An apparatus for monitoring of transport containers

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus is for an internodal transport container. A proximity sensor is mounted to a door actuator and to a door or container panel. A tamper-evident local circuit with a processor detects relative movement of the actuator and the panel. A transmitter transmits an alert radiation signal with an alert of if there is movement of the actuator indicating opening of a container door or tampering with the apparatus. The sensor has a first component for mounting to an internodal container locking bar, and a second component part of the local circuit 10 for mounting to a door panel. The first component in some examples snap fits to the bar and has a rotatable component which is retained by a retainer attached to a housing which is in turn attached to a container door. There is therefore no need to attach anything to the bar.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A monitoring apparatus for a transport container, the apparatus comprising:
 a proximity sensor configured for mounting to a door actuator and to a door or container panel,   a local circuit with a processor configured to detect relative movement of the actuator and the door or panel,   a transmitter to transmit an alert radiation signal with an alert if there is said relative movement indicating opening of a container door.   
     
     
         45 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an intermodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar. 
     
     
         46 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an intermodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar;   the sensor comprises a first component for mounting to an internodal container locking bar, and a second component for mounting to a door panel of said container, and   the local circuit is linked with said components and is configured to determine a condition of relative movement of said components indicating opening of the door, and the local circuit transmitter is configured to transmit said alert radiation signal upon occurrence of said condition.   
     
     
         47 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an intermodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar;   the sensor comprises a first component for mounting to an internodal container locking bar, and a second component for mounting to a door panel of said container, and   the local circuit is linked with said components and is configured to determine a condition of relative movement of said components indicating opening of the door, and   the local circuit transmitter is configured to transmit said alert radiation signal upon occurrence of said condition,   the first component includes one or more selected from a magnet, a Hall effect sensor, and a rotational sensor, and the second component is selected from one or more of a magnet, a Hall effect sensor, and a rotational sensor.   
     
     
         48 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an intermodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar;   the sensor comprises a first component for mounting to an internodal container locking bar, and a second component for mounting to a door panel of said container,   the local circuit is linked with said components and is configured to determine a condition of relative movement of said components indicating opening of the door,   the local circuit transmitter is configured to transmit said alert radiation signal upon occurrence of said condition, and   the first component includes one or more selected from a magnet, a Hall effect sensor, and a rotational sensor, and the second component is selected from one or more of a magnet, a Hall effect sensor, and a rotational sensor wherein the second component is configured to be mounted in a recess of an intermodal container door.   
     
     
         49 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the transmitter is configured to be mounted along an edge of an intermodal container door;   the local circuit comprises a housing containing circuit boards and being configured for attachment to an intermodal container door with a tamper-detecting sensor;   the processor is configured to send an alert upon attempted tampering with said housing; and the local circuit comprises a circuit board mounted in a housing configured to be mounted to an internodal container door; and   the local circuit is linked to the transmitter by a tamper-evident cable.   
     
     
         50 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the apparatus comprises a housing configured to be mounted to a container door and to support a component of the proximity sensor;   the housing is configured to be mounted in a recess of a container door.   the housing comprises a tamper detector; and   the tamper detector comprises a light detector arranged to detect light entering the housing via a window or port which should be covered by the container door in normal use; and   the light detector is aligned with a light pipe in the housing wall.   
     
     
         51 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an intermodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar;   the sensor comprises a first component for mounting to an internodal container locking bar, and a second component for mounting to a door panel of said container, and   the local circuit is linked with said components and is configured to determine a condition of relative movement of said components indicating opening of the door, and the local circuit transmitter is configured to transmit said alert radiation signal upon occurrence of said condition;   the apparatus comprises a housing for mounting to a container door, the first component is mounted to said housing and comprises a rotatable component configured to grip a locking bar and to rotate with said locking bar while still being linked with said housing; and   the first component comprises a retainer configured to guide rotation of the rotatable component with rotation of a locking bar.   
     
     
         52 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an intermodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar;   the sensor comprises a first component for mounting to an internodal container locking bar, and a second component for mounting to a door panel of said container, and   the local circuit is linked with said components and is configured to determine a condition of relative movement of said components indicating opening of the door, and the local circuit transmitter is configured to transmit said alert radiation signal upon occurrence of said condition;   the apparatus comprises a housing for mounting to a container door, the first component is mounted to said housing and comprises a rotatable component configured to grip a locking bar and to rotate with said locking bar while still being linked with said housing; and   the first component comprises a retainer configured to guide rotation of the rotatable component with rotation of a locking bar, wherein the retainer comprises at least two axially spaced-apart curved arms configured to guide rotation of the rotatable component;   the arms each comprises a slot and the rotatable component comprises guides for engaging and being retained by said slots;   the rotatable component extends between and engages said arms;   the rotatable component comprises a curved wall and a flange at each end of the wall and said flanges are configured to engage with and to be guided by the arms; and   the rotatable component is configured to grip a locking bar by friction, the rotatable component comprises a curved wall having an internal surface configured to engage by friction a locking bar external surface.   
     
     
         53 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an intermodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar;   the sensor comprises a first component for mounting to an intermodal container locking bar, and a second component for mounting to a door panel of said container, and   the local circuit is linked with said components and is configured to determine a condition of relative movement of said components indicating opening of the door, and the local circuit transmitter is configured to transmit said alert radiation signal upon occurrence of said condition;   the apparatus comprises a housing for mounting to a container door, the first component is mounted to said housing and comprises a rotatable component configured to grip a locking bar and to rotate with said locking bar while still being linked with said housing; and   the first component comprises a retainer configured to guide rotation of the rotatable component with rotation of a locking bar, wherein the retainer comprises at least two axially spaced-apart curved arms configured to guide rotation of the rotatable component;   the arms each comprises a slot and the rotatable component comprises guides for engaging and being retained by said slots; and   the rotatable component extends between and engages said arms;   the rotatable component comprises a curved wall and a flange at each end of the wall and said flanges are configured to engage with and to be guided by the arms;   the rotatable component is configured to grip a locking bar by friction, the rotatable component comprises a curved wall having an internal surface configured to engage by friction a locking bar external surface,   the rotatable component wall comprises an aperture for retention of a magnet or a Hall effect sensor;   the aperture is located centrally between circumferential ends of the wall; and   the rotatable component is configured to grip a locking bar by snap fitting and is configured to extend more than 180° around a locking bar.   
     
     
         54 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the apparatus comprises a housing arranged to be secured to a container door;   the housing comprises a fastener at one end for engaging a door and the first component is configured to engage a locking bar to support the housing at an opposed end; and   the fastener comprises a magnet of sufficient strength to engage a container door and hold the housing in place without an additional fastener at its end.   
     
     
         55 . The monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein:
 the apparatus further comprises an accelerometer and the circuit is configured to upload sensing data from said accelerometer; and   the apparatus further comprises a location detector and the circuit is configured to upload position data.   
     
     
         56 . An intermodal container system comprising:
 an intermodal container with a door,   a monitoring apparatus mounted to the container, and   a server configured to receive and to process alerts from the monitoring apparatus,   wherein the monitoring apparatus comprises:   a proximity sensor configured for mounting to a door actuator and to a door or container panel,   a local circuit with a processor configured to detect relative movement of the actuator and the door or panel, and   a transmitter to transmit an alert radiation signals with said alerts if there is said relative movement indicating opening of a container door.   
     
     
         57 . The intermodal container system as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein:
 the server is configured to identify door open events according to uploads from the circuit derived from sensing of rotation of a locking bar, and to log said events;   the server is configured to associate door open events with location of the apparatus;   the monitoring apparatus comprises a location detector and the server is configured to associate location data derived from apparatus upload of both door open events and apparatus location, said location data being determined with or without additional location data derived from uploads from a transport vehicle such as a lorry, a train, or a ship;   the monitoring apparatus comprises an accelerometer, the circuit is configured to upload accelerometer sensing data, and the server is configured to determine additional container status data based on said accelerometer sensing data in combination with door open event data.   
     
     
         58 . The intermodal container system as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein:
 the server is configured to identify door open events according to uploads from the circuit derived from sensing of rotation of a locking bar, and to log said events;   the server is configured to associate door open events with location of the apparatus;   the monitoring apparatus comprises a location detector and the server is configured to associate location data derived from apparatus upload of both door open events and apparatus location, said location data being determined with or without additional location data derived from uploads from a transport vehicle such as a lorry, a train, or a ship;   the monitoring apparatus comprises an accelerometer, the circuit is configured to upload accelerometer sensing data, and the server is configured to determine additional container status data based on said accelerometer sensing data in combination with door open event data;   said container status data includes one or more selected from: container height change data; data quantifying changes in direction of container movement and/or speed of movement; and   the server is configured to derive information from said container data, said information including identification of a type of container lifting equipment used.   
     
     
         59 . The intermodal container system as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein the server is configured to use Machine Learning techniques to process said container data and over time to automatically learn how to determine a next mode of transport for a container. 
     
     
         60 . The intermodal container system of  claim 56 , wherein:
 the server is programmed to determine an authorized route for a container, said route including authorized stop locations including a geo fence start location, intermediate stop locations, and a destination location, and   the server is programmed to generate an output according to door open events at said locations.   
     
     
         61 . The intermodal container system as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein:
 the server is programmed to determine an authorized route for a container, said route including authorized stop locations including a geo fence start location, intermediate stop locations, and a destination location, and the server is programmed to generate an output according to door open events at said locations; and   the server is programmed to generate a security alert for a door opening event at an intermediate stop location.   
     
     
         62 . The intermodal container system as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein:
 the server is programmed to determine an authorized route for a container, said route including authorized stop locations including a geo fence start location, intermediate stop locations, and a destination location,   the server is programmed to generate an output according to door open events at said locations; and   the server is programmed to generate a security alert for a door opening event at an intermediate stop location;   the server is programmed to automatically direct an increase in data uploading frequency upon detection of movement of a container out of a geo fence area.   
     
     
         63 . The internodal container of  claim 56 , wherein:
 the monitoring apparatus proximity sensor is configured to be mounted to a locking bar of an internodal container, to detect rotation of the locking bar;   the monitoring apparatus sensor comprises a first component mounted to the intermodal container locking bar, and a second component mounted to a door panel of said container, and   the monitoring apparatus local circuit is linked with said components and is configured to determine a condition of relative movement of said components indicating opening of the door, and the local circuit transmitter is configured to transmit said alert radiation signal upon occurrence of said condition;   the monitoring apparatus comprises a housing for mounting to a container door, the first component is mounted to said housing and comprises a rotatable component configured to grip a locking bar and to rotate with said locking bar while still being linked with said housing; and   the monitoring apparatus first component comprises a retainer configured to guide rotation of the rotatable component with rotation of a locking bar.