Reusable electronic seal

• US 9,483,888 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Manitoba
• Original Assignee: University of Manitoba
• Inventors: Bibeau, Eric, Ghorbani, Reza
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US14/394,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20150091693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 340/542, 340/556, 340/571, 340/539.22, 340/5.25
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 relating to aerosol containers B65D83/224
• 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 configured to be manipulated to open or close the container;

a signal generator component configured to generate an electronic signal in response to manipulation of the closure member;

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 so as to enable determination of whether the container has previously been opened; and

a user interface operably coupled to the processor device and configured to receive input information and forward the input information to the processor device.

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

generate a first unique code in response to reception of the electronic signal, which indicates that the closure member is manipulated a first time;

control the output device to 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 in response to reception of the electronic signal, which further indicates that the closure member is manipulated a second time; and

control the output device to display the second unique 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 includes a display configured to display at least the unique code and additional information related to the container.

4. 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.

5. 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 in response to manipulation of the closure member.

6. 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 information related to the container.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium operably coupled to the processor device and configured to store the user input information.

8. 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 after the closure member is manipulated into a closed position with respect to the interior volume.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container includes 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.

21. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of a date, a time, an address, a phone number, instructions for a recipient, and identification information related to:

a sender, the recipient, a container access restriction, and an item stored in the container.

22. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of a date, a time, an address, a phone number, instructions for a recipient, and identification information related to:

a sender, the recipient, a container access restriction, and an item stored in the container.

10. 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 configured to be manipulated to open or close the container;

a signal generator component configured to generate an electronic signal in response to manipulation of the closure member; 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;

a user interface operably coupled to the processor device and configured to receive input information input and forward the input information to the processor device; and

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

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor device is configured to:

generate a first unique code in response to reception of the electronic signal, which indicates that the closure member is manipulated a first time;

control the output device to 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 in response to reception of the electronic signal, which further that indicates that the closure member is manipulated a second time; and

control the output device to display the second unique code after reception of the electronic signal that indicates the closure member is manipulated the second time.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the output device includes a display configured to display the unique code and additional information related to the container.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, 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.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a first connector operably coupled to the closure member; and

a second connector configured to engage with the first connector in response to manipulation of the closure member.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, 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.

23. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of a date, a time, an address, a phone number, instructions for a recipient, and identification information related to:

a sender, the recipient, a container access restriction, and an item stored in the container.

16. 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 a first time to open or close the container;

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

controlling an output device to display the first unique code;

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

controlling an output device to display the second unique code;

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

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

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

generating a third unique code at the processor device in response to the container being opened or closed a second time; and

controlling an output device to display the third unique code.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein controlling the output device to display the first unique code comprises displaying the first unique code on a display and displaying additional information related to the container.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein controlling the output device to display 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.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the input information at a non-transitory computer readable medium operably coupled to the processor device.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of a date, a time, an address, a phone number, instructions for a recipient, and identification information related to:

a sender, the recipient, a container access restriction, and an item stored in the container.