Secure mobile container, in particular an airplane cabin cart

• US 20060097876A1
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dominique Retali, Peter Kovacs
• Original Assignee: Dominique Retali, Peter Kovacs
• Inventors: Kovacs, Peter, Retali, Dominique
• Application Number:
  US11/200,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097876A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1481 with optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile container fitted with a management module comprising a memory and: a break-in detection member for detecting attempts at breaking into the mobile container, the management module being adapted to store time-and-date stamped break-in information in the memory on each occasion that the break-in detection member detects a break-in or an attempted break-in; and a first communications module for dialoguing with a terminal and connected to the memory to send the break-in information stored in the memory to the terminal as soon as communication is set up with the terminal. The container is also fitted with a second communications module suitable for dialoguing with radio frequency labels carried by articles contained in the container.

Claims

1. A mobile container fitted with a management module including a memory and:

a break-in detection member for detecting attempts at breaking into the mobile container, the management module being adapted to store time-and-date stamped break-in information in the memory on each occasion that the break-in detection member detects a break-in or an attempted break-in; and

a first communications module for dialoguing with a terminal and connected to the memory to send the break-in information stored in the memory to the terminal as soon as communication is set up with the terminal.

2. A mobile container according to claim 1, wherein the break-in detection member comprises a light detector disposed inside the container.

3. A mobile container according to claim 1, containing articles carrying radio frequency labels, the management module including a second communications module for dialoguing with the radio frequency labels in order to take an inventory of the articles, and connected to the memory in order to write inventory information therein in response to receiving an order to take an inventory, the first communications module also being adapted to send the inventory information stored in the memory to the terminal in response to receiving an inventory-taking instruction from the terminal.

4. A mobile container according to claim 1, including selective access means adapted to be locked in a position for preventing access to the articles, and wherein the management module is configured to send an inventory-taking order to the second communications module in response to receiving an instruction to lock the access means.

5. A mobile container according to claim 4, wherein the locking instruction comes from the terminal.

6. A mobile container according to claim 1, including a detector for detecting the presence of the selected access member in the position for preventing access, and wherein the management module is adapted to write date-and-time stamp information in the memory on each occasion that the detector detects that the selective access member leaves or returns to the access-preventing position.