Method and apparatus for providing container security with a tag

• US 6,747,558 B1
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Chan, Joseph S., Cargonja, Nikola, Thorne, Roderick E., Keleshian, Philip J., Redler, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/133,270
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 340/551, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/568.8, 340/432, 340/571, 340/568.6, 340/545.6
• US Class Current: 340/551
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0317 having bolt like sealing means means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it F16B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0329 having electronic sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0335 using RFID tags
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0376 using a special technique to detect tampering, e.g. by ultrasonic or optical means

Abstract

A device (12) facilitates sealing and tracking of a container (18). The device includes a bolt (166) which extends through openings in a latch mechanism (19) on the container. The bolt also passes through spaced coils (251, 252) of the seal device. The seal device uses one coil to generate a magnetic field, while monitoring the corresponding magnetic field induced in the other coil. Tampering with the bolt affects the magnetic field, which in turn permits the seal device to detect the tampering. The seal device periodically transmits wireless signals (71), which can be remotely received for purposes of tracking the container and monitoring the integrity of the seal.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a self-contained unit which includes:

sealing structure that can limit relative movement of two parts away from a first position toward a second position; and

detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure, said detection structure including a wireless transmitter, and transmitting a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a container having an interior, said first and second parts being portions of said container, and wherein external access to said interior of said container is respectively obstructed and permitted when said parts are respectively in said first and second positions.

3. An apparatus, comprising:

first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;

sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position; and

detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;

wherein said detection structure includes a wireless transmitter, and transmits a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected; and

including a portable unit which can receive said wireless signal and provide on the basis thereof a visual indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected.

4. An apparatus, comprising:

first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;

sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position; and

detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;

wherein said detection structure includes a wireless transmitter, and transmits a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected; and

wherein said detection structure has a predefined unique identifier, and includes said identifier in wireless signals transmitted by said sealing structure.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said detection structure begins said sensing in response to a predetermined event, said detection structure being responsive to said predetermined event for substantially randomly determining a number which said detection structure thereafter includes in wireless signals transmitted by said detection structure.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;

sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position; and

detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;

wherein said detection structure begins said sensing in response to a predetermined event which includes receipt by said detection structure of a predetermined wireless signal.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, including a manually operable portable unit which can selectively transmit said predetermined wireless signal.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;

sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position; and

detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;

wherein said sealing structure includes an elongate part;

wherein said detection structure includes first and second coils which encircle said elongate part at spaced locations therealong; and

wherein said detection structure includes circuitry operable to cause said first coil to induce a magnetic field and to cause said second coil to sense said magnetic field.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8,

wherein said container has a latch mechanism which includes said first and second parts; and

wherein said sealing structure includes a lock mechanism, said elongate part being part of said lock mechanism and being made of a magnetically permeable material.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said detection structure includes a housing, and includes an arm which extends from said housing and which has said first and second coils supported at spaced locations thereon, said housing having circuitry therein which is electrically coupled to said coils.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first and second parts have openings through which said elongate part extends, said first and second parts each being positioned on said elongate part between said first and second coils.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8,

wherein said magnetic field induced by said circuitry in said first coil is a varying magnetic field;

and

wherein said detection structure carries out said sensing of said magnetic flux characteristic as a function of a phase shift between the signals in said first and second coils.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12,

wherein said circuitry causes said first coil to induce said magnetic field by supplying to said first coil a plurality of pulses;

and

wherein said sensing of said magnetic flux characteristic by said circuitry includes determining for at least two of said pulses a phase shift between the pulse in the signal in said first coil and the corresponding pulse induced in said second coil.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12,

wherein said circuitry causes said first coil to induce said magnetic field by supplying to said first coil a plurality of pulses;

and

wherein said sensing of said magnetic flux characteristic by said circuitry includes determining for at least two of said pulses other than the first of said pulses a phase shift between the pulse in the signal in said first coil and the corresponding pulse induced in said second coil, then calculating a sum by adding said phase shifts for respective said pulses, and then evaluating whether a difference between said sum and a previously-calculated value of said sum exceeds a predetermined value.

15. A method of operating a self-contained unit which has a sealing structure, comprising the steps of:

operating said sealing structure of said unit in a mode in which said sealing structure can limit relative movement of two parts away from a first position toward a second position;

sensing with structure of said self-contained unit a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure;

detecting with structure of said self-contained unit a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure; and

transmitting from said self-contained unit a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected.

16. A method, comprising the steps of:

effecting a seal between first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions, including the provision of sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;

sensing a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure; and

detecting a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;

including the step of transmitting a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected; and

including the step of providing within said wireless signals a unique identifier.

17. A method according to claim 16, including the step of responding to a predetermined event by commencing said sensing and by substantially randomly determining a number which is thereafter included in said wireless signals.

18. A method, comprising the steps of:

effecting a seal between first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions, including the provision of sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;

sensing a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure;

detecting a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;

inducing said magnetic field in a first coil as a varying magnetic field; and

effecting said sensing of said magnetic flux characteristic using a second coil; and

effecting said detecting of a change in said magnetic flux characteristic as a function of a phase shift between the signals in said first and second coils.

19. A method according to claim 18,

wherein said inducing step includes supplying to said first coil a plurality of pulses; and

wherein said detecting step includes determining for at least two of said pulses other than the first of said pulses a phase shift between the pulse in the signal in said first coil and the corresponding pulse induced in said second coil, then calculating a sum by adding said phase shifts for respective said pulses, and then evaluating whether a difference between said sum and a previously-calculated value of said sum exceeds a predetermined value.