REUSABLE ELECTRONIC SEAL

• US 20150091693A1
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Manitoba
• Original Assignee: University of Manitoba
• Inventors: Bibeau, Eric, Ghorbani, Reza
• Granted Patent: US 9,483,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.25
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/00 Tamper-indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/2541 characterised by the slide fastener, e.g. adapted to interlock with a sheet between the interlocking members having sections of particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/04 with counting or registering devices time recording locks G07C1/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0394 with violation indication by generating a random number random number generators G06F7/58, G07C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A container including a reusable electronic seal, as well as a system and method for using the electronic seal are described. The container includes a closure member configured to detachably affix to a portion of the container, thereby sealing the container. In response to the closure member sealing the container, a signal generating component generates an electronic signal and transmits the electronic signal to a processing circuit operably connected to the signal generating component. The processing circuit includes a processing device configured to generate a unique code when the closure member is manipulated to open or close the container and an output device operably connected to the processing device and configured to output the unique code. The unique code is updated each time the container is opened, thereby providing a recipient with a way to determine whether the container has been opened during delivery.

Claims

1. An apparatus operable as a reusable electronic seal for a container, the apparatus comprising:

a closure member configured to detachably affix to a portion of the container, wherein the closure member is operable to open or close the container when manipulated;

a signal generator component configured to generate an electronic signal when the closure member is manipulated; and

a circuit operably coupled to the signal generator component and configured to receive the electronic signal, the circuit comprising;

a processor device configured to generate a unique code responsive to the electronic signal, and

an output device operably coupled to the processor device and configured to output the unique code for a user to determine whether the container has previously been opened.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor device is further configured to:

generate a first unique code upon reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated a first time;

display the first unique code after reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated the first time;

generate a second unique code upon reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated a second time; and

display the second code after reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated the second time.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device is a display configured to display at least the unique code and additional information related to the container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device is further configured to:

establish an operable connection with a computing device; and

transfer the unique code to the computing device via the operable connection.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first connector operably coupled to the closure member; and

a second connector configured to engage with the first connector when the closure member is manipulated.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit further comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium operably coupled to the processor device and configured to store additional.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user interface operably coupled to the processor device and configured to receive information input by a user and forward the information to the processor device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium operably coupled to the processor device and configured to store the user input information.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container comprises an interior volume configured to receive one or more articles, wherein the interior volume is sealed by the closure member when the closure member is manipulated into a closed position with respect to the interior volume.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is at least one of an envelope, a box, a jar, a shipping container, a zipped container, a zip-lock container, a pill container, a bottle, a pressurized tank, a suitcase and a latched container.

32. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of a date, a time, sender information, an address, a phone number, and instructions for a recipient.

33. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of a date, a time, sender information, an address, a phone number, and instructions for a recipient.

4. (canceled)

12. An apparatus operable as a reusable electronic seal system, the apparatus comprising:

a container comprising;

a closure member configured to detachably affix to a portion of the container, wherein the closure member is operable to open or close the container when manipulated,

a signal generator component configured to generate an electronic signal when the closure member is manipulated, and

a circuit operably coupled to the signal generator component and configured to receive the electronic signal, the circuit comprising;

a processor device configured to generate a unique code responsive to the electronic signal, and

an output device operably coupled to the processor device and configured to output the unique code; and

a recorder apparatus configured to receive and display the unique code such that the unique code is visible for verification when the container is opened.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor device is further configured to:

generate a first unique code upon reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated a first time;

display the first unique after reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated the first time;

generate a second unique code upon reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated a second time is received; and

display the second code after reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated the second time is received.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the output device is a display configured to display the unique code and additional information related to the container.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the output device is further configured to:

establish an operable connection with a computing device; and

transfer the unique code to the computing device via the operable connection.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a first connector operably coupled to the closure member; and

a second connector configured to engage with the first connector when the closure member is manipulated.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the circuit further comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium operably coupled to the processor device and configured to store information related to the container.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface operably coupled to the processor device and configured to receive information input by a user and forward the information to the processor device.

34. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of a date, a time, sender information, an address, a phone number, and instructions for a recipient.

15. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. A method to operate a reusable electronic seal for a container, the method comprising:

receiving a first signal at a processor device, the first signal being indicative of a closure member being manipulated to open or close the container;

generating a first unique code at the processor device in response to receiving the first signal;

outputting the first unique code by an output device;

receiving a second signal at the processor device, the second signal being indicative of a closure member being manipulated to open or close the container;

generating the first unique code at the processor device in response to receiving the second signal; and

outputting the first unique code at an output device.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

generating a second unique code at the processor device when the container is opened or closed a second time; and

outputting the second unique code by the output device.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein outputting the first unique code comprises displaying the first unique code on a display and displaying additional information related to the container.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein outputting the first unique code comprises:

establishing an operable connection between the output device and a computing device; and

transferring the first unique code from the output device to the computing device.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving information input by a user at a user interface operably coupled to the processor device; and

forwarding the information from the user interface to the processor device.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising storing the information at a non-transitory computer readable medium operably coupled to the processor device.

26. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)