WO2013081469A1

WO2013081469A1 - Electronic seal device

Info

Publication number: WO2013081469A1
Application number: PCT/NO2012/050241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn BERGAN; Åsulv TØNNESLAND; Tor Engebretsen; Rudy STEEN JOHANSEN
Original assignee: Abax As
Priority date: 2011-12-01
Filing date: 2012-11-30
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: WO2013081469A4; NO20111661A1; NO334326B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic seal device (10), comprising: a housing (12); at least one detector adapted to detect the status of the device; a communication module (66) adapted to wirelessly send out one or more signals related to the status of the device as detected by the at least one detector; and a cable (28) having a first free end (30), a second end (32) securely attached in or to the housing, and an intermediate portion (36) between the first and second ends, wherein the housing includes a first part (14) and a second part (16), the first part being a lid which is movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the device further comprises a clamp (34) at least partly arranged in the housing and adapted to receive the intermediate portion of the cable when the lid is in the open position and to securely hold the intermediate portion of the cable when the lid is in the closed position. The present invention also relates to a method of sealing an object (76), such as a container or back doors on a trailer.

Description

ELECTRONIC SEAL DEVICE

The present invention relates to an electronic seal device. The present invention also relates to a method of sealing an object, such as a container or back doors on a trailer.

FR2658343 Al discloses, on the one hand, a reception unit, and, on the other hand, break-in detectors consisting of a monitoring system exchanging information by a radiofrequency link with the reception unit, in cyclic transmission, and thus working in positive safety. The detector consisting of a housing is fixed onto the container by means of a safety cable and of a magnetic fixing. The electrical safety loop will loop round the closure system of the container in such a way that opening the door of this container inevitably entails opening the electrical circuit represented by this safety loop, thereby triggering an alarm. The electrical safety loop is attached to the housing by means of two BNC connectors.

US2008066502 discloses a portable locking device having a wireless transmitter that transmits the condition of the locking device to the receiver of a security system. The locking device comprises non-rigid cable so that it can be easily connected to various objects. Cutting the cable prevents power from reaching the wireless transmitter, and the lack of signal triggers the security system to issue an alarm. The portable locking device comprises parallel armed and disarmed circuits to supply electricity to the wireless transmitter, but the armed circuit is broken if the lock is tampered with or compromised when locked.

US2006202824 discloses an electronic device for the sealing of shipping containers is accessible through an RFID system controlled by a microprocessor having an internal memory. The device consists of a small case with a tamper and spoof proof security cable. One end of the cable is permanently attached to the case while the other end is threaded across the center door joint and around the two inner vertical locking rods of the container. The loose end is then inserted and locked into a port on the case, thereby activating the microprocessor. Attempts to access or enter the container through the rear doors will result in severing the cable, causing the time of this event to be logged in the memory of the electronic seal device. A separate electronic reader will access the logged memory of the device, and then transmit the logged data to a central database.

US2005231365 discloses a battery operated cable security seal for cargo containers and the like includes a housing with a transparent cover for visual inspection of illuminated internal green or red LEDs, the red LED representing a tampered state of a stranded metal locking cable, which has a length sufficient to secure the keeper bars and hasp of a cargo container door. The cable has an internal conductor whose conductivity, e.g., resistance, manifests a tampered condition when severed and also if reattached, e.g., by a solder or spliced joint and so on. The seal housing has two compartments one being hermetically sealed and contains the circuitry and the other containing a cable locking device for receiving and locking the cable to the seal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic seal device. The present invention is defined in the appended independent claims.

Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic seal device, comprising: a housing; at least one detector adapted to detect a status of the device; a communication module adapted to wirelessly send out one or more signals related to the status of the device as detected by the at least one detector; and a cable having a first free end, a second end securely attached in or to the housing, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the housing includes a first part and a second part, the first part being a lid which is movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the device further comprises a clamp at least partly arranged in the housing and adapted to receive the intermediate portion of the cable when the lid is in the open position and to securely hold the intermediate portion of the cable when the lid is in the closed position.

The clamp may include at least one cable engaging surface in the lid and at least one cable engaging surface in the second part of the housing, wherein the intermediate portion of the cable is clamped between the at least one cable engaging surface of the lid and at least one cable engaging surface of the second part when the lid is in the closed position.

The lid may be hinged to the second part of the housing by means of at least one hinge.

The at least one detector may include at least one electrically conducting sensor wire in the cable, a capacitor connected to the at least one electrically conducting sensor wire at one end thereof, and a cable integrity sensor connected to the at least one electrically conducting sensor wire at the other end thereof, wherein the cable integrity sensor is adapted to first charge the capacitor and then measure the voltage, and wherein the measured voltage deviating from a predetermined characteristic indicates that the cable is cut or bypassed. The at least one electrically conducting sensor wire is arranged along substantially the complete length of the cable, wherein the capacitor is arranged at the free end of the cable, and wherein the cable integrity sensor is arranged inside the housing.

The at least one detector may include a (first) magnet placed in the lid adjacent to the clamp and a corresponding (first) reed relay placed in the second part of the housing, the magnet and reed relay being arranged such that the magnetic field generated by the magnet otherwise affecting the reed relay is consumed when the cable is placed in the clamp, whereby the state of the reed relay is changed for indicating that the cable is present in the clamp.

The at least one detector may include a (second) magnet placed in the lid remote from the clamp and a corresponding (second) reed relay placed in the second part of the housing, the magnet and reed relay being arranged such that the magnetic field generated by the magnet changes the state of the reed relay as the lid is opened/closed for indicating whether the lid is in the open or closed position.

The at least one detector may include a further reed relay arranged in the second part of the housing between the other two reel relays for detecting any tampering of the other two reel relays.

The at least one detector may include includes a movement sensor adapted to detect whether the device is moving or not.

The cable may be connected to the communication module, wherein the cable acts as an antenna for the communication module.

The status of the device may indicate at least one of: whether the cable is cut or not; whether the cable is bypassed or not; whether the cable is present in the clamp or not; whether the lid is in the open or closed position; and whether the device is moving or not.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of sealing an object, such as a container or back doors on a trailer or truck, by means of an electronic seal device according to the previous aspect of the invention, which method comprises: threading the cable through or around at least one element of said object; ensuring that the lid is in the open position; placing the intermediate portion of the cable in the clamp; and moving the lid to the closed position for securing the cable. This aspect may exhibit the same or similar features and technical effects as the previous aspect of the invention.

The present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic seal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the lid in the open position. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present electronic seal device.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram including a cable integrity sensor of the present electronic seal device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the electronic seal device of FIGs. 1-2.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the electronic seal device of FIGs. 1-2.

FIGs. 6-10 show the present electronic seal device is various states.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic seal device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic seal device 10 comprises a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a first part 14 and a second part 16. The second part 16 is the main box of the device 10, and the first part 14 functions as a lid for the main box 16.

The lid 14 is hinged to the main box 16 by means of at least one hinge 18. The at least one hinge 18 is arranged at a respective edge 20 of the lid 14 and the main box 16, as illustrated. The at least one hinge 18 allows the lid 14 to be opened and closed relative to the main box 16. In FIG. 1, the lid 14 is in an open position, whereas the lid 14 in a closed position is shown in FIGs. 6, 8, and 10.

The lid 14 may be locked in the closed position means of a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be arranged at the opposite edges 22 of the lid 14 and the main box 16 compared to the at least one hinge 18. The locking mechanism may for instance include a catch 24 attached to or integrated with the lid 14, which catch 24 is adapted to snap over a corresponding edge 26 of the main box 16, thereby locking the lid 14 to the main box 16. However, other types of locking mechanisms may

alternatively be used.

The electronic seal device 10 further comprises a cable or seal wire 28. The cable may for instance have a length of 600 mm. The cable 30 has a first free end 30, and a second end 32 which is securely attached to the main box 16.

The electronic seal device 10 further comprises a clamp 34. The clamp 34 is generally adapted to secure an intermediate portion 36 of the cable 28 between the first and second ends 30, 32 when the lid 14 is closed. The clamp 34 includes at least one cable engaging surface 38 in the lid 14, and at least one corresponding cable engaging surface 40 in the main box 16. The cable engaging surface 40 of the main box 16 may be a channel or groove in which the intermediate portion 36 of the cable 28 may be placed when the lid 14 is opened. Then, as the lid 14 is closed, the at least one cable engaging surface 38 of the lid 14 engages the intermediate portion 36 of the cable 28 to firmly hold the cable 28 so that it cannot be removed. Hence, the clamp 34 is integrated with the housing 12, such that the clamp 34 is automatically opened/closed when the lid 14 is opened/closed. Also, it is not necessary to interface the cable 28 to any

connector(s) to seal an object as in FR 2658343 Al and US2006202824.

The electronic seal device 10 further comprises at least one detector.

The at least one detector may for instance include at least one electrically conducting sensor wire 42 built into the cable 28, a capacitor 44, and a cable integrity sensor 46, see FIGs. 2 and 3. The cable 28 may for instance be a steel wire, with a core of sensor wires 42. Preferably, at least one sensor wire 42 is arranged along

(substantially) the complete length of the cable 28. The capacitor 44 is connected to the at least one sensor wire 42 at one end 48 thereof. The capacitor 44 is arranged and encapsulated at the free end 30 of the cable 28. The cable integrity sensor 46 may be arranged in the main box 16. The cable integrity sensor 46 is connected to the at least one sensor wire 42 at the other end 50 thereof compared to the capacitor 44. The cable integrity sensor 46 comprises an input-output unit (I/O) 52 and a resistor 54 connected via two sensor wires 42 of the cable 28 to the capacitor 44. The cable integrity sensor 46 is generally adapted to first charge the capacitor 48 and then measure the voltage. If the measured voltage deviates from a predetermined characteristic, this indicates that the cable 28 is cut or bypassed. Specifically, the capacitor 44 is first charged up by setting the I/O 52 to output high. Then, the I/O 52 is changed to input. Then, the voltage on the I O 52 is measured. If the I/O 52 has a low signal to fast (capacitor 44 is discharged or not present) or has a high signal too long (capacitor 44 does not discharge, someone is applying power to the cable 28), the integrity of the cable 28 is breached. The integrity of the cable 28 is provide as long as the input of the I/O 52 stays high for a

predetermined amount of time according to the discharge cycle of the capacitor 44 and the resistor 54.

The at least one detector may further include a first magnet 56a placed in the lid 14 adjacent to the clamp 34, and a corresponding first reed relay 58a placed in the main box 16, see FIGs. 2 and 4. A reed relay is an electrical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. The first reed relay 58a is placed below the cable channel or recess 40. The first magnet 56a is correspondingly placed above the cable channel or recess 40. The first magnet 56a works with the first reed relay 58a to detect whether the cable 28 is present or not. When there is no cable 28 present, the magnetic field of the first magnet 56a opens (or closes) the first reed relay 58a. When the cable 28 is inserted, the cable 28 will consume the magnetic field generated by the first magnet 56a, whereby the state of the first reed relay 58a is changed. Hence, the state of the first reed relay 58a indicates whether the cable 28 is present or not. The at least one detector may further include a second magnet 56b placed in the lid 14 remote from the clamp 34 and adjacent to the edge 22, and a corresponding second reed relay 58b placed in the main box 16. The second magnet 56b works with the second reed relay 58b to detect whether the lid 14 is opened or closed. When the lid 14 is in the open position, the magnetic field generated by the second magnet 56b does not affect the second reed relay 58b, because the second magnet 56b is too far away from the second reed relay 58b. When the lid 14 is in the closed position, the magnetic field of the second magnet 56b is close enough to affect the second reed relay 58b and hence affect its state. In other words, the state of the second reed relay changes as the lid 14 is opened/closed.

The at least one detector may further include a third reed relay 58c. The third reed relay is arranged in the main box 16, between the first reel relay 58a and the second reel relay 58b. If the state of the third reed relay 58c indicates that there is an "invalid" magnetic field affecting the third reed relay 58c, this is an indication that there is a tampering attempt against the first reed relay 58a or the second reed relay 58b. The third reed relay 58c is placed in such a way that the magnetic field of the two magnets 56a-b, does not affect the state of the third reed relay 58c. But if someone tries to apply a stronger magnetic field from the outside of the device 10 to simulate a closed lid, this may be picked up by the third reed relay 58c, hence detecting a tamper event. This is especially relevant against the first reed relay 58 a, which has its armed state with a closed reed relay.

Below is an overview of the indications related to the reed relays 58a-58c:

The at least one detector may further include a movement sensor 60. The movement sensor 60 is adapted to detect whether the device 10 is moving or not. The movement sensor 60 may for instance be an accelerometer, a rolling ball sensor or other tilt or vibration sensor, etc. That the electronic seal device 10 is moving may indicate a tempering attempt if the device 10 is sealing a stationary object. Further, if several devices 10 are employed, it may be beneficial to know what devices are in motion and what devices are stationary. With reference to FIG. 2, the electronic seal device 10 further comprises a controller 62, a power source 64, a communication module 66, an interface 68 for wired connection to an external unit, and visual indicators 70.

The controller 62 is generally adapted to control and receive input from the various components of the device 10. The controller 62 may for instance include a microprocessor.

The power source 54 is adapted to supply electrical power to various

components of the device 10. The power source 54 may be a battery.

The communication module 66 is generally adapted to wirelessly send out or transmit one or more signals indicating the status of the device 10 as detected by the at least one detector. The signals may be sent out continuously, periodically, on request, or when an alarm is present (i.e. if a tempering attempt is detected). When sending periodically, the communications module 66 may be configured so that the period between the transmissions includes a random time component, to avoid that signals transmitted from several electronic seal devices collide. The communication module 66 may for instance be a radio frequency (RF) transceiver.

The communication module 66 is connected to the cable 28, whereby the cable 28 acts as an antenna for the communication module 66. Hence, no dedicated antenna for the communication module 66 is necessary or present in the device 10.

The interface 68 may for instance be a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. By means of an interface 68, an external unit may be connected to the device 10, e.g. in order to configure or set up the device 10 using the external unit.

The visual indicators 70 may for instance be a pair of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The LEDs 70 may be placed on the back 72 of the main box 16, as seen in FIG. 5. The LEDs 70 may be configured to visually indicate the status of the device 10, by emitting light with different colors and blinking patterns. One LED may be red and the other LED may be green. Below is an exemplary scheme that may be used to indicate the status of the device 10:

Status LEDs

Sleep (inactive) No LEDs illuminated

Installation 0 00 00 000 000

Sealed 0 0 0

Tampered X X X

1 second 1 second 1 second 1 second 1 second

O = green LED

X = red LED

With reference to FIG. 5, the electronic seal device 10 may further comprise a magnet 74 arranged at the back 72 of the main box 16, for easy mounting of the device 10.

A method of sealing an object 76, such as a container or back doors on a trailer or truck, using the electronic seal device 10 will be described in the following.

Initially, the electronic seal device 10 is typically inactive with its lid 14 closed and the cable 28 not clamped in the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 6.

The cable 30 is then threaded through or around at least one element 78 of the object 76, such as two handles or two loops or two bars, and the user places the intermediate portion 36 of the cable 28 in the clamp 34 when the lid 14 is in the open position, see FIG. 7.

The user then closes the lid 14 for securing the cable 28. The electronic seal device 10 is activated by sensing that the lid 14 is closed, the cable 28 is present, and the cable integrity is not breached. The electronic seal device 10 may also be configured with an activation period so that an operator or user may adjust the mounting of the device 10 for a limited amount of time directly following the activation without any alarms being generated.

Once device 10 is activated (and any activation period has lapsed), the object 76 is properly sealed by the electronic seal device 10, see FIG. 8.

During normal operation when no tampering is attempted, the cable integrity sensor 46 measures the correct voltage, the first reed relay 58a does not detect the magnetic field from first magnet 56a indicating that the cable 28 is in place, the second reed relay 58b detects the magnetic field from second magnet 56b indicating that the lid 14 is properly closed, the third reed relay 58c does not detect any magnetic field, and the movement sensor 60 does not indicate any movement of the electronic seal device 10 (if the object 76 is designated as a stationary object).

However, if tampering is attempted, this is detected by one or more of the detectors of the electronic seal device 10. For example, attempts to open or access the object 76 will result in cutting or severing the cable 28. When the cable 28 is cut (FIG. 10), the capacitor 44 is removed and there is therefore no voltage on the I O 52 of the cable integrity sensor 46. This may trigger the communication module 66 to send out an alarm signal indicating a general tampering attempt or specifically that the cable 28 is cut.

Even if someone tries to bypass the cable 28 before cutting it by applying power to the cable 28, this too is detected by the cable integrity sensor 46 in that the voltage on the I/O 52 has a high signal too long. This may trigger the communication module 66 to send out an alarm signal indicating a general tampering attempt or specifically that the cable 28 is bypassed. Being able to detect that the cable 28 is bypassed increases the security of the device 10.

Further, if the cable 28 somehow is removed from the clamp 34 in the housing 12, this causes the first reed relay 58a to change state, which may trigger the

communication module 66 to send out an alarm signal indicating a general tampering attempt or specifically that the cable 28 has been removed.

Likewise, if the lid 14 is opened (FIG. 9), this causes the second reed relay 58b to change state, which may trigger the communication module 66 to send out an alarm signal indicating a general tampering attempt or specifically that the lid 14 is open.

Further, if the electronic seal device 10 is moved even though it is designated to seal a stationary object 76, this is detected by the onboard movement detector 60, which in turn may trigger the communication module 66 to send out an alarm signal indicating a general tampering attempt or specifically that the device 10 is moving.

The (alarm) signal(s) sent by the communication module 66 may be sent to an external unit 80. The external unit 80 may in turn communicate with a server and a web based interface for monitoring and/or controlling the electronic seal device 10. The external unit 80 may for instance be ABAX mtrack, and the web based interface may be ABAX Track2Find. The external unit 80 may communicate with several electronic seal devices 10.

Further, the electronic seal device 10 is configured to be reset and put in a sleeping mode by closing the lid 14 for longer than a predetermined time period without having the cable 28 installed. In this mode no alarms will be generated, and the device 10 will be in the power saving sleeping mode until it is activated again.

The person skilled in the art will realize that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiment described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Also, the cable integrity sensor described above may be regarded as an invention on its own. Hence it is envisaged an electronic seal device, comprising: a housing; at least one detector adapted to detect a status of the device; a communication module adapted to wirelessly send out one or more signals related to the status of the device as detected by the at least one detector; and a seal cable attached or attachable to the housing, wherein the at least one detector includes at least one electrically conducting sensor wire in the cable, a capacitor connected to the at least one electrically conducting sensor wire at one end thereof, and a cable integrity sensor connected to the at least one electrically conducting sensor wire at the other end thereof, wherein the cable integrity sensor is adapted to first charge the capacitor and then measure the voltage, and wherein the measured voltage deviating from a predetermined characteristic indicates that the cable is cut or bypassed.

Also, the use of magnets and reed relays as described above may be regarded as an invention on its own. Hence, it is envisaged an electronic seal device, comprising: a housing; at least one detector adapted to detect a status of the device; a communication module adapted to wirelessly send out one or more signals related to the status of the device as detected by the at least one detector; and a cable having a first free end, a second end securely attached in or to the housing, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the housing includes a first part and a second part, the first part being a lid which is movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the device further means for attaching the intermediate portion or the first end of the cable to the housing, wherein the at least one detector includes at least one of: a (first) magnet placed in the lid adjacent to said means and a corresponding (first) reed relay placed in the second part of the housing for indicating whether the cable is attached to said means or not; and a (second) magnet placed in the lid remote from the said means and a corresponding (second) reed relay placed in the second part of the housing for indicating whether the lid is in the open or closed position.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. An electronic seal device (10), comprising:

a housing (12);

at least one detector adapted to detect a status of the device;

a communication module (66) adapted to wirelessly send out one or more signals related to the status of the device as detected by the at least one detector; and a cable (28) having a first free end (30), a second end (32) securely attached in or to the housing, and an intermediate portion (36) between the first and second ends, wherein the housing includes a first part (14) and a second part (16), the first part being a lid which is movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the device further comprises a clamp (34) at least partly arranged in the housing and adapted to receive the intermediate portion of the cable when the lid is in the open position and to securely hold the intermediate portion of the cable when the lid is in the closed position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp includes at least one cable engaging surface (38) in the lid and at least one cable engaging surface (40) in the second part of the housing, and wherein the intermediate portion of the cable is clamped between the at least one cable engaging surface of the lid and at least one cable engaging surface of the second part when the lid is in the closed position.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid is hinged to the second part of the housing by means of at least one hinge (18).

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one detector includes at least one electrically conducting sensor wire (42) in the cable, a capacitor (44) connected to the at least one electrically conducting sensor wire at one end (48) thereof, and a cable integrity sensor (46) connected to the at least one electrically conducting sensor wire at the other end (50) thereof, wherein the cable integrity sensor is adapted to first charge the capacitor and then measure the voltage, and wherein the measured voltage deviating from a predetermined characteristic indicates that the cable is cut or bypassed.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one electrically conducting sensor wire is arranged along substantially the complete length of the cable, wherein the capacitor is arranged at the free end of the cable, and wherein the cable integrity sensor is arranged inside the housing.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one detector includes a magnet (56a) placed in the lid adjacent to the clamp and a corresponding reed relay (58a) placed in the second part of the housing, the magnet and reed relay being arranged such that the magnetic field generated by the magnet otherwise affecting the reed relay is consumed when the cable is placed in the clamp, whereby the state of the reed relay is changed for indicating that the cable is present in the clamp.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one detector includes a magnet (56b) placed in the lid remote from the clamp and a corresponding reed relay (58b) placed in the second part of the housing, the magnet and reed relay being arranged such that the magnetic field generated by the magnet changes the state of the reed relay as the lid is opened/closed for indicating whether the lid is in the open or closed position.

8. A device according to claim 6 and 7, wherein the at least one detector includes a further reed relay (58c) arranged in the second part of the housing between the other two reel relays for detecting any tampering of the other two reel relays.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one detector includes a movement sensor (60) adapted to detect whether the device is moving or not.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable is connected to the communication module, and wherein the cable acts as an antenna for the

communication module.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the status of the device indicates at least one of: whether the cable is cut or not; whether the cable is bypassed or not; whether the cable is present in the clamp or not; whether the lid is in the open or closed position; and whether the device is moving or not.

12. A method of sealing an object (76), such as a container or back doors on a trailer or truck, by means of an electronic seal device (10) according to any preceding claim, which method comprises:

threading the cable through or around at least one element (78) of said object; ensuring that the lid is in the open position;

placing the intermediate portion of the cable in the clamp; and moving the lid to the closed position for securing the cable.