponder signal, the wireless trace is not transmitted to the monitoring computer, delaying the discovery of the location of the stolen property until the theft is belatedly detected. By the time the theft is discovered, the thief may have traveled far with the consignment being transported. The present invention solves this jamming problem by providing a monitoring system that quickly identifies when a jamming attack is initiated, and a response system to notify relevant stakeholders and law enforcement personnel to respond to the theft and prevent the theft or return of the cargo, container, or vehicle.

[0046] In addition, the load or trailer containing the load is sometimes assigned by the shipper to be picked up for loading by a selected/authorized driver/chauffeur at a loading point, such as a loading terminal. Cases are known when a load or trailer is deliberately or negligently hitched to a vehicle (for example, a tractor) by another driver and taken away from the loading point with an erroneous/unauthorized driver. When the real/authorized driver arrives, he finds neither the load nor the trailer, while the unauthorized driver may leave with the transported consignment for a long distance. The shipper and other related/interested parties are forced to state the loss of the transported consignment with the subsequent loss of time and/or financial resources, in particular if the cargo or trailer was deliberately seized by an unauthorized driver and not returned. Again, aspects of the present invention address the problems of each of the above scenarios and provide a solution that enables early detection of the activities described above and initiation of notification and response actions that minimize the undesirable consequences of a particular detected activity.

[0047] In the drawings, starting with FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary back-end data processing system (DPS) 100 in which various aspects of the present invention may be implemented, and in particular the tracking of a transported cargo/consignment with the detection of potential violations and notification of these potential violations. violations that may indicate fraud, according to one or more implementation options. In one embodiment, DPS 100 may be one server in a cluster of servers that may be co-located and/or geographically dispersed in multiple locations. In yet other embodiments, the DPS 100 may be any electronic device such as, but not limited to, a desktop computer, laptop, or standalone server. Further, in one embodiment, the DPS 100 may be implemented as a virtual machine sharing the hardware resources of a physical server. In one embodiment, the DPS 100 system acts as a networked computing device providing a cloud infrastructure that supports the implementation of a carrier and shipper interfacing and shipment tracking (CSIST) platform. In general, the DPS 100 system can act both as a data aggregator and as a monitoring center computer. As a data aggregator, the DPS 100 system receives additional information from entities associated with the transported consignment in order to enable the implementation of other features and functionality, including those described in the original patent application. As a monitoring center computer, the DPS 100 may be configured with additional methods and components for generating notifications and responding to detected circumstances.

[0048] According to one aspect, the storage device of the DPS system includes a database (DB) of the shipping location tracking and security utility (SLTSU), which stores used data about the transported consignment, and which is periodically updated SLTSU utility. The SLTSU utility allows the DPS 100 to simultaneously track many different transport groups in many different geographic locations, update the transport history of each of the many different transport groups during the continuation of each transport, and store the specified update in the SLTSU utility's storage device/database. In addition, the DPS 100 aggregates, links, and/or correlates detected activities, location, and triggered responses in the retrieval module, which facilitates future processing of similar detected events that may occur.

[0049] The exemplary DPS 100 includes at least one processor and potentially a plurality of processors, collectively referred to herein as a central processing unit (CPU) 105. The CPU 105 is associated with system memory 110, non-transitory storage 125, and controllers 130 input/output (I/O) via intercom system 115. Intercom system 115 may be interchangeably referred to as a system bus according to one or more implementation options. One or more software and/or firmware modules may be loaded into system memory 110 (from storage device 125 or other source) while DPS 100 is operating. software/firmware modules, including firmware (F/W) 111, basic input/output system (BIOS) 112, operating system (OS) 113, and application(s) 114. In addition, system memory 110 includes the CSIST utility 115 and utility 116 tracking the location and security of the transported consignment (utility SLTSU). The SLTSU 116 includes an enhanced security event notification (ESEN) module 117 (or Law enforcement (LE) module). Although the SLTSU utility 120 is shown as a separate module, in still other embodiments it may be provided as one of the applications 114 and/or an executable component in the F/W 111 firmware or operating system 113. Furthermore, despite Although ESEN module 117 is provided as a module within SLTSU 116, it may be a separate stand-alone module in yet other embodiments, and may be executed independently of SLTSU 116 (i.e., without having to run simultaneously with said utility). The software and/or firmware modules in system memory 110 allow the DPS 100 to provide varying features and functionality when their respective program code is executed by the CPU 105 or secondary processing devices (not specifically shown) in the DPS 100.

[0050] The I/O controllers 130 support connecting to one or more attached input devices 132 and processing signals received from one or more attached input devices 132, which include the exemplary microphone 134, keyboard 136, and pointing/touch device 138 The pointing/touch device 138 may be, for example, a mouse or a touch pad, or a stylus. It should be understood that input devices may also include, as a non-exclusive list, a physical button(s), a touch screen 146, an infrared (IR) sensor, a fingerprint reader, and the like. I/O controllers 130 also support connecting to one or more attached output devices and redirecting output signals to specified output devices, including display device 144 and other output devices 148. The display device 144 may include a touch screen 146 that serves as a tactile input device. In one embodiment, DPS 100 also includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) 146 that is communicatively (or physically) coupled to display device 144 and processor 105. GPU 146 controls the generation and provision of certain user interfaces (UIs). ) that are generated during execution of the SLTSU 116 by the CPU 105. As a specific implementation, as described in more detail below, the SLTSU 116 generates a shipment tracking user interface (STUI) 145, which is shown in the display. device 144, and which shows a grouping of co-located signal points monitored to detect security violations in relation to a specified transport consignment. In one or more embodiments, the STUI 145 can also herein be referred to interchangeably as the POINT tracker user interface (UI), which describes the main functions provided by the STUI 145 interface for co-locating and tracking points assigned to entities associated with a transported consignment. , in the transport group.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1A, in one or more embodiments, one or more device interfaces 140 may be associated with the DPS 100, such as an optical reader, a universal serial bus (USB), a memory card reader, a memory card slot. Personal computer memory card international association (PCMIA) and/or high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI). Device interface(s) 140 may be used to allow data to be read from the respective Removable Storage Device(s) (RSD) 142 or stored on the appropriate Removable Storage Device(s) (RSD) 142 such as a CD (compact disk, CD), digital video disk (digital video disk, DVD), flash disk or flash memory card. In one or more embodiments, device interfaces 140 may also include general purpose I/O interfaces such as mutually integrated circuitry (I ² C), system management bus (SMBus), and peripheral component interconnect (PCI) buses. In one embodiment, the functional modules (eg, SLTSU 116 utility) described herein and various aspects of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product includes removable storage device(s) 142 as a computer-readable storage medium that stores program code that, when executed by its processor, causes the processor to perform various functions described herein, including, but not limited to, the features presented in the block. diagrams in FIG. 7, 8A and 8B.

[0052] The DPS 100 also includes a network interface device (NID) 160, which may include both wired and wireless network devices (not specifically shown). The network interface device (NID) 160 enables the DPS 100 and/or components of the DPS 100 to communicate and/or interact with other devices, services, and components that are external to the DPS 100. In one embodiment, the DPS 100 can directly connect with one or more of these external devices via a network interface device (NID) 160 using a direct wired or wireless connection. In one or more embodiments, the DPS 100 connects to specific external devices, services, and/or components, such as information server(s) 165 and cloud database (DB) 180, via an external communication network(s) 162 using one or more communication protocols. According to this illustrative implementation option, cloud storage 180 includes a corresponding storage device for various functional utilities or modules. Thus, the cloud storage 180 includes a CSISTU utility database (DB) 151 and an SLTSU utility database (DB) 182 that includes a distinguishing details (DD) database (DB) 184 . Network 162 may be a local area network, a wide area network, a personal area network, and the like, and the connection of communication network 162 to and/or between DPS 100 may be wired or wireless (via access point 164) or a combination of both. Conventionally, the communication network 162 is indicated as a single collective component for ease of presentation. However, it should be understood that network 162 may include one or more direct connections to other devices, as well as a more complex set of relationships that may exist in a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, the CSISTU 115 provides an interactive software platform that is accessible via the Internet (162) as a website having one or more domain names attached to it.

[0053] According to one aspect of the present invention, the SLTSU 116 and the ESEN module 117 comprise a plurality of functional modules executed by the CPU 105 to perform specific functions, and said functional modules use and/or generate specific data that is stored as information and/or data in storage device 125 and/or cloud database 180. As an example, storage device 125 is shown as containing a copy of SLTSU 122 and SLTSU database 182. In addition, both the locally stored and remotely stored SLTSU databases 182 store relevant data used by the SLTSU 122 to perform point mapping and monitoring, and to identify security violations and other notification elements described herein. According to one or more implementations, the SLTSU database 182 contains historical data on previous shipments, including environmental and other events, such as detected anomalies/deviations in colocation and movement of points, which correspond to certain types of security violations. The SLTSU database 182 also contains information about notifications and other responses that successfully resolved detected anomalies/anomalies and/or confirmed security violations.

[0054] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of some of the functional (software) modules that perform the various functions and operations of the SLTSU 116 when executed by the processor 105. The SLTSU 116 includes a consignment mapping, security monitoring, and response module 118, which in turn includes, but is not limited to: a location/communication signal receiving module 185; module 186 selection characteristics of points; module 187 assignment, mapping and joint placement of points; a point split detection, analysis, and notification module 188; a jamming and response detection module 189; time threshold window and timer module 190; an unauthorized driver detection and response module 191; module 192 source (selection) of the background map; notification module 193; and an anomaly event history tracking and recording module 197 that provides elements for updating the database. The notification module 193 contains: data 194 about the notified parties and their contact information; module 195 setting and generating notifications; and a notification transmission module 196 . It should be understood that the functions performed by one or more of these modules may overlap, and the specified representation of specific modules with specific functional-descriptive names assigned to these modules is not intended to limit or specify any kind of practical design of the SLTSU 122 utility in other implementations. . In addition to the modules included in the shipping consignment mapping and security monitoring module 184, the SLTSU 122 utility also includes a law enforcement connection module 198 in which the ESEN module 117 is provided. The SLTSU 116 utility also includes other security element modules 199 that serve as a common receptacle for other modules that can be placed in the SLTSU 116 utility.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1A, DPS 100 is also communicatively connected to Law Enforcement (LE) DPS 171 (Private Investigation Bureau Server). The Law Enforcement (LE) DPS 171 exists on a Law Enforcement Channel (LE connect, LEC) network 170, which includes a plurality of localized Law Enforcement (LE) dispatch servers 172, each of which supports the exchange of security events (state changing events). security systems) with multiple law enforcement (LE) peripherals 175.

[0056] FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary communications infrastructure 200 (or communications network environment) that extends the functionality of the CSIST platform to implement various features and functionality provided by the present invention. These features and functionality include, but are not limited to, implementing point-based location tracking of entities associated with a transported consignment, monitoring anomalies indicative of a potential security breach, identifying security events based on the evaluation and/or modification of location signals received by communication infrastructure 200 from various entities associated with the transported consignment, transmission of security event notifications to law enforcement agencies. Additional features and functionality include capturing and storing identity information about entities associated with a shipment in transit, generating an enhanced security event notification (ESEN) including identity information about entities associated with a shipment in transit, and transmitting an ESEN notification with the specified identity information. law enforcement (Law Enforcement DPS (LE) and Law Enforcement (LE) Peripheral) in response to a security event.

[0057] The communications infrastructure 200 generally includes a data processing system 100 (remote server CSIST) in which the CSISTU 115 and the SLTSU 116 are provided, as well as the SLTSU database 182 associated therewith. The SLTSU database 182 is shown as including an exemplary transport group 140 that includes four entities 242, 246, 248, 250 associated with a shipment being transported. The transport group 140 is assigned a unique shipment tracking identifier (STID) by the SLTSU 122 utility. The CSIST server 100 also includes an ESEN notification module 117 and an associated Distinguishing Information Database (DD DB) 184 .

[0058] Communications infrastructure 200 also includes communication/data network 210 (which may be equivalent to network 162). The communications/data network 210 includes a plurality of communications devices and subnets that provide voice, data, and other forms of communications. The communication/data network 210 supports the wireless transmission of related signals via intermediate receivers such as antennas and access points. The communication/data network 210 also includes a cloud storage 220 of relevant carrier and shipping data, as well as other historical data used by the SLTSU 122 utility. data and communications/data network 210 210. Communications infrastructure 200 also includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite 225 as an example of one method for determining the current geographic location of an entity associated with a shipment being transported, as described herein. The communications infrastructure 200 includes a communications link 232 with a shipper 230 that controls the transport of cargo 242 from a shipping origin 232 . The cargo (or transportable consignment) 242 is transported as part of the transport group 240 to the destination 270 of delivery of the transported consignment along the route 235 transportation.

[0059] Communications infrastructure 200 also includes a plurality of links 232a-232d, each of which provides location signals transmitted from a respective entity associated with a shipment or for a respective entity associated with a shipment in transport group 240. As shown in the communication infrastructure 200, the transport group 240 as a whole consists of a transported consignment/cargo 242, a road train 245 (a tractor with a trailer), a driver 255, and a communication device (devices) 250 for the driver, and each of these components (subjects) has location tracking mechanism providing a unique location signal that is transmitted to data processing system 100 over network 210. maybe from tracked individually.

[0060] As shown in the drawing, the mechanism 262 for tracking the location of the transported consignment 242 transmits the first signal 232a location to the network 210, the mechanism 266 to track the location of the trailer/container 248 transmits the second signal 232b location to the network 210, the mechanism 266 to track the location of the device 240 driver mobile communication transmits the third location signal 232c to the network 210, and the mechanism 264 for tracking the location of the tractor/truck 246 transmits the fourth location signal 232b to the network 210. with the consignment being transported, is a transponder that transmits a unique response signal. In still other embodiments, the location tracking mechanism may be a more complex device, as will be known to those skilled in the art. For example, location detection of a driver's mobile communication device may be based on triangulation of cell towers or a GPS system.

[0061] The transmission of the ESEN 280 notice and other messages for law enforcement (LE) is carried out through the specified communication networks. As shown in the drawing, the ESEN notification 280 is transmitted from the CSIST server 100 to the LE DPS system 171 over a communication channel 282 in the communication network 210. The LE DPS 171 then transmits the information from the ESEN notification 280 and other relevant historical data/information to the selected law enforcement (LE) dispatch server 172 over the communication channel 283. Dispatch server 172 law enforcement (LE) sends an updated notification ESEN peripheral device 175 law enforcement (LE) channel 284 communication network 170 LEC. As shown in the drawing, according to one implementation option, one specific detail of the distinguishing information from the ESEN notification 280 can be transmitted directly from the mobile communication device (MCD) 250 to the law enforcement (LE) peripheral device 175 over the communication channel 286 established by between the specified two devices. Law enforcement (LE) personnel 297 may initiate communication with the driver/driver 255 MCD 250 in response to receiving a security event notification (e.g., from law enforcement (LE) dispatch server 172) and driver/driver contact information such as a telephone number MCD 250 devices.

[0062] As depicted in the drawing, the driver's mobile communication device 250 is configured with one or more applications 254, including applications for tracking the location of the transported consignment, as well as generating and tracking points, allowing the driver to locally track the transported consignment 242 and the road train 245, such as set forth in more detail in the description with reference to FIG. 10. Similarly, the law enforcement peripheral (LE) 175 also executes an application or utility to support two-way communication and exchange of appropriate distinguishing information in response to receiving a security event notification.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the transponder 262 for locating the shipment 242 may be attached to the outside or inside of a crate or package of said shipment 242, or directly to the shipment. In one or more embodiments, data from a plurality of transponders is accumulated and the collected transponder signals/data are transmitted back to the CSIST server 100. In one embodiment, all transponder data is sent to a single collection point in road train 245 and the collected data is compiled using a proprietary compilation method and sent via a proprietary protocol for processing by the CSIST utility 120 and/or the SLTSU utility 122. In one embodiment, a transponder is a part of a sensor system that collects various information about or related to the shipment being transported, including but not limited to: location results in real time; parameters of the environment surrounding the cargo, such as temperature and humidity; the occurrence of an event; movement, intrusion and other actions deteriorating the cargo. In one embodiment, the driver equipment (ie, road train 245) includes a mobile access point 260 that enables the driver equipment (245) to communicate with the CSIST server 100 via a communications network 210 .

[0064] Communications infrastructure 200 enables efficient communication with carriers or drivers and supports monitoring and tracking of various entities associated with a transported consignment in transport group 240. In one embodiment, communication infrastructure 200 is also configured to receive real-time predictive environmental information, such as weather conditions along route 235, that may degrade equipment and/or cargo safety, in one embodiment.

[0065] It is contemplated that, in one embodiment, the driver 255 may also be provided with a separate transponder, although not shown in the drawing, to allow location of the driver relative to the transported consignment in cases where the driver 255 has left his device 250 mobile communication inside the tractor or in another place that does not coincide with the actual location of the driver. The level of security required for a particular shipment may require the driver 255 to wear a tracking device while the shipment is in transit.

[0066] FIG. 2B shows another view of a communication infrastructure 200B with two-way communication links between various mobile communication devices (MCDs and law enforcement peripherals (LEs)) in a LE DPS system according to one embodiment. As depicted in the drawing, the consignment (245) is located in the reentrapment zone 270, defined by the estimated radius within which the consignment is believed to be, and which is calculated based on the time of occurrence of the security event, the type of vehicle, and other factors. relating to the shipment being transported, as well as geographic location and historical data. In one embodiment, this recapture zone is computed by the LE DPS 171 upon initial receipt of the ESEN notification. The recapture zone 270 is also used to determine which Law Enforcement (LE) dispatch server (and more broadly Law Enforcement (LE) personnel) should be assigned to return a shipment, based on the current location of various Law Enforcement (LE) personnel. , dispersed over a wider geographic area covered by the Investigative Services Team operating through the LE DPS system 171. Thus, in one implementation, the LE DPS 171 system may select only the Law Enforcement (LE) Dispatch Server 172A to transmit the updated ESEN notices. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the LE DPS 171 may select both law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers 172A, 172B and send an updated ESEN notification to both said servers for sending to different groups of law enforcement (LE) personnel. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, interagency support may be required to investigate a single security event. Law enforcement (LE) dispatch server 172, upon receiving an updated ESEN notification with the authority to forward said notification to local law enforcement (LE) personnel, transmits the updated ESEN notification (with relevant historical data) and/or other distinctive information to Law Enforcement (LE) peripherals A and B ), which are both located in the reuptake zone. According to one exemplary implementation, an updated ESEN notification is not presented to a law enforcement (LE) peripheral C or D that is located outside the recapture zone or associated with a dispatch server that did not receive an ESEN notification from the LE DPS 171. It should be understood that the zone recapture can increase many times over with the increase in the time elapsed since the occurrence of the security event. Law enforcement peripherals (LEs) not initially included in the ESEN notification receive group may later be added to the specified group and provided with the ESEN notification.

[0067] Also shown in the drawing are two different types of law enforcement (LE) peripherals. The first type law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175A is a mobile handheld device worn by law enforcement (LE) personnel 295 when moving. The second type of law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175B is built into or mounted on the vehicle, i. e. located within police vehicle 295. Each law enforcement (LE) peripheral is depicted as having a law enforcement (LE) theft response (LETR) application installed on it. Additional details of an exemplary law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 are shown in FIG. 12A and are described herein below. It should be understood that the selection of the specific law enforcement (LE) personnel assigned to investigate a particular security event may vary and may be based on various criteria considered by the dispatching personnel or device, and the applicability of the present invention is independent of the type of law enforcement peripherals ( LE) accepting the ESEN notice and/or distinguishing information related to the shipment being transported.

[0068] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary jammed/jammed signaling scenario in which a communications infrastructure server or a consignment tracking computing device (i.e. DPS 100 or CSIST 100B server) loses reception of multi-subject geolocation signals. associated with the transported consignment of goods, a single transport group. As stated above, geolocation signals are used to generate and map (map) an appropriate visual symbol, such as a dot, which enables tracking and monitoring of a transported consignment. The effect of intentional interference prevents the data aggregation platform 320 from transmitting and receiving from the data aggregation platform 320 of all co-located location signals in the transported consignment. This scenario usually occurs when the driver is not at or near the transported consignment and the road train, such as in a truck stop. In this example, the impact of deliberate interference does not degrade the performance of drivers' MCDs. In response to the detection of this simultaneous loss of multiple signals from co-located entities associated with the transported consignment, the data aggregation platform 320 generates an appropriate notification that is sent to a selected one or more of the key stakeholders 350. In particular, the personnel of the LE DPS system and/ or law enforcement (LE) (represented by a police hat) receives the ESEN 280 notification sent to the LE DPS from the aggregation server. It should be noted that in the example shown, user-specific data 310 relating to the trailer, tractor, and load is blocked and thus not received by the data aggregation platform 320. However, since the driver's MCD 250 is not in the immediate location of the consignment/vehicle being transported and therefore not blocked, the data aggregation platform 320 transmits the generated notification to the driver's MDC 250 to alert the driver through his MDC 250 of the impact of intentional interference on the consignment being transported.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary STUI 400 for a single transport group that is selected (eg, by a pointing device) from among a plurality of available signal groups simultaneously present in the first STUI (not shown) of a geographic area (not shown). The STUI 400 opens on the display 144 as a new window or inline window in the first STUI 145. The STUI 400 includes a legend 422b representing an initial mapping of a subject associated with a shipment being tracked using the appropriate visual symbols or points assigned to it. entity associated with the transported consignment. The STUI 400 also includes a point tracker screen 450 that displays a set of points related to one or more shipments in a single geo-location. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the geo-location is a truck stop or gas station, and the first tracked transport group for which the STUI 400 interface has been opened is presented on the point tracker screen 450 with the relative position of each associated entity identified with the transported consignment. On him. In addition, for security and other reasons, the points associated with the second transport group, which is in the same general location as the first transport group, are presented on the screen 450 of the point tracker for the signals of the first group. The second transport group is identified by the shaded dots. In one embodiment, if the driver point for the second transport group is co-located and moves at the same time as the equipment point and the transport consignment of the first transport group, an anomaly is detected and a response sequence is taken to protect the transport consignment from being captured by a false ("unauthorized") driver . The point tracker screen 450 includes a geo-bar that provides the actual geographic location of the transport group and/or its GPS and/or map location.

[0070] At the bottom of the STUI 400 is a shipment security status notification screen 460 that displays a notification of the current status of the shipment. The status notification may include one or more detected anomalies in the received signals and their corresponding notification/warning messages 462, 464, 466, which are shown in the STUI 450. Three of the possible scenarios that trigger the corresponding notification 462, 464, 466 are presented. While all three notifications 462, 464, 466 are simultaneously presented in the STUI according to the embodiment shown in the drawing, it should be understood that in practice, only one notification can be generated and shown based on the actual detected anomaly, if not simultaneously detected many anomalies. Of these three notifications, two are for situations in which a separate ESEN notification can be generated and sent to the LE DPS system. Thus, when interference suppression occurs and a corresponding warning message 462 is generated, the STLSU 116 (shown in FIG. 1) triggers the ESEN notification module (117) to generate an ESEN notification 280 (shown in FIG. 2) and a corresponding notification 475 for Law Enforcement (LE). Similarly, the ESEN notification module 117 is triggered to generate an ESEN notification 280 and a corresponding Law Enforcement (LE) notification 475 in response to detected events, resulting in a notification 466 that an invalid driver is leaving with the truck and/or the shipment being transported. notably, the security status notification screen 460 also provides a selectable confirmation option 480 requesting confirmation that a theft has occurred. In one or more embodiments, transmission of the ESEN notification is maintained until confirmation is received from the chauffeur/driver or trusted third party that the security event is, in essence, the theft of a transported consignment or vehicle. This acknowledgment is required to prevent false alarms from being sent to law enforcement (LE) based on a detected collocation situation that is similar to a security event, but is not essentially a security event (such as a theft) that requires law enforcement to be involved. For example, if the driver leaving with the shipment is a known driver who simply mistakenly took the wrong shipment or the wrong vehicle, that driver can easily be contacted to clarify this fact, and then the shipment can be returned and given to the actual driver without recourse to law enforcement. As yet another example, the driver may provide response information (inputted by the driver/driver MCD) indicating a valid valid reason for the simultaneous loss of co-located points.

[0071] FIG. 5A-5D and 6A-6D show several different examples of the types of deviations that can be detected by the SLTSU 122 utility based on the representation and relative point spacing in the STUI 145. FIGS. 5A-5D and 6A-6D show a variety of exemplary user interfaces. (UI) tracking points representing dedicated clusters of a single transport group that is selected from a plurality of transport groups represented on the STUI 145 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5A-5D, each point-tracking user interface (UI) 500 includes a status notification window 510 that represents the current state of the associated shipment based at least in part on the presence, relative alignment, and movement of points representing entities associated with the shipment. cargo, in the transport group. In addition to the status notification window 510, each point-tracking user interface (UI) 500 includes additional information/data about a specific shipment being transported, the driver and equipment of the road train, geolocation data, and movement tracking data, each of which can be selected by the user for presentation. additional relevant information about the selected item. Immediate visual notification of an anomaly, anomaly, or other condition that initiates a potential safety violation is highlighted in bold throughout the various drawings. In practice, the visual notification may be highlighted in color or by flashing specific content in the user interface (UI) 500. In particular, in addition to the displayed notification or alarm, corresponding sets of tracking information related to one aspect of the consignment being transported, to alert tracking personnel to the availability of that relevant/relevant tracking information.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the interfaces shown in FIG. 5A-5D and 6A-6D are generated in response to selecting one STID 241, selecting one shipment group 240, or selecting a reject notification icon in the STUI 145, or more specifically, in the point-tracking user interface (UI) 420. The present invention monitors and tracks an unplanned and/or unexpected separation event, such as one or more points that should remain connected at the same geolocation location, but that are moving away from other points. As one example, a split event may involve a tractor/truck driving away from a trailer. As yet another example, a separation event may include one of the points of the load moving away from the trailer, or vice versa, beyond the proper loading or unloading location for that particular load. An appropriate set/sequence of notifications and/or responses is generated based on the collected data related to the specified event.

[0073] FIG. 5B depicts a second tracking point user interface (UI) 500b in which the driver has left his tractor but is within an acceptable separation distance from the transported consignment. FIG. 5C depicts a third tracking point user interface (UI) 500c in which location signals for an entire group of entities associated with a transported consignment have ceased to be detected for a period of time. In at least one embodiment, the simultaneous loss of all location signals triggers SLTSU 122 to generate a jamming alert and notify the driver and other stakeholders of a detected jamming attack. Thus, the notification status window 510c clearly indicates this alarm condition. In addition, the status notification window indicates that the generation of an ESEN notification for law enforcement (LE) has been initiated. In one aspect, the amount of time is a programmable parameter that may be dependent on other information related to the transportation route, geographic location, and the like. For example, when the loss of visually observable points (ie, position signals) occurs during the entry of a transportable consignment into the tunnel, the specified time period can be set as the amount of time expected before the road train exits the tunnel. Other environmental scenarios may trigger a different delay time period or no delay at all. In the above embodiment, determination of the potential problem (and response actions to be taken) is performed only when the signal fail condition continues/lasts longer than a predetermined amount of time threshold. This approach allows the system to take into account the detected signal attenuation, which may be caused by a transmitter defect or an entrance to a tunnel located along the route, etc.

[0074] FIG. 5D shows a fourth tracking point user interface (UI) 500d in which only some of the subjects in the group of subjects associated with the shipment are not detecting location signals. In this particular scenario, the chauffeur/driver is in a truck stop away from the road train. Thus, the status notification window 510d provides a warning about the impact of intentional interference, but also provides additional information related to the environment and/or location that may be useful in countering a jamming attack. In this case, the driver's MCD is identified as being outside the area of blocked signals, and the SLTSU 116 queries the driver's MCD to confirm that the simultaneous weakening of the signal around the transported consignment is, in fact, a valid security event (for example, an ongoing theft ). The ESEN notification module 117 does not generate an ESEN notification and/or does not transmit the generated ESEN notification to the LE DPS system until an acknowledgment signal is received from the driver's MCD.

[0075] FIG. 6A depicts a fifth point-tracking user interface (UI) 600a in which directional movement of points for a transport group indicates that the transported consignment has deviated from the route. The SLTSU 122 triggers an alarm, which is shown in the status notification window 610a, indicating that the shipment is off-route. In one implementation, this triggering may require that the shipment is within a minimum threshold distance (eg, 1 mile) from the route before the status notification window is updated to display an alarm. The determination process can also be built into checking traffic conditions and other environmental conditions to identify the real reason for the driver changing routes.

[0076] FIG. 6B-6C depict two scenarios that involve unplanned point splitting in respective point-tracking user interfaces (UIs). FIG. 6B, the sixth tracking point user interface (UI) 600a shows the driver and the tractor moving away from the trailer and load at high speed for a period of time, indicating that the driver may have left the transported consignment. The status notification window 610b is updated to display this warning/alarm. As shown in FIG. 6C, such an alarm may be reported via the status notification window 610c; however, in this embodiment, the shipment being transported is removed from the trailer and left at a location that is not the delivery destination. Thus, the DPS 100 determines that the separation is likely to be an abandonment of the load. Alternatively, depending on the location at which the load was removed from the trailer, the SLTSU 122 utility may determine that an improper unloading of the transported load has occurred. In both scenarios, the SLTSU 122 initiates a series of response actions, which may include reporting this error to the driver's or carrier's MDC.

[0077] FIG. 6D depicts an eighth tracking point user interface (UI) 600d in a scenario in which an invalid driver picks up a transported consignment (ie, either a load or a loaded trailer). This situation may occur at the port of loading or transit point of delivery where the transported consignment is left to be picked up by an authorized driver. When a shipment starts moving out of a port and the authorized driver is not the receiver of the shipment, the STLSU utility configures the DPS 100 to recognize that the shipment location signal is co-located with an invalid driver, or that the shipment location signal is moving away from the transit point , without being co-located (and thus moving simultaneously) with the authorized driver's location signal. It should be noted that this scenario also applies to the theft of a road train with a transport load on board, for example, when the driver at a truck stop or other location is not in the tractor, but the transport load is detected as moving away from the driver. The STLSU 122 utility configures the DPS 100 to generate a notification of possible theft of a shipment and displays this notification in the status notification window 610d. In one implementation, this script initiates an acknowledgment protocol whereby the SLTSU utility first requests confirmation that the detected event is a security event that requires law enforcement involvement. The confirmation may be received from the chauffeur/driver or other trusted third party. Alternatively, a confirmation may be triggered if the driver/driver traveling with the shipment or vehicle is not a known driver/driver who can be contacted directly to determine if acceptance of the shipment/vehicle is in error.

[0078] FIG. 7A is a flow diagram of one way in which the devices and infrastructure depicted in the previous drawings are used to represent certain aspects of a shipment monitoring and security features in accordance with the present invention. In the previous drawings, according to one aspect of the present invention, a data processing system 100 is shown that includes a memory 110 having a shipping location tracking and security utility (SLTSU) 116 stored therein, which includes an ESEN notification module 117. The DPS 100 also includes a display device 144 that enables the visual presentation of at least one graphical user interface (UI) 145 generated by the SLTSU 116. The DPS 100 also includes at least one network interface device (NID) 160 that provides the ability of the DPS 100 to receive and transmit information via one or more communication networks 170/210. The DPS system 100 also includes at least one processor 105 associated with the memory 110, the display device 144, and at least one network interface device (NID) 160. The processor 105 executes the SLTSU utility 116 and the ESEN notification module 117 to enable the DPS system to implement The 100 features depicted in the method 700 shown in FIG. 7.

[0079] For simplicity, each of the presented methods (i.e., method 700 shown in FIG. 7A, method 800 shown in FIG. 8A-8B, etc.) is described from the point of view of a device (for example, a system DPS 100) performing the various functions described. It should be understood that a device is configured to perform various functions based on execution of particular code by the device's processor (eg, processor 105). In addition, certain functions are performed by other components of the device, such as receiving and transmitting location signals and notifications, respectively, which are partially performed by the network interface or network interface device (NID) (e.g., network interface device (NID) 160 (as shown in FIG. one)).

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7, the SLTSU 122 enables (at 702) the ability/configures the DPS 100 to receive, through at least one Network Interface Device (NID), a plurality of location tracking signals indicating the location of a plurality of entities associated with a shipment being tracked simultaneously. as a transport group. In step 704, the SLTSU 122 configures the DPS 100 to combine the location tracking signals into a transport group and assign a unique shipment tracking identifier (STID) to the specified transportation group to track the movement of the location tracking signals (represented as co-located points) relative to each other and route 235 transportation. In step 706, the SLTSU 122 configures the DPS 100 to display the transport group 240 as a plurality of co-located visual symbols on the shipment tracking user interface (UI) 145 (as shown in FIG. 4), in which each location tracking signal is represented one visual character from among the plurality of co-located visual characters.

[0081] The DPS 100 is also configured to monitor (at 708) any unplanned deviations in at least one of the expected collocation and expected geolocation of received updates for location tracking signals in each tracked transport group. The DPS 100 is also configured to identify a specific type of unplanned deviation in response to the detection at 710 of an unplanned deviation and initiate a response sequence in part based on the specific type of unplanned deviation identified to protect the transported consignment. In particular, the DPS 100 is configured to access (at 712) the SLTSU utility database (DB) and the distinguishing information database (DD DB) to retrieve the shipping lot ID and information and identifying details related to the transported shipment. consignments of goods. In one embodiment, the DPS 100 retrieves from a shipment tracking database sequences of distinctive data relating to one or more of a driver, a shipment, a carrier's transport equipment, and historical law enforcement data. According to one or more implementation options, the distinctive data includes a set of relevant data from the group containing: a description of the transport equipment of the carrier; one or more photographs of the transport equipment of the carrier; identifying data associated with the carrier's transport equipment, including at least one of a vehicle registration number and a vehicle identification number (VIN); a copy of the cargo declaration; historical data associated with one or more of the location of the triggered event, type of cargo, type of transport equipment of the carrier, point of origin of the cargo, destination of the cargo, shipper and consignee.

[0082] FIG. 7B shows an exemplary SLTSU utility database 182 and its associated Distinguishing Information Database (DD DB) 184 . Each database 182, 184 data (DB) includes specific data and information related to at least one traceable shipment. For ease of description, the relevant details of a single transported consignment are provided in the database 182 of the SLTSU utility. Thus, the SLTSU database (DB) 192 is only a subset of the large SLTSU cloud database (DB) providing general data and information that is not specific to any transported consignment. The large database (DB) of the SLTSU utility can also support specific data blocks that are specific to a single shipment and its associated group of collocations. Each such block may be stored with a unique shipping lot ID or label associated with a transport group. Among the data stored in the SLTSU database 182 are the chauffeur/driver's mobile phone number 730, law enforcement (LE) connection details 732 (for example, the IP address of the LE DPS system of various operational investigation teams), notification 734 to the driver from the dispatch service law enforcement (LE), historical log 740 security event registration.

[0083] The Distinctive Information Database (DD DB) 184 maintains specific information related only to the entities associated with the transported consignment of a particular single tracked transport group. An exemplary Distinguishing Information Database (DD DB) 184 includes a shipment ID 752, a security event ID 754, images/photos of equipment (tractor and trailer) 762, cargo 764 and lock mechanism 766, a photograph, and other personal description. chauffeur/driver information 768, a copy/photo of the consignment declaration or consignment note 770, and location tracking sensor IDs 772. Other distinctive information is also provided, and said specific information provided in the ESEN notification changes based on the security event and/or other factors considered within the code provided by the SLTSU utility 116 and/or the ESEN notification module 117. It should be understood that different Distinguishing Information Databases (DD DBs) or data repositories are provided for each consignment in transit and are stored in a large storage repository maintaining different Distinguishing Information Databases (DD DBs) for all consignments tracked for potential occurrence of a security event. In addition, in one embodiment, the information in the Distinguishing Information Database (DD DB) 116 may be stored in various locations, such as in the common database of the CSIST platform, and may only be compiled upon request from the ESEN notification module at the time the ESEN notification is generated.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 7A, the DPS 100 is configured (at 714) with the ESEN notification utility to generate an ESEN notification containing information related to the entities associated with the transported consignment and the security event. At step 716, the DPS 100 includes information related to the shipment in the ESEN notification, including identifying information and historical data that enables law enforcement (LE) personnel to more quickly identify and recover the shipment. At 718, DPS 100 sends an ESEN notification to DPS LE. The LE DPS (TRIS Team Operational Investigation Team) system evaluates the best return option for a transported consignment, extracts relevant historical data based on an analysis of the event, location, and known or deterministically determined techniques, and updates the ESEN notification with additional information. The DPS LE then transmits/messages the updated ESEN notification to selected one or more law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers (selected from the multiple available dispatch servers for various local law enforcement (LE) groups) for forwarding to the appropriate law enforcement (LE) personnel peripherals in geographic proximity to the location of the security event. Method 700 then ends at a completion step.

[0085] When generating an ESEN notification, the SLTSU 116 configures the DPS 100 to retrieve specific distinguishing information corresponding to the particular security event being responded to. The set/sequence of notifications and/or responses is selected based on the stored and/or collected data directly related to the theft event. For example, if a theft event took place in relation to a vehicle carrying cargo, one or both of which were tracked by a sensor, the notification will automatically include one or more photographs of the vehicle, the VIN number, the state registration plates of the vehicle, the location of the theft of the vehicle vehicle, vehicle tracking ID, vehicle owner and/or driver information, and the like. However, if only the cargo has been stolen, the notice may not initially provide a lot of information about the vehicle and instead provides a description and photographs of the cargo and other information related to the cargo. Instead of specific details about the vehicle, information relating directly to the theft may also be provided, such as a photograph of the lock and the owner or intended recipient of the shipment.

[0086] It should be noted that the cycle of monitoring the transport group continues until the transport group is delivered to its final destination, or other measures are taken to stop monitoring the transport group. In addition, in one embodiment, the detection and response to a deviation includes the DPS 100 determining, from metrics associated with the detected change and previous input signal behaviors, whether the detected change indicates a potentially adverse and/or harmful and/or illegal and /or materially detrimental action in relation to the transported consignment, which can be settled by one or more actions, including informing law enforcement authorities. In response to determining that a detected change is indicative of fraudulent activity in relation to the shipment being transported, the DPS 100 system identifies the event as a security event and initiates response actions to: (i) prevent the occurrence of said security event; or (ii) minimizing/reducing: (a) the response time to a security event or the resolution of a security event, and/or (b) the undesirable impact on the transported consignment caused by the specified security event.

SECTION B: LAW ENFORCEMENT DPS SYSTEM - SECURITY EVENT INVESTIGATORY FUNCTIONS

[0087] FIG. 8 is a block diagram representation of an exemplary Law Enforcement (LE) Data Processing System (DPS) 171 . Generally, the LE DPS 171 comprises a system memory 810 containing a law enforcement (LE) security event notification stored therein and a security event notification and dispatch (SEND) utility 812 that enables the LE DPS to 171 generate and send an updated extended security event notification 814 (ESEN) to a law enforcement dispatch server 172 (LE). Memory 810 also includes a recapture zone algorithm 816 capable of calculating the geographic area within which a stolen shipment (cargo and/or vehicle) is likely to be returned, based on the time and location of the occurrence of the security event, as well as other factors, such as type of cargo and vehicle, road conditions, traffic conditions, known historical behavior of abductors with a similar modus operandi, etc. The memory 810 also includes a historical data retrieval algorithm 818 that enables a historical data base (DB) 882 to be searched to retrieve relevant information that contributes to settling a security event. Memory 810 also includes a law enforcement (LE) dispatch server selection utility 819 that is used to determine which law enforcement (LE) dispatch server should be selected to send an updated ESEN notification to.

[0088] The LE DPS 171 also includes at least one network interface device (NID) 860 through which the LE DPS 190 receives and transmits information over one or more communication networks 180. The communications network 162 provides access to a cloud storage 880 that stores historical law enforcement (LE) data 882, a law enforcement (LE) security event database (DB) 884, and a law enforcement (LE) personnel location database (DB) 886 for use by the LE DPS 171. Relevant portions of each database and additional data are maintained in the local storage device 825. As depicted in the drawing, the storage device 825 includes an ESEN notification 814, a recapture zone 817, and a SENDU utility database (DB) 882 that contains discriminative data 884 extracted from the ESEN notification received from the DPS 100. Database 886 (DB ) Mapping and Law Enforcement Locations (LE) contains designated law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers and law enforcement (LE) personnel data 854, as well as interactive geographic maps 852. The LE DPS 171 system is also linked through a law enforcement connection link network 170 ( LE) (LEC channel) with a plurality of Law Enforcement (LE) Dispatch Servers 172 connected to it in a data-exchangeable manner. LE DPS 171 also includes at least one processor 805 associated with system memory 810 and at least one network interface device (NID) 860. At least one processor 805 executes SEND utility 812 that configures LE DPS 171 with the ability implementation of the functions provided by the method 900 depicted in FIG. 9. The following is a description of the method 900 with reference to the previous drawings and, in particular, to FIG. 2A-2B and 7B, and with continued reference to FIG. eight.

[0089] The method 900 begins at the start step and proceeds to step 902, where the LE DPS 171 receives from a shipment tracking system (generally the DPS 100 system) associated with the ability to communicate with the LE DPS 171 via one or more communication networks 162, an ESEN notification 280 (as depicted in FIG. 2) that includes information (754) identifying the security event, the location at which the security event occurred, and additional distinguishing information (from the Distinguishing Detail Database (DD DB) 184) ) corresponding to the subjects involved in the specified security event and/or affected by the specified security event. The method then includes step 904 where the LE DPS 171 identifies the geographic location of the security event and selects one or more law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers 172 that transmit security event notifications (e.g., an updated ESEN notification) to law enforcement (LE) personnel. (via law enforcement (LE) peripherals) located in the current recapture zone. In one embodiment, the LE DPS 171 first calculates a recapture zone before selecting law enforcement (LE) personnel. The method then includes step 906 where the LE DPS 171 includes in the updated ESEN notification to be sent to the LE dispatch server 172 and ultimately the peripheral device 175 owned by one or more law enforcement (LE) officers 295: (i) identifying information 754 a security event report (SEII) including a description of the security event, the location at which said security event occurred, and the time 836 that the security event occurred; (ii) a calculated recapture zone 270; and (iii) additional distinguishing information (184) providing descriptive data about one or more of the transported consignment, cargo, vehicle, driver, geographic location, and other data that facilitate more efficient search and recapture operations by law enforcement personnel 295 (LE) cargo and vehicle. Optionally, method 900 may include step 908 where LE DPS 171 includes location sensor signal IDs for entities associated with the shipment and the driver/driver MCD (block 908).

[0090] The LE DPS 171 selectively transmits (at step 910) (indirectly through the proxy selected law enforcement (LE) dispatch server 172) the distinctive information from the ESEN notification 280 to at least one peripheral device 195 of law enforcement (LE) personnel 295 within one of: (i) geographic proximity to the location of the security event; and (ii) the calculated zone 270 recapture. The additional distinctive information enables law enforcement (LE) personnel 295 (as shown in FIG. 2) to receive a more complete set of relevant information into the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175, allowing law enforcement personnel 295 to more accurately identify, track, and resolve (LE) security events. The method 900 then includes a monitoring step 912 for receiving inputs related to the provisional and final settlement of the security event (based on the inputs received from the law enforcement peripheral (LE)). The method 900 also includes step 914 updating the historical data with new data corresponding to the specified security event and the settlement of the specified security event, and storing the updated historical data in a Law Enforcement (LE) Historical Database (DB).

[0091] According to one embodiment, the security event includes the theft of at least one of the cargo 242 and the vehicle 246 associated with the delivery of the cargo, and the cargo and the vehicle are tracked by one or more location sensors (262, 264, 266), and distinguishing information ESEN 280 notices include information related to the consignment being transported. The SEND utility 812 also enables the LE DPS 171 to extract distinctive information (184) from the received ESEN notification 280, identify the geographic location of the security event, and select one or more law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers 172 connected with the ability to exchange data with law enforcement personnel 295 organs (LE) whose current location is closest to the current recapture zone 270 at the specified geographic location or located in it.

[0092] Accordingly, the LE DPS (TRIS Team Operational Investigation Team) system evaluates the best option for returning the transported consignment, extracts relevant historical data based on an analysis of the event, location, and known or deterministically determined techniques, and updates the ESEN notification with additional information. The LE DPS 171 then transmits/messages the updated ESEN notification to selected one or more law enforcement (LE) dispatch servers (selected from a variety of available dispatch servers for various local law enforcement (LE) groups) for forwarding to the appropriate law enforcement (LE) personnel peripherals. in geographic proximity to the location of the security event.

SECTION C: DRIVER MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE TO CAPTURE DIFFERENT INFO AND PROVIDE SECURITY EVENT CONFIRMATION AND RECOVERY SUPPORT

[0093] FIG. 10A shows an exemplary user communication device, which is represented as a mobile communication device (MCD) 250 . The MCD 250 is a driver/driver communication device and can be interchangeably described as such. In particular, in FIG. 10 is a 2D view as well as a block diagram of the component composition of the mobile communication device 250 (MCD). The MCD 250 operates in a wireless communication network and serves as an electronic processing and communication device in which some of the driver related features of the present invention can be implemented. In general terms, the MCD 250 is designed to communicate with other devices via one of the wireless networks that may be included in the data network 210 (shown in FIG. 2). The MCD 250 may be one of a variety of different types of devices, including but not limited to a mobile cellular phone or smartphone, laptop, netbook, ultrabook, and/or tablet (eg, iPAD®) or other wireless capable computing device. The device used contains the necessary hardware and software to enable radio communication between the MCD 250 and the network, whereby the information and/or data transmission and voice communication required to implement the various features described herein to promote the safety of transported consignments through general location signal transmission medium (as shown in FIG. 2B), and implementation of the specific module and applications described herein.

[0094] With regard to the specific composition and corresponding functionality of the presented components, the MCD 250 device includes a processor 1010, which is connected via a plurality of communication lines (depicted by double-headed arrows) to a variety of other functional components of the MCD 250 device. The processor 1010 may be an integrated circuit that contains one or more programmable microprocessors and a digital signal processor (DSP). Processor 1010 controls communications, program code execution, power mode selection, timing, and other functions and/or operations of MCD 250. Thus, these functions and/or operations include, but are not limited to, application data processing and signal processing.

[0095] Connected to processor 1010 is storage device 1015, memory 1020, input/output (I/O) devices 1055, and communication mechanisms. Memory 1008 may include short term memory and/or non short term memory. During device operation, one or more executable applications may be stored in memory 1020 for execution by processor 1010. For example, memory 1020 is depicted as containing local SLTSU utility application 1022, which is a downloadable application or utility executable by MCD 250. SLTSU utility application 1022 includes a user-defined a shipment tracking interface (STUI) 1024; and a biometric verification module 1026 that is used to authenticate the driver and provide access to certain secure features of the MCD 250. or fingerprinting, so that only a specific, pre-authorized driver/chauffeur can transport such a consignment. Thus, for example, the transportation of Department of Defense (DOD) cargo will only be entrusted to a carrier authorized to transport DOD cargo.

[0096] The memory 1020 also contains a compliance tracking utility 1028 that can access available maps and that uses a GPS or other location sensor or MCD device function to report the exact location of the MCD 250 to the CSIST 100B (DPS) server. The compliance tracking utility 1028 includes a POINT tracking utility (or SLTSU utility) 1030, which is a local version of the driver device and performs similar functions as the SLTSU utility 122 (as shown in FIG. 1). The memory also contains a law enforcement (LE) connection module 1032 that provides connection protocols (eg, IP addresses, telephone and messaging information, etc.) with law enforcement (LE) personnel, the LE DPS system, and peripheral law enforcement (LE) devices.

[0097] The memory 1020 also includes a shipping data and confirmation utility 1034, a jammer detection module 1036, and an unauthorized driver detection module 1038. Finally, to support law enforcement (LE) connectivity, memory 1020 includes a feature capture and input module 1025 and a security event confirmation module 1039. The functionality associated with each of the software modules and/or used by each of the software modules will become apparent upon reading the descriptions provided herein. It should be understood that the various program modules may be independent modules that communicate with each other by executing the respective program code by the processor.

[0098] As provided, the storage device 1015 contains a local version of the SLTSU database (DB) 1018, which may include some of the login credentials and driver biometric information to enable local processing of driver access to the CSIST platform according to one or more implementation options. In addition, the storage device 1015 contains a distinctive information database (DB) 1019 . The SLTSU database (DB) 1018 may contain some of the information contained in the SLTSU utility database 182 (as shown in FIG. 7B), while the distinctive detail database (DD DB) 1019 may contain information similar to that contained in a distinctive detail database (DD DB) 184 (as shown in FIG. 7B).

[0099] The MCD 250 may include a Subscriber Identity Unit (SIM) or other similar device that provides unique identifying information about the carrier that owns or uses the MCD 250. To enable the MCD 250 to synchronize operations and/or provide time data, the MCD 250 also includes a system timer (not shown). The MCD 250 also contains a plurality of input/output (I/O) devices 1040. Input/output devices 1040 include as input devices a camera 1042, a microphone 1044, a touch screen and/or touch pad, and/or a keyboard 1046 and a biometric sensor 1052, and as output devices a display device 1048 and a speaker 1050, as well as other devices. . The input/output devices, and in particular the camera 1042, can be used to capture images/photos of subjects related to the consignment being transported and store the captured image in a distinctive detail database (DD DB) 1019 .

[00100] FIG. 10B depicts an exemplary STUI 1024 login user interface (UI) for setting up a username and shipment. and distinctive data 1094 about the driver and preferences 1096 of the driver. The driver/driver enters the relevant information by direct entry (e.g. using a touch panel/keyboard) by downloading from a database (DB) of the STLSU 182 utility or by a gripper using a scanner 1035 and/or a camera 1042. For example, the driver enters distinctive data into in the form of photographs of the load, lock, tractor and trailer (or other vehicle) using the camera.

[00101] The STUI 1024 User Registration Name and Shipment Setup User Interface (UI) allows the user to enter and/or capture specific identifying information, including one or more of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), vehicle registration plates , the location of the theft of the vehicle, the tracking ID for the vehicle, and information about the owner and/or driver of the vehicle, including the driver's license number, address and mobile device number of the driver, and one or more photographs of the cargo, vehicle, driver, and driver's license driver. As depicted in the drawing, the distinguishing information includes one or more photographs and information related to the cargo, vehicle, driver, and the theft event. Driver and vehicle information can be loaded from the driver profile stored in the database (DB) of the SLTSU utility. Loading location and time, as well as destination details, can be entered by scanning the bar code on the shipment or on the bill of lading. The received distinguishing data and other data is associated with the shipment via the shipment ID or tag in the storage device 1015. The data may also be loaded into the STLU database (DB) 182 and, in particular, into the Distinctive Details Database (DD DB) 184 for use in generating an ESEN notification in response to the occurrence of a security event. In embodiments that support direct communication between the driver MCD 250 and the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175, distinctive data related to the received security event notification may be requested by the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 and transmitted directly from device 250 MCD driver peripheral device 175 law enforcement (LE).

[00102] According to one aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10A, the MCD 250 supports at least one and potentially a plurality of wireless or over-the-air communications that enable the MCD 250 to transmit and receive, i. exchange messages, including location signals, with at least one second device and/or an external network. To support wireless communication, the MCD 250 device includes one or more of the following communication components: a wireless network communication module 1060 (which may include a transceiver with an attached antenna, both are not specifically provided); short range communication (NFC) transceiver module 1062; module 1064 wireless communication type Wi-Fi; and a Bluetooth ^® communication transceiver 1066 . It should be understood that the MCD 250 may also include components for wired communication such as a modem module and an Ethernet network module (not shown). Together, these wireless and wired components provide a means of communication or mechanism 1055 by which the MCD 250 can communicate with other devices and networks. In order to provide location-based services in or on devices, said MCD 250 also includes, among other things, a location service module, such as a GPS geolocation system module.

[00103] The MCD 250 communicates with at least one other device, such as a law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175, by signaling over the air after exchanging specific authentication credentials and/or access parameters. Communication between the MCD 250 and second devices may be via Bluetooth short range communication, infrared (IR) communication, and other forms of communication, among others. As a wireless device, the MCD 250 can communicate over a wireless network (such as Wi-Fi, cellular networks, Bluetooth® networks (including Bluetooth® ultra-low energy (BLE) networks), wireless decentralized network (WANET), or personal network (PAN)). In one embodiment, the MCD 250 may also be equipped with an infrared (IR) device (not shown) for communicating with other devices using an infrared connection. In another embodiment, the MCD 250 may be a short range wireless device, including but not limited to a short range communication (NFC) device. In another embodiment, the MCD 250 may communicate with one or more other devices using a wired or wireless USB connection.

[00104] Similar to the execution of the STLSU 122 utility by the processor 105 in the DPS 100, the MCD 250 processor 1010 executes the local STLSU utility or the Dots utility 1030, which allows the MCD 250 to track the sequence of points corresponding to the transported consignment transferred to the driver/carrier for transportation to one or more relevant destinations. The MCD 250 receives a location signal for each truck and trailer being transported. The MCD 250 matches and groups the points (each of which are unique tracking symbols) of the shipment (first tracking symbol) with the vehicle (driver or road train) points (second tracking symbol) and the MCD (third tracking symbol). Thus, the points of the MCD 250 correspond to the authorized driver for the transported consignment. In one embodiment, location signals and other data related to the shipment are received from a data aggregator such as a CSIST 100B server. According to at least one embodiment, data for all other members of the transport group is locally received and aggregated by executing a dot utility 1030 by the processor.

[00105] In one embodiment, the MCD 250 locally monitors the current collocation transport group and can identify deviations and anomalies similar to the tracking and monitoring by the DPS 100 described above. The MCD 250 issues an alarm 1080, which may be an audible and/or visible alarm. An alarm alerts the driver/chauffeur that a safety event has occurred. Simultaneously, the DPS 250 presents a description of the security event 1082 on the display device 1048. The MCD 250 also provides a confirmation request 1085 that the driver/chauffeur should select after confirming that a security event is indeed occurring, such as a theft or current theft of the cargo and/or the vehicle, or of the entire transported consignment with the vehicle.

[00106] FIG. 11 depicts a method 1100 in which the MCD 250 acts as a localized shipment tracker and notification device. In general, the method is performed by a processor 1010 executing the location signal tracking utility code (SLTSU application 1030) that configures the MCD 250 to perform the various steps of the method. Method 1100 begins at the start step and proceeds to step 1102, where the DPS system captures and stores distinctive data related to entities associated with the transported consignment. The DPS system tracks the geographic location of a plurality of signals associated with the cargo and the vehicle carrying the cargo, and at step 1102 identifies or detects (or determines) from the current state of the specified plurality of signals a condition that correlates with an ongoing security event requiring law enforcement (LE ). The method then proceeds to step 1104 where DPS 250 requests external confirmation that a security event has occurred by generating and displaying a selectable confirmation object prompting the user to confirm that a security event has occurred. The DPS 250 determines (at branching step 1106) whether confirmation is received from the driver/chauffeur that the detected event is a security event that requires law enforcement (LE) involvement. If no acknowledgment is received at 1106, the method returns to 1102 to continue monitoring for conditions that correlate with possible security events. According to yet another implementation option, information about the specified event is recorded and transmitted to the DPS CSIST 100 system (as shown in FIG. 1A-2B), which decides what response action to take, if any, is required.

[00107] In response to receiving external confirmation that a security event has occurred, method 1100 includes (at 1108) generating an acknowledgment response signal, extracting distinctive information related to the consignment being transported, and associating said distinctive information with the confirmation signal. The method 1100 then includes a step 1110 of transmitting an acknowledgment signal along with a shipment tracking DPS (100) distinctive detail, which distinction can be used by the shipment tracking DPS (100) to generate an enhanced security event notification 280 (ESEN) , which is transmitted to the law enforcement (LE) DPS 172 for dispatching to the law enforcement (LE) peripherals 175.

[00108] The method 1100 includes (at 1112) determining whether an acknowledgment of successful transmission of the ESEN notification has been received from the DPS tracking the shipment. In response to receiving an acknowledgment signal from the DPS shipment tracking system, method 1100 includes generating and displaying on display device 1048 an acknowledgment notice that an ESEN notification has been sent to law enforcement. The method then returns to block 1102 to continue monitoring for the occurrence of security events.

[00109] Simultaneously, method 1100 includes an alternative transition from step 1110 to step 1114, in which a determination is made whether a direct connection to the LE DPS 171 or local law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 is available. In response to determining whether the MCD 250 is available to establish direct communication with law enforcement, method 1100 includes 1118 establishing a direct link to the DPS LE to allow law enforcement (LE) personnel to contact and exchange relevant information with the driver. Method 1100 also includes (at 1120) transmitting the security event along with distinguishing information directly to the DPS LE for dispatching to law enforcement (LE) peripherals. In one embodiment, the decision to communicate the event and other distinctive information to law enforcement is based on the driver/driver's selection of the Law Enforcement Notification (LE) button 1087, which is shown to the driver/driver on the display 1048.

[00110] According to another implementation variant, a method is provided for a driver to notify law enforcement of a theft event of his vehicle and/or cargo carried by the driver. The method includes executing, by the processor of the driver's mobile device, a theft detection and notification utility that causes the mobile device to execute the following: detect conditions associated with a location tracking application tracking a cargo and vehicle and indicating that a theft event has occurred (or is occurring); generating a graphical user interface with details of the theft event and displaying said graphical user interface on a display device of the mobile device; presenting on a graphical user interface a user-selectable confirmation option for generating and sending a theft event notification after the driver confirms that a theft event has occurred; and, in response to receiving the user's verification, transmitting a theft event notification to a background server communicatively connected to the mobile device to enable said notification to be transmitted to law enforcement personnel. The method also includes: including in the transmitted notification specific data associated with one or more of the current location, the driver, the driver's mobile device number, the consignment being transported, and the carrier's transport equipment; and generating a completion signal identifying that said notification has been sent to law enforcement. The method also includes allowing the driver to enter specific details relating to the theft event and one or more other information facilitating the recovery of the transported consignment and/or the transport equipment of the carrier.

[00111] Accordingly, the above-described embodiments of the present invention enable the transmission of extended theft event notification to law enforcement (LE) personnel. By allowing the driver's device to be directly connected to law enforcement, the present invention substantially reduces the latency of receiving relevant information related to stolen property to law enforcement (LE) personnel to enable law enforcement (LE) personnel to respond more quickly to a theft event and recover stolen property. .

SECTION D: ADVANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERIPHERAL WITH ESEN NOTIFICATION ACCESS

[00112] FIG. 12A-12B depict components of an enhanced law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The Law Enforcement (LE) Peripheral Device 175 is represented as containing similar physical components as the MCD 250, but implemented with different executables, applications, and data to enable the device to act as a Law Enforcement (LE) Peripheral Device and provide law enforcement aspects ( LE) according to the present invention. Due to the similarity of hardware components, only those components that are explicitly required to describe the operations of the law enforcement (LE) peripheral device 175 are described below. The law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 includes a memory 1220 including a law enforcement (LE) Theft Response (LETR) utility 275 (or LETR application) stored therein. The LETR utility 275 includes a variety of executable modules and data that enable the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 to receive an ESEN notification and law enforcement (LE) personnel recovery of stolen property support operations using the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175. As shown in the drawing, these modules and data include a user interface (UI) 1224, which can provide information about the transported consignment, geographic mapping and distinctive information. As shown in FIG. 12B, the user interface (UI) 1224 of the LETR utility can present a sequence of various information related to the theft response, including selective types of specific information related to cargo, driver, vehicle, consignment being transported, and the like.

[00113] The Law Enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 includes a network interface (NI) (generally designated 1255) that enables communication between the Law Enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 and the Law Enforcement (LE) channel network 170 ) (LEC channel) (as depicted in FIG. 1) with which the LE DPS system 171 is associated. with a driver/driver MCD 250 device associated with a transported consignment that law enforcement (LE) personnel begin to track. The law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 includes at least one input device (1240) that allows law enforcement (LE) personnel 295 to enter a selection or information (as depicted in FIG. 2). The law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 also includes a display device 1248 used to present the graphical user interface (UI) 1224 of the LETR utility showing security event notifications 1291 and security event information 1295, including location maps 1292 and distinguishing information (see FIG 13-14).

[00114] The law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 also includes a processor 1210 communicatively coupled to various other components. The processor 1210 executes the utility code 275 of the LETR utility that configures the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 to receive, via the network interface (NI) 1255, from the LE DPS 190 (or from the MCD 250 according to an optional implementation) the information from the extended notification 1217 (ESEN notifications) about a security event. In one or more embodiments, the information received includes: (i) security event identification information (SEII) including a description of the security event, the location at which said security event occurred, and the time the security event occurred; (ii) estimated current recapture zone; and (iii) additional distinguishing information. The information adopted from the ESEN 1217 notice enables more efficient assimilation of search information and a more directed and accurate search operation performed by 295 Law Enforcement (LE) personnel. The LETR utility 275 also configures the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 to display some of the information on the display 1248 to notify law enforcement (LE) personnel 295 of a security event. The LETR utility 275 also configures the law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 to selectively display other pieces of information based on input received by the at least one input device 1240 and extract and provide additional information from the distinctive information 1217 selected from said information.

[00115] FIG. 13 shows two related user interfaces (UI) 1300, 1310 displayed on a display device 1348. The first user interface (UI) 1300 provides a warning message 1304 that occupies a portion of the screen of the display device 1348 and provides initial information 1305 describing the occurrence of a security event (eg, cargo theft) that occurred in the general location or jurisdiction of the relevant law enforcement (LE) personnel. The alert message 1304 also includes a compressed geographic map 1306A that shows the general location of the security event. Specifically, information 1305 also includes an invitation to Law Enforcement (LE) personnel to click on a map (or message) to view descriptive information about said event and/or share the information with other Law Enforcement (LE) personnel who may not have received the alert message. .

[00116] Selecting a card or message initiates the opening of a second user interface (UI) 1310. The second user interface (UI) 1310 presents additional information about the security event, including a title/label 1312 clearly describing the type of event, an extended geographic map 1306B that presents tracking points of the consignment being transported, details 1318 about the security event, including the true address (location) and time at which the incident occurred, and a sequence of distinctive information 1320 providing more specific details associated with the consignment being transported. In addition, the second user interface (UI) 1310 provides a prompt 1316 to law enforcement (LE) personnel to access available tracking details for entities associated with the shipment by pointing to the shipment. This selection acts similarly to the selection of the consignment from the SLTSU user interface (UI) utility, as described above, to present a focused geographic image of the relative location of points representing each of the entities associated with the consignment.

[00117] As presented in the second user interface (UI) 1310, the distinguishing data 1318 includes a photo of the tractor, a photo of the trailer, and a photo of the trailer registration plate (located on the rear or side of the trailer). In addition, the second user interface (UI) 1310 provides law enforcement (LE) personnel with a series of selectable options to obtain additional distinctive information associated with the transported consignment. As depicted in the drawing, law enforcement (LE) personnel are provided with selectable options, including a first option 1322 to obtain tractor and trailer information, a second option 1324 to obtain cargo and driver information, and a third option 1326 to obtain historical information about security events occurring at this location. It should be understood that additional or other types of distinctive information may be retrieved by law enforcement (LE) personnel, and the presentation of specific options for specific details is provided as one example only and is not a limitation of the present invention.

[00118] As shown in FIG. In FIG. 14A and 14B, respectively, are an enlarged color photograph of a truck 246 and an enlarged color photograph of a trailer 248 in response to selecting the first option 1322 for tractor and trailer information. Then in FIG. 14E is a list of the complete tractor-trailer coupler identification information, including the vehicle identification number (VIN), model number, and other identifying information about the road train. Each of the various retrieved features may be presented in turn on the display 1248 as a scrollable sequence of features, or may be presented as icons that expand when selected by law enforcement (LE) personnel. Accordingly, law enforcement (LE) personnel are provided with access to significantly more data than is normally available in a theft or other security event report.

[00119] FIG. 14C and 14D are a color photograph of a padlock located on a shipment (trailer or load) being transported, and a copy of the bill of lading in response to selecting the second option 1324 for additional descriptive information about the load. A driver's license or a recent photo of the driver/driver may also be provided via the second option 1324 or by drilling down into the second option 1324 in response to a request for additional identification/distinctive information about the driver.

[00120] FIG. 15 depicts a method 1500 in which a law enforcement (LE) peripheral implements various features to enable more accurate identification and more efficient return operations directed to entities associated with a shipment that are involved in a detected security event. In an exemplary implementation in which method 1500 is implemented, the cargo and vehicle are equipped with one or more location sensors that generate signals that are tracked as a single transport group in a DPS tracking system (e.g., DPS 100) or a driver MCD. (e.g. MCD 250). In one embodiment, the security event includes detecting a simultaneous loss of reception of co-located signals, the simultaneous loss indicative of a localized jamming method associated with attempts to steal at least one of the cargo and vehicle. Method 1500 is performed by law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 processor 1210 executing LETR utility 275 that configures law enforcement (LE) peripheral to perform the steps of method 1500.

[00121] The method 1500 begins at the start step and proceeds to step 1502, where the law enforcement peripheral (LE) 250 receives via a network interface (NI) from one of the law enforcement (LE) dispatch server and the driver MCD device with which the device Law Enforcement (LE) is connected to the ability to exchange data, security event information from the Enhanced Security Event Notification (ESEN). This information includes: (i) security event identification information (SEII), including a description of the security event, location of occurrence of the security event, and time of occurrence of the security event; (ii) estimated current recapture zone; and (iii) additional distinguishing information. The information adopted from the ESEN notification enables a more efficient search for selected Law Enforcement (LE) personnel using, in particular, valuable stolen property identifying information provided that is more likely to assist Law Enforcement (LE) personnel in recovering stolen property. Step 1504 of method 1500 includes configuring a law enforcement peripheral (LE) to display a piece of information on a display device to notify law enforcement (LE) personnel of a security event and enable them to interact with the information presented. At block 1506, a check is made to see if input has been received to open a notification and/or select other distinctive details about the event. In response to receiving input to a security event notification user interface (UI) on a law enforcement (LE) peripheral, method 1500 includes 1508 configuring the law enforcement (LE) peripheral to selectively display other portions of the received security event in the user interface (UI). information, including the presentation of additional information selected from the distinctive information. The method includes (at branching 1510) detecting by a law enforcement peripheral (LE) a selection of a shipment tracking symbol (icon or dot) on a displayed map. In response to detecting a selection, method 1500 includes 1512 opening a second graphical user interface (e.g., an enlarged map with additional details about the shipment being transported) and displaying the location of each individual signal detected for each subject of the shipment (cargo, tractor, trailer, device). driver's MCD), on a geographic map.

[00122] In the described embodiments, the cargo and the vehicle are equipped with one or more location sensors, sensors that generate co-located signals that are tracked by a shipment tracking system as described herein. In one embodiment, the security event includes detecting a simultaneous loss of reception of co-located signals, where the simultaneous loss is indicative of localized signal jamming that is associated with attempts to steal at least one of the cargo and vehicle. Thus, initially tracking location signals is not available to law enforcement peripheral (LE) 250 due to signal jamming. In one embodiment, the method includes determining whether sensor signal IDs of entities associated with the shipment being transported have been received. The law enforcement (LE) peripheral 250 may receive, in the ESEN notification, a signal identifier (ID) associated with each of the co-located signals. If the signal IDs are received, the method includes monitoring to identify real-time return signals on-line and display the signals on a map on a law enforcement (LE) peripheral device to enable localized signal tracking in the law enforcement (LE) peripheral, when signals are returned online. Thus, method 1500 also includes (at 1514) providing a real-time update of the relative locations of individual signals in a second graphical user interface on a law enforcement (LE) peripheral. The method 1500 determines (at branch 1515) whether the security event has been fully or partially resolved. In response to the partial or final settling of the security event, method 1500 includes (at 1516) periodically sending updates to the LE DPS 171 regarding the state of the settling of the security event. In particular, in one embodiment, law enforcement (LE) personnel are prompted to enter a final security event resolution, or to indicate when law enforcement (LE) personnel have stopped working on said security event. After the status information is entered and presented, the information related to the security event is removed from the law enforcement peripheral (LE) 175 to enable the new security event notification to be received and the new ESEN notification to be downloaded/received with the corresponding distinguishing information.

[00123] Thus, in view of the various features described above, presented herein, and in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating tracking and supporting the effective recovery of stolen shipments. In one embodiment, aspects of the present invention provide a method for facilitating law enforcement notification and recovery of stolen vehicles and/or shipments in transit. The method includes: receiving by the server for monitoring signals from a plurality of subjects associated with the transported consignment of goods, including from the driver's communication device; identifying that at least one signal indicates that at least one of the transported consignment and/or transport equipment of the carrier transporting said consignment has occurred (or is occurring); and dynamically forwarding the plurality of identities to the at least one law enforcement device, which allows law enforcement personnel to more quickly acquire the necessary identities related to the shipment and/or carrier and resolve the theft event more quickly.

[00124] In one embodiment, the method includes extracting from a TCIS database a sequence of distinctive data relating to one or more of a driver, a transported consignment, a carrier's transport equipment, and law enforcement historical data, and compiling the extracted data as a set of data that is transmitted law enforcement organization. The method also includes geo-locating the law enforcement (LE) personnel (or dispatch center) closest to the location of the theft event and forwarding the distinctive data to the law enforcement (LE) personnel closest to the location of the theft event. Distinguishing data may be, among other things: (i) a description of the carrier's transport equipment; (ii) one or more photographs of the carrier's transport equipment; (iii) identifying data associated with the carrier's transport equipment, such as vehicle registration number and VIN number; (iv) a copy of the consignment note; (v) historical data associated with one or more of (a) the location of the theft event, (b) the type of cargo, (c) the type of transport equipment of the carrier, (d) the point of origin of the cargo and (e) the destination of the cargo, etc. P.

[00125] In one further embodiment, the identity data is stored and maintained in a driver/chauffeur mobile device storage device (e.g., mobile device storage device or Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card) and received in a peripheral device. law enforcement (LE) and/or in the background TCIS server directly from the driver/driver device at the same time as receiving theft event notification or theft event acknowledgment.

[00126] The present invention automates and simplifies driver/chauffeur-to-Law Enforcement (LE) communication and provides a much faster way for Law Enforcement (LE) personnel to access real-time cargo theft data, including, in some embodiments, available information about real-time tracking received from sensors embedded in the stolen cargo. Law Enforcement (LE) personnel and Law Enforcement (LE) Dispatch Center are connected to verify the real-time monitored signal and the driver in order to determine the theft. In one embodiment, the driver/chauffeur MCD is configured to present the driver with a "My Cargo Stolen" button on a shipment tracking user interface (UI) as a unique method of confirming the theft. Selecting this first virtual button will generate and display a "Report Law Enforcement" option to allow the driver to directly send information about the theft to a law enforcement (LE) peripheral or law enforcement (LE) dispatch center based on the location of the theft and the current jurisdiction of the Department of Law Enforcement ( LE).

[00127] The functionality described herein may be implemented in any system that includes a series of connected communication devices that can provide geolocation information and exchange other information such as stolen vehicle identification data (vehicle identification number and/or vehicle registration number), photographs of the stolen goods for quick identification, the current location of the stolen goods, provided that they can be tracked by one or more tracking mechanisms such as sensors. It should also be noted that the features described herein can also be applied to lost children who are equipped with location sensors, such as those embedded in their clothing or jewelry. The notice given to law enforcement may automatically include a photograph of the children and details of personal characteristics such as skin color, height, hair color, clothing worn, etc., as well as information provided by the parents. This additional distinctive information may be accessed and presented to law enforcement (LE) personnel who respond to said notification and/or open it on their law enforcement (LE) peripheral.

[00128] In one embodiment, a multi-jurisdictional SMS messaging communication service is provided that communicates with law enforcement dispatch services in multiple jurisdictions. In this embodiment, the LETR utility application 275 is stored on the network and available for download to the mobile communication device of every law enforcement (LE) personnel. In addition, the LETR utility application 275 can provide any law enforcement (LE) personnel with the ability to quickly track assets as they move geographically along routes from one jurisdiction to another. In one embodiment, law enforcement (LE) peripheral 175 includes a selectable option to respond to a choice in a submitted Wanted (BOLO) notification sent to multiple law enforcement (LE) peripherals (which may be under different jurisdictions) in a geographic area surrounding the location of the security event.

[00129] Also as described herein, the implementation of the functional features of the present invention described herein may involve the use of a combination of hardware, firmware, and multiple software layer constructs (e.g., program code and/or program instructions, and /or pseudocode) that are executed to provide a sequence of methods representing the various features and functions of the present invention.

[00130] In the foregoing description, exemplary embodiments in which various aspects of the present invention may be practiced have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. It should be understood that other implementations may be used, and logical, architectural, software, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the principle or scope of protection of the present invention. The above description is an expanded overview and, thus, should not be construed as a limitation, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[00131] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and equivalent substitutions of elements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many changes can be made to adapt a particular system, device or its components to the descriptions of the present invention without departing from the essential scope of its protection. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described for carrying out the present disclosure, but the present disclosure includes all embodiments falling within the scope of any claim of the appended claims. In addition, the use of the terms "first", "second", etc. does not mean that any order or importance is required, but rather the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

[00132] One or more of the described embodiments of the present invention may be implemented at least in part using a software-controlled, programmable processing device, such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or other processing device, data processing device, or system. Thus, it should be understood that a computer program for configuring a programmable device, equipment, or system to carry out the methods described above is provided as one aspect of the present invention. The computer program may be in source code form, or may be compiled for execution in a processing device, equipment, or system. Accordingly, said computer program is stored on the carrier device in a machine-readable or computer-readable form, for example, solid-state memory, magnetic memory such as a disk or tape, optical or magneto-optical readable memory such as a compact disc or digital versatile disk, flash memory. memory, etc. The processing device, equipment, or system uses a program or part of it to configure the processing device, equipment, or system for operation.

[00133] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes can be made and equivalent substitutions of elements made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many changes can be made to adapt a particular system, device or its components to the descriptions of the present invention without departing from the essential scope of its protection. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described for carrying out the present disclosure, but the present disclosure includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, the use of the terms "first", "second", etc. does not mean that any order or importance is required, but rather the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

[00134] The term used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be a limitation of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms of expression "one", "some" and "this" should also be understood to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" as used in this specification indicate the presence of established features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but does not negate the presence or addition of one or more others. signs, integers, stages, operations, elements, components and/or their groups.

[00135] The description of the present invention is provided for illustrative purposes and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited by the present disclosure in the form set forth. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes and variations can be made without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. The described embodiments have been selected and described in order to best describe the principles of the present invention and its practical application, as well as to enable others skilled in the art to understand that the present disclosure of various implementations with various modifications is suitable for a particular intended use.

Claims (49)

1. Law Enforcement (LE) Data Processing System (DPS), comprising: a memory containing a Law Enforcement (LE) Security Event Notification (LE) stored therein and a Dispatch Service (SEND) utility that enables the LE DPS to generate and send an updated Extended Security Event Notification (ESEN) to one or more Law Enforcement Dispatch Servers ( LE) to redirect it to law enforcement (LE) personnel peripherals; at least one network interface device (NID) through which the LE DPS system receives and transmits information over one or more communication networks; at least one processor associated with memory and at least one network interface device (NID), wherein said at least one processor is configured to execute a SEND utility that configures the LE DPS to enable: receiving from a tracking system associated with the ability to communicate with the LE DPS system via one or more communication networks, an ESEN notification that includes information identifying a security event, the location at which the security event occurred, and additional distinguishing information providing descriptive data about one or more of the transported consignment, cargo, vehicle, driver, road train equipment and geographic location, with additional distinguishing information corresponding to the entities involved in the specified security event and affected by the specified security event; selectively transmitting information from the updated ESEN notification to at least one law enforcement (LE) dispatch server supporting law enforcement (LE) personnel located within one of (i) geographic proximity to the location of the security event and (ii) the estimated recapture zone , while said additional distinctive information enables law enforcement (LE) personnel to receive a more complete set of relevant information into a law enforcement (LE) peripheral device, which enables law enforcement (LE) personnel to more accurately identify, track, and resolve a security event. 2. The LE DPS system of claim 1, wherein the security event includes the theft of at least one of the cargo and vehicle associated with the transported consignment, the cargo and vehicle being tracked by one or more location sensors, and the distinguishing information in the ESEN notification contain information related to the shipment being transported, while the SEND utility also allows the LE DPS system to: extract distinctive information from the received ESEN notification; identify the geographic location of the security event; select one or more Law Enforcement (LE) Dispatch Servers communicatively connected to Law Enforcement (LE) Peripheral Devices of Law Enforcement (LE) personnel whose current location is closest to the current recapture zone or is within the current recapture zone relative to specified geographic location; and include in the information to be transmitted by a law enforcement (LE) dispatch server to a law enforcement (LE) peripheral device owned by one or more law enforcement officers (LEs): (i) security event identification information (SEII), including a description of the security event, location , in which the specified security event occurred, and the time when the specified security event occurred; (ii) an estimated current recapture area; and (iii) additional distinguishing information that provides descriptive data about one or more of the transported consignment, cargo, vehicle, driver, geographic location, and other data that contributes to more efficient search operations; and return by law enforcement (LE) personnel of the cargo and vehicle. 3. The LE DPS system of claim 2, wherein the SEND utility also enables the LE DPS system to: store information in a repository accessible to the LE DPS system; associate the event label with stored information; send the event tag and SEII identifying information to at least one selected law enforcement peripheral (LE); retrieve and send to the appropriate law enforcement peripheral (LE) additional distinctive information associated with the security event and the transported consignment in response to receiving a signal indicating the selection of the event label in one of the at least one selected law enforcement peripheral (LE). 4. The LE DPS system of claim 2, wherein the SEND utility is configured to configure the LE DPS system to: storing additional distinguishing information in a repository accessible by the LE DPS system, wherein said additional distinguishing information is tagged with an event identifier; and automatically sending additional distinguishing information along with the event ID to a Law Enforcement (LE) peripheral, with transmission of an ESEN theft notification to Law Enforcement (LE) personnel providing Law Enforcement (LE) personnel with relevant information related to the shipment in real time for expedite search and return operations by law enforcement (LE) personnel. 5. The LE DPS system of claim 2, wherein the SEND utility also enables the LE DPS system to: extract from the database maintained in the law enforcement (LE) repository historical data of similar security events and other events occurring in the same geographic location; perform heuristic evaluation of the historical data and the specified security event to predict possible actions that are highly likely to occur based on the occurrence of the specified security event and patterns in the historical data; transmit the result of the heuristic evaluation along with said information to a law enforcement peripheral (LE); track the provisional and final handling of a security event by law enforcement (LE) personnel; update the historical data with new data corresponding to the security event and the specified settlement; and store updated historical data in the Law Enforcement (LE) repository. 6. The LE DPS system of claim 2, wherein the ESEN notice and additional distinguishing information contains: a description of the triggering event that led to the security event; data on the transported consignment relating to one or more of the cargo, vehicle, driver, point of origin of the transported consignment, destination of the transported consignment, consignor and consignee; still images of one or more of the cargo, the vehicle, the locking mechanism placed on the trailer of the vehicle, the transport declaration or waybill for the specified cargo; and a lot of other relevant information from the group containing: type of cargo; description of the vehicle; identifying data associated with the vehicle, including at least one of a vehicle registration number and a vehicle identification number (VIN); historical data associated with one or more geographic locations of the triggering event. 7. The LE DPS system of claim 2, wherein: the cargo and the vehicle are equipped with one or more location sensors generating co-located signals that are tracked by a consignment tracking device in the tracking system; the security event includes detecting a simultaneous loss of reception of co-located signals, the simultaneous loss indicative of a localized jamming method that is associated with attempts to steal at least one of the cargo and the vehicle; a the SEND utility is configured to configure the DPS LE to: receive a signal identifier (ID) in the ESEN notification, said identifier being associated with each of the co-located signals; and transmitting said signal ID to the law enforcement peripheral (LE) to enable localized tracking of the signals in the law enforcement peripheral (LE) when the signals are returned on-line. 8. A method for providing enhanced notification of security events through a law enforcement (LE) data processing system (DPS), including: receiving from the tracking system, which is associated with the ability to communicate with the LE DPS system through another communication network, an extended security event notification (ESEN), including information identifying the security event, the location at which the security event occurred, and additional distinguishing information, providing descriptive data about one or more of the transported consignment, cargo, vehicle, driver, road train equipment and geographic location, with additional distinguishing information corresponding to the entities involved in the specified security event and affected by the specified security event; and selectively transmitting information from the ESEN notification to at least one law enforcement (LE) dispatch server communicating with a law enforcement (LE) LEC channel peripheral located in one of (i) geographic proximity to the location of the security event and (ii) estimated re-entry zones, wherein said additional distinctive information provides law enforcement (LE) personnel with the ability to ingest a more complete set of relevant information into a law enforcement (LE) peripheral, allowing law enforcement (LE) personnel to more accurately identify, track, and resolve a security event . 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the security event includes the theft of at least one of the cargo and vehicle associated with the transportation of cargo, wherein said cargo and vehicle are tracked by one or more location sensors, and the distinctive information in the ESEN notification contains information relating to the consignment being transported, also including: extracting distinctive information from the received ESEN notification; identification of the geographic location of the security event; selecting one or more law enforcement officers (LE) whose current location is closest to the current recapture zone or is in the current recapture zone relative to the specified geographic location; and including in the information sent to a Law Enforcement (LE) Peripheral Device by one or more Law Enforcement Officers (LEs): (i) Security Event Identification Information (SEII), including a description of the security event, the location where said security event occurred, and the time the occurrence of a security event; (ii) the estimated current recapture zone; and (iii) additional distinguishing information that provides descriptive data about one or more of the transported consignment, cargo, vehicle, driver, geographic location and other data that facilitates more efficient search and recovery of cargo and vehicle by law enforcement personnel ( LE). 10. The method according to claim 8, according to which: the cargo and the vehicle are equipped with one or more location sensors generating co-located signals that are tracked by a consignment tracking device in the tracking system; the security event includes detecting a simultaneous loss of reception of co-located signals, the simultaneous loss indicative of a localized jamming method associated with attempts to steal at least one of the cargo and vehicle; and wherein the method also includes: receiving, in the ESEN notification, a signal identifier (ID) associated with each of the co-located signals; and transmitting the signal ID to the law enforcement peripheral (LE) to enable localized tracking of the signals in the law enforcement peripheral (LE) when the signals are returned on-line.

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