Abstract: A system and method for establishing a weight related risk profile using RFID technology is provided. While the cargo container is in transit, a RFID reader inside a cargo container polls the contents of the container by reading RFID data from each RFID tagged item and calculate the payload weight. When the truck transporting the cargo container passes a weigh station, or a high-speed scale embedded in the road, a payload weight is measured by a scale. A risk factor is assessed by comparing the estimated weight by the RFID reader with the measured weight by the scale. According to one aspect of the invention, the RFID based polling system has the ability to map the weight and location for each tagged item and estimate a container weight distribution. The estimated weight distribution is compared with the weight distribution measured by the scale to determine potential anomalies.

Abstract: A system for providing communications for container security is provided. The system includes a sensing system for monitoring the contents of the container; a signal receiving element for receiving sensor data from the sensing system; a control element for analyzing received sensor data; a first transceiver element for receiving signals containing sensor data from within the container and for transmitting those signals outside of the container; and a satellite transceiver element for receiving signals from the first transceiver element and for forwarding the received signals via satellite uplink to a remote location.

Abstract: A system and apparatus is provided for managing the collection, preparation, and storage of shipping documentation. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes multiple sensors, a processing system and a control unit for organizing and transporting shipping documents for multiple shipments in a real-time tracking system. The shipping document management system of the present invention travels and arrives with the actual shipment and allows the user to collect information and produce documents for viewing, scanning, transmitting and/or printing. The present invention may function as a universal open architecture envelope capable of linking to existing container sensor systems.

Abstract: A hierarchical and distributed system architecture for a container monitoring and security system is provided. The architecture may be a hierarchical chain of separate, related processing elements. The partitioning of functions and distribution of processing among these or other similar hierarchical elements in the network is provided. The elements may further be described in successive layers, each have a greater level of network intelligence than the former.

Abstract: A system and method for communications between a plurality of shipping containers using a short range or local area wireless communication device is provided. The system also contains a cellular communications device, a satellite communications device, or both, which are used to transmit information to, and receive commands from remote central monitoring station. The system includes a method which creates dynamic links between the containers using the short range channel. Containers are organized in networks and sub networks, and have built in redundancy features.

Abstract: A system and method for an antenna which is constructed into or conforming onto the roof or wall of a cargo container is provided. The antenna system may have multiple antennas for short range wireless, cellular, global positioning, or satellite built into a single functional element. The antenna system may utilize a patch or phased array design. The method of construction of the antenna system may as part of the container fabricated or installed at the factory, applied as an adhesive film kit, or applied as a successive spray coating and etching process.