Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A method of localizing storage devices, a monitoring sys-
tem for localizing storage devices for goods, and use of
the monitoring equipment
The invention relates to a method of localizing storage
devices, e.g. containers, where each container is
equipped with a data processing unit programmed to try to
position the unit concerned at determined intervals by
establishing a connection to a positioning satellite, and
where each container is moreover equipped such that a
message on observed positions may be emitted via a commu-
nications satellite.
The invention moreover relates to a monitoring system for
localizing storage devices for goods, e.g. containers,
where each container is also equipped with a near field
radio system which enables communication between the data
processing units in the individual containers and between
the containers and near field radio systems on yards,
ships, trains or other transporting or storing units.
Finally, the invention relates to uses of the method and
the monitoring system.
US Patent No. 5 5f5 858 discloses a localization system
for use in connection with the monitoring of containers
comprising a group of containers which are e.g. stored.
Each container has communications equipment which con-
sists of a satellite communications device and a near
field communications device. The satellite and near field
communications devices are capable of communicating with
each other so that an arbitrary container can communicate
its position directly via other containers to a GPS posi-
tioning system, or indirectly via a connection to an in-
terrogator.
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Another monitoring system is known from the applicant's
own International Patent Application WO 96/16387.
This known monitoring system, which is used e.g. in con-
s nection with the monitoring of containers, in principle
consists of a communications system in which exchange of
information with the surrounding world takes place via
communications satellites, e.g. of the GPS type. Each
container has a radio connection to a data processor sys-
tem. Each container additionally has a data connection to
a tag, which cooperates with the radio connection of the
container in such a manner that if the data connection of
the container is removed from the container, a connection
to a satellite will be established via the data processor
system.
The system operates fully satisfactorily as long as there
is a good connection between the satellite and the data
processor system. However, the data processor system re-
quires that there is a line of sight between the data
processor system and the satellite. This cannot always be
satisfied, e.g. if containers and the data processor sys-
tem connected to it are stored on the bottom of a ship or
on a train which drives through a tunnel. Furthermore, it
is a drawback that if a radio connection fails, it may be
difficult to find the reason for the failure.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a
system which, in an even faster manner, is capable of
monitoring storage devices for goods, e.g. containers,
and of providing an indication of what is wrong if a con-
tainer cannot be positioned.
The object of the invention is achieved by a monitoring
system of the type defined in the introductory portion of
claim 1 which is characterized in that the data process-
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3
ing unit in each container will individually try to de-
termine its position and communicate information on this
via a communications satellite, and which, when no con-
nection to the positioning satellite can be established,
is adapted to transfer data to a communications satellite
containing the information that a connection to the posi-
tioning satellite cannot be established.
When contact to the communications satellite cannot be
established, the data processing unit, as stated in claim
2, activates the near field radio system and tries to
connect to another near field radio which is capable of
creating or has contact to the positioning and communica-
tions satellite via a data processing unit or in another
manner. It is ensured hereby that all containers posi-
tioned within the overall operating range of the near
field radio system can position and communicate their po-
sitions to the surrounding world.
The individual containers can hereby transfer data be-
tween each other and to the surroundings via the radio
connections, thereby achieving a greater certainty that
the desired positioning of the individual container can
be established, and information on this can be applied
and enable tracking of any containers with faulty equip-
ment for the satellite-based positioning and communica-
tion.
It is moreover expedient, as stated in claim 3, that pre-
cisely as many radio connections are established between
near field communications equipment on a plurality of
storage devices as are sufficient to set up radio connec-
tion to the positioning satellite and the communications
satellite, respectively.
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As mentioned, the invention also relates to a monitoring
system.
This monitoring system is characterized in that each
storage unit, container, is provided with equipment
which, in combination, enables positioning and tracking
of the individual unit, also when it is not possible to
create contact to the satellites concerned for position-
ing and communication because of functional restraints or
because parts of the equipment are out of order.
As stated in claim 5, each container is equipped with a
data processing unit which is programmed to initiate a
procedure for producing ID as well as for determining
the position and time of it and for presenting this in-
formation via communication with satellite or near field
radio system.
In order to be able to identify the individual containers
additionally, it is expedient, as stated in claim 6, that
the container which establishes a connection to one or
more other containers is adapted to produce its own iden-
tification data.
In order to additionally ensure careful monitoring of the
containers, it is an advantage, as stated in claim 7,
that each container tries to set up a connection to the
positioning satellite at suitable intervals.
For use of the monitoring equipment according to the in-
vention in connection with locations where no container
can establish a connection to a satellite, it is an ad-
vantage, as stated in claim 8, that the near field commu-
nications equipment of the containers is in communication
with further near field communications equipment which is
not positioned on the containers.
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As mentioned, the invention also relates to uses of the
monitoring system according to the invention.
5 These uses are defined in claims 10 - 12.
The invention will now be explained more fully with ref-
erence to an example shown in the drawing, in which
fig. 1 shows examples of the storage of containers under
various conditions,
fig. 2 shows a basic sketch of the mode of operation of
the monitoring system according to the invention, and
fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the mode of opera-
tion of the system according to the invention.
In fig. 1, 5 designates a GPS positioning satellite for
providing position data, while 6 designates a SatCom com-
munications satellite for providing communications data.
As will be seen in the figure, the satellites 5, 6 can
establish data transfer to a truck 1, a containership 2
with several containers 4, or a train 3 with carriages
12. Each container has an antenna capable of reading in-
formation from a tag which is positioned on an underlying
container, e.g. as shown on the ship 2, at the reference
numeral 10. This system is described in detail in the
previously mentioned WO application. In brief, the mode
of operation of the system is such that if one of the
containers is unlawfully removed, then a radio connection
between the bridge of the ship and the container will en-
sure that a connection is set up to e.g. a police author-
ity. Fig. 1 moreover shows a train with a plurality of
carriages 12, each of which communicates with a locomo-
tive, which in turn communicates with the satellites 5,
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6. Finally, fig. 1 shows a plurality of containers which
are stored at a site where they are in radio connection
with a stationary data connection unit 9 which communi-
cates with the satellites 5, 6.
In fig. 2, 5 and 6 again designate the GPS positioning
satellite and the SatCom communications satellite, re-
spectively. The figure also shows a plurality of contain-
ers 4 which are placed in a space schematically shown at
14, which might e.g. be on board a ship. It is moreover
shown schematically that the satellites 5, 6 are in radio
connection with the containers which are designated by 4C
and 4I. All the containers are moreover equipped with a
positioning satellite system, a communications satellite
system, and near field communications equipment, which,
however, are not shown in detail in the figure. The near
field communications system is capable of establishing a
connection between the individual containers. As a result
of this, if e.g. the container 4A is to be able to commu-
nicate with the satellites 5, 6, then near field communi-
cation will be established from the container 4A via 4B
to 4C, which communicates with the satellites 5, 6. The
position of the container 4A may hereby be determined
reasonably accurately. To make the system even more
flexible, it is possible to set up relay stations 16 so
that e.g. a connection from the container 4D may be es-
tablished via the radio connections 17 and the relay sta-
tion 16, further via the radio connection 17A and the
container 4I, which, as mentioned, communicates with the
satellites 5, 5. The same connection might be set up be-
tween the containers 4D and 4I, as shown.
It is noted that each container, if there is a line of
sight, has the possibility of communicating directly with
the positioning satellite as well as the communications
satellite.
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Fig. 3 shows a variant of the embodiment of fig. 2, a
near field communications device 18 being established
here, which is not positioned on a container, but has a
good connection to the satellites 5, 6. Such a set-up may
be useful if e.g. the containers are placed so deep down
in a ship that is impossible for any satellite communica-
tions equipment of any of the containers to establish a
connection. Of course, more near field communications de-
vices of the type 18 than shown in the drawing may be set
up .
As will be appreciated, the invention provides a system
which is capable of monitoring any container in a very
safe manner no matter where in the world it is located.
The principles of the invention have been explained par-
ticularly in connection with containel;s, but basically
they may be used in connection with all movable objects
where security against theft and vandalism is desired.
