Multiple transponder seal device

• US 7,270,353 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: European Community
• Original Assignee: European Community
• Inventors: Sironi, Marco, Tebaldi, Piercarlo, Poucet, Andre, Korn, Christophe
• Primary Examiner(s): Glessner; Brian E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams; Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/546,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20060152366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: 292/307.R, 292/327.X, 340/572.1, 3405727-5729, 235/385, 705/22, 705/28
• US Class Current: 292/307.00R
• 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 3/0323 having clamp-like sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0329 having electronic sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0376 using a special technique to detect tampering, e.g. by ultrasonic or optical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/51 Seal bolts

Abstract

The invention relates to a seal device, including a locking pin and a sleeve, the locking pin having a head and a stem having a groove which interacts with a locking ring disposed in the sleeve to lock the sleeve onto the pin by insertion. The sleeve also includes a first transponder housed in the upper portion of the sleeve at a depth that is greater than the height of the stem and the locking pin also comprises a second transponder disposed on the outer periphery of the stem. Each transponder includes storage means for storing at least one unique identification code. Thus, any unauthorized handling of the seal device may be detected even if the latter is completely replaced after breakage.

Claims

1. A seal device, comprising a locking pin and a sleeve, said locking pin comprising a head and a stem comprising means to lock said sleeve onto the pin wherein said sleeve also comprises a first transponder housed in the upper portion of said sleeve at a depth P that is greater than a height H of said stem and in that said locking pin also comprises a second transponder disposed on the outer periphery of said stem, each transponder comprising a substrate on which are formed an electronic circuit and an antenna, said electronic circuit comprising storage means for storing at least one unique identification code,

wherein said second transponder is configured and disposed in such a way as to cause rupture of the electronic circuit or the antenna of the second transponder when an attempt is made to open the seal device.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means to lock said sleeve onto said pin comprises a groove on said stem and a locking ring on said sleeve, said groove interacting with said locking ring to lock said sleeve onto said pin by insertion.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve further comprises a third transponder held inside the latter at a depth P′

that is less than said height H of said stem, said third transponder comprising a substrate on which are formed an electronic circuit and an antenna, said electronic circuit comprising storage means for storing at least one unique identification code.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said third transponder is held in said sleeve by an annular element which covers at least a portion of said antenna of said transponder.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage means of said first transponder contain data relating to date and location at which said seal device was installed.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage means of said first transponder comprises data encryption means.

7. A system of inspecting and monitoring an object, said object comprising at least one seal device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a signal transmission device to read or write information in said transponders of said seal device, processing means and data storage means for recording information stored in said transponders.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said data storage means are remotely accessible via a network link.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sleeve further comprises a third transponder held inside the latter at a depth P′

that is less than said height H of said stem, said third transponder comprising a substrate on which are formed an electronic circuit and an antenna said electronic circuit comprising storage means for storing at least one unique identification code,

wherein said processing means comprise software means for confirming installation of said seal device by interrogation of said third transponder.

10. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said processing means comprise software means for detecting unauthorized handling of said seal device by interrogating said second transponder.

11. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said processing means comprise software means for detecting unauthorized replacement of said seal device by reading transponder codes of said seal device and by comparing said transponder codes with transponder codes previously recorded in said data storage means.

12. A seal device, comprising a locking pin and a sleeve, said locking pin comprising a head and a stem comprising a groove which interacts with a locking ring disposed in said sleeve to lock said sleeve onto said pin by insertion, wherein said sleeve also comprises a first transponder housed in the upper portion of said sleeve at a depth that is greater than the height of said stem and in that said locking pin also comprises a second transponder disposed on the outer periphery of said stem, each transponder comprising a substrate on which are formed an electronic circuit and an antenna, said electronic circuit comprising storage means for storing at least one unique identification code,

wherein said second transponder is configured and disposed in such a way as to cause rupture of the electronic circuit or the antenna of the second transponder when an attempt is made to open the seal device.