Tamper proof container

• US 7,098,444 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3-D Image Technology
• Original Assignee: Tamperproof Container Licensing Corp.
• Inventors: Beinhocker, Gilbert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Thanh X.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellis, Suezu
• Application Number:
  US10/837,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 25022714-22718, 250/472.1, 250/474.1, 385/12, 385/13, 385/31, 385/114, 385/120, 340/541, 340/545.6, 340/550, 340555-557, 340/571, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 250/227.14
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/126 for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room

Abstract

A liner sheet lines at least a portion of an interior surface of a shipping container or box and defines an optical path extending across at least a portion of the sheet, such that a breach of the interior surface also alters an optical characteristic of the optical path. For example, an optical fiber can be woven into, or sandwiched between layers of, the liner sheet. The optical path is monitored for a change in an optical characteristic. If the container or box interior surface is breached, one or more portions of the optical fiber are severed or otherwise damaged, and the optical path is altered. The detected change in the optical path can be used to trigger an alarm, such as an annunciator, or to send a message that includes information concerning the container'"'"'s contents or time or location of the container when the breach occurred to a central location, such as a ship'"'"'s control room or a port notification system.

Claims

1. A tamper detection system for a multisided shipping container, comprising:

a plurality of liner panels, each sized to line an interior wall of a respective side of the shipping container;

each of the liner panels having an optical fiber embedded therein and extending in a path across substantially the entire area of the panel, the optical fiber having a first end and a second end; and

each of the liner panels having a first coupler connected to the first end of the optical fiber and a second coupler connected to the second end of the optical fiber;

wherein at least one of the couplers of each panel is operative to interconnect to at least one of the couplers of another panel to provide a continuous path through the interconnected optical fibers of the interconnected panels; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of liner panels has at least one hingable region extending across the panel to define at least two foldable portions of the panel.

2. The tamper detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a circuit configured to detect a change in an optical characteristic of the continuous path.

3. The tamper detection system of claim 2, further comprising:

a light source optically connected to one end of the continuous path; and

a light detector optically connected to another end of the continuous path, wherein the circuit uses a signal from the light detector to detect the change in the optical characteristic of the continuous path.

4. The tamper detection system of claim 3, further comprising an alarm connected to the circuit, the circuit being configured to activate the alarm if the circuit detects the change in the optical characteristic of the continuous path.

5. The tamper detection system of claim 2, further comprising:

a wireless transmitter connected to the circuit and configured to transmit a signal if the circuit detects the change in the optical characteristic of the continuous path.

6. The tamper detection system of claim 5, further comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive the signal; and

an alarm connected to the wireless receiver and configured to provide an indication if the optical characteristic of the continuous path changes.

7. The tamper detection system of claim 2, further comprising a wireless system aboard a vessel configured to notify a port system of an approach of the vessel, the wireless system being further configured to notify the port system if the optical characteristic of the continuous path has changed.

8. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber of each liner panel is woven into the respective liner panel.

9. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein each liner panel comprises a carpet.

10. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein each liner panel comprises a semi-rigid panel.

11. The tamper detection system of cLaim 1, wherein each optical fiber is molded into the respective liner panel.

12. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein each optical fiber is sandwiched between two layers of the respective liner panel.

13. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein each optical fiber is attached to a surface of the respective liner panel.

14. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein each liner panel comprises a rigid panel.

15. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the liner panels comprises a plurality of hinged panels.

16. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of liner panels comprises six panels.

17. The tamper detection system of claim 1. wherein the container is a rectangular shipping container.

18. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein the container is an aircraft shipping container.

19. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein the container includes at least one curved surface.

20. The tamper detection system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of liner panels includes a second optical fiber extending across at least a portion of the area of liner panel, the second optical fiber providing a second optical path.

21. The tamper detection system of claim 20 wherein the two optical fibers are optically connected together in series to form an extended optical path;

and further comprising;

a light source optically connected to an end of the extended optical path;

a light detector optically connected to the other end of the extended optical path; and

a circuit connected to the light detector and configured to activate an alarm if an optical characteristic of the optical path of either optical fiber changes

22. The tamper detection system of claim 20, wherein the two optical fibers are optically connected together in parallel;

and further comprising;

a light detector circuit connected to the two optical fibers and configured to activate an alarm if an optical characteristic of both optical fibers changes.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber of each of the plurality of liner panels extends in a serpentine path across substantially the entire area of the panel.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the spacing between adjacent portions of the optical fiber is of a smaller size than a breach that could comprise the security of the container.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the spacing between adjacent portions of the optical fiber is sufficiently small to cause breakage or degradation of the optical fiber in reaction to an attempted breach of the panel.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the first and second couplers of at least one of the plurality of liner panels is operative to be coupled to a light source; and

at least one of the first and second couplers of at least one of the plurality of liner panels is operative to be coupled to a light detector.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end of the optical fiber of each of the plurality of liner panels is each at an edge of the panel.

28. The system of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of liner panels is rectangular.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber of each of the plurality of liner panels is non-woven into the respective panel.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the interior walls of the shipping container is lined by a respective one of the plurality of liner panels.

31. A method of detecting tampering with a multisided shipping container or the presence of a substance within the container, comprising:

lining the interior surface of each wall of the shipping cantainer with a panel sized for the respective interior surface and that has an optical fiber embedded therein and extending in a path across substantially the entire area of the panel, wherein at least one of the liner panels has at least one hingable region extending across the panel to define at least two foldable portions of the panel;

providing couplers connected to the respective ends of the optical fiber of each panel;

interconnecting the couplers to interconnect the optical fibers of the panels to provide a continuous path;

monitoring the continuous path for a change in an optical characteristic thereof, wherein the change in the optical characteristic is caused by the tampering with the container or by the presence of the substance within the container.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

responsive to a change in the optical characteristic of the continuous path, activating an alarm.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

responsive to a change in the optical characteristic of the continuous path, sending a wireless signal.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein monitoring the continuous path comprises:

illuminating one end of the continuous path; and

detecting a change in an optical characteristic of the illumination at the other end of the optical fiber.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein detecting the change in the optical characteristic of the illumination at the other end of the optical fiber comprises detecting a decrease in the illumination.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

responsive to detecting the change in the optical characteristic of the illumination, activating an alarm.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the optical fiber of at least one of the panels is such that an optical characteristic of the optical fiber of the continuous path is affected by nuclear radiation impinging on the optical fiber.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the optical fiber of at least one of the panels is such that an optical characteristic of the optical fiber of the continuous path is affected by gamma radiation impinging on the optical fiber.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the optical fiber of at least one of the panels is such that a light-carrying capacity of the optical fiber is affected by nuclear radiation impinging on the optical fiber.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the optical fiber of at least one of the panels is such that a light-canying capacity of the optical fiber is affected by gamma radiation impinging on the optical fiber.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein monitoring the continuous path comprises monitoring the continuous path for a decrease in a light-carrying capacity thereof.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein the optical fiber is such that an optical characteristic of the optical fiber of the continuous path is affected by radiation impinging thereon.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein the continuous path is such that the optical characteristic of the continuous path is affected by nuclear radiation impinging thereon.

44. The method of claim 31, wherein the continuous path is such that the optical charcteristic of the continuous path is affected by gamma radiation impinging thereon.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein the continuous path is such that a light-carrying capacity characteristic of the continuous path is affected by nuclear radiation impinging thereon.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein monitoring the continuous path comprises monitoring the continuous path for a decrease in light-carrying capacity of the continuous path.

47. The method of claim 31, wherein the continuous path is such that a light-carrying capacity characteristic of the continuous path is affected by gamma radiation impinging thereon.

48. The method of claim 31, wherein the optical characteristic of the continuous path is a light-carrying capacity of the optical fiber, and the light-carrying capacity of the optical fiber is reduced by gamma radiation impinging thereon.

49. A tamper detection system for a multisided container, comprising:

a plurality of liner panels, each sized to line an interior wall of a respective side of the container;

each of the liner panels having an optical fiber embedded therein and extending in a path across substantially the entire area of the panel, the optical fiber having a first end and a second end;

each of the liner panels having a first coupler connected to the first end of the optical fiber and a second coupler connected to the second end of the optical fiber;

wherein at least one of the couplers of each panel is operative to interconnect to at least one of the couplers of another panel to provide a continuous path through the interconnected optical fibers of the interconnected panels; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of liner panels has at least one hingable region extending across the panel to define at least two foldable portions of the panel; and

further comprising;

a location determining system; and

a circuit connected to the location determining system and configured to;

detect a change in an optical characteristic of the continuous path; and

, if the circuit

detects the change in the optical characteristic of the continuous path, determine the location of the container.

50. A radiation detection system for a multisided shipping container, comprising:

a plurality of liner panels, each sized to line an interior wall of a respective side of the shipping container;

each of the liner panels having an optical fiber embedded therein and extending in a path across substantially the entire area of the panel, the optical fiber having a first end and a second end;

wherein;

the optical fiber is such that an optical characteristic of the optical fiber is affected by radiation impinging on the optical fiber;

each of the liner panels has a first coupler connected to the first end of the optical fiber and a second coupler connected to the second end of the optical fiber, at least one of the couplers of each panel is operative to interconnect to at Least one of the couplers of another panel to provide a continuous path through the interconnected optical fibers of the interconnected panel; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of liner panels has at least one hingable region extending across the panel to define at least two foldable portions of the panel.

51. The radiation detection system of claim 50, wherein the affect on the optical characteristic is a decrease in light-carrying capacity.

52. The radiation detection system of claim 51, wherein the radiation includes gamma radiation.

53. The radiation detection system of claim 51, wherein the radiation includes neutron radiation.

54. The radiation detection system of claim 50, wherein the radiation includes nuclear radiation.

55. The radiation detection system of claim 50, wherein the radiation includes gamma radiation.

56. The radiation detection system of claim 50, wherein the radiation includes neutron radiation.

57. The radiation detection system of claim 50, further comprising:

a circuit configured to detect the affect on the optical characteristic of the optical fiber.

58. The radiation detection system of claim 57, further comprising:

a light source optically connected to one end of the continuous path; and

a light detector optically connected to another end of the continuous path, wherein the circuit uses a signal from the light detector to detect the affect on the optical characteristic of the optical fiber.

59. The radiation detection system of claim 58, further comprising an alarm connected to the circuit, the circuit being configured to activate the alarm if the circuit detects the affect on the optical characteristic of the optical fiber.