Meteor Burst Comm for Global Shipping Container Tracking- Globaltrak & Patent, 2007

8/8/2019 Meteor Burst Comm for Global Shipping Container Tracking- Globaltrak & Patent, 2007

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A Comprehensive Solution for Global In-Transit Asset Visibility

Presented to:

Aerospace Auto-ID Programme

Founders EXPO

Joe McKinney20 June, 2007

®

SkyTel: The is a recent-years example of a major transport location and tracking company use or planned use of MBC: their patent application isattached at the end, below, and describes the values of MBC for wide-area and global asset-container secure tracking. - Nov 2010.

SkyTel: Globaltrack's corporate owner is: Systems Planning Corporation. See--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Planning_Corporation



AgendaAgenda

•• IntroductionIntroduction

•• SPC history in AutoSPC history in Auto--IDID•• The GlobalTrakThe GlobalTrak ® ® Asset MonitoringAsset MonitoringSolutionSolution

•• Commercial Market Drivers andCommercial Market Drivers andSecurity InitiativesSecurity Initiatives

•• Questions?Questions?



SPCSPC – – Over 37 Years Of ExcellenceOver 37 Years Of Excellence•• Corporate OverviewCorporate Overview

– Advanced technology innovator – Scientific, engineering, technical assistance

– Systems engineering and refining total business process – Systems development, acquisition, test and evaluation – World class radar development – 300 employees, $60 million annual sales

•• Selected areas of technical expertiseSelected areas of technical expertise – Radar Physics

– Homeland Security – Communications & Information Solutions

– Intelligence Support & Analysis

– Security Design and Integration

– TriData: Fire & Emergency Services Consulting

– Asset Visibility and Supply Chain Management/Security--GlobalTrak

1000 Wilson

One Virginia Square



Advertisement appearing in the April, 2007 issue of InboundLogistics

o you know the condition of it and of it’s contents? Has the container remained seIs the temperature staying in the proper range? Have other conditions been

meeting parameters? Have you been notified? Has action been taken?

What will happen if you lose this loaWill you know proactively, or must yo

for shipment unloading?



GlobalTrakGlobalTrak ® ® System ArchitectureSystem Architecture

ZigbeeWLANZigbeeZigbeeWLANWLAN



Asset Monitoring Unit (AMU)Asset Monitoring Unit (AMU)Highest communications availability in the industryHighest communications availability in the industry

•• 3 modes of 23 modes of 2--way communicationway communication – Satellite - Integrated Orbcomm Modem

• Real-time & global coverage – Cellular - Quad-band GSM

• Global SMS and GPRS

– WLAN – Ad-Hoc ZigBee Wireless• 1500 ft range, peer connectivity• Remote sensors

•• No additional infrastructure requiredNo additional infrastructure required

•• Total weight 5 lbs including batteriesTotal weight 5 lbs including batteries•• Environmentally sealed for operation fromEnvironmentally sealed for operation from – – 40C to + 85C40C to + 85C•• Configurable messaging levels for up to 4 year battery lifConfigurable messaging levels for up to 4 year battery lif•• Ultra low power/computation powerhouseUltra low power/computation powerhouse•• Freescale uFreescale u--Proc (885 MIPS) and Blackfin DSP (1200 MProc (885 MIPS) and Blackfin DSP (1200 M•• Multiple mounting optionsMultiple mounting options



Asset Monitoring Unit (AMU)Asset Monitoring Unit (AMU)Open Sensor ArchitectureOpen Sensor Architecture

•• BuiltBuilt--in Sensorsin Sensors – Global positioning

(location, speed, direction) – Door position – Temperature – Acoustics – Light source

– Tampering

Optional Sensors:Optional Sensors:

– RFID – Shock and Impact – Infrared – Vibration – Chem/Bio – Radiation – EJ Brooks Wireless

Door Seal – Wireless Barcode

Reader – Customer Specific



GlobalTrakGlobalTrakInformation Management Bureau (IMBInformation Management Bureau (IMB

•• Web BasedWeb Based

•• Java BasedJava Based

•• Asset ManagementAsset Management

•• Mapping and GeozoningMapping and Geozoning

•• Document centricDocument centric

•• Complex Business RulesComplex Business Rules

•• Open and scalable architecturOpen and scalable architectur•• Event drivenEvent driven

•• Flexible and adaptable interfaFlexible and adaptable interfato legacy systems (XML, SMto legacy systems (XML, SMSAP, Excel)SAP, Excel)

STAKEHOLDERSSTAKEHOLDERSSTAKEHOLDERSSTAKEHOLDERSSTAKEHOLDERSSTAKEHOLDERS



Events

RulesDocuments

- XML, CSV, SAP,Excel

-Examples:-PO-BOL-ASN-Manifest

-Alarms

-Association-Data Privac-Publication

- Location - Sensor Data- Timestamp - Door State




GlobalTrak® is an Integrated“Sense and Respond Solution

EDI, XML, ASCII, Excel, Access, JMS, Email, SMS, etc.

ElectronicDocument

From User

Receptionist Publisher

ProjectManager

Agent

Event Manager

IntelligentDocument

Agent(Information source)

Signal Collector

ElectronicDocument

To User

BusinessApplication

Agent(Role based)

BusinessRules

Intelligent Business Document Exchange

The IMB

Legacy or Other

The AMU or RFID or Bar Code Reader

GlobalTrak® is powered by VI 6D® from VI Agen

® ®



Visibility to the Item LevelVisibility to the Item Levelvia Integrated Autovia Integrated Auto--IDID

! In-Transit Visibility—Smart Asset Tracking—a form of Auto-IDwhich complements item, case, and pallet level RFID tags

! In-Transit Visibility directly impacts daily operations, providingreal-time knowledge and proactively managing

! cargo location, cargo condition, and operational response

The Integrated Solution:! Container or Trailer tagged with

SPC’s GlobalTrak® ,! Contents are tagged with required labels:

RFID, barcode, and/or human readable

Purchase Order 1234

• Trailer • Pallet

• Case• Item• Item• Item

• Case• Case

• Pallet• Trailer

• Case• Case

• Trailer • Pallet

• Case

• Item



Value NetworkValue Network——Multiple ParticipantsMultiple Participants

Org. A Org. B Org. C

Value Network A-B-’N’Value Network A-B-C

VI SixD™ Managed Services Platform

Each Org. (A-C)has its own secureworkspace within

GlobalTrak ®

Information isshared via

informationpublished to the

particular Value Network

Data managed atthe element

Org. ADocuments

Org. BDocuments

Org. CDocuments

Org. A Events Org. A Events Org. A Events

Discovery Service / ONS



Tracking barges from Portland, OR, USA to Lewiston, ID,USA and back:

The river cliffs made having both cell and satellitecommunications essential. Red and purple Icons arecellular messages. Green and blue are satellite messages.




CellCellCell

Door EventDoor Door EventEvent

SatelliteSatelliteSatellite



GlobalTrakGlobalTrak-- Intellectual Property StrategyIntellectual Property Strategy

•• SPC made early strategic decision to develop coreSPC made early strategic decision to develop coretechnology lead and to pursue an aggressivetechnology lead and to pursue an aggressiveIntellectual Property protection programIntellectual Property protection program

•• Broad technology windowBroad technology window – Provides product edge

– Prevents-raises the bar of difficulty for existing competitorsfrom selling system in this marketplace

– Increases entry barriers for new competition

– Provides licensing revenue stream•• PatentsPatents

– 1 Granted

– 10 Patents pending

– 2 Provisionals in process

See page 18 belo




•• Granted (July 2006):Granted (July 2006): – US Patent #7,098,784 Core Container Monitoring System – very broad pate

container monitoring system using sensors, data fusion, and communicationchannels

•• Patent PendingPatent Pending – AData Fusion Center (GlobalTrak IMB) that collects data from a multitude

sensor and units and performs intelligent processing of the data to determinoccurrence of complex events.

– Usingwireless ad-hoc networks communications in the GlobalTrak system tcontainers to communicate directly with each other as part of a dynamicallynetwork to share common assets and information.

– Anflock algorithm and system tracking methodology for containers togethertransported in groups or lots where containers “watch” each other.

– A method and system for allowing various sensors to be used in the Globalsystem through anopen architecture sensor design – analogous to Windowsautomatically recognizing and accepting peripherals such as a printer or mothe system.




•• Patent Pending (continued)Patent Pending (continued) – Adistributed processing architecture where each computing element of the

GlobalTrak system forms an aggregate massively parallel computer. – Afully integrated wireless and satellite antenna actually into the wall of roo

the container to increase performance, reduce cost, and make it stealthier. – Afully integrated solar panel using a special spray film coatingon the wall

roof of the container to power and recharge the GlobalTrak system batterie – AMeteor Burst communicationchannel to operate the GlobalTrak system w

would require no wireless towers or satellites, but exploits communicationproperties naturally present in the earth’s atmosphere.

– Low cost CCD devices for avisible and infrared image processing to detectand record intrusions and security violations, monitoring contents of a conand thermal profiling to detect things such as living persons or WMDs.

– Integrating the entire GlobalTrak unit into the wallsof the container “G-Walincluding electronics, sensors, and power systems. We expect this to be thetrend for all smart containers.

•• 2 other provisional patents in process2 other provisional patents in process

SkyTel: the Meteor Burst Communications- related patentapplication is attached below.



Embracing Regulatory TrendsEmbracing Regulatory Trends

•• Added security will facilitate supply chain speed, efficiencAdded security will facilitate supply chain speed, efficiencresulting in cost benefitsresulting in cost benefits

•• Take on CBP and CTake on CBP and C--TPAT requirements as partnersTPAT requirements as partners

•• Turn the national security information requirements into aTurn the national security information requirements into amanagement tool for your international supply chainmanagement tool for your international supply chain

•• Initial focus on most penetrable market segmentsInitial focus on most penetrable market segments – Reefers

– Pharmaceuticals

– Chemicals and HAZMAT

– Rail

– Other high value cargo

Supply chain efficiency and security become a partnershipSupply chain efficiency and security become a partnershipSupply chain efficiency and security become a partnership



Supply Chain Management BenefitsSupply Chain Management Benefits

•• Companies using SCM vs. no SCMCompanies using SCM vs. no SCM – 2X as likely to achieve 97% on time and complete del

– 3X more likely to have faster delivery cycles

– 13.6 day reduction in Days Payable Outstanding (DPO

– 20-30% reduction in inventory

– 2X more likely to increase market share

•• SCM is growingSCM is growing – 52% companies will spend more in 2007 than 2006

– 43% will spend more than $500K

– 55% have SCM as #1 priority

Source: Aberdeen Group, 200



Quantitative Benefits of Quantitative Benefits of Supply Chain ManagementSupply Chain Management

$1,150$1,150100100TotalsTotals

11.5011.5011Prevention of lost containersPrevention of lost containers

23.0023.0022Increased container securityIncreased container security

34.5034.5033Reduced labor and feesReduced labor and fees

356.50356.503131Reduced inventoryReduced inventory

345.00345.003030Reduced outReduced out--of of --stocksstocks

195.50195.501717Reduced leadReduced lead--time variancetime variance

184.00184.001616Increased manufacturing uptimeIncreased manufacturing uptime

$$%%Benefit per Container TripBenefit per Container Trip

Reference: Smart Boxes, ATKearney®, pub. Copyright

30%30%31%31% 1717%

16%16%3%3%2%2%1%1%

30%30%31%31% 1717%

16%16%3%3%2%2%1%1%



Relative Benefits of Relative Benefits of Supply Chain ManagementSupply Chain Management

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

48%48%

38%

15%15%

50%50%

30%30% 29%29%2525

More efficient customs clearance:Reduction in cargo inspections

Improved product safety: Reductionin theft

Improved inventory management:Reduction in excess inventory

Improved supply chain visibility:Increased access to data

Resilience: Improvement in

reported on-time shipping tocustomers

Speed Improvements: Reductionin transit time

Higher customer satisfaction:reduction in customer attrition

More efficient customs clearance:Reduction in cargo inspections

Improved product safety: Reductionin theft

Improved inventory management:Reduction in excess inventory

Improved supply chain visibility:Increased access to data

Resilience: Improvement in

reported on-time shipping tocustomers

Speed Improvements: Reductionin transit time

Higher customer satisfaction:reduction in customer attrition

Reference: Smart Boxes, ATKearney®, pub. Copyright 20



GlobalTrakGlobalTrak ApplicationsApplications

!! Current portfolioCurrent portfolio" Several Global Pharmaceutical firms

" Major US inland barge operator

" US importer of retail goods

" Ocean-going container shipping line

" Customs Agency overseas (Middle East)

" Global Third Party Logistics Provider (3PL)

" Major US defense sector supplier

" Several major US Railroads



SummarySummary -- MarketMarket

•• The container/reefer tracking and monitoring market isThe container/reefer tracking and monitoring market isgaining significant momentum based on:gaining significant momentum based on:

– Multiple studies indicate strong and rapid return-on-investmincreasing supply chain efficiency, cargo condition monitorinand enhancing cargo quality

– Carriers and container/reefer manufacturers recognize theubiquitous future of tracking and monitoring in supply chainmanagement and are embracing this concept into their strategplans

– Regulatory trends and security initiatives such as Safe Port AC-TPAT and 10+2 are coming and tracking technology will pstrong role with in carriers meeting and embracing theserequirements

– Reefer control, remote diagnostics, and enhanced maintenanoffers significant advantages to carriers who are current “flyiblind”



Container Physics Research Forum(CPRF)

Container Physics Research ForumContainer Physics Research Forum(CPRF)(CPRF)

Initiative: Container Physics Research ForumInitiative: Container Physics Research Forum

•• Problem:Problem: Embryonic market, technology adoption barriers, and slow pace oEmbryonic market, technology adoption barriers, and slow pace oregulation has inhibited much of the core research related to soregulation has inhibited much of the core research related to solving container lving container security problemssecurity problems

•• Solution:Solution: Pool resourcesPool resources•• Charter:Charter:

– Establish priorities in core research areas related to container security and suppmanagement

– Foster collaboration between government, industry, and education – Share resources and technology – Offer a single voice to community – Contribute to and drive standards

GovernmentGovernmentGovernment EducationEducationEducationIndustryIndustryIndustry



Joe McKinneyVP Business DevelopmentGlobalTrakSystem Planning CorporationArlington, VA, USA

+1.703.351.8284 (office)+1.703.338.9041 (mobile)

[email protected]

Thank-you for your timeattentionand input



(19) United States1 2 ) Patent Application Publication (10) pub. NO.: US 2007/0115114 A1

Meyers et al. (43) Pub. Date: May 24,2007

(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING

METE OR BURST COMUNICATIONS IN ACONTAINER TRACKING SYSTEM

(75) Inventors: Richard C. Meyers, Arlington, VA(US); Roy Smith, Arlington, VA (US)

Correspondence Address:Baker & Daniels LL PSte.700805 15t h Street, N.W. su ite 700Washington, DC 20005 (US)

(73) Assignee: System Planning Corporation, Arling-ton. VA

(21) Appl. No.: 111598,825

(22) Filed: Nov. 14, 2006

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 601735,886, filed on Nov.14, 2005.

Publication Classification

(51) Int. Cl.GOSB 1/08 (2006.01)H04B 7/185 (2006.01)GOSB 13/08 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. Cl. ................ 3401539.13; 3401545.6; 455112.1

(57) ABSTRACT

A system and method for communications between a plu-rality of shipping containers and a central monitoring station

using a meteor burst communication method is provided.The system may also be used as a redundancy scheme as abackup communications device for a primary satellite orcellular channel. The channel also uses an error protectionprotocol, and proposes a method to conserve battery powerfor the system.

Central Monitoring Station

- 200 .Remote Container

- 200 .

At the time of this upload, the website of this company wasnot operating. For a description see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Planning_Corporation

SkyTel: Not discussed in this patent application is delivery by MBC of N-RTK correction data for GPS-GNSS integratedwith the radios on the containers (the combination Meteor Burst Comm/ terrestrial comm/ satellite comm multi-moderadios). With said N-RTK correction data (and N-RTK equipped GPS-GNSS receivers and engines) the containerslocation can be precisely tracked, far more accurately than with GPS-GNSS without the correction data. High AccuracyLocation ("HALO") adds substantial additional security for shipping containers (this patent assignee company is seekingsecure tracking). See the SkyTel HALO collection on SCRIBD.



Patent Application Publication M ay 24 ,2 00 7 Sheet 2 of 3 US 2007/0115114 A1



M ay 24,2007

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING METEORBURST COMUNICATIONS IN A CONTAINER

TRACKING SYSTEM

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Pro-visional Patent Application No. 601735,886, filed Nov. 14,2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to containersecurity and supply chain management and, more particu-larly, to the communications systems used by a shippingcontainer security system.

[0004] 2. Background of the Invention

[0005] In today's security conscious transportation envi-ronment, there is a strong need to cost-effectively andaccurately monitor the contents of containerized shipments.This need exists both in the United States and abroad.

[0006] Despite the strong need, until recently few solu-tions, if any, have been able to provide the protection andaccuracy needed to suit the transportation industry and thegovernment agencies charged with monitoring shipments.This lack of an acceptable solution is due to many factorswhich complicate interstate and international shipping.Shipping containers are used to transport most of the com-merce entering, leaving, and transiting or moving within theUnited States. It is estimated that there are over 6 million

containers moving in global commerce. Shipping containershave revolutionized the transportation of goods by greatlyreducing the number of times goods must be loaded andunloaded during transport. However, at the same time, thissame advantage has created a major problem in that it is verydifficult to monitor and track the contents of each containerduring transport.

[0007] Beyond their basic construction, monitoring thecontent of shipping containers is also difficult because thesecontainers are carried through numerous transit points anddepots all over the world and it is impractical to stop andcheck the contents of each container individually at eachpoint of transit. Dealing with this problem, the U.S. CustomsService estimates it can inspect just 5% of the 6 millioncontainers entering and reentering the U.S. each year.

Accordingly, agencies such as the United States CustomsService are seeking improved ways to achieve cargo con-tainer security and integrity upon arrival at the ports of entryof the United States.

[0008] A container tracking system must be able to moni-tor the location, contents or bill of lading, and the data fromany number of sensors to detect tampering or compromise ofany given container. In order to accomplish this, eachcontainer in the system may be equipped with a mechanismto collect, analyze, and communicate this data to a centralcollection and processing location. However, the communi-cation of this data over long distances via wireless methodsis often problematic using conventional methods due to thelack of existing infrastructure such as cellular towers andeven in some cases satellite coverage. For example, even

some of the largest mobile satellite communication systems

have coverage gaps which do not allow communications inthese areas. In addition, where satellite coverage is available

and a clear look angle to the satellite is provided, it is oftenquite expensive to lease satellite transponder capacity whichcan render these types of systems economically impractical,especially when more than a few messages are sent per day.

[0009] In these cases an alternative communicationmethod can be used which can communicate over thehorizon and long distances know as meteor burst commu-nications. Meteor burst communication was discoveredroughly 50 years ago initially for military communicationsuse. It uses the millions of particles, tiny "meteors" 1 gramor larger, that bum up in the atmosphere 50 to 75 milesabove the earth as they enter the earth's gravitational field.These tiny particles are present for a short period of time andcreate ion paths, and the particle and resultant path may beused to relay radio signals via scattering effects back to the

earth a similar manner that a conventional satellite would.Meteor burst allows communication to occur between sitesup to 1200 miles away without any other terrestrial orsatellite based infrastructure. Once a transmission is made,the remote station data is usually checked and an acknowl-edgment message is sent over the same path and the centralhub station. The entire transmission protocol usually occursin less than 100 ms. While a reliable path is not alwaysavailable when the data is first ready to be transmitted,statistical measurement and atmospheric models have dem-onstrated that meteor burst can be extremely reliable.

[0010] In the case of container security, it would be highlyadvantageous for a communications system to avoid relianceon foreign cellular networks or public use satellite systems.In addition, the cost benefits of avoiding a recurring satellite

space segment or cellular network usage charge could bequite significant in large numbers.

[0011] Thus, a solution is needed that provides a safe andreliable alternative method of communication using meteorburst communication techniaues when the cellular and sat-ellite communication are not practical or available.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0012] Acontainer security system as described by SystemPlanning Corporation (SPC) (U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,784)herein referred to as "the SPC Invention", performs many ofthe functions to monitor containers, their content, and todetect tampering within a container during transit. This isaccomplished through a device which is located on a con-

tainer and performs multiple functions. Some of these func-tions may include controlling various sensors, collecting thedata from these sensors and transmitting this data back to acentral monitoring station. The central monitoring stationsmay also send commands and information to individualcontainers equipment with this device.

[0013] To enable information to be transmitted to andfrom the container, there are several communications sub-systems including a satellite or cellular communicationsdevice, or both. The system utilizes the satellite or cellularcommunications channel to communicate and send statusand alarms to a central monitoring station, as well as relayinformation collected from the sensors, location, and otherinformation related to the container back to a central moni-toring station located in a different geographical area, in

most cases some distance away.

is data cannotfully correct: if 6l in world,nnot be 6 mil inS.

e Wiki articleys 18 million inorld in 2005.p://en.wikipedia.g/wiki/ ntainerization



M ay 24,2007

[0014] In some cases the satellite or cellular communica-tions channel as described in the above invention by SPC is

not capable of provid ing reliable communications. This mayoccur for the satellite mode when a container does not havea direct line of sight to an overhead satellite, or a there issome obstruction where the satellite link cannot be closed.

[0015] On the cellular side, this may also occur because ofweak or no radio frequency signals at all, if a particularcontainer may be or out of range of a cellular tower or basestation.

[0016] The limitation of this and other inventions is thatthey rely on existing infrastructure for critical communica-tions. In many cases this inf rastructure being cellular towers,or satellites with proper coverage may not be available andthe system will not work. In addition, due to the sensitivityand critical nature of the information sent over this system,it may not always be preferable to use foreign satellite orcellular networks for reasons of security. Finally, servicefees especially for satellite can signif icantly increase the costof operation, especially when more than a few messages aresent per day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] To address the problem and limitations notedabove, a system which can provide an alternative commu-nications path over long distances from any given containerto the central monitoring station is provided.

[0018] The preferred embodiments of this inventioninclude a meteor burst transmitter and receiver used in acontainer monitoring and security system application.

[0019] Meteor burst communications is a technique thatallows communications over long distances without the needfor orbiting satellites or other wireless infrastructure. Thistechnique exploits natural phenomena of small particlesentering the earth's atmosphere and creating an ionized pathas a reflective means for transmitted signals. Also since noequipment has to be placed in orbit, it is not susceptible tosatellite failure, satellite ephemeris and orbit corrections,and conventional/nuclear war side-effects.

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo-rated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustratevarious embodiments of the invention and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of thecontainer monitoring system using the meteor burst appli-cation.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the container monitoring systemusing the meteor burst application in a relay mode.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a method for saving power in thecontainer monitoring system using the meteor burst.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention provides a unique system forproviding more robust communications for systems whichmonitor and report env ironmental information regarding the

status of a plurality of shipping containers.

[0025] Throughout this specification, preferred embodi-ments of the invention are described in detail below with

reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodi-ments, various examples and illustrative embodiments areprovided. It should be understood that these embodimentsand examples are provided purely for purposes of illustra-tion. The present invention is limited solely by the claimsappended hereto.

[0026] Since embodiments of the present invention com-prise using meteor burst communications in the containersecurity application as opposed to the communications tech-nique itself, theory and implementation specifics of meteorburst are not described in detail herein. Examples of suitableimplementation techniques may be found for example in thetext "Meteor Burst Communications: Theory and Practice"by Donald L. Schilling.

[0027] With reference now to FIG. 1, and for the purposesof explanation, tiny particles which form a meteor field 104,enter the area of the earth's atmosphere approximately, butnot limited to an altitude of between 50 and 75 miles, andresult in the temporary ability for radio signals to transmittedin the direction of this field be scattered back toward earth.This phenomenon is known as meteor burst and is moreclearly described in the noted reference of Schilling. Themeteor burst communications device consist of the trans-mitter 101 and a complementary receiver 103. In a given avalid time interval when the meteor field path may allow avalid communications path, a central monitoring station 102using the meteor burst communication method, may trans-mit radio frequency signals to a container 106, and receivesignals sent from the container 106. In the same time intervalthat container 106 may transmit and use this path, othercontainers in the monitoring network may also transmit andreceive radio frequency signals to and from the centralmonitoring station 102.

[0028] As an alternative, the meteor burst communicationssystem in the preset invention may also be used as asecondary or backup channel, providing redundancy to aprimary conventional satellite or cellular communicationsdevice.

[0029] The transmission range of the meteor burst com-munication technique is limited to a distance of approxi-mately 1200 statute miles. In some cases this distance maynot be sufficient to reach the central monitoring station. Forthese cases a system may be used, wherein the transmissionfrom any given container is relayed though either anothercontainer in range, or through dedicated relay station.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, a central monitoring station202 transmits a message to a container 206, which in turnrelays this message to a container 208 which is the finaldestination. FIG. 2 additionally illustrates implementation ofa meteor field 204. In the displayed embodiment, the centralmonitoring station 202 is illustrated as being located 1200miles from the container 206 and the container 208 isillustrated as being located 1200 miles from the container206.

[0031] Since meteor burst communications is based onnatural phenomena which occur at somewhat random times,it is possible that complete messages may not be receivedduring the short transmission windows when the phenomena

occurs. As such, a preferred embodiment of the present



M ay 24,2007

invention may use a method for providing error protection,wherein, an error detection and correction protocol may be

used to verify that the transmissions using the meteor burst-communication technique in a container security applicationare successful. Since embodiments of the vresent inventioncomprise using error protection methods for meteor burstcommunications in the container security application, thedetailed theory and implementation specifics of said errorprotocols are not described in detail herein. While there aremany variations of error protection techniques, at the mostbasic level a simple message acknowledgement schemewould suffice. Examples of suitable implementation tech-niques may be found for example in the reference ofSchilling noted in the preceding paragraph as well.

[0032] A preferred embodiment of this present inventionproposes a method to conserve power wherein the meteorburst communications may be performed at predefined peri-

odic intervals, or in accordance with another selective trans-mission algorithm or technique, as to conserve battery life ofthe wireless and sensor equipment.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3 , a power saving method maymaintain the containers, such as those containers shown inFIG. 2 , in a low power meteor burst receive only mode, asillustrated at 302, listening for continuous transmissionattempts from the central monitoring station. Only in 304,when such signal may be received from the central moni-toring station, a protocol may be initiated at 30 6 on thecontainer to turn on the higher power transmitter circuitryand complete the transmission at 308. The container maywait for an acknowledgement message back from the centralmonitoring station to assure that the transmission was suc-cessful. If this message is not received, the process may be

repeated a predetermined number of "n" times, after whichthe container may return to a receive only mode at 30 2waiting for the central monitoring station.

What is claimed is:1. A system for providing robust communications for a

container monitoring system for a plurality of containerscomprising:

a central monitoring station controlling a container moni-toring and security network which sends and receivesmessages to and from a plurality of containers beingmonitored in the network;

a meteor burst communications device communicationsdevice associated with each container:

a control element which controls the meteor burst channeland data handling.

2 . The system of claim 1, wherein the meteor burstcommunications device comprises a communications deviceincluding a meteor burst transmitter element and a comple-mentary meteor burst receiver element located on eachcontainer, capable of transmitting data and messages to acentral monitoring station, and receiving data and messagesfrom said central monitoring station.

3 . The system of claim 1, wherein the meteor burstcommunications device comprises a redundancy communi-cations channel, as a backup communications channel to asatellite, cellular, or other wireless communications link.

4 . The system of claim 1, wherein the meteor burstcommunications device comprises an aggregate relay sta-tion, wherein a meteor burst relay station sends and receivesinformation from a group of containers and relays saidinformation to another relay station or to a central monitor-ing station.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the meteor burst relaystation is another container in the monitoring network sup-porting the relay function.

6 . A method for improving performance in a meteor burstcommunication system, the method comprising:

monitoring media burst communication transmissions in acontainer security application; and

implementing an error detection and correction protocolto verify that the transmissions using the meteor burstcommunication technique in the container securityapplication are successful.

7. A method for conserving power in a container securitysystem, the container security system including a plurality of

sensors having wireless and sensor equipment, the methodcomprising:

Controlling performance of meteor burst communicationsin the container security system in accordance with aselective transmission technique, as to conserve batterylife of the wireless and sensor equipment.

8 . The method of claim 7, further comprising maintainingthe containers in a low power meteor burst receive onlymode listening for continuous transmission attempts fromthe central monitoring station, and only when a signal isreceived from the central monitoring station, initiating aprotocol on said container to turn on the higher powertransmitter circuitry and complete the transmission.

* * * * *

SkyTel notes: as this application notes, the Meter Burst Communications technology and system architecture, error protection and otheraspects described are within the existing art. SkyTel does not comment on the merits of this claim for a patent for this application of MBC toshipping container tracking, but include this as an example of the value of MBC for the majority of the worlds goods transport (other than bulkgoods like grains, coal, etc., the vast majority of goods transport is by these cargo containers. See, e.g. The Wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containerization -- "Today, approximately 90% of non-bulk cargo worldwide moves by containers stacked on transport ships...."

Meteor Burst Comm for Global Shipping Container Tracking- Globaltrak & Patent, 2007

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Transcript of Meteor Burst Comm for Global Shipping Container Tracking- Globaltrak & Patent, 2007