Portable security container
A process and security container that enable local protection and remote transportation of items found with the environment of a contemporary office, while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container. The container may be constructed with one or more sidewalls bearing a removable lid. The container may have a closed interior while the lid is in complete engagement with the sidewalls, and have an open interior able to removably receive items within the interior while the lid is dislodged from its complete engagement. A port is exposed through one of said sidewalls to receive data signals and a control stage with a non-volatile a memory, is mounted within the container and operationally coupled to a host computer to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. A microprocessor based host computer sited externally to the container, has a keyboard initiating formation of the data signals and a monitor driven by the host computer to visually display video images. The host computer is operationally coupled to the port to participate in the communication by generating the data signals. The controller may generate a control signal and allow access to the interior of the container in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received from the host computer among the data signals via the port and a data sequence obtained by the control stage in dependence upon information stored within the memory.
This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/666,804 entitled PORTABLE SECURITY CONTAINER filed in the United States Patent & Trademark Office on 21 Sep. 2000, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120, and makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing from our earlier filing of Disclosure Document No. 456,575 in the United States Patent & Trademark Office on the 19 May 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to processes and containers for controlling access to valuable items and, more particularly, to processes and systems for managing the security, access, use, siting and transportation of containers.
2. Background Art
In general, the need for protection and storage of valuables, sensitive information and controlled substances has increased over the past decade, particularly with the introduction of new forms of valuable tangible property such as the higher density optical and magnetic storage media. Contemporary offices rely upon one or more security devices such as mechanical locks placed upon cabinets, safes, doors and buildings to provide physical security for the interior of the office as well as the contents distributed throughout the office during normal working hours. We have noticed however, that these approaches to office security do not provide any audit information about either the use of the security devices or about the personnel who use the devices. The need to control access as well as to provide an accurate record of personnel having access and the time of their access requires both physical and electronic security measures. In an office environment for example, items such as confidential papers, diskettes, engineering documents, and intrinsically valuable materials (such as, by way of example, gold electrical contacts) other tangible items are most conveniently left exposed upon a counter, in an insecure state, during normal working hours. Although these items maybe stored in cabinets or desk drawers after hours, the degree of the security provided is poor. Office fixtures are typically only secure temporarily and, in most cases, unauthorized access cannot be detected. Efforts such as the Electronic Interlock For Storage Assemblies of E. O. Warren, U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,825, and the Locker Unit Comprising A Plurality Of Lockers of K. Kletzmaier, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,386 are exemplars of recent efforts in the art to electronically control access, albeit primarily access to stationary objects such as doors and safes, and to provide both physical security and audit information about the use of the security devices. Although some electronic access control systems do endeavor to provide access control and audit capabilities, others such as the Portable Authentification System of L. C. Puhl, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,038; the Electronic Lock And Key System of F. Rode, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,369, the Fast Access Electronic Locking System of J. C. Spitzer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,436; and the Portable Electronic Access Controlled System For Parking Meters Or The Like of Paul Benezet, U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,395 do not consistently, inexpensively and reliably address the need for transportation of assets between remote locations in a secure manner. We have found that the unauthorized and undetected access to sensitive information or materials during transit, or during storage, is a concern that has not previously been adequately addressed by the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved security process and container.
It is another object to provide a simplified security process and portable container that conforms to contemporary business office practice by securing valuable items for both storage and transportation to remote locations.
It is yet another object to provide a security process and portable container that is readily and repeatedly usable to quickly receive, store and transport valuable items, while providing a log of the users who gain access to the container.
It is still another object to provide a process and portable container to enhance the security of contemporary offices.
It is still yet another object to provide a process and security container that readily conforms to habits and customs common to a contemporary business office while enabling local protection and remote transportation of items found within the environment of the contemporary office.
It is a further object to provide a process and security container that readily conforms to habits and customs common to a broad spectrum of contemporary business offices while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container.
It is also an object to provide processes and systems for easily and reliably managing the security, access, use, siting and transportation of containers.
These and other objects may be attained with a process that uses a data key to control access to a portable container. The container may be constructed with a housing having one or more walls supporting either a removable lid, or other panel providing access to the interior of the container. The container has a closed interior while that panel is in complete engagement with one or more walls of the housing, and an open interior able to removably receive items while the panel is dislodged from its complete engagement with the housing. A port is exposed through one of the walls of the container to receive data signals, and a control stage incorporating a non-volatile memory is operationally coupled to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. The controller generates a control signal in response to the occurrence of a coincidence is between a data key received via the port and a data sequence obtained by the control stage in dependence upon information stored within the memory. An electromechanical latch is positioned to engage the lid and hinder removal of the lid from its complete engagement, and to respond to the control signal by releasing the lid from its complete engagement to allow access to the interior of the container. A host computer sited externally to the container, communicates with the controller via the port, and drives the container as a peripheral device. In response to a request for access entered via a keyboard coupled to the host computer and transmitted by one, or more, of the ports provided by the container, the controller makes a determination of whether to grant the access requested by generating a control signal that allows the lock to release the access panel on the basis of, inter alia, the disposition of the port relative to a source of the data signals, on the basis of the disposition of the container within a scheme for generation of the data signals, and in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received by controller among the data signals via the port and a data sequence obtained by the controller in dependence upon the information stored within the memory.
These and other objects may also be attained with the control stage being operationally coupled to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port, and generate an alarm signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of the communication via the port. An alarm is driven by the controller to broadcast an indication of the unauthorized interruption in response to the alarm signal. The alarm may be located either within the container or driven directly by a host computer that is external to the container and that absent the interruption, communicates with the controller via the port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA more complete appreciation of this invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:
Turning now to the drawings,
A motion sensor 170 may be mounted either upon circuit board 122, or within container 110, to provide motion signals to controller 120 whenever sensor 170 detects movement of container 110. Senor 170 may be implemented with a spring loaded switch designed to provide motion signals that exhibit one logic state when container 110 is stationary upon a desktop, for example, with the juxtaposition of the container and the desktop holding the actuator of the switch depressed, and a second and different logic state when container 110 is lifted above the desktop and the actuator of the switch is released. Alternatively, motion sensor 170 may detect changes in inertia and provide a motion signal to controller 120 whenever container 110 is in motion.
A location sensor such as, by way of example, a global position satellite receiver stage 172 and its antenna 174 mounted to extend externally to container 110, may be periodically polled by controller 120 to furnish a relatively accurate indication of the geographic location of container 110. Controller 120 may be programmed to refuse to deny access to container 110, by way of example, refusing to release an electromechanical latch whenever receiver stage 172 fails to indicate that container 110 is located at an assigned location.
As illustrated in
An electromechanical latch 163 operated by controller 120 may be mounted within container 110 to restrict removal of access panel 84, and thereby preserve the unrestricted access to the contents of container 110 while panel 84 remains undisturbed in its complete engagement of lower container 70. Controller 120 regulates application of an electrical current to relay R1 to control whether the contact wiper of the switch S1 component of relay R1 is opened or closed, and whether electrical current is applied to solenoid L1. In the absence of electrical current through solenoid L1, that is, when switch S1 is in its electrically open state, a spring 167 maybe used to bias the armature 168 to extend axially outward along the central axis defined by the coil winding of solenoid L1, and engage the aperture 168 formed in a hasp 169 mounted on the underside of panel 84. When controller 120 directs relay R1 to close switch S1 and apply an electrical current to the winding of solenoid L1, the armature of solenoid L1 is withdrawn from aperture 168, as is shown in
Nominally, circuit board 122 may be powered directly by a power cord 50 with a jack 52 received within a socket 54 mounted upon circuit board 122. A power supply 56 coupled to socket 54, may be used to rectify, filter, attenuate and distribute electrical power to rechargeable battery 58 mounted upon circuit board 122, as well as to electromechanical latch 163, controller 120 and transceiver 136, alarm 162, motion sensor 170 and location sensor 172, among other elements supported by circuit board 122.
Turning now to
The interruption of the conduction of transmission of data signals via the selected port, or ports, provided by container 110 may be used, together with one or more schemes for transmission of data signals (including transmission of a data key to authorize access to the interior of container 110), as well as the content of the data signals transmitted, to restrict and control access to the is interior of container 110. If, for example, antenna 174 is serving as the port accommodating conduction of transmission of data signals, movement of container 110 to a geographic location outside of the authorized range of siting (e.g., assuming that the global positioning system has a range of ± 30 feet, movement of container 110 to a location more than thirty feet from the location authorized by computer 100 will be readily discernable by controller 120 from the position signal provided by GPS stage 172) is a factor that may be used by controller 120, in conjunction with host computer 100, in a scheme to control access to the interior of container 110. Accordingly, in response to a request for access entered via keyboard 96 and transmitted by one, or more, of the ports 128, 134, 154, and 174 provided by container 110, controller makes a determination of whether to grant the access requested by generating a control signal that allows lock 162 to release the access panel 84 on the basis of, inter alia, the disposition of the port relative to a source of the data signals, on the basis of the disposition of the container within a scheme for generation of the data signals, and in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received by controller 120 among the data signals via the port and a data sequence obtained by controller 120 in dependence upon the information stored within memory 121.
Interruption of communications between computer 100 and controller 120 mounted on, or within, container 110, regardless of whether the interruption of communication occurs by removal of plug 104 from socket 124, severance of data cable 102, movement of container 110 to prevent transmission of signals between infrared units 152, 154, or interference with or suppression of signals between antennas 108, 134, may be used to trigger either alarm unit 160 driven directly by computer 100, or alarm 162 mounted on, or within container 110 and driven directly by controller 120, or alternatively, by both alarm units 160, 162, to broadcast a sensible alarm indicating the interruption of communication.
Although
The system may be implemented with one or more portable containers 110, each having space for storage of valuables. Each portable container 110 has a locking mechanism 160 that is used to control access to the contents of the container. The locking mechanism 160 electro-mechanical in design and controlled by electronic circuitry mounted on circuit board 122 that is located inside the portable container. The portable container electronic circuitry will respond to a communications link with an outside control point through the use of a communications port on the container. Access to the contents of the container is controlled through a verification scheme communicated between a control point device, which may be a personal computer 100, 101, and the portable container 110.
Power for operation of the portable container electronic circuitry and electromechanical lock 160 will be normally supplied at the control point; however in one application, the power supply may be an auxiliary unit 58 that is contained within the container. Portable container 110 may be used in a stationary mode where the container is connected to a personal computer 100 for the purpose of communicating between the electronic logic circuits on circuit board 122 in the container locking mechanism and the software application used to control access to the container. The container 110 maybe left in the open and unlocked condition while being used frequently and closed. and locked when access is not required. The personal computer 100, 101 will have the ability through the hardware and software to detect the presence of the portable container and to determine its current state, that is, whether container 110 is open or whether container 110 is closed and operational its location as well as its contents are secure.
In order for access to be made into a closed and locked container, the user will be required to input certain personalized information into the personal computer 100, 101. The personal computer 100, 101 will verify this information and send the data signals including a data key necessary for the logic circuits of controller 120 mounted within container 110 to determine that a valid request to unlock had been received from an authorized individual. Controller 120 would then allow for the access requested by operating locking mechanism 163. One access per request from the personal computer may, in one embodiment, be allowed.
Circuit board 122 inside the portable container 110 will store audit trail information into its internal memory 121 for each access request. This audit information is available to be extracted from memory 121 of the portable container 110 for future interrogation. The personal computer 100, 101 or other control point will also store audit information for each access request and associated activity in its ongoing historical database.
As indicated by
The data key used to determine the validity of an access request may take the form of a digital password that is written to the container control logic of circuit board 122, or may be information that is unique to, or known by the user transporting the container. The portable container authorization data may be transferred from the originating control point to the destination control point utilizing a network communications approach such as the Internet or by way of wireless communications.
It is also a feature of the portable container system to utilize biometric data in the authorization process. Biometric data can associate the individual users requesting access to data that was communicated to the locking mechanism control circuitry at the point of origination when the container was secured for transport.
Each portable container 110 may also be used in a roaming mode where authorization data is presented to the container control logic circuitry of controller 120 directly from the user. This information may be input through an optional multikey keypad 180 that is a component of the container or through a communications device such as a portable touch memory credential such as the multi-function key pad 191 of cell phone 190. This feature will allow the authorized user to have free access in locations remote from the origination control point.
Access to the portable containers in the system may be geographic (as represented by global positioning satellite signals), time and date dependent in addition to the user or control point verifications. Features such as dual control (requiring more than one user to be verified) and time delay (a wait period after verification before locking mechanism 163 in container 110 allows access) are available. Additional features, such as mechanical locks 162 may be combined with the electronic access control in container 110 to further enhance the overall security of the container system.
This advantageously enables one of the user's host computers 100 to communicate via data cable 102 directly with the controller 120 within portable container 110, or alternatively, to communicate via a network such as a local area network coupled to the port provided by socket 128. As a further alternative, host computer 100 may communicate via data cable 104 with a radio frequency transmitter and receiver 106 that, in turn, can communicate via antenna 108 and a retractable antenna 134 mounted in one of the sidewalls 112 of container 110, with a transmitter and receiver 136 connected to provide signals to controller 120. As an additional alternative, host computer 100 may communicate via data cable 150 with an infrared transmitter and receiver 152 that, in turn, can communicate via an infrared receiver and transmitter 154 mounted in one of the sidewalls 112, to controller 120.
The foregoing paragraphs describe details of a container management system that advantageously provides a portable lock with an authentication component that may be time, date, geographic and person dependent, and that is in most configurations, stationary. Biometric data of authorized users may be stored and carried by the lock. Access to the container may be attained through use of personal keyboard in which the authentication may be based upon input from the computer keyboard, or any of several profile devices such as a retina that is a part of eyeball scan or a thumb print read by a scanner connected as a profile devices to the computer. This system provides a technique for sending authentication or authorization data to the remote destination of the portable container via either Internet or some other network communication, or for acquiring the authentication or authorization locally in dependence upon one or more of various possible combinations of geographic data such as signals received directly by controller 120 from global positioning satellite signals, personal data such as retina or thumb print of the individual seeking access, and authorization data transmitted directly to or previously stored in a remote computer terminal 101.
Turning now to
Storage container 110 allows storage of valuable contents and may allow, or deny access to the contents. Container 110 is portable, contains and safely transports controller 200, houses and also transports moving element 400, and contains, or partially contains, variable data interface adapter 300. Controller 200 stores code data in memory 202 for comparison to data received by container 110 via adaptor 300, while storing information for transmission via adaptor 300, to describe the event history and provide and audit trail about the use and movement of container 110. In essence, controller 200 regulates access to the contents of box 110 by controlling moving element 400, and allows access on the basis of data delivered via adaptor 300. Optionally, controller 200 may make an access decision on the basis of the status of peripheral components of adaptor 300, and may optionally make access decisions based upon the status of clock 205.
Variable data interface adaptor 300 may be replaced with a different type of adaptor, without affecting the data code stored in memory 202. Additionally, adaptor may be changed to allow added features that allow communication with preferred customers via interface 500. Interface 300 may be part of either a modem, a cellular transceiver, an alarm monitoring interface, a communication interface (such as an RS232, universal serial bus, infrared bidirectional receiver and transmitter, or radio frequency transceiver), or global positioning satellite receiver. Gap AG manufactures a line of transceivers that are marketed under the HiConnex and HiConnex Easy product line that may be incorporated into interface 300; additionally, the Siemens M20 and M20 terminals may also be used as the cellular engines of interface 300.
Entry unit and user interface 500 is always removable. In some embodiments, connection between adaptor 300 and interface 500 may not require a physical connection. For example, infrared bidirectional transmission, cellular transmission and radio frequency transmission and reception avoid the necessity of a cable extending between adaptor 300 and interface 500. In particular embodiments, interface 500 may be implemented with one or more of a card reader, keypad, biometric scanning reader, modem, personal computer host, cellular telephone, handheld computer, personal computer network (either a local area or wide area network), an internet interface, a data entry device or a memory device. Multiple types of data entry interface units 500 may be used with the same container 110, depending upon configuration of adaptor 300. Data entry unit 500 is not a permanent fixture of container 110 or controller 200. Entry unit 500 may deliver the status of container 110, as well as the location of the container to the user. Entry unit 500 may, in a particular embodiment, set the code data and criteria by which controller 200 acts on moving element 400. In the embodiment shown in
Turning now to the operation of the various embodiments and modifications of those embodiments disclosed in the foregoing paragraphs,
In the following description, the reader will find use of the terms, coupled and de-coupled as a description of data connection and disconnection, respectively, between a container or group of containers and one or more graphical user interface/input units of the same or varying types. This coupling may occur across the room, a length of wire, an air gap or across the globe in accordance with the network methods used to accomplish the data coupling. It may include live high speed data connection or may take the form of Internet mail or message packets, through which the container and the graphical user interface/input units exchange, data, settings, and exchange information.
Turning to
Turning now to
S200 determines if the container is in a code-to-lock mode. If it is as in S206, then a code must be used to lock the container. This action results in activation of the latching mechanism in such a way to allow the container to be made secure. One could allow any code, such as the current code, to be entered to secure the container or require a fresh unused code to be entered. In any case, the entered code S206 becomes the next code required for opening of the container. S208 determines if the container is in the GPS (global positioning system) mode. If the container is so equipped and in the GPS mode as in S210, then the global coordinates for one or more destinations where the container may be opened must be entered through the coupled graphical user interface. If the container is ready to secure as in S212, then it may be closed by the user S214. In the event the status shows that the container is not prepared to be secured S212 then the next code must be entered correctly starting the sequence again at S206. If S200 indicated that the container is in a mode other than code-to lock, Then it must be in normal mode S204 and the sequence begins at the entry of S208 to determine if GPS mode is active for the selected container. Once the container is secured as in S214, then the status indication of the coupled graphical user such as may be provided by a cellular telephone, interface/input unit will indicate secure. If user desired activity is complete for this container then the coupled graphical user interface/input unit maybe de-coupled and if physical connection is part of the data coupling process, the physical connected maybe removed as described at S216.
Observing now
Observing now
Claims
1. A container manager, comprising:
- a housing comprised of an interior disposed to removably receive cargo while the housing is in an opened state, to enclose the cargo while the housing is in a closed state, and to allow removal of the cargo from the interior;
- a port mounted to pass data signals through said housing; and
- a controller comprised of a memory storing information specific to said container, said container being mounted entirely within said container, being completely encased by said container while the housing is in the closed state, and being operationally coupled to provide communication by data signals with said interior via said port and to operationally respond to data signals received from sources external to said container via said port by regulating said movement in dependence upon said information, and establish an alarm condition in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port.
2. The container manager of claim 1, comprised of said controller storing information unique to said container and releasing the cargo from said interior in dependence upon disposition of the container within a scheme for generation of said data signals, and in response to occurrence of a particular relation between a data key received among said data signals and a data sequence obtained by said control stage from said information.
3. The container manager of claim 1, comprised of said controller storing information unique to said container and releasing the cargo from said interior in dependence upon disposition of said container relative to a source of said data signals and in response to occurrence of a particular relation between a data key received among said data signals and a data sequence obtained by said control stage from said information.
4. The container manager of claim 1, comprised of said controller storing information unique to said container and releasing the cargo from said interior in dependence upon disposition of said container relative to a source of said data signals, and in dependence upon disposition of said container within a timed scheme for generation of said data signals.
5. The container manager of claim 1, comprised of said controller storing information unique to said container and releasing the cargo from said interior in dependence upon disposition of said container within a timed scheme for generation of said data signals, and in response to occurrence of a particular relation between a data key received among said data signals and a data sequence obtained by said control stage from said information.
6. The container manager of claim 1, comprised of said controller storing information unique to said container and releasing the cargo from said interior in dependence upon disposition of said container relative to a source of said data signals, in dependence upon disposition of said container within a timed scheme for generation of said data signals, and in response to occurrence of a particular relation between a data key received among said data signals and a data sequence obtained by said control stage from said information.
7. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of a socket mounted within said housing providing said port.
8. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of an infrared receiver mounted within said housing providing said port.
9. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of an antenna mounted within said housing providing said port.
10. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of:
- a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals; and
- a data cable coupling said host computer to said port while conveying said data signals to said controller via said port.
11. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of:
- a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals; and
- a local area network coupling said host computer to said port while conveying said data signals to said controller via said port.
12. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of:
- a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals;
- said port comprising a first antenna mounted on one of said sidewalls;
- a data transceiver connecting said first antenna and said controller; and
- a second antenna driven by said host computer, operationally connecting said host computer to said first antenna while conveying said data signals to said controller via said first antenna.
13. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of:
- a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals;
- an infrared transmitter driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data signals; and
- an infrared receiver mounted in one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive and convey to said controller said data signals from said infrared transmitter.
14. The container manager of claim 1, further comprised of:
- a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data key;
- a first infrared transmitter and receiver driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data key; and
- a second infrared transmitter and receiver mounted in one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive said data key from said infrared transmitter, and to transmit operational communications from said controller to said host computer via said first infrared transmitter and receiver.
15. The container manager of claim 2, further comprised of:
- said controller generating a control signal in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received via said port and a data sequence obtained by said control stage in dependence upon the information stored within said memory; and
- an electromechanical latch responding to an absence of said control signal by hindering said removal of the cargo from the interior.
16. A container manager, comprising:
- a housing selectively opening an interior able to removably receive and release cargo and enclosing said interior to bar removal of any cargo within said interior;
- at least one port disposed to pass data signals through said housing;
- a microprocessor-based control stage encased within said housing, comprised of a memory maintaining information specific to said housing, said control stage being operationally coupled to participate in communication from said interior via data signals conducted through said port with a host computer sited externally to said container, said control stage responding to data signals received via said port by selectively enabling said release from said enclosed interior in dependence upon said information, and creating an alarm condition in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port.
17. The container manager of claim 16, further comprised of:
- said control stage generating an alarm signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port; and
- said alarm being driven by said control stage to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in response to said alarm condition.
18. The container manager of claim 16, further comprised of:
- host computer periodically making a determination while operationally coupled to said control stage via said port, of whether said an unauthorized interruption of said communication has occurred; and
- an alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in dependence upon said determination.
19. The container manager of claim 16, further comprised of:
- said control stage generating an alarm signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port;
- a first alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in response to said alarm signal;
- said host computer periodically making a determination while operationally coupled to said control stage via said port, of whether said an unauthorized interruption of said communication has occurred; and
- a second alarm driven by the host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in dependence upon said determination.
20. The container manager of claim 16, further comprised of:
- said data signals exhibiting a first wavelength, and said data signals exhibiting a second and different wavelength carrier signal; and
- said port being plug coupleable to said control stage, and comprising a transmitter stage converting said data signals into output signals exhibiting said second wavelength, and a receiver stage converting said data signals into input signals exhibiting said first wavelength.
21. The container manager of claim 16, with said port comprised of:
- a first unit that is plug coupleable to said control stage when said data signals provided by said control stage exhibit a first wavelength and said data signals received by said port exhibit a second and different wavelength carrier signal, said first unit comprising a receiver stage converting said data signals received by said port into input signals exhibiting said first wavelength, and a transmitter stage converting said data signals provided by said control stage into output signals exhibiting said second wavelength; and
- a second unit that is plug coupleable to said control stage and interchangeable with said first unit to provide a data connection between said control stage and said host computer when said data signals received by said port exhibit the same wavelength as said data signals provided by said control stage.
22. A container manager, comprising:
- a housing selectively opening an interior able to removably receive and release cargo and enclosing said interior to bar removal of any cargo within said interior;
- a port disposed to pass data signals through said housing;
- a microprocessor-based control stage encased within said housing, comprised of a memory maintaining information specific to said housing, said control stage being operationally coupled to participate in communication from said interior via data signals conducted through said port with a host computer sited externally to said container, said control stage responding to data signals received via said port by selectively enabling said release of the cargo from said interior in dependence upon said information and disposition of said port relative to a source of said data signals.
23. The container manager of claim 22, comprised of said control stage responding to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port by creating an alarm condition.
24. A container manager, comprising:
- a housing selectively opening an interior able to removably receive and release cargo and enclosing said interior to bar removal of any cargo within said interior;
- a port disposed to pass data signals through said housing;
- a microprocessor-based control stage encased within said housing, comprised of a memory maintaining information specific to said housing, said control stage being operationally coupled to participate in communication from said interior via data signals conducted through said port with a host computer sited externally to said container, said control stage responding to data signals received via said port by selectively enabling said release of the cargo from said interior in dependence upon said information and disposition of said port within a timed scheme for generation of said data signals.
25. The container manager of claim 24, comprised of said control stage creating an alarm condition in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 26, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2007
Inventors: Douglas Trent (Roanoke, VA), Richard Hyatt (Shawsville, VA), Hermann Sterzinger (Nassereith)
Application Number: 11/727,311
International Classification: G08B 13/14 (20060101); G08B 21/00 (20060101);