IP Library › Patent Application 12259800
Patent Application
App. No. 12/259,800

Arrangement and Method for Monitoring Shipping Containers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/259,800
Abstract

Arrangement for monitoring the weight of a shipping container includes a strain gage-based sensor system arranged to obtain information about the weight of a container and comprising one or more strain gage weight sensors for measuring weight at a mounting location, a wireless communication system arranged to receive the weight measured by the weight sensors and process the received weight into an indication of the weight of the shipping container or the weight of contents therein, and a wireless interrogator controlled by a processor to initiate a transmission of the weight measured by the weight sensors to the communication system.

Claims (15)

1 . An arrangement for monitoring the weight of a shipping container, comprising:

a strain gage-based sensor system arranged to obtain information about the weight of a container and comprising one or more strain gage weight sensors for measuring weight at a mounting location;

a wireless communication system arranged to receive the weight measured by said weight sensors and process the received weight into an indication of the weight of the shipping container or the weight of contents therein; and

a wireless interrogator controlled by a processor to initiate a transmission of the weight measured by said weight sensors to said communication system.

2 . The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter for transmitting the weight information to a remote facility.

3 . The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the shipping container is associated with a trailer chassis, said weight sensors being mounted on the trailer chassis.

4 . The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the shipping container is associated with a railroad chassis, said weight sensors being mounted on the railroad chassis.

5 . The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the shipping container is associated with a support structure, said weight sensors being mounted on the support structure.

6 . The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the shipping container is associated with a floor support structure, said weight sensors being mounted on the floor support structure.

7 . The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a display visible to an occupant of a compartment of the vehicle, and a processor arranged to direct said display to display the weight measured by said weight sensors.

8 . The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a wake-up sensor arranged to detect an action which warrants measurement of the weight of the shipping container and direct said interrogator to initiate a weight measurement.

9 . The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a time sensor for detecting a predetermined lapse of time and direct said interrogator to initiate a weight measurement.

10 . The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a processor arranged to receive the weight measured by said weight sensors and detect a change in weight of the shipping container.

11 . The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a processor coupled to said interrogator for initiating said interrogator and receiving the weight measured by said weight sensors.

12 . The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a processor for monitoring the weight distribution.