Compartment security system

A security system for a goods-carrying compartment such as of a vehicle is arranged to indicate the sealed status of an access door 40 to the compartment. Following loading of the compartment, the system is used to seal the door closed by passing a security cable 34 through components 46, 50 of a lock mechanism associated with that door. The cable 34 is re-entered into the system housing 30 and then, using a key inserted into a security switch 14, the system is activated to show proper sealing. An interrogation switch 12 may be pressed to illuminate LED 22 if the door 40 has not been opened following sealing or LED 24 if the door has been opened and not properly re-sealed with a key. Two different keys may be provided, one for use with the initial sealing of the compartment and the other for re-sealing by an authorized person such as a driver, so long as the compartment was opened for a legitimate purpose on route between dispatch and the ultimate destination.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a security system for a compartment having a closure member. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a security system for the goods-carrying compartment of a commercial vehicle or truck provided with a closable access door, in order to permit monitoring of opening and closing of the access door.

In this specification, references to the sealing of a compartment are intended to mean that access to the compartment is restricted in a secure, verifiable and tamper-proof manner, rather than meaning the compartment is physically closed in such a way as to be airtight or watertight. In a case where the compartment has an access door, the sealing of that door may involve physically locking the door in a closed position, so long as when so closed, the maintenance of that state may be monitored by the security system.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are increasing concerns about ensuring the integrity of goods carried by commercial vehicles and trucks, in cargo containers as used on ships and on aircraft, and in other circumstances where the recipient of those goods wishes to be assured that they have not been tampered with, contaminated or otherwise spoiled following packing and dispatch from a warehouse, depot or manufacturing plant. Various systems have been developed in order to permit the sealing of a goods compartment whereby the integrity of that seal may be checked at the intended destination for the goods, to see whether access has been gained to the interior of the compartment.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,419 (Hayward), there is disclosed a security device for use with the door of a cargo container or goods compartment. The device is activated by closing and sealing the door the container or compartment, and generates a random or pseudo-random number or code which is recorded both at the dispatch site and also on a sheet of paper which travels with the goods or otherwise is transferred to the destination. When the container arrives at the destination, the number displayed by the system may be compared that recorded at the dispatch site. Security may be enhanced by checking that number back to the dispatch site by a telecommunications link, and if the numbers all match, then the goods may be accepted. If the numbers do not match, then the compartment will have been opened on route between the dispatch site and the destination and the appropriate action taken, such as refusing delivery of the goods.

The above system suffers from the disadvantage of having to record the generated number or code, and then to ensure that the code is stored both at the dispatch site and is transferred to the destination. This leads to operator inconvenience, for all the personnel involved. An improvement of this security system is described in UK Patent Publication No. 2,368,174-A (Encrypta), but this is primarily concerned with effecting the seal, rather than determining the integrity of that seal whilst the compartment is in transit.

In UK Patent Publication No. 2,353,425-A (Maple et al), there is disclosed a security system for use with a GPS system, whereby the system allows opening of a goods compartment only when the GPS detects the compartment is located at a pre-programmed destination. If the compartment is opened elsewhere, the system records this and informs the recipient at the destination, who again may take the appropriate action. This system has the disadvantage that it requires programming with the co-ordinates of the or each destination at which goods are to be delivered, and also there may be a malfunction if such a destination has only a weak or no GPS signal.

Other security systems are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,195 (Westerlage et al), which uses a cellular telephone network, and European Patent Publication No. 0,332,434-A (Security Services), which uses a wireless navigation system similar to GPS.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention aims at improving and simplifying the above-described security systems, so as to facilitate the sealing of a goods compartment (in the security sense) and to facilitate the verification of the integrity of goods carried within that compartment, on reaching the intended destination.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a security system for a compartment having a closure member, which security system is arranged to permit sealing of the closure member and to monitor a sealed status thereof, the security system. The system comprises:

a detector for sensing opening and closing movement of the closure member and providing a detector output;

a first input device providing an electrical first device output, the first input device being operable solely by means of an authorized user and having a first function for signifying sealing of the compartment;

a second input device providing an electrical second device output, the second input device being operable by any person and having a second function for checking the sealed status of the compartment;

an indicator having at least first and second states indicative of whether or not unauthorized access has been made to the compartment once sealed; and

an access verification controller arranged to control the indicator depending upon said outputs received from the detector and the input devices.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a security system for a compartment having a closure member, which security system is arranged to permit sealing of the closure member and to monitor a sealed status thereof, the security system. This second aspect of the invention comprises:

a detector for sensing opening and closing movement of the closure member and providing a detector output;

a first input device providing an electrical first device output, the first input device being operable solely by means of an authorized user and having a first function for signifying sealing of the compartment;

a second input device providing an electrical second device output, the second input device being operable any user and having a second function for checking the sealed status of the compartment;

an indicator having first, second and third states indicative of whether unauthorized or authorized access has been made to the compartment once sealed; and

an access verification controller arranged to control the indicator depending upon said outputs received from the detector and the input devices, whereby the first state of the indicator corresponds to the closure member having been sealed closed by an authorized person and the compartment has not been opened thereafter, the second state of the indicator corresponds to the closure member having been opened at least once following sealing by an authorized user and then resealed by an authorized user, and the third state of the indicator corresponds to the closure member having been opened following sealing by an authorized user and then sealed again other than by an authorized user.

It will be appreciated that the security system of this invention does not rely upon GPS in order to ensure the integrity of goods when in transit. Further, there is no need to record random or pseudo-random numbers or other codes which are generated each time the compartment is closed, and to track the continuity of those numbers before an assurance can be given as to the integrity of the goods. The system of this invention is thus easier to use and implement than the described known systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment of security system of this invention the first input device is key-operated such that it may be operated only by a user having the appropriate key. Such a user may be a warehouse manager, a team leader or a similar person who has been provided with the key and who has sufficient authority in order to ensure the loading of the compartment with goods has properly been completed. Once the compartment has been loaded and closed, the key is used to signify the sealing of the compartment, to the access verification controller of the system.

In one embodiment, the indicator utilizes first and second indicator lights so as to indicate to personnel the sealed status of the compartment. The first light may be associated with a first state and indicates that the closure member has been sealed closed by the authorized user and the compartment has not been opened thereafter. The second light may be associated with a second state and indicates that the compartment has been opened following sealing by an authorized user. Even if the compartment is closed and sealed again, said other such light will still indicate the compartment has been opened, unless the second sealing is also performed by an authorized user having an appropriate key.

The recipient of goods within the compartment may operate the second input device so as to activate the indicator. If the indicator shows the compartment has been sealed closed and not reopened, then the integrity of the goods is assured. Conversely, if the second light is illuminated, then the recipient is made aware that the compartment has been opened following initial sealing and so may take appropriate action, such as refusing delivery of the goods.

In a highly preferred embodiment, there is a third indicated state. This may be indicated by a third light and is to show that the compartment has been opened at least once following the initial sealing by an authorized user, but then has been closed and re-sealed again by an authorized user. If, on arrival at the destination, the compartment is showing this third state, the recipient may effect enquiries to determine why the compartment was opened and resealed and then decide whether or not to refuse delivery.

This highly preferred embodiment is applicable where for example a container crosses country boundaries and the driver (or some other escort) is required to show the contents of the container to persons in authority, such as Customs officials. So long as the driver is provided with a suitable key, the driver may open the compartment for inspection and then close it and re-seal it in an authorized manner.

The access verification controller may comprise a microprocessor running an appropriate control program. That program may store all relevant data relating to openings, closings and authorized sealings of the closure member. The control program may associate with that data time and date information concerning each stored event. The control program may be interrogated to permit the download of the data as and when required. This may be achieved either by a plug-in hard-wired link or by a wireless link.

A first preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 1. This embodiment serves to give assurance to a recipient of goods within a compartment that the compartment has not been opened after it has been sealed closed by an authorized person using a key, without the need to track a written number or employ a GPS system. The embodiment is primarily intended to use with a goods vehicle though could be used with other cargo containers or compartments.

The system includes an input unit10having a push-button interrogation switch12and a security switch14. Switch12is labeled INTERROGATE DOOR SEAL and switch14is labeled FINALIZE DOOR SEAL. The input unit conveniently may be located at or adjacent the rear of a vehicle, usually on the exterior thereof. For example, the unit10may be located externally on one of the doors of the compartment, immediately adjacent a door handle thereof. Preferably, the unit includes a weatherproof housing for securing to the door of the compartment, or some other part of the goods compartment.

Operation of the input unit10is monitored by a microprocessor16which may be installed at any suitable location, such as within the compartment of the vehicle to prevent unauthorized access thereto. Alternatively, the micro-processor could be disposed within the housing for the input unit10. The microprocessor16runs a control program which monitors the operation of the switches of the input unit as well as a sensing unit18, arranged to detect opening and closing of a door of the goods receiving compartment.

An indicator unit20may also be disposed in the housing for the input unit and is controlled by the microprocessor16. The indicator unit has two signaling devices,22,24for indicating the sealed status of the vehicle compartment, in terms of whether or not any unauthorized access has been made to the compartment since it was last closed and sealed by an authorized user signaling device22is labeled DOOR SEAL OK and signifies, when activated, that no access has been gained to the compartment following the sealing thereof by an authorized user signaling device24is labeled DOOR SEAL BROKEN in order to alert a user to the fact that unauthorized access to the vehicle compartment has occurred since it was last sealed by an authorized user.

The signaling devices22,24may take any appropriate form which will enable a user to differentiate between the two conditions that their operation signifies. For instance, both devices may comprise lamps such as LEDs and which have different colors e.g. green for device22and red for device24. Alternatively, or in addition, the signaling devices may produce audible outputs or may be in the form of a digital read-out. In the latter case, there need be only one digital display panel which could show, in the simplest case, a 0 or a 1, or with a more complex display DOOR SEAL OK or DOOR SEAL BROKEN. Other signaling devices may be used so long as a user may differentiate between the outputs. For example, one output state could be a continuous illumination of a lamp and the other output state could be a pulsed output.

Once the vehicle compartment has been loaded with goods to be delivered, the access door to the compartment is closed and fastened or otherwise locked closed. The person responsible for closing the door may then confirm this by operating the interrogation switch12, which operation is detected by the microprocessor16. The control program checks the door has been closed as determined by the sensing unit18and causes the signaling device24to operate, thereby indicating that the compartment has been accessed and closed and that authorized sealing is awaited.

The microprocessor16may be arranged so that the security switch is only effective to change the status from DOOR SEAL BROKEN to DOOR SEAL OK if the door has been sensed closed for at least a minimum preset time interval of typically several seconds. If the security switch is operated while the sensing unit18registers a door open condition or before the preset time interval expires, then the microprocessor will not reset the status to DOOR SEAL OK with the consequence that the DOOR SEAL BROKEN status will show when the interrogation switch is next operated.

The responsible person for the sealing of the door is in this way alerted to the fact that further action is needed before security requirements are met. This further action involves the operation of the security switch14which is arranged so that only authorized personnel may carry out this operation. Thus, for example, the security switch14may require the insertion of a mechanical key into a key lock, or the insertion of a personal electronic key-card into a key reader. Correct operation of the security switch14is checked by the microprocessor which then operates signaling device22to indicate that the compartment has been properly sealed. Where the signaling device22is in the form of a lamp, the microprocessor may cause it to be illuminated for a pre-determined time interval of several seconds, sufficient to allow the responsible person to verify that the proper sealing of the compartment has been finalized and the vehicle is ready to depart the loading depot, ready to effect a delivery.

When the vehicle arrives at the intended destination with a properly sealed compartment, the person responsible for unloading may ensure no tampering or contamination of the contents has occurred since the compartment was last sealed by an authorized person. This check is initiated by operating the interrogation switch12and observing which of the two signaling devices22,24is activated. If the integrity of the compartment had been breached, this would have been detected by the microprocessor16through the sensing unit18. In this event, device24will be activated in response to the next operation of the interrogation switch12. In the absence of any unauthorized door opening or closing activity since sealing of the compartment, signaling device22will be activated.

Activation of device22will indicate to the recipient of the goods that those goods may be accepted. On opening the door, the microprocessor16will automatically reset the status as DOOR SEAL BROKEN. Conversely, activation of device24indicates an unauthorized breach of compartment security has occurred. The intended recipient may then make further enquiries as appropriate, before accepting delivery of the goods.

The system may be used by a vehicle having to make deliveries to several different sites, so long as there is a person at each site who is authorized to effect sealing of the compartment and so who has an appropriate key for this purpose. If that key be an electronic key-card, it may be programmed so that it may operate only once, or for a given period of time before it automatically expires. Programming of such a key may be performed only within a secure location, so enhancing security yet further.

The sensing unit18may comprise a high security door switch for example mounted within the compartment to prevent inhibition of operation of the switch prior to opening of the door, by which time the unit will have determined unauthorized opening. Other sensing units may equally be employed, to provide the required output to the microprocessor.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a physical embodiment of an enhanced system as described above. Like components with those described above are given like reference characters and will not be described again.

The system ofFIGS. 2 and 3includes a security housing30within which is disposed the microprocessor16, interrogation switch12and security switch14, which in this example comprises a mechanical key switch adapted for use with a suitable coded key (not shown). The interrogation switch12comprises a press-panel, to simplify operation and checking of the sealed status. The system includes a third signaling device32which may be an amber LED and is disposed between the green signaling device22and the red signaling device24. This third signaling device32may be labeled DRIVER SEALED. A flexible security cable34has one end36held captive within the housing30and the other end38is releasable from the housing for a limited time period following interrogation of the system, by pressing the interrogation switch12.

FIG. 2shows the housing30secured to a door40of a cargo container or goods compartment of a vehicle. Typically, the housing30may be secured in position by screws passing through holes in the door from the inside, and threaded into the housing such that the screws cannot be released from the outside, when the door is closed. The door is provided with a lock mechanism to hold the door in a closed position, that lock mechanism including a tubular operating member42mounted for rotation about its axis. A handle44is pivoted to the operating member42and has a lug46secured thereto. A bracket48is mounted on the door and has a projecting plate50, for supporting the handle44when the door has been locked closed. Aligned openings52are formed in the lug46and plate50.

The door, when locked closed, may be sealed by the security system of this invention by removing the other end38of the cable34from the housing, passing it through the aligned openings52and then re-entering the other end38into the housing30. The other end is held there until the door is to be opened.

The basic operation of the security system ofFIGS. 2 and 3is as described above with reference toFIG. 1. However, the system is enhanced by permitting the indication of a third door sealed status, by the amber LED signaling device32. The driver or other person associated with the transit of the vehicle may be provided with a special key receivable in the security switch14, by means of which the driver may re-seal the compartment once opened, following the initial sealing by a fully authorized and responsible person. Should this occur, subsequent operation of the interrogation switch12will cause the signaling device32to be illuminated, so indicating that the door has been opened but sealed again by the driver, following the initial sealing. This will warn the recipient of the goods that there is a possible breach of security and the recipient may then make appropriate enquiries to determine why this occurred. It could be that the driver was authorized to make a drop of a part-load on route to the destination, or that government authorities (such as Customs authorities) have insisted on checking the contents of the compartment or container.

In both of the above embodiments, the door movements and operations of the switches may be held in a non-volatile memory associated with the microprocessor and could include time and date information. In the case of the use of an electronic key-card, the stored data could also record information from that key-card. The information may be downloaded to a land-based computer system for example at a central control station, either by a wire or a wireless link.

It will be appreciated that though the invention has been particularly described in the foregoing embodiments it is not to be regarded as limited to the details thereof. Variations and modifications thereof are possible within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.