System for tamper detection

• US 7,791,484 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2008
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Picon, Joaquin, Commagnac, Francois, Secondo, Pierre, Mestres, Jean-Christophe
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US12/109,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/568.2, 340/652
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/00 Tamper-indicating means relating to aerosol containers B65D83/224
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/02 Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure B65D41/32 takes precedence; protective covers for bottles B65D23/08; protective cap-like outer covers for bottle or jar closures B65D41/62; pressure-applying means B65D45/00; closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal of closures B65D50/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for tamper detection. A tamper detection system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a passive electronic sensor including a circuit having first, second, and third nodes; a load connected between the first and second nodes of the circuit; a friable electrical connection element connected between the second and third nodes of the circuit; and a storage unit, connected to the second node of the circuit, for storing an identification code of the sensor; wherein in use a voltage is applied across the first and third nodes of the circuit, and when the friable electrical connection element is intact, the second node of the circuit is at a first voltage, and when the friable electrical connection element is broken, the second node of the circuit is at a second voltage.

Claims

1. Tamper detection system comprising:

a passive electronic sensor including a circuit having first, second, and third nodes;

a load connected between the first and second nodes of the circuit;

a friable electrical connection element connected between the second and third nodes of the circuit; and

a storage unit, connected to the second node of the circuit, for storing an identification code of the sensor;

wherein in use a voltage is applied across the first and third nodes of the circuit, and wherein when the friable electrical connection element is intact, the second node of the circuit is at a first voltage and when the friable electrical connection element is broken, the second node of the circuit is at a second voltage.

2. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first voltage is substantially equal to zero.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first voltage is substantially equal to the applied voltage.

4. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passive electronic sensor is a radio frequency identification sensor.

5. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein the friable electrical connection element is a wire loop.

6. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein the friable electrical connection element is connectable to a bit of the storage unit.

7. System as claimed in claim 6 wherein a breakage in the friable electrical connection element causes a change in a value of the bit of the storage unit.

8. System as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bit of the storage unit is a least significant bit.

9. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor identification code has an even value when the friable electrical connection element is intact and an odd value when the friable electrical connection element is broken.

10. A tamper detector for a container comprising:

a passive electronic sensor attached to a first member of the container, the sensor including a circuit having first, second, and third nodes;

a load connected between the first and second nodes of the circuit;

a friable electrical connection element connected between the second and third nodes of the circuit and attached to a closing member of the container; and

a storage unit, connected to the second node of the circuit, for storing an identification code of the sensor;

wherein in use a voltage is applied across the first and third nodes of the circuit, and wherein when the friable electrical connection element is intact, the second node of the circuit is at a first voltage and when the friable electrical connection element is broken, indicating a movement of the closing member of the container relative to the first member of the container, the second node of the circuit is at a second voltage.

11. Detector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first voltage is substantially equal to zero.

12. Detector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first voltage is substantially equal to the applied voltage.

13. Detector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the passive electronic sensor is a radio frequency identification sensor.

14. Detector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the friable electrical connection element is a wire loop.

15. Detector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the friable electrical connection element is connectable to a bit of the storage unit.

16. Detector as claimed in claim 15 wherein a breakage in the friable electrical connection element causes a change in a value of the bit of the storage unit.

17. Detector as claimed in claim 15 wherein the bit of the storage unit is a least significant bit.

18. Detector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sensor identification code has an even value when the friable electrical connection element is intact and an odd value when the friable electrical connection element is broken.