Intelligent sensor open architecture for a container security system

1. A method for providing an open standard wireless interface between a sensor control element and one or more sensors which are associated with a container during transit and which together form a monitoring network, the method comprising:

programming a sensor element with a sensor configuration table containing sensor configuration data regarding at least one operating parameter of the sensor element;

transmitting a message from the sensor element to the sensor control element, wherein the message includes sensor configuration data;

transmitting a request from the sensor element to the sensor control requesting to be accepted into the monitoring network;

analyzing the sensor configuration data to determine whether the sensor element should be added to the monitoring network; and

transmitting a message from the sensor control element to the sensor element either confirming inclusion in the network or declining the request to join.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method includes the step of transmitting a message from the sensor control element to a central monitoring station indicating that a new sensor has been integrated into the monitoring network.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor configuration data transmitted to the sensor control element by the sensor element contains information including the sensor type, trigger thresholds, dynamic range, data formats, battery power, and other data pertinent to the operation of said sensor element within the container security system.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor control element and the sensor operate in a manner which is automatically commissioned into the container security system without field programming, wiring, or manual intervention.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor control element performs diagnostics on the requesting sensor element.