Reed Switch Apparatus and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A transportable storage container, comprising:
 a container body enclosing an interior space and having an opening;   a door attached to said container body and configured to cover said opening when closed;   a reed switch positioned at an interface between said container body and said door;   an actuation magnet attached to said container body or said door, said magnet arranged to be in close proximity to said reed switch when said door is closed, and to be distant from said reed switch when said door is open, whereby said reed switch is capable of determining whether said door is open or closed;   a local GPS device or system in communication with said reed switch that receives information from said reed switch about the open or closed position of said door, and   a remote device or system in communication with said local GPS device or system via satellite transmission.   
     
     
         2 . The transportable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said local GPS device or system determines the time at which said door was opened or closed and the location of said storage container. 
     
     
         3 . The transportable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said reed switch is in communication with at least one other localized device or system configured to provide a localized function depending on the position of said door, wherein said localized function includes at least one from the group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking or unlocking mechanism function, and local refrigeration system function. 
     
     
         4 . The transportable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said local GPS device or system comprises a GPS receiver and transmitter providing two-way satellite communication for remote monitoring and localized remote control functions or action, wherein said GPS receiver and transmitter includes local inputs/outputs and follower indication circuits to provide local control and monitoring of at least one of a light, an alarm indication alert, refrigeration control, opening lock/unlock control, and transportable container tracking, all depending on the position of said opening member being monitored by said reed switch apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The transportable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said reed switch or said local GPS device or system are powered by a battery. 
     
     
         6 . The transportable storage container of  claim 5 , further comprising a solar panel attached to said storage container for charging said battery. 
     
     
         7 . A method for securing a transportable storage container having a door, comprising the steps of:
 attaching a reed switch apparatus to the storage container at a location near the door and configured to determine whether the door is open or closed;   communicating information about the open or closed state of the door from said reed switch apparatus to a localized device or system;   transmitting said information from said localized device or system to a remote device or system.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of controlling a localized function of said transportable storage container via wireless communication with said remote device or system. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said localized function is at least one of a lighting function, a locking or unlocking function, a refrigeration function, and an alarm function. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising transmitting from said localized device or system to said remote device or system information regarding the time at which said door was opened or closed or the location of said transportable storage container or both.