Self-contained portable security monitoring system

A portable security monitoring system for a cargo trailer, comprising:

• a housing configured to be mounted within an interior of the cargo trailer;
• a monitoring unit configured to be housed by the housing and comprising a motion detection sensor, a camera, an alarm device, a battery configured to power the monitoring unit independently of any vehicle electrical system, a GPS device, and a wireless communication module configured to transmit image data and location data to a remote monitoring system;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring unit and configured to:
• cause the monitoring unit to operate in a low-power standby mode,
• cause the monitoring unit to transition to an active mode upon motion detection sensed by the motion detection sensor, wherein, when the monitoring unit transitions into active mode, it is configured to:
• cause the camera to capture at least one time-stamped image of the interior of the cargo trailer, cause the GPS device to capture location data for the monitoring unit and transmit the at least one captured image, a time stamp of the trigger event, and the location data to a remote monitoring system via the wireless communication module, and activate the alarm device.

A remote monitoring device for a cargo trailer, comprising:

• a housing configured to be mounted within an interior of the cargo trailer;
• a monitoring unit configured to be housed by the housing and comprising:
• a motion detection sensor, a camera, an alarm device, a battery configured to power the monitoring unit independently of any vehicle electrical system, a GPS device, and a wireless communication module configured to transmit image data, video data and location data to a remote monitoring system;
• a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring unit and configured to:
• cause the monitoring unit to operate in a low-power standby mode,
• cause the monitoring unit to transition to an active mode upon motion detection sensed by the motion detection sensor, wherein, when the monitoring unit transitions into active mode, it is configured to, initiate video recording and capture at least one time-stamped image via the camera of the detected motion, cause the GPS device to capture location data for the monitoring unit and transmit the captured video, the at least one captured image, a time stamp of the trigger event, and the location data to a remote monitoring system via the wireless communication module, and activate the alarm device.