Antenna in cargo container monitoring and security system

1 . (canceled)

2 . An antenna system for a container monitoring system comprising:

a short range wireless communications device associated with each container, each short range wireless communications device including a transmitter element and a complementary receiver element;

at least one long range communications device communications device associated with each container;

a global positioning or GPS element; and

an antenna system which is integrated into the construction of each container wall or roof.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the short range wireless communications device located on each container is capable of transmitting and receiving data and messages via a radio frequency signal at a maximum predetermined distance from a few feet to a several hundred feet.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein a short range wireless communication protocol comprises any one of standards including Bluetooth, Zigbee, 802.11 series, and a proprietary short range wireless channel.

5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the long range communications device comprises a cellular communications device, a satellite communications device, or both.

6 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the cellular communications device includes a transmitter element and a complementary receiver element located on each container, capable of transmitting data and messages to a central monitoring station, and receiving data and messages from the central monitoring station.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the cellular communications device implements one of a cellular standard and a proprietary wireless protocol.

8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the satellite communications device includes a transmitter element and a receiver element that is configured to communicate with a satellite in a network.

9 . The system of claim 2 , wherein said antenna system includes a single unit for the transmission of the short range wireless communications device, the cellular communications device, or the satellite communications device.

10 . The system of claim 2 , wherein said antenna system is integrated into, and conforms to, the roof, door, or wall of the container.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said antenna system is constructed using a flat or planar design so as to conform to the container construction of a wall of the container.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein said antenna system includes a patch or phased array antenna design.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said antenna system is a feed cable or connector which passes through a roof, wall, or door of the container into the interior to easily connect to electronics location within the container interior.