Shipping container security system and method
A security system for shipping containers includes: a system monitor and a device mounted on the container for locking and/or tracking. The device includes a means of measuring at least one condition of said container (e.g., time of day, ambient light level, location, speed, and acceleration), a tamper sensing system that can be adjusted based on the changes in the measured condition, and a communication system for the tamper sensing system to alert the system monitor when tampering is detected. The tamper sensing system may employ a number of approaches for detecting a tampering event, including vibration, heat, load, impact, and acceleration sensing, as well as changes in location. The tamper sensing system may further disable the lock if tampering is detected.
1 . A security system for shipping containers comprising:
a system monitor; and,
a device mounted on said shipping container comprising:
a measurement circuit to measure at least one condition of said container selected from the group consisting of: time, light level, location, speed, and acceleration;
a tamper sensing system including at least one parameter that is adjusted based on the changes in said measured condition; and,
a communication system whereby said tamper sensing system alerts said system monitor when tampering is detected.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the sensitivity of said tamper sensing system is increased when said measurement circuit detects a condition selected from the group consisting of:
said container is stationary;
said container has been in the same location for a preset period of time;
said container is parked at a selected location relative to a selected Geofence;
said light level indicates that it is dark in the vicinity of said container;
said time is between local sunset and sunrise at said container's present location;
the location of said container deviates from a preplanned route; and,
said time indicates that said container is overdue at a preplanned destination.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the sensitivity of said tamper sensing system may be manually increased or decreased after entry of an approved authorization code.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein said tamper sensing system comprises a device selected from the group consisting of: vibration sensors, tilt switches, accelerometers, temperature sensors, acoustic sensors, and tension sensors.
5 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a locking device to prevent said container from being opened without authorization.
6 . The system of claim 5 wherein said tamper sensing system can disable said locking device from being unlocked if tampering is detected.
7 . A security system for shipping containers comprising:
a system monitor; and,
a device mounted on said shipping container comprising:
a locking mechanism to prevent said container from being opened without authorization;
a measurement circuit to measure at least one condition of said container selected from the group consisting of: time, light level, location, speed, and acceleration;
a tamper sensing system including at least one parameter that is adjusted based on the changes in said measured condition; and,
a communication system whereby said tamper sensing system alerts said system monitor when tampering is detected.
8 . The system of claim 7 wherein said tamper sensing system can disable said locking device from being unlocked if tampering is detected.
9 . The system of claim 7 wherein the sensitivity of said tamper sensing system is increased when said measurement circuit detects a condition selected from the group consisting of:
said container is stationary;
said container has been in the same location for a preset period of time;
said container is parked at a selected location relative to a selected Geofence;
said light level indicates that it is dark in the vicinity of said container;
said time is between local sunset and sunrise at said container's present location;
the location of said container deviates from a preplanned route; and,
said time indicates that said container is overdue at a preplanned destination.
10 . The system of claim 7 wherein the sensitivity of said tamper sensing system may be manually increased or decreased after entry of an approved authorization code.
11 . The system of claim 7 wherein said tamper sensing system comprises a device selected from the group consisting of: vibration sensors, tilt switches, accelerometers, temperature sensors, acoustic sensors, and tension sensors.
12 . A method for monitoring the status of a shipping container, comprising:
providing a system monitor;
mounting a security device on said shipping container, said device including:
a measurement circuit to measure at least one condition of said container, selected from the group consisting of: time, light level, location, speed, and acceleration; and,
a tamper sensing system including at least one parameter that is adjusted based on changes in said measured condition;
measuring said at least one condition of said container;
adjusting said at least one parameter of said tamper sensing system; and,
notifying said system monitor if tampering is detected.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein said adjusting step comprises increasing the sensitivity of said tamper sensing system when said measurement circuit detects a condition selected from the group consisting of:
said container is stationary;
said container has been in the same location for a preset period of time;
said container is parked at a selected location relative to a selected Geofence;
said light level indicates that it is dark in the vicinity of said container;
said time is between local sunset and sunrise at said container's present location;
the location of said container deviates from a preplanned route; and,
said time indicates that said container is overdue at a preplanned destination.
14 . The method of claim 12 wherein the sensitivity of said tamper sensing system may be manually increased or decreased after entry of an approved authorization code.
15 . The method of claim 12 wherein said tamper sensing system comprises a device selected from the group consisting of: vibration sensors, tilt switches, accelerometers, temperature sensors, acoustic sensors, and tension sensors.
16 . The method of claim 12 wherein said security device includes a locking device to prevent said container from being opened without authorization.
17 . The system of claim 16 wherein said tamper sensing system can disable said locking device from being unlocked if tampering is detected.