Abstract: An apparatus and a method of estimating mass of a shipping container while being transported on a platform. At first, acceleration data of the shipping container is received or acceleration information is computed from at least one sensor operatively attached to the shipping container. Further, an acoustic signal associated with the shipping container is received. Furthermore, the acceleration data or the computed acceleration information is processed over a time interval when the acoustic signal becomes greater than a threshold, to estimate the mass of the shipping container from at least one of the acceleration data and the computed acceleration information.

Abstract: A method to track a movable asset which uses a device attachable to the movable asset, whereby the device includes a transceiver adapted to communicate over a wireless wide area network. The device operates from battery power stored in a battery attachable within the device. The device is configured to conserve the battery power and a datum which pertains to the asset is logged. While the transceiver is powered off, an ambient radio frequency signal of the wireless wide area network is monitored. Upon the ambient radio frequency signal being detected above a threshold, the transceiver associated with the available mobile network channel is powered up.

Abstract: A vent cover (16) for installing on a shipping container. The vent cover includes a housing (16a) adapted for covering a vent hole (24) of the shipping container. A direct current (DC) power source is encased or enclosed in the housing. The DC power source includes a battery. The vent cover may also include a circuit board (34) attached to the DC power source. An antenna (36) may be located on a surface of the housing and attached to the circuit board. The circuit board may include a satellite antenna interface for a satellite antenna and a global positioning system (GPS) module attached to the satellite antenna interface. The vent cover may include an environmental sensor (304) for sensing a parameter of the shipping container. The environmental sensor may be adapted to protrude through a hole in a wall (12) of the shipping container when the vent cover is mounted on the shipping container.

Abstract: A vent cover (16) for installing on a shipping container. The vent cover includes a housing (16a) adapted for covering a vent hole (24) of the shipping container. A direct current (DC) power source is encased or enclosed in the housing. The DC power source includes a battery. The vent cover may also include a circuit board (34) attached to the DC power source. An antenna (36) may be located on a surface of the housing and attached to the circuit board. The circuit board may include a satellite antenna interface for a satellite antenna and a global positioning system (GPS) module attached to the satellite antenna interface. The vent cover may include an environmental sensor (304) for sensing a parameter of the shipping container. The environmental sensor may be adapted to protrude through a hole in a wall (12) of the shipping container when the vent cover is mounted on the shipping container.