Magnetic vector field tag and seal
First Claim
1. A method for providing a container that contains one or more objects with a magnetic vector field tag and seal, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a magnetometer at a first location relative to the container;
(b) placing at least one magnet inside the container, the magnet providing a measurable magnetic field strength and vector direction at the first location of the magnetometer;
(c) measuring the magnetic field strength and vector direction at the first location using the magnetometer to provide the container with a magnetic vector field tag and seal; and
(d) removing the magnetometer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One or more magnets are placed in a container (preferably on objects inside the container) and the magnetic field strength and vector direction are measured with a magnetometer from at least one location near the container to provide the container with a magnetic vector field tag and seal. The location(s) of the magnetometer relative to the container are also noted. If the position of any magnet inside the container changes, then the measured vector fields at the these locations also change, indicating that the tag has been removed, the seal has broken, and therefore that the container and objects inside may have been tampered with. A hollow wheel with magnets inside may also provide a similar magnetic vector field tag and seal. As the wheel turns, the magnets tumble randomly inside, removing the tag and breaking the seal.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for providing a container that contains one or more objects with a magnetic vector field tag and seal, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) placing a magnetometer at a first location relative to the container;
(b) placing at least one magnet inside the container, the magnet providing a measurable magnetic field strength and vector direction at the first location of the magnetometer;
(c) measuring the magnetic field strength and vector direction at the first location using the magnetometer to provide the container with a magnetic vector field tag and seal; and
(d) removing the magnetometer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of providing a container filled with one or more objects with a magnetic vector field tag and seal, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) positioning a magnetometer at a first location relative to the container;
(b) placing a plurality of magnets inside the container, the plurality of magnets providing a measurable magnetic field strength and vector direction at the first location of the magnetometer;
(c) measuring the strength and vector direction of the magnetic field at the first location using the magnetometer to provide the container with a magnetic vector field tag and seal; and
(d) removing the magnetometer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A magnetic device, comprising:
-
(a) a permanent magnet;
(b) a wheel having a chamber sufficiently large for receiving said magnet and allowing it to tumble randomly inside when the wheel rotates about its axis; and
(c) an axle coincident with the wheel axis about which said wheel can rotate.
-
-
18. A magnetic device, comprising:
-
(a) a plurality of permanent magnets;
(b) a wheel having a plurality of chambers, each chamber sufficiently large to receive at least one of the magnets and allow it to tumble randomly inside when the wheel rotates about its axis; and
(c) an axle coincident with the wheel axis about which said wheel can rotate.
-
-
19. A movable tray, comprising:
-
(a) a permanent magnet;
(b) at least three wheels, one of said wheels having a chamber sufficiently large to receive the magnet and allow it to tumble randomly inside when the wheel rotates about its axis;
(c) axles for each wheel, each axle being coincident with the wheel axis about which said wheel can rotate;
(d) a substantially flat support having a first side for supporting objects thereupon and a second side for attaching said wheels thereto such that the support can be rolled across a surface; and
(e) means for attaching said wheels to the support. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
-
21. A method for providing a stationary object with a magnetic vector field tag and seal, comprising:
-
(a) providing a device comprising a plurality of permanent magnets attached to a flexible support that can be wrapped around a stationary object; and
(b) wrapping the device around the object, and measuring the magnetic field strength and vector direction from at least one location near the object.
-
Specification